Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

All the news for Monday 5 May 2014

Korean men ace Canada to book ticket to 2016 Champions Trophy

Malaysia earn first Champions Challenge medal with win over Ireland


Korea have qualified for the 2016 Champions Trophy. (Photo: FIH)

Match #24 (Final) - Canada vs. Korea: 0-4 (half-time: 0-2)

Korea went undefeated in the Pahang Champions Challenge 1 completing their 2014 campaign with a 4-0 ace over a fearless Canadian contingency. With the win No. 7-ranked Korea have qualified for the 2016 Champions Trophy. Korea have participated in three previous editions of the tournament but they have never won it before. With Korea grabbing their first Champions Challenge 1 title and Canada finishing second, their best result was a 6th place finish in Quilmes, Argentina, in 2012, this tournament was a huge success for both teams.

Tonight’s final was a special game for Ben Martin who played his 50th cap for Canada and also for Mark Pearson making his 150th appearance in the national kit.

Korea’s Jang Jong Hyun tallied twice in the game both on set plays, a penalty corner and penalty stroke, to finish the tournament as scoring leader with eight goals.

Korea will join just five other qualifiers for the 2016 Champions Trophy, which will only feature six teams from the previous eight-team format.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Match #23 (Bronze) - Malaysia vs. Ireland: 4-2 (half-time: 2-1)

It is the first Champions Challenge medal in history for home team Malaysia, who entertained a passionate crowd with a 4-2 bronze-medal win over Ireland. Two late goals, one from each of Azlan Misron and Firhan Ashari, boosted the Speedy Tigers to victory.

Both teams had something to prove after Ireland’s high from their impressive quarter-final win over France was curbed by a dominating Korea in the semi-finals. Bouncing back the Green Machine created several promising opportunities but could only get on the board with goals from Paul Gleghorne and Chris Cargo. The pocket of goals was too little, too late as the home crowd seemed to be the 12th man Malaysia needed to finish the tournament with hardware.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Match #22 (5/6th) – New Zealand vs. France: 6-3 (half-time: 3-1)

It was a bitter sweet win for New Zealand, who downed France 6-3 in the fifth-place match up of the Pahang Champions Challenge 1. The No. 6-ranked Black Sticks, who entered the tournament as favourites, were ousted early in the quarter-finals by eventual bronze-medal winners Malaysia making the fifth-place finish a bit sour to taste. Despite this being their lowest finish, New Zealand finished off in flare, with Simon Child getting on the board to celebrate his 200th cap.

Three goals in each half lifted the Black Sticks to the win, while an energetic France squad relied on Tom and Martin Genestet to each score late in the game to keep the margin to three.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Match #22 (7/8th) – Poland vs. Japan: 2-3 (half-time: 1-2)

Japan defeated Poland 3-2 to avoid eighth place at the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 in Kuantan. It was a familiar position for Poland who were also at the bottom in Quilmes, Argentina two years ago. Toshiro Tachibana capitalized twice in free play to boost Japan up 2-1 by half time. The closely-matched affair continued as Shinji Kawauchi put his team up by two before Michal Raciniewski netted one for Poland to keep the game in reach.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Tournament Awards:

Player of the Tournament: Jang Jong Hyun (Korea)

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: David Harte (Ireland)

Best Junior Player of the Tournament: Gabriel Ho-Garcia (Canada)

Top scorer: Jang Jong Hyun (Korea) - 8 goals

FIH site

Malaysia win their first Champions Challenge medal

Ireland finish fourth in Kuantan


Malaysia have never won a Champions Challenge medal before. (Photo: FIH)

The Speedy Tigers finished third at the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 after winning the bronze medal match 4-2 against Ireland. This result means a lot to the Malaysian team as they have never won a Champions Challenge medal before. The host nation won today’s match thanks to two late strikes from team-captain Azlan Misron and Firhan Ashari.

The match started with high intensity from both sides. Malaysia’s first attack led to a penalty stroke which was converted by Ahmad Nasruddin (7’) to give the Speedy Tigers the lead. This spurred Ireland on, but although they had more ball possession they struggled to break down a well-organised defence.

The second ball came out of the blue when Muhammad Baharom (11’) converted a counter-attack to double the lead, much to the delight of the noisy crowd in the Stadium Wisma Belia.

The Green Machine created a few promising opportunities to get on the scoresheet but could not finish when Stephen Dowds (14’) penalty corner flick was saved and Maurice Elliott’s pass did not find Alan Sothern (18’) in the circle.

However, the Irish team kept on pushing with Phillip Brown forcing their third penalty corner at the beginning of the second quarter. Paul Gleghorne (22’) managed to deflect the ball past the strong Malaysian keeper S. Kumar. Ireland remained the dominant side throughout the second quarter and continued on their quest for an equaliser.

The effort paid off in the third quarter when Chris Cargo (43’) slotted the ball in from close range. The rest of the third quarter saw two equal teams playing as hard as they could to avoid defeat.

Tonight’s atmosphere was fabulous with the fans singing throughout the whole match. Malaysia were the slightly better side in the fourth quarter pushing for another goal. This eventually came after a penalty corner. The Irish keeper David Harte deflected the ball over the baseline, Malaysia were quick to bring it back into action, team-captain Azlan Mishron (66’) picked it up and scored with four minutes remaining.

The 4-2 was a classic counter-attack goal which came when Ireland were pushing for the equaliser. Firhan Ashari (70’) scored in the last seconds of the match securing his team the bronze medal.

FIH site

Black Sticks defeat France to grab fifth place in Kuantan

Top seeds finish fifth at the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1


The Black Sticks finish 5th in Kuantan. (Photo: FIH)

New Zealand walked away with a 6-3 win over France to finish fifth at the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 in Kuantan. While a fifth place is New Zealand’s worst result in Champions Challenge history, France have finished sixth in their first appearance in the Champions Challenge 1.

The first quarter saw both teams struggling with the hot weather conditions. New Zealand missed a promising chance in the beginning but from that moment scoring opportunities were rare.

Stephen Jenness (21’) put the Black Sticks ahead in the second quarter before Simon Child (27’) doubled the lead, scoring in his 200th  cap for New Zealand. This goal was Child’s seventh in this tournament making him top of the scorer list. Les Bleus struck back before half-time when Matthieu Durchon (31’) converted a penalty stroke. The match went into half-time with a score of 2-1 in favour of New Zealand.

The Black Sticks were on fire in the third quarter lifting the score to 5-1 thanks to goals from Phil Burrows (35’), Alex Shaw (43’) and Jared Panchia (49’). Tom Genestet (58’) pulled a penalty corner goal back for Les Bleus shortening the score to 5-2.

With seven minutes remaining, team-captain Martin Genestet (63’) converted another penalty corner to make it 5-3. The third of the Genestet brothers, Hugo, was not involved in today’s affair as he has been suspended for today’s match after he picked up his third yellow card in yesterday’s encounter against Japan. Hugo Inglis (68’) scored the final goal of the match leaving the result 6-3 in favour of New Zealand.

