News 22 April 2014
All the news for Tuesday 22 April 2014
Scotland finish off Wales in series clean sweep
Scotland's Ali Howie fights for possession of the ball against Wales. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray
Scotland Senior Women completed a 3-0 series win over Wales today after a 6-2 victory at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
Head Coach Gordon Shepherd fielded a changed side from the previous two encounters, blending the experience of a number of senior players with the youthful exuberance among Neil Menzies’ Scotland U21 contingent.
Sam Judge and Amy Brodie bagged two goals each with Holly Cram and Mairi Drummond also getting in on the act. Wales’ goal-scorers were Sian French and Elie Barnes.
A tense and tight opening period was eventually broken when Wales were awarded a penalty stroke in the 28th minute for an apparent illegal block on the goal-line. Sian French came forward to place the ball past Scotland goalkeeper Siobhan Cowie and give the away side a 1-0 lead.
The national side were immediately back on level terms, however, with Sam Judge finding an equalising goal with a sweetly struck shot into the left corner in the 29th minute.
Amber McNeil sets Scotland off another attack against Wales. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray
With the two sides locked at 1-1 at the half-time interval, Scotland started the second half with more intent and desire to impose themselves further on the contest. In the 40th minute, they took the lead for the first time following Amy Brodie’s quick reaction to volley home a re-bound from Wales goalkeeper Margaret Rees’ initial block.
Sixty second later, Judge was on target again, taking advantage of indecision in the Welsh rear-guard to rob a defender and blast the ball past Rees to make it 3-1.
In the 49th minute, Elie Barnes brought Wales back within one goal at 3-2, striking a penalty corner past Cowie into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
Scotland's Jenny Morris in action against Wales in Glasgow. Photo Credit: Duncay Gray
With the home side keen to close the game out, they found three goals inside the last eight minutes to finally kill off Wales’ threat; Holly Cram made it 4-2 with a low drive into the bottom corner, Brodie claimed her second of the match with a close range finish for Scotland’s fifth goal, before Mairi Drummond put the final touch on an excellent penalty corner set-play to round off the scoring at 6-2.
Scotland Senior Women: Jennifer Eadie (Clydesdale Western), Fiona Burnet (Clydesdale Western), Jenny Morris (GHK Ladies, Amy Brodie (CALA Edinburgh), Sam Judge (Edinburgh University), Holly Cram (Clydesdale Western), Kirsty Hill (Watsonians), Kerry-Anne Hastings (CALA Edinburgh), Bethan Mann (Edinburgh University), Kirsten McIntosh (Edinburgh University), Robyn Collins (Beeston), Ali Howie (Clydesdale Western), Maisie Morris (Edinburgh University), Amber McNeil (CALA Edinburgh), Louise Campbell (Edinburgh University), Mairi Drummond (Edinburgh University), Siobhan Cowie (Merlins Gordonians)
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Harvestehuder the kings of Europe for the first time
FINAL, Eindhoven: Michael Korper and Tobias Walter combined to fire Harvestehuder to their first Euro Hockey League title, edging out home favourites Oranje Zwart on penalties.
A pulsating final had ended 2-2 as the German club twice came back from a goal down and they held their nerve in the shoot-out, winning 3-1 with Walter making the saves and Walter duly spinning to push home the winning goal.
In so doing, they lifted the trophy for the first time, becoming the first side to win it in their debut in the competition since UHC Hamburg in the inaugural season.
The first half was a tight affair with very little between the teams with Tobias Hauke and Benjamin Stanzl leading a perfectly compact Harvestehuder defence in the face of a side packed with an embarrassment of riches.
Sander Baart, as part of an all-action performance, fired one just wide while Mink van der Weerden missed out on a rare field goal from Bob de Voogd’s sharp cross. In defence, van der Weerden subsequently scooped one away from the goal line after Moritz Polk’s good run.
Gabriel Dabanch’s delicate lob landed on the face of the crossbar to keep it scoreless until the last play of the first half when de Voogd made a great run down the left to win his side’s first corner.
After a reset, van der Weerden powered home the corner for a 1-0 half-time lead. The lead lasted until five minutes into the second half when Nicolas Spooner latched onto a mistake at the centre of the host side’s defence to push past Mark Jenniskens – just the third goal he had let in during this year’s campaign.
