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All the news for Monday 19 May 2014

Red Lions and Hockeyroos enjoy pre-World Cup successes

Six goals against Japan shows Aussie intent; Belgium show staying power to earn two wins and a draw over higher-ranked teams


(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)

Belgium men and Australia women enjoyed success in their final few days of preparation before the Rabobank Hockey World Cup. The four men's and four women's teams taking part in the Ergo Masters Four Nations will all be participating in The Hague in just 12 days time.

Four Nations - Dusseldorf

Belgium enjoyed a successful Four Nations Tournament in Dusseldorf as they emerged top of the table after three matches against fellow World Cup rivals England, Germany and The Netherlands. Over the course of the three matches, Mark Lammers team beat The Netherlands 2-1 and England 3-2 and drew with Germany 2-2.

While the result means Belgium can go into the Rabobank World Cup with their confidence high, comments on Twitter from some of the players indicated that the Red Lions are not letting the victories go to their heads. Xavier Reckinger tweeted: "3-2. Good win over England Hockey makes us winners of Ergo Masters. Two wins in three weeks, doesn't say much, but nice anyway."

Four Nations - Bremen

Australia were the emphatic winners of the women's Four Nations in Bremen. The Hockeyroos beat England 4-2, and Japan 6-1 before drawing 2-2 with Germany.

And there was further reason for green and gold celebrations as Australian captain Madonna Blyth became the outright second highest capped Hockeyroo in history. Playing in her 280th international, she overtook Rechelle Hawkes’ 279 games. Only Nikki Hudson’s 303 match record lies ahead for the midfielder.

With just 12 days to go to the start of the tournament, coach to the Australia women Adam Commens said: “I’ve been quite satisfied with our performances this week. As far as starts of tours go it’s been one of our better starts to a tour. It’s satisfying to win the tournament. Yesterday, against Japan we played fantastic attacking hockey whereas today was a bit more of a dogfight.”

FIH site

Hockeyroos win four nations

Final 3-3 draw with Germany helps Hockeyroos to tournament title



The Hockeyroos showed resilience and grit to take a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw with Germany on Sunday, securing the World Cup warm-up tournament title in the process as they finished ahead of the hosts on goal difference in Bremen.

South Australian Georgie Parker’s last minute equaliser was the Hockeyroos’ third of the game and came after New South Wales forward Emily Smith had levelled Tina Bachmann’s fifth minute opener and Victorian Georgia Nanascawen had cancelled out Lydia Haase’s goal for 2-2.

And there was further reason to celebrate as Australian captain Madonna Blyth became the outright second highest capped Hockeyroo in history. Playing in her 280th international, she overtook Rechelle Hawkes’ 279 games. Only Nikki Hudson’s 303 match record lies ahead for the Brisbane-born midfielder.

National coach Adam Commens said after the match, “We played some pretty good hockey and certainly created enough chances to score three goals. Germany played very well. They’re a team that’s improving all the time; they’ve had a lot of [personnel] turnover since the Olympics and played very enterprising hockey today. We’ll probably need to be better if we are to beat them in the latter stages of the World Cup.”

With just 12 days to go to the start of the tournament, Commens said, “I’ve been quite satisfied with our performances this week. As far as starts of tours go it’s been one of our better starts to a tour. It’s satisfying to win the tournament. Yesterday we played fantastic attacking hockey whereas today was a bit more of a dogfight. There was some good counter attacking play but I thought Germany kept possession better than we did.”

While a draw would be enough for the Hockeyroos, Germany required a victory to win the tournament on home turf. There was an early setback for the Hockeyroos as German veteran Tina Bachmann converted a fifth minute penalty corner to put the hosts 1-0 up but Crookwell’s Emily Smith made it 1-1 with her second in as many games less than ten minutes later.

Lydia Haase put Germany back in front but Georgia Nanscawen’s equaliser just before the break provided the perfect response from the Hockeyroos. And despite falling behind for a third time to Kristina Hillmann’s goal ten minutes into the second half, the resiliant ‘Roos refused to give up. With time running out Georgie Parker worked her magic, finding the back of the goal in the final minute.

The Hockeyroos now move on to Belgium where they will meet the Belgian women in their final official pre-World Cup Test on Tuesday (19:00 CET / 03:00 AEST Wednesday). The Australian women will play Korea on Saturday 31 May in their opening World Cup clash in The Hague. The match will be live on ABC 2.

