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News 21 September 2014

All the news for Sunday 21 September 2014


Asian Games Results Day 2

Malaysia 5 Bangladesh 1
Pakistan 2 China 0
India 8 Sri Lanka 0
Korea 12 Singapore 0

17th Asian Games, Incheon 2014 Official site



Pakistan beat China 2-0 in Asiad Hockey

INCHEON: After hammering Sri Lanka 14-0 in the first game, Pakistan's hockey team outclassed the Chinese eleven by 2-0 on Sunday, moving one step closer towards claiming gold.

In upcoming games, Pakistan will be facing a stiff challenge from hosts South Korea, arch-rival India, and Malaysia in their bid to retain the title they won at Guangzhou (China) four years ago.

Pakistan will be playing their showpiece encounter against India on September 25 which is expected to decide the fate of the Group “A” standing.

Pakistan is drawn in pool “A” along with India, China, Sri Lanka and Oman while pool “B” consists of Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore.

The Greenshirts will play Oman in their last pool game on September 27.

Forty two nations are participating in the 17th edition of Asia’s biggest sports battle for supremacy.

Dawn



Big wins for Pakistan, Malaysia

S. Thyagarajan

It was a stroll in the park for Pakistan, Malaysia and Japan on day one of the men’s hockey competition at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium here. The goal margins clearly projected the gap that exists between the top teams and the rest in the region.

While Malaysia, struggling to rewrite its image on the Asian scene, salvaged a comfortable victory over Singapore after some initial hiccups, Japan demolished Bangladesh’s resistance to give the event a great start.

Coach Kang, a former Korean International, wore a satisfied look at the post media conference over the way his strategy worked. The Bangladesh coach, Naved Alam, faced a volley of questions over the result. He was at pains to explain the rating difference between Japan and Bangladesh but promised an improved showing in the next fixture.

Kenta Tanaka was the outstanding shooter for Japan.

Malaysia’s splendid opening result of 8-2 did not satisfy the interim coach, Arul Selvaraj. He was unwilling to go overboard on the result while acknowledging the confidence the outcome generated. He spoke about some weaknesses which needed to be ironed out before important matches this week.

Back onto the field of international competition after the failure to qualify for the World Cup and missing the Commonwealth Games owing to certain domestic issues that were purely administrative, Pakistan overwhelmed Sri Lanka. The margin of victory was huge, but missed the Games record (17-0 recorded by Pakistan against Thailand in the 1978 Asian Games at Bangkok).

The results: Men: Pool A: Japan 8 (Hiraki Sakamoto 2, Kenta Tanaka 3, Tomanori Ono, Katsuyoshi Nagasawa 2) bt Bangladesh 0; Malaysia 8 (Muhammad Razie 3, Fitri Saari, Firhan Ashari, Muhammad Mutlib, Tajuddin Muhammad, Abdulla Nibli) bt Singapore 2 (Latif Marican, Noor Shah); Pakistan 14 (Muhammad Imran 4, Muhammad Ifran 2, Muhammad Waqas, Umar Bhutta 3, Tausiq, Rizwan (sr) 3) bt Sri Lanka 0.

Pool B: China 5 (Du Chen 2, Sun Tianjun, Ao Yang, Zhang Zhixuan) bt Oman 0.

Sunday’s matches: Malaysia vs Bangladesh (9.30 a.m. IST); Pakistan vs China (11.30 a.m.); India vs Sri Lanka (1.30 p.m.); Korea vs Singapore (3.30 p.m.).

The Hindu



Pakistan hammer Sri Lanka 14-0 in Asian Games opener


Muhammad Umar Bhutta (center) was on the three Pakistan players who scored a hattrick in Pakistan dominating display. -Photo by AFP

Three players scored hattricks as Pakistan began their Asian Games title defence with a 14-0 rout of Sri Lanka at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium in Incheon, South Korea, on Saturday.