Dabanch saw Tobias Walter save another corner while van der Weerden and the goalkeeper also did well to keep out a number of other OZ efforts.
He was unable to stop the unmarked Rob Reckers who race onto the end of Rashid Mehmood’s left wing ball into the centre, making it 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining.
Again, the lead did not last long as Michael Korper – following a run of four penalty corners – flicked the ball into the top right corner over the postman,
It set up the final quarter nicely but no further goals came as Walter saved well from Baart and de Voogd in the final moments to give themselves a chance at a penalty shoot-out.
They duly prevailed, leading from the start of the penalties as Gabriel Dabanch miscued in round one. Tobias Hauke was fouled by Jenniskens, allowing Paul Pongs to score a penalty stroke for 1-0. With Rob van der Horst and Baart also missing, it meant that when Stanzl and Korper finished their chances, the title was heading to Harvestehuder for the first time.
Harvestehuder: T Walter, M Polk, R Dawson-Smith, M Korper, T Lietz, T Hauke, T Linsmeier, B Stanzl, C Borchard, T Stockmann, X Husan
Subs: P Pongs, A Pohling, S Feller, J Bjorkman, F Kohler, N Spooner
Oranje Zwart: M Jennisjens, S Baart, M Balkestein, J Galema, T Briels, M van der Weerden, N van der Schoot, B de Voogd, G Dabanch, R van der Horst, E van Strydonck
Subs: R Mehmood, R Muhammand, F Ahmed, T Bams, R Reckers
Euro Hockey League media release
Welter breaks Oranje Zwart hearts
The EHL finals end in penalty shoot-out win for competition debutantes Harvestehuder
(Photo: Euro Hockey League/Frank Uijlenbroek)
Harvestehuder broke the hearts of home team Oranje Zwart to win their first Euro Hockey League title, but the German side did it the hard way, coming back twice from being a goal down and then holding their nerve to win the penalty shoot out. By winning this trophy, Havestehuder became only the second team to win the competition on their debut – UHC Hamburg achieved the same feat in the inaugural season.
Many of the faces appearing in the final will be featuring at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup in less than a month's time, none more so than the defensive duo of Tobias Hauke and Benjamin Stanzl, who were rock solid in the Harvestehuder defence. But it was goal keeper and the EHL Player of the Season, Tobias Welter whose performance between the posts kept Harvestehuder in the match and then in command during the shoot-out.
Another player likely to make hockey headlines in the Hague is Oranje Zwart's ace drag-flick specialist Mink van der Weerden. His shot powered the home side into the lead, but unfortunately for Oranje Zwart, when it came to the shoot-out, Welter stood firm and his teammates were able to capitalise, with Paul Pongs, Stanzl and Michael Korper firing home to win 3-1.
In the bronze medal match, Florent van Aubel’s two goals earned Dragons a late 2-1 win over Racing Club de Bruxelles. The Belgian striker popped up with the winning goal just 70 seconds from the end of an intriguing battle with little to separate the two sides for most of the match.
FIH site
Dragons strike late for EHL bronze
Florent van Aubel’s pair of deflection goals earned Dragons a late 2-1 win over Racing Club de Bruxelles, landing third place from the 2013/14 Euro Hockey League season.
The Belgian striker popped up with the winning goal just 70 seconds from the end of an intriguing battle with little between the sides at the end of a long, hard week of four games in quick succession.
It provided Manu Leroy with a great send-off to his epic career with Dragons, his last game before retiring from the game.
Chances were a rarity in a game with little to pick between the two teams who know each other so well. Alvaro Iglesias went close from van Aubel’s clever pass in the seventh minute from one opportunity before they went 1-0 ahead at the end of the first quarter.
Max Peeters was the instigator with a smart move, cutting in from the left wing before powerfully sweeping the ball into the path of the sliding van Aubel who ramped the ball past Jeremy Gucasoff.
But moments after the start of the second quarter, Racing earned a penalty corner to equalise with a hotly contested effort. Scott Tupper redirected the ball to injector Andrin Rickli who guided the ball in above the backboard.
Dragons sought a video review, suggesting he had hit the ball high but their claims were rejected and Racing were back on terms.