FIH site

Japan finish 7th at the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1

Poland find themselves at the bottom of the table


Japan finished seventh ahead of Poland. (Photo: FIH)

Japan defeated Poland 3-2 in the 7th place playoff match at the Pahang Hockey Champions Challenge 1 in Kuantan. Poland find themselves at the bottom of the table, the same position they reached in Quilmes, Argentina two years ago.

The Samurais put early pressure on the Polish defence with goalkeeper Lukasz Domachowski spoiling each attempt. Poland had more ball possession towards the end of the first quarter but couldn’t score either. Then, Toshiro Tachibana (18’) eventually opened the scoring with a tip in goal.

Poland equalised 10 minutes later when Pawel Bratkowski (28’) converted the first penalty corner in this match. However, the Samurais struck back immediately thanks to Tachibana (29’) who added his second goal today.

Poland failed to equalise just before halftime when a penalty stroke from Krystian Makowski (34’) went wide off target. The stroke had been awarded after the ball touched Manabu Yamashita’s body on the goal-line.

The second half saw Japan extending their lead to 3-1 when Shinji Kawauchi (43’) deflected a shot into the net. Poland pulled one back thanks to Michal Raciniewski (50’) scoring from open play. However, the Polish team forced four penalty corners within the last 10 minutes but could not capitalize on them as Bratkowski’s shots were always blocked. 

FIH site

Canada finishes second at 2014 Champions Challenge after loss to Korea in final

Shaheed Devji



Despite a 4-0 loss to world no.7 Korea, the Canadian Men’s National Team earned its best finish ever at the Champions Challenge and ties its best finish at a major international event, capping off a tournament to remember in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Canada knocked off world no.13 and tournament host Malaysia in the semi final and tied Korea earlier in the tournament to surpass most expectations heading into the 2014 Champions Challenge.

The final game was a rematch of the first pool stage matchup for both teams, when Korea and Canada (ranked no.16) tied 3-3. Heading into the final, however, the Koreans were in top form, having won every other game leading up to the rematch with Canada.

It didn’t take long for Korea to get on the board, as in the tenth minute Jang Jong Hyun converted on a penalty corner to make it 1-0.

Only three minutes later in the thirteenth minute, Kang Moon Kyu also beat Canadian goalkeeper David Carter (Vancouver, B.C.) to make it 2-0.

Being down 2-0 was not unfamiliar to Canada, as they had come back from behind to tie Korea earlier in the tournament and were coming off a thrilling comeback victory over host Malaysia in the semi final.

A combination of great goaltending from Carter, who stopped Jang on a flick in the forty-first minute, and better play from the Canadians kept the score at 2-0 at half time.

In the forty-second minute, Canada had their best opportunity to score as Canadian skipper Scott Tupper (Vancouver, B.C.) received the ball on the penalty corner, but his shot was blocked.

In five games before the final, Canada’s offense had no trouble converting, scoring an average of nearly three goals a game, for fourteen goals total. On this day, it was not able to convert.

The score remained 2-0 heading into the final quarter of the game. But in the fourth, Lee Seung Il was tackled by Carter and the Koreans were awarded a penalty stroke in the fifty-sixth minute. It was the tournament's leading scorer, Jang, who took the shot and scored his second of the game to make it 3-0.

Kim Seong Kyu added to the total in the sixty-ninth minute to make it 4-0.

Despite the loss, Canada earned its best finish at a Champions Challenge, finishing second, surpassing its placing of sixth in Argentina in 2012. The result will likely move Canada up from sixteenth in the world rakings.

Twenty year-old Canadian forward Gabriel Ho-Garcia (Burnaby, B.C.), who had two goals in six games, was named Best Junior Player of the tournament.

The second place finish also ties Canada’s best finish at a major international event with its second place finish at the 1996 World Cup Preliminary in Cagliari, Italy, and the 1989 Intercontinental Cup in Madison, USA.

Field Hockey Canada media release

South Korea win Champions Challenge

By S. Ramaguru


The South Korea team pose for a group shot after the end of the Champions Challenge I final in Kuantan on Sunday. The Koreans beat Canada 4-0 to win the title. - NIK NAIZI HUSIN/ The Star

KUANTAN: World No. 7 South Korea clinched their first and last Champions Challenge I hockey title when they defeated Canada 4-0 in the final at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.

The tournament, which started in 2001, has been scrapped by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Sunday’s final was a big letdown with the Canadians failing to produce any fireworks against the unbeaten Koreans.

The Koreans opened their scoring in the 10th minute through their penalty corner specialist Jang Jong-hyun.

Kim Young-jin added the second from a field attempt in the 13th minute to give the Koreans a 2-0 lead at half-time.

The second half saw a stronger start by the Canadians and they even had a penalty corner just five minuets into the game. But it was poorly executed.

The Canadians had the better opportunities but a mistake in the 56th minute allowed the Koreans to gain a penalty stroke. Jong-hyun converted the stroke to seal the top scorer award with eight goals.

Kim Seong-kyu then added the fourth in the 69th minute.

The Koreans were overjoyed with the title after three failed attempts in 2003, 2005 and 2012.

They lost to Spain in the first attempt and to Argentina in the next two finals.

For the Canadians, it was also their best-ever finish. They were eighth in 2009 and sixth in 2012.

With the win, the Koreans have qualified for the Champions Trophy in 2016.

Korean coach Shin Seok-kyu said it was very important for them to play in the 2016 Champions Trophy.

“It is an Olympic year and getting to play in a top-notch tournament like the Champions Trophy is great.

“We came into this tournament with the target of winning it. And now we are looking forward to the World Cup in The Hague,” he said.

The Star of Malaysia

Malaysia finish third in Champions Challenge

By S. Ramaguru


Malaysian players acknowledge the crowd's support after finishing third in the Champions Challenge I playoff match in Kuantan on Sunday.- BERNAMA

KUANTAN: Malaysia came good in the third place playoff match by beating Ireland 4-2 to finish on the podium for the first time in the Champions Challenge 1 hockey tournament.

Malaysia’s performance was nothing to shout about as they were scrappy throughout the match. Two early strikes and another two late goals gave them victory at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

The Malaysians had a great start, going two-up after only 11 minutes.

Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin, who was named man-of-the-match, surged forward but was fouled in the D. Kazamirul stepped up and easily converted the subsequent penalty stroke awarded for the opening goal in the seventh minute.

In the 11th minute, forward Mohamed Rashid Baharom increased the lead with a field attempt. Like Kazamirul, it was Rashid’s first goal in the tournament.

The Irish had two penalty corners later in the first half in the 15th and 16th minutes but the Malaysians managed to foil them.

But the homesters were not so lucky in the 26th minute. The Irish earned another penalty corner and this time Paul Gleghorne scored with a direct drag flick.

Malaysia then held on for a slender 2-1 first-half lead.

The Malaysians started the second half in a casual way and gave the Irish the chance to plot their attack. In the 43rd minute off a quick counter attack, Ireland got their equaliser with Chris Cargo scoring from the left with a hefty shot.

The goal stung the Malaysians into action but they had trouble getting past the Irish defence.

Malaysia had a good chance to regain the lead in the 64th minute off a penalty corner but goalkeeper David Harte saved it. But Harte was beaten a minute later, this time by a field goal from skipper Azlan Misron.

And with a minute to go before full-time, Mohamed Irhan Azhaari sounded the board off a pass from Faizal Saari.

