Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

All the news for Sunday 15 June 2014

Netherlands women crowned Rabobank Hockey World Cup champions

Legend Lammers ends international career with a goal and a gold



First half goals from team captain Maartje Paumen and retiring legend Kim Lammers gave the Netherlands a thoroughly deserved 2-0 victory over Austalia’s Hockeyroos in the women’s final of the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 in The Hague.

The Netherlands were simply superb throughout the contest, with Paumen netting a 12th minute penalty stroke before ace striker Lammers netted a second in her 200th and final international match.

The result, which was watched by 15,000 screaming fans in the Kyocera Stadium, as well as a global audience of millions, gives the reigning Olympic champions their seventh world crown following titles in 1974, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1990 and 2006.

“I could only dream of this,” said Kim Lammers immediately after the match. “I'm so proud of the team and that we kept focussed all the time. We played a good semi-final but we needed to keep focused, of course, on the final. We waited until our chances came and finally we got this penalty stroke. Maartje Paumen, she's a killer, a lot of pressure but she does it always. Then I got my chance and it's a dream to score in a World Cup Final in our own home and on my 200th cap.”

Lammers was further honoured winning Adidas Best Goal of the Tournament for her brilliant deflection against New Zealand in pool play. Paumen was named Hero Top Scorer, with seven goals, while speedy Oranje midfielder Ellen Hoog was named Rabobank Best Player of the Tournament. Australia’s Rachael Lynch was named Interpolis Best Goalkeeper after her pivotal performance in the Hockeyroos’ semi-final shoot-out win.



Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, handed out the gold medals in front of a roaring home crowd, while FIH President Leandro Negre presented the Women’s Hockey World Cup trophy to captain Paumen.

Powered on by the sensational atmosphere in the stadium, the opening ten minutes of the match were absolutely electrifying, with the Netherlands bombing forward at will and looking every bit like the champions elect. Player of the tournament Hoog saw her brilliant backhand effort tipped around the post by ace shot-stopper Lynch before a Paumen penalty corner drag-flick was intercepted by Australia’s captain fantastic Madonna Blyth.

The Hockeyroos almost silenced the cheering home fans when a fine trap and shot from Emily Hurtz brought an impressive save from Joyce Sombroek before the opening goal arrived in the 12th minute. Paumen slammed a penalty stroke into the top left corner immediately following a rash challenge on attacking live-wire Roos Drost. The goal sent the home fans into raptures and allowed the Netherlands to believe that their dream of winning the World Cup on home soil may actually become a reality.

The Netherlands doubled their advantage six minutes before the break when Lammers netted from close range following a lovely interchange of passes with Player of the Tournament Ellen Hoog. It was a special moment for Lammers, a player who will go down in history as one of the all-time greats of Dutch hockey. 

Australian sporting teams are well-known for their “never-say-die” attitude, and the Hockeyroos were certainly not going to go down without a fight. The Champions of Oceania had penalty corner chances either side of half time, with gifted drag-flicker Anna Flanagan bringing the best out of Sombroek early in the second period. However, it was the Dutch who continued to look the most dangerous and would surely have had a third were it not for Karri McMahon’s stick save from another Paumen penalty corner rocket. Lammers and Kelly Jonker also went close before a blistering backhand shot from Hoog was denied only by the right post.

The Australians continued to battle hard right up until the final seconds, but nothing could deny the all-conquering Dutch girls, who now become reigning Olympic and World champions.

Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 Tournament Awards:

Rabobank Best Player: Ellen Hoog, Netherlands

Hero Best Junior Player: Florencia Habif, Argentina

Interpolis Best Goalkeeper: Rachael Lynch, Australia

Hero Top Scorer: Maartje Paumen, Netherlands

Adidas Best Goal: Kim Lammers, Netherlands

FIH site

Women 3/4th: Lucha defies pain to lead Las Leonas to bronze

Aymar double is enough to give Argentina 2-1 win over USA



Tears of anguish may have flowed after the loss to the Netherlands in the semi-final, but Luciana Aymar was crying tears of joy and pain after coming on the pitch, despite an obviously painful injury, to score two fabulous goals and inspire her team to the bronze medal in this World Cup. And with coach Carlos Retegui announcing he will be stepping down as coach to Las Leonas after the game, it was also a fitting tribute to the charismatic coach that he leaves this world cup with at least one medal.

An opening goal, batted in by none other than Luciana Aymar (8'), opened this thrilling bronze medal match and demonstrated that the location of hockey's powerhouse may be making a geographic shift towards the Americas. That minutes later Lauren Crandall (11') was able to equalise from what has now become a trademark goal for the USA – a slip to the far post by Caroline Nichols – is further evidence, if any is needed, that the USA's run of form at this World Cup is no fluke. However, it was Aymar’s second goal, scored in the 21st minute, proved to be enough for Argentina to walk away with the medals.

The match got off to a cracking start with each team playing their own particular brand of hockey. The USA went route one for goal from the off, and when they were dispossessed the whole team worked hard to regain both possession and the initiative. Argentina played with the flair and ambition that was so noticeably lacking from their previous game against the Netherlands. The future of Las Leonas is in safe hands if the evidence of today is anything to go by, with 21-year-old Florencia Habif – surely a contender for Young Player of the Tournament – running riot among the USA defence.

Action flowed from end-to-end, with the USA attacking the Argentina goal via the speed and directness of Melisssa Gonzalez and Katie O'Donnell, while at the other end of the pitch, Habif and Delfina Merino were busy creating space and opportunity. The first scoring opportunity went to Argentina who won two consecutive penalty corners. However, goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer, who has had a fabulous tournament, was equal to the task and kept the Aymar drag flicks out.

Aymar's first goal came from a cross by Rocio Sanchez. Her shot was flying wide, but the eight times FIH Player of the Year was perfectly placed to bat the ball past Kintzer. The goal didn't phase the USA, a team whose collective mental fortitude has been one of their strengths during this tournament. Straight back up the pitch they went and captain Lauren Crandall was able to slip home the equaliser.

Argentina's finest gave the initiative back to Las Leonas in the 21st minute as she received a pass from Merino and with deft control slammed home to restore the lead. She was also close to extending the lead with seconds on the clock when Kintzer pulled off a remarkable save from a close shot. The teams went into the half-time break with the scores tantalisingly poised at 2-1 to the world number two team.

