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News 18 October 2014

All the news for Saturday 18 October 2014


Great Britain reach double figures in second test against France


Mark Gleghorne in action

A hat-trick from East Grinstead’s Mark Gleghorne as well as a brace for Nick Catlin pushed Great Britain into double figures as they thumped France 10-0 in the second test at Bisham Abbey. Iain Lewers’ 2nd minute strike set the tone and Bobby Crutchley’s side scored five times in each half to round off the two match series with their second big win against the World No17 side.

After yesterday’s 9-1 win over the same opponents, Great Britain imposed themselves on the game early on. Iain Lewers applied the finish from Ashley Jackson’s pass after a broken down penalty corner in the second minute to open the scoring. Five minutes later Nick Catlin came up with a deft reverse stick finish and then added another touching in from Jackson’s pass.

Great Britain were keeping the ball well, patiently looking for an opening as France sat deep, trying to hold off their hosts. Gleghorne opened his account with a powerful penalty corner and then debutant Chris Griffiths grabbed his first senior international goal with a lovely deflection from Barry Middleton’s pass.

After the break Great Britain swarmed forward with George Pinner in the home goal a virtual spectator for the duration of the game. Chris Grassick scored his first goal for Great Britain after good approach work from Gordon McIntyre and then Dan Shingles waltzed through the defence to bury his chance to make it 7-0. Gleghorne slid in to make it 8-0 and then completed his hat-trick from another penalty corner. There was still time for McIntyre to find the net with a lovely lofted finish making it 10-0.

Quotes – England Head Coach Bobby Crutchley

On the performance today:
“I was a bit frustrated at the start as our intensity wasn’t there but as the game wore on we got better and overall I’m very pleased. Some of our attacking play we’ve worked on in training and it came off really well today. Obviously different opposition will offer different challenges but overall we’re very satisfied.”

On what’s next for the squad:
“We’ve got a week’s training then a break and then we go into another block before some test matches with Spain. The Champions Trophy is different for different teams but it’ll be a good test to see where we are. Selection is up for grabs. We want to be strong but also keep developing the group and the new players. This week has given me plenty to think about, but in a good way.”

Barry Middleton, Great Britain Captain:

On the games this week:
“They were two really good wins. We were happy yesterday because we’re pressing teams a lot more and are able to score more goals from winning the ball higher up so that’s a big positive. Being able to repeat that again today is great. We have Spain coming up and we need to kick on again in that one.”

On playing as Great Britain:
“It’s not different for us. We train together all the time and these guys are around the group every day. The big difference is probably for the non-English players, playing at this intensity. When they play for Scotland they aren’t always on the front foot as much, so it’s different for them to adapt and get the mentality. It takes time but it’s great to get them into the side and to get them games.”

On the new players in the squad:
“They’ve stepped in really well. Sometimes you see a gap between new players and the players who’ve been around a while, but it’s not that noticeable with this group. They aren’t below anyone and they’ll keep improving. It’s exciting for me to see that potential. We’ve added people in the positions we wanted and they give us different options. It also pushes the guys who’ve been around a while. It’s a testament to the culture and environment we have that this is the norm and the standard we aspire to.”

England Hockey Board Media release



Two Scots add to GB goal tally over France

Two Scots Chris Grassick and Gordon McIntrye aided to Great Britain tremendous 10-0 win over France today in the second test at Bisham Abbey.

A hat-trick from East Grinstead’s Mark Gleghorne as well as a brace for Nick Catlin pushed Great Britain into double figures over France. Iain Lewers’ 2nd minute strike set the tone and Bobby Crutchley’s side scored five times in each half to round off the two match series with their second big win against the World No17 side.

After yesterday’s 9-1 win over the same opponents, Great Britain imposed themselves on the game early on. Iain Lewers applied the finish from Ashley Jackson’s pass after a broken down penalty corner in the second minute to open the scoring. Five minutes later Nick Catlin came up with a deft reverse stick finish and then added another touching in from Jackson’s pass.

Great Britain were keeping the ball well, patiently looking for an opening as France sat deep, trying to hold off their hosts. Gleghorne opened his account with a powerful penalty corner and then debutant Chris Griffiths grabbed his first senior international goal with a lovely deflection from Barry Middleton’s pass.

After the break Great Britain swarmed forward with George Pinner in the home goal a virtual spectator for the duration of the game. Chris Grassick scored his first goal for Great Britain after good approach work from Gordon McIntyre and then Dan Shingles waltzed through the defence to bury his chance to make it 7-0. Gleghorne slid in to make it 8-0 and then completed his hat-trick from another penalty corner. There was still time for McIntyre to find the net with a lovely lofted finish making it 10-0.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Senior women lose out to European Champions



Scotland senior women filled with youngsters lost all three matches to Germany this week with debuts from Fiona Bruce, Millie brown and Fiona Burnet.