It remained that way right until the last moments of the tie as both sides tried to summon the energy for the vital incursion. Jonathan Beckers’ great run almost unlocked the door while he also had a drag-flick saved by Leroy.
But, in a stunning denouement, Felix Denayer was put in the clear on the right hand side and he once again found van Aubel in perfect position to whip home from close range.
It left Dragons with little time to level and ended their epic run this week in fourth place as their countrymen celebrated a bronze to go with the silver they won a year ago, making it three medals in three years all told.
Euro Hockey League media release
Inquest begins as English hockey teams flop
THE inquest is on as to why English men's teams came out so badly from this season's Euro Hockey League which finished yesterday in Eindhoven.
By Sean Cotter
Beeston were one of the sides to go crashing out[GETTY]
All three competing clubs - Beeston, Reading and Surbiton - lost in the opening last-16 knock-out stage on Easter Friday.
At least his team's early departure was to the eventual silver medallists, the host club Oranje Zwart and enabled Surbiton's Aussie coach Todd Williams to take to the commentary box to do expert analysis during the rest of the tournament.
The Tasmanian former Kookaburra is in no doubt as to the reason for the English demise. "The growing success of the Belgians - all three of whose teams reached the last eight and two the semi-finals - over the past few years at both club and national level is no coincidence. Both levels are integral parts of improving and maintaining standards."
Beeston's coach Matt Taylor, whose team lost 4-3 to Waterloo Ducks from near Brussels, is equally adamant.
He said: "We were up against a standard of hockey we are just not used to. The public interest in the game on the continent enables their players to be full time, training all week."
At least his club, as this season's English champions, will be back in Europe next season.
Reading, however, who lost 4-2 to Real Club de Polo de Barcelona in KO16, had already failed to qualify for the first time in 19 seasons and will not be back.
Even their conquerors Surbiton, who beat them in the national play-offs for next season's third and final English place, have a nervous wait to see if the country's qualification quota has been reduced from three clubs to two based on this season's EHL results, in which case they too would miss out on Europe next season.
In this weekend's Final Harvestehuder of Germany beat Oranje Zwart 3-1 on penalty shoot-outs after a 2-2 draw at full time while Dragons beat fellow Belgians RC Bruxelles for bronze.
Daily Express
Kuantan ready to host Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1
(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)
The opening match between New Zealand and Ireland is just four days away. On Saturday 26 April, the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 kicks off in Kuantan, Malaysia. Eight teams battle for the coveted qualification spot for the 2016 Champions Trophy in Argentina.
New Zealand are considered by many to be tournament favourites following their impressive displays in recent months. The team, mentored by globally respected ex-Belgium coach and former Australian international Colin Batch, claimed a superb silver medal at the Hero Hockey World League Final in New Delhi this January.
The Black Sticks are one of three teams in Kuantan who will be in action at the upcoming Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague (31 May - 15 June). The Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 will also be a key tournament in Korea’s and host Malaysia’s World Cup preparation.
Pool A at this Champions Challenge 1 edition features New Zealand, Ireland, Japan and Poland. Pool B sees Korea, Malaysia, Canada and first-time CC1 team France in action.
Although his team is favourite to win pool A, Black Sticks’ coach Batch points out: “We play Ireland first which will be an extremely difficult game. They’ve shown they can provide shocks so that’s a tough game first up. Also Japan, who we have played three times recently, are in our pool along with Poland who are a bit of a surprise package."
Japan – who finished as runners up to Pakistan in the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy – have featured in four previous editions of the men’s Champions Challenge 1, having claimed 5th place on three occasions (Kuala Lumpur 2001, Antwerp 2007 & Quilmes 2012).
Ireland are making their second successive appearance in the Champions Challenge 1, having debuted at the 2012 edition in Quilmes, Argentina. The “Green Machine” proved themselves to be the surprise team of the tournament, producing a string of classy, confident performances before eventually taking the bronze medal thanks to a Peter Caruth’s stunning Golden Goal winner against Malaysia.
2011 world indoor silver medallists Poland may be coming into this tournament as the lowest ranked team, but they certainly should not be under-estimated. Poland have featured in the two most recent editions of the Champions Challenge 1. The side finished a creditable sixth at the 2011 event in Johannesburg, although their 2012 campaign in Quilmes was less successful, finishing eighth.
