News 02 June 2014
All the news for Monday 2 June 2014
Germany, Argentina each pick up wins, New Zealand edge Korea
Rassie’s performance dazzles Die Honomas, Netherlands delight home crowd.jpg-1401646731)
(Photo: Stanislas Brochier)
On the second day of he Rabobank Hockey World Cup, Pool B winners Germany, Netherlands and New Zealand each picked up three points. Die Honomas blanked The Lads 4-0 despite a valiant performance from South Africa keeper Rassie Pieterse. The Netherlands entertained a capacity crowd for a 3-1 win over a resilient Argentinian side, while New Zealand needed a late goal to win over Korea.
Men Pool B Germany v South Africa 4-0 (2-0)
The German team began their Rabobank Hockey World Cup campaign in an efficient, if slightly underwhelming fashion as they put four goals past South Africa. The match against 12th-ranked South Africa saw the reigning Olympic champions and second-ranked team begin at a steady pace, building patterns of play and feeling their way into the game. Four different players tallied for Germany including Christopher Zeller, Mats Grambusch, Oliver Korn and Thilo Stralkowski. South African keeper Rassie Pieterse was praised by both sides for his outstanding performance in goal.
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MEN Pool B Netherlands v Argentina 3-1 (1-1)
The Kyocera Stadium turned orange as 15,000 people turned up to cheer the home team in their opening match against Argentina. And the Oranje did not disappoint as they played hockey that was both spectacular and stylish to win their opener 3-1. And Argentina added their own substantial skill and flair to the occasion, keeping the Dutch attack at bay for periods of the game and forcing goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann to make saves from the top drawer of goalkeeping. Three different goal scorers got on the board in the win for Netherlands, while Gonzalo Peillat made good on a penalty corner flick for Argentina.
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MEN Pool B New Zealand v Korea 2-1 (1-0)
This was a close encounter between the sixth and seventh seeds respectively and it played out as such. New Zealand took an early lead through Steve Edwards (1'), but the closely-fought contest was not decided until the final minute of the game, when one of the Black Sticks most experienced players, Phil Burrows, took his chance in front of goal. Kim Seongyu was the lone scorer for Korea despiet a penalty stroke opportunity taken by Jang Jonghyu that rang off the cross bar.
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Men's action continues tomorrow, 2 June, with Australian and Spain (13:00 CET), England and India (16:00 CET), as well as Netherlands and Korea (19:45 CET). Visit the website rabobankhockeyworldcup2014.com for scores, video, schedule and more!
For photos, videos and more, visit Rabobankhockeyworldcup2014.com
FIH site
USA and Argentina get three points, Germany and China draw
USA upset the rankings as they outplay England, Germany and China level
(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)
Day two was all about Pool B for the women at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 in The Hague. Pan American representatives USA and Argentina each grabbed three points on the day, while China and Germany were level. Paige Selenski was a bright light for USA as she opened the scoring and celebrated her 100th cap in the win over No. 3-ranked England. Germany and China each found second-half goals to finish tied 1-1, while Argentina tallied three penalty corner goals, to go up 4-1 over South Africa.
WOMEN Pool B England v USA 1-2 (0-2)
Paige Selenski celebrated her 100th cap in the best way possible, scoring the USA's first goal within three minutes of the start and helping to secure a 2-1 victory in their opening pool B match of the Rabobank Hockey World Cup.
The match was most notable for the high percentage of turnovers, with England in particular failing to keep possession of the ball or mount any sustained pressure on the USA goal. For their part, the USA worked hard and made the most of their chances, maintaining their recent impressive string of victories. Talking after the game, England skipper Kate Richardson-Walsh spoke of her team's nervousness at the start of the game. "I am angry with our opening few minutes. A couple of passes went astray and that tentativeness was infectious throughout the team. You can't come to a World Cup and start like that."
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WOMEN Pool B Germany v China 1-1 (0-0)
A 61st minute strike from Peng Yang gave China a deserved draw against Pool B opponents Germany, denying the European Champions a victory as star defender Tina Bachmann celebrated her 250th international match for Die Danas. Peng's equaliser arrived just a minute after Hannah Krueger had opened the scoring, earning a point for the 2008 Olympic Silver medallists.
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WOMEN Pool B Argentina v South Africa 4-1 (2-0)
The third women's game of day two saw the much anticipated return to World Cup action of eight times Player of the Year Luciana Aymar and the talented Las Leonas as they took on 12th-ranked South Africa. The game went according to the form books but a spirited South African defence put up a strong resistance in the early stages of the game and also scored a consolation goal against the run of play. The match finished 4-1 and was a performance that indicated that Argentina have not come out of the starting block firing on all cylinders.
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The women's matches continue tomorrow, 2 June, with Australia playing Japan (10:30 CET), Korea and New Zealand (14:30 CET), and Netherlands and Belgium (19:45 CET). For schedules, score, live video and more visit rabobankhockeyworldcup2014.com
FIH site
Germans, Dutch and Kiwis setting early pace
By S. Ramaguru
THE HAGUE: Germany, Holland and New Zealand are the early pacesetters in Group B of the World Cup and are likely to consolidate their positions when they go into action at the Kyocera Stadium on Tuesday.
Germany, the group leaders after a comprehensive 4-0 win over South Africa in their opening match on Sunday, will play Argentina.
The Germans are an accomplished side and should bag full points against the South American champions.
The Germans dominated play against the South Africans, but the goals only flowed late in the match.
Germany’s Christopher Ruhr, the 2013 FIH Young Player of the Year, said getting full points was what mattered, especially in the opening match.
He praised his team for their patience and perseverance against South Africa.
“We are heading in the right direction. The South Africans defended well, so we are pleased with the result.
“What matters now is to keep the momentum going and move forward with each match,” said Ruhr.
The Germans are making their 13th appearance in the World Cup and have qualified for the semi-finals in all the last 12 Finals.
As for New Zealand, they edged Asian champions South Korea 2-1 with a last-minute goal.
Phillip Burrows was the hero, scoring the winning goal in the 69th minute.
Said Burrows: “There are some games you have to grind out a result. I was mighty relieved to score the winner. It was a hard and tiring game.
“The Koreans are a tough bunch to play against. We are really pleased to have got three points on the board and we are looking forward to the next game now,” he said.
Next up for New Zealand is South Africa.
Hosts Holland were the other winners on Sunday, beating Argentina 3-1. The Dutch face the Koreans next and are tipped to get maximum points again.
Holland are ranked at No.3 in the world while the Koreans are at No. 7.
By the end of the day, the group frontrunners will be more clear cut.
The Star of Malaysia
Leonas triumph in Hockey World Cup opener, men lose
Silvina Delia of Argentina reacts during the Field Hockey World Cup match between South Africa and Argentina.
The Argentina women's hockey team, 'Las Leonas', enjoyed a winning start to their World Cup campaign as they took down South Africa 4-1, while the men's team went down to hosts the Netherlands in The Hague.
The Leonas were far better than their opponents, and that superiority was reflected in the scoreline as the team strolled to victory. Two penalty-corners from Silvina d'Ella, another from Noel Barrionuevo and a wonderful solo effort from Delfina Merino inside the area provided the goals for the reigning World Cup champions.
The Argentines will be hoping to repeat their success of 2010, when the side led by Luciana Aymar won the tournament on home turf in Rosario.
There was less cheer for the nation in the men's tournament. Argentina were downed 3-1 by the Netherlands, getting on the scoreboard through Gonzalo Peillat who briefly managed to level the game at 1-1.
'Los Leones' will try to get back on track this Tuesday, when they face Germany.
Buenos Aires Herald
Plenty of positives for Investec SA despite defeat by World Cup champs
JONATHAN COOK in The Hague
Investec SA forward Bernie Coston sends Florencia Habif the wrong way duriing the World Cup clash at Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, Holland Sunday night.
Reigning World Cup champions Argentina beat the world number 11 Investec South Africa women’s hockey team 4-1 after leading 2-0 at half-time at Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, Holland Sunday night.
This match in the 2014 edition of the four-yearly showpiece saw the final scoreline reflect the world champions’ dominance but there were enough positive moments that will encourage the girls in green and gold to look forward to Tuesday’s 10.30am second match when they take on Germany.
In the second minute SA lost the ball deep in Argentina’s half and Luciana Aymar (36) who was playing her 367th Test match, went on a mazy run that the African champions did well to stop. A minute later, eight-time World Player of the Year Aymar got in a shot but to no avail.
At the other end Ilse Davids hit a backhand across goal but Argentina survived the threat. SA keeper Anelle van Deventer was called into action in the fifth minute before Lisa Deetlefs made a vital intervention deep in the Argentina strike zone.
Pietie Coetzee, playing right-side defender got Shelley Russell away and the cross found striker Dirkie Chamberlain, who was well marked. Tarryn Bright came back to make a key tackle before an Argentine was sin-binned for two minutes.
A defensive lapse gave Argentina a soft penalty corner in the 11th but the deflection went high over the bar. SA had a good spell before a second Argentina PC in the 20th saw first wave defender Lilian du Plessis get out of the blocks at pace to make a brave intervention. Two more corners followed but SA held firm.
In the 23rd Kelly Madsen came close to opening the scoring with a neat flick of the wrists but world-class keeper Belen Succi was alert to the danger. At the other end Argentine flair brought a fifth PC in the 26th and Carla Rebecchi smashed the ball into the backboard to Van Deventer’s right for the opening goal (1-0).
On a roll, the South Americans champs won a sixth PC and Silvina D’Elia’s powerful shot wrong-footed Van Deventer for 2-0 in the 27th.
After 30 minutes the Marsha Cox/Dirkie Chamberlain combo resulted in a possible PC being overturned after a video referral and four minutes later, Argentina earned a seventh PC, Van Deventer’s quick feet making the save.