The second half was played at full pelt, with ball possession switching from side-to-side. Brutally uncompromising defence from Crandall and Dawson kept the silky skills of Sanchez and her fellow forwards out of the circle, and at the other end, the USA players were running with confidence at the Argentina defence. Kelsey Kolojejchick came close to evening it up with a full-length dive onto a cross from Katie O'Donnell at the 40 minute mark, but the ball was just wide of her out-stretched stick. The 'keeper Maria Mutio was also called into play and batted away a shot from an industrious Kathleen Sharkey.

More pressure from Argentina resulted in a penalty corner, but the trap was mistimed and the counter-attack led to a sustained press on the Argentine defence.

USA came close to grabbing an equaliser on two occasions in the last 15 minutes, with Kathleen Sharkey firing a backhand effort wide of the target before the team failing to convert a penalty corner in the dying stages.

Despite the pain of defeat, USA captain Lauren Crandall said that her team can leave this event with their heads held high, having finished six places above their world ranking. “Right now there is a feeling of disappointment, but I think that it affirms that we are going in the right direction and fills us with pride.”

“We are pleased with the way we have done over the past couple of weeks”, said USA coach Craig Parnham. “It was a tight game, but overall I am proud of how the girls have performed not just over the past two weeks but also over the last eight months. As a tenth ranked team to come here and finish fourth is good and justifies the work that the girls have been doing.” 

FIH site

Singh hits high note, A neat finish for Punt

Korea undone by India's pace and flow, Black Sticks women take 5th


(Photo: Stanislas Brochier)

Two classification matches happen on the same day the medals for the women's World Cup event will be handed out. For the men, India out-paced Korea for a 3-0 win to finish 9th overall, while New Zealand women and China battle it out for 5th place.

MEN 9/10th: India v Korea 3-0 (1-0)

The 9/10 classification match between India and Korea was a contrast in styles. Korea's game is based upon their physicality and fitness, while India play skilful, attacking hockey, that can sometimes unravel under pressure. Fortunately for Sardar Singh and his teammates, today was the day that India found both their attacking flair and, for the most part, their defensive discipline. The result was a comfortable 3-0 victory for the team ranked eighth in the world. India opened their account through Akashdeep Singh (6') and Korea really had no answers.

At half-time, India coach Terry Walsh asked for more attacking play and for his team to look to go on the fore-front, not to simply defend their 1-0 lead, and his team responded, despite spending 10 minutes with one less player. The goal scorers were Singh with two goals and a penalty stroke scored by Rupinder Singh. The result means that India finish ninth, one place below their FIH World Ranking and Korea finish three places below their seventh place ranking.

Read more...

WOMEN 5/6th: New Zealand v China 4-0 (1-0)

A brace for the Black Sticks queen of speed Anita Punt helped New Zealand record a 4-0 victory over China in the 5/6 classification match at the Kyocera Stadium.

Punt (6') opened the scoring with a trade-mark drag flick penalty corner as New Zealand sought to end their World Cup campaign in fifth place, a position that matches their FIH World Ranking. It was not all one-way traffic however, and New Zealand have Bianca Russell – who replaced Sally Rutherford in goal for this match – to thank for the clean sheet. China came close to equalising through, firstly, Yan Yan and then Huang Ting in a period of China pressure in the first half.

Read more...

For more information on the Rabobank Hockey World Cup visit the Event website HERE.

FIH site

The Netherlands wins seventh women’s hockey World Cup title

Olympic gold medallists The Netherlands defeated Australia 2-0 in the title showdown to clinch the women’s hockey World Cup at the Kyocera Stadium here on Saturday.

This was the fourth time these two nations met in the women’s World Cup final and The Netherlands has won three of them. Out of 13 women’s World Cups since its inception in 1974, the Dutch have won it seven times.

Captain Maartje Paumen, one of the four Dutch players winning her second World Cup gold, put her team ahead in the 12th minute with a penalty stroke conversion. The penalty stroke was awarded when Ross Dross was brought down by the goalkeeper and a defender inside the circle.

Livewire striker Kim Lammers increased the lead by beating goalkeeper Rachael Lynch with her second try in the 29th minute after her initial shot was blocked by the custodian.

Bronze for Argentina

Argentina’s star striker Luciana Aymer scored twice in the bronze medal play off that the South American nation won 2-1 against the USA. Aymer scored field goals in the eighth and 21st minutes. Lauran Crandall got the lone goal for USA in the 11th through a penalty corner.

Easy win

Akashdeep Singh scored two goals as India posted a comfortable 3-0 win over Asian champion South Korea to finish ninth on Saturday. With the victory in the ninth-10th place play-off match, India managed to avenge its 4-3 loss to South Korea in last year’s Asia Cup final at Ipoh.

Akashdeep opened India’s account in the sixth minute by tapping in a square pass from S.V. Sunil and then rounded off the score with a reverse hit in a crowded circle in the 50th minute. In between, Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute after his penalty corner flick was stopped by a defender with his body on the goal-line.

India ended its campaign a notch below the eighth-place finish at New Delhi in 2010.

The results: Men: Play-offs: 9-10: India 3 (Akashdeep Singh 6 & 50, Rupinder Pal Singh 43) bt South Korea 0.

Women: Final: The Netherlands 2 (Maartje Paumen 12, Kim Lammers 29) bt Australia 0. 3-4: Argentina 2 (Luciana Aymar 8 & 21) bt USA 1 (Lauren Crandall 11). 5-6: New Zealand 4 (Anita Punt 6 & 60, Kayla Whitelock 45, Krystal Forgesson 63) bt China 0.

The Hindu

Salute to Maartje

by B.G.JOSHI ( Dhar-Indore,INDIA)

Following records are set by Maartje Paumen (born: Sept 19, 1985, caps 163, goals 138) of Netherlands

•     She won the Double of Olympics (London-2012) and World Cup (2014) as a captain of The Dutch team.
•    She conquered all the FIH tourneys Gold Medals as a Captain as detailed below:

·         She won 8 Gold Medals in following FIH tourneys:

·         She became top scorer in following 4 tournaments:

·         She is all time top scorers in all 3 FIH Tourneys, as detailed below:

Fieldhockey.com

Hockeyroos take silver

Australian women beaten by Olympic champs in World Cup final



The Hockeyroos are expected to rise to second in the world rankings after winning the silver medal at the World Cup on Saturday, going down 2-0 to the host nation, the Netherlands. It is the Australian women's third World Cup silver medal, adding to those won in 1990 and 2006

The official world rankings will be released next week by the International Hockey Federation but following England’s 11th place finish, Argentina’s bronze medal and Australia’s runners-up berth they should overtake those two sides in the standings.

