News 07 October 2014
All the news for Tuesday 7 October 2014
Double joy for Trinidad & Tobago in Kingston
Hockey World League Round 1 - Kingston, Jamaica (Men & Women)
(Photo: Facebook.com/SportsOfJamaica)
It was a cracking weekend for the international teams of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), as the men and women emerged victorious at the Hockey World League Round 1 event in Kingston, Jamaica.
Both teams finished top of the standings in their respective competitions, ensuring a safe passage through to Round 2 and keeping alive the dream of achieving qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
In the men’s competition, T&T were given a stern test by Dominican Republic in their opening match, being held to a 2-2 draw before earning a bonus point by winning the shoot-out 2-0.
Victories over Barbados (3-1) and Jamaica (3-0) were enough to guarantee top spot for T&T. T&T’s Akim Toussaint scored four of T&Ts eight competition goals, earning him the Tournament Top Scorer award.
To find out more information about the men’s tournament in Jamaica including results, scorers and tables, click here.
In the women’s competition, T&T were victorious in all four of their matches, netting 12 goals and conceding just two in their wins over Puerto Rico (5-1), Dominican Republic (3-1), Jamaica (2-0) and Barbados (2-0). Agustina Birocho took the Tournament Top Scorer award, netting six goals in four matches.
To find out more information about the women’s tournament in Kingston, click here.
The winning teams at all of the Hockey World League Round 1 events are 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.
Round 1 tournament winners
Men
Sveti Ivan Zelina, Croatia (1-6 July): Russia
Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (2-7 September): Belarus
Nairobi, Kenya (5-7 September): Egypt
Dhaka, Bangladesh (5-7 September): Bangladesh
Muscat, Oman (5-7 September): Azerbaijan
Lousada, Portugal (12-14 September): Austria
Guadalajara (12-14 September): Chile
Kingston, Jamaica (30 September-5 October): Trinidad & Tobago
Suva, Fiji (6-13 December): Upcoming
Women
Singapore (21-27 June): Malaysia
Siauliai, Lithuania (26-29 June): Belarus
Nairobi, Kenya (5-7 September): Kenya
Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (5-7 September): France
Guadalajara, Mexico (11-14 September): Canada
Kingston, Jamaica (30 September - 5 October): Trinidad & Tobago
Suva, Fiji (6-13 December): Upcoming
FIH site
T&T sweep FIH World League Round One
BY HURBUN WILLIAMS
Jamaica’s Sophia Cooper (right) battles for possession of the ball with Yesenia Feliciano (centre) of Puerto Rico during their FIH World League match at Mona. Looking on is Julia Rivera (left) of Puerto Rico. The game ended 1-1 but Puerto Rico won 2-1 on penalties. (PHOTOS: HURBUN WILLIAMS)
Jamaica's male hockey team crashed 0-3 to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in their final match on Sunday and gave the twin island Republic a clean sweep of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League Round One competition.
Akim Toussaint scored twice for T&T in the 45th and 67th minutes and Tariq Marcano completed the rout in the 60th minute.
The tournament, held over five days and ended at the Mona hockey field in St Andrew, saw T&T topped the four-team group with eight points ahead of Jamaica with five and the Dominica Republic with three points. Barbados finished bottom with two points.
While Jamaica did not score a goal in Sunday's final game they did play some encouraging hockey, but were beaten by a sharper T&T team that showed they were in constant competition.
Jamaica looked as though they belonged in the same league as T&T in their approach, however, what seemed to be missing from the Jamaican's arsenal was that lack of presence of mind and anticipation that is at hand, when one is constantly engaged in high level competitive play.
Trinidad and Tobago women, like the men, played unbeaten to win their section of tournament and in process also advanced to Round Two along with the Dominican Republic to be played in Montevideo, Uruguay, next year February.
T&T finished with 12 points ahead of Dominican Republic on eight. Barbados, Puerto Rico and Jamaica brought up the rear.
The Dominican Republic women lost only to T&T and overcame Puerto Rico and Barbados in the five-team pool.
Host Jamaica finished bottom of the group losing all their games. The lost 0-3 to Dominican Republic; crashed 0-2 to Trinidad and Tobago; drew 1-1 with Puerto Rica, but succumbed 1-2 on penalties, and lost 1-2 to Barbados.
Ranking of teams entering the FIH Hockey World League hosted by the Jamaica Hockey Federation.