After the break Aymar went on an incisive run and Delfina Merino won her side’s eighth PC following a video referral and a slip-pass left to Noel Barrionuevo saw the corner specialist fire low into the corner of the goals past Van Deventer’s outstretched left leg for 3-0 in the 39th minute.
An excellent Deetlefs tackle snuffed out Gisele Juarez’s threat down the left channel. SA continued struggling to string enough passes together when in possession , leaving Argentina to make most of the plays.
Captain Cox led by example as SA strove to get back into the game and pulled a bullet flick off the line from Argentina’s ninth PC. After the re-start Cox and Davids almost brought SA’s first goal but it was not to be and Davids had to leave the field after taking a knock.
Argentina brought more joy to their fans when Rebecchi fired in their fourth goal in the 59th with a rasping shot that deflected off the keeper’s body into the net but SA pulled one back immediately when Bright made a superb deflection goal (4-1) just after the hour mark (61st minute).
Bright’s goal was classic in its construction, the midfielder taking turnover ball, passing to Shelley Russell who in turn relayed to the third player in the Western Province triumvirate, Kathleen Taylor, whose offload out right found Kelly Madsen, the KZN Coastal player then firing a powerful cross back to the originator of the move for the moment supreme.
Van Deventer made a great stick save soon after and there was much applause when team-mate and fellow stopper Sanani Mangisa made her entrance as a substitute – the presence of the Southern Gauteng keeper the result of a brave fightback from a serious long-term Achilles tendon injury.
With six minutes left Aymar fired a backhand shot across the face of goal and three later subbed Succi for number two stopper Maria Mutio but it was just about game over already.
SA Hockey Association media release
SA hockey men beaten but not broken, New Zealand next
JONATHAN COOK in The Hague
Australian umpire Tim Pullman in heated discussion with Jonty Robinson, Austin Smith and Lloyd Madsen. Photo: FRANK UIJLENBROEK
The world's 12th-ranked South Africa men's hockey team were beaten 4-0 by back-to-back Olympic champions and world number two Germany after the Europeans had led 2-0 at half-time in the World Cup at Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, Holland Sunday.
SA head coach Fabian Gregory was encouraged by his side's performance and praised goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse for the number of fine saves he made, while the mentor was somewhat disappointed in his forwards' inability to make more of opportunities created upfront, particularly in the first half.
That said, Germany keeper Nicolas Jacobi was called on to make the first two (very good) saves of the match.
German head coach and multiple gold medal winner Markus Weise was complimentary of the South Africans' performance and said he didn't feel comfortable until Germany went 3-0 up near the hour mark.
“I am relieved South Africa did not win any penalty corners, the match was never easy ,” said Weise., while Gregory commented that the German defence did “exceptionally well in one-on-one situations” to prevent PCs, one of the men in green and gold’s biggest weapons.
The match was tempestuous at times with the German markers appearing to do much pushing and shoving , one such moment leading to Clint Panther’s annoyed reaction and a two-minute sin-binning by Indian umpire Raghu Prasad, who had to intervene on a number of occasions as things got ugly.
SA felt particularly aggrieved at some of Australian umpire Tim Pullman’s decisions, the penalty awarded, as well as other calls in defence that went against South Africa, while an outraged Taine Paton was bundled off the ball and not awarded what appeared to be a straightforward PC decision.
World number two Germany were definitely the better side, quite rightly so considering their pedigree and long association as a group of players - and taking into account they were playing the world’s 12th-ranked team who as a group of 18 had only been together for two weeks – and with a coach who got the job just four months ago.
“I am not one for excuses, we look forward and don’t focus on the uncontrollables,” said Gregory. “This tournament still has a long way to go, there are still four [Group B] matches left.”
The coach said Monday would be “a full training day” and a focus point would be to work on closing down the diagonals balls from the left and right that cut the SA defence up.
“We also need to work on keeping the ball and not playing in the same channel for too long.”
Pieterse’s heroics enabled SA to weather the storm during periods of German control while resolute defending at the back gave South Africa the opportunity to create attacks on the breakout . The weak link was the connectivity between the strikers and the midfield and defensive lines, numerous attacking forays breaking down to early.
“We competed well in the first 25 minutes,” said Gregory. “I felt that if we had not conceded that second goal [20 seconds from half-time] it would have given us more impetus going into the second half.”
Gregory said the defence was ‘much-improved from the recent past when SA have started so badly against the 2008 and 2012 Olympic champs they were three-to-four goals down by half-time”.
Germany scored through Christopher Zeller from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, a field goal on the half-time whistle by Thilo Stralkowski and second-half strikes from Mats Grambusch (56th minute) and Oliver Korn in the 59th.
Now it’s time to look towards Tuesday’s 2.30pm game against world number six New Zealand (live on SuperSport 7).
All 76 World Cup matches are live on SuperSport.
SA Hockey Association media release
Germany notch easy win in World Cup opener
By S. Ramaguru
Mats Grambusch (right) of Germany takes a shot as he is challenged by South Africa's Rhett Halkett during their World Cup Group B match at the Kyocera Stadium at The Hague on Sunday. - EPA
THE HAGUE: World number two and reigning Olympic champions Germany began their World Cup campaign with a 4-0 win over South Africa at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague.
The Germans were clinical in their opening Group B match as they dominated play right from the start. Two goals in each half saw them earning full points.
The South African, ranked 12th in the world, had several chances early in the match and goalkeeper Erasmus Pieterse must also be given credit for the numerous saves he made.
The Germans earned their first goal in the 27th minute when Christopher Zeller was fouled in the D and a penalty stroke was awarded. Zeller made no mistake with the conversion.
Then in the 35th minute, Thilo Stralkowski added the second goal from a field attempt.
The Germans had four penalty corners in the match but failed to convert any. The South Africans had none.
In the second half, Mats Grambusch and Oliver Korn made sure of the win with strikes in the 56th and 59th minutes respectively.
The Germans play Argentina next on Tuesday while South Africa have New Zealand to content with.
The Star of Malaysia
Germany thrash South Africa
Germany crushed South Africa and dominated the opener with 19 shots at the goal post. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Germany opened their campaign in the 2014 Hockey World Cup with a massive 4-0 win against South Africa in Group B at the Kyocera Stadium in the Hague on Sunday.
Touted as the top contenders in the men’s event, Germany crushed South Africa and dominated the opening match of the group with 19 shots at the goal post.
Christopher Zeller scored the opener in the 27th minute of the match, while Thllo Stralkowski doubled the lead in eight minutes later to go up front 2-0 in the first half.
The German attack continued to plague South Africa in the second half too as Mats Grambusch scored in the 56th minute, while Oliver Korn sealed the win for Germany three minutes later.
According to former Pakistan striker, Rehan Butt, Germany and hosts Netherlands are the favourites to qualify for the final in the 13th edition of the tournament.
He said that Germany played well, but against a weaker team like South Africa, he was expecting four more goals from the Europeans.
“Germany is a very clever side,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “Their greatest strategy is that they peak at the right time in the World Cup. They start off slow and gradually gain the momentum in the competition. They are one of the most formidable opponents for any team in the world.”
He also said that in Monday’s fixtures, Australia will have a better chance at winning against Spain in their Group A encounter.
Butt added that the main fixture on the same day would be between India and England.
“It’ll be a tough match which can also end in a draw. The English team is more consistent though, so personally I feel that England have a better chance of succeeding.”
Meanwhile, in Women’s World Cup, the US defeated England 2-1 and Germany drew against China 1-1.
The Express Tribune
Germany fire four to rout South Africa
Netherlands down Argentina 3-1
THE HAGUE: The German team began their Rabobank Hockey World Cup campaign in an efficient, if slightly underwhelming fashion as they put four goals past South Africa here on Sunday. The match against 12th-ranked South Africa saw the reigning Olympic champions and second-ranked team begin at a steady pace, building patterns of play and feeling their way into the game. In contrast, South Africa had the better of the opening salvos and Clinton Panther was unfortunate not to get a result from his first time strike, which called Nicolas Jacobi into early action.
Germany began to ramp up the pressure towards the middle of the first half as first Christopher Zeller and then Mats Grambusch made forays into the South African circle. Erasmus Pieterse in the South Africa goal was the difference between a rout and a respectable defeat as he was called into action again and again. A rising shot from Florian Fuchs, another from Oliver Korn and a series of three penalty corners all saw Pieterse at his very best.
The deadlock was broken when Timothy Drummond fouled Benjamin Weiss in the circle and Zeller (27’) stepped up to put the ball away. This signalled the start of a period of German domination. For the remainder of the half, the German team were happy to play the ball around, forcing the South Africans to chase shadows. The constant and patient German movement eventually opened up an opportunity and Thilo Stralkowski was able to capitalise with a superb shot from the right-hand side of the pitch with just seconds left in the half.
Germany added two more goals in the second half, despite some staunch defending from ‘the Lads’ and Pieterse in particular. The first came from the industrious Grambusch (56’), whose tireless running had been at the heart of this German victory. He latched onto a cross from Martin Zicker to fire the ball home. The fourth and final German goal came after some fabulous play by Christopher Ruhr, who jinked his way past three defenders before shooting. Captain Oliver (59’) was able to get the final touch and offer the coup de grace.
Netherlands down Argentina 3-1: The Kyocera Stadium turned orange as 15,000 people turned up to cheer the home team in their opening match against Argentina. And the Oranje did not disappoint as they played hockey that was both spectacular and stylish to win their opener 3-1. And Argentina added their own substantial skill and flair to the occasion, keeping the Dutch attack at bay for periods of the game and forcing goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann to make saves from the top drawer of goalkeeping.
