News 11 November 2014
All the news for Tuesday 11 November 2014
Something to cheer, at last!
The series victory reaffirms India’s ascendancy
S. Thyagarajan
The 3-1 series victory against world champion Australia reaffirms the perception that India is moving up the ladder in international hockey.
It also substantiates the efficacy of the work by the chief coach, Terry Walsh, the high performance coach, Roelant Oltmans, and the two Indians in the pack, Jude Felix and M.K. Kaushik.
Reading too much into the outcome at Perth will be a wrong assessment. At best, these matches should be viewed as a rehearsal for the team preparing for the Champions Trophy at Bhubaneswar in less than a month from now. Even a filament of complacency can be disastrous in a competition like the Champions Trophy.
What, however, cannot remain unstated is the reality — that the national outfit is crawling up, incrementally though.
The victory sequence at Perth only reinforces the belief that no foreign coach until now has shown positive results that the hockey fraternity was visualising. Terry Walsh deserves a good measure of commendation for the energy and effort put in thus far. So do the rest of the team’s management.
Morale is the element that pushes any combination to conquer new frontiers of excellence. For India, the gold medal triumph in Asian Games was indisputably a morale booster.
Nothing exemplifies this more than the manner in which the squad subdued an opponent as formidable as the world champion before the latter’s home audience, especially at Perth, the nerve-centre of Australia’s hockey ethos.
Inevitably, the contretemps involving Terry Walsh and the Sports Authority of India, not to exonerate Hockey India, comes to the fore. An element of doubt persists over Walsh continuing till the Rio Olympics, for which India has already qualified.
Retain Walsh
The consensus appears to favour a re-engagement of the Aussie stalwart, conceding to his reasonable requests of pay and perks. Every effort must be made to eradicate the hurdles imposed, consciously created sometimes, by the bureaucracy with whom he has a lot of issues to be settled.
The contract comes up for renewal shortly.
The officials and institutions dealing with the issue should take a pragmatic view by un-wrapping the red tape that normally comes into play in such transactions. After all, it must be recognised that Walsh has played a prominent part in restoring the image and identity of Indian hockey which was in shambles after the 2012 Olympic Games.
The significance of this series win will be best understood if the statistics involving the two countries are taken into account. Chronicler B.G. Joshi states that out of the 106 meetings, India has had a meagre 11 victories as against the 71 defeats. The Aussies’ tally of goals is 328 against the 174 by the Indians.
Another milestone to be remembered from the series is the 200th cap for Sardar Singh, who led India to the gold medal at the Asian Games.
A litmus test will be the team’s showing in the Champions Trophy.
Barring a bronze in 1982, out of the 34 editions so far, India has very little to show in this prestigious event.
The Hindu
Hockey renaissance
The news from the hockey field has been particularly good for India in most recent times. A victory in the final of the Asian Games against Asian arch-rival Pakistan has been followed in quick succession by a series win over world champion Australia Down Under.
The 3-1 series win in Australia came after India were beaten 4-0 in the opening game, the hat-trick of wins confirming that the performances were no flash in the pan. Is India ready now to rub shoulders with the best teams on the big stage?
Before we jump the gun, a word of caution as the Australians rested as many as 13 seniors. Even then, it was a good Indian performance because Indian teams, like wine, do not as a rule travel very well. Any judgement on Team India’s vast improvement must be made only after the Champions Trophy next month.
However, what is pleasing is that some consistency is being displayed not only in attacking play but also in sound defensive formations in which the goal-keeper is playing a major role.
Former chief coach Michael Nobbs keeps stressing that Indian hockey players must not dwell in the past, reminiscing about artistic stick work. Modern hockey is about good trapping skills and taking quick shots at goal.
Sustained modern training methods over the last four years or so seem to be paying off. It would be nice to believe India will be going to the Rio Olympics with a medal-winning chance. The indications are that Indian hockey has turned the corner.
The Deccan Chronicle
NZ hockey sides gearing up for testing visits
There are six debutants in the men's team named yesterday to play the Japanese - North Harbour goalkeeper Richard Joyce is one of them. Photo / Thinkstock
It's a big week ahead for New Zealand's national hockey teams with both in action at home against quality sides.
The national men's team will play four tests against world No14 Japan in Wellington and Kapiti, from November 18-22.
Around the same time, the women's Black Sticks have three tests in Wellington against world No2 Australia.