Men
Trinidad and Tobago 29
Barbados 47
Dominican Republic 62
Jamaica 64
Women
Trinidad and Tobago 31
Barbados 47
Dominican Republic 58
Jamaica 60
Puerto Rico 63
Jamaica Observer
'Calypso Stickmen' victorious over Jamaica
...book Chula Vista spot
TOP: T&T’s “Calypso Stickmen” pose for a team photograph after blanking host Jamaica 3-0 for top spot at the men’s Second International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League First Round qualifying tournament at the Mona UWI Campus, Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday night. T&T’s “Calypso Stickwomen” are all smiles after defeating Barbados 2-0 for top spot at the women’s Second International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League First Round qualifying tournament at the Mona UWI Campus, Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday.
Akim Toussaint scored a second-half double to lead T&T’s “Calypso Stickmen” to a convincing 3-0 blanking of host Jamaica for top spot at the men’s Second International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League First Round qualifying tournament in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday night.
Going into the virtual tournament decider, the Darren Cowie-led T&T squad sat atop the four-team round-robin with five points, the same as Jamaica, but with a better goal-difference.
After a 0-0 first-half, Toussaint put T&T ahead with a 45th minute field goal and 15 minutes later, teenager Tariq Marcano doubled the advantage to put the visitors within touching distance of the group honours and second round qualification. Toussaint sealed the issue in the 67th with his tournament high fourth goal.
The win was the third from as many matches for the Raphael Govia-coached 29th world ranked T&T men, and the second outright to end with eight points, three more than the Jamaicans who had defeated Dominican Republic 2-0 via penalty-shootout after a 2-2 draw as well.
When the tournament began, T&T battled past 62nd ranked Dominican Republic 2-0 on penalty-shoot-out after a 2-2 draw in regulation and followed up with a 3-1 defeat of 47th rated Barbados before beating the 64th ranked Jamaicans.
Barbados, which also won on a shootout over the Dominican Republic, 4-2 following their 1-1 deadlock on Sunday, still finished in cellar-spot with two points, one less than its opponent.
As tournament winners, T&T secured the lone spot available to the Second Round in Chula Vista, California, next year (February 28 - March 8).
It will be the second straight qualification to the second round for T&T after doing so in the inaugural World League competition in 2012.
Back then, T&T under the supervision of Glen “Fido” Francis topped its round one series at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua, after victories over Chile (2-1), Barbados (3-1) and Venezuela (9-2).
However, the Second Round qualifier in Rio de Janeiro proved much more challenging as T&T suffered losses against Argentina (9-2), South Africa (10-2) and Chile (0-4) but won against Brazil (6-2) and USA, 4-3 via a penalty shootout.
The Jamaica triumph also served as preparations for T&T’s participation at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Veracruz, Mexico, next month in addition to making amends for a tenth placed Commonwealth Games finish in Glasgow, Scotland, two months ago.
Back then, the locals who were without a few key players ended in tenth spot after a 2-0 loss at the hands of Wales in their playoff.
Earlier in their round-robin group phase, T&T was also beaten by England (6-1), New Zealand (8-0) and Canada (3-1) before recording a first ever win at the Games, 4-2 over the higher ranked Malaysia.
On Saturday, the Patricia Wright-Alexis captained T&T women blanked Barbados 2-0 on first-half goals from Alanna Lewis and Oire Trotman for a fourth straight win and top spot in their qualifiers also in Jamaica.
The win followed victories over Puerto Rico (5-1), Dominican Republic (3-1) and host Jamaica (2-0) in their previous matches at the Mona Campus venue as the Anthony Marcano-coached T&T ended with maximum 12 points, three ahead of Dominican Republic which blasted Puerto Rico 10-1 in its final match on Sunday.
The Barbadians were third after a 2-1 win over Jamaica in Sunday’s penultimate match.
Marcano and the local women will now prepare for the second round of qualifiers in Montevideo, Uruguay, from February 28 - March 8, next year, their second straight appearance in that stage of the tournament.
Playing on home soil in 2012, T&T finished with the bronze behind Canada and Uruguay.
This after the “Calypso Stickwomen” hammered Barbados (7-0), Guyana (5-0) and Venezuela (5-1) for a 3-2 record following losses to Canada (0-4) and runner-up Uruguay, 0-2.
In round two, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, T&T finished fifth in the six-team competition with a 1-4 record.
This after getting a lone win against the host, 3-1 while they were beaten by tournament winners USA (7-0), runner-up Chile (6-0), third placed Scotland (7-0) and Uruguay, 6-1.
