News 03 September 2014
All the news for Wednesday 3 September 2014
HWL R1 Preview: Portugal plays host to Austria & Italy men
Road to Rio: Hockey World League R1 - Men - Lousada (POR)
Portugal (in red) made it through to Round 2 of the Hockey World League last time around. Can they do it again? (Photo: FIH / Marine Andrieux)
The men’s competition in Czech Republic got underway on Tuesday 2nd September, with Ukraine defeating Lithuania and Belarus overcoming the challenge from Slovakia. You can find more details on that tournament by clicking here.
In this Hockey World League Round 1 preview we head to Lousada, Portugal where the national men’s teams of Austria, Italy and the host nation will clash between 12-14 September. The event winner will be guaranteed a place in the second phase of the competition, keeping hopes of competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games very much alive.
Sitting 21st in the FIH World Rankings, Austria are the regarded by many as the tournament favourites in Lousada. They reached Round 2 of the inaugural Hockey World League and will be looking to go even further this time around. In 2013, Austria’s capital Vienna played host to the EuroHockey Championship II, with the host nation finishing in third place behind Russia and France. The Bronze medal was a fine achievement but sadly not enough for Austria to gain promotion to the top level Championship I. Michael Körper is one of Austria’s most recognisable faces thanks to his goalscoring exploits with Germany’s Harvestehuder THC, helping them to win the Euro Hockey League earlier this year.
Like Austria, 29th ranked Italy also competed in the EuroHockey Championship II competition in Vienna, but four losses in five matches resulted in their relegation into the third tier of European nations hockey. That being said, they did not give Austria an easy time of it when the two nations met in that particular tournament, with the host nation emerging narrow 2-1 winners. This is the second time that Italy have travelled to Lousada for the Hockey World League following their involvement in the Round 1 event that Portugal hosted in September 2012.
Portugal will be aiming to make the most of the home advantage and upset the FIH World Rankings table. The home favourites are ranked 44th, 15 places lower than Italy and 23 below Austria. The team gave a good account of themselves at last year’s EuroHockey Championship III event, being edged out of the Bronze medal by Belarus who claimed a dramatic 7-6 victory. It is clear that Portugal have plenty of goals in them, and if the defence can hold firm then they might just be capable of shocking their higher-ranked European rivals, something that they have done before. At the 2012 HWL R1 event in Lousada, Portugal finished in second place ahead of Morocco, Gibraltar and Italy. It proved to be enough to land the Portuguese a berth in the second phase. Will history repeat itself?
You can keep track of the results from Lousada on the official tournament microsite, with FIH.CH bringing a full summary of the action upon the completion of the event.
The second edition of the Hockey World League got underway earlier this year, with the women’s teams of Malaysia and Belarus emerging triumphant at respective Round 1 events in Singapore and Lithuania before Russia men stormed to victory in Croatia in July.
The September return sees no fewer than nine different Round 1 tournaments taking place over 13 action-packed days, with Czech Republic, Kenya, Bangladesh, Oman and Mexico playing host to the various men’s and women’s events. The remaining Round 1 competitions will be played in Jamaica (30 September - 5 October 2014) and Fiji (6-13 December 2014), both of which will feature men’s and women’s tournaments.
The winning team at each event is guaranteed a place in Round 2 of the Hockey World League, where they will be joined by a number of the highest-placed finishers from the Round 1 tournaments. Round 2 will also see the introduction of the teams placed from 12 to 19 in the FIH World Rankings with the sides ranked 1 to 11 starting their journey in Round 3, where tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as qualification for the Finals tournament are up for grabs.
FIH site
Kenya face Tanzania test in World League opener
By Elizabeth Mburugu
Kenya hockey team training at the City Park Stadium ahead of the World League tournament starting on Friday at the same venue. [PHOTO: JENNIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]
Kenyan men will start their Hockey World League campaign on Friday against neighbours Tanzanzia at City Park Stadium.
The tournament, which marks the beginning of the road to the 2016 Rio Olympics, will see four men and three women’s teams battle it out for the two spots up for grabs for either gender.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) released the fixtures yesterday.
Godfrey Bila, the men’s national team manager, told Feverpitch that their opening match is a must win, though they can’t write off Tanzania, whom he said are equally good.