Bremen Four Nations Tournament
Bremen, Germany

Match 3 of 3

HOCKEYROOS 3 (2)
Emily Smith 14 (F)
Georgia Nanscawen 33 (F)
Georgie Parker 70 (F)

GERMANY 3 (2)
Tina Bachmann 5 (PC)
Lydia Haase 25 (F)
Kristina Hillmann 46 (F)

Hockeyroos squad v Germany
Athlete (Hometown, State) caps/goals
Started
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 280/65
Eddie Bone (Evatt, ACT) 39/2
Casey Eastham (South Coast, NSW) 202/44
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT) 123/23
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 105/53
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA) 38/4
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA) 147/61
Georgie Parker (Berri, SA) 55/16
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 85/34
Kellie White (Crookwell, NSW) 75/24
Ashlee Wells (Morwell, VIC) 33/0

Used Substitutes
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 40/3
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 47/2
Emily Hurtz (Camden, NSW) 77/28
Kate Jenner (Tamworth, NSW) 94/1
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 123/23
Jayde Taylor (Bunbury, WA) 93/1

Unused Substitutes
Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC) 104/0

Hockey Australia media release

England Women beat Japan in final Four Nations match


Zoe Shipperley, by Frank Uijlenbroek

A GOAL in each half proved enough for England Women to overcome a tough Japan side in their final match of the Four Nations Tournament in Bremen on Sunday.

Alex Danson scored late in the first half, and Lily Owsley doubled their advantage in the second half to help Jason Lee’s side to victory.

“This was a much better technical performance, and we didn’t make the same mistakes as in the previous day,” said Head Coach Jason Lee. “We had good possession for long periods.

“There was much more fight and endeavor in the group, and it’s a good performance to take forward to the final stage of preparations for the World Cup.”

England steadily increased their pressure throughout the first half, until Japan were forced to use the back of a stick to stop a goal. Alex Danson confidently stepped up to convert the resulting penalty stroke on 35 minutes.

And 18 minutes into the second half England doubled their lead. Some good patient play from England led to Japan being stretched thin. Zoe Shipperley (pictured) put in a threatening ball into the circle, Hannah McLeod drew the defence, and Lily Owsley ghosted in to tap the ball home.

England 2 (1)
Alex Danson 35 (PS)
Lily Owsley 53 (FG)

Japan 0 (0)

Click here to see squad and caps information and to see the other results at the tournament.

England Hockey Board Media release

Belgium defeat for battling England Men


England v Belgium - Mark Gleghorne

ENGLAND Men narrowly lost out 3-2 to Belgium in their final match of the Four Nations Tournament in Germany, but enjoyed spells of good pressure in the match in Dusseldorf on Sunday.

Iain Lewers’ first half goal and Ashley Jackson’s strike late in the game came after England had worked hard to create good pressure on the Belgians, but too many chances went begging.

“It was a game of contrast with plenty of good signs but also some disappointment,” said Head Coach Bobby Crutchley. “We didn’t utilise good circle possession to create clear goal scoring opportunities and our reactions were slow in front of goal.

“We were also hampered by playing without Harry Martin and losing Dan Shingles very early on in the game.”

Martin had felt a tightness in his hamstring during Saturday’s match against Germany so was rested for the Belgium game as a precaution, while Shingles received a cut to his wrist from a Belgian stick early in the game and took no further part.

England drew first blood after 17 minutes in what proved to be an evenly matched first half. A penalty corner was re-awarded four times before, finally, a slip from Jackson was glanced goalward by Lewers.

But England were caught napping seconds later, as Belgium went straight up the other end and, from a shot from outside the circle, the ball was deflected into the roof of the net by Sebastien Dockier, leaving England goalkeeper George Pinner with no chance.

England continued to create good circle possession, but paid the price for their failure to add more goals when Belgium took the lead on 48 minutes through John-John Dohman.

Belgium went 3-1 up on 63 minutes from their third penalty corner, Florent van Aubel getting the crucial touch, but England battled on and piled pressure on their rivals.

They halved the deficit on 68 minutes with Jackson scoring high into the net, and they continued to push hard for an equaliser, leaving Belgium defending desperately for the last few minutes.