There are six debutants in the men's team named yesterday to play the Japanese - Auckland defender Dwayne Rowell, North Harbour goalkeeper Richard Joyce, Canterbury striker Richard Bain, Capital defender Dane Lett and Midlands' fast-rising midfielder Nic Woods.
"It's always exciting when players debut - six is a large number at once, but this selection is reflective of our need to create more depth in the squad," said men's coach Colin Batch.
With the retirement of the ageless veteran Dean Couzins, star attacker Simon Child takes over the captaincy of the sixth-ranked men for the series.
Although there is a sprinkling of novices, Child is one of five players in the squad with more than 100 internationals.
The women's series is a critical preparation for the fourth-ranked women's Black Sticks. They head to Mendoza, Argentina for the eight-nation Champions Trophy, starting on November 29.
The transtasman series starts on Saturday.
Black Sticks men
New Zealand men's squad to play Japan: Richard Bain, George Enersen, Nick Haig (Canterbury), Simon Child (c), Marcus Child, Arun Panchia, Dwayne Rowsell (Auckland), Joe Bartholomew, Cory Bennett, James Coughlan, Steve Edwards, Richard Joyce, George Muir (North Harbour), Dane Lett, Jacob Smith (Capital), Shay Neal (Northland), Nick Ross, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (Southern), Nic Woods (Midlands).
The New Zealand Herald
White ruled out, Nance in
Gabrielle Nance to debut for Hockeyroos, replacing injured Kellie White
Debutant Gabrielle Nance has replaced the injured Kellie White (pictured above) in the Hockeyroos squad for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand and the Champions Trophy in Argentina at the end of the month.
White, from New South Wales, sustained an ACL injury during a practice match on Saturday, resulting in her withdrawal from the squad. She previously missed the London Olympic Games after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the lead-up.
Nance, who was named in the original 27-athlete training squad for the tours, plays in the forward line and receives the call-up on the back of strong performances in the Australian Development Squad’s tour to Japan and China in August, and the Australian Hockey League in October. Nance is originally from Kingscliff, NSW, but now lives and plays her hockey in Adelaide, SA.
The Hockeyroos’ three Test series against the New Zealand Black Sticks women starts on Saturday with matches on Sunday and Tuesday ahead of their departure for the Champions Trophy.
The New Zealand series in Wellington will be shown live online via the Hockey New Zealand website. The Champions Trophy will be shown live on the ABC.
Hockeyroos’ Upcoming Fixtures
All times and dates are Australian Eastern Daylight Savings time
Saturday 15 November – Test v New Zealand – Wellington, New Zealand – 1:00pm AEDT
Sunday 16 November – Test v New Zealand – Wellington, New Zealand – 1:00pm AEDT
Tuesday 18 November – Test v New Zealand – Wellington, New Zealand – 5:00pm AEDT
Sunday 30 November – Champions Trophy v England – Mendoza, Argentina – 6:30am AEDT
Monday 1 December – Champions Trophy v Argentina – Mendoza, Argentina – 9:00am AEDT
Wednesday 3 December – Champions Trophy v Germany – Mendoza, Argentina – 3:00am AEDT
Friday 5 December – Champions Trophy quarter finals – Mendoza, Argentina
Sunday 7 December – Champions Trophy semi-final/playoffs – Mendoza, Argentina
Monday 8 December – Champions Trophy medal matches/playoffs – Mendoza, Argentina
Hockeyroos’ Squad – New Zealand series, 15-18 November
Wellington, New Zealand
Teneal Attard (Mackay, QLD)
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT)
Mathilda Carmichael (Willoughby, NSW)
Kate Denning (South Perth, WA)
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD)
Rebecca Dwyer (née Reuter) (Toowoomba, QLD)
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD)
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA)
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW)
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW)
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC)
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA)
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT)
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA)
Audrey Smith (GK) (Wynnum, QLD)
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW)
Amelia Spence (Hobart, TAS)
Ashlee Wells (GK) (Morwell, VIC)
Hockeyroos’ Squad – Champions Trophy, 29 November – 7 December
Mendoza, Argentina
Teneal Attard (Mackay, QLD)
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT)
Mathilda Carmichael (Willoughby, NSW)
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD)
Rebecca Dwyer (née Reuter) (Toowoomba, QLD)
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT)
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD)
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA)
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW)
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC)
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA)
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT)
Casey Sablowski (née Eastham) (South Coast, NSW)
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA)
Audrey Smith (GK) (Wynnum, QLD)
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW)
Amelia Spence (Hobart, TAS)
Ashlee Wells (GK) (Morwell, VIC)
Hockey Australia media release
Hockey India announces annual awards
The men's hockey team during a Asian Games match in Incheon. In a first for Indian hockey, the national federation on Monday decided to have the ‘Hockey India Annual Awards’ wherein the top players in the men’s and women’s categories will walk away with a prize money of Rs. 25 lakh each. File photo
In a first for Indian hockey, the national federation on Monday decided to have the ‘Hockey India Annual Awards’ wherein the top players in the men’s and women’s categories will walk away with a prize money of Rs. 25 lakh each.