Captain Muhammad Imran, who has been a rock in defense for the 'Greenshirts', netted four through penalty corners, while Muhammad Umar Bhutta and Muhammad Rizwan Sr scored three field goals each in a dominating performance by Pakistan.

Also read: Asian Games: Rusty Pakistan confident of hockey gold

Muhammad Irfan (2), Muhammad Waqas (1) and Muhammad Tousiq (1) were the other scorers in a goal spree which began in the very first minute of the match against minnows Sri Lanka.

In their next game, Pakistan will take on China on September 21 before the potentially cracking clash against India on September 25. The Greenshirts will take on Oman in their last pool game on September 27.

Dawn



Hat-tricks galore as Pakistan bludgeon Sri Lanka 14-0


Incheon: Pakistan’s Mohammad Imran (second R) chases Dinesh Maduranga Don Abraham (R) of Sri Lanka during their match at the Asian Games on Saturday.—AFP

INCHEON (South Korea): Full-back Mohammad Imran and forwards Mohammad Rizwan Sr and Umar Bhutta slammed hat-tricks as Pakistan thrashed Sri Lanka 14-0 in the XVII Asian Games Hockey opener here on Saturday.

Defending champions Pakistan — looking to retain their Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 title in order to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics — looked in great touch as they slammed regular goals against minnows Lankans at the Seonak Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.

Imran blasted four goals by converting penalty corners while Rizwan and Umar shared six field goals. Forward Imran scored a brace while Mohammad Waqas, Mohammad Tousiq Jr scored one goal apiece to complete the tally.

Pakistan were leading 4-0 after the first quarter and added five more goals in the second period to make it 9-0 at the 10 minute mid-break. Sri Lanka then conceded five goals in the last 30 minutes to make 1t 14-0 for Pakistan.

The Sri Lankan team, featuring in the Asian Games hockey after 30 years, looked completely at sea as Pakistan gained a 2-0 in the first two minutes. Waqas put Pakistan in front with a brilliant reverse sweep in the first minute before the Sri Lanka goalkeeper and captain Thusith Darshana had even settled under the bars. As if that was not enough, Imran scooped in the first penalty corner at the top of cage in the very second minute to make it 2-0 for the Greenshirts.

As compared to Pakistan’s 14 penalty corners, Sri Lanka could secure only two in the fourth and last quarter. But Pakistani custodian Imran Butt thwarted the attempts.

Later, Pakistan head coach Shahnaz Sheikh said he was happy with the outcome of the first match and added that the players will Inshallah get better as the event progresses.

“We started brilliantly with two goals in the opening two minutes and that put Sri Lankan under great deal of pressure,” he told reporters in the post-match press conference. “We scored seven goals through penalty corners and as many through field efforts. It was a good combined effort by the team,” the former Olympian said.

He dispelled the impression that Olympians Shakeel Abbasi and Abdul Haseem Khan looked off colour in the match. “They played their part by giving regular passes but it is not possible that everyone scores in the match,” he said.

Shahnaz admitted that a good win against China on Sunday will do lot of good for the team’s morale. “The Chinese play tough hockey with a great deal of dedication they are a super-fit squad, soit will be good match tomorrow.”

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Akhtar Rasool, secretary Rana Mujahid, chief selector Islahuddin Siddiqui and a few dozen Pakistanis residing in Seoul and Incheon also watched the match and cheered their team by waving the Pakistan flags.

In the other matches of the day Japan beat Bangladesh 8-0, Malaysia defeated Singapore 8 -2 and China beat Oman 5-0 in the last game.

Dawn



Three hat-tricks as Pakistan draw first blood

Greenshirts outclass minnows Sri Lanka 14-0, take on China today; Japan, Malaysia and China also score victories

By Muhammad Ali

INCHEON: Defending champions Pakistan started their campaign in style when they routed hapless Sri Lanka in their opening Group B match of the 17th Asian Games Men’s Hockey Tournament at Seonhak Hockey Stadium here on Saturday. In other matches of the day, Japan blanked Bangladesh 8-0, Malaysia routed Singapore 8-2 and China thrashed Oman 5-0. Sri Lanka are taking part in the Asian Games Hockey after more than three decades. After Sri Lanka, Pakistan will be up against super-fit China on Sunday (today) and after two-day rest they will play India and their last group tie will be against another minnows Oman on September 27.