Belgium 3 (1)
Sebastien Dockier 17 (FG)
John-John Domen 48 (FG)
FLorent van Aubel 63 (PC)

England 2 (1)
Iain Lewers 17 (PC)
Ashley Jackson 68 (PC)

Click here to see squad and caps information and to see the other results at the tournament.

England Hockey Board Media release

England lack cutting edge as Belgium snatch victory

ENGLAND had the possession but were left to rue their lack of scoring chances as they succumbed 3-2 to World Cup pool opponents Belgium at the end of their four nations tournament in Dusseldorf yesterday.

By Graham Wilson

With the World Cup in The Hague less than two weeks away, Belgium showed why they are a danger to England’s ambitions of reaching the semi-finals.

Coach Bobby Crutchley’s side had fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with hosts Germany the previous day, but here Belgium were 3-1 up with seven minutes remaining and though Ashley Jackson followed up a 17th-minute Iain Lewers’ converted penalty corner they had only two minutes left on the clock when he struck. Belgium held out with some frantic defending.

Crutchley said: “It was a game of contrast with plenty of good signs but also some disappointment. We didn’t utilise good circle possession to create clear goal-scoring opportunities and our reactions were slow in front of goal. We were also hampered by playing without Harry Martin and losing Dan Shingles very early on in the game.”

Martin had felt a tightness in his hamstring so was rested for the Belgium match as a precaution, while Shingles received a cut to his wrist from a Belgian stick early in the game and took no further part. It was disappointing end for him after he had scored his first international goal against Germany when deflecting home a Mark Gleghorne hit from a penalty corner.

England's women, having suffered a 3-1 defeat against hosts Germany on Saturday, ended their four nations tournament in Bremen on a better note against Japan yesterday.

Both Alex Danson and Lily Owsley got on the scoresheet for a 2-0 win, Danson breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute with a penalty stroke after a Japanese defender stopped a goalbound effort with the back of her stick.

In the 53rd minute Zoe Shipperley put a threatening ball into the circle, Hannah McLeod drew the defence, and Owsley ghosted in to tap the ball home.

Said coach Jason Lee: “This was a much better technical performance and we didn’t make the same mistakes as in the previous day against Germany. We had good possession for long periods. There was much more fight and endeavour in the group, and it’s a good performance to take forward to the final stage of preparations for the World Cup.”

Daily Express

Next generation set to make mark on World Cup

Will Jeremy Hayward help give Ric a golden goodbye?


(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)

For many coaches and players the past few weeks and months have been tense and stressful as the coaches have been pondering their team selections and the players have been either doing their utmost to impress or working hard in the rehabilitation room to win the battle for fitness before one of the biggest fortnights in the hockey calendar.

One major loss to the home side is the failure of Bob de Voogd to recover from a hamstring injury in time for selection. His coach, Paul van Ass said it was a "difficult decision, but at some point you have to be definitive."

England have been plagued by injury of late, but Bobby Crutchley will have been relieved to be able to finally pen Dan Shingles and Henry Weir's names on the team sheet. Weir, who writes a column in the Wimbledon Guardian wrote: "I underwent an intensive six-week rehabilitation course which involved hyperbaric therapy, and meant 14 consecutive days of 90-minute sessions in an oxygen chamber. It’s really claustrophobic and uncomfortable – you wear a mask and it’s like being in a tiny submarine."

Another player who will be relieved to have finished rehabilitation is Germany's Moritz Furste. The former FIH Player of the Year has played 212 times for his country, but fell just shy of making the line-up. Coach Markus Weise has mainly gone for experience, but newcomer Niklas Wellen, who has only played four times for the senior team, has been rewarded for his outstanding performances in last year's Junior World Cup, while reigning FIH Young Player of the Year Christopher Ruhr is set to make his World Cup debut.

South Africa's drag flick specialist will also be pleased to be included in the squad. Justin Reid-Ross was never taking selection for granted as he has not played for his country since 2012, taking time to build his own business and write an intriguing blog http://myineloquence.blogspot.co.uk, which covers diverse subjects such as indie music, coffee, food and drag-flicking.

The next generation are well represented in The Hague. Belgium have selected Arthur van Doren and Emmanuel Stockbroekx, 19 and 21-years old respectively, while two of India's forwards, Ramandeep Singh and Nikkin Thimmaiah, have only 11 caps each. Australia's next generation is encapsulated in the 21-year-old frame of Jeremy Hayward. His selection marks another milestone in an exciting few months. Having played for the Australian Under 21 side at the Junior World Cup in December 2013, Jeremy made his senior international debut just last month in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign, scoring three goals.

