News 12 October 2014
All the news for Sunday 12 October 2014
TAS Tigers, NSW Arrows win
Tigers win first AHL title in dramatic shoot-out; Arrows ninth crown
Photo credit: Adelaide Sports Photography
In dramatic style, NSW Arrows women and Tassie Tigers men clinched the titles at the 2014 Australian Hockey League powered by Premier Technology Solutions.
The women in blue stormed back from two goals down against defending champions Queensland Scorchers to win 3-2 after Hockeyroos Jordyn Holzberger and Jodie Kenny had put the hosts in the driving seat. But three goals in four minutes either side of three-quarter time turned the contest on its head. Emily Smith halved the deficit before levelling the score two minutes later and just a minute into the final period Mariah Williams scored the winner for the Arrows. For her exploits, Kenny took the top scorer award with nine goals in the competition – five ahead of her nearest challenger – while NSW Arrows captain Casey Eastham was named Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final.
Earlier, the Victorian Vipers claimed the bronze medal. Their 3-0 win over WA Diamonds came courtesy of a second quarter strike from Hockeyroo Georgia Nanscawen, added to by goals in the final ten minutes from Pauline Brugts and Hayley Padget. Despite the final outcome, for her performances throughout the competition, WA goalkeeper Ashlee Wells was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
And single goals decided both the fifth/sixth and seventh/eighth place playoffs in Brisbane. Danica Mazzini’s goal ten minutes from time helped the NT Pearls to a 1-0 win over Tasmania’s Van Demons women, the Territory’s first victory of the tournament. In the battle for fifth, ACT’s Canberra Labor Club Strikers were grateful to Canadian captain Katie Gillis, whose third goal in two games helped her side to fifth place over sixth place SA Southern Suns.
In the men’s competition in Adelaide, Tasmania’s first ever AHL title was secured in even more dramatic fashion. Two goals down to WA Thundersticks inside the opening six minutes of the grand final, the Tigers hit back with two goals in three minutes at the start of the final quarter, forcing the match to a shoot-out. With Australian Kookaburras goalkeepers Tyler Lovell and Tristan Clemons defending both goals, the first shoot-out efforts all failed to find the target before Jeremy Edwards struck for Tasmania. Nathan McGuire and Chris Bausor were then successful for WA while William Shaw failed to score for the Tigers; Eddie Ockenden then coolly sent the contest to sudden death. Ockenden struck again immediately in the knock-out but it was Tasmania’s WA-import goalkeeper Clemons who would secure the gold medal, sweeping away McGuire’s effort moments later.
Like their women, the Victorian men, the Vikings, took home the bronze medal after a thrilling shoot-out victory over Queensland Blades, 4-2 following a 4-4 draw. The sides traded goals throughout the 60 minutes after the eventual winners had raced into an early lead. In the shoot-out, James Webster, Glenn Simpson, Russell Ford and Chris Ciriello all found the net for Victoria, while only Daniel Beale and Dylan Wotherspoon could beat George Bazeley in the Vikings’ goal.
Tasmanian captain Eddie Ockenden was named Player of the Tournament for the second year running, and the third time overall, while SRA Territory Stingers goalkeeper Leon Hayward was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Tassie Tigers were awarded the Play the Whistle award. NSW Waratahs’ Blake Govers was top scorer, netting nine goals.
Perhaps aggrieved at missing out on the higher playoff in a shoot-out on Friday, RAMS Home Loan Canberra Lakers rounded off their tournament with a comprehensive 8-0 win over hosts, SA Southern Hotshots to finish seventh. Three players struck twice each – Glenn Turner, Aaron Kershaw and Iain Davidson, with Stuart Shepherd and Matthew Hotchkis also netting. NSW Waratahs finished fifth, ahead of sixth placed SRA Territory Stingers courtesy of 3-2 win thanks to two goals from captain Josh Miller and Blake Govers’ penalty corner with three minutes remaining.
In all, 134 goals were scored in the men’s tournament while the women’s competition saw 94 goals.
Women's AHL results - Saturday (Finals Day)
Brisbane, QLD
Tassie Van Demons (TAS) 0-1 NT Pearls (NT)
Canberra Labor Club Strikers (ACT) 1-0 SA Southern Suns (SA)
Victorian Vipers (VIC) 3-0 WA Diamonds (WA)
Queensland Scorchers (QLD) 2-3 NSW Arrows (NSW)
Women's Final Standings
1. NSW Arrows (NSW) - Champions
2. Queensland Scorchers (QLD) - silver medallists
3. Victorian Vipers (VIC) - bronze medallists
4. WA Diamonds (WA)
5. Canberra Labor Club Strikers (ACT)
6. SA Southern Suns (SA)
7. NT Pearls (NT)
8. Tassie Van Demons (TAS)
Player of the Tournament: Casey Eastham (NSW Arrows)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Ashlee Wells (WA Diamonds)
For vision footage of the women's AHL finals, click here.
For women's results, match sheets, squad lists, stats, scoring charts and more visit hockey.org.au/ahlwomen.