The first match of the week saw Germany scrape a 3-1 win, scoring on her debut Fiona Bruce neatly took the lead for the Scots. The Germans fought back and levelled before the half time whistle. The home side had to fight to take the lead and scored from one penalty stroke and a penalty corner to take away the win.

After a day’s break Shepherds side faced a stronger German side, the game was played at a very high tempo but the Scots powered on and didn’t make it easy for the Germans to take away the 4-0 win.


Germany 2014 huddle

It was tired legs on the final day as Scotland lost 8-1 to a solid German side, Kidd setting up Sarah Robertson for Scotland’s lone goal. Despite the loss the team walked away full of pride after a superb performance throughout the week from a squad that only featured six Glasgow 2014 players. Nikki Kidd received her 150th cap for Scotland, a great achievement for the Aberdeen born player.

‘Germany were very good in front of goal and this was maybe one game too many for my young Scottish side. We had just 18 players out with us where as the Germans had a full 26.’ Head coach Gordon Shepard summing up the last match.

‘This week was invaluable for the team, it was great to have the ability to bring out so many young players to get that experience playing a top international side. I am delighted at how Scotland played and the effort they all put in throughout the week.’

Match Results:

13 October Scotland (Fiona Bruce) 1 v 3 Germany HT 1-1
15 October Scotland 0 v 4 Germany HT 0-2
16 October Scotland (Sarah Robertson) 1 v 8 Germany HT 1-4

Scotland Senior Women: Jennifer Eadie, Susan McGilveray, Alison Howie, Nicola Skrastin, Rowan Sinclair, Camilla Brown, Fiona Bruce (all Clydesdale Western), Vikki Bunce, Becky Ward, Heather Elder (all Dundee Wanderers), Nicola Cochrane, Becky Merchant (both Edinburgh University), Sarah Robertson (KHC Leuven), Kareena Marshall (Western Wildcats), Leigh Fawcett (captain, Grove Menzieshill), Robyn Collins (Beeston), Nikki Kidd (Mannheimer HC), Fiona Burnet (Bath University)

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Black Sticks Women start USA series with 1-1 draw


Debutant Shiloh Gloyn in action in today's game against the United States. Photo / Photosport

Black Sticks Women’s head coach Mark Hager was pleased with the performance from his young Kiwi side today saying the 1-1 draw was an impressive effort against a very experienced USA side.

Today’s game at the TET Multisports Centre in Stratford was the first of a six test series against the Americans, with another game tomorrow before heading to Palmerston North and the Wairarapa.

The Kiwis had two players on debut today, Midlands Shiloh Gloyn and North Harbour’s Kathryn Henry, and despite the wet conditions, they both said they won’t forget the experience and felt very proud to be wearing the black shirt.

“I can’t fault the team’s effort today, when you think of the number of senior players that are missing I’m pretty proud of the way the girls played. It highlights that we have to give people the opportunity so they can prove themselves against a good quality team. It’s good experience to put players under pressure, and I thought the signs from the game today were positive,” says Hager.

“I thought we played better in the first half, but we drifted away a bit in the third and fourth quarter. We created enough opportunities to win the game, but it was probably a little bit of inexperience that we couldn’t finish them off, we know it’s an area of our game that we need to improve,” said Hager.

In the first half, the Kiwis held the majority of the possession and made it count putting together a nice piece of play that 2014 New Zealand Young Player of the Year, Sophie Cocks, knocked to the back of the net. The USA, who played a strong defensive game, equalised in the second quarter through Michelle Kasold.

Six minutes into the third quarter, the Black Sticks Women were awarded three penalty corners in a row but none of them posed a threat with the USA goalkeeper Alesha Widdall diving and rallying the defence on each occasion.

A prime opportunity came with 10 minutes left on the clock when Gemma Flynn did a heroic dive to deflect in a pass from Curtis, but it trickled just wide. Flynn, Anita Punt and Curtis all scrambled to have a shot on goal with one minute left on the clock but it was not to be and the game ended in a draw.

Hager noted that co-captains for the series - Anita Punt and Sam Charlton - really stood up today and are putting in world-class performances each time they hit the turf.

The Black Sticks Women face the USA again in Stratford at 2pm tomorrow before going to Palmerston North (6.30pm, 21 & 23 Oct) and Carterton (2pm, 25 & 26 Oct). Tickets are cheaper online at www.dashtickets.co.nz with family, student and child discounts available.  Gate sales also available.

All games are live streamed on this page here

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Sticks start series with draw

A new cycle for the New Zealand women's hockey team began today with a 1-1 draw against the United States in Stratford.

In their first action following a third-place finish at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, a young Black Sticks side produced a pleasing performance for coach Mark Hager.