At the other end of the scale, both Malaysia and New Zealand are in the race for the player with the most caps. On 320 is the Black Sticks Phil Burrows, but leading the way on 336 is Malaysia's captain Azlan Misron. Both Korea's Seok Kyo Shin and Argentina's Carlos Retegui are putting experience at the heart of their squads. The Argentine squad contains 11 players with more than 100 caps, with second goalkeeper, Agustin Abratte the only player to be on single figure caps (4). Korea has gone even further: The most uncapped player in the squad is Seung Hoon Lee, who has 71 caps for his country. The team has a combined total of 2,633 caps going into the World Cup.

Full team lists will be available HERE.

FIH site

Familiar faces grace The Hague

Stability is the name of the game for South Africa, but injury puts paid to Helen and Jayde's World Cup dreams


(Photo: Grant Treeby/Treeby Images)

While many coaches have ben fretting about selection for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, coach of South Africa Giles Bonnet, has made the whole process look simple. His side remains the same as the 18 players who brought home bronze from the Champions Challenge in Glasgow. The continuity goes further than that, with 13 of the squad having played in the 2012 Olympics.

The same is not true of New Zealand; while old-timers Kayla Sharland, Emily Naylor and Krystal Forgesson have all amassed more than 200 caps each, coach Mark Hager has introduced four 19-year-olds into the squad – Michaela Curtis, Liz Thompson, Sophie Cocks and Rose Keddell. After the team announcement, Sophie tweeted about her pride at playing alongside "Black Sticks legend, Kayla Sharland." Mark Hager will also be relieved that goal-scoring machine Katie Glynn is back from injury.

Another coach who is setting great store by youth is Belgium's Kina Pascal. His team contains two of the youngest World Cup players ever. Emma Puvrez and Stephanie Vanden Borre are both 16, and captain Charlotte de Vos said there were other young players who were unlucky not to make the team "it would have just made the squad too unbalanced," she said.

Jason Lee, the coach of England, will wish that he could be welcoming back his midfield stalwart Helen Richardson-Walsh. The player has been battling with a back injury but, despite intensive rehabilitation and a pitch comeback in a friendly against Canada, the coach felt her recovery wasn't soon enough. Two relative newcomers to the squad are Ellie Watton and Zoe Shipperley, who have 11 caps and four caps respectively. In an interview with The Telegraph, Zoe said: "I hadn’t even considered going to the World Cup. I didn’t even know when the dates were or where it was being played."

Another player who has lost the battle with an injury is Australia's Jayde Taylor. coach Adam Commens said: "Jayde has come back after a long rehabilitation from foot surgery and has performed very well this year. She can consider herself very unlucky." The Hockeyroos have made a lot of changes to the side that contested the World Cup four years ago. Just five players return to the squad, although Teneal Attard (189 caps) and Madonna Blyth (277 caps) have enough experience to share around.

The Netherlands women's team has gone for a blend of youth and experience. At just 18, Xan de Waard will be one of the youngest players at the tournament, while the experienced Naomi van As has recovered from injury and will be taking her place in a line-up that has several players who were part of the Olympic gold medal-winning team in 2012.

The team sheet from China indicates that this is a very similar team to the one that took sixth in the 2012 Olympics. Newcomers to this squad include Guo Jiajia and Bingfeng Gu, while the side will be captained by Qiuxia Cui.

"We have not won a gold medal at a World Cup since 1981, it is time to win gold again," says captain of the German squad Julia Muller. In her team she has self-confessed hot-head Anne Schroder, a 19-year-old who says that among her pet hates are 'hunger, having to warm up and losing…"

Full team lists will be available HERE.

FIH site

Getting stick from the neighbours...

An unexpected gift led to Rachel Dawson's long career as a hockey star



Rachel Dawson is a stalwart of the USA team, but were it not for the generosity of her neighbours the athletic midfielder would probably have been plying her trade on a basketball court.

But basketball's loss was hockey's gain and with 233 caps to her credit, Rachel has played for her country since 2005, quickly making her mark on the international hockey scene. In 2006 she was one of six athletes nominated for the World Hockey Women's Young Player of the Year and she has gone on to collect the National Player of the Year award in 2007 and the Olympic Qualifier Player of the Tournament in 2008.