In a dramatic opening five minutes, Rogier Hofman and Valentin Verga both came close to scoring as they fired shots inches past Juan Vivaldi’s goal, but Argentina dug deep and it was not until the 26th minute that the home side scored the breakthrough goal. It came when Seve van Ass delivered a pacy ball into the Argentine circle and Verga (26) got the slightest of touches. Argentina asked for a referral but the goal stood, and the volume in the stadium rose.
Just minutes later Guillermo Schickendantz was unlucky not to get Argentina straight back into the game when he just missed a tap-in following a rebounded penalty corner, but the goal seemed to have woken Carlos Retegui’s men and they began to pile their own pressure onto the Netherlands circle. This paid off when Gonzalo Peillat (33) equalised from a penalty corner just before half time. In the second half, an early goal for the Netherlands - a trademark Mink van Weerden drag flick - gave the third-ranked team the momentum. Van Weerden’s shot thundering past Vivaldi with just five minutes of the second half gone. Although Argentina counter-attacked quickly, Stockmann was in fine form as he dived full-length to deny the second equaliser. Matias Rey was a rock at the heart of the Argentine defence, but even he was not equal to the blistering speed of Verga and the cracking finish of Rogier Hofman (50) for the Netherland’s third goal.
The Daily Times
Olympic champions Germany drub South Africa 4-0
THE HAGUE (Netherlands): Olympic champions Germany kickstarted their campaign to reclaim the hockey World Cup title with a 4-0 drubbing of South Africa at the Kyocera Stadium.
Germany, beaten by Australia in the final in 2010 at New Delhi, were winners of successive World Cup titles in 2002 and 2006.
South Africa kept the German strikers at bay until they conceded a penalty stroke in the 27th minute that was converted by Christopher Zeller.
Thilo Stralkowski increased the lead just seconds before half-time with a strike in the open play.
The South African goal fell twice in the space of four minutes in the second session with Mats Grambusch (56th minute) and Oliver Korn (59th) firing on target to launch the German campaign with pull points in the first Group B outing.
The Times of India
Germany too strong for South Africa
USA stun England in women's Hockey World Cup
THE HAGUE - South Africa men's hockey team were beaten 4-0 by back-to-back Olympic champions and world No 2 Germany after the Europeans had led 2-0 at halftime in the World Cup at Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, Holland on Sunday. SA head coach Fabian Gregory was encouraged by his side's performance and praised goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse for the number of fine saves he made, while the mentor was somewhat critical of his forwards' ability not to make more of the opportunities created upfront, particularly in the first half.
German head coach and multiple gold medal winner Markus Weise was complimentary of the South Africans' performance and said he didn't feel comfortable until Germany went 3-0 up. Germany scored through Christopher Zeller from the penalty spot in the 27th minute,a field goal on the halftime whistle by Thilo Stralkowski and second half strikes by Mats Grambusch (56th minute) and Oliver Korn in the 59th.
On women’s side, United States pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over England in a Group B match at the women's hockey World Cup here today. USA, currently ranked 10th in the world, surged to an early two-goal lead through penalty corner conversions by Paige Selenski (third minute) and Kelsey Kolojejchick (15th) and England could do no better than reduce the margin in the second session.
The lone goal for world no. 3 England came from the sticks of captain Kate Walsh, who slammed home a penalty corner in the 56th minute. USA had failed to feature in the 12-team World Cup in 2010 where England got a bronze.
The American girls had finished at the bottom of the 12-nation standings in the 2012 Olympics. England, on the other hand, were part of the Great Britain team that clinched the bronze medal.
In another match, 2008 Olympic bronze medalists China held European rivals Germany to a 1-1 draw in another Group B match. Germany opened the scoring through Hannah Kruger in the 60th minute through a penalty corner, only to see Peng Yang equalise for China with a field goal within a minute.
The Nation
Thrilling finish in opener for Black Sticks Men
Phil Burrows being congratulated on scoring the winning goal. Photo: Dirk Markgraf, www.265-images.com
The Black Sticks Men sealed a 2-1 victory over Korea with just four minutes remaining in their opening game at the Hockey World Cup in The Hague.
It was a fitting finish given the way the Kiwis opened the match with Steve Edwards scoring just 11 seconds into the game after a superb tactical call to charge up field from the opening whistle.
New Zealand dominated the remainder of the first half but Korea were able to mount a strong comeback in the second period and equalise through a Kim Seongkyu field goal with six minutes on the clock.
But in front of a group of vocal Kiwi fans, the Black Sticks weren’t done and earned back to back penalty corners as the minutes ticked away.
Four minutes out from fulltime Phil Burrows proved the hero after hitting home the deflection from Kane Russell’s drag flick to ensure the Black Sticks banked all three points with a win.
Head coach Colin Batch said it was pleasing to come away with the result after being under pressure throughout the second half.
“I’m very pleased with the win. The guys wanted to start well and we certainly did that to come away with all three points,” he said.
“We did well at the start of the game scoring in the first 20 seconds but I think sometimes if you score early there’s a tendency to be comfortable with the situation. I don’t think it was a conscious thing but Korea did mount pressure on us and had a lot of possession.
“We responded well and I thought once they equalised we played our best period of the second half so to reply with another goal was very pleasing.”
The Black Sticks Men play South Africa in their second pool game on Wednesday 4th June at 12:30am (NZ time), with live coverage on SKY Sport 3.
Meanwhile, the Black Sticks Women are up against Korea at 12:30am tomorrow morning (NZ time) in Pool A.
In other results today, fellow Pool B opponents Netherlands defeated Argentina 3-1 while Germany cruised past South Africa 4-0.
BLACK STICKS 2: (Steve Edwards, Phil Burrows)
KOREA 1: (Kim Seongkyu)
Halftime: Black Sticks 1-0
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Black Sticks men beat South Korea 2-1
A late deflection from Phil Burrows has seen the New Zealand men's hockey team make a winning start to the World Cup, beating Korea 2-1 this morning (NZ Time) in The Hague.
Two minutes from fulltime, the experienced Kiwi striker proved the hero after hitting home the deflection from Kane Russell's drag flick to ensure his side banked all three competition points.
It was a fitting finish given the way the Kiwis opened the match with Steve Edwards scoring just 11 seconds into the game after a superb tactical call to charge up field from the opening whistle.
New Zealand dominated the remainder of the first half but Korea were able to mount a strong comeback in the second period. They equalised through a Kim Seongkyu field goal with six minutes left on the clock.
Black Sticks coach Colin Batch said it was pleasing to come away with the result after being under pressure throughout the second half.
"I'm very pleased with the win. The guys wanted to start well and we certainly did that to come away with all three points," he said.
"We did well at the start of the game scoring in the first 20 seconds but I think sometimes if you score early there's a tendency to be comfortable with the situation. I don't think it was a conscious thing but Korea did mount pressure on us and had a lot of possession.
Batch said they dealt with the pressure well after Korea levelled and was rapt to have gained full points from the game.
"We responded well and I thought once they equalised we played our best period of the second half so to reply with another goal was very pleasing."
The Black Sticks men play South Africa in their second pool game on Wednesday 4th June at 12:30am (NZ time).
In other results today, fellow Pool B opponents Netherlands defeated Argentina 3-1 while Germany cruised past South Africa 4-0.
Meanwhile, the Black Sticks women are up against Korea at 12:30am tomorrow morning (NZ time) in Pool A.
New Zealand 2 (Steve Edwards, Phil Burrows) Korea 1 (Kim Seongkyu)
Stuff
U.S. Women’s National Team Light Up the World Cup Stadium During First Event Match
Team USA upsets England during opening match of pool play
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – With 76 matches, 24 teams and 15 countries represented at the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup, this is the pinnacle event of the world hockey calendar. The U.S. Women’s National Team met their first competitors of the tournament, England, World Ranked Number 3, with a frenzy of elite athleticism that kept those in the stands fixated on the pitch. Team USA came out of the gates strong and left Kyocera Stadium victorious 2-1.
Decked all in red, Team USA bolted off of the midfield line full tilt for what was to be a sheer brilliant performance. The red, white and blue’s speed was showcased within minutes when an early corner was secured in the 3rd minute of play. Caroline Nichols (Virginia Beach, Va.) struck a sharp shot to the bottom left corner where Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) was perfectly positioned to tip the ball into the cage. From there a tone was set and carried through the entire match. England maneuvered the ball around USA’s defensive end in hopes of being able to crack into the circle with several unsuccessful attempts in the first half to the credit of the United States’ defensive unit. USA keeper Jackie Kintzer (Robesonia, Pa.) dominated the cage with diving saves and spectacularly quick reactions to keep England goalless for the first portion of the match. The USA capitalized quickly on a second corner in the 15th minute when Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville, Pa.) deflected a ball from Nicholas from the top of the circle to sail over the England keeper’s reach. The halftime report held 2-0.
“We started off in a good position,” said U.S. Women’s Head Coach Craig Parnham. “At times during the match it’s about being able to ride the storm and in the second half especially our defense did just that. Our team played a great game of hockey today.”
When the squads rejoined the pitch for the second half, the intensity didn’t dip. England was able to cut USA’s lead in half when in the 56th mark England athlete Kate Richardson-Walsh hit a ball to streamline it into the goal cage. A match of strategy and wit ensued as each pass and cut counted with the minutes dwindling down. The game closed 2-1 with USA clenching their first World Cup win of pool play.
Today was not only special for Selenski because of her goal but she also kicked off the tournament by tallying her 100th cap with the U.S. Women’s National Team.
“Our focus going into this match was ourselves and being able to run the field and connect with one another,” said USA Captain and defender Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.). “Our focus now becomes the next game against Argentina. We need to make tweaks off of lessons we learned from today. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Team USA holds ground in Pool B along with Argentina (World Ranked 2), England (World Ranked 3), Germany (World Ranked 6), China (World Ranked 7) and South Africa (World Ranked 11). After bringing home gold and glory already this month from the 2014 Champions Challenge in Scotland, the USA comes to Holland with confidence and determination.