First half goals from Maartje Paumen and Kim Lammers proved decisive with Emily Hurtz coming closest for Australia when her early shot was cleared from the Dutch goal line, while Jodie Kenny also saw a penalty corner well saved by Dutch goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek.

Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachael Lynch, one of the heroines of Thursday’s semi-final shoot-out, pulled off a string of top saves to keep Australia in the contest and was later named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Speaking after the match, Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens said, “We’re very proud of our efforts and I think that a silver medal shows how far we have come since the Olympic Games. We came fifth in London and now, since London, we’ve played a number of tournaments – I think five in total – and we’ve made the final of all of them. We won the Champions Challenge, we won the World League 3, we won at the Oceania Cup, a silver medal in the World League 4 and now a silver medal here in the World Cup. So, it’s been a really good 18 months for us.“

We were aiming to make the World Cup final. We knew that the world number one team would be a really difficult one to defeat at that moment and we expected that the Netherlands would be there. They were, they were a great opponent and a really worthy champion.”

Shot stopper Lynch was called upon early, tipping over Ellen Hoog’s reverse stick shot inside two minutes before, almost immediately at the other end, Emily Hurtz’s shot squirmed under the body of Dutch ‘keeper Somebroek only for Jacky Schoenaker to scramble it clear from the goal line.

Dutch captain and tournament top scorer Maartje Paumen opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after Roos Drost was adjudged to have been brought down as she ran through on goal.

Australia reacted well, pressing upfield with Kellie White forcing a save from Soembroek, who was also called upon to mop up on several more occasions as the Hockeyroos applied pressure.

Lynch, however, was the busier of the two goalkeepers, keeping out Kelly Jonker’s snap deflection before Kim Lammers made it 2-0 in the 29th minute, netting at the second attempt after Lynch had denied her once. 

Penalty corners either side of half time showed the Hockeyroos' determination to get back in the contest but the first hit the body, rather than stick, of the diving Emily Smith while Jodie Kenny saw her flick tipped wide by Sombroek at full stretch.

Lynch went on to make a series of stops in the second half, notably a good double save at point blank range, while her teammates contested well, winning possession and hitting the Dutch on the counter attack. 

A moment of near-controversy occurred when a third goal was initially awarded to the Netherlands with the umpire believing the ball had entered the goal when in fact it had rebounded off the post. Replays showed it hit the post though and the goal was chalked off.

Looking to the future, Commens said he believes the Hockeyroos have what it takes to continue their recent form and subsequent return to the top echelons of the world game.

“I’m really excited about this group,” he said. “It’s a young group. We’ve got girls playing in our defence the majority of the time that have played less than 50 matches, that have come straight from our Australian Hockey League.

“We’ve got a really young forward group and we’ve got a number of quality players that are not here through injury…or some really highly talented young players that are probably not ready at this moment but I think in two years’ time they’ll be pushing our group to increase the competitiveness. When you do that you just see the level of the team play will improve with it and it’s something that I’m really looking forward to.”

The Australian women’s next test comes in just over five weeks when they head to Glasgow to defend the Commonwealth Games title won in Delhi four years ago.

Acknowledging that his side will arrive in Scotland as favourites for the gold medal, Commens added, “The Commonwealth Games is an important tournament for us and we will take a very similar group there. We rightly should be favourites for that tournament but I don’t underestimate our opponents.

“In the women’s side of the Commonwealth Games I think there’s some really high quality teams. New Zealand we’ve seen come fifth here; they’re ranked just below us. England are a side that probably haven’t performed up to their potential at the World Cup and they’ll be determined to turn it around. And South Africa are already a really dangerous side.

“It is different scenario coming into the tournament as favourites. I think the last Commonwealth Games the team really ground out victories. I’d hope to be able to go and be able to play a brand of hockey where we look to dominate our opposition but we’ll certainly need to have taken a step up from what we’ve done here. It’s not a matter of just trying to maintain. It’s a matter of improving and it’s something that our group has been really determined to do over the last two years and they’ll be even more determined to do it at the Commonwealth Games.”

In the bronze medal contest, 2010 world champions Argentina beat USA 2-1.

The Hockeyroos' male counterparts, the Kookaburras, will have their shot at the World Cup gold medal on Sunday as they go head-to-head with the Netherlands in the men's final. That match takes place at 23:15 AEST and will be shown live across Australia on ABC 2.

World Cup Final

The Hague, Netherlands

HOCKEYROOS: 0 (0)
-
NETHERLANDS: 2 (2)
Maartje Paumen 12 (PS)
Kim Lammers 29 (FG)

Final Standings
1. Netherlands (gold medal)
2. Australia (silver medal)
3. Argentina (bronze medal)
4. USA
5. New Zealand
6. China
7. Korea
8. Germany
9. South Africa
10. Japan
11. England
12. Belgium

Hockeyroos’ squad v Netherlands
Athlete (Hometown, State) Caps/Goals [Age]
Started
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 286/65 [28]
Eddie Bone (Evatt, ACT) 47/2 [26]
Casey Eastham (South Coast, NSW) 210/44 [25]
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT) 131/29 [22]
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 113/55 [26]
Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC) 110/0 [27]
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA) 46/4 [22]
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA) 155/61 [27]
Georgie Parker (Berri, SA) 63/16 [25]
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 93/36 [21]
Kellie White (Crookwell, NSW) 83/25 [22]

Used Substitute
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 48/4 [21]
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 55/2 [25]
Emily Hurtz (Camden, NSW) 85/30 [24]
Kate Jenner (Tamworth, NSW) 102/1 [24]
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 131/23 [22]
Jayde Taylor (Bunbury, WA) 101/2 [29]

Unused Substitute
Ashlee Wells (Morwell, VIC) 35/0 [24]

Hockey Australia media release

Luciana Aymar double dashes USA Bronze medal hopes 2-1

By Jawwad Qamar

United States Women went down fighting to their Pan American rivals Argentina for the bronze medal at the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague. A double in the first half by the the legendary Luciana Aymar was all the World number 2 and defending champions Argentina needed against the surprise team of the tournament ,USA, to secure a podium finish.

