News 27 September 2014
All the news for Saturday 27 September 2014
Asian Games results Day 8
Oman 0 Pakistan 8 (M)
Japan 1 Malaysia 4 (M)
India 2 China 0 (M)
Korea 7 Bangladesh 0 (M)
The Men's semi-finals will be Pakistan v Malaysia and Korea v India
17th Asian Games, Incheon 2014 Official site
Japan & India complete women’s semi-final quartet
Kazakhstan & Malaysia will play for 5th place in Incheon, Korea
Mazuki Arai, pictured here at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup earlier this year, netted a hat-trick as Japan sealed a berth in the semi-finals of the 2014 Asian Games with an 8-0 victory over Kazakhstan on Friday (26 September). (Photo: FIH / Frank Uijlenbroek)
On the last day of women’s pool play in the women’s competition of the Asian Games Incheon 2014, Japan and India joined China and Korea in the semi-finals. China defeated Thailand and Korea thrashed Hong Kong to each finish top of their group.
Japan started off the day against Kazakhstan. It was a direct battle for progression into the semi-finals, but Japan was really expected to win, based on world rankings as well as performances in this event so far. The Sakura fulfilled the expectations and dominated the proceedings from start to finish, winning by eight goals which included a hat-trick from Mazuki Arai. The win confirmed Japan as a semi-finalist, joining China and Korea at that stage.
China followed suit with a clear win over Thailand to ensure they would progress as the top team from Pool A, pitting them against Japan. While Thailand were never able to even come close to threatening China, the 5-0 scoreline is still rather favourable for a Thai team who are ranked 53rd in the world, an astonishing 48 ranks below China. Thailand played above their ranking in this match, and in the event, but Chinese coach You Baodong also conceded that his players didn’t play very well today, that they weren’t fully concentrated in the game. He also suggested that they hadn’t played at 100% so far at all. “What we’ve done so far, has been only preparation for the next two matches, those are the important ones. We haven’t had big goal differences, but we have been improving and the next matches will show that.”
Next up were India and Malaysia with another direct battle for a semi-final place which was expected to be much closer than the encounter between Japan and Kazakhstan earlier. In the end however, India were fairly dominant. Rani set the Eves on the path to victory with a fantastic reverse stick goal in the fourth minute, and India never looked back, scoring three more in the first half. Malaysia struggled to emulate their good performances from prior matches and having fallen behind early, they never managed to catch up with their Indian opponents.
Korea and Hong Kong wrapped up the day with the most one-sided clash of the day. The home team scored eight goals from 38 shots on goal, while not allowing Hong Kong to take one shot, nor in fact even a circle penetration, and holding three quarters of ball possession. This win confirmed that Korea finished the pool phase at the top of their pool and set them up for a semi-final against India.
In Monday’s semi-finals, China will thus face Japan, while Korea take on India. Also on Monday, Thailand and Hong Kong will play for 7th, while Malaysia and Kazakhstan play for 5th place on Wednesday.
Results
Friday, 26 September 2014 – Women
Kazakhstan – Japan 0-8 (0-6)
China – Thailand 5-0 (4-0)
Malaysia – India 1-6 (0-4)
Korea – Hong Kong 8-0 (5-0)
FIH site
Indian women overwhelm Malaysia, enter semifinals
S. Thyagarajan
Indian women in action against China. Indian women on Friday outclassed Malaysia and booked a semifinal berth in women's hockey at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon. File photo
INCHEON: With a display that was pleasing to the eye and precise in approach work, India overwhelmed Malaysia 6-1 in to ensure a place in the semi-final from pool A of the women’s competition on Friday.
Barring a few minutes nearing the end of the third quarter when Malaysia scored, the Indians controlled the trend of the encounter.
A draw or a win was the pre match situation with India enjoying a + two goal advantage, but the squad came out with flying colours. “ I am very pleased,” observed a delighted Neil Hawgood, the chief coach in the post match press conference.
It would be invidious identify one player for any commendation. Everyone contributed in equal measure. What really injected verve into the Indians’ approach was the splendid goal that Rani scored in the early part of the first half with an eye catching reverse flick. She dodged a two defenders and ended the effort. She scored another in the third quarter making capital off a scrimmage in front of the Malaysian goal.
