2024 Masters World Cup kicks off in Cape Town
The highly anticipated World Masters Hockey World Cup 2024 commenced on Friday, 11th October, in Cape Town, South Africa. This year’s event has drawn 95 teams from 26 nations, competing across 9 divisions, which include 5 men's divisions, 2 women's divisions, and 2 mixed divisions. The tournament offers an excellent opportunity for experienced hockey players to continue showcasing their talent and passion for the sport.
Running until 22nd October, the event features age categories spanning from Over-35 to Over-80, offering athletes the chance to compete at the highest level on the international stage for their age group. As teams come into the pointy end of the World Cup, players will be vying for prestigious titles and international accolades, delivering world-class performances for spectators and hockey fans across the globe.
New Zealand is proudly represented by five teams in various divisions, with three men's teams competing in the Over-35, Over-40, and Over-65 categories, while two women’s teams compete in the Women’s Over-35 and Women’s Over-40 divisions.
Results and fixtures (18/10/24)
The New Zealand Men's Over-35 squad, drawn in Group B, maintained an unbeaten group stage run. They defeated trans-Tasman rivals Australia 5-0, followed by victories over England 2-1 and Zimbabwe 11- 0, finishing at the top of the group. Herman Singh was a standout performer, finishing as the joint top goalscorer with 5 goals from 3 games. The team now faces Wales in the quarterfinal knockout tomorrow at 8am.
The Men's Over-40 team had a similarly strong group stage performance, finishing second in Group B. They secured three consecutive wins, beating France 4-1, hosts South Africa 4-0, and Argentina 6-0. However, their top-of-the-table clash with Australia saw them fall short in a 6-3 defeat. Despite this, they advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Singapore tomorrow at 2pm.
The Men's Over-65 team has faced a tough World Cup campaign in Group A. They suffered defeats in all three matches: a 6-0 loss to Australia, a 4-0 loss to England, and a 2-0 loss to Spain. Despite the challenging results, the team still has two more matches to play—against France on the 18th and the USA on the 21st of October.
The Women's Over-35 team has had an outstanding World Cup so far, topping Group C. They began with a 0-0 draw against Scotland, followed by a 5-1 victory over Zimbabwe, and a 5-2 win against Wales. Unfortunately, their quarterfinal match against Australia saw them narrowly defeated 2-1. They now have a classification match against Germany on the 18th of October at midday.
The New Zealand Women's Over-40 team finished third in Group D, behind Australia and Chile. They narrowly lost 2-1 to both teams but managed a goalless 0-0 draw with Scotland. The team bounced back with two consecutive wins, beating South Africa 2-0 and Scotland 1-0. Their next match is against Germany on the 20th of October.
New Zealand Teams – Results So Far
Men’s Over-40 (Group B):
11 Oct: Defeated Argentina 6-0
13 Oct: Defeated South Africa 4-0
14 Oct: Defeated France 4-1
16 Oct: Lost to Australia 6-3
Next Match: Quarterfinals against Singapore on 18th October
Men’s Over-35 (Group A):
11 Oct: Defeated Australia 5-0
14 Oct: Defeated England 2-1
16 Oct: Defeated Zimbabwe 11-0
Next Match: Against Wales on 18th October
Men’s Over-65 (Group A):
11 Oct: Lost 6-0 to Australia
13 Oct: Lost 4-0 to England
16 Oct: Lost 2-0 to Spain
Upcoming Matches:
18 Oct: New Zealand vs France
21 Oct: USA vs New Zealand
Women’s Over-35 (Group C):
11 Oct: Drew 0-0 with Scotland
13 Oct: Defeated Zimbabwe 5-1
14 Oct: Defeated Wales 5-2
16 Oct: Lost to Australia 2-1 in the Quarterfinals
Next Match: Against Germany on 20th October
Women’s Over-40 (Group D):
11 Oct: Lost 2-1 to Chile
13 Oct: Lost 2-1 to Australia
14 Oct: Drew 0-0 with Scotland
16 Oct: Defeated South Africa 2-0
17 Oct: Defeated Scotland 1-0
Next Match: Against Germany on 20th October