The field hockey competition is being played under a new format introduced in a bid to make the game faster. Four 15-minute quarters have replaced the previous format of two 35-minute halves, bringing coaches and game management more into focus. The new system has been tested in friendly matches and tournaments, but the blue turf at the Seonhok Stadium is seeing it for the first time in the international arena.

Pakistan took an unassailable 4-0 lead in the first quarter, opening their account with a field goal and then converting three penalty corners. The next quarter saw three field goals and two penalty corners netted as Pakistan amassed a 9-0 lead over Sri Lanka. Three more goals were seen in the third quarter, while two goals were scored by Pakistan in the last quarter. Pakistan scored three hat-tricks: Mohammad Imran (04 goals), Muhammad Umar Bhutta (03 goals) and Muhammad Rizwan Senior (03 goals). The other scorers were Muhammad Waqas (01 goal), Muhammad Irfan (02) and Muhammad Tausiq (01). The match started on a very fast pace and Pakistan dominated the proceedings till the final whistle. Sri Lanka could not compete the experience of the holders and caved in.

“We played according to the plan and won it,” a beaming Pakistan head coach Shahnaz Shiekh told reporters after the match. He added the players would get better as the event progressed. “We scored seven goals through penalty corners and as many through field efforts. It was good combined effort by the team. It was a positive sign,” he added. He dispelled the impression that Olympians Shakeel Abbasi and Abdul Haseem Khan did not score any goal. “They played their part with passing and it was not possible that everyone will score in the match.” He admitted that a good win against China in Sunday’s match would be very important because they played hard with a great deal of dedication and devotion and got super-fitness. Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Akhtar Rasool, Secretary General Rana Mujahid Ali, Chief Selector Islahuddin Siddiqui and few dozens of Pakistanis residing in Seoul and Incheon also watched the match.

Pakistan hockey team are the most successful in the Asian Games. Pakistan’s records at Asian level are unmatchable. Pakistan have won the Asian Games gold medal eight times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1990 and 2010; this is also the highest number of times a country have come first. They have also won 02 silver and 03 bronze medals. It was after a long gap of 20 years that Pakistan finally regained the hockey title by blanking Malaysia 2-0 in the final of the Asian Games 2010 in the Chinese city of Guangzhou. It was Pakistan’s eighth Asiad hockey gold, ending a drought that stretched back to the Beijing Asiad in 1990.

At Incheon, Pakistan are looking for an automatic berth for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. If they retain the gold, Pakistan will directly make the cut for Rio 2016 and will not have to take part in the tough Olympic Qualifiers. The greenshirts certainly know the importance of securing a direct berth in a major event like the Olympics, having missed out on World Cup 2014 in Holland.

The Daily Times



Hockey should take heart from win, says Rehan


According to Rehan, Pakistan will face stiff competition from India, Korea and Malaysia in the tournament. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Former national hockey striker Rehan Butt believes that Pakistan’s 14-0 win against Sri Lanka will boost Pakistan’s confidence.

The Greenshirts took the field with confidence and stunning hat-tricks came from captain Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Rizwan Sr and Umar Butt.

“It doesn’t matter that the match was against a weaker team like Sri Lanka,” Rehan told The Express Tribune.

“Pakistan’s winning start will instill confidence in the national side. This match has set the tone for the Greenshirts in the Asian Games. With the victory, their chances of defending their title have increased.”

Rehan added that the team was lacking in match practice before the continental event.

“We played an international match after almost a year. So it was heartening to see them win.”

The Greenshirts will play their second Pool B match against China on Sunday.

The Express Tribune



India should use Sri Lanka game to get some shooting practice

By Michael Nobbs


India hockey captain Sardar Singh (center). AFP

The 2014 Asian Games, officially known as the XVII Asiad, will host India's first game in the men's hockey competition on Sunday, and against minnows Sri Lanka, India should be in for some shooting practice 1:30 pm IST onwards.