The Argentinean captain struck in the eight minute, calmly putting her stick on a reverse blast from the right of the circle by Rocio Sanchez, to make it 1-0. However, the Americans responded three minutes later, on the team’s first penalty corner, as their captain Lauren Crandall deflected the ball in, at the left post, upon receiving a pass from Caroline Nichols from the top of the circle, to level at 1-1. Aymar struck again in the 21st minute mark, pouncing on a ball sent in by Delfina Merino from the right that was mishandled by Nichols in defense, giving her team the lead for good.

Despite a hamstring injury she received during the second match of the tournament, the eight times FIH Player of the Year, Aymar rose to the occasion as great athletes often do – the Argentinean great almost had a hattrick in the dying minutes of the half but her backhand attempt was nicely blocked away from close range by USA goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer.

USA had a number of great chances to equalize the score in the second half but were unlucky to capitalize on them. The first and the best chance came in the 42nd minute on a brilliant cross from the right by Katie O'Donnell to Kelsey Kolojejchic but she was a little late with her full-length diving slide and thus unable to connect. With 6.5 minutes left in the game, Kathleen Sharkey stole the ball at the center line and combined with O'Donnell on a nice give and go, however Maria Mutio, the Argentinean keeper, came out to make a great save on Sharkey's shot.

Even thou the Americans failed to duplicate their feat from 20 years ago, when they won a bronze medal at the Dublin World Cup in 1994, the 10th ranked USA women’s fourth place finish must be still considered a remarkable achievement. In the 2012 London Olympics they finished at the bottom but in this World Cup, they’re unbeaten in pool play and their only two defeats were by the narrowest margins – a shoot-out loss to Australia in the semifinal after a 2-2 comeback in the last minutes of regulation and this rematch of their pool play 2-2 tie against Argentina.

It is obvious that Coach Craig Parnham has completely turned the fortunes of team around in a short time. The Englishman was only appointed head coach of the USA Women's National Team in January, 2013.

Fieldhockey.com

Team USA Continues Upward Growth on Impressive Global Journey as World Watches with Wonder

The U.S. Women’s National Team, World Ranked 10th, places fourth at Hockey World Cup

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Global glory was within arm’s reach during the bronze-medal match between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Argentina at 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup. The Kyocera Stadium contained more than just 15,000 seats for hockey fanatics but also within its confines held an enormous amount of unparalleled talent. Despite displaying infinite grit and emptying all energy on the pitch, the United States fell to Argentina in a close match of 1-2.

“Coming into the World Cup with a World Ranking of 10th and finishing the tournament in fourth place justifies the hard work of these athletes,” said Head Coach Craig Parnham. “We made changes as a program and the conclusion of this tournament is bearing a little bit of that fruit.”

Recognizing the prestigious tournament hardware at stake, the match kept an up-tempo speed from the umpire’s opening whistle. The United States held composure against Argentina, World Ranked 2nd, by creating depth with composed back-slotted passes to move the ball around, find holes in Argentina’s press and carry play forward. When action transitioned to the opposite end of the turf, coming at the defensive circle hard was Argentine Captain and attacker Luciana Aymar who hit a backhanded shot to secure Las Leonas first goal in the 8th minute. The longevity of the lead was brief. Capitalizing on their first corner of the match in the 11th minute, USA defender Caroline Nichols (Virginia Beach, Va.) sent a straight shot to USA Captain Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.) who redirected the ball into the net. Working passes around with fluidity, an Argentine player carried the ball to the baseline only to deliver it to teammate, Aymar, who took a shot from the circle’s sweet spot to create another goal in the 21st minute. The halftime report held USA 1, Argentina 2.

The second half held immense promise. Slick stick skills persisted as the game flow ebbed into the United States’ offensive end. The ball was worked around the perimeter but Argentina kept a fortified backend, letting the United States gain only a handful of corners. Neither squad was able to translate an opportunity into another goal. The match ended with a victory for Las Leonas over the USA, 1-2.

“We’re disappointed with today’s end result but are pleased with our tournament performance,” said Parnham. “We began to open up in the second half with a number of chances to score but Argentina defended well. We’re proud of the team and their progress at this event.”

During the post-game press conference, Argentina’s Head Coach Carlos Retegui acknowledged the toughness and strength of the U.S. Women’s National Team and commented on the noticeable change in USA’s playing style. Receiving worldwide remarks of praise for their progress at the Rabobank World Cup, Team USA adds this experience to the tremendous journey each  U.S. athlete and staff member has committed to in order to bring a new era of hockey to the United States.

“Right now there’s disappointment but when we stop and look back on our 18-month build up and how we came into this tournament and what we produced, there’s a feeling a pride,” said Crandall. “Most of all, it affirms we’re going in the right direction. This is a sweet reward to come in fourth at the World Cup. It shows we’re making leeway.”

The World Cup started for Team USA with competition against England where the red, white and blue won 2-1. The team then went on to tie Argentina 2-2. China proved to be another hard-fought battle, but the United States prevailed 5-0. Next, the United States beat Germany 4-1. South Africa was Team USA’s final competitor in pool play. The team was able to strike hard and fast with a final score of USA 4, South Africa 2.  The USA made it to the semifinals for the first time in 20 years against opponent Australia but fell short in shootouts with a result of 1-3. 

Follow Team USA on their official website usasfieldhockey.com and their Twitter account @USAFieldHockey.       
              
The journey has just begun. #WeBelieve

USFHA media release

Aymar leads Argentine women to bronze at hockey World Cup


Argentina captain Luciana Aymar celebrates winning the bronze medal after the Hockey World Cup final for third and fourth place between the U.S. and Argentina in The Hague, Netherlands on Saturday.   

Argentina defeated the United States 2-1 for third place in the women’s hockey World Cup on Saturday.

The reigning world champions lost their semi-final 4-0 to The Netherlands, while the United States were defeated by Australia 3-1 in a penalty shootout.