“It was a difficult match considering we don’t have a good record going into playoff matches.

"The players were down after the Canada defeat and we had a tough time trying to motivate them. I am glad that they responded although the game itself was not that good.

“This is the first time in the series that we have made the podium. I am proud of the players and it augurs well for the team,” he said.

In the battle for fifth place earlier in the day, world No. 6 New Zealand defeated France 5-3.

Japan also ended their campaign on a winning note by beating Poland 3-2 to take seventh place.

The Star of Malaysia

Malaysia ditch Ireland to grab bronze

By Jugjet Singh

MALAYSIA won their first bronze medal in the Champions Challenge 1 when they beat Ireland 3-2 in Kuantan yesterday.

For the record, the hosts only had two fourth placings to show, previously achieved in 2001 in Kuala Lumpur and 2013 in Argentina.

And it was also Malaysia's first ever medal in an International Hockey Federation (FIH) open tournament, as the other silver and bronze medals were from the Azlan Shah Cup invitational and the Asian Games. Malaysia have only won gold at the Sea Games level.

“I’m very proud of the players as they achieved a milestone in Malaysian hockey today (yesterday) but there a lot of work to be done in our defence as we prepare for the World Cup which is just around the corner.

“We had our chance to play in the final but blew it against Canada, and now we will work to finish at least ninth (among 12 teams) in the World Cup,” said Malaysia coach K. Dharmaraj.

The coach is also looking at minimal changes to the suqad as there is no time left leading to the World Cup: “Maximum there might be two or three chances to the squad as I do not have time on my side. But after the World Cup, there might be more chances as we prepare for the Asian Games gold medal (Olympic ticket)," said Dharmaraj.

RESULTS — Final: Canada 0 South Korea 4; Third-Fourth: Malaysia 4 Ireland 2; Fifth-Sixth: New Zealand 6 France 3; Seventh-Eighth: Japan 3 Poland 2.

New Straits Times

Ireland 2; Malaysia 4 - Ireland finish above ranking in 4th



Ireland’s Men took to the field in the third fourth play-off at the world ranking Champions Challenge I Tournament today in Malaysia but were defeated 4-2 in the final five of the match. Ireland who punched above their ranking finished fourth in this tournament that was eventually won by Korea.

Ireland conceded a penalty stroke in the 7th minute to give Malaysia the first score of the match thanks to Ahmad Nasrudden but Ireland immediately went goal hunting but to no avail. Malaysia doubled their lead in 11th minute on the counter this time Muhammad Baharom getting on the scoresheet.

Ireland pressed hard securing the first penalty corner of the match in the 13th minute but Stephen Dowds drag flick was well saved. Six minutes later Malaysia lined up for their first penalty corner but with Goal Keeper of the tournament David Harte on form he kept the chance out. Ireland pulled one back in the 22nd minute when Paul Gleghorne deflected in from open play to make it 2-1. From here Ireland pushed hard to equalise before half time but despite strong attacking play Malaysia held the narrow lead as the teams took their half time break.

Ireland’s skill finally paid dividends in the 43nd minute Chris Cargo this time netting for his side to make it 2-2. The game ensued in a fast paced end to end manner but it was the home side that netted a further two in the dying minutes of the game to secure a 4-2 victory and third place in this tournament.

Commenting after the match Coach Ned Fulton said “I am happy about the positive way we played tonight, creating enough chances in the 70 minutes to get a result. It was 2-2 with five minutes to go and was anyone’s game. I am proud of the team and the improvements they have made against the tough opposition throughout this tournament.”

IRELAND 2 (1) Paul Gleghorne 22m pc; Chris Cargo 42m op
MALAYSIA 4 (2) Ahmad Nasrudden 7m ps; Muhammad Baharom 11m op; Aslan Misron 64m; Firhan Ashari 69m op

Starting XI David Harte GK; John Jackson Capt; Johnny Bell; Chris Cargo; Maurice Elliott; Alan Sothern; Eugene Magee; Bruce McCandless; Philip Brown; Paul Gleghorne; Peter Brown

Reserves: Stephen Dowds; Kirk Shimmins; Matthew Bell; Drew Carlisle; Michael Robson; Richard Shaw; David Fitzgerald

Final Standings – Champions Challenge I (Malaysia)
1. Korea
2. Canada
3. Malaysia
4. IRELAND
5. New Zealand
6. France
7. Japan
8. Poland

Irish Hockey Association media release

Black Sticks finish fifth at Champions Challenge



The Black Sticks Men have overcome France 6-3 to win their 5th/6th playoff at the Champions Challenge in Malaysia.

It was a controlled effort from the Kiwis, who once again kept on top of their opposition from start to finish.

Simon Child celebrated his 200th test with a strong performance and added to his impressive goal tally at the tournament.

The Black Sticks led 3-1 at halftime with goals from Child, Stephen Jenness and Phil Burrows and continued their momentum after the break.

Alex Shaw and Jared Panchia both added to the score before France scored two quick goals inside the final 15 minutes.

The Black Sticks were swift to respond though and bolstered their defence before Hugo Inglis sealed the game with a field goal in the final minute.

Head coach Colin Batch said it was a positive way to finish the tournament for his side.

“We had a lot of possession early and defended strongly for most of the game. After going up 5-1 we let in two goals which was a bit disappointing but scored again right at the death,” he said.

“Overall it was a solid performance for us and a good part of our preparation towards the World Cup.

“We won five out of six games at the tournament so we feel our final placing is not a true reflection of our overall performance.”

The Black Sticks now head home for a short recovery period before a week of intense training leading into the naming of the team to compete at the Hockey World Cup on Monday 19 May.

The team will depart New Zealand on 22 May for the World Cup which runs from 31 May – 15 June in The Hague, Netherlands.

BLACK STICKS 6: (Stephen Jenness, Simon Child, Phil Burrows, Alex Shaw, Jared Panchia, Hugo Inglis)
FRANCE 3: (Matthieu Durchon, Martin Genestet, Tom Genestet)
Halftime: Black Sticks 3-1

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks win playoff for fifth in Malaysia

The New Zealand men's hockey team has won its playoff for fifth at the Champions Challenge but the victory won't be much consolation after the shock quarterfinal defeat to hosts Malaysia.

The Black Sticks downed France 6-3 tonight, which followed a 6-1 hammering of Poland last night, to finish fifth in the second-tier world tournament.

The world No 6-ranked Kiwis were dominant for most of the tournament bar the match that actually mattered, when they lost to Malaysia on penalties in the quarterfinals.

Tonight's result wasn't in doubt after the Black Sticks scored three times - through Stephen Jenness, Simon Child and veteran Phil Burrows - in 13 minutes before halftime to take a 3-1 lead into the break.

Matthieu Durchon struck for the French.Alex Shaw and Jared Panchia added second half goals to stretch the margin to four, though that was halved in the final 10 minutes as Tom and Martin Genestet dragged a couple of goals back for France.