Hockey India will be identifying and rewarding the most promising and potent players from the current as well as upcoming teams.
Speaking on the announcement, Hockey India Secretary General Md. Mushtaque Ahmad said, “It is huge leap that we at Hockey India are preparing for. These awards are not only focused towards the welfare of the players but will ultimately help in boosting the morale of the players and motivating them to perform even better.
“The Hockey India family as an organisation takes pride in announcing the Hockey India Annual Awards for the Players and shall strive to take more such steps for the enhancement of the sport as well the players.”
HI has decided to name the individual trophies after HI president Dr Narinder Batra’s son Dhruv, who passed away recently.
“The Hockey India Executive Board and the Indian hockey community recognise and acknowledge the major contribution that Dr. Narinder Batra in particular and his family have made to Indian hockey. Dr Batra was also recently honoured internationally by being awarded the FIH presidents award at the FIH Congress on 1 November 2014 for his role in the development and growth of hockey in India over the recent years,” he said.
“In remembrance of the late Mr. Dhruv Batra who expired on 29 October 2014, during the FIH Congress, the son of President, Dr Narinder Batra, the Board thought it was fitting to name the ‘Player of the Year’ awards in the category of men and women to the remarkable young man that was Mr. Dhruv Batra,” Ahmad added.
Each award will consist of a trophy, certificate and cash award. The decision to announce the awards was taken in the 26th Meeting of the Hockey India Executive Board here.
The 26th Meeting of the Hockey India Executive Board was Chaired by Hockey India Senior Vice President, Ms Mariamma Koshy and attended by Executive Board Members including Md.
Mushtaque Ahmad (Secretary General), Rajinder Singh (Treasurer), Tapan Das, Anandeshwar Pandey, Rajeev Mehta, Hitesh Sindwani, Asha Thakur, Asunta Lakra and Dr. R.P Singh.
List of Awards
Dhruv Batra Player of the Year (Men) — Rs 25,00,000 (US$40 580/GB£25 610)
Dhruv Batra Player of the Year (Women) — Rs 25,00,000 (US$40 580/GB£25 610)
Upcoming Player of the Year (Men U—21) — Rs 10,00,000 (US$16 230/ GB£10 250)
Upcoming Player of the Year (Women U—21) — Rs.10,00,000 (US$16 230/ GB£10 250)
Goalkeeper of the Year — Rs.5,00,000 (US$ 8 120/GB£5 120)
Defender of the Year — Rs.5,00,000 (US$ 8 120/GB£5 120)
Midfielder of the Year — Rs.5,00,000 (US$ 8 120/GB£5 120)
Forward of the Year — Rs.5,00,000 (US$ 8 120/GB£5 120)
Award for Invaluable Contribution (For coaches and support staff) — Rs.5,00,000 (US$ 8 120/GB£5 120)
President Award for Outstanding Achievement — Rs.5,00,000. (US$ 8 120/GB£5 120)
The Hindu
Indian Navy sink Western Railway
Action during the Gold Cup tie between Indian Navy and Western Railway on Monday
Indian Navy dished out a fine disciplined performance to clinch a deserving 4-3 win against Western Railway in a Pool-C league match of the 49th Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Championship, organised by the Mumbai Hockey Association Limited at the MHAL Stadium, Churchgate on Monday.
Amit Goswami, skipper Amit Kiro, Naveen Kumar and Mohd Faheem Khan scored a goal each for Navy who led 1-0 at end of the first half. Western Railway got their goals through a brace from Malak Singh and one from Amit Rohidass.
The naval outfit showed good understanding and worked in tandem as a team to make inroads towards the Western citadel. They also created the better opening and converted most of the chances that came their way. On the other hand Western looked out of sort and were a disjointed lot. They did not seem to have a game plan and their passing and distribution were dismal.