Men's AHL results - Saturday (Finals day)
Adelaide, SA
RAMS Home Loan Canberra Lakers (ACT) 8-0 SA Southern Hotshots (SA)
NSW Waratahs (NSW) 3-2 SRA Territory Stingers (NT)
Victorian Vikings (VIC) 4-4* Queensland Blades (QLD)
*Victorian Vikings win 4-2 on shoot-out
WA Thundersticks (WA) 2-2^ Tassie Tigers (TAS)
^Tassie Tigers win 3-2 on shoot-out (sudden death)
Men's Final Standings
1. Tassie Tigers (TAS) - Champions
2. WA Thundersticks (WA) - silver medallists
3. Victorian Vikings (VIC) - bronze medallists
4. Queensland Blades (QLD)
5. NSW Waratahs (NSW)
6. SRA Territory Stingers (NT)
7. RAMS Home Loan Canberra Lakers (ACT)
8. SA Southern Hotshots (SA)
Player of the Tournament: Eddie Ockenden (Tassie Tigers)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Leon Hayward (SRA Territory Stingers)
Play the Whistle award: Tassie Tigers
For vision footage of the men's AHL finals, click here.
For men's results, match sheets, squad lists, stats, scoring charts and more visit hockey.org.au/ahlmen.
Hockey Australia media release
Everything to play for after day two in Barcelona
It was another all action Round One day in Barcelona with all four tickets to the KO16 - confirmed for Bloemendaal earlier today - still to be confirmed. Kampong somehow snatched a win over East Grinstead, Atletic Terrassa came 2-0 down to draw with SV Arminen while Daring and Rot-Weiss Koln had strong wins.
Here's a breakdown of how it all panned out!
Pool A: Kampong 3 (R Kemperman, M Havenga, C Jonker) East Grinstead 2 (M Gleghorne 2)
Kampong summoned a controversial late fightback to beat East Grinstead 3-2 in the final game of day two, scoring twice in the last five minutes to leave the English side wholly frustrated.
Mark Gleghorne’s first half goal had EG in front at half-time as they looked a transformed side with Ashley Jackson in the team. Robbert Kemperman equalised only for Gleghorne to tip in an excellent team goal
The lights went out with 14 minutes to go, necessitating a break for them to come back on and Kampong levelled for a second time on the restart via Martijn Havenga’s penalty stroke.
Then, in the final minute, Pepijn Luijkx fired a perfect cross for Jonker to deflect into the top of the goal to win the game 3-2.
It means Kampong need a draw from their game on Sunday against Dinamo Stroitel to claim a KO16 ticket while East Grinstead must wait on the outcome.
Pool B: Royal Daring 3 (T Cosyns, V Wegnez, G Cosyns) Monkstown 0
Royal Daring began life as and EHL side with a well-crafted victory over Monkstown as they made the right bursts at the right time to land the result.
Tanguy Cosyns scored a spectacular opening goal from their first penalty corner in the eighth minute. The lead was extended when Manu Brunet dashed forward and his shot was redirected into the goal by the lively Victor Wegnez for 2-0 on 40 minutes. Monkstown did win three penalty corners but could not convert while Jof Cosyns vollyed home a third goal on the final whistle to add extra garnish to the win.
It sets up a Sunday showdown with Racing Club de France with the winner taking all in the race for the KO16 ticket. That game will be played at 2.30pm (CET).
Pool C: Rot Weiss Köln 5 (C Zeller 3, C Menke, T Grambusch) WKS Grunwald Poznan 0
Christopher Zeller’s second half hat trick saw Rot Weiss Köln move into a great position to progress to the KO16 as his team shot home five times after the big break to beat WKS Grunwald Poznan in the first game of Round 1, day two.
After a scoreless first half, Zeller popped home the easiest of finishes to break the deadlock and subsequently smashed home a second off the back of two good Mariusz Chyla saves for 2-0.
Christoph Menke’s solo goal, a Tom Grambusch penalty stroke and a Zeller penalty corner rocket completed the win. Should they defeat HC Bra on Sunday, they will reach the KO16 phase.
Pool D: Atletic Terrassa 2 (E Roig, M Torrente) SV Arminen 2 (P Schmidt, A Bele)
Atletic Terrassa salvaged a dramatic draw to bring Pool D down to the wire on Sunday, clawing back a two-goal deficit in a dramatic battle with Austrian champions SV Arminen.
Arminen became the first Austrian side to win a game in the EHL on day one and carried that confidence in to today’s game with gusto. They got off to a breathtaking start, building a 2-0 lead in the first quarter through excellent goals from Patrick Schmidt and Alexander Bele.
Terrassa, though, battled back and were back in the mix when Eduard Roig got the deftest of touches to a brilliant Albert Beltran run and shot. From there, they camped in Arminen’s circle, hitting the post and letting a couple of penalty corner chances slip before Marc Torrente nipped in to deflect in a set-piece move with five minutes to go.
It means Atletic are still alive in the competition while Arminen face a nervous wait on Sunday. If the Spanish side win by a better scoreline than the 5-2 the Austrian team managed against Kelburne, then they will advance in the place.