The Black Sticks fielded two debutants in wet conditions in Taranaki, taking a first-half lead through Sophie Cocks before being pegged back by American striker Michelle Kasold.

Considering he had a number of senior players missing against an experienced opposition, Hager was proud of the way his side played in the first of a six-test series.

"We have to give people the opportunity so they can prove themselves," Hager said. "It's good experience to put players under pressure, and I thought the signs from the game today were positive."

The Kiwis enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half and made it count when Cocks converted a nice piece of play, before the United States equalised in the second quarter.

The Black Sticks were unable to make the most of three consecutive penalty corners in the third quarter and a number of chances went begging in the final minutes.

"We created enough opportunities to win the game but it was probably a little bit of inexperience that we couldn't finish them off," Hager said.

The series stays in Stratford for the second test tomorrow before heading to Palmerston North and the Wairarapa.

The New Zealand Herald



Player adaptability key to new-look Black Sticks squad

By David Leggat


Liz Thompson is a key defensive player for the Black Sticks. Photo / NZME.

Player adaptability is becoming a key factor in modern hockey, according to New Zealand women's coach Mark Hager.

With the exception of goalkeeper, gone are the days of specialist, one-position-only players. On the eve of a six-game series against the United States, starting in Stratford today, Hager talked of the importance of versatility.

Likening it to a form of Total Football - the interchangeability of players as displayed most memorably by the Dutch national side of the 1970s - Hager said players now need to have more than one string to their game.

"You've got to be able to play two or three positions, particularly now with four quarters and more running," Hager said yesterday.

"You want backs to be able to go forward and need to be able to cover that with forwards. Having that versatility in the group is going to be a key plus."

Hager is keen to promote top class attacker Stacey Michelsen further up the field, as an example, and likes the burgeoning quality of the defenders coming through, which gives confidence that the time is right to do that.

He cited young Auckland defender Liz Thompson as an example of the calibre of defensive players coming through. Having confidence in the defensive unit makes it easier to push players like Michelsen and Jordan Grant - both ironically missing the US series for study and injury reasons respectively - further up the park to bolster the goalscoring options.

"Losing Krystal Forgesson (200-plus striker, who recently retired) up front was a big loss. Stacey has the skills, she was a striker, and knows where the goals are.

"So we thought the time was right to move her up the field and try and get more reward up front, and we feel we've got good cover at the back now, with players like Liz, Sam Charlton, Rosie Keddell and Ella Gunson there."

The world No 4 Black Sticks are without eight players from the World Cup and Commonwealth Games but Hager says that makes the series against the eighth-ranked, and steadily improving, US a challenging but exciting time. He wants to see players stepping up to fill the gaps of the likes of long-time captain Kayla Whitelock and Emily Naylor, who have taken a break from the game, Forgesson and goalkeeper Bianca Russell.

"What better way to challenge young players, and those on the fringe, than against a quality team and see whether they are prepared to step up," Hager said.

Midfielder Anita Punt and Charlton are co-captains of the squad, and Hager is liking what he's seeing of them in the roles occupied for so long by Whitelock and Naylor.

New Zealand have three tests against world No 2 Australia next month.

What lies ahead

Women's Black Sticks:
v United States
Today and tomorrow: Stratford.
Tuesday, Thursday: Palmerston North.
Saturday, Sunday: Carterton.
Nov 15, 16, 18 v Australia (all games in Wellington).

Champions Trophy, Mendoza,
Argentina
Nov 30: v Japan.
Dec 1: v Netherlands.
Dec 3: v China.
Playoffs: from December 5-8.

New Zealand squad to play the US:
Goalkeepers: Georgia Barnett (Central), Amelia Gibson (Canterbury)
Defenders: Natasha Fitzsimons (Midlands), Kathryn Henry (North Harbour), Brooke Neal (Northland), Liz Thompson (Auckland), Pippa Hayward (Canterbury), Aniwaka Roberts (Capital).
Midfielders: Sam Charlton (co-c, Midlands), Gemma Flynn (Midlands), Shiloh Gloyn (Midlands), Ella Gunson (Northland), Rose Keddell (Midland), Julia King (Auckland), Anita Punt (co-c, Capital), Petrea Webster (North Harbour), Erin Goad (North Harbour).
Strikers: Sophie Cocks (Canterbury), Olivia Merry (Canterbury), Michaela Curtis (Central)

The New Zealand Herald



New-look Black Sticks expecting tight series

MURRAY HILLS


ON THE BALL: Black Sticks co-captain Anita Punt training at the hockey turf in New Plymouth on Thursday ahead of the test series against the United States starting in Stratford. SAM SCANNELL/Fairfax NZ

Black Sticks co-captain Anita Punt knows her team is in for a battle when they take on the United States in the first match of a six-test series starting in Stratford today.