Navy rocked the Western goal in the 23rd minute when from a goalmouth scramble to the ball deflected to Goswami who was unmarked near the right post. He made no mistake in hitting home to give the sailors a first half 1-0 lead.
After switching ends, Navy skipper Kiro scored from their second penalty corner with a firm hit which flew into the net off a defender's stick in the 41st minute.
Western managed to get back into the match with Rohidass converting a penalty corner in the 43rd minute and later Malak scoring the second to level the scores at 2-all. However, Navy produced another solid charge scoring two more goals in as many minutes to take a commanding 4-2 lead. First Naveen Kumar scored the third goal in the 62nd minute and then Faheem Khan stuck the fourth two minutes later.
Western reduced the margin through Malak Singh scoring the third in the final minute.
Stopwatch: Pool-C league: Indian Navy 4 (Amit Goswami 23rd, Amit Kiro 41st, Naveen Kumar 62nd, Mohd Faheem Khan 64th) beat Western Railway 3 (Amit Rohidass 43rd, Malak Singh 56th, 69th).
DNA
Atlètic remain unbeaten with Egara victory
Atlètic Terrassa got a very important victory last Sunday against top rivals Club Egara, with a 3-0 that keeps the yellow-and-black team in second place, only one point behind leaders Polo in the Spanish league.
After Atlètic was disappointingly eliminated from EHL at Round 1 in Barcelona, the team has improved, the players and staff learned from their mistakes. The week after Round 1, the Catalan team got an 8-1 victory in Basque Country against tough rivals Jolaseta and, in the last three matches, all of them against the strongest rivals in Spanish División de Honor league, they got a 0-0 draw against champions Polo, a 3-2 win against Club de Campo and this latest 3-0 at Egara.
Atlètic remain unbeaten this season with victories in each game bar three draws: against Terrassa, at the EHL against SV Arminen, and two weeks ago against Polo.
Euro Hockey League media release
Leaders move seven clear in Dutch Hoofdklasse
Kampong and Oranje Zwart have pulled seven points clear of the chasing pack at the halfway stage in the Dutch Hoofdklasse thanks to back-to-back wins over the weekend.
Kampong started off their weekend with a 3-0 win over Den Bosch With Constantijn Jonker, Loick Luypaert and Joost van de Vijfeijken scoring, the latter with a fortuitous effort after the ball was prevented from going out of play when it hit the umpire.
They followd up with a 3-1 win over Push on Sunday with Jonker scoring twice and van de Vijfeijken netting the other with all the goals coming in the last quarter.
OZ, for their part, won game one of the double weekend thanks to a 1-0 win over HGC, Rob Reckers scoring the only goal. Pinoké were next on the agenda and were ousted 3-0, Mink van der Weerden scoring two penalty corners.
Justin Reid-Ross continued his incredible scoring form, netting all four goals for Amsterdam in their 4-3 success against Rotterdam on Sunday. He now has 21 goals from just 11 league games.
Tom Boon is next on the scoring list with 15 goals and netted two more in a 4-2 win for third place Bloemendaal against HGC.
Euro Hockey League media release
EG pip Beeston in English Classico
East Grinstead won their crucial battle at the top of the England Hockey League Premier Division, getting the better of reigning champions Beeston in an epic tie.
Chris Griffiths (pictured) and Mark Pearn made it 2-0 to EG before Sam Ward got one back from a corner with 17 minutes remaining.
Ashley Jackson scrambled home another for 3-1 before Adam Dixon set up a lively finish with a powerful finish. James Gall went close to tying things up at the death.
Speaking to the East Grinstead Courier afterwards, manager Matt Jones described the win as “a massive three points”.
"It was a great win and a great performance," he said. “It was a massive three points for us and they could be very important come the end of the season.
"We can take a lot of positives from the performance and the result against a very strong Beeston side."
Surbiton, though, moved top of the table on goal difference ahead of East Grinstead by virtue of a 6-1 victory over Cannock.
Euro Hockey League media release
The Inside Track
Brooklands MU captain Peter Flanagan celebrates, Credit Mark Henderson
Brooklands MU picked up their first league win of the season with a miraculous comeback against Reading. In the Investec Women's Premier Division, Surbiton extended their lead at the top to three points. Peter Flanagan and Sarah Haycroft, the respective captains give us the lowdown on another action-packed weekend.