Team-captain Luciana Aymar put her Leonas ahead on eight minutes after tipping in a pass from Carla Rebecchi. Three minutes later, the United States struck back with a penalty corner goal, when Lauren Crandall deflected a shot from Caroline Nichols into the net.

Aymar, the most capped player in the Argentine team with more than 360 international appearances, added another goal from open play on 21 minutes to seal victory.

The second half was goalless. The United States worked hard to get on the scoreboard but the Argentine defence stood strong. A fourth place finish is the best result for the United States at the World Cup.

The Hindu

Black Sticks Women finish fifth at World Cup


Anita Punt is Congratulated by Gemma Flynn (r) and Kayla Whitelock (l) Photo: Dirk Markgraf, www.265-images.com

The Black Sticks Women have finished in winning style by defeating China 4-0 to finish fifth overall at the Hockey World Cup in The Hague.

The result of the 5th/6th classification playoff sees New Zealand finish with three wins, two losses and a draw at the tournament.

China won both games against the Black Sticks at the Hawke’s Bay Festival of Hockey earlier this year, but today the Kiwis showed grit and determination to take bragging rights.

Anita Punt was once again on point with her drag flicking, scoring a double to boost her World Cup goal tally to five while Kayla Whitelock and Krystal Forgesson were also on the score sheet.

Head coach Mark Hager said it’s disappointing not to have made the finals, but pleasing to finish on a positive note.

“I’m very pleased to finish the way we did. It’s a bit of a hollow feeling though; we let one slip in the pool round against Korea where we lost 1-0, and if we’d had that win we could have been in one of the finals,” he said.

“One thing our team is striving for is not just to participate, we want to play in finals and I think we grew over the tournament but still have a bit to go.

“While we’re disappointed, we are pleased to have got the result today to finish in the top six.”

The Black Sticks were fast starters and opened the scoring in the sixth minute thanks to an Anita Punt drag flick from a penalty corner.

China fought back throughout the first half and put together some good phases, although Bianca Russell played outstandingly in goal and made several crucial saves.

Ahead by one goal at halftime, the Kiwis tightened the screws in the second period and earned a penalty stroke early in the half which Kayla Whitelock easily put away.

Punt added her second drag flick with 10 minutes on the clock before Krystal Forgesson sealed the result just minutes later with a stunning over the shoulder flick from Whitelock’s shot at goal.

Later today in the women’s fixtures it’s Argentina vs USA in the bronze medal game before the Netherlands meet Australia in the final.

The Black Sticks Men close out their tournament tomorrow in the 7th/8th classification playoff against Spain at 6pm (NZ time), live on SKY Sport 3.

BLACK STICKS 4: (Anita Punt 2, Kayla Whitelock, Krystal Forgesson)
CHINA 0
Halftime: Black Sticks 1-0

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks thrash China

By David Leggat


Midfield dynamo Anita Punt scored twice with well struck penalty corner efforts. Photo / Getty.

A 4-0 win over China was a fine way for the New Zealand's women's hockey team to finish the World Cup in The Hague tonight.

The Black Sticks, playing off for fifth and sixth spots, therefore ended equal to their world ranking of No 5, but there was disappointment they fell short of making the semifinals.

However, they were well worth a convincing win, having 13 shots to four by seventh-ranked China.

Midfield dynamo Anita Punt scored twice with well struck penalty corner efforts - the first in the fifth minute to get New Zealand off to a fast start -- captain Kayla Whitelock scored with a penalty stroke while Krystal Forgesson added a spectacular overhead effort.

It was not until the final 10 minutes, when New Zealand scored their third and fourth goals, that they made the game safe.

Both teams had several scoring chances, China twice had clear chances in front of the Black Sticks' goal but fluffed the opportunities.

Punt was full of running, while Whitelock, Stacey Michelsen, Forgesson and Sophie Cocks asked plenty of questions of the Chinese defence.

Goalkeeper Bianca Russell had a strong game as China created three penalty corner chances, while younger players coming through like Olivia Merry and Liz Thompson will have gained valuable experience.

"It was a great team performance," Punt said.

"We just had to be really patient and we kept pushing hard."

New Zealand have a week off before two weeks training to prepare for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, starting on July 23.

The men's Black Sticks were to play Spain to decide seventh and eighth places on Sunday night (NZT).

The New Zealand Herald

Black Sticks women defeat China to finish fifth


TOP PUNT: Black Sticks star Anita Punt scored two goals against China at the Hockey World Cup. Dirk Markgraf, www.265-images.com

The women's Black Sticks have finished fifth at the hockey World Cup in the Netherlands.

Defeating China 4-0 in the fifth-place playoff, Anita Punt scored a brace while Kayla Whitelock and Krystal Forgesson also got on the scoresheet.

The result is nevertheless a disappointment for the national women's team who would have been targeting a third-place playoff at the least.

Tomorrow night the men's Black Sticks take on Spain in a playoff for seventh in their side of the World Cup.

Both teams will be expected to win medals at this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Stuff

India signs off in style, beat Korea 3-0

s2h team



Sardar Singh's boys have defeated reigning Asian Champions South Korea comprehensively to win the ninth place decider today on the penultimate day of the exciting Rabobank World Cup.

India kept the Asian Champions in check from the beginning and struck at regular intervals to deny them any space, thus winning them in the World Cup for the first time.

It was youngster Akashdeep Singh, who set the scoring initially, with a gentle push to the right of already fallen goalie, getting a perfect parallel pass from SV Sunil.

undefined Thereafter, captain Sardar Singh made a wonderful solo, dodging a host of chasers, and on the right fringe of the circle, when challenged, placed the ball on the foot of a defender, which was lost sight of umpire, though the incident took place right under his nose.

Confident captain went for a referral and won it.

The resultant penalty corner was taken by Rupinder but it struck a defender on the line, leading to award of penalty stroke

Rupinder had no difficulty in putting it past the goalie (2-0). At the stroke of half time, just 10 seconds remained, Korea got a Penalty Corner from the same umpire, but confident Rupinder Singh, who tackled him on the left baseline inside circle, went for referral, and won it too.

Its two for two in referrals for India as the lemon time struck.

Akashdeep was it again who struck in a melee in the 50th minute, moments after missing a sitter.

Korea, somehow unable to get its act together, came in to the own in the spells, but twice were denied leeway by inform goalie PR Sreejesh.