“We must win all our matches and a victory in our first encounter will help us inch closer to achieving our objective of clinching the single slot from the pool. We will take the match seriously as we can’t write of our neighbours because they are equal to the task,” he said.
Hosts Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania will field men and women’s teams while Egypt has sent men’s team. Tanzanian ladies play the opening match of the tournament against Ghana.
The Kenyan girls will be seeking revenge as they take on Ghana on day two of the tournament. Egypt, who won in the first edition of FIH World League, will play against Ghana also on Friday. On Sunday Kenyan girls will then take on Tanzania on their last round Robin match where, according to captain Betsy Omala, victory in every match counts.
“Victory is very crucial. We cant afford to lose a single match, which will leave us with any doubts of sailing through,” said Omala.
The Kenyan men will tackle Ghana Saturday and finish their campaign with arch-rivals Egypt on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Tanzanian teams arrived in the country on Monday evening and had their first training session yesterday. The teams arrived early enough to acclimatise and also train on the astro turf pitch a facility they lack in their country.
The Standard Online
Ritu Rani Named Captain of Asian Games-Bound Hockey Squad
NEW DELHI: Midfielder Ritu Rani will lead a 16-member Indian women's hockey team in the upcoming Asian Games, aiming to do better than the fifth place finish it managed in the recent Commonwealth Games.
The team for the September 19 to October 4 Games in Incheon, South Korea was selected by a panel comprising B P Govinda, Harbinder Singh and Surinder Kaur along with Director High Performance Roelant Oltmans and chief coach Neil Hawgood.
Speaking ahead of the important tournament, Hawgood said, "The team has been practicing thoroughly all this while and are in their best form currently. The girls are in uplifted spirits and we expect a really high level of game from them. The women are looking forward to a tough fight against all the teams and are aiming for a top finish in the pool matches."
The squad was picked on the basis of their performance in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games and selection trials conducted at NIS in Patiala on August 10. The team, led by captain Ritu (184 caps) will feature midfielder Amandeep Kaur (9 caps) and defender Monika (12 caps) among other young players. Defender Deepika (131 caps) will be the vice-captain of the team.
Riding high on the clean sweep victory over Malaysia, the Indian eves will be seen taking on Thailand in their first match of the tournament on September 22. The next clashes on the cards for the Indian women are against China on September 24 and Malaysia on September 26.
The team is currently practicing at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here and scheduled to depart for Incheon, South Korea, on September 13.
The Team:
Goalkeeper: Savita (84 Caps)
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (62 Caps), Deepika (131 Caps), Sunita Lakra (30 Caps), Namita Toppo (51 Caps), Jaspreet Kaur (62 Caps), Sushila Chanu (76 caps), Monika (12 Caps).
Midfielders: Ritu Rani (184 Caps), Lilima Minz (33 Caps), Amandeep Kaur, Chanchan Devi Thokchom (105 caps).
Forwards: Rani (116 Caps), Poonam Rani (118 caps), Vandana Katariya (104 Caps), Navjot Kaur (27 Caps).
New Indian Express
15 hockey players report for final phase of Pakistan camp
ISLAMABAD - As many as 15 players finally reported to head coach Shahnaz Sheikh for the fourth and final phase of the hockey camp set to start from today (Wednesday) here at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium.
Talking to The Nation on Tuesday, Shahnaz confirmed: “Fifteen players have reported and were trained for almost two hours. The remaining players are likely to report by late Tuesday night. The camp was scheduled to start on August 31 but due to political unrest and roads closure, despite buying tickets, the players remained unable to reach here.”
“This is the last chance for the players to train before departure to Korea to defend their Asian Games Hockey gold. It is great set back as all our three months’ efforts and training were badly hampered due to last 15 days crisis. We didn't get even single day training during our stay in Lahore. Our preparations for the mega event are satisfactory, but I must confess that the players are well short of competitive match practice. I will try to provide all the players a chance to practice during the warm-up matches against Army, Navy and Combined XI. Although it will not be of the same level, which we have to face during the Asian Games, yet at least it will be better than nothing,” he added.