Peter Flanagan, Brooklands MU.
On their comeback win over Reading:
"As you can it was a disatrous start for us. With the way things have gone this season we did start to think "here we go again" but we managed to get a goal back quite quickly. That gave us a bit of a lift and made us think there might be something there for us. We managed to get back to 4-3 and the second half was a lot closer. We got the goals we needed but also Chris Scott in goal made some brilliant saves, especially from corners. They came at us hard at the end but it was a brilliant day for us. I’ve never been part of such a turnaround in my playing career and it did feel amazing!"
On the benefit of a break:
"The two weeks off helped us. We got together and had a chat about how things have gone. We needed to raise our efforts and put in a bit extra in training but we have a good positive attitude. The start wasn’t great at the weekend but we were very positive and aggressive and stepped forwards. We like to play on the front foot and try to make things happen and I feel like that was a factor in the result we got."
On competing in the top flight:
"Scoring goals hasn’t been the issue. We’ve probably shipped too many, if we're honest. We’ve had some big defeats against East Grinstead, Surbiton and Beeston but if you take those out of the equation we’ve been competitive in almost every game. We haven’t been too far away. We’ve had some periods in games where we’ve conceded a couple of quick goals and at this level that makes it very difficult to come back."
On their upcoming challenges:
"We've looked at the games we have coming up and we feel we can compete and get something from them before Christmas. If we can produce the hockey we’re capable of there is no reason why we can’t get points on the board and build some momentum to take into the second half of the season.
At the moment we have to take it as it comes."
On their aims for the season:
"We’ve struggled for points so realistically we have to go into every game and fight. There’s a group of teams in the mid table region who we have to be aiming for. If we could get higher that’d be amazing but I think realistically we have to try and pick up as many points as possible and aim for that group of clubs."
Sarah Haycroft Surbiton vs Beeston October 2014
Sarah Haycroft, Surbiton.
On Surbiton's win on Saturday:
"We’re really pleased to keep our unbeaten run going. We played well in the first half. We were composed and put together some nice build up play. We’re aiming to get as many outcomes as we can in the circle which we did well before the break. It was 4-0 at half-time and we wanted to continue that and produce a full 70 minute performance. Credit to Buckingham they came out and played very well in the second period and made it difficult for us. We’re happy with how it went but we’re still looking for that 70 minute performance where we keep it going for the whole game."
On Surbiton's strength in depth:
"That was the key last season and again this season. Sarah Page, Becky Herbert, Jenna Woolven, those sorts of players are really dynamic and exciting to watch. Combined with the young players coming through, the likes of Charlotte Calnan and Holly Munro, are progressing really well and really give us that depth that when the internationals aren’t there. In fact even when the internationals are there, we know the rest of the squad will do a great job for us. It’s exciting for us for the future as well as now."
On their pacy forward line:
"All our forwards are amongst the quickest in the league. Having that pace gives us another dimension. If we give those players the ball they can attack defences and make it really hard for them. Equally though, they are all really skilful and so if we build up slowly they are also happy in that. It means we can approach games differently at different times and cause teams problems in different ways."
On the pressure of being reigning champions:
"At the beginning of the season we weren’t sure whether being champions would put pressure on us or not. Teams maybe do play that bit harder against us now because they expect us to be strong but we take the games as they come and try to develop our performances each game. It's cliche but we take it one step at a time. That’s what we’ll do for the rest of the season."
On their hopes for the season:
"We’re aiming for top four. We want to finish top if we can, obviously. We also have Europe to look forward to as well which is an unknown for us and the first time Surbiton women have qualified for that. We’re really excited and we’ll go there as underdogs but we’ll give it our best shot and learn a lot for it.
It’s exciting competing for three trophies. It’s a great place to be. It comes back to the strength in depth of the club once again. We wouldn’t be where we are as a club or able to compete in these competitions if we didn’t have the amount of quality we have in the group. Hopefully we can threaten in all three. It’d be great to win them all but obviously that’s a huge ask. We’ll take them as they come and do our best, you never know!"
Surbition aim to continue their unbeaten run with a home clash against Bowdon Hightown
Brooklands will be hoping to build on their first win as they travel to Hampstead and Westminster.