India thus has built up a great psychological advanatage over Korea as it will challenge them in the Asian Games.

Incidentally, it was in 1994 at the Sydney Olympics India defeated Korea, and this win has come after twenty years.

"We played both European and Asian style in a mixed way and it worked well today", said beaming coach Terry Walsh. "We have been learning, and we know if we play simple hockey and keep it safe we will win, and did occur today", explained captain Sardar Singh.

Stick2Hockey.com

India beat South Korea 3-0, finish ninth in Hockey WC


Team India during the match against Spain during the Hockey World Cup in The Hague. File photo

THE HAGUE: Akashdeep Singh scored two goals as India posted a comfortable 3-0 win over Asian champions South Korea to finish a lowly ninth in the men's hockey World Cup at the Kyocera Stadium on Saturday.

With this win in the ninth-10th place play-off match, India had managed to avenge upon their 3-4 loss to South Korea in the final of last year's Asia Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Akashdeep opened India's account in the sixth minute by tapping in a square-pass from SV Sunil and then rounded off the scoring with a reverse hit in a crowded circle in the 50th minute.

In between, Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute after his penalty corner flick was stopped by a defender with body on the goal-line.

India ended the World Cup one notch below their eighth-place finish at New Delhi edition in 2010.

The first raid gave India the lead in the sixth minute of play when captain Sardar Singh fed Sunil the ball on the right flank in a counter-attack starting from inside the Indian circle.

Sunil moved up, down the flank beating the only defender blocking his view of the goal and drew out the Korean goalkeeper before squaring the ball for Akashdeep to flick into an open goal.

South Korea posed a threat to India in the 10th minute when unmarked Jeon Byung-jin picked up a pass on top of the circle and had only the goalkeeper PR Sreejesh in front. But as he took the shot after tapping the ball into the circle, Rupinder dived across to deflect the ball out.

A sustained Indian pressure on the rival circle in the 20th minute saw the Koreans put up a solid defence to keep the ball out of the scoring area and curbing the space available for the Indian strikers.

Rupinder again deftly tackled Korean striker Jeon Byung-jin on top of the circle in the 27th minute. Three minutes later, India came close to scoring again when Sunil dribbled into the circle after picking up a long aerial ball on the 25-yard line.

Sunil's cross from an acute angle could not be deflected into the goal by Akashdeep and the ball rebounded off the far post.

India forced their first penalty corner in the 32nd minute when Lalit Upadhyay was stick-checked by Korean captain Lee Seun-gil in the circle, but VR Raghunath's drag-flick was palmed away by the goalkeeper.

Continuing to play a fine game, Indian defender Rupinder made a diving save with just three seconds left in the first half. The umpire blew for a penalty corner thinking the Korean striker was obstructed, but it was declared a clean tackle on video referral by India.

South Korea's goalkeeper Lee Myung-ho padded away a flick by Akashdeep off a Manpreet Singh pass four minutes into the second session before Sardar earned India their second penalty corner in the 42nd minute.

The second Indian penalty corner came after India sought a video referral that the ball had struck a Korean defender's foot inside the circle. Rupinder's drag-flick struck Hong Eun-seong's body on the goal line and the resultant penalty stroke was converted by strapping defender.

Yuvraj Walmiki had a chance to increase India's lead in the 48th minute when he received a diagonal ball from SK Uthappa on top of the circle and had only the goalkeeper to beat. But Walmiki's reverse hit went wide.

Akashdeep then sent an opportunistic reverse hit into the boards in the 50th minute after a combined move between Sunil and Dharamvir Singh rattled the Korean defence.

India played with just 10 players for 10 minutes in the last quarter when defender Gurbaz Singh was sent off with a yellow card after a deliberate obstruction to stop a Korean striker sprinting down the left flank.

Gurbaz's foul also gave South Korea their first penalty corner in the 55th minute, where Nam Hyun-woo's shot was saved by an onrushing Rupinder. The Indian defender, however, had to leave the field with an ice pack after being struck on the right arm.

The Koreans forced another penalty corner in the 60th minute, but failed to make an impact on the Indian defence.

The Hindu

India combining Asian and European style hockey: Walsh

THE HAGUE: A dismal ninth-place finish in the World Cup notwithstanding, Indian coach Terry Walsh chose to see the brighter side and said that the team is trying to mix the Asian and European styles of hockey that can be troublesome for the rivals.

"We've been mixing a bit of the Asian and European styles, but we are far from perfect. We have some way to go and we're working on it," said Walsh.

"It's a long-drawn process, but I am confident the signs of change will soon become evident," said Walsh, who went on to compliment captain Sardar Singh and the team members for trying to adapt the European style into their game.

"I take my hat off to these boys. They are trying to change, and are playing well," he said.

India defeated South Korea 3-0 in the playoff for the ninth position, dropping one spot from their eighth-place finish in the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.

"In this match against South Korea, we played the second half very well and struck to our game-plan," said Walsh. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. Over a long period the system must develop players and it should have a large pool of players."

India's ninth position is the highest among three Asian nations that qualified for the World Cup. South Korea finished 10th and Malaysia were placed at the bottom of the heap in the 12-nation tournament.

Walsh said the decline of Asian hockey was evident for over a decade.

"Asian decline is not new, it's been going on for a decade, and in some cases for two decades," Walsh said. "As for India, we're trying to do something about it. The Indians are trying to compete against the top teams, not just to play on the same pitch."

The coach, a former Australian Olympian, said the European teams were always working on a plan, which alone was the way for India to follow.

"Look at Belgium, they have been working on a programme for a long period of time. Even Germany are out of top four here at the World Cup," said Walsh.

"Some significant decisions need to be implemented and it will take years to bring about the change," he added.

Captain Sardar said the team's focus would to be finish the year ranked among the top six nations and to clinch qualification for the Olympic Games through the Asian Games in Incheon.

"Our target is to improve our ranking to No.6 at least. We still have three major events to play this year," said Sardar, listing the events as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Asian Games in Incheon and the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.

"Our team is quite young and several players were playing in their first," said Sardar.

Sardar was a member of the team that finished eighth in the 2010 World Cup.

"There were several senior players in that World Cup team. This team is younger and the lessons learnt here will benefit them," he said

Sardar felt he had at least another World Cup left in him.