Sri Lanka, ranked 40th in the World against India's 9th, will be an easy game for India. It will provide Sardar Singh's team with practice to fine-tune the team's attacking patterns that will be critical later in the tournament.

This match should provide opportunities to practice penalty-corner variations and basically plenty of goal-scoring opportunities. But it will be important for India not to be complacent or even take Sri Lanka lightly as important lessons that can help later in this tournament can be learnt.

I don't feel that Sri Lanka will test India's defence, particularly so any weaknesses that need to be looked at will not be apparent in this game. That calls for a keener vigil from the coaching staff to pick even the thinnest of weak-links that could prove critical against quality opponents.

India’s strikers Gurwinder Chandi, Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh should take plenty of confidence from this match and will have enough opportunities to win the game comfortably for India.

India have a very well-balanced team and they take that same balance into this tournament from the Commonwealth games. Experienced players Sardar, Gurbaj Singh and Manpreet should dominate against Sri Lanka and set the tone for the upcoming matches.

Firstpost



Kampong top Bloemendaal under Friday night lights

Kampong won their third game of the Hoofdklasse season on Friday night, raiding Bloemendaal to win 2-0 in the first “Topper” of the season between two EHL sides.

With the win, Alexander Cox’s side lead the table with nine points.Pieter Wiegman made it 1-0 in the 25th minute and Constantijn Jonker scored just after half-time following a defensive error from Rogier Hofman. Kampong play again on Sunday against Tilburg while Bloemendaal are in action against Push.

Euro Hockey League media release



Late drama as Holcombe and Canterbury draw


Nicola White, Holcombe, Sept 13 2014 - credit Peter Savage

HONOURS were even in the clash of the top two teams in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday evening, with Holcombe and Canterbury drawing 1-1.

After a goalless first half hosts Holcombe drew first blood with Nicola White (pictured) scoring from open play on 41 minutes. They looked set for the win, but a goal in the last few seconds from Mel Clewlow ensured Canterbury took a share of the spoils in dramatic fashion.

The result at Holcombe meant that Clifton go top of the table. They maintained their perfect start to the season with a 1-0 win over Reading. Jo Leigh scored the only goal of a tight game, tucking the ball away from open play on 12 minutes.

Reigning champions Surbiton took their first win of the season with a comprehensive 4-0 win over University of Birmingham.

After playing out a goalless draw with Reading last weekend, Surbiton were keen to get three points and they secured them with ease as Georgie Twigg scored a brace and Julia King and Jo Hunter also found the target.

Leicester got off the mark at the second time of asking with a 3-1 defeat of Buckingham. Lauren Turner, Hannah Fair and Liz George made sure of their first win with Chloe Hobson scoring for Buckingham.

Tina Cullen scored her 400th league goal as Bowdon Hightown opened their account with a 3-1 victory at home to Beeston.

It was Cullen that opened the scoring from open play on 11 minutes and then in the second half, the same was presented with a chance to reach an impressive personal milestone with a penalty stroke, which she duly converted.

Kelly Baxter scored the third for Bowdon and Sophie Robinson hit back with a late consolation for Beeston.

Investec Women's Conference East

Heather Batten scored twice to help East Grinstead maintain the only 100 per cent record in the Investec Women’s Conference East as they beat Chelmsford 4-0. The other two players on target were Julia Blackstock and Eleanor Keefe.

St Albans are second in the table after beating Maidenhead 5-1. Maidenhead had got their season off to a winning start last weekend but couldn’t follow it up as goals from Christina Horn, Eleanor Watton, Amy Kee and a brace from Natasha Humphris led St Albans to their first win.

Sevenoaks were also big winners with Cathy Gilliat-Smith scoring a splendid hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Bedford. Jet Van Zalen also found the net, opening the scoring on 17 minutes.