** Throughout the weekend, we will have live streaming on http://www.ehlhockey.tv/live/ while there will be twitter updates on https://twitter.com/EHLHockeyTV.
Sunday 12 October 2014
9.30am, Pool C, KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln v HC Bra
12pm, Pool D, Atletic Terrassa v Kelburne
2.30pm, Pool B, Royal Daring v Racing Club de France
5pm, Pool A, SV Kampong v Dinamo-Stroitel
Euro Hockey League media release
Kampong salvage EG win at the death
Pool A: Kampong 3 (R Kemperman, M Havenga, C Jonker) East Grinstead 2 (M Gleghorne 2)
Kampong summoned a controversial late fightback to beat East Grinstead 3-2 in the final game of day two, scoring twice in the last five minutes to leave the English side wholly frustrated.
Kampong had the better of the early chances with Patrick Smith twice denying Constantijn Jonker with his helmet from rasping shots.
But East Grinstead looked a different proposition to yesterday as Ashley Jackson returned to the side. They went ahead through Mark Gleghorne who scored from a reset penalty corner, giving East Grinstead the half-time lead with a drag-flick in the 33rd minute.
Constantijn Jonker laid on the equaliser for Robbert Kemperman nine minutes into the second half, a simple finish after an inch-perfect pull-back from the left baseline.
Gleghorne, though, restored the English side’s advantage when he got on the end of a flowing move. Jackson was the intsigator with a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Andy Griffiths who picked out Gleghorne waiting on the right post.
The lights went out with 14 minutes to go, necessitating a break for them to come back on. With time running out, Loick Luypaert had a drag-flick ruled out for taking the corner before the hooter while his next flick hit Simon Faulkner on the head on the line.
After a consultation, a penalty stroke was given which EG contested hotly. Martijn Havenga, however, kept his cool to convert for 2-2. Then, in the final minute, Pepijn Luijkx fired a perfect cross for Jonker to deflect into the top of the goal to win the game 3-2.
It means Kampong need a draw from their game on Sunday against Dinamo Stroitel to claim a KO16 ticket while East Grinstead must wait on the outcome.
Euro Hockey League media release
Cosyns brothers shoot Daring to debut win
Pool B: Royal Daring 3 (T Cosyns, V Wegnez, G Cosyns) Monkstown 0
Royal Daring began life as and EHL side with a well-crafted victory over Monkstown as they made the right bursts at the right time to land the result.
It sets up a Sunday showdown with Racing Club de France with the winner taking all in the race for the KO16 ticket.
Tanguy Cosyns scored a spectacular opening goal from their first penalty corner in the eighth minute. It stayed at 1-0, though, due to some excellent goalkeeping from David Fitzgerald while Lee Cole and Richard Sykes produced a number of big tackles.
But, with Manu Brunet ghosting forward and Sergi Enrique to ther fore, Daring were solid throughout and eventually made their quality show on the scoreboard.
From a Brunet dash forward, his shot was redirected into the goal by the lively Victor Wegnez for 2-0 on 40 minutes. Monkstown did win three penalty corners but could not convert while Jof Cosyns vollyed home a third goal on the final whistle to add extra garnish to the win.
Their second match is on Sunday at 2.30pm (CET) while Monkstown end the competition with one point to their name.
Euro Hockey League media release
Arminen denied KO16 by late Atletic strike
Pool D: Atletic Terrassa 2 (E Roig, M Torrente) SV Arminen 2 (P Schmidt, A Bele)
Atletic Terrassa salvaged a dramatic draw to bring Pool D down to the wire on Sunday, clawing back a two-goal deficit in a dramatic battle with Austrian champions SV Arminen.
Arminen became the first Austrian side to win a game in the EHL on day one and carried that confidence in to today’s game with gusto. They got off to a breathtaking start, building a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.
The first was sublime, breaking out from a defensive corner following Michael Minar’s block. Three passes later and Robert Bele and Michael Berger were laying on the ball for Patrick Schmidt to knock home.
Soon after, Alexander Bele turned home a left wing cross at the near post to double their celebrations and, courtesy of some outstanding defensive work, they kept Atletic at bay until the half-time hooter.
The pressure kept mounting, though, and got one back when Eduard Roig got the deftest of touches to a brilliant Albert Beltran run and shot. From there, they camped in Arminen’s circle, hitting the post and letting a couple of penalty corner chances slip before Marc Torrente nipped in to deflect in a set-piece move.
With Arminen suffering a couple of late yellow cards, Atletic sniffed a chance of a winner but it did not come. It means they must now beat Kelburne on Sunday by a better scoreline than the 5-2 result the Austrian side secured.
Euro Hockey League media release
Zeller leads Rot Weiss's second half goal-fest
Pool C: Rot Weiss Köln 5 (C Zeller 3, C Menke, T Grambusch) WKS Grunwald Poznan 0
Christopher Zeller’s second half hat trick saw Rot Weiss Köln move into a great position to progress to the KO16 as his team shot home five times after the big break to beat WKS Grunwald Poznan in the first game of Round 1, day two.