Final standings
Women
Teams P W D L PSW PSL F A Pts
T&T 4 4 0 0 0 0 12 2 12
Dom Rep 4 3 0 1 0 0 16 4 9
Barbados 4 2 0 2 0 0 6 6 6
Puerto Rico 4 1 0 3 1 0 4 20 2
Jamaica 4 0 0 4 0 1 2 8 1
Men
Teams P W D L PSW PSL F A Pts
T&T 3 3 0 0 1 0 8 3 8
Jamaica 3 2 0 1 1 0 4 6 5
Dom Rep 3 0 0 3 0 3 5 5 3
Barbados 3 1 0 2 1 0 3 6 2
PSW: penalty-stroke shoot-out win
PSL: penalty-stroke shoot-out loss
The Trinidad Guardian
Rio a million kilometres away for Malaysia
By Jugjet Singh
IN these rainy days, this column is not being written to steal the ‘almost there’ thunder from the hockey team, but as an early warning that Malaysia’s chances of qualifying for the Rio de Janerio Olympics have reached the F mark in their fuel tank.
The Asian Games was the best chance for Arul Selvaraj’s men to play in Brazil two years from now, but the few near misses in Incheon might just see Malaysia sit out of the Olympics for 16 years.
For the 0-0 effort in the Asian Games semi-finals was erased when Pakistan won 6-5 in the shoot-out. And even though Malaysia only lost 2-1 in Group A and then 3-2 to South Korea in the bronze classification, there is no reason to celebrate the close shaves.
For, now Malaysia will have to play in the World League Semi-finals, and the early indications are that even South Korea and Pakistan are going to find this route difficult to reach Rio.
Those who claim that there was not enough time to prepare the team should look back and digest this fact — Pakistan didn’t play in any international tournament since November 2013 whereas Malaysia played in the Azlan Shah Cup, Champions Challenge 1, World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
Pakistan also almost did not travel to Incheon, as their troubled association did not have enough cash but somehow managed to string a budget at the 11th hour.
Malaysia, realistically, had been in training for the last two years for the Asian Games and the fourth place finish, as compared to Pakistan’s silver, has turned on the hazard lights.
The route to Rio is wet and slippery, and even Brazil who are now ranked 34th, must move to 30th in the world to be eligible to qualify as hosts.
The Asian Games was one of the five continental championships, and the other four qualifiers to Rio will be gold medallists from Africa, Oceania, Europe and South America.
And assuming Brazil break into the 30th, this will leave only six more spots to the Olympics and three each will be on offer in the two World League Semi-finals.
So Malaysia must finish among the top-four in the World League, and hope some of the continental champions finish higher than them, just like the route to the World Cup where they finished fifth in the qualifier but still made it.
This will be hoping against hope, so the World Cup disaster, the embarrassing Commonwealth Games and the almost there Asian Games must be taken as a challenge to improve and not wait on luck.
For this to happen, the players must have the heart to play like the Pakistan teams. They did not have any international exposure, no money, and almost did not travel to Korea but took home a silver medal at the back of a gold medal in the last Games.
And if the sound of three booming thunders this year does not wake Malaysian hockey up, the forecast is that there will be consistent rain and little sunshine as we slip and fall at every stage for the next decade.
New Straits Times
Two Dar Academy boys to feature at the Sultan of Johor Cup
Ijaz Chaudhry
Malaysia can rightly claim to be the busiest centre of international hockey. The country has hosted numerous title tournaments including World Cups (senior as well as juniors), Asia Cups, again senior and junior, plus other events such as World Hockey League.
In 1983, Malaysia introduced an international invitational tournament. Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, initially a biennial event, is being held annually since 1998. It is the oldest surviving as well as the most prestigious invitational international hockey tournament. All the major hockey nations have figured though the Asian countries are the more frequent visitors.
Bolstered by the success of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Malaysia, in 2011, introduced an international tournament for the juniors on similar lines.
Sultan of Johor Cup would see its fourth edition pushed off in Johor Bahru on Oct 12. The participating teams are Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand and England.
The Pakistan under 21 team for the tournament has been announced.
The privately run Dar Hockey Academy’s boys have gained selection in every Pakistani age based team since 2009 and the last couple of years have seen academy boys donning the national senior shirt as well.
The team for the Sultan Johor Cup includes two boys of the Lahore based academy, Bilal Mahmood and Aamir Ali.
For Bilal Mahmood, it is second selection for the national juniors, after his appearance at the 2nd Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China a few months back.
