News 23 June 2014
All the news for Monday 23 June 2014
Malaysia seal semis spot with another whooping win
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia sealed a place in the semi-finals when they beat hosts Singapore 10-0 in the World League Round One hockey meet at the Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre in Singapore.
Malaysia, who whipped Sri Lanka 14-0 on Saturday, have a two-day rest before they feature in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The final is slated on Thursday.
In Sunday’s Group A match, Fazillah Silin was the toast for Malaysia with a hat-trick in the 56th, 61st and 67th minutes.
Nor Hasliza Mohd Ali (41st, 69th), Nuraini Abdul Rashid (5th), Juliani Mohd Din (18th), Norbaini Hashim (21st), Adawiyah Mohamed (40th) and Azlin Sumantri (58th) delivered the other goals.
National coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli was more than satisfied with girls’ performance.
The forwards played to their true form by scoring seven field goals. I am impressed as we have now scored a total of 24 goals (14 field goals and 10 penalty corners) in two matches,” said Nasihin.
The defence also did well by not conceding any goals thus far.”
In Group B, Kazakhstan also booked their place in the last four by registering their second consecutive win.
The former Russian state, who defeated Thailand 2-0 on Saturday, thrashed Hong Kong 9-0 on Sunday. They wrap up their fixtures against winless Myanmar on Monday.
The Star of Malaysia
Kazakhs down Myanmar to make semis
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Kazakhstan defeated Myanmar 2-0 in a Group B match to qualify for the semi-finals of the World League Round One hockey championship at the Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre in Singapore.
The former Russian state will face hosts Singapore in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
Thailand, who defeated Hong Kong 3-0 yesterday, finished runners-up in the group and will face Malaysia in the other semi-final.
Malaysia are the favourites to reach the final, having beaten Thailand 6-0 in the Myanmar SEA Games last year. In their matches earlier in Group A, Malaysia whipped Sri Lanka 14-0 and Singapore 10-0.
“All the players are in high spirits and we will go for another big win against the Thais,” said national coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli Nasihin.
The Star of Malaysia
Scotland women hold Ireland to a draw
Nikki Kidd celebrating her goal taken by Ian Buchan
In the final game of the series Ireland pushed Scotland to a 1-1 draw in another faced paced match.
Ireland came out strong and over powered Scotland in the first half, with Scotland’s first real chance on goal coming after 30 minutes. Ali Bell put the ball across the goal with Nikki Lloyd being unfortunate not to get a touch to finish.
Ireland dominated the first half and were unlucky to score before half time with O Flanagan taking a straight strike in a penalty corner but just went wide of the goal.
Scotland started the second half eager to perform better, having a penalty corner within a few minutes in of play and attacked strongly. It was end to end play with Ireland pushing the Scottish defence but with ten minutes left Scotland stepped up the pace with a Sarah Robertson goal being disallowed as the whistle was blown earlier for dangerous player in the D.
Both sides kept pushing for a goal before the final whistle with a penalty corner for Scotland seeing Nikki Kidd drag flick the ball to the right of the keeper to give Scotland the lead.
Last action of the game saw a penalty corner to Ireland with Emily Beatty converting a well-deserved goal for Ireland to draw the game 1-1.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Ireland 1-1 Scotland (w) Match 2 in Glasgow
Ireland played Scotland in the final of a 2 test series taking place over the weekend in Glasgow where two goals in the last 3 minutes of play saw the sides close out 1 a piece after an end to end fast paced match.
Commenting after the match coach Darren Smith said "The match was very competitive and tightly contested. We were able to create some opportunities but the quality of our play in the attacking end meant that we could not find the finishing touch"
"Scotland look far advanced in their preparations for the Commonwealth Games and they will go into that series with a lot of confidence. They are fit and playing good hockey. Coming off some down time from from our program our progress was okay but we did lack in our finishing touches over the two matches. We will head to Italy on Wednesday to a team that if it wasn't for continental qualification would have played in the World Cup in The Hague last weekend."
"Playing them (Italy) in two tests and having a match against another Commonwealth Games Team against Wales in Italy will keep us building toward 2015."
Ireland 1 (0) Emily Beatty PC, 70m
Scotland 1 (0) Nikki Kidd PC, 67m
Upcoming Matches - 3 Nations: Ireland; Italy; Wales (Mori, Italy)
June 26th Ireland v Italy 17.30
June 27th Ireland v Wales 17.30
+ 1 Test June 29th Ireland v Italy 15.00
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland head to Italy for 3 Nations
Ireland will compete in Mori, Italy traveling out this Wednesday for a 3 Nations. Ireland are continuing to build up towards 2015 with an intense schedule having just competed last weekend in two tests against Wales.