When it came to execution of penalty corners, the cynosure was Jaspreet Kaur. She converted two, piloting the ball to the roof of the net with beaming nonchalance. Namita Toppo displayed a fine sense of timing and opportunism to position herf to meet a cross from Poonam Rani. A neat deflection left the Malaysian goalkeeper helpless.
Even the last goal before the whistle by Vandana Kataria was notable for the power of execution and accuracy.
The midfield remained alert right through owing to the vigil maintained by Chanu and Ritu. The deep defenders were wobbly for a brief period in the third quarter when Malaysia forced a penalty corner and netted through Nadia. The goal really inspired the Malaysians who were unlucky to get the second goal, Fazila Binti’s shot hitting the goalpost and spinning into play.
India could have still topped the table if only for the lapse against China had not occurred. Actually, India has the highest aggregate in this pool.
This was India’s fifth successive win against Malaysia in the Asian Games and 28th in the 30 meetings between the teams.
Now, India has to contend with Korea in the semi-final. Neil Hawgood acknowledged that it was going to be a great challenge.
The results: Women: Pool B: Japan 8 (Arai Mazaki 3, Akhane Shibata 2, Ono Mayuni 2, Yoshiro Kasahara) bt Kazakhstan 0; Korea 8 (Au Hyoju, Park Mihyun, Kim Jongejeun 2, Darae Kim, Lee Youngsil, Kim Hyunji, Cheon Enubi) bt Hong Kong 0.
Pool A: China 5 (Xu Xiaoxu 2, Wu Menrong, Zhang Yudiao, Xi Xiayun) bt Thailand 0; India 6 (Jaspreet Kaur 2, Rani 2, Poonam Rani, Vandana Kataria) bt Malaysia 1 (Nadia Abdul Rehman). Semifinal line-up: China vs Japan; Korea vs India.
Saturday’s matches: Men: Pool B: Pakistan vs Oman (11.30 a.m.); India vs China (1.30 p.m.).
Pool A: Malaysia vs Japan (1.30 p.m.); Korea vs Bangladesh (3.30 p.m.).
The Hindu
Indian eves maul Malaysia 6-1, book semifinal berth in hockey
INCHEON: India produced an inspired performance to thrash Malaysia 6-1 in their last Pool A match and qualify for the semi-finals of the women's hockey competition at the 17th Asian Games, here today.
For India, Rani Rampal (4th minute, 20th) and Jaspreet Kaur (9th, 39th) score two goals each, while Namita Toppo (17th) and Vandana Kataria (50th) were the other goal getters.
Malaysia's lone goal was scored by skipper Nadia Abdul Rahman from a penalty corner.
Indian eves in all likelihood will face last edition's silver medallist Korea in the semi-finals on Sunday as the hosts are presently leading Pool B and are expected to finish as the toppers.
The Indians had to raise their game after the close 1-2 loss against defending champions China in their last match and they did just that.
The Indian eves came out with purpose and controlled the game from the onset with brisk passing.
It took the Indians just four minutes to surge ahead when Rani scored from a field effort before Jaspreet doubled the lead five minutes later by converting a penalty corner.
Just two minutes into the second quarter, India tripled their lead when Namita scored a field goal. Rani then added to her tally with another field effort to give her side a comfortable 4-0 lead at the lemon break.
Nine minutes into the third quarter, Jaspreet scored with a rasping dragflick from a penalty corner to make the scoreline 5-0 in favour of the Indians.
Malaysia produced their best hockey in the third quarter and managed to pull one back through Nadia, who converted a penalty corner.
But 10 minutes from the final whistle, India restored their five-goal lead when Vandana scored a field goal.
From there on victory was just a formality for the Indians eves and they defended stoutly to keep the Malaysians at bay and register a morale-boosting win.
The Times of India
It’s bust for Malaysian hockey girls in Incheon
INCHEON: It proved to be a pipe dream for the Malaysian women’s hockey team, after all.
They were hoping to reach the semi-finals by beating India in their final Group A match at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium on Friday. Instead, they were given a hockey lesson as India romped to a 6-1 win to join China in the last four on six points.
China beat Thailand 5-0 to top the group with nine points. Malaysia’s only win came from the 2-1 triumph over winless Thailand.
Friday’s win was India’s 27th over Malaysia in 30 clashes. The other three ended in draws.