Pool B favourites Korea enter the Champions Challenge 1 tournament as the continental champions of Asia, a title that they claimed on Malaysian soil last year thanks to victory over India in the final of the Asia Cup in Ipoh. Korea also showed signs of good form at the recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Notably, the Koreans faced two of their CC1 pool rivals at the event, comfortably defeating Canada 3-0 before earning a 2-2 draw with host nation Malaysia. Korea have been the runners-up in each of their three previous CC1 appearances (2003, 2005 and 2012).
Host nation Malaysia will also be using the event as a key element of their preparation for the upcoming Rabobank Hockey World Cup. A successful campaign in front of their passionate home fans in Kuantan could be the springboard to even greater accomplishments in Europe later this year. The new team coach, former Malaysian international Muhammad Dhaarma Raj, recently guided the team to a second place finish behind Australia at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Like Korea, Canada return to Malaysia for the second time in two months, following their participation in March’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup where they finished fourth. The squad, selected by head coach Anthony Farry, contains three players named in the 2013 Pan American Elite Team, with ace defender Scott Tupper being joined by strikers Matthew Guest and Mark Pearson on the 16-strong shortlist which recognises Pan American hockey’s most impressive performers.
CC1 debutants France are a team full of surprises. The Tricolores produced an outstanding performance on home soil at the Hockey World League Round 2 tournament in St. Germain last year where they finished second behind Belgium, defeating fellow CC1 competitors Canada and Poland to snatch four wins from their five matches. Perhaps the most telling evidence of a change in French fortunes came at the Hero Hockey Junior World Cup in New Delhi in December when the young guns defied all expectations to reach the tournament final. Ten players from that hugely successful junior squad have been named in the senior team for Kuantan.
A lot of action and breathtaking matches are guaranteed, so let’s get started!
FIH site
Fit-again Razie a boost for Malaysia
By S. Ramaguru
Mohd Razie Rahim has been included in the 21-man squad for two friendlies - against France and Poland. - filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: The quick recovery of defender Mohd Razie Rahim from a shoulder injury is definitely good news for Malaysia as his presence will shore up the defence in the Champions Challenge I tournament which starts in Kuantan on Saturday.
Razie played in two of the six friendlies against China last week, performing better than expected. And that has earned him a place in the 21-player squad for the Kuantan tournament.
Even national coach K. Dharmaraj was pleasantly surprised to see Razie back in action sooner than expected.
However, Dharmaraj admitted that Razie would need more matches to be fully fully fit for international duty.
“We tried him out in the friendlies to give him some much-needed match practice and to see how the injury is healing.
“I must say that I was surprise that he played without any problem and even played like his old self. This is good news for us as the defence will be much stronger with him around. It certainly gives me more options in selecting the backline ... and I’ll also have a good drag flicker in the team,” said Dharmaraj.
The 21 players left for Kuantan on Monday and will play two more friendlies – against France on Tuesday and Poland on Wednesday – before the final 18 players are named.
Dharmaraj has named 21 players as he wants to give some of the previously injured players more time to prove themselves.
The inclusion of Razie has also ensured that none of the defensive players in the team will take it easy in the next few days.
Initially, it was thought that Razie would be be left out of the Champions Challenge I team so as to let him fully recover for the World Cup challenge in May.
Razie dislocated his shoulder in January when he played in the Hockey India League for Mumbai Magicians. The injury forced him to miss the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in March.
With Razie’s inclusion, there are seven defenders in the team. The others are Azlan Misron, Kevin Lim, Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin, Faiz Helmi, Izad Hakimi and Mohd Shukri Mutalib.
As such, one defender is likely to get the chop tomorrow when Dharmaraj trims the squad to 18 players.
Only two players are assured of making the last 18. They are goalkeepers S. Kumar and Mohd Hafizzuddin Othman.
In the Champions Challenge I, Malaysia will open their Group B campaign against France on Saturday. The other teams in the group are South Korea and Canada.
Group A comprises New Zealand, Poland, Japan and Ireland.
The Star of Malaysia
Azlan has Dutch courage, says Malaysia coach
Azlan battles with Sandeep Singh of India at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium during the Commonwealth Games, October 5, 2010.