Upcoming Matches - 3 Nations: Ireland; Italy; Wales (Mori, Italy)
June 26th Ireland v Italy 17.30
June 27th Ireland v Wales 17.30
+ 1 Test June 29th Ireland v Italy 15.00
3 Nations Ireland, Italy, Wales 25-29 June 2014
Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute)
Aine Connery (Hermes)
Nicci Daly (Holcombe / Loreto)
Kate Dillon (Railway Union)
Deirdre Duke (UCD)
Nikki Evans (UCD)
Megan Frazer – Captain (Holcombe HC / Ballymoney)
Emma Gray (GK) (Hermes)
Hannah Matthews (Loreto)
Stella Davis (GK) (Pembroke Wanderers)
Ali Meeke (Loreto)
Yvonne O'Byrne (Cork Harlequins)
Anna O'Flanagan (UCD)
Audrey O'Flynn (Hermes)
Gillian Pinder (UCD)
Cliodhna Sargent - Vice Captain (Cork Harlequins)
Emma Smyth (Railway Union)
Alex Speers (Railway Union)
Vanessa Surgeoner (Pegasus)
Chloe Watkins (Club De Campo / UCD)
Irish Hockey Association media release
Scotland youth shine against Ulster
The future of Scottish hockey looks like it is in safe hands with only one loss against Ulster between the U18 boys and girls teams over the weekend.
The U18 girls put in strong performances over the weekend, starting the weekend with a 3-0 win goals from Drew Berry and Lucy Ramsay in the first half. Great interceptions made from the young Scots pressuring the Ulster defence which lead to a third goal from Chloe Hardie in the second half to finish the day with a solid win.
Saturday saw Ulster bounce back whilst Scotland experimented with different combinations, drawing 1-1. A strong performance from the Scottish defence, defending 10 penalty corners but no goals. The scots lone goal from coming from Morven Duff.
The last game of the weekend saw Scotland lose 2-0 with Ulster taking the lead early on in the first half. Scotland came back in the second half and were unlucky not to convert any goals.
The U18 boys didn’t lose any matches over the weekend with two wins and a goalless draw against Ulster.
First game saw the boys take the lead 2-0 early on but were pressed by Ulster who came back into the game but Scotland edged the win 3-2. Saturday saw the boys draw 0-0 followed by a spectacular 5-0 win to finish the weekend on a high.
U18 boys at the end of a successful tournament againt Ulster
Irish Hockey Association media release
Green and gold in Glasgow
Australian athletes put on the green and gold for the Commonwealth Games
Photo credit: Rob Lindblade
A selection of Australia’s best athletes celebrated one-month to go to the Commonwealth Games by getting their first taste of the uniform they will wear in competition in Glasgow.
Designed by Diadora, who make their debut as a sponsor and supplier of Australia’s Commonwealth Games team, the competition, training, medal presentation and village wear comprises performance based ‘Diadry’ fabrics and designs that will cater for the varying conditions the athletes can expect in Scotland.
Diadora will provide more than 178 individual styles within over 46,000 total uniform items for the expected 417 strong Australian team across 18 sports, in addition to outfitting the additional team officials and support staff that will take the team to close to 600.
The outfit includes a complete range of sport specific uniform components with everything from track and field shorts, tights, singlets and bodysuits to home and away versions of the hockey and netball competition outfits. Wet weather gear crucial for the Scottish summer are included in the team kit, as is striking bright green performance footwear for every athlete.
In addition a team supporters range is now on sale in Diadora’s newly opened flagship store at DFO South Wharf, as well as online via www.diadora.com.au from today.
Australia’s fastest woman, Melissa Breen joined a cast of Australian Commonwealth Games athletes who all celebrated ‘one month to go’ at the launch.
Breen was brimming with enthusiasm, saying, “It’s really exciting to make my sixth senior team this year and to come out in Glasgow wearing an amazing uniform – it’s something I’m proud to do.”
“It’s been the first year I’ve got myself named in the team, no pressure and no chasing, so I’ve had the greatest prep. I head overseas next weekend and I can’t wait to get out there and start racing, and bring a big performance out in Glasgow,” Breen said.
The Canberra based sprinter said her goal was to go one step further than 2010 where she made the semi-final.
“That’s the goal, get to that final in Glasgow. I missed Delhi by a few spots. I know I’m a better athlete now, I’m more mature. I was a kid when I went to Delhi, so I’m really excited to get the opportunity. Hopefully the best athletes from the Commonwealth will turn up and it’ll be a really fast final.”
Australian Diamond and Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Renae Hallinan said actually donning the uniform makes the whole thing feel very real.
“It’s been a very exciting process. If you’re looking good and feeling good then that’s what is going to make us get that gold medal. It’s very comfortable, looks great and the entire Australian team are going to look very swish,” Hallinan said.
The Australian netball team will look to avenge the defeat at the hands of the New Zealand team in double extra time in Delhi four years ago.
“We haven’t had a gold medal in 12 years, so we’ve been working very, very hard and we’re very, very passionate about going over there and putting out our best performance and bringing that gold medal home,” Hallinan said.
Team chef de mission and former Commonwealth Games marathon champion Steve Moneghetti is something of an expert on Australian team uniforms, having competed for Australia on 28 occasions, including four Commonwealth Games.
“Fit and function are always at the top of athletes’ minds, but how it looks is also crucial,” Moneghetti said.
“Personally, I always love it when Australia’s uniforms are green and gold, but I also love the touch of blue as a reminder of our flag.”