But Hugo Inglis ensured the Black Sticks had the final say with a goal two minutes from time

Stuff

USA women edge out Ireland to win Champions Challenge 1

South Africa bounce back to down Spain for bronze


(Photo: Rodrigo Jaramillo)

Match #24 (Final) - USA vs. Ireland: 3-1 (half-time: 2-1)

It was an entertaining gold-medal match up as underdogs Ireland made the No. 10-ranked USA team work for 70 minutes straight to earn their gold medal. Two penalty corner goals and a superb free-play goal from Player of the Match Paige Selenski gave the Americans their berth to the 2016 Champions Trophy event that will feature only six teams.

Ireland were the first to get on the board with a brilliant, mid-air deflection from Emma Smyth. The USA regrouped from a shaky start to find the back of the net twice before the half-time whistle. Paige Selenski and Caroline Nichols each notched for the USA, while Katie O’Donnell’s fifth goal of the tournament came in the second half to seal the deal. Ireland put on a strong defensive performance thanks to eventual Player of the Tournament and captain Megan Frazer and Goal Keeper of the Tournament Emma Gray. Korea’s Mi Hyun Park was awarded top goal scorer, while USA’s Emily Wold was honoured as the tournament’s Top Junior Player.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Match #23 (Bronze) – South Africa vs. Spain: 1-0  (half-time: 0-0)

After struggling out the gate in the Champions Challenge 1, South Africa managed to redeem themselves with a 1-0 win over Spain to capture bronze at this year’s event. The lone goal of the match came on South Africa’s third penalty corner, which needed Player of the Match Dirkie Chamberlain stepped up to make good on the conversion.

The second half was end-to-end and pure entertainment, with both teams having the chance to score. Seconds after she scored, Chamberlain almost scored a second. This is South Africa's highest finish since they came second in 2009. For Spain a fourth place finish equals their performances in 2011 and 2009.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Match #22 (5/6th) – Korea vs. Belgium: 1 - 1 (half-time: 0 - 0) (Shoot out: 2 - 1)

It needed more than 70 minutes to determine the winner for fifth place at this year’s Champions Challenge 1. Both Korea and Belgium were trying to salvage pride after being eliminated from the top bracket earlier in the tournament. Following a scoreless opening frame, Belgium’s Charlotte de Vos and Korea’s Mi Hyun Park notched a goal each for their respective sides to end regulation time 1-1.

Belgium was all too familiar with shoot outs after losing in the same manner in the quarter-finals. Certainly the players looked hesitant as Alix Gerniers, de Groof, Anouk Raes and Barbara Nelen all missed. Park scored from a cheeky lob over the Belgium goalkeeper, Aisling D'Hooghe, and Cheon Seul scored the winner. The result means Korea finish the Champions Challenge 1 in fifth place and Belgium finish sixth.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Match #22 (7/8th) – Scotland vs. India: 4-3 (half-time: 0-0)

Home team Scotland finished off in style scoring four second-half goals to finish the Champions Challenge 1 with an entertaining seventh-place finish over India. Captain Linda Clements and Vikki Bunce were home nation heroes as they turned a less-than-enthusiastic opening half into a thrilling and sparkling final 35 minutes. With India countering with three goals, the seven-goal second half was much to the delight of the home crowd.

Back-and-forth scoring was inevitable between these two passionate squads but the young India team’s experience got the better of them as skipper Clement was able to seal the game-winner with two minutes left on the clock. Scotland earned their 4-3 victory to ultimately avoid the bottom of the barrel.

FULL STORY, DETAILS & PHOTOS

Tournament Awards:

Player of the Tournament:  Megan Frazer, Ireland

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Emma Gray, Ireland

Best Junior Player of the Tournament: Emily Wold, USA

Top scorer: Mi Hyun Park, Korea

FIH site

Investec SA win Champs Challenge bronze medal in thriller against Spain

JONATHAN COOK at Glasgow Green


Dirkie Chamberlain (right) celebrates her winner with Shelley Russell during the Investec South Africa women's hockey team's 1-0 win over Spain to claim the bronze medal at the Champions Challenge in Glasgow Sunday. Photo: DUNCAN GRAY

“I just took it as though it was in a training session,” said striker Dirkie Chamberlain after her unerring flick from the penalty spot with three minutes left won the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team the bronze medal against a gallant Spain by one goal to nil (1-0) at the Champions Challenge on the Glasgow Green stadium pitch in Scotland Sunday.

The 67th minute winner capped a thrilling match in which goalmouth action flew from end to end at an incredible pace. It was fastest match of the tournament, a remarkable feat considering it was each side’s sixth Test match in eight days.

The victory also served as a degree of consolation for the girls in green and gold who were desperately unfortunate to lose their Saturday semi-final to Ireland 2-1 despite dominating the match.

“We came out today and gave everything, it’s a wonderful team, we really got stuck in,” said Chamberlain. “We are elated but I must pay a compliment to Spain for giving us such a great match, they didn’t make it easy for us but we just kept going, never stopped believing.”

The crowd gave both sides a lengthy ovation in appreciation for a match that proved you don’t have to have a lot of goals to make for an enthralling contest, yet on another day the score might well have gone into double figures.

Chamberlain had taken a fearful blow to the head as early as the seventh minute and had to be helped off, but the goalscorer returned to the fray less than five minutes later, indicative of the determination with which SA approached the match.

Both goalkeepers, Anelle van Deventer and Spain’s Maria Zubiria de Eguilaz Lopez, made a number of fine saves, while to a player both sides gave their all and then some. And it was not only on attack that both sides shone, despite the low score, with some of the SA tackle-backs to regain possession out of the top drawer.

Chamberlain’s winner came as a consequence of a brace of shots in succession from Celia Evans and Bernie Coston, this after SA captain Marsha Cox had made the initial pass, Coston’s effort hitting a defender’s foot on the goalline, and Chamberlain went low to Lopez’s right from the penalty spot for the decisive moment of the match.

The SA team touch down in Johannesburg Tuesday morning before flying to The Netherlands five days later and yet another training camp ahead of the World Cup in The Hague from May 31 to June 15.

SCORERS
South Africa (0) 1 (Dirkie Chamberlain 67th minute)
Spain 0

INVESTEC SOUTH AFRICA
Starting: Anelle van Deventer, Lisa Deetlefs, Marcelle Manson, Nicolene Terblanche, Lenise Marais, Marsha Cox (capt), Shelley Russell, Bernie Coston, Tarryn Bright, Dirkie Chamberlain, Celia Evans. Rolling subs: Sanani Mangisa, Quanita Bobbs, Illse Davids, Kelly Madsen, Lilian du Plessis, Kathleen Taylor, Sulette Damons.

Other classification results: (7th/8th) Scotland 4 India 3; (5/6) South Korea 1 Belgium 1 (South Korea won shootout 2-1). Final: USA 3 Ireland 1.

SA Hockey Association media release

Korea win shoot-out to clinch fifth place

Young Belgium side placed sixth after tough encounter


May 4th, 2014 (Photo: Rodrigo Jaramillo)

Two tough-playing teams who know they should have progressed further in the Champions Challenge 1 played out an end-to-end game that was short on goals but heavy on entertaining hockey. The final score at the end of regulation time was 1-1 courtesy of a scrambled goal from Charlotte de Vos and a solo effort from Park Mi Hyun, during which she won a penalty and then converted it.