Rachel has played at two Olympics Games – Beijing 2008 and London 2012 – and was part of the US team that beat Argentina in 2011 to win the Pan American Cup. Just last month she was one of the core of midfielders who helped springboard the USA to victory at the Champions Challenge 1 in Glasgow, ensuring that the USA will appear in the Champions Trophy in 2016.

Away from the hockey pitch Rachel is a prolific writer. Her personal blog is a lively and compelling read, encompassing her thoughts about her family, life, coffee and hockey. In her introduction she explains that as a kid she wanted to be a basketball player, but her neighbours gave her and her seven siblings some hockey sticks. That simple gesture led to three of the Dawson girls playing for the national team: something that Rachel puts down to their '"stubbornness and competitive natures."

FIH site

Experienced Black Sticks Men’s team for World Cup



Black Sticks Men’s head coach Colin Batch has named a strong team to compete at the Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands.

It is an unchanged line-up from the team which won five of six games at the recent Champions Challenge in Malaysia.

The World Cup team is led by experienced veterans Dean Couzins and Phil Burrows, who have both played more than 300 tests for New Zealand.

Nine other players have eclipsed 100 tests, along with striker Simon Child who recently played his 200th game at just 26 years of age.

There are eight new players to the team since the 2012 London Olympics, including some exciting young talent in Southern defender Kane Russell and Auckland striker Jared Panchia, who both played at the Junior World Cup in December last year.

Midfielder Shay Neal has recovered from a long-term hip injury and will travel with the team as 19th man in case of any last minute injuries before the tournament begins.

Coach Batch said while the team contains plenty of experience, the synergy within the team still continues to build after every game.

“We’ve got to the stage where we have two players with over 300 caps, Simon Child with 200 and plenty of others well over 100,” he said.

“We now have some good experience as individuals, while as a team we are still learning a lot and have seen huge growth. We don’t feel we’ve reached anywhere near our peak yet and can improve substantially over the next few weeks.

“This is a huge tournament for us - we want to do well and are all very excited. It’s an important moment for the team and will give us a view for the next few years tracking towards the Rio Olympics in 2016.”

At the World Cup the Black Sticks are joined in Pool B by hosts Netherlands, Germany, Korea, Argentina and South Africa.

In their opening clash the Black Sticks play Korea on Monday 2nd June at 3.30am (NZ time), with live coverage on SKY Sport 3.

BLACK STICKS MEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM
31 May – 15 June 2014, The Hague

 TRAVELLING RESERVE

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks name World Cup squad


Simon Child. Photo / Getty

New Zealand will send an unchanged squad to the World Cup in The Hague this month.

The group of 18 is the same as that which contested the Champions Challenge tournament in Malaysia three weeks ago, in which they suffered a shock quarter-final exit on penalty strokes to the hosts.

Elevan players have played more than 100 tests, led by captain Dean Couzins and Phil Burrows, both of whom have passed the 300-mark.

Eight players are new to the team since the London Olympics, while midfielder Shay Neal, now over a long term hip injury, will travel as 19th player to cover any late injuries. He will leave the group before the tournament starts, providing all players are fit.

"We now have good experience as individuals while as a team we are still learning a lot and have seen huge growth," coach Colin Batch said.

"This is a huge tournament for us, we want to do well and are all very excited."

Sicth-ranked New Zealand are in pool B alongside hosts the Netherlands, Germany, Korea, Argentina and South Africa.

The World Cup starts on May 31.

New Zealand's team for the World Cup:
Goakeepers: Hamish McGregor (Southern), Devon Manchester (Auckland)
Defenders: Andy Hayward (Midlands), Dean Couzins (c, Auckland) Alex Shaw (Capital), Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (Southern)
Midfielders: Nick Haig (Cantebury), Phil Burrows (Capital), Arun Panchia (Auckland), Shea McAleese (Central), Steve Edwards (North Harbour).
Strikers: Simon Child, Marcus Child, Jared Panchia (Auckland), Hugo Inglis (Southern), Stephen Jenness, Blair Hilton (Capital).
Travelling reserve: Shay Neal (Northland).

The New Zealand Herald

Unchanged NZ men's team for World Cup

The New Zealand men's hockey squad has a settled look to it for the World Cup, which begins this month.