"I would love to represent India in another World Cup," said Sardar.

The Times of India

"Be in every moment"

Kookaburras captain says his team needs to be in every moment to win World Cup


Australian captain Mark Knowles is after a second World Cup crown.

Kookaburras captain Mark Knowles says he and his teammates will need to be “in every moment” to win a second successive World Cup crown on Sunday.

Australia’s men qualified for the main game with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Argentina and will go up against the hosts, the Netherlands, who beat England 1-0 in the other semi-final on Friday.

Ten of Knowles’ team in The Hague won gold four years ago in Delhi and will be looking to become only the third team in the history of the game to claim back-to-back world titles.

Speaking about the experience of the group, Knowles says, “We’ve got two guys playing in their fourth World Cup final – that’s pretty amazing, you don’t find that too often. We’ve got a group of guys who are playing in their third [final], a group of guys who are playing in their second and a group who are playing in their first.

“I think the opportunity for us is something we don’t want to pass up and it’s about taking the game on and being in every moment. That’s where we’ve let ourselves down in the past and what we’ve been working not to do. This group is different in some ways and I trust the work that we’ve done with Hockey Australia and the group that we have in Perth.”

Liam De Young and Jamie Dwyer are the two Kookaburras set to step out in their fourth World Cup finals. The pair were silver medallists in 2002 and 2006, losing to Germany on both occasions before breaking their hoodoo four years ago in Australia’s 2-1 win over the Germans.

Sunday’s final will see Dwyer equal Jay Stacy’s all time Australian record of 321 appearances for the Kookaburras and Stacy, now Head Coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport, will be in the stand in The Hague as part of a coach education tour organised by Hockey Australia.

For Simon Orchard, a winner in 2010, the match will also hold extra significance as he makes his 150th appearance for the Kookaburras. The Maitland midfielder made his debut in January 2008 and has since gone on to win World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medals and Olympic bronze.

The Dutch are appearing in their first World Cup final since 1998, the last time the tournament was hosted in the Netherlands, and will be looking to equal Pakistan’s record of four gold medals. They came through the preliminary phase to top Pool B, winning four of their five matches before drawing 1-1 with New Zealand.

“They’ve been very impressive,” says Knowles of the world number three side. “I think they’ve played with a pretty high quality over the time. The one thing we know about the Dutch is they’re so individually skilled and they’re playing with a lot of confidence.”

Previous World Cup encounters between the sides have seen five Australian wins, four Dutch wins with 19 goals each across the nine meetings.

“The one thing they know they’re going to get from us that they haven’t got from any other team is the pressure. We’ve played some great matches against them in the past and we expect another one. I certainly think the best two teams are in the final. I’m not sure how it’s all going to go but our group is getting more confident, more and more confident and I think it’s going to be a great spectacle.”

Watch the match live across Australia on ABC 2. Program starts 22:55 AEST with the match underway at 23:15 AEST / 21:15 AWST.

Visit the official tournament website at rabobankhockeyworldcup2014.com.

All time Australia v Netherlands record
AUS wins: 68
NED wins: 38
Draws: 28

World Cup Australia v Netherlands record
AUS wins: 5
NED wins: 4
Draws: 0

Hockey Australia media release

Dwyer dares to dream

A face in the crowd will be all the motivation the Kookaburra's number one needs to chase glory in The Hague


(Photo: Frank Reelick)

Jamie Dwyer has been named the FIH Player of the Year five times, firstly in 2004 and again 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. He also has a full complement of gold medals – winning Olympic gold in 2004 and the World Cup in 2010, along with a host of Champions Trophy gold medals and Commonwealth titles – but today's final will be extra special for the 35-year-old because among the 15,000 spectators will be two very special fans – his young son Julian and wife Leoni. "It means the world to me that my family are here to watch me play," said Dwyer.

Jamie himself played lots of sports during his childhood, excelling in both hockey and cricket. By the age of 15 he had to make a choice. He was offered a cricket scholarship which would have meant a move to Brisbane from his home in Queensland. And while he loved cricket, it was the Olympics that the young Dwyer dreamt of – an opportunity cricket could never have offered. Besides that he liked the game of hockey better because of the speed and energy involved.

After Jamie finished school at 17 he moved down to Brisbane to pursue his Olympic dream. He made the Queensland Blades hockey team and from there was selected into the Hockey AIS (Australian Institute of Sports) in Perth in 1999. He was selected for the national team in 2001, and has worn the number one jersey ever since.

In 2004 FIH put its official seal on Dwyer’s skill and bullish style of play, voting him Player of the Year. This was the first of five Player of the Year titles, he won the prestigious prize again in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 cementing his status as Australia’s best ever hockey product.

In a country that reveres its sports stars, Dwyer has largely remained under the radar. In fact, it is on the world stage, rather than in his home country that Jamie receives most recognition. It is not unusual for him to be stopped in the street in the Netherlands and asked for his autograph, and it is a similar situation in Spain and India - where Jamie starred in the Hockey India League, playing for the Punjab Warriors.

Jamie has learned a lot from playing overseas in the Netherlands, Spain and India. Over time he has learned to adapt to the different styles of hockey that are played throughout the world. The way the Dutch play is different to the Australians, and the Spanish play differently again. The willingness to adapt and learn has been integral to Jamie's success in the game, although the striker is the first to admit that adapting to different styles of play has not always been easy.

In a career spanning 13 years there have been many highlights. In 2004 Jamie’s childhood dream finally came true when he scored the winning goal in the gold medal match, securing the Kookaburras first ever Olympic Gold medal in men's hockey, beating the Netherlands in the final. In 2010 Dwyer completed his medal cabinet by winning the World Cup in India. But no matter what medals and glory have preceded today, winning gold in front of his family and on coach Ric Charlesworth's final World Cup appearance will probably top every previous moment of sporting glory the Australian has enjoyed.

At 35, Jamie is one of the old guard in the Kookaburra team, but with all the Australian side there is a buzz, energy and momentum that has fizzed through all their performances. Another veteran of the 2010 World Cup, Eddie Ockenden summed up the team's attitude: "This means everything to us," midfielder Eddie Ockenden, "It's why we train so much and work so hard together. To get the chance to win another World Cup. Finals don't come around that often. You're lucky if you can go to one. You're super lucky if you can get to another.