"They're bringing over pretty much their top side, so it will be a challenge for us to step up," said the 26-year-old midfielder. "It's an opportunity for us to see just where we are sitting."

With the Black Sticks ranked fourth in the world and the United States eighth, the series should be tight.

The New Zealanders are without several frontline players, including striker Krystal Forgesson and goalkeeper Bianca Russell, who have both retired, along with veterans Kayla Whitelock and Emily Naylor, who have both opted for a break from international hockey.

Also missing is Jordan Grant, who failed a fitness test after suffering an injury during the national hockey league.

"We've got three new faces in the squad (Erin Goad, Shiloh Gloyn and Kathryn Henry), so it will be a test for them," said the 171-test veteran. "It's going to be hard and fast."

Punt said the Black Sticks had only assembled this week.

"We got down here (to New Plymouth) on Wednesday and had our first training run on Thursday. It was a light, structured session. It's all about developing combinations and regrouping as a team. We're lucky that a lot of us play together in Auckland."

Punt was with the Black Sticks side that played in the Oceania Cup tournament against Australia, Samoa and Papua New Guinea in Stratford last year.

"It's the only time I've played there. The turf was quite new and hard. The views of the mountain were amazing."

Punt said the series against the United States was the start of a busy international season for the Black Sticks.

"We've got these six tests and then we play three games against Australia from November 14 to 18 in Wellington," she said. "Then we play in the Champions Trophy in Argentina."

The Black Sticks will play Japan, the Netherlands and China in pool play at the Champions Trophy, with Australia, Argentina, England and Germany in the other pool. The tournament runs from November 29 to December 7.

After the two tests in Stratford this week - the first today at 2pm and the second 24 hours later - the players head to Palmerston North for games three and four on Tuesday and Thursday. The final two games are in Carterton next weekend.

AT A GLANCE

What: Women's test hockey
Who: Black Sticks vs United States
Where: Stratford Turf
When: 2pm today and tomorrow

Black Sticks: Georgia Barnett, Sam Charlton, Sophie Cocks, Michaela Curtis, Natasha Fitzsimons, Gemma Flynn, Erin Goad, Amelia Gibson, Shiloh Gloyn, Ella Gunson, Pippa Hayward, Kathryn Henry, Rose Keddell, Julia King, Olivia Merry, Brooke Neal, Anita Punt, Aniwaka Roberts, Liz Thompson, Petrea Webster; coach, Mark Hager

Stuff



SA women’s indoor hockey team for Canada

JONATHAN COOK

The players to represent the South Africa women’s indoor hockey team that will take part in a Four Nations tournament in Toronto, Canada from December 3 to 7 have been named.

SA women’s indoor coach Lennie Botha said Friday that the other teams taking part are Canada, Argentina and the USA.

“We will play two warm-up games before the Four Nations, which is a round-robin format with playoffs that see one playing two and three playing four,” said Botha.

“This is not necessarily the team that will represent South Africa at the Indoor World Cup next year, the Indoor World Cup side will be finalised soon after this team returns from Canada.”

The 2015 Indoor World Cup takes place in Leipzig, Germany from January 28 to February 8.

Botha said the Four Nations in Canada was an exciting opportunity as never before has a South Africa national women’s indoor side had the opportunity to play in a series overseas in preparation for an Indoor World Cup.

“We are very grateful to Spar for their support; if it wasn’t for their assistance this tour would not have been possible.”

SA WOMEN’S INDOOR HOCKEY TEAM

Amy Greaves, Celia Evans, Cindy Hack (capt), Eloise Walters, Faye Cooper, Jessica O’Connor, Kara Stella, Kelly Madsen, Shelley Freyer, Taryn de Winnaar (vice-capt), Tracy Martens. Coach: Lennie Botha. Manager: Emma Bray. Video analyst: TJ Smith.

SA Hockey Association media release



Malaysian juniors products of a system that no longer works

By Jugjet Singh

IF anything, the ongoing Sultan of Johor Cup has epitomised the state of Malaysian hockey.

Champions in the inaugural edition in 2011, Malaysia finished last just 12 months later.

Then came a second place finish in 2013 but the team look destined to be involved in a fight to avoid finishing last again in this year’s edition.

Malaysian coach Arul Selvaraj, in defending his players, said he did not have enough time to prepare the team as they were only grouped in March.

While one can understand if the players need more time to adapt to strategies and combinations, the question that needs to be answered is are they really the best players in the country now?

If yes, Malaysia’s grassroots development is not working, as the best juniors in the country are not only weak in the basics, but are also mentally not ready and, possibly, will never be ready.

The senior team are now dubbed as ‘the almost there’ players after they missed the boat to the 2016 Olympics by dishing out an almost there performance in the Asian Games.