Harleston Magpies beat Wimbledon 3-2 with Lizzie Clymer, Debbie Francis and Kath Johnson scoring their goals. Rose Winter and Lauren Seaman reduced the deficit for Wimbledon.

Horsham and Ipswich played out a 1-1 draw with Charlotte White and Lucy Dunnett cancelling each other out.

Investec Women's Conference North

No teams in the Investec Women’s Conference North have won both of their games, but the early leaders of the table are University of Durham after prevailing 4-0 in their game against Cannock.

Ellen Paterson put them in front after just two minutes and further goals from Christabel Mcwhirter, Natasha Nichols and Laura Bevan sealed the win.

Joss Plummer scored a late winner for Whitley Bay and Tynemouth in their match against Sutton Coldfield. With the score tied at 1-1, Plummer struck from a penalty corner in the 64th minute to grab the winner.

Sarah Bell also hit a late winner, her 66th minute strike being the only goal in Ben Rhydding’s 1-0 win over Wakefield.

Kendal picked up their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool Sefton. Vicky Atkinson scored their goal after Chelsea Daley had given the Merseyside team the lead.

The other game in the division also ended in a draw as goals from Hannah Pike and Kate Harris saw the Loughborough Students v Brooklands Poynton match also end 1-1.

Investec Women's Conference West

Swansea City are the early leaders of the Investec Women’s Conference West after make it two wins from two with a 3-1 win over Bristol Firebrands.

Bridget Radice, Carys Tucker and Joanne Westwood scored their goals with Rosie Abbott scoring a late consolation for Firebrands.

Slough are the other team with a perfect record and their 4-0 beating of Stourport sees them go second. Amy Sheehan and Christie Fearnside scored two goals each.

Oxford Hawks are still unbeaten after beating Olton and West Warwicks 3-1 away from home. Emily Court scored a brace and Takara Haines added a third.

Cheltenham are still seeking their first win after a 2-1 defeat to Trojans with Kewley Mccaskill and Brodie Fairchild on target for Trojans.

Gloucester City took a narrow 1-0 win over Isca with Emily Tompkins scoring the only goal.

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, September 20 2014):

Investec Women's Premier Division: Buckingham 1, Leicester 3; University of Birmingham 0, Surbiton 4; Reading 0, Clifton 1; Bowdon Hightown 3, Beeston 1; Holcombe 1, Canterbury 1.

Investec Women's Conference East: St Albans 5, Maidenhead 1; East Grinstead 4, Chelmsford 0; Sevenoaks 4, Bedford 0; Horsham 1, Ipswich 1; Harleston Magpies 3, Wimbledon 2.

Investec Women's Conference North: Kendal 1, Liverpool Sefton 1; Loughborough Students 1, Brooklands Poynton 1; Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 2, Sutton Coldfield 1; Ben Rhydding 1, Wakefield 0; Cannock 0, University of Durham 4.

Investec Women's Conference West: Swansea City 3, Bristol Firebrands 1; Olton and Warwicks 1, Oxford Hawks 3; Slough 4, Stourport 0; Cheltenham 1, Trojans 2; Gloucester 1, Isca 0.

England Hockey Board Media release



Nakuru on high alert as battle with Police looms

By BRIAN YONGA


Kenya Hockey Union Development Team Collins Cheloti (down) tackles Wazalendo Fidhelis Kimanzi on March 2, 2014 during their Friendly match played at City Park Stadium. Hockey champions Kenya Police will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face newly-promoted Nakuru Sikh at the City Park Stadium this weekend. PHOTO| CHRIS OMOLLO

Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League champions Kenya Police will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face newly-promoted Nakuru Sikh at the City Park Stadium this weekend.

Newcomers Nakuru will need to be at their best if they are to avoid a backlash from Police who were shocked 1-0 by Greensharks in their opening game last month.

The champions have no room for error as another slip-up will make their task of reaching the play-offs harder. Last season, Police won their first six matches on their march to the title.

They were frustrated by Greensharks in their first game after dominating possession but failing to score.