The first half was keenly contested with no quarter given. Rot-Weiss held most of the ball and had the two best chances but Marco Miltkau fired wide from close range and Henning Hütterman fired over.
On the counter, Artur Mikula was creating plenty of danger and saw one effort just scrambled away while Michal Poltaszewski drew the best from Victor Aly in the German side’s goal.
It left the tie scoreless with no penalty corners at the break but the second half was a different matter.
Zeller popped home the easiest of finishes to break the deadlock when Benjamin Wess’s right wing cross popped up invitingly off a defensive stick. The German star then smashed home a second off the back of two good Mariusz Chyla saves, making it 2-0.
Christoph Menke’s superb steal and run from halfway put three in the difference at the end of the third quarter and Tom Grambusch scored from the penalty spot after Miltkau was fouled by Chyla.
Zeller then fired a rocket to the roof of the goal with the final act of the game to make it five and steer the German side to the top of the table. It means that they need just a losing bonus point from their game againstr HC Bra on Sunday (9.30am CET) to assure their progress but they will be hoping for much more.
Euro Hockey League media release
HC Bloemendaal to host EHL KO16/FINAL4
The EHL KO16/FINAL4 will return to Bloemendaal in 2015 for the third time next Easter when the 16 best clubs on the continent will battle it out for the title of Europe’s premier club.
It will coincide with Bloemendaal’s 120th anniversary and is set to be yet another spectacular of hockey with 16 knock-out matches of the very highest quality.
Most recently, the club played host to the farewell game of Teun de Nooijer in 2013, the club icon winning the trophy on home turf in front of a passionate and adoring public.
Similar memories will be made this year and the Chairman of the EHL board, Jons Hensel, says it will be another event that further secures the EHL’s place as the world’s best club competition.
“We are delighted to return to Bloemendaal, one of the most historic clubs in the Netherlands and the EHL,” Hensel said. “They have been superb hosts in the past and will, no doubt, generate that same atmosphere again while the hospitality to visitors from around the continent will be second to none.”
Marijke Fleuren, the President of the EHF, added: “We are looking forward to bringing the KO16/FINAL4 to Bloemendaal, a club that has a special relationship with the EHL. The quality on display in Barcelona in Round 1 tells us that the hockey in the knock-out stages will be something special.”
Bloemendaal President Hendrik Goeman Borgesius, meanwhile, says it will be a serious celebration once again: "We will have a big party just like the previous times we hosted the EHL.
“There are sixteen teams coming from all over Europe to Bloemendaal. The EHL is a great advertisement for the province of North Holland and HC Bloemendaal and we guarantee plenty of atmosphere and beautiful hockey.”
Full details of dates and fixture times will be confirmed in due course.
Euro Hockey League media release
First test for Juniors
By Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysian juniors will know their standing in the world when they are pitted against some of the best in the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) beginning today at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor.
Defending champions India hope to ride on the back of their seniors winning the Incheon Asian Games gold to defend their gold. The other teams 2013 runners-up Malaysia will be up against are Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Britain.
Much is at stake in Johor, as the SOJC is the only Under-21 tournament in the world which is sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the other being the Junior World Cup.
Coach Arul Selvaraj, who named his final 18 yesterday, said that he has selected the best in the country, and it is a balanced squad.
“This is the first tournament for the players since the team was formed in June, so they are also an unknown entity. However, I expect them to give their best, and of course we would like to play in the final, but there is no early target,” said Arul.
The team are being groomed for the 2016 Junior World Cup in India. Malaysia finished fourth in the last World Cup, also in India.
Malaysia take on Australia in their opening match today.
India, meanwhile, are looking at nothing less than a golden harvest.
Led by captain Harjeet Singh, India will open accounts against New Zealand today.
“We are a new team but we have the same old dream to retain the Sultan of Johor Cup.
“We have been training together for the last few weeks and are very confident of achieving the goal. Our first match against New Zealand is crucial as starting a tournament on a winning note will boost the morale of the team and will help continue the winning dominance,” said Harjeet.
India coach Harendra Singh said: “The team are geared up for the SOJC and without carrying any burden of previous achievements, we will focus on playing high-level and technically sound hockey.”
MALAYSIA: Ridzwan Azmi, Fitri Jasni, Ashran Hamsani, Luqman Nul Haqim, Azril Misron, Najib Hassan, Meor Azuan, Sufi Ismat, Haziq Samsul, Firdaus Omar, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Amirol Aideed, Shahril Saabah, Syed Shafiq, Ahmad Ashraf, Azwar Rahman, D. Selvanayagam, Najmi Farizal.
New Straits Times
Tough start for hockey boys in Sultan of Johor meet
by Aftar Singh
JOHOR BARU: This is very much like a baptism of fire for the Project 2016 squad.
Coach S. Arulselvaraj’s boys will compete in the Sultan of Johor Cup with two distinct disadvantages – the lack of exposure and experience.
The Under-21 tournament, to be played at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru beginning on Sunday, will be their first tournament since being formed in June. Twenty-five players were called up for training after the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) ended in April.