When asked what Parnham has done with the USA Field Hockey program to continue to grow the athletes since his commencement with Team USA, he replied, “It’s just hard work and consistent training. There’s no mystery to what we’re doing. We have a fantastic team with great spirit and energy. We’re far from a finished article, this is a journey we’re on and as a team we’re looking forward to what’s to come.”
The Stars and Stripes will next appear on the pitch Tuesday, June 3 at 11:30 a.m. EST when they look to tackle Argentina. All matches can be viewed live by clicking here or watching ESPN3.
USFHA media release
Selenski Celebrates 100th Cap with USA Victory and Pivotal Goal
Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) earned her 100th international cap in Team USA’s first match of the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup against England. Selenski proved to be a tough match for England’s backfield, notching one goal in USA’s 2-1 victory over the 3rd ranked English squad.
Since joining the national team in 2009, Selenski has made a huge impact on the U.S. attack with her quick speed and impressive stick skills. No stranger to the world stage, Selenski competed for the red, white and blue at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Number 21 on the field was also a part of the 2011 Pan Am Cup squad who took home gold and the recent 2014 Champions Challenge championship team.
“It has been a long career,” said Selenski. “It has been four years since my first game. It’s definitely a lot of hard work and sacrifice but when you get to do something like this it’s just amazing. Games like these are so special and mean so much to you. I’m really thankful I get to share my 100th cap and the win with my team.”
USFHA media release
Lee hopes USA defeat will “focus” England
Susannah Townsend can't hide her disappointment after England's 2-1 defeat to the USA in their opening Pool B match
England’s first game at the 2014 Rabobank World Cup saw them face an ever-improving USA, who came out on top to take the three points with a 2-1 victory.
Speaking after the game head coach Jason Lee said, "We’re very disappointed with the result. I don’t think it has to derail our ambitions for the rest of the tournament, in many ways it focuses our minds a little bit more as we’re running out of slip room. Fundamentally we didn’t start particularly well. The first ten minutes didn’t reflect our ability at all. America took two well worked corners and from then on we were chasing the game. I think we created a lot of good opportunities. Their corner defence was good but on another day we might have taken our chances and won the game.”
The USA came into the tournament off the back of a great win in the Champions Challenge back in April and they looked like a side in form across the first 35 minutes. They went ahead almost immediately through a penalty corner, scored by Paige Selenski in her 100th appearance. Having initially won a penalty corner for the USA which was saved by Maddie Hinch, Selenski was on hand to deflect in the shot by Caroline Nichols.
England wrestled back some possession in an even 15 minutes, and had a penalty corner of their own, won by Sophie Bray and well saved by Kintzer in the USA goal. But with 20 minutes gone USA won another penalty corner through Katie O’Donnell, and again they converted with a well-worked routine, scoring with another deflection on the post, this time down the right channel with Kelsey Kolojejchick providing the finish into the roof of the English net to put USA 2-0 up.
With 15 minutes to go England’s Alex Danson made a good break on the counter attack, the first real open play of the match – she got the shot away though it went over the USA goal, but the resulting pressure almost led to England’s first goal, with Susannah Townsend just unable to get her stick on the ball as it crossed the face of the USA goal.
Susie Gilbert had a good chance for England with a strong drive into the USA circle, and then it was the USA’s turn, with Selenski flashing a quick shot just wide of Hinch’s left-hand post. With five minutes remaining in the first half, the game was opening up, both teams looking to counter-attack. After a good run from Bray, Kate Richardson-Walsh brought a great save from Kintzer from a penalty corner, as England applied more pressure and had a number of scoring opportunities.
It was the USA who finished an entertaining first half with more attempts at goal, forcing good saves from Hinch, and England went into half time 2-0 down.
The second half started with immediate and much-needed attacking intent from England, with Susannah Townsend almost getting on the end of a pass from the right from Ashleigh Ball. However the USA were playing well, and generally managing to contain England’s attempts to make space and press forward. They had their own scoring chance after 10 minutes with O’Donnell making a run down the left, and her crossshot deflecting away from the goal off the on-rushing Selenski, luckily for England.
Nicola White earned England the first penalty corner of the second half, which forced another excellent save from Kintzer diving to her right to push it over the bar, from Richardson-Walsh’s shot. Kintzer was having a superb game in goal for the USA and her quick reactions again denied Nicola White from close range.
With 15 minutes left, England got their breakthrough via a Richardson-Walsh penalty corner. She placed the ball between the on-rushing defenders and Kintzer was unable to adjust to block the shot, close to her body.
The USA then went a player down for two minutes with Michelle Kasold sent to the sin bin, offering England a good opportunity to apply more pressure. However the USA kept possession away from England, forcing a good save from Hinch, from a reverse stick strike from Katie Reinprecht, and then had further chances as England struggled to take control.
In an attempt to get the equaliser, England brought off goalkeeper Maddie Hinch in favour of an extra outfield player, with Sophie Bray coming on, and Hollie Webb taking the ‘kicking back’ duties. But England were unable to find the crucial goal and the USA claimed all three points.
England Captain Kate Richardson-Walsh couldn't hide her disappointment either, "We're all angry and frustrated, and it goes to show there are no easy games in the World Cup. We created some chances but it's disappointing that we were unable to convert them."
ENGLAND 1 (0)
Kate Richardson-Walsh 56 (PC)
USA 2 (2)
Paige Selenski 3 (PC)
Kelsey Kolojejchick 15 (PC)
England Hockey Board Media release
England women lose opening game of hockey World Cup in The Hague
By Graham Wilson
England player Alex Danson was "disappointed" with England's performance against the USA[PA]
CRAIG PARNHAM, the former GB men's captain and assistant women's coach who left the country just after the 2012 Olympics on a mission to help rebuild a USA squad, inflicted a 2-1 victory over England in their opening game in the Rabobank World Cup in The Hague.
Nervy England started badly and were caught out in the second minute conceding two corners, with Paige Selenski deflecting home a Caroline Nichols low shot. Then after 15 minutes Nichols went the other side of the post with another corner for Kelsey Kolojejchick to deflect high into the net.
Parnham is loving life in America and here he was wearing a very broad smile as his pacy 10th-ranked team led 2-0 at half-time with Nichols and Selenski causing all the problems and third-ranked England lacking cohesion. Not a lot was going right for England and they had one second-half corner break down badly and another corner decision overturned on appeal.
But with 15 minutes remaining they came back into the game as captain Kate Richardson-Walsh finally dragged a corner into the backboards to make it 2-1. Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch still had to be called into the action to block another shot from Katie Reinprecht while Lily Owsley at the other end glanced a cross just wide. England took Hinch off with just over two minutes remaining but Parnham was left hugging his coaching staff at the end.
England striker Alex Danson said: "I am disappointed with that performance and the way we started. We have to come out fighting in the first minute.
"We have to be fighting more than the opposition. We are very together as a squad and that will have to be the making of us for the rest of the tournament. We have no option against China.
"We cannot blame the occasion. We have to go out there and do our job on the field and we are learning the hard the way now. We will be taking a long look at ourselves."
England coach Jason Lee said: "I don't think it will derail our ambitions for the rest of the tournament. In many ways it focuses our minds as we are running out of slip room. Fundamentally we didn't start well.
"They hit two well worked corners and we were chasing the game. It has taken away our choices and we will have to hit our straps in the second game against China."
Parnham said: "We have great spirit and energy in the side and one that can create great counter-attacking chances. We started better and had good possession. The girls did a great job today."
England's men will be determined to take their chances against India today after being held by Spain 1-1 in their opening game on Saturday. Ali Brogdan scored in the sixth minute but Eduard Tubau got the faintest of touches on a hit into the circle to level the scores two minutes into the second half.
Daily Express
England's women lose 2-1 to the USA in opening group game
Jason Lee's team fail to recover from conceding two early penalty-corner goals despite second-half strike from captain Kate Richardson-Walsh
By Rod Gilmour, The Hague
Winning start: The USA team celebrate after beating England 2-1 in the group stage of the hockey World Cup Photo: EPA
The Nineties theme again came back to haunt England on Sunday as the women’s side were surprisingly beaten in their opening World Cup game by a stronger, hungrier United States.
On Saturday, England men’s undesirable record of not having beaten Spain since 1991 continued. On Sunday it was the US women, a team who last made any inroads at a World Cup with a third-place finish in 1994, who heaped misery on Jason Lee’s side thanks to two early penalty-corner goals.
England made a fist of it in the second half and were rewarded when captain Kate Richardson-Walsh fired home a low drag-flick with 15 minutes left. But they were always chasing the game and, as time ticked, Lee even took off goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, leaving an empty net and 11 outfield players. It came to no avail.
However, Lee admitted afterwards that England’s bid for a semi-final spot had been far from “derailed”, with four group games still left to play. “I think it focuses our minds a bit more,” he said. “Fundamentally we didn’t start well and they took two well-worked corners.” Just to add salt into the wounds, the US have two Englishmen at the helm and the pair have been instrumental in turning round the nation’s fortunes.
Craig Parnham was installed as national women’s coach after leaving his role as Great Britain assistant coach after London 2012 and has set up a flourishing programme on the east coast of the US. All this on a shoestring budget - the result of a funding cut thanks to a 12th-place finish at the Olympics.
The US’s physical strength yesterday was also thanks to another Briton, Dave Hamilton, who joined the squad last summer as director of performance science, and the Americans imposed themselves on the game from the outset.
The first of two penalty corners in succession came after a dubious decision on a Sally Walton tackle, Paige Selenski deflected home in the third minute past Hinch, who was left rooted to the spot. Hinch could do little about the second when Kelsey Kolojejchick fired home twelve minutes later, again via a deflection.