Hockey is also struggling to attract players from other races and this is a worry. At the Asian Games, goalkeeper S. Kumar was the only non-Malay in the squad while for the Sultan of Johor Cup, there is only D. Selvanayagam.

This needs to be addressed, as well as the fact that schools are also no longer taking the sport seriously.

Development is solely left to the 1Mas programme, which coordinates in the states, but this is hardly enough.

Former national coach K. Dharmaraj and his assistant K. Gobinathan are in Europe and have been to Spain, Germany and Netherlands looking at the development programmes of clubs, with the intention of drawing up a blueprint which will hopefully take Malaysia out of the doldrums in the next decade.

Their travel jottings are posted on Facebook at Dharma Hockey Academy. Among the points which struck this scribe was that hockey is being played by five-year-olds who are taught the basics. They are also taught how to run properly by athletics coaches, so that they keep the good habit for the duration of their hockey playing lives.

These are just two examples of how systematic development is at the club level in Europe.

In Malaysia, the planning and execution is still at a haphazard level, and that is why we have a team whose destiny it seems is to finish last in their own tournament.

New Straits Times



A tale of a brittle back and a toothless attack

By Aftar Singh

JOHOR BARU: A brittle back and a toothless attack. That’s a sure recipe for disaster.

And that’s what the Malaysian team competing in the Sultan of Johor Cup are made of.

The stats don’t lie, you know. After all, they have only one point from a draw against New Zealand (1-1) and three defeats – to Australia (2-1), Britain (3-2) and India (4-2).

It’s getting tiresome listening to coach S. Arulselvaraj giving the same old excuse – that this is their first tournament since being formed in April.

If that is so, then how is it that teams like India and Australia, who came here with just two to three weeks of training, can do so well?

It’s also not like the Malaysian team do not have any experience. They have three players who had featured for the senior team in forwards Mohd Shahril Saabah and Haziq Samsul and midfielder Meor Mohamed Azuan Hasan.

Plus, they also have home ground advantage.

Let’s hope it all comes together when fifth-placed Malaysia take on last-placed Pakistan. Malaysia need to win by four clear goals to avoid featuring in the fifth-placing playoff.

New Zealand are in fourth spot with four points and will wrap up their fixtures against Britain, who have reached the final after winning all their four matches.

Malaysia have a minus four-goal difference while the Kiwis are on minus-one.

It won’t be easy to score four past Pakistan, not when the age-old problems – leaky defence and blunt attack – still exist.

Captain Haziq admitted that the pressure would be on them to get a big win over Pakistan.

“It is going to be challenge for us to beat Pakistan by four clear goals if we want to play in the third-placing playoff.

“I hope we can play better ... and the defence will not let in any goals. I also hope that the forwards will be more clinical,” said Haziq.

Pakistan coach Muhammad Ibrahim said that they had only 12 days of training prior to the tournament and that “this is the first time the players have left the country to play in a tournament”.

“We are here on the learning process to prepare for next year’s Junior Asia Cup.” he said.

The Star of Malaysia



India hockey team get a $weet deal if they retain SOJC title

By Aftar Singh

JOHOR BARU: A lucrative incentive awaits the Indian team if they retain the Sultan of Johor Cup.

Last year, each player received 100,000 rupees (RM5,000) for winning the title after defeating Malaysia 3-0 in the final.

In 2012, each player received an iPad despite finishing runners-up to Germany.

India, who are competing for the fourth time, are second in the standings with nine points from three wins and a defeat.

They just need a draw against Australia today to seal a place in the final.

Australia have seven points from four matches and can reach the final if they beat India.

Britain have secured a place in the final after winning all four matches. They wrap up their fixtures against New Zealand today.

India skipper Harjeet Singh, who is featuring in the tournament for the third time, explained that the incentive was to motivate them to play their best.

“We are on track to qualify for the final. I’m confident my team-mates will rise to the occasion against Australia tomorrow (today) and qualify for the final.

“We are wary of Australia, though, because they have strong fighting spirit. They proved this in the match against New Zealand (on Wednesday),” said the midfielder.

Australia were trailing 3-0 against the Kiwis but stormed back in the last 20 minutes to score four goals to win 4-3.

The 18-year-old Harjeet hopes that the defenders will buck up and the forwards will take their chances.

India do have a good penalty corner flicker in Harmanpreet Singh, who scored four goals in four matches.

Australia, who were outplayed 5-1 by Britain on Thursday, will be looking to qualify for the final for only the second time.

They lost to Malaysia in the final of the inaugural tournament in 2011.

The Star of Malaysia



Confident Indian junior hockey team ready for Aussie test

JOHOR BAHRU: After winning two back-to-back matches with huge margins, the Indian junior men's hockey team is looking confident to face a tough test against Australia in its fifth and final league match of the 4th Sultan of Johor Cup, here tomorrow.