England Hockey Board Media release
National hockey trials from 12th
KARACHI - Extensive two-day trials to select Pakistan squad for the tour of South Korea will be held here at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium from November 12, Chief Selector Islahuddin Siddiqui announced on Monday.
“We will be picking only team for short tour to South Korea and team for the Champions Trophy will be named later,” he told reporters at HCP where he came to finalize trials dates with chief coach Shahnaz Shaikh.
He said trials were spread over 2-day because selection committee wanted to watch juniors in action to determine their talent, skill and fitness. Team for the Champions Trophy being staged in Bhubneshawar (India) will be named later, he added.
Islah said trials were delayed because of players’ arrival from various countries where they were league hockey. Moreover, some of Pakistan players are in Punjab team which is playing in an international event in Jullandhar in Surjeet Singh Cup. “All the players are likely to reach here tonight and will join the training camp,” Shahnaz said.
Seven of Pakistan top players including captain M Imran forward Umar Bhutta, full-back M Irfan forward Muhammad Rizwan Senior and half-back Rashid Mahmood are playing league hockey in the Netherlands. Three seniors players forwards Shakeel Abbasi and Abdul Haseem Khan and half-back Fareed Ahmed has been rested for the Champions Trophy.
“We will be looking for good replacements for the seasoned trio. Form, fitness and pure merit will be the criteria for the selection of Pakistan hockey team.”
Other member of selection committee included Arshad Chaudhry, Ayaz Mahmood, Khalid Bashir and Musiddiq Hussain. “Selection Committee in consultations with chief coach Shahnaz and PHF will be making an endeavor to select the best possible combination,” he said.
In the meantime, training was full swing despite the absence of some leading players. It will gain momentum if remaining players from the foreign league and Punjab players join the camp on Tuesday.
The Nation
THT remain confident
By Jugjet Singh
KUALA Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) may have kept their bragging rights but Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) are plotting for a round two comeback in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League.
The star-studded THT, with five Koreans in their side and a host of national players, lost 2-1 to four-time consecutive double champions KLHC, but have not given up hopes of winning their first league title.
“Plenty of mistakes and bungling a handful of sitters cost us the game, but the tournament still has six matches to go and we aim to keep a clean slate until we meet KLHC again in round two.
“The initial goal of winning our first league title is still there,” said THT coach Sarjit Singh.
The Terengganu state government has pumped millions into the team, and Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif was present to watch Sarjit and his men at the National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
After three convincing wins, THT were supposed to brush aside KLHC but their penalty corner battery was stopped by good runs.
KLHC captain Razie Rahim, who nailed the winner, lauded his teammates for playing their hearts out.
“It is an important victory for us because we were able to prove that we can still compete with THT despite them spending a huge sum of money on new players. For us, it was a team effort which made the difference."
KLHC and THT are tied on nine points, but the champions have one match in hand and will play Sapura tomorrow as their weekend match was washed away by rain.
Tomorrow: KLHC v Sapura (6pm, Pitch II).
New Straits Times
Warriors up to third in Pool ‘A’ as Police cry foul
By BRIAN YONGA
Kenya Police celebrate a goal against USIU-A during their premier league hockey match at City park stadium on November 1, 2014. PHOTO. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s champions Telkom Orange stormed the play-offs after a 9-0 hiding of Kenyatta University at City Park Stadium, but it is KHU chairman Nashon Randiek’s decision to officiate the game between men’s champions Kenya Police and Butali Sugar Warriors that was the talking point of the weekend.
Randiek took charge of the entertaining but controversial match that ended 3-3 draw between the two teams. Controversy arose in the second half after when, with the game tied at 2-2, Police striker Moses Cheplaiti scored but Randiek ruled it out, citing an infringement on a member of the Warriors squad, although his fellow umpire and other match officials felt the goal should have stood.
Kenya Police technical bench was infuriated by the decision. “He ruined a good game between two top sides with some strange decisions, he cost us three points today (Saturday) which could have seen us clinch a play-off spot,” said Police coach Ken Kaunda.
Warriors further dropped points on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by USIU-A.
Following the two games, Warriors moved a place up to third in pool A with eight points and missed a chance to go second of the table.
Police remain second with 10 points, one less than leaders Greensharks. “We will continue fighting till the end, we still have a chance to make it to the semi-finals but we have to avoid conceding soft goals and close out games, Warriors Coach Cliffe Okello said.
Orange had no trouble against Kenyatta University. They top Pool A with a perfect 12 points after four wins in four matches. They join Strathmore Scorpions and Sliders who qualified from Pool B.