England looked nervous and bereft of ideas: Alex Danson, who will be relied on for her goals this week, played too deep and England could not find an equaliser from the penalty corners they earned.
Their opening 35 minutes were summed up when US successfully won a video referral on an England penalty corner decision right on half-time. After a fairly sedate second period, England began to prosper but Richardson-Walsh admitted that cobwebs would be swept away when they face China on Tuesday. “We have to go at full pace and full tilt from the start,” she said.
England’s men play on Monday afternoon against India, a fading force in world hockey who have been unable to string any consistency together at major tournaments in recent years, even under Australian coach Terry Walsh.
After creating a hatful of chances during their 1-1 draw with Spain, Barry Middleton believes that England will rediscover their goal-scoring touch on Monday. “We want to keep doing the things we’re good at,” the England captain said.
The Telegraph
USA stun England in women's hockey World Cup
THE HAGUE: United States pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over England in a Group B match at the women's hockey World Cup here today.
USA, currently ranked 10th in the world, surged to an early two-goal lead through penalty corner conversions by Paige Selenski (third minute) and Kelsey Kolojejchick (15th) and England could do no better than reduce the margin in the second session.
The lone goal for world no. 3 England came from the sticks of captain Kate Walsh, who slammed home a penalty corner in the 56th minute.
USA had failed to feature in the 12-team World Cup in 2010 where England got a bronze.
The American girls had finished at the bottom of the 12-nation standings in the 2012 Olympics. England, on the other hand, were part of the Great Britain team that clinched the bronze medal.
In another match, 2008 Olympic bronze medalists China held European rivals Germany to a 1-1 draw in another Group B match.
Germany opened the scoring through Hannah Kruger in the 60th minute through a penalty corner, only to see Peng Yang equalise for China with a field goal within a minute.
The Times of India
Kookas wary of Spain
Jeremy Hayward believes Kookaburras need to counter Spain's counter attack
It’s been a whirlwind six months for Jeremy Hayward, the youngest member of the Kookaburras’ World Cup squad. The 21 year old came on for his 11th appearance as a Kookaburra on Saturday in the opening match of the World Cup, against Malaysia.
It was “definitely a great experience” admits Hayward, who made his senior debut at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in March. “Coming from the Junior World Cup in December, it’s been a quick couple of months – a whirlwind really – to the first game for the World Cup against Malaysia. It was a good experience, pretty overwhelming really. It was lucky that we’ve played Malaysia before and I knew their players. It was good to get the first game out of the way.”
Hayward and the rest of the team watched opponents Spain from the stands as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with England on day one.
“Spain are definitely a skilful team,” he said. “They love their counter attacks, there are certainly a few players to look out for.”
One such player might be ‘Edi’ Tubau. The 31 year old struck Spain’s equaliser against England (video below), finding the target with his only shot, a deft deflection. Since making his first appearance on the world stage in 1999 Tubau has been at the heart of Spain’s successes helping them to Olympic silver in 2008, World Cup bronze in 2006 and four Champions Trophy medals.
While recently Spain’s performances have seen them more often contesting playoffs than podiums, the tenth ranked team are one of those sides that have the potential to cause an upset.
“They’re just going to play as hard as they can,” said Hayward. “They’ll play their typical Spain way, real quick, fast, counter attack and we’ll just play our game and trust our game plan and hopefully get the result we want.”
Four years ago the Kookaburras beat Spain 2-0 in Delhi on their way to lifting the World Cup thanks to goals from Luke Doerner and Saturday’s two goal hero Glenn Turner. In all, the Kookaburras have won four of their six World Cup meetings, drawing once and losing once.
In Rotterdam last year, at the World League, strikes by Kieran Govers, Chris Ciriello, Kiel Brown, Russell Ford and Rob Hammond earned a 5-2 win, while before that, their most recent meeting came at the London 2012 Olympic Games with the Kookaburras winning 5-0.
Hockey Australia media release
Preview: Japan familiar foes
Ashleigh Nelson says 8th meeting with Japan since March is key
Hockeyroo Ashleigh Nelson believes the Australian women’s familiarity with Monday’s World Cup opponents Japan can be the key to getting a positive result on their debut in the Kyocera Stadium. The 27 year old Western Australian is set to make her 150th appearance for Australia in the match with teammate Kirstin Dwyer reaching her 50th game.
Until March this year the Hockeyroos and Japan hadn’t met since the 2010 World Cup. Then, goals from the now retired Kobie McGurk and captain Madonna Blyth helped the Aussies to a 2-1 win.
But since March, Nelson and co. have faced the world number nine side seven times, coming out on top in all seven encounters including a five match series in Western Australia, and meetings at the Hawke’s Bay Festival and Bremen World Cup warm-up four nations tournament.
“We have played them regularly over the last couple of months and managed to get a win against them every time so we’re really going out there confident,” said Nelson on Sunday. “I think that they will probably come out and try to get that first win on the board because your tournament can be over after two losses and that’s what they’re up against, so they’re definitely going to be fighting.”
The Asian continental champions lost out to the free flowing hosts, the Netherlands, going down 6-1 in front of a packed Kyocera Stadium on Saturday (highlights below).
“The whole venue’s really amazing,” added Nelson. “To play on a converted soccer pitch with such a huge stadium is going to be a once in a lifetime experience. We haven’t played on the main pitch yet; we played against Korea on the second pitch.
“I think it will be nice to get out there and have a run around on the Kyocera Stadium and it’s a really exciting venue to play in, especially when you’ve got the Aussie followers coming along singing their songs and dressed up in the green and gold. And we’ve got great support from home that’s come over. They’re very loud but I don’t know how loud they’ll be when we play the Dutch later on.”
Nelson admitted that while Saturday’s opener might not have seen the Hockeyroos reach top gear, it was an important result and a good way to begin the campaign.
“We came away with a win against Korea and I think that’s a really positive start. We needed to get that first win on the board. To tick it off, it’s settled down the nerves a little bit but obviously it’s a long tournament and there’s a long way to go.
“Korea came out really well and obviously scored that first goal so it was really important that we didn’t get caught up in that anxiety of the first game of the World Cup, but also just sticking to the processes and making sure that we got that one goal back and built on it. And I think that we did that really well without getting too flustered. It wasn’t an ideal game; I guess we could play a lot better but a good team wins even when they’re playing poorly and I think that’s how we’re looking at it. So, plenty to improve but still got the three points on the board.”
Of their four previous World Cup encounters, the Hockeyroos have taken the spoils twice while the other two matches have been drawn.
Watch out for Akane Shibata. The 26 year old has scored twice against the Hockeyroos in recent months and bagged Japan’s goal from her only chance against the Dutch on Saturday.
The final word to Nelson. “I think the girls are pretty confident that if we stick to the processes, execute our skills really well and stick to the game plan that the coaches have put out for us then I can’t see why we can’t come away with a win. But we have to do that.”
Hockey Australia media release
Menace of Red Lions
By JUGJET SINGH
WORLD No 5 Belgium are not only eight rungs above Malaysia in the world rankings but also the team to watch in the ongoing World Cup at The Hague, Netherlands.
The Red Lions, as the Belgium team are known, came back from being down 1-2 to beat India 3-2 in their Group A opening match on Saturday.
Malaysia, nicknamed Speedy Tigers by the International Hockey Federation, take on Belgium today.
Following a 4-0 rout by Australia in their first group game, coach K. Dharmaraj’s men need to be more focused on defence to avoid a drubbing.
When Belgium played in the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, they lost all seven Group A matches and ended 14th out of 16 teams.
Malaysia, back then, finished a laudable eighth, but today things are different. Belgium are now a powerhouse in Europe, having finished second to Germany in the 2013 European Championships.
Belgium coach Marc Lammers, who is Dutch, has a proud legacy as he took the Netherlands to gold medals at the Champions Trophy (2004, 2005, 2007), World Cup (2006) and Olympic Games (2008).
Lammers, who has high hopes on the Belgian side, said: “If we come in fourth, I will be a little disappointed. We want to win a medal, but I always say that you will not win a medal if you don’t focus on the game that is coming up.”
He added that the “The beauty of this team is that they haven’t won a big tournament, so they are hungry.”
The Red Lions’ hunger was on display against India, as they scored the winner 17 seconds from time.
At the four-nation Ergo Masters in Dusseldorf, just 12 days before the World Cup, the Belgians drew 2-2 with Germany and defeated the Netherlands 2-1 and England 3-2 to win the title.
As for Malaysia, coach K. Dharmaraj knew it would be uphill all the way against Australia, but before he left, he said even though the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is looking for his team to finish 10th among 12 teams -- his personal target is to upset some top guns and finish two rungs higher.
“Belgium, England, Spain and India will all be difficult to play against, but we hope to steal some points along the way and I believe my players are up to it,” Dharmaraj said.
RESULTS — Group A: England 1 Spain 1. Group B: Germany 4 South Africa 0.
Malaysia’s fixtures (Malaysian time) — Today: v Belgium (11.30pm); Thursday: v England (7pm); Saturday: v India (8.30pm); June 9: v Spain (8.30pm).
New Straits Times
Belgium not taking Malaysia lightly
Belgium's Florent Van Aubel (centre) celebrates after scoring against India in the Group A match on Saturday. - SS KANESAN/ The Star
THE HAGUE: Belgium are not going to take Malaysia for granted and believe they are in for a fight in Monday’s Group A match of the World Cup.
Said Belgian coach Marc Lammers: “There are no easy matches. Malaysia have what it takes to cause us trouble. We saw Malaysia’s opening game against Australia and we came away impressed with their attitude and potential.
“They are a good side as far as I can see with some very skilful players.”