The Lahore lad was among the handful of the boys who formed the first batch of the Dar HA (in 2006). Only nine at that time, Bilal has greatly profited from the training at the academy. Soon, he turned into a scoring centre forward. A member of all the three Dar HA teams, which toured Europe every year 2010-2012, the young striker distinguished himself with topping the team’s scoring charts each time. Hence, it was a matter of time that he gained the national selection which came at the Youth Olympics. But the Sultan Johor Cup would be his first real test in an international arena as hockey at the Youth Olympics was played with the unconventional 5 a side format.
The other selectee Aamir Ali would be wearing the coveted green shirt for the first time. Coming from the small town of Peer Mahal (district Toba Tek Singh), the forward, who plays at the positions of right in and right out, is with the Dar HA since 2010. He also benefited with the international exposure gained with two tours of Europe, 2011 and 2012, with the academy. Aamir, a member of the National Bank team, the winners of the national junior championships in 2014, is also determined to do well on his debut for Pakistan.
Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey and other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info
FIeldhockey.com exclusive
Monkstown To Make EHL Debut
One of the oldest hockey clubs in Ireland, Monkstown will make their Euro Hockey League debut this season, when they travel to Barcelona, Spain later this week.
Monkstown have qualified off the back of winning the European Club Champions Trophy in June 2014, their first taste of European club competition, and are double Irish champions, having won the Irish Hockey League in 2012/2013 and again in 2013/2014. Monkstown are coached by the vastly experienced Graham Shaw, with 151 international caps and three EHL campaigns to his credit and can also boast seven Irish internationals as well as numerous underage internationals in a young squad. Although they have lost Kyle Good to Belgian side KHC Dragons over the summer, Monkstown have also seen some European experience come into the club in the form of 135 time Swiss International Fabian Wullschleger.
Monkstown will open their tournament against Racing Club de France on Friday 10th October, before they take on Belgian side Royal Daring on the Saturday.
Full schedule of the Euro Hockey League
Thank you to Gareth Evans for providing information
Irish Hockey Association media release
OZ end Kampong's winning streak
Kampong dropped their first points of the Dutch Hoofdklasse but still remain top of the pile following their dramatic 2-2 draw with Oranje Zwart.
Constantijn Jonker’s eighth minute goal was augmented by a Loick Luypaert penalty corner early in the second half. But Gabriel Dabanch got OZ back in the mix and Bob de Voogd fired home an equaliser in the 69th minute to salvage a draw.
It leaves Kampong three points ahead of HGC in the table, albeit with an extra game played, after the chaser were 5-1 winners over Push.
Amsterdam and Bloemendaal shared a lively 3-3 draw with Justin Reid-Ross scoring all the goals for the former. Belgian stars Simon Gougnard and Tom Boon replied, though in the second half to tie the game up.
Jeroen Hertzberger’s pair of penalty corners rescued a draw for Rotterdam against Schaerweijde in a 2-2 draw. Den Bosch also drew with Pinoké 3-3 while Hurley got their first win of the campaign with a 3-0 win over Tilburg.
Euro Hockey League media release
EG maintain perfect record in England
A hat-trick from Ashley Jackson helped East Grinstead beat rivals Surbiton at Saint Hill in the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday in their final game before their Euro Hockey League bid next weekend.
The England and GB ace popped up to score on 20 minutes from open play, and Simon Faulkner doubled their lead with another on 34 minutes.
After the break, Jackson added trademark goals from penalty corners on 44 and 68 minutes to ensure that East Grinstead are the only team in the table with a 100 per cent record.
While Surbiton drop to second, Beeston and Hampstead and Westminster both missed their chance to go second as they battled out a 1-1 draw.
Andy Hayward scored from a corner routine to put Hampstead ahead on 23 minutes, only for Sam Ward to level from open play on 58 minutes.
Reading and Southgate also settled for a 1-1 draw in a fiery match which saw six yellow cards shown. Rick Gay put Southgate ahead after just eight minutes from a penalty stroke, but Richard Mantell matched it on 59 minutes from a penalty corner.
Canterbury kick-started their season with a 4-3 win at Brooklands Manchester University.
Euro Hockey League media release
Daring in rude health for EHL debut
Daring produced their best performance of the Belgian season so far to beat Leopold 2-1 in Molenbeek, perfect timing ahead of their debut in the Euro Hockey League next weekend.
Tanguy Cosynsopened the scoring in the first period before Eric Ponthieunot make 2-0 the break.Matthew Lim got a consolation goal but it was not enough to stop Daring from moving into second place in the Audi Hockey League table, remaining unbeaten after seven games.