With such a record, the Indians were obviously in confident mood. And they took only four minutes to open accounts through forward R. Rani.
Five minutes later, India were 2-0 up when Jaspreet Kaur converted a penalty corner.
Namita Toppo (17th) and Rani (20th) added two more goals as India took a comfortable 4-0 half-time lead.
Jaspreet scored her second of the day and India’s fifth when she converted another penalty corner in the 39th minute.
Vandana Kataria completed the rout for India in the 50th minute with a field goal.
In total, Malaysia had six penalty corners but only converted one – through Nadia Abdul Rahman in the 41st minute.
India coach Neil Hawgood said they did a thorough study on Malaysia prior to yesterday’s clash.
“We played six matches against Malaysia just three months ago. We put together all the data and managed to come up with a strategy to win,” said the Australian.
“We are happy to have made the semis. Now we will take one match at a time to try and get among the medals.”
The Star of Malaysia
India play China in crucial last game in hockey, need draw to progress
Shattered after the close 1-2 loss against arch-rivals Pakistan, Indian men's hockey team will have to regroup themselves quickly and eye atleast a draw in their last crucial Pool B fixture against China in Incheon on Saturday, to qualify for the semifinals of the 17th Asian Games.
After dishing out an insipid display, both in attack and defence, against Pakistan on Thursday, The Sardar Singh-led side will need to tighten their belt and come up with a much more convincing display against China.
A draw on Saturday would be enough for India to seal their semifinal berth as the second best team from Pool B as they enjoy a better goal difference than the Chinese.
India, thanks to their superior goal difference of plus 17, are lying second in the pool ahead of their crunch game against China which they have to win or draw to ensure their berth in the last four.
But if they manage to qualify, it won't be easy for India in the semifinals as they clash against hosts and four-time champions South Korea, who will end up in the top spot in Pool A.
The danger of going in with a defensive mind-set to force a draw in the match might just backfire for the Indians which was the reason for chief coach Terry Walsh to say that his wards needed to win the game against China after the defeat against eight-time champions Pakistan.
DNA
Win or bust for Arul’s team
JUST as the Asian Games football team had faced a do-or-die task in their final preliminary game, so do the Malaysian national men’s hockey squad when they take on Japan today.
But unlike their football counterparts who crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia, the hockey players stand a better chance of making the semi-finals at the Seonhak Stadium.
A draw will not do as Japan enjoy a better goal difference with both teams on six points in Group A.
Coach Arul Selvaraj realises Malaysia need a big performance to keep hopes alive for a second straight final appearance.
“We know the match is of a huge significance. We will be out of the medals if we lose so I have reminded the players to give their best for the win,” said Arul, who saw his team lose 2-1 to South Korea on Thursday.
“Japan are not as strong as Korea so if we can control the match, we will win it.”
Forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil stressed the need for the team to convert chances into goals, with Malaysia scoring just 14 to Japan’s 21 after three games each,
“I’m sure we can qualify for the semi-finals if we can overcome the scoring problems we had against Korea,” said Tengku Ahmad, who has scored only once so far, against Singapore.
Malaysia have won five and lost two of 12 Asian Games meetings with Japan, the last of those ending 2-2 in Doha ‘06.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s hopes of qualifying for the women’s semi-finals was extinguished by a 6-1 defeat to India in the last Group A match yesterday.
Captain Nadia Abdul Rahman scored Malaysia’s solitary goal off a penalty corner in 41st minute after India had led 5-0.
New Straits Times
Tengku Ahmad not losing sleep over poor goal return
Malaysian hockey forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin trying to shake off two Korean players in the match at the Incheon Asian Games on Thursday. Malaysia lost 2-1. - KAMARUL ARIFFIN/ The STAR
INCHEON: Malaysian hockey forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin has only one goal to show in the Incheon Asiad so far.
But coach A. Arulselvaraj is cool about it as he has given the 28-year-old Tengku Ahmad a new task – to be a feeder to the younger forwards in the team.
“There is no reason to be worried about his lack of goals. He’s now the feeder to our main strikers playing in front of him like Mohamed Firhan, Shahril Saabah and Izwan Firdaus. I think he has been effective and his experience will help guide the younger players,” said Arulselvaraj.
The lack of goals is also not troubling Tengku Ahmad.