And the only playing experience they’ve had were the four friendlies against the national senior team in August and the four-match playing tour of Perth last month.
They also played two friendlies against Britain on Thursday and Friday – losing 2-1 and 4-0.
But Arulselvaraj, who named his final 18-man squad for the tournament on Saturday, is not perturbed.
He has told his boys to play with confidence.
“This is our first tournament but the players, whose average age is 19, should not feel intimidated ... although they will be up against quality oppositions,” he said.
“They must make good use of the tournament to learn to play as a unit and give their best.”
Arulselvaraj is also counting on his three experienced players to guide and inspire the others.
The trio are national players Mohd Shahril Saabah (forward), Haziq Samsul (forward) and Meor Mohamed Azuan Hasan (midfielder).
It’s definitely going to be a bumpy start for Malaysia as their first opponent is Australia.
Arulselvaraj admitted that he doesn’t know the real strength of the Australian team but “I do know that we can expect a rough ride”.
“The Australians play a fast attacking game and it will be good to see how my boys cope with that,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Haziq to lead team out in Sultan of Johor Cup
by Aftar Singh
Haziq Samsul has been chosen as the captain of the Project 2016 hockey squad for the Sultan of Johor Cup hocket meet. - Filepic
JOHOR BARU: Forward Haziq Samsul was touted as the outsider for the captain’s armband.
Yet, it was Haziq who was named captain of the Project 2016 squad for the Sultan of Johor Cup, which begins on Sunday at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
Two other national players – forward Mohd Shahril Saabah (30 caps) and midfielder Meor Mohd Azuan Hasan (20 caps) – were the frontrunners.
“I did not pick Shahril or Meor to be the captain because they are busy training and playing with the national senior team.
“I picked Haziq because he has been training with the team since June. He also has the ability to lead the team,” explained National Juniors coach S. Arulselvaraj.
The 20-year-old Perak-born Haziq has only six international caps after featuring in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July.
Haziq, who was named the best player in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perlis in June, described his appointment as “a dream come true”.
“I never expected it. It will be a challenge for me to score goals and also to set a good example for my team-mates,” said Haziq, who endured a miserable outing in the Glasgow Games – failing to score a single goal in six matches.
In the six-team Sultan of Johor Cup, Malaysia will open their campaign against Australia on Sunday and Haziq is hoping for a good start.
The other teams in the fray are defending champions India, Britain, New Zealand and Pakistan.
Malaysia won the inaugural tournament in 2011 and finished last in 2012.
Last year, they finished runners-up after losing 3-0 to India in the final.
The Project 2016 squad
Mohd Ridzwan Azmi, Mohd Fitri Jasni, Mohd Ashran Hamsani, Luqman Nul Haqim Ahmad Shukran, Azril Misron, Mohd Najib Abu Hassan, Meor Mohamed Azuan Hasan, Mohd Sufi Ismat Rohulamin, Mohd Haziq Samsul, Mohd Firdaus Omar, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Mohd Amirol Aideed Arshad, Mohd Shahril Saabah, Syed Mohd Shafiq Syed Cholan, Ahmad Ashraf Alias, Mohd Azwar Rahman, D. Selvanayagam, Mohd Najmi Farizal Jazlan.
The Star of Malaysia
Defending champions India face New Zealand test in Johor Cup
JOHOR BAHRU (Malaysia): Defending champions India face New Zealand in their Sultan of Johor Cup opener to be played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.
The team comprising a bunch of fresh faces go into the U-21 tournament as a confident lot. With players like captain Harjeet Singh, his deputy Imran Khan, Gurinder Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh, who have the experience of representing the senior national team, will be motivating their relatively inexperienced teammates.
The Indian colts have been practising together for the last one month under the guidance of coach Harendra Singh.
With the recent triumph of the Indian team at the Incheon Asian Games, the Indian juniors aim to repeat the success of their seniors.
On the other hand, New Zealand have a reputation of punching above their weight and they will try to create some upsets in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the match against New Zealand, Harendra Singh said, "The Team is very much excited to play against the Junior Black Sticks in their first match. Everyone in the team is geared-up for this prestigious tournament and we are looking at an exciting contest tomorrow. We want to start our campaign with a motivating victory in our first match."
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Abhinav Kumar Pandey, Subodh Tirkey.
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Dipsan Tirkey, Anand Lakra, Varun Kumar, Gurinder Singh.
Midfielders: Santa Singh, Sumit, Harjeet Singh (captain), Nilkantha Sharma, Simranjeet Singh.
Forwards: Imran Khan (vice-captain), Parvinder Singh, Pawan Kumar, Aarman Qureshi, Sumit Kumar.
The Times of India
Beeston sweep aside Brooklands Manchester University
Beeston's Stuart Pilgrim scores past Brooklands goalkeeper Chris Scott. Credit Josh Dixon
Sam Ward and Stuart Pilgrim both scored twice as Beeston swept aside Brooklands Manchester University 7-1 in the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division.