The WatDucks, meanwhile, ran up a 6-3 win over Dragons in the battle between two EHL sides. Kyle Good put Dragons in front only for Quentin Van LierdeandNicolas Vandiest to swap the lead.
In the second half, Gauthier Boccardscored number three for the home team with a powerful drag-flick but Florent van Aubel recovered some of the deficit before the Ducks stretched their lead to 6-2, rendering Felix Denayer’s last minute goal merely academic.
Euro Hockey League media release
Premier Divisions: The Inside Track
Paddy Smith for EG
Week four of the NOW: Pensions Men's Premier Division saw East Grinstead preserve their 100% record with an excellent 4-0 win over rivals Surbiton to move to the top of the league. In the Investec Women's Premier Division, Surbiton, the reigning champions also took top spot with a 3-1 win over Leicester. Find out what England and Surbiton star Georgie Twigg and East Grinstead and England goalkeeper Paddy Smith make of it all.
Georgie Twigg, Surbiton.
On her team's start to the season:
"It’s been a really good start. It’s difficult being last year’s champions coming into a new season because everyone expects a test against us whereas before they might not have done. The first game against Reading was tough because they defended very well and we couldn’t break them down. We’ve got a really exciting team with some fast forwards. We’re really solid defensively which means that going forwards we have the confidence in our back line to use the speed and get forwards. I think we’ll score a lot of goals this season."
On the win over Leicester:
"Leicester are a difficult side to play against. They’re tougher physically than a lot of sides and previously we’ve been a bit immature and inexperienced in these games. We stepped up this time. We knew it would be tough but we managed to fight it out and although the goals came quite late on it’s a testament to how far we’ve come and that we’re able to get over the line like that."
On the spirit in the group:
"We have a lot of belief compared with previous years. We have a lot of penalty corner threats with Giselle Ansley and Chloe Strong we have such different types of attacking players and selection is so difficult because we have so many good players. It’s a great problem to have. We know goals will come with the ability we have in the group, it’s really exciting."
On coach Brett Garrard:
"Brett is brilliant. He knows his stuff and is so tactically aware. We prepare really well for every game and every different side. We do a lot video analysis and we’ve been working a lot on goalscoring in training. We’ve also played against a lot of men’s sides which helps us a lot in terms of getting us ready for different challenges. He has a great mix of knowledge and is excellent with the team."
On the strength of the league:
"After the first game we were worried teams would all set up to stifle us but our games have been really good this season. It's been great for the league that games are close. We know we have to go out and score goals as champions but it’s a lot of fun trying to do that."
Paddy Smith, East Grinstead:
On the challenge of Surbiton:
"We knew they would be relentless in their press and intensity and they came at us really hard. They won the ball high up the pitch but thankfully we kept them at bay and Ashley Jackson got us a goal to kill their momentum. It was a close game; they had some chances and some corners which they might feel they could have scored. We counterattacked well and at pace which seemed to work well and gave us the chances to score."
On keeping a clean sheet:
"It’s nice to get a clean sheet and Surbiton have a lot of great attackers, they put six past Beeston last week so to win 4-0 is a real testament to how we defended as a team and it was really pleasing. It's not just about how I played, the whole team contributed, but as a goalkeeper I'm obviously delighted we didn't concede. Hopefully we can take that form into the other league games but there are no easy matches. We’ve played some tough sides already and there are plenty more to come."
On team mate Ashley Jackson:
"He’s fantastic. He didn’t think he played that well but he still scored a hat-trick. His corners are world class and you never know what to expect. He knows where people are on the pitch and where they move to and seems to be able to find them all over the pitch.
He doesn’t get enough credit for his defensive work, though. He wins the ball in one on one situations so often. I know if I can do my job in goal and keep the ball out, with him in the side we think he’ll score at least one and we’ll always have chance of outscoring teams."
On joining East Grinstead:
"I’ve really enjoyed it here so far. I knew a lot of the team already but there’s a really nice atmosphere about the club. The management are so professional and it’s a great place to be. Everyone expects us to perform but I’m enjoying the pressure it brings. Karl Stagno is an intelligent and really thorough coach. He knows the game inside out and knows the threats of every team, what we need to work on and how we’re going to win. He is great to work with and I’m sure i'll learn a lot.
East Grinstead now take a break from their domestic duties to compete in the Euro Hockey League. You can find details here.
England Hockey Board Media release
Chandy promises good government job for Sreejesh
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The hero of the Incheon Asian Games men's hockey final, India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has been assured a good Kerala government job by chief minister Oommen Chandy.