Daily Nation
Warriors drop crucial points in tough matches
By BRIAN YONGA
Butali Sugar Warriors celebrate a goal against Parkroad during their Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Premier League match at City Park Stadium on November 2, 2014 . Warriors’ charge towards a play-offs spot in the KHU league was slowed down after they failed to win their two weekend matches in Nairobi. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Butali Sugar Warriors’ charge towards a play-offs spot in the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) league was slowed down after they failed to win their two Saturday and Sunday matches in Nairobi.
Warriors drew 3-3 with champions Kenya Police in a thrilling game on Saturday evening at City Park Stadium before settling for a 2-2 draw with USIU-A at the same venue on Sunday.
Against USIU-A, Warriors scored through Kenya international Frank Wanangwe and Vincent Odhiambo but the varsity side hit back through Isaac Kamau and John Kabuu.
The draw leaves Warriors in third place with eight points behind Police (10 points) and leaders Greensharks (11 points).
Warriors coach Cliffe Okello admitted that his players suffered fatigue during Sunday’s match following an energy sapping encounter with Police less than 24 hours earlier.
“The boys gave their all on Saturday and we barely had the energy to play against USIU. But we will keep fighting for a semifinal spot,” Okello said.
HIGH STAKES
So high were the stakes in the match between Warriors and Police that KHU chairman Nahashon Randiek lined up as one of the umpires alongside Tony Fernandes to the surprise of many.
Randiek was involved in the game’s most controversial moment, denying Police what appeared to be a genuine goal in the second half yet his fellow umpire had given the goal.
The game began on a high tempo with both teams fighting for every ball. Police were quick to settle and dominated early the proceedings but were unable to get past the Warriors rear guard.
Police created the first chance in the 13th minute when new signing Brian Musasia found space in the opposition box but his weak shot did not trouble Warrior’s keeper.
It was the visitors who drew first blood in the 23rd minute through Wanagwe’s sweetly struck shot. However their lead was short lived as Police equalised three minutes later through Brian Saina.
In the women’s league, champions Telkom Orange thrashed Kenyatta University 9-0 to seal their place in the semi-final.
Daily Nation
At-large North Carolina top seed for 2014 DI Field Hockey Championship
INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA Division I Field Hockey Committee announced Sunday the field of 16 teams for the 2014 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship.
Eleven conferences were awarded automatic qualification. The six lowest automatic-qualification teams will compete for three play-in berths. The remaining five automatic-qualification teams were placed in the bracket.
The following conferences and their representatives received automatic qualification:
• America East Conference -- Albany (N.Y.)
• Atlantic Coast Conference -- Wake Forest
• Atlantic 10 Conference -- Richmond
• Big East Conference -- Connecticut
• Big Ten Conference -- Northwestern
• Colonial Athletic Association -- Delaware
• The Ivy League -- Princeton
• Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference -- Monmouth
• Mid-American Conference -- Kent State
• Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference -- Liberty
• Patriot League -- Boston U.
The remaining eight teams selected at-large: Boston College, Duke, Louisville, Maryland, North Carolina, Penn State, Stanford and Syracuse.
Play-in games will be played on three campus sites on Nov. 12.
First- and second-round games will be played on four campus sites Nov. 15-16.
Maryland will play host to the semifinals and final Nov. 21 and 23 at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park.
The semifinals and finals will be streamed live on NCAA.com.
For ticket information, call (301) 314-7070.
DIVISION I FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES
SCHOOL APPEARANCES * LAST RECORD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Albany 4 2012 0-3 --
Boston College 9 2013 2-8 --
Boston U. 11 2007 4-11 --
Connecticut 26 2013 32-22 3 (1981, 1985, 2013)
Duke 13 2013 18-12 --
Louisville 3 2008 0-2 --
Maryland 27 2013 55-18 8 (1987, 1993, 1999, 2005-06, 2008, 2010-11)
North Carolina 31 2013 52-24 6 (1989, 1995-97, 2007, 2009)
Northwestern 13 1994 11-13 --
Penn State 30 2013 23-33 --
Stanford 13 2012 0-12 --
Syracuse 10 2013 9-9 --
Wake Forest 14 2013 29-10 3 (2002-04)
* -- Includes 2014.
Note: Play-in game participants not listed. Winners of play-in games will be added.
NCAA