Losing only to Great Britain in its four outings so far, the India U-21 team put up a strong show against Pakistan and Malaysia respectively. The Harjeet Singh-led team thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan 6-0 and then outplayed the hosts 4-2 to brighten their chances of booking a final berth.

Facing the Aussies in the last league match, Indian defenders Hermanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar will play key roles in tomorrow's match.

Both Hermanpreet and Varun not only displayed their fast responsive attacks, but also showcased acute penalty conversion skills in recent matches, which helped Team India to score goals in first few minutes of the matches.

Hermanpreet's hat-trick against hosts Malaysia will surely be a motivational factor for the team against the Kangaroos.

Also showcasing great skills in the previous outings, forwards Parvinder Singh and Armaan Qureshi kept creating opportunities with their attacking moves through-out the matches, which helped their team to maintain pressure on the opponents. In tomorrow's match, both Parvinder and Armaan will surely look for more more aggression and continue their good play.

Also, midfielder and captain Harjeet's skill and experience will play an important role, who successfully helped his team to maintain good ball possession and create maximum chances for their forwards to score goals.

Commenting on tomorrow's match against Australia, coach Harendra Singh said, "Till now, we have successfully implemented strategies on the field and materialised maximum opportunities into goals. Australia is a tough team and it's not easy to sneak into their den, but the best part is our boys are in great form and they have showed their metal in the previous matches. Tomorrow's game will be more tactful and we know how we want to tackle the Aussies. As a single unit, we are very much confident and looking forward to tomorrow's match."

The Times of India



Buoyant India ready for Aussie challenge

JOHOR BAHRU: High on confidence after winning two consecutive matches, the Indian under-21 men's hockey team will face Australia in their fifth and final league match of the 2014 Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

India have shown an impressive run of form, winning three of their four group matches, beating New Zealand, Pakistan and Malaysia and losing only to Britain.

"So far, we have successfully implemented our strategies on the field and converted maximum opportunities into goals. Australia are a tough side but our boys are in great form and have shown their mettle in previous matches. It will be more tactical against Australia but we are confident and looking forward to the challenge," Harendra Singh, coach of the team, said Friday, in the build-up to the match.

The team began their campaign beating New Zealand 2-1 but suffered a 0-2 reverse against Britain.

But they recovered from the bump in fantastic fashion, thumping Pakistan 6-0 and outplaying hosts Malaysia 4-2.

Defenders Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar have been India's stellar performers with the former's hat-trick against Malaysia being the highlight of the team's performance.

They are ably supported by forwards Parvinder Singh and Armaan Qureshi, whose intelligent movements and energy helping maintain pressure on opponents.

India will be hoping to capitalise on their aggressiveness while expecting experienced midfielder and captain Harjeet Singh to maintain his sound ball-possession retaining skills against a strong Aussie outfit.

The Times of India



Young talent needs grooming for bright future: Usman

Azhar Khan

LAHORE - Former hockey team captain and Olympian M Usman has said that future of Pakistan hockey is bright but for this, there is a dire need to groom young talent.

In an interview with The Nation, Usman said: “There is no dearth of talent in the country, but we direly need to groom young and promising talent, to prepare them mentally and physically and above all, provide them international standard facilities and maximum international exposure which will help them win laurels for the country and help regain its lost hockey glory.”

Usman, also ex-international hockey coach, said: “Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) should provide international level training and facilities to the players. Our players are not physically as fit as the other hockey playing nations so they need training centers where they may prepare well for the mega events.”

To a query regarding revival of academy system, which provided the country a good of number talented players, the ex-Olympian replied: “The vision of academy system was really laudable as it helped a great deal in producing quality players. There is a dire need to revive this system but the main thing is that we can’t get desired results until the selection will be merit, the coaches will be qualified and there will be proper check and balance on the entire process.”

When asked about the performance of current PHF setup, he stated: “Truly speaking, they are not successful in achieving their goals. Lack of funds and less interest of government towards the national game were the main reasons behind its decline. I believe when the government starts treating hockey like cricket, it will start progressing and the green shirts will start getting best results. The current PHF setup needs time for getting settled and I hope they will achieve their goals when they will be well cooperated by the government and corporate sector.”

Usman said without improvement of domestic hockey, it was not possible to revive the game in the country. “The element of competitiveness is missing in our domestic events. There was a time, when the players had passion for the game and they used to train very hard, but unfortunately, the current players have not such an enthusiasm in them. They don’t want to work hard and prefer shortcuts. It is very clear that there is no shortcut to success as the only way to success is hard and smart work. They must strive hard to reach at the highest level.”

He said prime duty of the PHF was to provide platform to the players and it were them who had important role of playing and performing in the field, so until they will not perform exceptionally, we can’t think about regaining the lost hockey glory. Though there is a coaching factor yet what they can do unless they have best stuff.”