The final minutes of the game were largely Belgium, but despite strong attacking runs from Stephanie de Groof and Barbara Nelen in particular, the Red Panthers were unable to deliver the winning goal.

At the other end of the pitch, Korea created chances when they broke out of their circle, but neither a diving attempt by captain Kim Jong Eun nor a fine shot from Park, could break the deadlock.

Shoot-out was always going to be tough for Belgium as they had lost the quarter finals in the same manner. Certainly the players looked hesitant as Alix Gerniers, de Groof, Anouk Raes and Nelen all missed. Park scored from a cheeky lob over the Belgium goalkeeper, Aisling D'Hooghe, and Cheon Seul scored the winner.

The result means Korea finish the Champions Challenge 1 in fifth place and Belgium finish sixth. Han Jin Soo, the Korea coach said he was delighted with his team's ability to bounce back after earlier disappointing results. "Now we can go to The Hague with some confidence."

FIH site

Braveheart performance by Scotland

Come back in final minutes means heartbreak for India


Scotland celebrate beating India to take seventh place (Photo: Rodrigo Jaramillo)

Captain Linda Clements and Vikki Bunce were home nation heroes as they turned a dour, goalless first half into a sparkling second half, in which seven goals were scored in total. The result means India finish the Champions Challenge 1 without registering a win or a draw.

Athough Scotland opened the scoring through a determined solo run from Bunce (44'), she had hardly finished celebrating when India equalised through Neha Goyal who scored from a penalty corner (46'). This goal was followed five minutes later by a goal from Lilima Minz (51') who had crept around behind the Scottish press. Navnet Kaur (63') then scored, again exploiting the gaps in the Scotland defence. At this point India seemed to have an unassailable lead.

However, the young India team had little experience at holding onto a lead and a clever pass from Emily Maguire found Ailsa Wyllie who was able to slip the ball past Savita Savita in the India goal. A penalty stroke was then awarded and Bunce shouldered the responsibility and put it high in the net. With two minutes on the clock, Clement received the ball on the edge of the circle and her reverse stick shot flew under Savita to give Scotland victory.

FIH site

2014 Champions Challenge Comes to Victorious Finish for U.S. Women’s National Team

U.S. Women’s National Team Earns Tournament Gold

GLASGOW, Scotland – The U.S. Women’s National Team came to Scotland with focused vision, investing full energy and effort into each match to earn their way and leave their mark in the gold round of 2014 Champions Challenge. A back-and-forth battle ensued against Ireland but Team USA didn’t falter under the immense pressure to finish on top of the tournament. The squad solidified their first-place award with a score of 3-1.

“It has been a fantastic week for the team and we’re pleased with today’s outcome,” said Head Coach Craig Parnham. “It’s very important for us to keep training and keep looking ahead. The qualification of the 2016 Champions Trophy is a huge, significant thing for our program. There are some exciting times ahead.”

In today’s match, Ireland attacked the cage early with a high goal off of a corner setting a fast-paced rhythm within mere seconds of the game that was carried through the full 70 minutes. A riveting series of short passes in front of Ireland’s cage led to an equalizing goal for Team USA by Player of the Match, Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) in the 25th minute. Game flow rotated from both ends of the pitch as a fantastic display of athleticism persisted. It was only until the 35th minute when U.S. player Caroline Nichols (Virginia Beach, Va.) slammed in a straight shot off of a corner did the scoreboard move. The halftime report kept a pulse for both teams aspiring for tournament glory: USA 2, Ireland 1. In the 48th minute, USA athlete Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) busted into the offense circle to earn a penalty corner. O'Donnell slipped the ball over the Green Army’s keeper for the third and final goal of the match. By winning Champions Challenge, the U.S. are qualified for the prized 2016 Champions Trophy event.

“Our goal coming into this tournament was to grow each game,” said U.S. captain Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.). “We knew that if we focused on each match that we’d get to where we wanted to go which is the finals. Today we put focus on the process and knew the result would come about because of it. This gives us confidence going into the World Cup.”

Along with the team’s accolade, the distinguished Junior Player Award of the 2014 Champions Challenge was bestowed to U.S. athlete Emily Wold (Freehold, N.J.).

During today’s final round of competition, the United States also wore a colorful band-aid on their arms to show support to a young U.S. goalie who overcame leukemia and raise awareness of pediatric cancer.

On the opening day of Champions Challenge, the U.S. defeated Spain 3-1. The following day the squad fell to South Africa 1-2. Ireland was the final pool play match for Team USA where they concluded with a score of 3-0. The tournament continued on as the team launched into the first match of crossovers against India with a score of 1- 0. Despite Spain’s efforts to contain the aggressive play, the U.S. Women’s National Team won 3-1 sealing USA’s seat in the finals.

In the last two Champions Challenges, the U.S. walked away with silver medals. With the implementation of Hockey World League, the 2014 Champions Challenge 1 will be the final edition of the event. Champions Challenge 1 also served as Team USA’s final preparation for the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup. Earlier this year, the U.S. took on Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand in test matches in Lancaster, Pa. and Chula Vista, Calif.

USFHA media release

Ireland 1; USA 3 - CC1 Ireland secure silver (w)



Ireland’s women’s hockey team secured silver in the Champions Challenge I tournament this evening after they were defeated 3-1 by USA who secured gold.

Ireland went into this tournament ranked 7th, competed against 4 world cup teams and secured 2nd place, a testament to the skill and talent of this team.

Ireland competed well from the start opening up the scoring in the 3rd minute from an unconventional corner routine which paid off, Captain Megan Frazer with the raised shot which was batted down and in by striker Emma Smyth to make it 1-0.

Both sides battled hard but the USA finally recovered one goal in the 25th minute when Selenski slammed home from close range to make it 1-1. USA took the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to a set piece corner, Nichols with the conversion just deflecting it over the keeper. Half time IRE 1 USA 2

Ireland started the better in the second half but despite a penalty corner in the 44th minute and a few open chances they just couldn’t capitalise and USA put the match beyond Ireland’s reach in the 58th minute when Katie O’Donnell made it 3 on the 2nd phase of the penalty corner.

Ireland had a great chance in the 58th minute to pull one back with a great drive from Nikki Evans down the baseline just popping the ball back to the diving Emma Smyth who just couldn’t get the vital touch.

Ireland fought to the end but despite their best efforts the USA closed the match out with a 3-1 win.

Coach Smith was unsuprisingly proud of his teams tournament saying "I am so very proud of the team for an outstanding week. The performance and result against both Korea and South Africa were sound and I also felt we played some good hockey in the pool stages. Today USA had the edge on us and we just couldn't apply enough pressure in their defensive end. USA are a good team and deserved champions. Now for a summer of hard work."

IRELAND 1 (1) Emma Smyth 3m op
USA 3 (2) Sleneski 25m op; Nichols 33m pc. Katie O’Donnell 48m pc

Starting XI: Emma Gray GK; Cliodhna Sargent; Emma Smyth; Nikki Evans; Shirley McCay; Megan Frazer Capt; Audrey O’Flynn; Chloe Watkins; Nicci Daly; Katie Mullan; Anna O’Flanagan

Reserves: Michelle Harvey; Naomi Carroll; Ayeisha McFerran; Gillian Pinder; Kate Dillon; Ali Meeke; Emily Beatty.