Coach Colin Batch has named an unchanged team from the one that competed in the Champions Challenge in Malaysia this month.

New Zealand won five of their six games at the tournament, but finished fifth overall after losing their quarterfinal clash with Malaysia in a penalty shootout.

Batch said while the team contained plenty of experience, the synergy within the team was building after every game.

"We now have some good experience as individuals, while as a team we are still learning a lot and have seen huge growth," Batch said.

"We don't feel we've reached anywhere near our peak yet and can improve substantially over the next few weeks."

The World Cup team is led by experienced veterans Dean Couzins and Phil Burrows, who have both played more than 300 tests for New Zealand.

Nine other players have eclipsed 100 tests, along with striker Simon Child, who recently played his 200th game atonly 26 years of age.

The team has had eight new players since the 2012 London Olympics, including some exciting young talent in Southern defender Kane Russell and Auckland striker Jared Panchia, who both played at the Junior World Cup in December last year.

Midfielder Shay Neal has recovered from a long-term hip injury and will travel with the team as 19th man in case of any last-minute injuries before the tournament begins.

The Black Sticks are joined in Pool B by hosts Netherlands, Germany, Korea, Argentina and South Africa.

New Zealand's best finish at a men's World Cup is seventh, which Batch's side will be determined to improve on.

"This is a huge tournament for us - we want to do well and are all very excited," he said.

"It's an important moment for the team and will give us a view for the next few years tracking towards the Rio Olympics in 2016."

NEW ZEALAND MEN'S SQUAD

Dean Couzins (c), Marcus Child, Simon Child, Devon Manchester, Arun Panchia, Jared Panchia (all Auckland), Hugo Inglis, Hamish McGregor, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (Southern), Phil Burrows, Blair Hilton, Steve Jenness, Alex Shaw (Capital), Steve Edwards (North Harbour), Andy Hayward (Midlands), Nick Haig (Canterbury), Shea McAleese (Central)

Stuff

Don’t dilly-dally, Malaysia defenders told

By S. Ramaguru


The Malaysian players protest the umpire's call during their semi-final match against Canada in the Champions Challenge I tournament in Kuantan earlier this month.

KUALA LUMPUR: The national defenders must learn to clear the ball out of danger if Malaysia harbour hopes of doing well in the World Cup hockey tournament in The Hague, Holland, from May 31-June 15.

Former national defender Maninderjit Singh, also a former Malaysian Hockey Confederatrion (MHC) secretary general, said the present set of defenders do not have the ability to get the ball out of danger fast enough.

“Our defenders must make it a habit to get the ball out of defence. This is a drill that needs to be worked out and used in matches as part of their play. You need not be told when to clear the ball or get it to safety out of the defensive area.

“I see this particular aspect lacking in the team. But that is not to say they are not good. It is just that they have to do it naturally each time they are under pressure,” said Maninderjit, after observing the Malaysian team in action at the recent Champions Challenge I tournament in Kuantan.

S. Kuhan, who formed a solid defence with Maninderjit in the national team from 1996-2002, said there was still a lack of understanding in the team.

“Defenders need to understand each other’s game so that they can complement each other better.

“It’s the same for all the departments – midfield and attack. Once you understand your partner’s moves, it makes the task a lot easier. Mike (Maninderjit) and I played for a long time and we also played together at club level. So, I believe that the current players can develop such an understanding, given time,” said Kuhan.

The defenders in the national hockey team came in for some harsh criticism during the recent Champions Challenge I tournament in Kuantan. They conceded a total of 17 goals but managed to finish third in the eight-nation tournament despite finishing bottom during the group stage.

Maninderjit and Kuhan helped Malaysia to finish eighth at the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. And they hope the present team will better their performance.

Both agreed that Malaysia have a tough task ahead in The Hague.

“We have a young side. The experience will do the team a world of good. It is all about grooming the team for the future. They lack the experience and it is only through playing in top-level tournaments that we can earn our place in the top ranks,” said Kuhan.

The Star of Malaysia

Maties and UJ stand tall



Maties and UJ will meet in the Varsity Hockey final on Monday after winning their semifinal clashes.

Maties had to rely on penalty flicks to get past UP-Tuks, whilst UJ were dominant on home turf in their 2-0 victory over Kovsies.

Maties made the early running against UP-Tuks, with James Drummond finishing off a great run to open the scoring and they would hold that advantage until UP-Tuks found a late equaliser.