And for young Julian, if Dad gets to lift the Hockey World Cup in The Hague this afternoon, it will be a memory that will stay with him forever.

FIH site

Black Sticks Men looking to sink Spain


Stephen Jenness is ready for Spain.

The Black Sticks Men face off against Spain in the 7th/8th classification playoff at the Hockey World Cup at 6pm tonight (NZ time), live on SKY Sport 3.

The Black Sticks last played Spain at the World League Semi Final in Rotterdam last year, where the Kiwis won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Hugo Inglis.

We spoke to striker Stephen Jenness at training this week after the thrilling 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in the pool round.

“It was a good game and great experience so we’ve got a lot more confidence now and seventh sounds a lot better than eighth,” he said.

“Against Holland we linked and connected well so we’ll be hoping to do that again against Spain. They’re a team that feeds on emotion so we just need to stick to our own game.”

Meanwhile, the Black Sticks Women beat China 4-0 in last night’s 5th/6th playoff to wrap up their World Cup fifth overall.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Hockey must think out of the box to progress

Sean van Staden

Playing hockey might seem insignificant to some because, how can you regard someone who training and playing all day, actually working?

Why should players get paid, and why should sponsors place their hard earned business money into teams that are not guaranteed to win anything?

Why should a sport like hockey even get the recognition they think they deserve when they hardly even feature in the world rankings?

This is what you probably are thinking, but wait! Possibly this truth is further from reality than you think.

In the next five years I predict South African hockey, both men and women, will feature prominently on the world circuit.

Hockey can be considered a wounded race horse in South Africa. Our national men’s and woman’s hockey teams are ranked 12th and 11th out of 60 plus countries. This might seem pretty fantastic since Bafana Bafana with unlimited funds are ranked 65th in the world. The problem with hockey, which just so happens to be an Olympic sport, is not funded very well.

Sponsors like Investec, SuperSport and Mugg and Bean have come on board, but their pockets are limited in what Hockey SA actually needs to get to the top five rankings in the world, let alone compete at international level. Our national players are just not getting enough international experience so when the South African Hockey Association do find some sort of funds available to tour, they just don’t seem to feature very well.

The reason that South African rugby has moved from primarily a local game to an international Super Rugby tournament is precisely the reason to compete at a higher level against teams that are the cream of the international crop. And, of course, there’s the not so small matter of money.

This can only strengthen local structures and create a breeding ground for innovation in sport. Lower level teams naturally progress because they mimic what their heroes are doing. This is probably the product of a Darwinian accelerated evolutionary theory, Adapt or die.

The solution for SA hockey is to create an alliance with neighbouring countries and setting up their own international league.

Sponsors will flock for television coverage and you would probably find that the sponsor’s pockets are in fact deeper than originally thought and sponsors would get more bang for their buck. It’s a win win situation.

Another great innovation in hockey, which is in the pipeline, is the possibility of the start of an international Action Hockey League, similar to cricket’s T20. Fast paced, high energy and shorter times per game. This will hopefully attract bigger crowds, more exposure to the hockey, more money and develop a bigger fan base in the lead up to the next Olympic Games.

Ultimately hockey and every other sport in South Africa should stop looking to government like a beggar, and start thinking out of the box.

Look to innovate the sport, look to adding value for sponsors and when you get a sponsor, look after them, treat them like gold and not like a prostitute.

Don’t miss my column next week where I will be covering a truly great innovation in sport which Stellenbosch University are pioneering. This is why my prediction for hockey in South Africa can only go from strength to strength.

The Citizen

Legerton brace leads Oilmen’s drubbing

Nigel Simon

National forward Wayne Legerton scored a second-half double as defending champion Petrotrin flicked off the defence of its T&T Hockey Board Men’s Championship Division “Big-Four” crown with a 4-0 mauling of Queen’s Park Cricket Club at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua on Thursday. The Oilmen went ahead as early as the 11th minute when another national player Atiba Whittington scored for a 1-0 lead at the break. Legerton doubled the lead in the 45th and his international teammate Triston Grant added a third three minutes later. Legerton then sealed the deal in the 57th with his second goal, the team’s fourth.

A day earlier, Defence Force also started its campaign off in commanding fashion with a 4-1 whipping of newly crowned league champion Notre Dame. The second-half did not turn out to be the goalfest that was the first with Shaquielle Daniel’s 57th minute consolation item being the lone goal. Today, Defence Force tackles Queen’s Park from 4pm while Petrotrin comes up against Notre Dame at 8pm while tomorrow, Petrotrin plays Defence Force (3pm), and Notre Dame entertains Queen’s Park from 7 pm. On Wednesday, T&T forward Kristin Thompson scored a last gasp equaliser to earn reigning champion Paragon a 2-2 regualtion time draw before a 3-2 penalty-stroke shoot-out win over Notre Dame in their Women’s Championship Division “Big-Four” clash.

Thompson had earlier given Paragon an 11th minute lead only for Tamia Roach and Venessa Chewitt to hit back in the 14th and 27th minute for the Dames to lead until Thompson’s last minute equaliser, which was followed by a 3-2 win in the shootout. And on Thursday, Shandy Carib Magnolias also won via penalty-stroke shootout, 4-1 after a 1-1 draw with long-time rival Courts Malvern. Today, the Dames meet Magnolias from 2 pm and Malvern faces Paragon at 6 pm while tomorrow, Notre Dame lock horns with Malvern from 1 pm and Paragon meets Magnolias at 5 pm.

Results

Thursday
Men:
Petrotrin 4 (Wayne Legerton 45th, 57th, Atiba Whittington 11th, Triston Grant 48th) vs QPCC 0
Women:
Magnolias 1 (Stacey Siu Butt 30th) vs Malvern 1 (Krizia Layne 56th) - Magnolias won 4-1 on penalty-shoot-out

Wednesday
Men:
Defence Force 4 (Shane Legerton 9th, Nicholas Wren 17th, Marcus James 28th, Mac Allister Estrada 35th) vs Notre Dame 1 (Shaquielle Daniel 57th)
Women:
Paragon 2 (Kristin Thompson 11th, 70th) vs Notre Dame 2 (Tamia Roach 14th, Venessa Chewitt 27th) - Paragon won 3-2 on penalty-shoot-out

The Trinidad Guardian