“I along with other supporting staff worked tirelessly during the last three months and tried to rectify all the errors of the players and tried to remove their major and minor flaws. Now it depends how they execute during the competitive matches as if they play according to what they have been guided, I am quite confident they will successfully defend their title, but I don't care about winning or losing as long as my players put whole-hearted efforts. If they play like champions and face close defeats, I will not mind that, as it will be a great result for me, but if they don't play well, then it will be a matter of grave concern,” he said.
“I still believe they are a combined unit and can produce more than desired results, even though they have not played in a major or minor international event for the last 11 months,” Shahnaz concluded.
The Nation
Danny Kerry appointed England & GB Head Coach
Danny Kerry Head Coach CWG 2014
Danny Kerry has been appointed as Head Coach for the England and Great Britain Women’s Hockey programme through to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016.
The decision comes following an international search involving discussions with both domestic and overseas candidates. Kerry was previously Head Coach of the programme that culminated in the team’s first Olympic medal in 20 years at the London 2012 Games. He was appointed as interim Head Coach earlier this year following the departure of Jason Lee in June, and led the England Women’s team to a silver medal at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Kerry currently holds the position of Performance Director for England and Great Britain Hockey, and will continue to oversee the performance directorate while working as Head Coach.
Sally Munday, England Hockey Chief Executive said: “Recruiting in the middle of an Olympic cycle is notoriously challenging given that most coaches are in contracts with long notice periods. We have spoken and interviewed a number of coaches about this role but with the Olympic qualifying tournament just nine months away we do not feel we have time to wait and as such have decided to extend Danny’s interim position through to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016.
“Danny is an outstanding coach, has proven medal success at the Olympic Games and he knows what it will take to get the team on the podium in Rio. We have an excellent management team working with this talented group of committed athletes, and we are confident that under Danny’s leadership they can achieve medal success in Rio.
“Danny has been doing an excellent job as Performance Director since being appointed after London 2012 and we will be providing additional support to allow him to maintain the strategic leadership role in Performance. We will advertise the Head Coach position for the Tokyo cycle before the 2016 Rio Games, so Danny can return full time to his Performance Director position immediately, once a new coach is appointed.”
Danny Kerry said: “I’m highly motivated about the challenge ahead, and I believe that with our athletes, staff and programme, we can continue to challenge the best in the World. At the same time, I’m confident of the processes and structure that we’ve put around my role as Performance Director, that I will still be able to maintain the strategic oversight needed to give effective direction to performance hockey in Great Britain.
“I look forward to working with this talented group of players and staff, to push hard for further medals at major tournaments, secure qualification for the Rio Olympic Games and to perform as serious contenders in Rio. As part of that journey I also aim to leave the programme in a flourishing state for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle.”
The Great Britain women’s hockey squad returns to full time training this week following a short break after competing for their home nations at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Whilst the England team will compete in the Champions Trophy (top 8 teams in the World) in Argentina this November, the Great Britain team will have their next world ranking event at the World League Olympic qualifier in Spain in June 2015.
England Hockey Board Media release
Danny Kerry reappointed by England Hockey as head women's coach up until Rio 2016 Olympics
Former coach returns to lead England women's hockey team up until Rio Olympics
By Rod Gilmour
Back in the picture: Dann Kerry has been re-appointed as England women's coach Photo: PAUL GROVER
Danny Kerry, the current performance director, has been appointed England women's head coach for a second time following his successful stint as interim coach where he guided Kate Richardson-Walsh’s side to silver at the Commonwealth Games.
Kerry previously oversaw the women’s side from 2004 until London 2012 - the most successful period in the team’s history, culminating in Olympic bronze - before taking over from Jason Lee, who left by mutual consent after a lacklustre World Cup in the summer.
Kerry will take the women's side forward until Rio 2016 when England Hockey will advertise for a new coach ahead of the Tokyo Olympic cycle.
Sally Munday, England Hockey's chief executive, said: “Recruiting in the middle of an Olympic cycle is notoriously challenging given that most coaches are in contracts with long notice periods.
"We have spoken and interviewed a number of coaches about this role but with the Olympic qualifying tournament just nine months away we do not feel we have time to wait and as such have decided to extend Danny’s interim position through to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016."
England women were generally seen to be in a healthy position prior to the World Cup before their inadequacies unravelled in the Hague as they finished 11th.