KUALA LUMPUR — Defender and seasoned campaigner Azlan Misron is ready to take on another bigger task with the upcoming Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 in Kuantan next week.
The 31-year-old, who is the most senior player in the training squad with 329 international caps to his credit, is prepared to wear the captain’s band once again if given the option by head coach K. Dharmaraj.
Dharmaraj, who guided the team to a second-place finish in the recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in his first assignment as senior team coach after successfully taking the National Juniors to a fourth spot in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi last year, has his eyes glued on Azlan for a possible captaincy duty.
“I see him as an ideal candidate to lead the squad as he has the right tonic in him to get things right on the pitch,” said Dharmaraj. “He played a leading role in the Azlan Shah Cup as captain and did well.”
Azlan, when contacted, said he would be more than happy to lead the team once again but believes he has to convince Dharmaraj that he is worthy of a place in the squad.
“It is certainly a big responsibility to lead the team in the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 as the pressure is on us to win the tournament in front of home fans,” said Azlan. “But let me first prove myself of a place in the squad. No one is assured of an automatic selection.”
He added that the team is in the final stage of preparation as the six-match Test series against China concludes on April 20 before they travel to Kuantan for the big challenge.
“Preparation has been positive so far and all the players are aware of the task ahead us. We will go into the Champions Challenge 1 as the third best team apart from New Zealand (world No 6) and South Korea (world No 7) who are ranked above us in the tournament,” added Azlan, who made his international debut in 2001.
Malaysia, ranked 13 in the world, is in Group A together with Korea, France and Canada, while Group A consists of New Zealand, Ireland, Japan and Poland.
With the World Cup scheduled to begin on May 31 in The Hague, Holland, Azlan believes the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 will give Dharmaraj a better insight of the players before embarking in the World Cup.
“If we can pull off victory here, we will also qualify for the 2016 Champions Trophy. That should also be our focus and not just the World Cup after this,” he added. “Playing in the World Cup is certainly every players dream and with age catching up on my side I believe this is my golden chance to realise my dreams.
“I may be one of the most experienced players in the squad but I know that it doesn’t assure me of an automatic place in the squad. The Juniors have been playing better since moving up into the senior squad and I believe it will not be easy for anyone to just walk into the final team,” he added.
Malay Mail
Walsh targets top 8 finish in hockey World Cup
NEW DELHI: With the World Cup just round the corner, Indian men's hockey team chief coach Terry Walsh is realistic about his ward's chances and said his main "objective is to finish in the top 8" in the mega-event and anything higher than that will be a "big bonus".
Fresh from a preparatory tour to Europe, Walsh however believed India can climb up to the top six position by the end of 2014.
"The FIH World Cup is the second most important event after the Olympic Games. So every team is going to be prepared. Our objective is to finish in the top 8 and should we finish higher than that it will be a big bonus," Walsh said in an interview after returning from a tour to The Hague, The Netherlands where the World Cup will be held from May 31 to June 15.
"But I think by the end of the year, by the time we get to the Champions Trophy we should be shooting for a top 6 position in the world. I think that's very realistic," he said.
Walsh said for a team like India a positive start will play a crucial role in a big tournament like the World Cup.
"More importantly, we will strive to improve the level of our performance at the international stage. Anything can happen at the World Cup, we could end up with a very outstanding performance.
"I think the first few games will be really critical. In this World Cup I believe the first game against Belgium will be extremely crucial in deciding our final outcome," the Australian said.
During the just-concluded tour to Europe, India defeated Leiden Hockey Club 7-0 and drew 3-3 draw with HGC Hockey Club before losing 1-2 to Belgium, 2-4 and 1-2 to The Netherlands in their remaining build-up games.
Asked about the importance of the tour, he said it helped in growing "self-belief" in the Sardar Singh-led side.
"It was good, we had the opportunity to play Holland on the pitch, not exactly the same but same style of surface, that will be at the World Cup. We had an idea about the European umpiring, European style of playing.
"Overall, I think we grew during this tour and we will continue to grow in the rest of the year. Now we have a squad of players who have self belief. If we play effectively and to our requirement then we can be very competitive against any opponent. Physically, now we are just about at par with our opponents," Walsh said.
"We have always known skills were there but the most important thing is that we now have self belief. The players now know how to handle crucial moments professionally and that puts us in a good position leading upto the World Cup.