Malaysia lost 4-0 to defending champions Australia, the world No. 1, but Lammers said the Malaysians were a little unlucky.
“I think Malaysia were a little unfortunate and the goals were avoidable.
“Having said that I believe that their forward line and defence are playing well. They are a good side.
“We have not played them at all since I took over the team so it will be a new experience for us. Every team will take one step at a time and this is still early days. I expect a tough and close game,” he said.
Belgium, ranked fifth in the world, started of their campaign with a slim 3-2 win over India. They scored the winning goal 15 seconds from the end.
Lammers said India were a good side and showed a lot of improvements.
“It wasn’t an easy match either. We took full points because of our ability to take the chances.
“There will be matches like that where you win with the final touch of the ball. It’s heartbreaking for the other side though.
“We want to raise our level in the next match. We cannot take it easy even though Malaysia are the lowest ranked team (13th) in the group,” he added.
The Star of Malaysia
Coach Dharma: Keep it tight, boys!
By S. Ramaguru
Malaysia, who lost 0-4 to Australia in thier opening Group A match on Saturday, need to keep their shape better when they play Belgium next on Monday. - EPA
THE HAGUE: Coach K. Dharmaraj wants Malaysia to put up a consistent performance when they tackle Belgium in their second Group A match on Monday.
The Malaysians put up a good first half against defending champions Australia in their opening match on Saturday but failed to keep up their performance in the second. The end result was a 4-0 defeat.
“We must always learn from the mistakes and not repeat them. At this level every little mistake can be fatal.
“I have said many times that we have to keep our structure and only then can be sure that the unforced errors are kept to a minimum,” said Dharmaraj on Sunday.
Against Belgium, Dharmaraj will be using the same line-up he fielded against Australia.
“In today’s game there is no first 11, only a first 18. Only the second goalkeeper may not get time on the pitch. The others will play and they must be ready to jump in without any problem,” he said.
Team skipper Azlan Misron said they could not sustain the pace and slowed down in the later stages of their opening match.
“I think that was a mistake. We just could not keep up our pace and allowed Australia too much room. Our performance in the first half was good.
“Against Belgium we will face a team that is fast and also play a typical European game.
“We have to be vigilant at all times. We had some good moments against Australia, but there is no point if it ends up in defeat,” he added.
Azlan is again expected to play in defence with Mohamed Shukri Mutalib, Faiz Helmi and Mohamed Razie Rahim. Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin, who arrived on Saturday to replace injured Kevin Lim, will act as the backup.
The Belgians, ranked fifth in the world, are considered title contenders. In their opening match, they showed their pedigree with a 3-2 win over India with a last-gasp goal.
One of the hallmarks of the Belgians’ game is their ability to take their shots quickly without wasting time and their players can deflect the ball quite well in the D. Belgium also have a good penalty corner flicker in Tom Boon.
If the Malaysians take their time or play a casual game, then they will be in for a hiding.
Dharmaraj agreed that a good tactical game is necessary.
“We have not played the Belgians or at least this current crop of players. But we know their abilities and they have a strong team.
“There is no way we can take them for granted. We have to push real hard and keep up the pressure throughout the game. And we also need to make as little mistakes as possible.”
The Star of Malaysia
Izad in cloud nine over surprise call-up
By S. Ramaguru
National defender Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin goes straight into the match against Australia after arriving in Holland for the hockey World Cup on Saturday, to replace the injured Kevin Lim. - SS KANESAN/ The Star
THE HAGUE: Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin is still in dreamland over his surprise call-up for the World Cup.
The 21-year-old, who was called up to replace injured defender Kevin Lim, has yet to come to terms with the fact that he is in The Hague, Holland, for the Finals.
“I am really in dreamland. I never expected the call-up and it came out of the blue.
“‘I was with some friends and just about to go home when the coach (K. Dharmaraj) called me around 3am and said to be on stand-by to come to Holland. I said okay and thought nothing about it,
“The next morning I went for a jog as usual. Then in the afternoon, manager (George Koshy) called and told me to take the night flight to The Hague,” he said.
“I went to Singapore for a flight to Amsterdam and arrived at 7.15am. Then, it was to The Hague where I put the bags in the hotel and went for the game (against Australia on Saturday). It’s all unbelievable,” he added.
Izad said he was happy to feature in the Finals.
Izad had made the team for the previous two assignments – the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (Ipoh) and the Champions Challenge 1 (Kuantan).
He was always a contender for a World Cup spot.
But he came down with viral fever and was hospitalised after the Champions Challenge I and did not feature in the selection for the World Cup.
“It was very disappointing for me when I was warded in the hospital for a viral fever. After a week I was discharged and I had hoped to resume training. But then I was warded again and this time for a bacterial infection.
“I just thought that it was the end of my World Cup journey. I had already given up my hopes of making it and was looking towards the future and trying to secure a regular berth in the team.
“Now I’m playing in my first World Cup and I want to use the opportunity to learn and gain experience playing the top teams. It is an opportunity not to be missed,” he said.
Izad’s inclusion means that Malaysia have two siblings in the team. His older brother is goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin.
“It is good to have a brother in the team too. He is an established member of the team and has vast experience. I am sure he will be able to guide me,” added Izad.
Izad is also a member of the National Juniors that finished fourth in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi last December. Dharmaraj was the coach of the team.
“I will work hard to repay the coach’s faith in me. It is a dream come through, playing at the highest level in the world,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
India to go all out for full points against England
THE HAGUE (Netherlands): India will go all out, seeking full points, when they clash with England on Monday in their second group fixture of the hockey World Cup after missing the chance to gain a point against fancied Belgium, thanks to a last-minute goal.
The Indian team will be looking to avenge their 0-2 loss to England in the World League Finals in New Delhi earlier this year.
Spearheaded by Ashley Jackson, who was sold for $73,000 in the Hockey India league auction last year, England are not a very attacking side, but are adept in capitalising on the lapses in rival defenses.
Plugging the gaps in the defense is what the Indian coaching staff was today trying to work on, after the dejection of conceding the winner to Belgium with just 15 seconds left for the hooter.
Combating England's typical European style of defensive hockey will put to test the work new coach Terry Walsh and technical director Roelent Oltmans have done with the Indian team in the past six months.
The Indian team woke up still suffering from the pangs of the missed chance to garner a point against Belgium, the European Cup runners-up who were among the teams tipped to make the semifinals from Group A behind defending champions Australia.
England squandered a first-half lead to draw 1-1 against Spain in their opening game with skipper Barry Middleton playing the pivot.
Walsh may be dejected at his wards not securing a point from their first outing, but the performance has raised his belief in the players. But he knows that they can not afford to repeat the mistakes in the England match.
"England is a formidable opponent and we will be strongly challenged in our match against them. We will have to move the ball effectively and this we will attain by utilising appropriate dodging techniques which will help to create opportunities if we are able to execute in a timely fashion.
"Understanding the deficiencies in our last contest and applying suitable adjustments will be a big test. Within the tournament this game has significant importance and our mental preparations and resilience will be tested," Walsh said.
"How we play, and how close we finish, the fact is that the scores matter in the end," said Walsh, extolling his players to realise the difference this last-minute goal meant.
England coach Bobby Crutchley is frustrated at not having got full points from the first game and said he would look to improve on that against India.
"We've had a decent start, but it's a long tournament and we'll move and build on that for India. We've shown a lot of what we're about and we manage to create a lot of chances," said Crutchley.
Plugging the gaps to keep the England strikers away from the circle is what confronts India, who are currently placed No. 8 in the world rankings, four places behind England (No. 4) and three behind Belgium (No. 5).
Walsh said there were some good aspects to emerge from our game against Belgium.
"Having come level until the last minute, we should have held on to earn a point, but the last 30 second cost us dear," said Walsh, who took over as India's coach six months ago.
India's defence was under pressure for most of the first match against Belgium, but it was not until third goal came just before the hooter that their coach Marc Lammers could breathe easy.
Lammers said the Indian performance was bit of a surprise.
"India played better that I'd seen them do previously. They can be troublesome opponents," said Lammers, a Dutchman under whom The Netherlands women won the 2008 Olympic gold medal at Beijing.
India finished eighth in the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi, but ended at the bottom of the 12-team competition in the 2012 London Olympics.
The Indians have failed to make the semifinals even once since their only 1975 World Cup title win - on grass.
Realising that they had squandered a very good opportunity to extract revenge from Belgium, who had prevailed in three of their last four encounters, the Indian players do realise that things would get tougher to gain points.
"I think we are on the right track, but we'll now have to push ourselves even harder," says captain Sardar Singh, dejected to have conceded the last-minute winner to Belgium, whom India last defeated in the quarterfinals of the Champions Trophy in Melbourne in 2012.
Sardar says his team showed tremendous strength in the opening game, but erred at crucial junctures.
"We are disappointed that we lost the match in the last few minutes yesterday but we will take the positives from the match and apply it during our clash with England tomorrow.
"We realise that they are ranked 4th in the FIH ranking but that will not deter us to go for the win as the boys are high on confidence post yesterdays show of performance and I see them as more determined in their quest for success," Sardar said.
The Indian skipper also said that they will keep a close tab on England's drag flicker Ashley Jackson as he is a "big threat".
The Times of India
India failed on many fronts, can’t blame luck
The goal in the final seconds on Saturday denied India one point and, more importantly, a confidence-boosting draw against Belgium.
It was a heartbreaking finish but the Indian team can’t consider itself unlucky. On the contrary, the team was lucky to not lose by a bigger margin. Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s performance was outstanding.
Belgium dominated throughout the match with much better hockey. They had the bulk of the possession and were far more dangerous upfront, with their forwards constantly troubling the Indian defence. The Indian forwards rarely held on to the ball long enough to create goal-scoring chances. India had only three shots on target, two of which resulted in goals. In the first half, especially, India managed just one circle penetration, which was a wayward cross from the right.