Lee, the former men’s coach, left the England set-up soon after, leaving the women's side in limbo mid-Olympic cycle. Kerry, though, was the obvious choice to take over on an interim basis for the London Investec Cup, Glasgow 2014 and now the two-year period leading up to Rio.
Under Kerry, England won the Investec Cup and narrowly avoided an early group stage exit before performing heroically to reach the Commonwealth Games final against Australia. They then came within 11 seconds of gold before Australia scored from a late penalty corner and won the shoot-out.
Kerry said: “I’m highly motivated about the challenge ahead, and I believe that with our athletes, staff and programme, we can continue to challenge the best in the World. At the same time, I’m confident of the processes and structure that we’ve put around my role as Performance Director, that I will still be able to maintain the strategic oversight needed to give effective direction to performance hockey in Great Britain.
“I look forward to working with this talented group of players and staff, to push hard for further medals at major tournaments, secure qualification for the Rio Olympic Games and to perform as serious contenders in Rio. As part of that journey I also aim to leave the programme in a flourishing state for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle.”
England Hockey confirmed that Kerry would receive additional support in his current role as performance director, a position he began in 2013.
Kerry's first assignment will come at the eight-team Champions Trophy in November when England compete in Argentina. The Olympic qualifiers will take place in June next year in Spain.
The Telegraph
Griffiths passes with honours
By Graham Wilson
CHRIS GRIFFITHS has made the grade in more ways than one.
This week the Loughborough student collected his sports science degree and celebrated his 24th birthday as well as a switch to East Grinstead. Oh, and to add to all that, he enjoyed his first official training session in England’s centralised programme.
As he says: “It’s a dream of a year.”
Griffiths, “gung-ho” with training to break into the England ranks at indoor level, along with Beeston’s top scorer Sam Ward and Harry Gibson of Hampstead.
“It will be great playing for EG with their big players and in Europe,” he said.
“My short –term aim is to make the England squad for the Champions Trophy in Delhi later in the year. Obviously, Rio is the dream goal.”
Former England captain Glenn Kirkham, who has handed over the East Grinstead skipper’s job to Niall Stott, said: “Chris made a massive step up at Loughborough last year.”
Daily Express
First half, second half and better half
Adit Ganguly
Action from the match between Central Secretariat and Rhema Sports at MHAL, Churchgate on Tuesday Salman Ansari DNA
Whenever Rhema Sports' captain Lakshman Rao takes field, his wife former India goalie Helen Mary follows his moves from the stands
It was the role of the Indian Navy midfield to keep a close eye on Lakshman Rao, midfielder and captain of Rhema Sports, during their Hockey Super League tie at MHAL, Churchgate on Tuesday. However, there was a lady sitting in the stands who also followed his every move.
The lady, apart from being an avid hockey fan, happens to be former India goalkeeper Helen Mary, who represented the country during the 1990s and 2000s. And she was interested in Rao's moves on the field because she is his wife.
The duo were childhood friends in Bangalore and it was their love for the game that brought them together.
"I started playing hockey at a young age and by the time I was 15, I was playing for India. I have played with boys and that's how I met Lakshman," says Mary.
Rao says, "No one knows my game better than her. She is my biggest critic, she tells me where I went right and the mistakes I made during the match."
He might have a lot of criticism coming his way as his team went down 1-3 to Indian Navy on Tuesday.
Mary spent much time during her days as a player participating in tournaments around the world and now makes it a point to watch her husband play as much as she can.
"He's seen my matches throughout the years when I represented the country on the television, now it's my turn," said Mary, who retired from the game in 2011.
Married for 10 years, the couple shifted base to Mumbai eight years back in 2006 due to Mary's hockey career.
Mary is still in touch with the game and coaches the junior girl's national team and Central Railway. The 37-year-old will head to Bhopal during the end of the month for training camp of the girls team. Hockey seems to be running in the family as their seven-old-son Gavin is part of the hockey side for Don Bosco (Matunga).
Rao, who represented Karnataka, believes that his wife is a better player among the two.
"There was never ego issues between us or there being even a debate on who is the better player. That was never there. Her game made all the right noises and allowed me to grow as a player. This also gave me a chance to experience the game in Mumbai and there has been no looking back," said Rao.
Stopwatch: Central Secretariat 3 (S Ajmani, J Jadhav, A D'Souza) bt Rhema Sports 1 (Hansraj)
DNA