"In my view it is a revitalized Indian team." While 18 players were part of the Europe tour, 14 missed out but are very much in contention for a place in the World Cup-bound squad.
"We have managed to achieve many of the requirements we have set for the tour. I think the quality of game of the players in this tour is going to make the selection of final squad very difficult. We have got 14 players here who didn't go for the tour and they also will be fighting hard for a place in the team," Walsh said.
"All of these players came up with performances to be in the fray for the World Cup. It's about choosing the best of the lot.
"It's hard to pick the players who haven't been in the tour. But look anything can happen in the next four weeks. I think there are opportunities for all players to get into the final squad of 18," the chief coach said.
Talking about former captain Sandeep Singh, who emerged as the highest goal-scorer in this year's Hockey India League, Walsh said the experienced drag-flicker is well aware about his drawbacks.
"Sandeep is well aware of what he has to alter. We all know he has got a very good corner but he has to become a much better distributor of the ball and he has to be much more agile on his feet. He has got an opportunity, he is working very hard and the next couple of days will see where exactly he is," Walsh said about Sandeep's chances of making the World Cup squad.
India will be leaving for The Hague on May 22 and open their campaign against Belgium on the opening day on May 31.
"We will be preparing here and go to Holland on the May 22. Our first game is on May 31 so it gives quite a bit of preparation time. We plan to play a few full practice games against our group opponents before the tournament starts," Walsh signed off.
India have clubbed alongside world champions Australia, Belgium, England, Spain and Malaysia in Group A while Group B consists of Germany, hosts The Netherlands, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina and South Africa.
The Times of India
Outstation teams rule the roost in All India hockey
Suhas Nayse
NAGPUR: Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sundergarh (Orissa), Maharashtra XI, Rajnandgaon and Northern Railway, Lucknow registered big victories to move into the second round of the 1st VHA-Nagpur All India Gold Cup Hockey tournament at the VHA ground here on Monday. The tournament is being organized under the aegis of Hockey India.
The second day of the six-day tourney was dominated by the outstation teams.
While SAI, Sundergarh thrashed Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Bhilai 6-0, Maharashtra XI ripped apart Aurangabad to record a whopping 13-0 win.
SAI Sundergarh will now meet Range Police Nagpur on Tuesday morning while Maharashtra XI will take on Eagle Sporting in the afternoon session.
Rajnandgaon defeated Madhya Pradesh Academy, Bhopal 3-2 while Northern Railway Lucknow thrashed Divakar Academy, Katni 5-2.
RESULTS
Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sundergarh bt Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Bhilai 6-0 (Halftime 1-0). Scorers: Prem Singh Ekka (35th), Sushil Ekka (43rd), Antuni Kido (46th PC), Deepak Lakra (59th, 69th), Amardeep Dung Dung (62nd PC).
Maharashtra XI bt District Hockey Association (DHA) Aurangabad 13-0 (Half-time 6-0). Maharashtra scorers: Rajendra Pawar (6th), Bhushan Dhere (11th, 35th, 59th), Abhinandan Thakur (19th), Sadiq Sheikh (23rd, 43rd), Sumit Kumar (29th), Gaurav Nimbalkar (53rd, 61st, 64th, 68th), Akash Kamble (55th).
Rajnandgaon bt MP Hockey Academy, Bhopal 3-2 (Half-time 1-1). Rajnandgaon: Kartik Yadav (6th, 43rd), Rukesh Nishad (49th); Bhopal: Abhay Yadav (22nd), Mohd Nizamuddin (69th).
Northern Railway Lucknow bt Divakar Academy, Katni 5-2. Half-time (3-1). Northern Railway, Lucknow: Ram Bais (6th), S Bisen (9th), Gaurav (34th), Vivek Dhar (51st), Sanjay Kurketi (64th); Divakar Academy, Katni Azad (11th), Ravinder (53rd).
Tuesday's matches
Range Police, Nagpur vs SAI, Sundergarh (7.30 am); Eagle Sporting vs Maharashtra XI (2.30 pm); Dhyanchand Academy vs Northern Railway, Lucknow (4 pm).