Beeston had scored four by the break and it only got worse for Brooklands after the restart, despite Phil Dutoy scoring a consolation. As well as Ward and Pilgrim’s goals David Ames, Gordon McIntyre and Adam Dixon also scored.
Surbiton held on to second spot in the table after a goal in each half was enough to record a 2-0 victory over Hampstead and Westminster.
Matt Daly opened the scoring from a penalty corner on 18 minutes and then Dave Beckett wrapped up the points six minutes from end, making it 2-0.
Cannock took their second win of the season with a 2-1 defeat of struggling Canterbury. Nick Bandurak and Hardeep Jawanda gave them a 2-0 lead and although Kwan Browne pulled one back for Canterbury in the final minute, it was too little, too late.
The match between Wimbledon and Reading was abandoned with the score at two-nil to Reading, after the floodlights failed just as Wimbledon were preparing for a penalty corner.
Tom Carson and Richard Mantell scored Reading’s first half goals, but it remains up to the league committee whether the result will stand.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Conference West
Team Bath Buccaneers and Cardiff both had 100 per cent records going into their NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Conference West showdown, but it was the Buccaneers who made it five wins from five with a 2-0 win. Goals came from Tim Davenport and Shaun Baker.
Fareham are third in the league and beat Guildford 4-1 with James Seager bagging a brace. James Astley was also on target twice as his Cheltenham side beat Whitchurch 3-1. University of Birmingham beat University of Exeter 3-2 and Barford Tigers prevailed with a 3-1 score line against Indian Gymkhana.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Conference North
Ben White’s hat-trick led the way for Bowdon as a dominant display saw them beat Deeside Ramblers 7-1.
David Egerton chipped in with a brace as Bowdon took their third win of the season and retain top spot in NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Conference North.
There was a another hat-trick hero in the South Yorkshire derby between Sheffield Hallam and Doncaster as Liam Ansell showed his skill in front of goal in Hallam’s 5-2 win.
University of Durham were also big winners, beating Leek 6-2. Olton and West Warwicks inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Loughborough Students and Wakefield beat Belper 2-1.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Conference East
Holcombe smashed 11 unanswered goals past West Herts as they went clear at the top of the NOW: Pensions Men’s Conference East.
Gareth Andrew bagged four goals, while Dan Coultas hit a hat-trick, James Stedman scored two and there were single strikes from Stefan Vehrle-Smith and David Appleton.
Chichester Priory Park tasted their first defeat of the campaign with a 2-1 loss to Bromley and Beckenham.
Chichester had taken the lead on 18 minutes through Connor Mclaughlin but late goals from Ali Falconer and Jamie Batten stole the win for Bromley.
There was another late winner in the game between Old Loughtonians and Brighton and Hove as Mike Burney’s 66th minute goal clinched a 3-2 victory for Brighton.
Oxted were another team who left it late to take something from their game, Huw Jones’ 70th minute strike tying their game with Cambridge City at 3-3.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, October 11 2014):
NOW: Pensions Men's Premier Division: Beeston 7, Brooklands Manchester University 1; Surbiton 2, Hampstead and Westminster 0; Wimbledon 0, Reading 2 (aban 60 mins); Canterbury 1, Cannock 2.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference West: University of Birmingham 3, University of Exeter 2; Whitchurch 1, Cheltenham 3; Team Bath Buccaneers 2, Cardiff and Met 0; Guildford 1, Fareham 4; Barford Tigers 3, Indian Gymkhana 1.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference North: University of Durham 6, Leek 2; Deeside Ramblers 1, Bowdon 7; Doncaster 2, Sheffield Hallam 5; Wakefield 2, Belper 1; Loughborough Students 1, Olton and West Warwicks 3.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference East: Old Loughtonians 2, Brighton and Hove 3; Oxted 3, Cambridge City 3; Richmond 2, Teddington 1; Holcombe 11, West Herts 0; Bromley and Beckenham 2, Chichester Priory Park 1.
England Hockey Board Media release
Surbiton go top after Clifton win
Surbiton players celebrate Abi robinson’s goal v Clifton. Credit Peter Smith
In-form Surbiton took a two-point lead at the top of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division after beating Clifton 2-1 on Saturday.
The two sides were level on points going into the match and were both undefeated so far. It was hosts Clifton who got their noses in front early on, Jo Leigh slotting home from a penalty corner after 11 minutes.
But Abi Robinson levelled the scores for Surbiton before the break, finding the target on 20 minutes. And early in the second half, Rebecca Herbert found a way through to score the winner for the visitors.
Holcombe are still unbeaten after Laura Unsworth scored a last-minute equaliser for them in their 2-2 draw with Leicester.
University of Birmingham picked up their second win of the season away to Beeston with Alice Sharp, Lily Owsley, Hannah Martin and Faye Curran getting their goals in a 4-2 victory.
Reading also won their second game of the campaign, a 2-0 result against Bowdon Hightown courtesy of strikes from Tina Evans and Becky Halle.
Canterbury scored a goal in each half to condemn Buckingham to a 2-0 defeat with goals from Dirkie Chamberlain and Susannah Townsend.
Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference East
East Grinstead racked up their fourth win in five games when they beat Horsham 5-1 and maintain top spot in Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference East.
Five different scorers were on target for the visitors with Lucy Brown, Zoe Burrell, Jo Davis, Eleanor Keefe and Julia Blackstock finding the net.
St Albans are also still unbeaten and they matched East Grinstead, beating Ipswich 5-1. Lottie Porter nabbed a brace.
Emma Leigh-Smith hit a hat-trick in Harleston Magpies’ 4-0 win over Chelmsford and Wimbledon took a narrow 3-2 win over Bedford. Maidenhead also won by the odd goal, Bex Miall’s lone strike getting the better of Sevenoaks.
Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference West
Slough are now five points clear at the top of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference West after beating Cheltenham 4-0. Philippa Newton hit two first half goals and Laura Bailey scored two more after the break to seal the result.
Swansea City leapfrogged Gloucester City into second place after beating them 1-0 as Carys Gordon scored the only goal of the game.
Katie Brough was on target twice in Olton and West Warwicks’ 2-1 defeat of Stourport and Annabel Field hit the only goal in Trojans’ 1-0 win over Isca. Oxford Hawks and Bristol Firebrands played out a goalless draw.
Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference North
Wakefield took top spot in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference North with a 3-2 win over Whitley Bay and Tynemouth. Cat Horn scored two of their goals as they came from 1-0 down to claim three points.
Brooklands Poynton dropped to third and Sutton Coldfield jumped to second after the two sides met and Sutton Coldfield won 3-1. Kate Harris scored the first goal for Brooklands but efforts from Vicky Woolford, Nic Whalley and Emma Mccabe sealed the win.
Cannock and Ben Rhydding drew 2-2 and the game between Loughborough Students and Kendal also ended honours even with a 1-1 stalemate. In the other game, Liverpool Sefton beat University of Durham 1-0.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, October 11 2014):
Investec Women's Premier Division: Beeston 2, University of Birmingham 4; Clifton 1, Surbiton 2; Bowdon Hightown 0, Reading 2; Holcombe 2, Leicester 2; Canterbury 2, Buckingham 0.
Investec Women's Conference East: St Albans 5, Ipswich 1; Wimbledon 3, Bedford 2; Harleston Magpies 4, Chelmsford 0; Horsham 1, East Grinstead 5; Maidenhead 1, Sevenoaks 0.
Investec Women's Conference North: Brooklands Poynton 1, Sutton Coldfield 3; Loughborough Students 1, Kendal 1; Wakefield 3, Whitley Bay 2; Cannock 2, Ben Rhydding 2; University of Durham 0, Liverpool Sefton 1.
Investec Women's Conference West: Olton and West Warwicks 2, Stourport 1; Oxford Hawks 0, Bristol Firebrands 0; Isca 0, Trojans 1; Slough 4, Cheltenham 0; Gloucester City 0, Swansea City 1.
England Hockey Board Media release
Paragon starts defence in style
Cristina Abreu of Fatima attempts a shopt on goal while under pressure from Carib’s Kern Ramsammy in their Mixed Veterans Division match of the T&T Hockey Board Indoor Championship at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilton-Hodler Street, Woodbrook, yesterday. Fatima won 3-2. Photo: Abraham Diaz.
Four different players were in double-figure scoring as Paragon began defence of its Men’s Open Division title in the T&T Hockey Board Indoor Championship with a 12-1 bashing of Shape at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilt-Hodler Street, Woodbrook on Friday night. National team trio, Akim Toussaint (1st, 4th), Cogie Butler (12th, 22nd) and Kiel Murray (29th, 30th) all netted braces along with Barry Clarke (23rd, 24th) while Syl Sinnette (2nd), Richard Roach (8th), Jabari Perez (14th) and Terrence Baptiste (32nd) added one each for the winners. Shape got its lone item from Lyndell Byer in the 14th.
In the other men’s encounter, Nicholas Wren’ 40th minute item, to complete his hat-trick earned Defence Force an entertaining 7-7 draw with Notre Dame. Shandy Carib Magnolias and Paragon got their women’s campaign off to winning starts, via 1-0 and 3-0 triumphs over Harvard Checkers respectively. And in the Mixed Veterans competition, Nicholas Wren banged in nine goals for Defence Force in its 15-0 drubbing of Shape. Due to the unavailability of venues, matches will only be staged on weekends, Friday to Sunday each week with the first thre weekends of the tournament being staged at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, while the “final” weekend of the tournament which ends on November 2 will be shifted to the neighbouring Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo.