“The objective is to help the team win matches. Right now, we are focused on doing just that and the most important match for now is the one against Japan tomorrow (today),” said Tengku Ahmad
Third-placed Malaysia need to beat second-placed Japan in their final Group A match as they have an inferior goal difference. Both have six points but Malaysia have a +9 goal difference compared to Japan’s +17. Hosts South Korea are through to the last four with nine points from their three matches.
At their last meeting in the Asian Champions Trophy last year in Kakamigahara, hosts Japan edged Malaysia 1-0.
“It is a do-or-die battle as a place in the semi-finals is at stake. I will play my part and if I can score, all the better,” said Tengku Ahmad, whose only goal came in Malaysia’s 8-2 win over Singapore in their opening match on Sunday.
Izwan, the scorer of two goals so far, is confident that Malaysia can get the better of Japan this time.
“We can beat them here. Our game has improved with each match and we are now playing with greater confidence.
“We just need to minimise the mistakes and work as a team. I am sure we will be able to make the semi-finals,” said the 25-year-old Izwan.
“All the players are united and we want to do well here. We will not take Japan for granted as it will be a tough match.”
The Asian Games act as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the gold medallists will be given an automatic berth.
The Star of Malaysia
Pakistan take on minnows Oman in last league tie today
INCHEON: Pakistan will face minnows Oman in their last league tie of the 17th Asian Games Men’s Hockey Tournament at Seonhak Stadium here on Saturday (today). Pakistan are already at top of the Pool B after beating Sri Lanka 14-0, China 2-0 and India 2-1 and have confirmed their berth for the semifinals. Last Asiad’s runners up Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Bangladesh and Singapore complete Pool A.
The 2014 Asian Games, officially known as the XVII Asiad, is the biggest sporting event held in Asia and is widely recognised as the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. The event is held every four years, with hockey being one of 36 different sports set to feature in the Games. The hockey competition in Incheon will be the biggest in the history of the Games, with ten men’s and eight women’s teams all battling it out for glory and Olympic qualification at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium.
The tournament – which offers a place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to the men’s and women’s gold medallists – is the first major international hockey competition to feature the groundbreaking 60 minute format, with the sport moving from two halves of 35 minutes to four 15-minute quarters with 40-second time-outs when a penalty corner is awarded and after a goal is scored. The additional time-outs for penalty corners and after goals ensures that the new 60-minute format is actual playing time, eliminating the dead time associated with penalty corner set up while also allowing for teams to enjoy their goal celebrations.
The Daily Times
Wybieralski wary of Rot-Weiss qualities
Jerzy Wybieralski has pin-pointed Rot-Weiss Köln as the team to beat as his WKS Grunwald Poznan side faces into a busy period in the Polish league building up to the Euro Hockey League in two weeks time.
The 1980 Olympian is once again in charge of the army team who are one of two ever-presents in the EHL – along with Dinamo Kazan – but were thrown into the round one mix when they were stunned by Pomorzanin Torun to the Polish title last season.
That was despite beating Torun twice in the regular season but Grunwald fell in the final of the competition 3-1 in the decisive tie.
It leaves them in a group with Italy’s HC Bra and Germany’s Rot-Weiss with just one side to go through to the KO16.
Speaking to the EHL website, the Polish legend said he felt Rot-Weiss have been one of the standout clubs in Europe at this early stage of the season following an explosive start to the German league.
“In my opinion, they are the most difficult opponent looking at the results this season,” he said. “They won the first four games in the Bundesliga and have held their place for the last a few seasons has held in the EHL, so it is a very experienced team of former and current national players.
“The Italian team has not started their league games yet because of the World League so I’m sure that my team will be better tactically prepared! On Friday, we will meet in the first match and I hope that we will win this match. The next day will be our crucial match against Rot Weiss.”
With two wins in the bank, Grunwald play twice this weekend again before facing another two key games in their national league over October 4 and 5. The first is against Pomorzanin in a grudge match before taking on last year’s third place finishers Start Gniezno in their last test before Barcelona.
Winning back the Polish title remains a key game and he is gunning for victory against their Torun rivals.
“Regarding last season, it was a big disappointment. In the regular season, we beat Toruń, 6-2 and 6-5. But the decisive match we lost 3-1; that's the rules of the Polish Hockey Association that one game decides of the master’s tittle.It's a pity that this happened but it’s down to us to reclaim the title of Polish Champion.”