The 26-year-old Sreejesh, who hails from Ernakulam district, had expressed his desire to work in his home state. He is currently employed with Indian Overseas Bank as manager.
Chandy said that it was in 2012 that the state government offered jobs to five Keralite sportspersons who had jobs outside the state and it was only Sreejesh who accepted the offer.
"We then decided to offer him the job of a sports officer, a post equivalent to an assistant education officer in the education department," said Chandy.
"But now he is employed in a managerial post drawing a handsome salary so I have decided to present his case in the cabinet meeting Wednesday and a final decision with regards to his post and salary would be taken."
Sreejesh made his debut with the senior national team in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Colombo and since then has been a permanent feature in the Indian team.
At the Asian Games, the vice-captain did a sterling job by defending his goal, when the final against Pakistan went into penalty shootouts where Sreejesh saved two shots, ensuring India the gold medal.
Sreejesh plays for the Mumbai Magicians in the Hockey India League.
The Times of India
Birendra Lakra felicitated
ROURKELA: Rourkela Steel Plant on Monday felicitated Birendra Lakra, an alumnus of SAIL Hockey Academy, who was a part of the triumphant India team that defeated Pakistan in the final of men's hockey to bag the gold medal in Asian Games after 16 years.
Lakra played a key role in India's campaign at Incheon, South Korea.
"Lakra has made Rourkela and the entire country proud by his achievements," Rourkela Steel Plant CEO GS Prasad said.
He expressed hope that the star player and his team would return with a gold from the Rio Olympics 2016 also.
Lakra, who represented India in the London Olympics 2012 and Glasgow Commonwealth Games earlier this year, was spotted by SAIL Hockey Academy coach Peter Tirkey in 2003 during an inter-school tournament.
Tirkey said Lakra is the most versatile player in the Indian hockey team as he is capable of playing at any position.
The Times of India
Odisha celebrates India's hockey win at Asian Games
ROURKELA: The steel city of Odisha is witnessing celebrations in the wake of Indian hockey's succes at the recently concluded Incheon Asian Games.
In the men's team Birendra Lakra, the versatile player of SAIL Hockey Academy Rourkela, again proved his mettle in the face of stiff competition.
In the final against Pakistan, Lakra scored the important goal in the newly formatted shoot-out system.
Besides, three girls of the Panposh Hockey Academy, Lilima Minz, Namita Toppo and Sunita Lakjra are part of the bronze winning team, which defeated Japan by a solitary goal. The other members Deepgresh Ekka, belongs to SAI Academy at Sundergarh.
Former player Michael Kindo was ecstatic about the achievement. "I am happy for Birendra, but it is a good omen for Indian Hockey," he said.
Explaining his observation Kindo said, "now the national team can prepare solely for the Rio Olympics and there will not be any deviation or distraction like qualifying".
"This is good for the country. And Birendra, he is simply the best, if you have seen the telecast of the matches, he was always at the right place doing the right thing, and what one can expect from this talented and versatile players."
The Times of India
Golden age of umpiring
An historical moment for hockey as three umpires were honoured at the Asian Games in Incheon.
Umpires rarely steal the limelight but three umpires rightly took centre stage at the recent Asian Games in Incheon when they were presented with their Golden Whistle by FIH President Leandro Negre.
The Golden Whistle is awarded to umpires when they have umpired 100 senior international matches. The three recipients in Korea have travelled the world with their whistles and between them have amassed four World Cup appearances, two Olympic Games and countless other major international events.
Simon Taylor created history as he became the first men’s umpire from New Zealand to receive the golden whistle. He qualified for the honour when he umpired his 100th senior international match between Malaysia and Bangladesh at this year’s Asian Games. His international tournament debut was in the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in 2005 and since then, he has officiated at the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, Champions Trophy in 2007, 2009, 2012, the World Cup in 2010, 2014 and the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Taylor was promoted to the World Panel in 2012 following the 2012 Olympic Games.
Kang Hyun Young's first major tournament was the 2005 Champions Trophy in Canberra, Australia and since then the 39-year-old Korean has taken charge at two Asian Games (2010 and 2014), the 2012 Olympic Games, the 2012 Champions Trophy and this year’s World Cup.
The third and final umpire to be recognised by FIH is Indian umpire Javed Shaikh. Like Taylor and Hyun Young, Shaikh umpired in The Hague earlier this year, and made his senior debut in 2005 at the 14th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He has also umpired at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia; the Olympic Qualifier in Dublin and many other international tournaments around the world.
FIH site