I couldn’t understand India’s first half strategy. Only three players were playing in their usual positions — the goalkeeper and the two defenders. Everyone else was playing out of position. Gurbaj Singh was not in his proper right-half position. SV Sunil was playing at the left though he is a right-out, while Yuvraj Walmiki, who likes playing on the left, was playing on the right.
What really baffled me was why Sardar Singh was in the centre-forward position whenever the ball was with the opposition.
Either it was lack of planning, or the coach was trying to outsmart the Belgians by mixing up the positions, a tactic that backfired. In the second half, the players went back to their usual positions and India’s game improved.
But overall the game showcased the team’s weaknesses. Their defensive structure was not tight enough. Everyone rushed back to defend during an opposition attack but it was all very chaotic. Except for the first goal, the two goals shouldn’t have been conceded.
The biggest weakness of the team, inexperience, was clearly visible. Jasjit Singh, who was debuting, was visibly and understandably nervous. His mistake led to the second goal, while the winner came after Mandeep Singh was dispossessed.
The forward-line was where the inexperience was most obvious. They had trouble keeping possession, couldn’t create chances and, more troublingly, won only one penalty corner. With two specialists in the team, the forwards have to win more penalty corners. For India, the lack of experience will be a recurring point of worry throughout the tournament.
They next play England. Their team is full of experienced players such as Ashley Jackson, who is also familiar with the Indian players from his time in the Hockey India League. He will create a lot of trouble for India.
Strategically Speaking
Wrong move
I couldn't understand India's first half strategy. Only three players were playing in their usual positions - the goalkeeper and the two defenders. Everyone else was playing out of position. Gurbaj Singh was not in his proper right-half position. SV Sunil was playing at the left though he is a right-out, while Yuvraj Walmiki, who plays on the left, was playing on the right.
Chaotic defence
Their defensive structure was not tight enough. Everyone rushed back to defend during an attack, but it was all very chaotic. Except for the first goal, the other two shouldn't have been conceded.
Lack of experience
The inexperience was clearly visible. Jasjit, who was debuting, was understandably nervous. His mistake led to the second goal, while the winner came after Mandeep was dispossessed. The forward-line was where the inexperience was most obvious. They had trouble keeping possession, couldn't create chances and won only one penalty corner.
The writer is a former India captain
The Tribune
Walsh picks up positive from opening defeat
The Hague - Dejected he might be after India's loss to Belgium in their hockey World Cup opener but coach Terry Walsh said the performance was not bad and some "good aspects" of the team's gameplan came to fore.
India conceded a match-winner to Belgium just 15 seconds from close to lose 2-3 after keeping their higher-ranked rivals at bay for most part of the match. They even led midway in the second session, a situation that seemed to have pleased Walsh.
"I would say that we're now getting competitive against the big teams. Our show's much better than what we were doing earlier," said Walsh, asserting that the Indian players need to realise that the score-line is what matters in the end.
"How we play, and how close we finish, the fact is that the scores matter in the end," he added, exhorting his players to realise the difference this last-minute goal made.
India's opponent in the next outing tomorrow will be England, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Spain in their first Group A match yesterday. After falling back to defend for most of the first session that ended with a late goal for the Belgians, India came back strongly after the interval.
Scoring twice in succession through Mandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh, India enjoyed a short-lived lead midway through the second half, but some defensive lapses conceded victory to Belgium. "There were some good aspects to emerge from our game against Belgium. Having come this far, we should have held on to earn a point, but the last 30 second cost us dear," said Walsh, who took over as India's coach six months ago.
European Cup silver-medallists Belgium are currently ranked No. 5 in the world, which is three places above India, but it was not until the third goal came just before the hooter that their coach Marc Lammers could breathe easy.
The Tribune
Sardar stays positive despite Red Lion set-back
Feautring Indian captain Sardar Singh at the Hockey World Cup
(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)
India captain Sardar Singh is a talismanic midfielder who is rated as one of the best players in the game. The 27-year-old has been involved with the international set-up since 2003, and in that time has grown into one of hockey’s brightest stars. His coach, Terry Walsh, has ambitious hopes of getting India among the top six-ranked teams in the world, and Sardar is very much at the heart of that plan.
India's opening match took place in the Kyocera Stadium on the first day of the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, and the crowd was in for a treat as 8th-ranked India faced 9th-ranked Belgium. The result was a disappointment for the India captain as the Red Lions scored in the final 17 seconds of the game to take all three points.
Despite this set-back, Sardar and the team are still feeling positive. Both coach and captain were pleased with their preparations for the tournament. They enjoyed a 4-1 win over South Africa in their second and final warm-up game. “I am happy that as a team we performed really well in our last warm-up match against South Africa. That win provided a boost to our confidence level. Obviously we are disappointed with the result against Belgium, but I have advised my teammates not to take any pressure and just play their natural game and stay positive on the field."
Sardar Singh says his players remain "all geared up" and waiting for their next match against England. "The conditions here are ideal," he said. "Walking through the hockey park, you can tell there is a lot of excitement in the air here. I am feeling proud that I will be representing the country for the second time in a big tournament and we as a unit will put our best efforts and give a tough fight to the opponents," he said.
"We will continue to stick to our strategies and the planning put in place by the coaches. I can just say that all the boys are fully motivated and confident," he added.
Back in India, Sardar is recognised as a sports superstar: he became the youngest captain of the national side when he took up the reins of responsibility in 2008. Since then he has led India to silver in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, silver in the Champions Challenge and a silver in the Asia Cup. He is also the captain of the Hockey India League franchise team, the Delhi Waveriders. He also plays his domestic hockey for HC Bloemendaal, having signed for the Dutch giants in 2013.
Whatever results India achieve in this World Cup, you can rest assured the hockey will be entertaining, and at the very heart of the action will be their creative, inspiration captain.
FIH site
What it Means to Be Tough From Head to Heart
U.S. Women's National Team athlete Julia Reinprecht blogs from the 2014 Rabobank World Cup and talks about overcoming odds to compete on the international stage in Holland.
For those of you who watched our first game against England and wondered what #12 is wearing on her head, hopefully this blog post will clear up some questions.
My name is Julia Reinprecht, a defender on the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team. For me, this past year leading up to the World Cup has been a crazy one. I split time between completing my final year at Princeton University (ironically, today is my Graduation Day!) and training with the team at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. in preparation for the World Cup. I also was overcoming an injury I sustained while competing with my collegiate team in the fall. On November 11th, I was hit in the side of the head with a field hockey stick. I didn’t really know what happened at the moment; I had retained my memory, but I was a bit worried by the pain I was experiencing. I was diagnosed with a concussion and was unable to return to that game or any other collegiate game in my career. I stayed that weekend in College Park, Md. to cheer on my team, and when I returned home, I got a CAT scan to get a closer look at my injury. The results of the CAT scan showed a skull fracture and a subdural hematoma, forcing me to go to the hospital immediately for overnight monitoring.
Fortunately, the overnight results showed that the hematoma was not growing, and I was able to return home. I spent the next couple weeks at home, pretty isolated from anything stimulating to the brain (Although I pride myself on not being too dependent on my cell phone, I realized very quickly how hard it is to avoid using it, and other electronics, like the TV). Ultimately, I recovered well, but did suffer from severe migraines that put me back temporarily in the emergency room. During this up and down period, I really did not know what would become of my field hockey career after this injury, but I tried to stay positive. However, ever since, I have been on the mend. I was able to resume classes, return to physical workouts and individual training after two months, complete my senior thesis at school, and after four months, I was back training full time with the team.
What I wear on my head today is the final product of some experimentation with various headgear prototypes. I must wear it for extra protection because the skull fracture has not yet completely healed; however, I do not suffer from any other side effects from my injury and I was able to heal quite nicely. For that, I must thank my teammates, my coaches, trainers, friends and family who all supported me in my dreams to still make the World Cup Team despite this setback. As my mom and dad reminded me recently, this experience shows that a team has the power to heal. This team and this opportunity made me fight harder to come back from my injury, and I am incredibly grateful to have this experience.
USFHA media release
Paige Selenski – a key player from the Keystone State
A World Cup feature on USA's Selesnki
(Photo: Grant Treeby)
Paige Selenski has been a stalwart of the USA team for five years now. The 23-year-old forward first played for the national team in 2009 and since then she played in the 2012 Olympics, and was also a member of the team that won the Pan American Cup; a result that sent shockwaves through the hockey world as they beat Argentina in the 2011 final. Most recently she scored the USA's opening goal in the final of the Champions Challenge 1 against Ireland, a match that her team went on to win, ensuring qualification for the Champions Trophy in 2016.
Paige is one of a new breed of American players who have an incredibly strong work ethic and a determination to turn hockey into a major sport in the USA – particularly for girls and women. Paige herself first picked up a stick when she was a junior at Dallas High School, Pennsylvania, and she went on to study at the University of Virginia, where she was top scorer for three consecutive seasons. She has since taken time out from studies to concentrate on her international hockey career. "Being able to focus on being an elite athlete, without needing to worry about studies, essays and exams is a real bonus," said Paige.
Known for her turbo-like speed and the strength of her stick skills, Paige is rapidly gaining a reputation as a top forward on the international scene. Although only in her early 20s, Paige has more than 120 caps to her name since her official jump to the U.S. Women's National Team in 2009.
Paige is just one of a number of women's national team members whose origins lie in Pennsylvania State, also known as the Keystone State. The women’s Olympic squad of 2012 had nine of 16 players from the Keystone State and Pennsylvanians account for numerous players currently on the National Team, the Development Squad and the U-21 and U-19 teams of the Women’s Junior Squad.