FINAL POSITIONS

1.USA
2.Ireland
3.South Africa
4.Spain
5.Korea
6.Belgium
7.Scotland
8.India

Irish Hockey Association media release

Scotland stage late comeback to beat India


Scotland Senior Women team after their final Champions Challenge match against India. Photo Credit: Rodrigo Jaramillo

Scotland Senior Women staged a remarkable comeback in today’s Women’s FIH Champions Challenge 7/8 place play-off against India, scoring three goals in the last six minutes of the match to claim a 4-3 win at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Scotland had taken 1-0 lead early in the second half through a wonderful Vikki Bunce solo effort, but goals from Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz and Navneet Kaur looked to have resigned the hosts to finishing last in the competition.

However, the Scots showed grit, fight and determination to produce an extraordinary result from a seemingly irretrievable position, with Ailsa Wyllie, Bunce and captain Linda Clement claiming the goals to send the home support wild with a final day victory.

Following the dramatic finish, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “It’s a nice way to win any game when you come back from 3-1 down, scoring three goals in the last six or seven minutes. But we should never been in that position in the first place. The players know that, they didn’t quite play as well as they have done in previous games.

“But the one thing we always talk about in this team is that we never give up and the team demonstrated great character today. They went harder at India and they got the opportunities that they deserved in the end. A couple of players, under massive pressure, scored great goals.

“Delighted with the players and they’ve worked very hard throughout this tournament. It’s been a really big stepping stone towards the summer. If we hadn’t have won today’s game, we possibly would have left on a bit of a downer, so I’m really happy for everyone that we turned it around at the end.”


Scotland's Nikki Kidd evades the attentions of two India midfielders. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

The teams were deadlocked at 0-0 going into the half-time interval after a fairly uneventful first period. Scotland’s opportunities were restricted by a dogged Indian rear-guard; Aileen Davis’ attempt from a penalty corner was easily saved, Nikki Kidd went close with a drag-flick effort, and Nikki Lloyd sent her reverse stick shot wide of the target.

The stalemate was eventually ended in the 44th minute. A wonderful weaving run from Vikki Bunce ended with the Dundee Wanderers’ midfielder slotting the ball past India goalkeeper Savita Savita to give Scotland the opening goal.


Scotland's Vikki Bunce dances through the Indian defence to give Scotland the opening goal. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

However, India were back on level terms immediately. The visitors were awarded a penalty corner in the 45th minute after defender Susan McGilveray was penalised for an illegal foot, and Neha Goyal was on hand to turn the ball into the net to make it 1-1.

Six minutes later the Scots fell behind in the contest after Scotland goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane saved Poonam Rani's initial attempt but Lilima Minz followed up to give India a 2-1 lead.

It looked all over for Scotland in the 64th minute after Naveet Kaur put India 3-1 up with a deft finish.

Nevertheless, the home side hit back a minute later, captain Linda Clement engineering space with a determined run and cross to enable striker Ailsa Wyllie to guide the ball past Savita.


Ailsa Wyllie pulled Scotland back into the contest. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Scotland’s equaliser came from the penalty spot in the 67th minute when Clement was fouled and Bunce made no mistake to fire a penalty flick high into the top corner.

A penalty shoot-out looked inevitable with two minutes to go, but again the Scots defied the odds to secure the winning goal. Emily Maguire played the ball to Sarah Robertson at the edge of circle and the Edinburgh University forward’s pass was deflected past the outstretched Savita with the faintest of touches by Clement to secure a great Scottish win.


Ailsa Wyllie and goalscorer Linda Clement celebrate the captain's winning goal for Scotland. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Please visit the FIH Women’s Champions Challenge website for full information including match reports, highlights, fixtures, results and pool standings.

Scotland Senior Women: Nicola Cochrane (Edinburgh University), Vikki Bunce (Dundee Wanderers), Morag McLellan (Clydesdale Western), Alison Bell (Grove Menzieshill), Rebecca Ward (Dundee Wanderers), Catriona Ralph (Clydesdale Western), Sarah Robertson (Edinburgh University), Linda Clement (Captain, Grove Menzieshill), Ailsa Wyllie (Grove Menzieshill), Leigh Fawcett (Grove Menzieshill), Rebecca Merchant (Edinburgh University), Nikki Kidd (Canterbury), Susan McGilveray (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Lloyd (Canterbury), Nicola Skrastin (Clydesdale Western), Emily Maguire (Reading), Aileen Davis (Clifton), Amy Gibson (Old Loughtonians).


Scotland Senior Women thank the home support after today's game. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Women’s FIH Champions Challenge I 7/8 Play-Off Result, Glasgow National Hockey Centre, Scotland

Scotland (Vikki Bunce 44' 67', Ailsa Wyllie 65', Linda Clement 68') 4-3 India (Neha Goyal 45', Lilima Minx 51', Navneet Kaur 64')

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Indian women lose to Scotland, finish last

GLASGOW: The Indian women's hockey team went down fighting to hosts Scotland 3-4 in the 7th-8th classification playoff to finish eighth and last in the FIH Champions Challenge 1 on Sunday.

India played competitively and did not allow Scotland to score a single goal in the first half as the teams went into the break with a 0-0 scoreline.

In the second half, Scotland's Vikki Bunce took the lead and stroked in a goal (44th minute). But India turned the tables as they scored three consecutive goals. First Neha Goyal equalised (46th) through a penalty corner, followed by Lilima Minz (51st) and Navneet Kaur (63rd).

At this point India seemed to have an unassailable lead but Ailsa Wyllie scored (64th) to make it 2-3 for the hosts. Some time later Bunce levelled the score with a penalty corner (67th).

With two minutes on the clock, Clement received the ball on the edge of the circle and her reverse stick shot flew under keeper Savita to give Scotland the victory.

The Times of India

Indian women finish last

Chandigarh - The Indian women’s hockey team lost to Scotland to finish last in the Champions Challenge 1 in Glasgow today. The Indian team, which lost all its previous matches in the tournament, finished eighth after going down 3-4 to the host team in a tight match. Both teams played exciting hockey but none could score in the first half.

In a sparkling second half, Scotland took the lead through Vikki Bunce in the 44th minute. India then responded quickly to level the game and then scored two more to take a 3-1 lead.

Neha Goyal equalised in the 46th minute through a penalty corner. Within five minutes, Lilima Minz scored the second and Navneet Kaur’s 63rd- minute strike seemed to have taken the game away from the hosts.

But Scotland fought back as Ailsa Wyllie scored in the 64th minute and then Bunce levelled the score in the 67th minute. She converted a penalty stroke, flicking it high into the net. With the momentum on their side, Scotland got the winner in the 68th minute through captain Linda Clement. She received the ball on the edge of the circle and her reverse-stick shot went under goalkeeper Savita.

Dirkie Chamberlain scored in the 67th minute to lead South Africa to a 1-0 win over Spain, finishing third in the tournament.

In the 5th-place match, Korea beat Belgium 2-1 in shootout after the match ended 1-1.

The Tribune

Winning Isn't Everything

U.S. Women's National Team athlete Emily Wold tells USA Field Hockey who is motivating her in the finals at the 2014 Champions Challenge.