NO PRESSURE

Police coach, Kenneth Kaunda, is confident his team will get their season’s campaign back on track, insisting the team is under no pressure to perform.

“We are the defending champions and everyone expects us to win, if we don’t, it becomes an issue. We were disappointed after our first game but we are confident we shall recover and get our campaign back on track,” Kaunda said.

The hosts will look up to talismanic striker Moses Cheplaiti for goals. The Kenyan international who missed the World league one series is eager to help his team defend their crown.

“We missed a lot of chances against Sharks and we want to atone for that against Nakuru. It will be a big game because Nakuru will want to stop us but we shall triumph,” Cheplaiti said.

Nakuru Sikh are back to the topflight after three seasons out. They have found the going tough, losing their opening game 2-0 to USIU. The team is also missing a number of key players who secured its promotion.

“Police are beatable. We are capable of hurting them if we remain disciplined and play according to plan. They are a professional club but tend to overplay which is their undoing,” Tony Agesa, Nakuru Sikh coach, said.

Daily Nation



U of L field hockey upsets No. 1 UNC

By Steve Bittenbender


UNC's Loren Shealy (2) tries to escape the tight defense of U of L's Alyssa Voelmle (10) and Hailey Netherton (14). September 20, 2014.(Photo: Matt Herp, Special to the C-J)

If you're going for your first win in your new conference, you might as well make it as big as possible.

That's exactly what happened yesterday at Trager Stadium when the University of Louisville field hockey team knocked off North Carolina, the top-ranked team in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll, 3-2. Senior Becca Maddock's goal off a penalty corner with five minutes left put the No. 14 Cards up for good.

Not only was it UofL's first win in the Atlantic Coast Conference, it also was the team's first win over a top-ranked team in program history.

"Beating a number one team in the nation," Maddock said. "I never thought I'd be a part of that."

Early on, it looked like Louisville (6-1, 1-1) would cruise. After both teams played tough defense to start the game, the Cardinals finally broke through near the midway point in the first half when Mallory Mason gathered a rebound off a penalty corner and knocked it past Tar Heels goalkeeper Shannon Johnson.

She added to that lead at the end of the first half off another penalty corner. This time, the senior back camped at the left post and redirected Elisa Garcia's pass past a sprawling Johnson.

"When we get those small opportunities, we knew we had to capitalize," Mason said.

Mason's second goal marked the first time all season the Tar Heels allowed more than one goal in a game. They had outscored their opponent 20-4 in those contests.

The Tar Heels (5-1, 1-1) wasted little time in mounting a comeback.

Charlotte Craddock used a reverse stick shot to get past Sydney King just 30 seconds into the second half. Less than 90 seconds later, Craddock, a preseason all-conference forward, tied the game when she was able to get her stick on the ball during a scramble in front of the cage.

At that time, it appeared the Tar Heels had captured the momentum and were ready to take a signature moment away from the Cards. An apparent UNC goal on a penalty corner was nullified with 17:35 left in the game when officials ruled the ball never cleared the circle before the shot was taken.

Both teams played even the rest of the match until UNC's Lauren Moyer drew a penalty with 5:35 left. Not only did it leave the Tar Heels shorthanded, it gave the Cards a penalty corner. When a shot from the corner was deflected out of bounds, it set up the corner that led to Maddock's game winner, off an assist from Alyssa Voelmle.

Despite giving up the lead in quick fashion, UofL coach Justine Sowry said she didn't have to say too much to her squad. "They figured it out for themselves."

In capturing their 13th straight home win, the Cards converted on three of four corners. North Carolina, meanwhile, failed to score on any of its five corners.

"It's not a surprise that they played us toe-to-toe," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "Their kids rose to the occasion."

While acknowledging the win over a top-ranked team and fellow conference foe was an important moment for the program, Sowry said she was quick to remind her team that the season is still young.

"This will mean nothing if we don't take care of Tuesday," she said, referring to the Cards home game against Ohio State.

The Courier Journal

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