Other Pennsylvanians competing in The Hague include captain Lauren Crandall, Katelyn Falgowski, Katie O’Donnell,
and Katie Reinprecht. All of these players, including Paige also appeared in the London Olympics. "We know we’re better than what we did at the Olympics,” said Paige, who scored the last USA goal in London. On that occasion the USA finished a disappointing 12th, but since then a new coaching team has been appointed and it seems to be having an impact.
Craig Parnham, who was part of the coaching team that steered Great Britain to bronze in London 2012 is now head coach of Team USA, and he has experienced Dutch player Janneke Schopman as his assistant. The new look team sees the World Cup as the first real opportunity to show how far the team has progressed in the past two years.
The United States will play in Pool B along with second-seeded Argentina, third-seeded England, Germany, China and South Africa. Host Netherlands, the top-ranked team, is in Pool A with Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan and Belgium.
“The World Cup and Olympic Games are the two most significant tournaments in international field hockey,” said Parnham. “Both tournaments traditionally feature the top-12 ranked teams in the world. In addition, both tournaments only come around every four years and there is a long and highly contested qualification process.
“To qualify for a World Cup and Olympic Games is not an easy journey and I must commend the players for qualifying for this World Cup.”
The U.S. women finished sixth in the 2006 World Cup but did not qualify in 2010.
FIH site
Kate Richardson-Walsh reveals captain's heartache after wife Helen's injury
Inspirational midfielder Helen Richardson-Walsh will be missing from England's World Cup squad after back surgery and could be sidelined for Commonwealth Games
By Rod Gilmour, The Hague
Wind of change: Kate Richardson-Walsh will lead England without her wife Helen in the Netherlands Photo: ADY KERRY
Kate Richardson-Walsh has revealed that she took her “captain’s hat off” for the first time in her career as she contemplated a Hockey World Cup without Helen, her “phenomenal” wife, after the inspirational midfielder failed to make the women’s squad through injury.
Richardson-Walsh, who made her debut in 1999, will lead England into the World Cup before a likely retirement after the Commonwealth Games in August. Under captain and coach Jason Lee, England have progressed well since their Olympic bronze and are the world No. 3 side in The Hague.
However, Helen Richardson-Walsh will be missing. She was left devastated by the selectors’ decision to exclude her, despite an eight-week battle to regain fitness after her second back surgery in 12 months.
“It is still emotional,” said Kate, who married Helen last year. “I spoke to the girls recently in Germany and as captain you stand in the middle. I felt in my career that I should stay in that midpoint, absolutely to be there for the players but also to understand the needs of the coach.
“That leads to many arguments with players, so this is the first time where I went more down the scale of the player, purely and simply because it was my wife. I felt that was important to care for my wife at that point, as she is going through a horrible, emotional time and she needed my support more than anything.
“I just took my captain’s hat off for a week or so. Some might say that’s not professional but in my opinion that was the best thing to do.”
Richardson-Walsh charted her battle to make The Hague in an inspirational blog, Back To My Best, a no-holds-barred account of eight weeks on the sidelines.
“You can’t hold her down,” admitted Kate. “She is so driven and passionate. To go through two back surgeries in a year and to have continually pushed herself back like she has is just phenomenal. More power to her.”
The irony, says the England captain, is that Helen is back training. Making the Commonwealth Games squad will be touch and go though, with the squad being trimmed to 16.
“If she wasn’t my wife or friend I would still say she is one of the best players in the world,” said Kate. “What she brings on to the pitch is world class, but it is the little conversations, the boost she gives the team when she gets subbed on, it picks everybody up. I’m hopeful she will get back in.”
At least the blogs have been therapeutic for Helen. As Kate admits, it would have been easy for Helen to be “bitter and angry” in her prose.
Kate admitted: “I cried when she gave me the last one and she is one of a kind in terms of British sport. We are humble and worried for pushing the boundaries too far. She wants to be the best she can.”
The England captain has had World Cup dramas of her own. She recently jarred her left ankle, wore a protective boot and missed several warm-up games in the process. But she has recovered well and is fully fit for the World Cup – the 13th edition of which is likely to be her penultimate major tournament.
“I’m pretty certain I will retire this year,” Kate added. “I’m not saying when it will be, but I know it’s time. Having listened to Ryan Giggs and Jonny Wilkinson recently, it is all in the gut.”
The Telegraph
Tit bits here and there: Have you taken enough photographs
K Arumugam
It was a gathering about 10,12 people in a rope separated enclosure at the far corner of the first floor of the world forum. Out which recognizable faces are FIH president Leondro Negre, Ties Cruize, and then Stephan Veen. As I kept on clicking both legendary Dutch players, a tall,well built and smiling lady came to me and said, ‘have you clicked enough photos’. The tone was I should stop it. Yes, she is on a job, protecting the King of Netherlands, who was also in the gathering, which I came to know after her enquiry. I had to though politely tell her I shot only those two players, and also showed some shots, before she went away, again smilingly. Its really unbelievable for an oriental person that a King was present without much air about him. This incident happened after opening ceremony at World Forum, where about 1200 participants were served drinks.
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Roost Ballert, the bulky Dutchman, is always known for warmth and spontaneous quotes, but here he is almost silent. He was Dutch coach of the 2002 World Cup, and later on got into problem with team selection as he left out Teun de Nooijer and faced a revolt of sort. As a compromise, Terry Walsh was sent, giving the Dutch its first and last foreign coach. Roost recognizes this writer, smiles but is not interested in discussion, as he is ‘working for a marketing company associated with this World Cup’.
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Floris Jan Bovelander too is another busy man not interested to interact with media, but is all smiles as he makes sure he knows you.
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The best part the world cup is not just competition, but the way its promotional events are managed. There are almost six to seven events preceded, involving kids in large numbers, disabled persons and what not.
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The city is fully bedecked with Let us celebrate Hockey flags and the other with the World Cup. Both are seen everywhere, on lamp posts, across water bodies, on buses.
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One thing sure here is the conduct of world cup is known to many locals, including a middle aged women, of Gujarat origin, who travelled with me in the tram to forepark, nearest tram station to newly built Kycenora stadium.
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This is in contrast with what one observed in India. Right form the taxi driver who dropped me at the T-3, immigration officer, two Indians with whom I spoke to during the air travel to Moscow. None of them would know hockey world cup.
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When I asked Ties Kruize which of the six world cups he figured in is most likeable to him, he intervened to say I played six or seven world cups. No wonder stat is something every hockey players gives a bye. Ties too has no ties with it.
Stick2Hockey.com
Khalid's cartoon
The Daily Times
Pakistan’s absence in World Cup darkest day of my life
Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD - Two-time world cup hockey winning team member Olympian Samiullah has termed Pakistan hockey team’s absence from World Cup hockey as the darkest day of his life.
Samiullah in an exclusive interview with The Nation on Sunday said Pakistan had won all the available international events but few certain individuals had destroyed Pakistan hockey. “I could have not even dreamt that World Cup or any other international hockey event could be organised without green shirts participation, but that sad and dark day has arrived in our lives.”
Sami termed no one else but Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) responsible for bringing so much pain, agony and embracement for the former greats, players and masses, who followed hockey as religion. “Hockey is our national game, but no one gave importance to this sports, which resulted in such decline.”
“I was the part of 1978 and 1982 world cup winning teams and I was also with the world cup winning team in 1971 as an observer. It hurts. I feel something has broken inside, when the prestigious event started without Pakistan. Three Asian countries India, Malaysia and Korea are taking part in the event but to utter disappointment four-time world champions Pakistan are sitting out. Now there is a grave danger Pakistan would also dethrone from the Asian Games title as all the three Asian teams would benefit while playing in the World Cup alongside top international teams. But on the other hand men in green are left with only training camps that too on same old styled patron. How could it be possible for the players to perform against the best in the Asia Cip”.
Sami said same PHF management was at the helm of affairs for the last decade or so with the only exception of Shahnaz and Islah. “They don't have any direction, no solid plans. How could it be possible for them to change the fast declining fortunes of the national game?”
Sami said players have the ability to excel at the top but management lack that quality. “It is my firm belief that former greats have number of plans, which could help national team. But to accomplish this mission impossible honesty and right people are required, which I must sorry to say the PHF has failed to deploy. Instead of hiring foreign coaches and wasting huge amount of national kitty, an internationally reputed physical trainer should be immediately hired, who could help players attain mental and physical fitness, which would help the players to get desired results.”
“I must suggest national selection committee to visit each and every district to watch U-16 and U-20 players in action. This would broaden the players pool and within two years’ time, federation would be blessed with number of players, who could solve all the problems. There is no need of hiring army of coaches. Only three coaches are more than enough. I suggest that PHF must organise camps for goalkeepers and plenty-corner specialists and this area should be given top priority. These camps should be held after every six months if not four times a year. If management managed to overcome these areas, it is only matter of time when results would start to come thick and fast. But for all this sincere efforts are required. I seriously doubt current management. Already too much precious time has been wasted on experiments. If management really wants to change the fortunes of Pakistan hockey then instead of talking and making tall claims, practical steps should be taken, or be prepared for more misery,” Sami concluded.
The Nation
John Cranwell.
By Patrick Rowley
John Cranwell, a former Chairman of the Great Britain Hockey Board and past president of the Welsh Hockey Association, has died at the age of 78.
He served on the Great Britain Hockey Board during it’s challenging times in the ‘80’s which led to Olympic gold in 1988.
He was very involved with the international scene for Wales having been the WHA fixture secretary for many years as well as the Chair of their international selection committee.
Our condolences go to his three children, Susan, the secretary of the Hockey Writers Club, Robin and Patricia.
John who was educated at Mill Hill School in London, was a leading member of Hendon Hockey Club before he moved to North Wales. He was a past Chairman of Wrexham Hockey Club.
Fieldhockey.com