Athletes who read this title may think, “You’re crazy, winning is everything.” The competitive edge and sensational high I get from winning a game plays as a major factor in the reason why I play the sport that I love. Speaking on behalf of most highly competitive athletes, I think it is safe to say that the majority of us feel that there is no better feeling then winning. While that stands to be mostly true, playing a game can provide much more greatness and joy than just getting the result at the end.

After hearing about Alyssa Klebasko’s story in ‘The Little Goalie Who Can’ and her diagnoses of leukemia at age six, I was immediately inspired to read about such a competitor who is willing to put up a fight without backing down. In sports you can easily get too focused on the outcome of the game and forget that there is much more than just winning in the end. We came to Scotland focusing on a few tasks but the most important one, winning the tournament. After reading about Alyssa’s story she has geared me towards a new focus in the championship game; play with heart and never back down. A game of 70 minutes is not always going to go as you want and mistakes are going to happen. It will be in those moments that matter most to never stop fighting. Those moments define a true winner. Each and everyday Alyssa shows how big of a heart she has and how even at such a young age she never gives up. Alyssa began the sport by playing in the field, but when she realized that wasn’t the right spot for her, she discovered her skills were more beneficial as a goalkeeper. Alyssa didn’t give up on the sport, but rather found a spot where she could be most effective and make the most impact.

The fight we stand in today’s championship match is against Ireland and I couldn’t be more excited to play for something much more then getting that W at the end. Thank you Alyssa for being a breath of fresh air for me and my teammates as we play our last game in the tournament for you. We will be wearing Band-Aids in support of Alyssa and her mother Gretchen’s Band Aid foundation. The foundation is geared towards collecting fun, colorful Band-Aids for patients after they receive a shot. Nobody likes getting a shot, but getting a cheerful Band-Aid to show off after makes the process a whole lot more enjoyable.

Go USA!

Emily

USFHA media release

Kyocera Stadium officially handed over to Rabobank Hockey World Cup

Football club ADO Den Haag ceremonially released their stadium for the Hockey World Cup



The Dutch football season finished this weekend and The Hague’s premier division club ADO Den Haag, who call Kyocera Stadium home, ended ninth in the league. Over the next few weeks the stadium will be swiftly transformed from a football venue into one suitable for world-class hockey.

Dutch comedian Sjaak Bral was the master of ceremonies and introduced the six sportsmen to each other and the audience. Hockey players on site included stand outs Rogier Hofman, Wouter Jolie and Klaas Vermeulen, who all demonstrated their football skills, while ADO Den Haag members Aaron Meijers, Danny Bakker and Robert Zwinkels had their luck with a hockey ball and stick.

The six also swapped shirts, marking the symbolic transfer of the stadium. The Rabobank Hockey World Cup will run from 31 May to 15 June on both the Kyocera Stadium and the newly-laid GreenFields Stadium.

For more information about the Rabobank Hockey World Cup visit: www.rabobankhockeyworldcup2014.com

FIH site

Korea lead Asian challenge for World Cup glory

Can Champions Challenge victory prove springboard for success for Korea men?

Korea men and women are ranked 7th and 8th respectively and come into the Rabobank Hockey World Cup with a reputation for playing composed, well-organised hockey.

The men have just returned from a successful Champions Challenge 1 campaign, where they secured their return to Champions Trophy action and they are also 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. 

The women have not had things all their own way of late. They were pre-tournament favourites to win the Champions Challenge 1 in Glasgow, but crashed out to Ireland in the quarter-finals, and  only finished seventh. They were also beaten in the Asia Cup by Japan and they finished in eighth place at the Argentina Hockey World League Final at the end of 2013. That said, they are fiercely determined to make their mark on the World Cup, with both captain Kim Jong Eun and star striker Park Mi Hyun saying that nothing less than a medal position would do.

FIH site

Diverse Black Sticks team named for World Cup



Black Sticks Women’s head coach Mark Hager today announced a strong mix of experience and young talent in his team to compete at the Hockey World Cup in The Hague.

The team of 18 contains three players with more than 200 test caps and four with more than 100 caps, alongside four 19-year-olds who will play at the tournament from 31 May - 15 June.

Inspirational captain Kayla Whitelock leads the side with support from other experienced players like Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson, Gemma Flynn and Anita Punt.

Coach Hager said competition for spots in the team was very strong and the selectors are pleased with the final team.

“It’s a very versatile team. We believe we’ve got a good mix of youth and experience within the group and a team that can play various positions, so if we get injuries we can cover them pretty easily,” Hager said.

“We think we’ve got the right balance, all 18 girls deserve their spots and I know they are very excited.”

The World Cup team is also bolstered by the inclusion of striker Katie Glynn and midfielder/defender Stacey Michelsen, who both missed much of the past 12 months with serious knee injuries.

Michelsen played well throughout the recent Hawke’s Bay Festival of Hockey, while Glynn has been training hard in recovery from a torn ACL which she suffered in last year’s Ford National Hockey League.

Whitelock said it was a huge bonus to have Glynn and Michelsen back at full strength, as well as Forgesson who has also been injured.

“It’s awesome to have those girls back. Katie leads the girls up front, talks well to the others and gets them connected and of course can get the ball in the back of the net,” she said.

“Stacey is very skilful and can break the line so sets up a lot of attack for us down that side and adds a lot to our game.

“We’re shaping up well and are all looking forward to getting over to the World Cup. I played club hockey in The Hague so I’m pretty excited to play in front of their crowds, it’s going to be huge.”

The Black Sticks Women leave New Zealand on 18 May en route to Netherlands, where they will base themselves for a week of training before moving into The Hague four days before the tournament begins.

Their opening game is against Belgium on Saturday 31st May at 11pm (NZ time). All Black Sticks Women’s and Men’s games from the World Cup will be broadcast live on SKY Sport.

BLACK STICKS WOMEN 2014 WORLD CUP TEAM

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Head Coach - Mark Hager
Assistant Coach - Sean Dancer
Manager - Debbie Balme

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Experience and youth in Black Sticks squad


Kayla Whitelock.

Black Sticks Women's head coach Mark Hager today announced a strong mix of experience and young talent in his team to compete at the Hockey World Cup in The Hague.

The team of 18 contains three players with more than 200 test caps and four with more than 100 caps, alongside four 19-year-olds who will play at the tournament from 31 May - 15 June.

Inspirational captain Kayla Whitelock leads the side with support from other experienced players like Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson, Gemma Flynn and Anita Punt.

Coach Hager said competition for spots in the team was very strong and the selectors are pleased with the final team.

"It's a very versatile team. We believe we've got a good mix of youth and experience within the group and a team that can play various positions, so if we get injuries we can cover them pretty easily," Hager said.

"We think we've got the right balance, all 18 girls deserve their spots and I know they are very excited."

The World Cup team is also bolstered by the inclusion of striker Katie Glynn and midfielder/defender Stacey Michelsen, who both missed much of the past 12 months with serious knee injuries.

Michelsen played well throughout the recent Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey, while Glynn has been training hard in recovery from a torn ACL which she suffered in last year's Ford National Hockey League.

Whitelock said it was a huge bonus to have Glynn and Michelsen back at full strength, as well as Forgesson who has also been injured.