Commenting on the recent performances of national senior and junior teams in the Asian Games and Sultan of Johor Cup, pride of performance Usman said: “The senior team performance was same as it was in the last edition. Only luck made the difference. There could be difference if they had a few goals lead before the final whistle. As far as junior team’s performance is concerned, we can say they tried their best to score wins but overall, they could have produced better results. It was their first international experience which would prove beneficial for them in the times to come but they must work hard as they have ability to produce better results. The PHF must groom them as they are the future stars.”

“It is the prime duty of government to support the national game and help the PHF for hockey revival in the country. But it is also the main responsibility of the players to prove their potentials through some superb and exceptional performances which will certainly give a thought to government come forward for the assistance of national star," Usman concluded.

The Nation



Lily Owsley making waves in hockey, a sport she fell into by accident

The England forward is still a teenage university player but she has taken to life on the big stage almost seamlessly

Simon Burnton


Lily Owsley of England goes past Australia’s Karri McMahon in the women’s final at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Owsley got the opening goal but Australia won the match in a shootout. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

It was the late summer in 2012, and a promising 17-year-old hockey player travelled to London to spend a day at the Olympics with her father. “I went to watch the hockey,” Lily Owsley says, “and I remember my dad saying to me: ‘In 2015 we’ll be having the European Championships here, that’s got to be your aim.’ And I was like: ‘Dad, don’t be stupid, I’m never going to be there.’”

Less than two years later Owsley scored for England in the Commonwealth Games final, though Australia denied the forward a fairytale gold medal by equalising with 10 seconds on the clock and winning the shootout. When the best of Europe come to Lee Valley next August, she will almost certainly be there. “Even the Olympics, it’s not just make-believe any more,” she says. “It’s achievable and realistic, and I’m now thinking I want to go there and I want to get a medal.”

Owsley’s first full year in the senior international setup has been unusually dramatic, featuring both elation in Glasgow in August and humiliation at the World Cup in June. In The Hague, Britain, bronze medallists both at the previous event in 2010 and at the Olympics two years later, came bottom of their group of six and avoided finishing last overall only by beating Belgium on penalties in the wooden‑spoon play-off. The team’s coach, Jason Lee, left shortly afterwards.

“Going into the World Cup we were quite optimistic,” says Owsley. “We’d been consistently in the medals, and we had so much belief as a team. I think that’s one of the reasons why it was so devastating, finishing 11th. A lot of us hadn’t prepared ourselves for it. I think it showed quite a lot about our strength, and the characters in our team, that we stayed together as a group.

“In Glasgow we played the same kind of hockey, and the same standard, as we’d been playing for a year and a half, but we tied together a couple of the loose ends that had been left after the World Cup, we nailed some of our corner routines, and things changed. We had to forget about the World Cup, and we had to move forward.”

The year ends with the Champions Trophy in Argentina next month, to which only the world’s top eight teams are invited; England are included having come second when it was last held in 2012. “That’s now a really massive event for us,” she says, “because we did lose a lot of ranking points after the World Cup. We went from third in the world to sixth, which is really massive because it affects who’s in our next group, and how hard the groups are. I’m not too bothered – if you want to be the best in the world you’ve got to beat everyone anyway – but it does make things harder. So we have to go out there, and we have to aim high.”

When it comes to sport, Owsley has never done anything else. She had already impressed at football and athletics before being introduced to hockey, aged 13, at her new school, Clifton college, in Bristol. “They said I had to play hockey but I just wanted to get my boots on and play football, or to run around,” she says. “I went to a couple of sessions and I was hooked.” Gradually the other sports fell by the wayside; athletics was the last to go, in 2012, after a second-place finish over 800m at the English Schools’ Championship. “I knew as I did that race that was my last, that’s it, I’m done,” she says. “It was never a big choice, I always wanted hockey. I love the bond, the support you get from the others. It’s so much fun being in a team, and then the sport itself, I just think it’s a great sport.”

Two months after she started playing she was picked for her county; within two years she represented England. “I always think, what if I didn’t go to that school?” she says. “I’d never have picked up a hockey stick.”

Owsley, who now plays for the University of Birmingham, was promoted from the Under-21s last year, not an unusual route into the senior setup although few do it aged 18 (she made her full debut in the same week as her final A-level exam). “When I first joined everyone was incredible but I’ve tried to shape up because at the beginning I was this little skinny runner with a stick,” she says.

“The way she plays and the way she settled into the squad was very impressive,” says her team-mate Alex Danson, who made her own international debut in 2001 at the age of 16. “For someone so young she’s got a really wise head on her shoulders, and she fits in very well because not only does she work hard, but she also wants to learn.”