RESULTS
Mixed Veterans
Defence Force 15 (Nicholas Wren 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 27th, Anthony Morales 6th, 10th, Roger Daniel 18th, 24th, Anton Reyes 22nd, 25th) vs Shape 0
Men’s Open
Paragon 12 (Akim Toussaint 1st, 4th, Cogie Butler 12th, 22nd, Kiel Murray 29th, 30th, Barry Clarke 23rd, 24th, Syl Sinnette 2nd, Richard Roach 8th, Jabari Perez 14th, Terrence Baptiste 32nd) vs Shape 1 (Lyndell Byer 14th)
Notre Dame 7 (Shaquille Daniel 4th, 34th, Keith De Peza 10th, 14th, Nicholas Baldeosingh 14th, Tobias Ottley 30th, Ishmael Campbell 39th) vs Defence Force 7 (Nicholas Wren 8th, 12th, 40th, Marcus James 15th, 21st, Shane Legerton 18th, Javon Woodward 19th)
Women’s Open
Magnolias 1 (Jessica Lee 34th) vs Ventures 0
Paragon 3 (Zene Henry 13th, 16th, Gabrielle Thompson 9th) vs Harvard Checkers 0
Today’s matches:
Under-19 Boys: Fatima vs QPCC, 10am
Under-19 Boys: Notree Dame vs Courts Malvern, 10.40am
Under-19 Boys: Paragon vs Shape, 11.20am
Veterans Mixed: Carib vs Shape, 12 noon
Under-19 Girls: Notre Dame vs Harvard Checkers, 12.40pm
Under-19 Girls: Paragon vs Carib Magnolias, 1.20pm
Men’s Open: QPCC vs Fatima, 2pm
Women’s Open: Ventures vs Harvard Checkers, 2.50pm
Veterans Mixed: Notre Dame vs QPCC, 3.40pm
Veterans Mixed: Defence Force vs Fatima, 4.20pm
Men’s Open: Petrotrin vs Malvern, 5pm
Women’s Open: Notre Dame vs Carib Magnolias, 5.50pm
Veterans Mixed: Malvern vs Police, 6.40pm
The Trinidad Guardian
The darling of Gojra: the 19-year-old that conquered Asia
By Nabil Tahir
BRIGHT FUTURE: Muhammad Touseeq Arshad already has four years of international experience under his belt and is considered one of the best centre-halves in the world at the age of 19. PHOTO: facebook.com/tousiq.arshad
KARACHI: The quaint village of Gojra has a proud tradition of producing one international hockey player after another, with more than 110 international hockey players hailing from this village since 1970.
The latest jewel in that glittering crown is Muhammad Touseeq Arshad and at the brittle young age of 19, he already shines as bright as the rest. The darling of Gojra’s precocious talent was recognised at just 15, when he was picked for the under-15s. Two years later, merely 17 years old, he became the youngest ever hockey Pakistani Olympian when he represented the country at the 2012 London Olympics but was unable to inspire the Greenshirts to a medal as they finished a disappointing seventh.
All in the family
Like his village, his family also has a long line of international hockey players; a total 11 in all. Touseeq was the 10th; his younger brother Ateeq Arshad became the 11th and is currently the vice-captain of the Pakistan junior hockey team that is playing in Malaysia. His father, Muhammad Arshad, never made it to the international circuit but was also a professional hockey player. “Touseeq was the 10th player from our family to represent Pakistan,” he said. “Ateeq is the 11th. The first ever was my elder brother, the late Muhammad Aslam, an international hockey coach more commonly known as Ustad Aslam Roda.”
Gojra is a tehsil of the Toba Tek Singh district and has had 118 of its residents represent the country at different age groups. Many of these, especially the recent ones, benefitted from the tutelage of the late Roda and the Arshad brothers are no different. “I am really lucky that Roda was my uncle and I have learnt all of my skills from him,” said Touseeq. “Six of the players currently in the junior hockey team, including my brother, are all students of Roda.”
From strength to strength
Despite representing his country from such a young age, Touseeq has never been overwhelmed by the magnitude of the occasions. He was the man of the tournament in the second Under 18 Asia Cup Hockey Tournament that was played in Burma in December 2009; his debut international tournament
He has since then gone from strength to strength and is now considered one of the, if not the, best players in the continent. Before his departure for the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Touseeq received the Asian Player of the Year award on August 31, given to him by the Asian Hockey Federation in the congress held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The award is his second so far, as he was also named the Asian Player of the Year in 2010. An year before that, Touseeq was awarded the best young emerging player, while he also claimed the player of the tournament award during last year’s Asian Champions Trophy in Japan. All of this and he is yet to come out of his teens.
“I have reached my first aim of becoming the best player in Asia, and now I’ve set my eyes on attaining recognition on the global stage,” the ambitious centre-half said. “I would love to help Pakistan win all the tournaments that we compete in and, even though personal records matter, I want to become a team player and help take the Greenshirts back to their glory days.”
Coming from such a village, it is no surprise that Touseeq’s love for hockey and his love for Pakistan come above everything else. Touseeq recently rejected the chance to play in the Malaysian Hockey League in order to concentrate on upcoming international commitments and to help Pakistan. “I can earn more in two months playing the Malaysian league than I will earn in two years with the international side, but my first priority is to serve my country, not earn money,” said Touseeq.
Pakistan may have failed to defend their Asian Games title and the hockey team’s performances may have been poor in the past year, but with players like Touseeq in the side, the Greenshirts surely have a lot to look forward to.
The Express Tribune