"It's awesome to have those girls back. Katie leads the girls up front, talks well to the others and gets them connected and of course can get the ball in the back of the net," she said.

"Stacey is very skilful and can break the line so sets up a lot of attack for us down that side and adds a lot to our game.

"We're shaping up well and are all looking forward to getting over to the World Cup. I played club hockey in The Hague so I'm pretty excited to play in front of their crowds, it's going to be huge."

The Black Sticks Women leave New Zealand on 18 May en route to Netherlands, where they will base themselves for a week of training before moving into The Hague four days before the tournament begins.

Their opening game is against Belgium on Saturday 31st May at 11pm (NZ time).

Black Sticks squad
Kayla Whitelock, Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson, Olivia Merry, Katie Glynn, Petrea Webster
Sally Rutherford, Sam Charlton, Michaela Curtis, Liz Thompson, Sophie Cocks, Rhiannon Dennison, Gemma Flynn, Rose Keddell, Jordan Grant, Bianca Russell, Stacey Michelsen, Anita Punt.

The New Zealand Herald

Black Sticks bolstered for World Cup

The NZ women's hockey squad has been picked for next months World Championships.


POTENT: Black Sticks striker Katie Glynn is a welcome return to the team ahead of the World Cup. Getty

The Black Sticks' women's hockey side has been bolstered by the addition of Katie Glynn and Stacey Michelsen for the World Cup, which begins later this month.

Potent striker Glynn and midfielder/defender Michelsen, who both missed much of the past 12 months with serious knee injuries will help strengthen the New Zealand side.

Michelsen impressed during the recent Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey, while Glynn has been training hard in recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which she suffered in last year's national hockey league.

New Zealand captain Kayla Whitelock said it was a huge bonus to have Glynn and Michelsen back at full strength, as well as experienced striker Krystal Forgesson who has also been injured.

"It's awesome to have those girls back. Katie leads the girls up front, talks well to the others and gets them connected and of course can get the ball in the back of the net," she said.

"Stacey is very skilful and can break the line so sets up a lot of attack for us down that side and adds a lot to our game.''

The squad of 18 contains three players with more than 200 test caps and four with more than 100 caps.

Coach Mark Hager said competition for spots in the team was very strong and the selectors were pleased with the final team.

"It's a very versatile team. We believe we've got a good mix of youth and experience within the group and a team that can play various positions, so if we get injuries we can cover them pretty easily," Hager said.

"We think we've got the right balance. All 18 girls deserve their spots and I know they are very excited."

New Zealand have been grouped in Pool A with hosts, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Belgium for the 12-team World Cup tournament in The Hague.

The Black Sticks' women leave New Zealand on May 18 en route to the Netherlands, where they will base themselves for a week of training. The World Cup runs from May 31-June 14.

Black Sticks' World Cup Squad

Kayla Whitelock (c), Emily Naylor, Michaela Curtis (all Central), Krystal Forgesson, Katie Glynn, Liz Thompson (Auckland), Olivia Merry, Sophie Cocks, Jordan Grant (Canterbury), Petrea Webster, Rhiannon Dennison, Bianca Russell (North Harbour), Sally Rutherford, Sam Charlton, Gemma Flynn, Rose Keddell (Midlands), Stacey Michelsen (Northland), Anita Punt (Capital)

Stuff

National hockey camp underway in Islamabad

By Nabil Tahir

KARACHI: The Pakistan hockey team began its training camp at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, Islamabad on Sunday for the upcoming 17th Asian Games to be played at Incheon, South Korea from September 19.

Thirty seven players were selected through nationwide trials for the camp and were directed to report to camp commandant Shahnaz Sheikh at the Pakistan Sports Complex.

“All of the new players were asked to bring documentations for their participation in the Asian Games,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune.

He remarked that the approaching assignment was crucial in Pakistan’s bid to qualify for the Olympics, while they were also set the task of defending their title.

The Olympian is being assisted by other coaches which include Syed Abuzar Umrao (goalkeeper), Nasir Ali (deep defense), Muhammad Shafqat (intermediate defense), Syed Sameer Hussain (front), and Dr Asad Abbas and Adnan as team doctor and physiotherapist respectively.

“We have chalked out a very comprehensive training programme for the players and hope that we will be able to improve the basic skills of new players,” he added.

“We will start with full morning and evening training sessions, focusing on their speed, stamina and physical fitness; we will also work on penalty corners, attack and defence according to the new 15-minute format.

“Besides the field sessions, other days will be followed with training at the gym, swimming and drills. The players will be also be given a video training session on alternate days.”

While declaring Islamabad’s weather and facilities as ideal for the camp he added, “Our focus at the Asian Games will be on India, Korea and Malaysia, who are the stronger teams in the region.”

The Express Tribune

 Varsity hockey kicks off with a bang

The opening leg of the Varsity Hockey men’s season kicked off at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg on Saturday, with eight teams from universities around South Africa taking one another on.

In the opening match, UFS-Kovsies secured a 2-1 victory over NMMU’s Madibaz, with Alfred Hensburg scoring the decisive goal right at the end.

The result was a bitter pill for the Kovsies, but their performance showed that they are definite contenders in the competition.

UP-Tuks and UCT went into half-time deadlocked at 0-0 in the second match of the day, but it was ultimately UP-Tuks who emerged victorious.

A fabulous second half saw Matthew Guise-Brown and Andrew Buckley score to secure a 2-0 victory for UP-Tuks, with Guise-Brown receiving the Super Striker award for his opening goal.

Later in the day, UJ proved too strong for Rhodes in clinching a 7-1 win. UJ’s Clinton Panther, who has represented SA’s national team 69 times, scored a stunning goal in the second half of the match to cement UJ’s win.

But it proved a disappointing end to the day for Wits, who were unable to secure a victory on home ground. Despite a strong start from the hosts, together with some brilliant goalkeeping, it was Maties who emerged clear 5-1 victors.

Man of the Match awards went to Jason Maclachlan (UFS-Kovsies), Richard Pautz (UP-Tuks), Gareth Heyns (UJ) and Jordan Turnbull (Maties)

The opening game on Sunday starts at 11am and Monday’s action gets under way at 1.30pm.

The Citizen

Academy gets a shot in the arm


Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah receives a mock cheque from TNB chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie as Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir looks on at the Palm Garden Golf Club in Putrajaya yestrday. Pic by Fariz Iswadi Ismail

THE Raja Ashman Shah Hockey Academy in Perak has received a RM500,000 financial boost from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

Malaysian Hockey Confederation financial committee chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin said the cash would be used to administer training courses at the academy for players, officials and referees.

“The academy, which was set up in 2011, needs close to RM5.5 million to self-sustain. So far, we have collected nearly RM2.1 million, courtesy of contributions from companies like TNB, Sime Darby, the Sultan Azlan Shah Foundation, Genting Group and others,” he said after the cheque presentation ceremony at Palm Garden Golf Club, Putrajaya.

Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah accepted the cheque from TNB chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was also present.

Moggie said the financial contribution reflects TNB's continued support for the development of hockey in the country.

“This will strengthen TNB’s image as a GLC that spearheads the development of hockey as a national sport.”

New Straits Times