The Times of India
Flying start for Eagle, SECR in All India Gold Cup Hockey
Suhas Nayse
NAGPUR: Eagle Sporting, South East Central Railway (SECR), Dhyanchand Academy and Range Police Nagpur carved out easy victories over their respective rivals to enter the second round on the opening day of the 1st VHA-Nagpur All India Gold Cup Hockey tournament on Sunday.
The six-day long tourney is organized by the Vidarbha Hockey Association under the auspices of Hockey India.
In the inaugural match, Shadab Khan scored three goals as VHA Senior Division champions SECR thrashed District Hockey Association Akola 8-3. Both the teams were locked at 2-2 at half-time.
Shubham Shendre scored a fine hat-trick to help Eagle rout DHA Chandrapur 13-0.
In the afternoon session, Ganesh Patre scored a brilliant hat-trick to give Range Police a huge 8-2 win over Gondia. Patre slammed the board in the second half (42nd, 46th and 47th) minute. Amit Yesur scored a brace in 6th and 59th (PC) minute.
In the fourth and last match of the day, Dhyanchand Academy defeated Jalgaon 7-2.
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by GB Indurkar, Additional Commissioner, Sales Tax, Nagpur Zone, Nagpur. DC Garg, CMD, Western Coalfields Limited, Nagpur presided over the function.
Results:
SECR, Nagpur 8 (Dalbir Singh 7th PS, Shadab Khan (28th, 41st, 56th), Mohd Shahid (38th), Irshad Mirza (42nd), Sheikh Imran (44th), Ankit Bihari (70th) bt Akola 3 (Akshay Nimbalkar (32nd, 34th), Mayur Nimbalkar (50th).
Eagle Sporting 13 (Gunanand Jha (4th PC, Rakesh Khatarkar 6th, 62nd PC), Amit Yadav (17th PC, 34th, Krunal Gabne (21st, 42nd), Shubham Shendre (52nd PS, 54th PC, 56th), Shakil Sheikh (66th PC, Amir Sheikh (68th), Mohit Kahtoute (70th) bt Chandrapur 0.
Range Police, Nagpur 8 (Amit Yesur 6th, 59th PC, Ganesh Patre (26th, 42nd, 46th), Zafar Abdul (47th), Amol Kharambe (63rd), Rahul Kalambe (67th) bt DHA Gondia 2 Rahul Rajak (14th), Aamid Khan (56th).
Dhyanchand Academy 7 (Rahul Suryawanshi (4th), Shrikant Kalakoti (14th), Shahbaz Pathan (28th PC, 43rd), Rahul Kalakoti (33rd, 49th, 68th) bt Jalgaon 2 (Shakir Sheikh (40th) Shakir Khan (68th).
Monday's matches
SAI, Sundergarh vs SAIL, Bhilai (7.30 am), Maharashtra XI vs DHA Aurangabad (9 am), Rajnandgaon vs MP Hockey Academy, Bhopal (2.30 pm), Divakar Hockey Academy, Katni vs Northern Railway Lucknow (4 pm).
The Times of India
PHF revises dates of talent hunt programme
LAHORE:- Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has revised the dates of countrywide trials for picking up new talent keeping in view the ongoing 9th Nishan-e-Haider Floodlights Hockey tournament which is in progress at Motiullah Khan Hockey Stadium Bahawalpur.
The national selection committee will also observe the performance of the players during the trials, said PHF secretary Rana Mujahid here Monday.
Now the trials will be held on April 22 at Quetta, April 24-25 at Karachi, April 26 at Bahawalpur, April 27-28 at Lahore and April 29 at Peshawar.
The Nation
Navy win Nishan-e-Haider Hockey opener
LAHORE - Pakistan Navy beat Army (White) 3-0 in the opening match of the 9th Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament at the Muttihullah Hockey Stadium, Bahawalpur on Monday.
The match was a one-sided affair as the Navy outshone their opponents in all departments of the game at the syntactic turf, said the information made available here.
Army showed resolute resistance in the first half of the match and their goalkeeper saved a couple of hard shots of rival’s forwards in the beginning of the play.
Navy’s forward M Sabir scored the lead winning goal in the 29th minute to take his side one up at interval.
The second half of the match belonged to Navy forward Babar Hussain who netted two field goals in the 63rd and 69th minutes respectively to guide his side to an outright success.
The Nation