“It’s eye-catching and our athletes will be proud to wear this uniform into competition, which is always the ultimate test,” Moneghetti added.
Bill Tyson, managing director of Diadora Australia, said the opportunity to outfit an Australian team at the Commonwealth Games was an honour for the company.
“This is Diadora’s first sponsorship of the Commonwealth Games team and we are extremely proud to be outfitting our country’s finest athletes on the elite stage,” Tyson said.
“We were always confident that our performance apparel will meet the requirements of Australia’s best athletes, as performance is at the heart of the Diadora ethos, but at the top of our mind was providing competition uniforms that our Australian athletes are proud to wear – and we feel we have achieved that goal.“
“Mona has mentioned the touch of blue, but for us it has a dual meaning given Diadora’s Italian heritage, which is something we are very proud of.”
Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive officer Perry Crosswhite said it was exciting to see the new partnership become a reality.
“Congratulations to Diadora on the effort and energy they have put into outfitting the team and their support of Australia’s athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”
“We are also delighted that a team supporters range will be available, it looks fantastic and I’m sure we will see many Australian sports fans in the stands in Glasgow wearing the supporter’s kit,” Crosswhite said.
The 20th edition of the Commonwealth Games marks the third time the Games have been staged in Scotland. Edinburgh previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 Games.
The Games begin on Wednesday 23 July and continue to Sunday 3 August 2014.
Source credit: Commonwealth Games Australia
Hockey Australia media release
Hockey superstar Dwyer may quit post-Games
Joe Barton and Ian McCullough
The Commonwealth Games loom as a watershed for Australian hockey and the mighty world champion men's team.
The Kookaburras will be at very short odds to maintain their perfect Games record with a fourth gold medal and the resurgent Hockeyroos will be favoured for a third women's gold.
But the campaign could have a bittersweet feel.
Supercoach Ric Charlesworth won't be there, having surprised by bringing forward his planned post-Games retirement in the wake of the stunning World Cup triumph, where the Kookaburras trounced hosts the Netherlands 6-1 in the final to retain the title.
And Jamie Dwyer, surely the greatest player in Australian hockey history, admits he could be playing the last tournament of his career.
The 35-year-old Queenslander - a five-time world player of the year - is poised to pass former midfielder Jay Stacy's record of 321 appearances for Australia in his first match in Glasgow.
But he faces some soul searching when he gets home.
"I want to go to Glasgow and win the Commonwealth Games gold medal," said Dwyer.
"But whether I keep playing (thereafter) or not, I'm not too sure."
Three-time Olympian Dwyer has been an integral part of the side since making his debut in 2001, and famously scored the winning goal to seal the team's first Olympic gold medal in Athens in 2004.
But with a young family and several business interests, there is plenty for the superstar forward to consider.
"I'll play there and then I'm going to have a few months off and have a serious think about what I want," he said.
"You can't do this half-committed.
"It's been a very tough six months for me personally."
If Dwyer does walk away it would leave a gaping hole for Australian hockey, coupled with the retirement of Charlesworth, who guided two Olympic gold-medal campaigns with the women's team before taking the men to back to back World Cup glory.
Despite his glittering resume - Olympic gold and two World Cups, six Champions Trophy titles and three Commonwealth golds - Dwyer said passing Stacy's record would be a particularly satisfying achievement.
"Jay Stacy was a role model of mine. I loved him. I loved watching him play," Dwyer said.
"I had posters of him up on my room back in Rockhampton.
"When I was growing up I was just hoping to play one game for Australia.
"After I played one, all I wanted to do was go to an Olympic games. And now, 321 games later, four World Cups, three Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games.
"I'm a very happy man that's for sure."
The Hockeyroos have risen to No.2 in the world under coach Adam Commens following a great World Cup campaign where they took the silver medal behind the dominant Dutch team.
The Dutch won't be in Glasgow but they will face tough competition from England and New Zealand.
Nine MSN
Arminen back in the EHL as Austrian champs
Image: Manfred Eitenberger / SV Arminen
SV Arminen took home the Austrian men’s Raiffeisen Final Four title yesterday as they retained their crown via a 4-1 win against NAVAX AHTC in the final, qualifying for the 2014/15 Euro Hockey League into the process.
Patrick Schmidt gave them a seventh minute lead before Dominik Monghy equalised with a superb goal to make the final level at half-time.
But Arminen stormed clear in the second half, a crash ball taking a NAVAX stick in the 44th minute for a fortuitous own goal.
Michael Minar’s penalty corner rebound made it 3-1 and, in the final two minutes, Daniel Fröhlich’s masterful backhand found the top corner to close out the win.
Arminen’s player coach Dariusz Rachwalski said of the win: "I am very happy for my guys, we really have played some good hockey.
“The strongest muscle in the body is the heart and we wanted to have the biggest heart in the competition.Respect for NAVAX AHTC; the two best teams in Austria were in the final butwe look forward to the EHL and will work hard for it. "
Arminen’s Sebastian Eitenberger was named player of the tournament while Schmidt was the season’s top scorer with 18 goals.
Euro Hockey League media release