They take on that challenge with two newcomers, midfielder Adrian Krokosz and defender Michal Kasprzyk, both of whom are in the international setup. On the flip side, the vastly experienced trio of Marcin Strykowski , Tomasz Choczaj and Lukasz Wybieralski have retired.
“I hope my younger team will be well represented in the new season and that injuries do not disturb us in the battle for progression to the KO16.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Canterbury challenge for goalless Reading
Susie Gilbert file photo v Surbiton's Giselle Ansley, credit Tim Reder
Without a win or a goal after two games, Reading will be aiming to put both those stats right when they go to Canterbury in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday evening.
Third in last season’s play-offs, Reading have been held at bay by both Surbiton and Clifton and lie eighth in the early table, but they will want to kick-start their season with a win in Kent (5pm start).
“We want to make it difficult for them, but we’re conscious that we’re missing a few key players,” said Reading coach Merijn van Willegem. “We’ve got some experience of playing Canterbury, and we will be using that to our advantage.
“We knew we faced three tough games at the start of this season, and it does worry us that we haven’t won or scored yet. To draw at Surbiton wasn’t that disappointing but we all felt that the Clifton loss was unnecessary; it was an unforced goal that we conceded, and perhaps we could’ve done more at the other end to make our chances count. But we are a good team and we understand the challenges we face.”
Elsewhere, Clifton head to Leicester in a bid to preserve the only 100 per cent record in the Premier Division, while reigning champions Surbiton play host to bottom of the table Beeston.
Holcombe would’ve been top of the table but for conceding a last minute goal in their match last Saturday and they will be aiming to keep their early form going when they host the University of Birmingham. Finally, Buckingham are at home against Bowdon Hightown.
In the Investec Conference East, unbeaten East Grinstead will be aiming to preserve top spot when they take on second-placed St Albans, while Horsham could also go top if they manage to beat Maidenhead at Broadbridge Heath.
After just two weeks no team has a 100 per cent record in the Investec Conference North. Leaders University of Durham entertain Wakefield who are one of six teams just one point behind, so the table could look very different after the weekend.
In the Investec Conference West, leaders Swansea City host Cheltenham, while Slough – who are the only other unbeaten team – head to bottom of the table Olton and West Warwicks.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, September 27 2014)
Investec Premier Division
Buckingham v Bowdon Hightown 12:00
Canterbury v Reading 17:00
Holcombe v Univ of Birmingham 14:00
Leicester v Clifton 14:30
Surbiton v Beeston 12:00
Investec Conference West
Bristol Firebrands v Isca 12:00
Olton & West Warwicks v Slough 12:00
Oxted Hawks v Trojans 12:00
Stourport v Gloucester City 18:00
Swansea City v Cheltenham 12:00
Investec Conference North
Ben Rhydding v Loughborough Students 13:30
Cannock v Sutton Coldfield 14:00
Kendal v Brooklands Poynton 14:30
Univ of Durham v Wakefield 14:00
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth v Liverpool Sefton 12:30
Investec Conference East
Chelmsford v Bedford 14:00
Horsham v Maidenhead 13:30
Ipswich v Harleston Magpies 18:00
St Albans v East Grinstead 13:00
Wimbledon v Sevenoaks 14:00
England Hockey Board Media release
Opening Day Jitters
By Eddie So
Attacker Arshad Muhammed of Khalsa-A shows his speed during their Premier division match with KCC-A on the opening day of the 2014-15 season at King’s Park on Sunday Sept 21, 2014. Khalsa put up a strong performance winning the match 13-2. (Bill Cox/Epoch Times)
HONG KONG—Journeyman Ahmed Ewis led Punjab-A to a devastating 6-1 score-line welcome to newly promoted Hong Kong Cricket Club-A to the Premiership at Happy Valley on Sunday (21/September).
Ewis, playing for his third club since arriving in Hong Kong after Shaheen and Khalsa, was again at his delightful scoring best as he nabbed a goal through his signature penalty corner.
The way Ewis ran, collected and distributed the ball throughout the game opened up space for his fellow Punjab team-mates to allow them to literally score at will, showing why he is so sort after and where his talents lie as Jaffer and Aleem collected a brace along with Harman’s single can attest.