However, the Stellenbosch students held their nerve well to book a place in the final and knock UP-Tuks out.

UJ were far more comfortable in their semifinal win over Kovsies, with the opening goal coming just before the first break after a scramble inside the D.

Their second came early in the second chukka through a well-worked short corner, and they were in cruise control for the rest of the match as they sealed a spot in the final.

Kovsies threw everything at them, but UJ absorbed the pressure well to set up a mouth-watering rematch against Maties who beat them in controversial fashion in Stellenbosch last week.

Varsity Sports

Ikeys best of the rest



UCT claimed fifth spot in the Varsity Hockey tournament whilst Rhodes and UJ shared the spoils in the wooden spoon match.

The Ikeys secured a tough 2-1 victory over NMMU, whilst Rhodes and UJ ended deadlocked on 2-2 in their early clash.

UCT opened the scoring against the Madibaz, but the goal only came towards the end of the second chukka, with little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges.

The Ikeys were struck a blow when two of their players were shown green cards, but the held out well and opened the scoring from a short corner.

They extended their lead to 2-0 when Andrew Winter scored at the end of the final chukka, and although the Madibaz were able to pull one back it was not enough to avoid defeat as they finished in sixth place.

Wits struck first in their wooden spoon match with Rhodes, making the most of their extra player during the first powerplay to take the lead.

However, Rhodes fought back well and managed to equalise with a penalty flick just before the end of the first chukka.

The Grahamstown side had the second powerplay and could not take advantage, although they would take the lead for the first time shortly afterwards.

Wits equalised just before the end of the second chukka with some good improvisation from a short corner and that set up a tense but ultimately goalless final chukka as they shared the spoils.

Varsity Sports

District and Reserve Cup and Plate finals round-up


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Grange II triumphed in the Men’s District Cup Final, resoundingly beating PSL Team Sport Clydesdale 5-1.

Two first half goals from Ruairdh Grossart gave the Stags a 2-0 lead at half-time, before Leo Howes pulled one back just after the interval.

Nevertheless, hopes of a Clydesdale comeback were extinguished as Duncan Batchelor, Andy Graham and Martin Constable netted for the Edinburgh side to take the cup back to the capital.

The District and Reserve Cup & Plate finals reached their conclusion at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre today, with six finals taking place at the Commonwealth Games venue.

Grange II triumphed in the Men’s District Cup Final, resoundingly beating PSL Team Sport Clydesdale II 5-1.

Two first half goals from Ruairdh Grossart gave the Stags a 2-0 lead at half-time, before Leo Howes pulled one back just after the interval.

Nevertheless, hopes of a Clydesdale comeback were extinguished as Duncan Batchelor, Andy Graham and Martin Constable netted for the Edinburgh side to take the cup back to the capital.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Milne Craig Clydesdale Western IV were the winners of the Women’s District Cup Final after a narrow 2-1 win over Erskine Stewart’s Melville FP II.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Katherine Tenner broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute from a penalty corner to give the capital outfit a 1-0 lead.

However, two late second half goals from Mo White (54’) and captain Marg Taylor (66’) turned the match on its head, sending the cup back with the Titwood outfit.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Hillhead II produced a dominant display in the Men’s District Plate Final, dispatching four late second half goals past Perthshire to retain the plate.

Steve Smith had given Perthshire a 1-0 half-time lead, but goals from Jack Chitty, Rob Rolsten, Colin Gallagher and Ross Milner in the last eighteen minutes of the match rounded off comprehensive win for the Hornets.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Despite a last gasp equaliser from Grange EL III’s Sarah Marshall in the Women’s District Plate Final, Madras College FP held their nerve to win 2-1 in the resulting penalty shoot-out. Kirsty Trewartha had given the former pupils a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

There was drama in the Men’s Reserve Cup Final as Grange V scored a winning goal 28 seconds from full-time to snatch the title from Hillhead III.

The Stags went behind in the 12th minute when David Meikle gave the Hornets the opening goal from a penalty corner, but were back on level terms five minutes later courtesy of a Doug Meikle equaliser.

Grange took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Charles Richards fired home their second goal in the 33rd minute.