She is equally happy to be handing out the lessons, with her behaviour as self-appointed arbiter of the squad’s occasional games of Articulate becoming increasingly renowned.

“I think we’re all equally competitive on the field, but it’s off the field you realise Lily really is extremely competitive,” says Danson. “I remember the first time we played Articulate and I was like: ‘Oh wow, for a youngster you are really setting the tone here.’ She’s like: ‘I know the rules, the rules are there, do not break the rules.’ It’s very funny.”

Owsley remembers, before the start of England’s first match at the World Cup, being “so nervous I was shaking, I thought I was going to be sick”, but the process of integration has been swift. “At the Olympics I remember watching them thinking: ‘These girls are incredible, they’re just amazing,’” she says. “Not long after that I was training with them and I realised they’re just people. People who just work so hard, train so hard, have such a drive. The gap isn’t as big as you think – it just takes a lot of hard work.”

The Guardian



Kiwi hockey star among avalanche missing

Guides and hikers amongst the dead after unseasonal blizzard kills at least 20.


New Zealander Lisa Walton was thought missing following a Himalayan avalanche, but it appears she and her wife are safe.

A Kiwi hockey star believed to be missing in Annapurna appears to be safe, according to a friend's post on her wife's Facebook page.

Earlier the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also said it believed New Zealander Lisa Walton and her British wife Lizi Hamer were safe.

A Facebook friend of Hamer's, Meera Jane N, posted about 5pm (NZ time) today that the women were "both safe and sound".

New Zealander Lisa Walton was thought missing following a Himalayan avalanche, but it appears she and her wife are safe.

"Lizi says they missed the storm and are going to be back next week. They're out of reach due to poor signal. Lizi says "L&L are great", " the post read.

MFAT earlier said it understood from the pair's itinerary that the New Zealand Olympic hockey player and Hamer were "not in the affected regions of Nepal the day the blizzard occurred".

"In addition, our Honorary Consul [in Nepal] understands that the area where they were later scheduled to trek is in the lower levels of the Annapurna region and there have been no reported problems in this area."

A series of blizzards and avalanches battered the Himalayas in northern Nepal early this week, killing at least 29 people. It is estimated at least 150 people were injured and an unknown amount remain missing.

Walton, 38, and Hamer, 31, have not been in direct contact with their families since the storm hit late on Tuesday, the Times in London reported today.

The pair, who lived in Singapore, set off for the Annapurna Range earlier this week.

"They are both great athletes and we are sure they did not have enough time to get to the affected area, but I just want to hear from them," Lisa Dillon, a friend, told the Times.

A British policeman has described how climbers were "herded to their death" by ill-equipped guides, the Daily Mail reported.

Seventy-eight New Zealanders were registered with MFAT as being in Nepal.

October is peak trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountain peaks, including Mount Everest. The three-week route circling Annapurna, known as Nepal's classic trek, is one of the most popular with tourists.

This week's unseasonal storms were triggered by the tail of cyclone Hudhud, which had battered neighbouring India.

Stuff



Coach's unconventional style worked out brilliantly

By Suzanne McFadden

He was known as "the coach who didn't coach", but Ivan Armstrong's unconventional leadership helped mould five Olympic champions.

Armstrong, who died in Auckland last week aged 86, was not only a highly successful hockey coach, but he represented New Zealand at the 1956 Olympics, and umpired in tennis at Wimbledon.

Growing up in Timaru and Christchurch, Armstrong stood out as a talented hockey forward at Christchurch Boys' High School.

During his international playing career, from 1950 to 1962, he was part of the first New Zealand hockey side to play at an Olympics, finishing sixth at the 1956 Melbourne games.

At the end of his playing days, Armstrong turned to coaching. He had an auspicious start - leading New Zealand at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, where they beat defending champions India, 2-1, in the opening game. New Zealand finished up seventh.

But it was with the Auckland hockey side that he made his biggest impression. During his 13-year tenure, beginning in 1971, he helped establish Auckland as the dominant province in New Zealand hockey, winning the Challenge Shield eight times.

Former Auckland and New Zealand player David Appleby recalls Armstrong's unorthodox coaching style. "He was the coach who didn't coach. Instead, he empowered us as players - he created an environment where we learned to think for ourselves, communicate and share ideas, and work as a team," he says.

Armstrong was "exceptionally proud" of the five Auckland players in the side that won Olympic gold at Montreal in 1976 - Jeff Archibald, Ramesh Patel, Mohan Patel, Greg Dayman and Arthur Parkin.

Off the playing field, Armstrong was a renowned educator. He was the founding principal of Mangere College when it opened in 1971, and over 17 years, built up the school's reputation of being at the forefront of multiculturalism. It was the first New Zealand school not to use corporal punishment.

Armstrong is survived by his wife Joan, three children and six grandchildren.

The New Zealand Herald

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