However, Cricket Club’s baptism to the Premiership was not a defeat in shame but something of which they can be proud despite the lopsided score-line as they conducted some scintillating runs of their own throughout the 70 minutes of play.
Ewis, who now dons a player/coach role for Punjab was overjoyed with the way his side played against Cricket Club.
“This is a young team and as such they try hard to play as a team. Here there are no star players and everyone must try hard if we are to succeed,” said Ewis, who felt he had not enjoyed his stay with back-to-back Premiership champions Khalsa last season.
Ewis, enjoying his new role with Punjab, sees himself playing a more dynamic, free running role, as he time and again evaded his markers and distributed passes to chaotic effect in the Cricketer’s defensive line-up.
Darren Tavares, Hong Kong Cricket Club-A skipper agreed with Ewis’s comments in regards to the result.
“The game today was a good learning curve for us,” said Tavares, whose side seemed to be outgunned by their rivals as they tried to hold Punjab’s speed and passing game.
“I think it was brilliant that Hong Kong Cricket Club did well to gain promotion and now we need to improve our game and keep in touch with some of these big clubs,” he said, whose side did well when they reduced the score-line through Andrea Le Claire to stop the match from being a total whitewash.
But Punjab will have their work cut out trying to halt other pretenders to the crown as Ewis sighted the usual suspects of Hong Kong Football Club-A, Khalsa and Singh Shaba Sports Club as they rallied home some wishful scores on the league’s opening day.
At King’s Park, starting on-form on day one of the new 2014-15 season, was three-time Premier League champions Khalsa as they stomped their class with a 13-0 riot over Kowloon Cricket Club-A. Close chasing SSSC-A ended their day on a 5-0 win over Rhino-A and KNS-A cementing their talents showed why they deserve a Premier place, as they defeated HKFC-B 7-2. Meanwhile Valley-A edged out Shaheen 2-1 in a close, hard fought contest at the same venue.
At the Hong Kong Football Club, the HKFC-A team tore Pakistan Association-A hearts with a 11-0 avalanche.
Women
In the only women’s Premier division match played last weekend, Dutch-A beat HKFC-B 4-2 at the Happy Valley ground on Saturday Sept 20.
Eddie So is a freelance photographer and reporter with more than 25 years of journalism experience in Hong Kong.
The Epoch Times
USA Field Hockey Welcomes 31 National Indoor Qualifiers
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After a record setting year in 2014, the National Indoor Tournament and National Indoor Qualifiers are positioned to achieve greater heights in its 2015 edition. With the addition of the Under-10 Co-Ed and Under-12 Co-Ed divisions, USA Field Hockey also welcomes 31 National Indoor Qualifiers held over eight weekends to the lineup.
The Under-16 and Under-19 Qualifying tournaments will feature 600 indoor teams competing for a prized spot at the 2015 National Indoor Tournament. These tournaments are set in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia, and of the 600 teams, 40 percent in both age divisions will qualify to go on to Nationals. Matches played at a Qualifying tournament will be two 12 minute-halves following a standardized schedule.
An online application process will be sent to coach members in the coming weeks. Coaches will select their top three Indoor Qualifier locations per team, similar to year’s past. Full registration fees will be required upon application submission. The locations and dates of the Qualifiers are listed below.
One month ago USA Field Hockey announced the 2015 National Indoor Tournament dates and locations with the first weekend featuring the Under-16 Girls Division from February 20-22 at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. The middle weekend of February 27 – March 1 will see the Under-19 Division competing at the Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, Va. Running concurrently at Spooky Nook Sports will be the Under-10 and Under-12 co-ed divisions, as well as the Under-15 boys and adult divisions. The concluding and third weekend of March 6-8 will see action at Spooky Nook Sports with the Under-14 Girls division.
More information can be found on our National Indoor Tournament Qualifiers event page on usafieldhockey.com.