A tense second half ensued, but David Webster looked to have sent the game to a penalty shoot-out after his strike three minutes from time.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

However, Mike Yellowlees fired home the winning strike from a penalty corner set-play to send the cup back to Edinburgh.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Finally, Aberdeen GSFP III came back from a goal behind to beat Rottenrow Blue Sox II 2-1 in the Men’s Reserve Plate Final.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Ben Brewer gave the Glasgow side the lead in the 41st minute from a field goal, but a penalty corner effort from Murray Bisset in the 56th minute and a Charlie Smith strike ten minutes from time ensured the former pupils returned to the North East with the plate in hand.


Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Scottish Hockey Union media release

KP stun Army as Wapda, PIA reach quarter-finals

Anwar Zuberi

KARACHI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shocked Army 5-3 in a penalty shootout to register their first victory in the 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship which resumed on Sunday after a day’s rest here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium.

Two late goals in a short span of five minutes enabled the fighting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hold Army to a 2-2 result in the stipulated 60-minute play of the Pool ‘C’ match. In the shootout, the winners accurately converted all five strokes as against three by the soldiers.

Hamza Sajid and Atif netted a goal each in 52nd and 57th minutes for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after Adnan Khalid had scored twice, the second off a penalty corner.

Hamza Sajid, Samiullah, Naved Iqbal, Atif and Yasir Ali scored on penalty strokes for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while Adnan Khalid, Mohammad Asad and Azhar Hussain netted a goal each for the soldiers.

Holders Wapda and formidable PIA, meanwhile, notched up their second successive victories to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Drawn in Pool ‘D’, Wapda bulldozed the low-rated Balochistan 7-0. The winners were on a goal-spree and had complete domination over opponents. Umar Hamadi scored a brace in 11th and 38th minute, the second off a penalty corner, while Ghazanfar Ali, Mudassar, Aqeeb, Mohammad Naveed and Ali Bahadur scored one goal apiece for the winners.

PIA carved out a 3-1 victory over Punjab Whites in three-team Pool ‘B’ to emerge as the group champions. Ilyas Ahmed drew blood for PIA in the seventh minute while Abu Bakar consolidated his team’s position by scoring another goal three minutes later off a penalty corner.

Punjab Whites managed to reduce the deficit through Hashar Ali four minutes before half time. Rana Sohail scored the third goal for the winners in the 41st minute.

Two-goal Shahzaib helped Islamabad conjure up a 3-1 victory over Sindh Colours in Pool ‘A’ match.

Shahzaib struck twice in the first (14th min) and fourth quarters (54th min) after Usman Junaid put his team in front in the eighth minute with a sizzling drive off a penalty corner.

Hunain scored the lone goal for local outfit in the 45th minute to reduce the deficit.

Monday’s fixtures:

National Bank of Pakistan v Islamabad (9.00am); Railways v Punjab Whites (3.00pm): Pakistan Customs v Sindh Whites (5.00pm).

Dawn

Player hunt for junior team underway

By Nabil Tahir

KARACHI: The newly appointed selection committee by the Pakistan Hockey Federation is on a talent hunt at the ongoing 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship being played at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi. After the tournament, the committee will hold open trials for the youth and the junior team on May 22.

“We are watching the players’ performances and will select the names to be included in the junior pool by the end of the tournament,” said chief selector Islahuddin Siddiqui, while talking to The Express Tribune.

“The talent is there but there is a need for grooming. After the selection, they will be trained at the camps for the 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup.”

“Like the senior team, the junior team will consist of a large pool of players which will indefinitely turn out better for the national team in the upcoming championship,” he added.

Explaining the selection criteria, Siddiqui said: “Our focus is on the physical fitness and performance of the players.

“These players are good enough to be selected as juniors for now as they are not up to the level of the senior team, but I assure the nation that within a year we will produce higher quality teams for both categories.”

Meanwhile, four matches concluded at the fourth play-day of the championship on Sunday in which Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Islamabad, Wapda and PIA conjured up victories.

Army’s Adnan Khalid scored in the 21st and 31st minute to give his team the lead against K-P as they entered the fourth half. But Hamza Sajid and a late equaliser by Atif levelled the scores as the match went into penalty shootouts — K-P won by 7-5.

In the second match, the Islamabad lads outshined Sindh C 3-1, while Wapda carved out a 7-0 thumping of an inexperienced Balochistan side in the third match. PIA had to struggle hard in the last match of the day against Punjab W, which they ultimately won 3-1.

The Express Tribune