Under-16 National Indoor Tournament Qualifiers
12/21/2014, Siena College
12/28/2014, Virginia Beach Field House
12/28/2014, United Sports Training Center
1/3/2015, Spooky Nook Sports
1/3/2015, Brown University - Joseph Olney-Mo Margolies Facility
1/4/2015, Get Good Field House
1/10/2015, Spooky Nook Sports
1/11/2015, Siena College
1/11/2015, Lock Haven University
1/17/2015, Feasterville Sportsplex
1/18/2015, The Training Center
1/24/2015, Ursinus College
1/25/2015, Libertyville Sports Complex
2/1/2015, Mt. Nittany Middle School and State College Area High School
2/14/2015, Force Sports Eastlake
Under-19 National Indoor Tournament Qualifiers
12/20/2014, Siena College
12/28/2014, United Sports Training Center
1/3/2015, Get Good Field House
1/4/2015, Spooky Nook Sports
1/4/2015, Brown University - Joseph Olney-Mo Margolies Facility
1/10/2015, Siena College
1/10/2015, Lock Haven University
1/11/2015, Spooky Nook Sports
1/11/2015, The Training Center
1/17/2015, Virginia Beach Field House
1/18/2015, Feasterville Sportsplex
1/24/2015, Libertyville Sports Complex
1/25/2015, Ursinus College
1/31/2015, Mt. Nittany Middle School and State College Area High School
2/1/2015, Heritage Hills Athletic Club
2/15/2015, Force Sports Eastlake
USFHA media release
Police, Orange in league action
By BRIAN YONGA
Wazalendo Moses Kagochi (left) dribbles past Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Development team Francis Esikuri on March 2, 2014 during their friendly match at City Park Stadium. KHU men and women’s league champions Kenya Police and Telkom Orange will be looking to chalk up vital wins in this weekend’s hockey league matches. PHOTO| CHRIS OMOLLO| NATION MEDIA GROUP
Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men and women’s league champions Kenya Police and Telkom Orange will be looking to chalk up vital wins in this weekend’s hockey league matches.
Police will be away in Kakamega where they will play Western Jaguars on Saturday while Orange will come up against Mombasa Sports Club in Mombasa.
Orange, who have not played a game since their 12-0 routing of Mount Kenya University last month, will be looking to make it two wins on the trot.
Victory this weekend will underline Orange’s intentions of retaining the crown as they chase a record 17th national title.
Orange beat Mombasa Sports Club 11-0 last season and coach Jos Openda will be hoping for a repeat performance from his charges.
He has however warned that Mombasa will be hard to beat at home, adding that they will need to be patient in order to break them.
“They (Mombasa) will definitely be buoyed by their home crowd and will be hard to break down, we will therefore need to play our game and hopefully we will come out on top,” Openda said.
The tactician will welcome back six players who played for the national team in the recently-concluded World League One series were Kenya booked a spot in the second round.
Daily Nation
Mrs Virginia Ross becomes an Honorary Life Member of the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe
Ginny at the Zimbabwe Annual Sports Awards in 2013 where she was named Technical Official of the Year
At the Annual General Meeting of the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) on the 19th September, Mrs Virginia Ross (Ginny) was made an Honorary Life Member of the HAZ.
Ginny has served the national administration of hockey for twenty years, from 1995 to 2014. This has included periods of success and growth, and periods of considerable difficulty and hardship, where her grit and determination ensured the ongoing activities of the HAZ.
Ginny started her administrative career in hockey at the club level in 1983 when she was elected Chairman of the Eagles Hockey Club.
In 1990 Ginny was graded by the FIH as an International Umpire and in 1997, she was elected as Secretary of HAZ for five years, before becoming an Executive Member in 2003 overseeing development and coaches. In 2010 Ginny was elected as Vice-President of the HAZ, until 2012, when she took up the position of Hon. Treasurer, a position she is has only just relinquished.
In 2011 Ginny was elected as a Member of the African Hockey Federation. Ginny was recognised by the National Sports Association with the National Sports Administrator award in 2000, and again in 2012 with the National Women in Sport award.
Also during this period, Ginny was appointed as a neutral umpire at a number of FIH tournaments, and in due course graded as an FIH Judge.
In her various roles she has encouraged many national and U/21 teams to participate in regional and international tournaments and has served as manager to the National Women’s Indoor team playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Through her coaching of both umpires and coaches, Ginny has shared her knowledge of the game with many hundreds of hockey friends across the country – a legacy that will live on.
FIH President, Leandro Negro paid tribute to Ginny: “I would like to congratulate and thank Ginny for her years of dedication to hockey.”
FIH site