News for 17 November 2014
All the news for Monday 17 November 2014
Hockey women make merry against Bermuda in CAC opener
Paragon’s Kristin Thompson, left, who opened the scoring for T&T at the CAC Games in Mexico, is seen in local competition against former national teammate Blair Wynne of Notre Dame.
Five different players were on target as T&T senior women’s hockey team got their gold medal defence off to a winning start at the 22nd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Veracruz, Mexico with a 5-0 bashing of Bermuda on Saturday.
Kristin Thompson got the opener for the “Calypso Stickwomen” in the 30th minute while Kayla Brathwaite scored her first international five minutes later for a 2-0 half-time lead.
Ten minutes into the second-half of the 70-minute contest, Dana-Lee De Gannes extended T&T’s lead to 3-0 while Brianna Govia (47th) and veteran Oire Trotman (51st) added their names to the list of scorers as well to give the Anthony Marcano-coached women a positive start.
The reigning gold medal champions will go after a second win today when they meet Guyana followed by Dominican Republic to complete pool play on Wednesday.
Yesterday, the men, silver medal winners four years ago in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, also won their opening contest, but only just, 4-3 over Dominican Republic thanks to a first ever international hat-trick from Fatima College student and Courts Malvern youngster, Tariq Marcano.
Marcano fired the Raphael Govia-coach T&T ahead as early as the third minute but Dominican Republic hit back to lead 2-1 after Jose Lopez netted in the sixth and eighth minutes.
However, Marcano got his second of the match in the 26th and Nicholas Grant, scored in the 28th for T&T to lead 3-2 at the half.
Six minutes into the second-half, Francisco Garcia drew Dominican Republic level, but with the match headed for a draw and four minutes left on the clock, Marcano found a winner for T&T.
Tomorrow, the men will return to action against Cuba ahead of their final match versus Guatemala on Thursday.
The Trinidad Guardian
Six of the best for Luciana?
Can Argentina repeat the success of 2012 and make it a fairytale ending for a hockey icon?
(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)
The blue and white-clad Las Leonas are the number three-ranked team in the world, five-time winners of the Champions Trophy – including the last edition – and a team more than capable of lifting the trophy in front of the passionate Argentinian home crowd.
The competition, which takes place in Mendoza, will be bitter-sweet for the Argentinian team and its supporters as it is more than likely to be the last appearance of talismanic player Luciana Aymar at a major international event. Aymar holds the record for the number of appearances at the Champions Trophy with 14 events under her belt and five gold medals to her name. She will be hoping to make it super six on 7 December.
The captain of Las Leonas is Ana Macarena Rodriguez and the 36-year-old defender took a few minutes to talk to FIH about her team's aspirations for this year's Champions Trophy.
"Our preparations for the tournament are going well. We are working hard to be at our peak performance for this event. It is a competitive group, with everyone very aware that their performances in training and matches are monitored. Everyone wants to do their very best."
At the 2014 World Cup earlier in the year, Argentina finished third, a disappointing result by their own high standards. What did they learn from that experience? Rodriguez explains: "You learn from every tournament you compete in, and while we were good physically, we lacked some dynamism in our game play. This was true across the team as a whole."
In Mendoza, Rodriguez feels a lack of "dynamism" will not be a problem, citing the presence of experienced players such as Rocio Sanchez , Delfina Merino and Carla Rebecchi, all of whom she feels will add imagination, flair and high energy levels to the squad. The captain also acknowledges the huge role that Luciana Aymar will play: "She will be a key player in our team."
One area that Las Leonas must work on in the lead-up and duration of the competition is the players' concentration levels at the start of each period of play. "This is an area that can cost us dearly," says Rodriguez. "We are slow to get into the game and slow to start being dynamic and aggressive. We are working hard during practice sessions to ensure that when we get on the pitch we are concentrated and focused. We need to be ready before play even begins."
Recent hockey history at the Champions Trophy has a distinctly blue and white feel to it. Argentina have won the past four of five editions and Rodriguez is confident that her side are capable of winning again. "You always believe you can take your place on the podium. This tournament is particularly special because it is taking place in our country and it is more exciting because we are playing this great tournament in front of our supporters. But we are aware that we have to take it game by game and work up a step at a time. Our first match is against Germany, so that is our immediate focus.”
FIH site
Champions Trophy squad
Kookaburras name Craig, Dawson & Ogilvie, welcome back Russell Ford
Kookaburras Head Coach Graham Reid has handed Champions Trophy call-ups to youngsters Tom Craig, Matthew Dawson and Flynn Ogilvie as Australia’s men’s hockey team heads to India to defend the title it won on home turf in Melbourne in 2012.
The trio made their senior international debuts against India at the start of November and are part of an 18-athlete squad, which contains 11 World Cup winners and 11 Commonwealth Games gold medallists.
Reid welcomes back prolific goal-scoring forward Russell Ford, who has been playing in the Netherlands and who missed the World Cup and Commonwealth Games with a calf tear. Also joining up with the team from his Dutch base is experienced defender Fergus Kavanagh.
Announcing the squad, Kookaburras Head Coach Graham Reid said, "We have increased our depth of experience since the India series with the addition of Fergus Kavanagh and Russell Ford, who have been playing in Europe.
“As I said when we announced the initial training group back in October, we are using the Champions Trophy as another opportunity to expose our younger players to the rigours of international competition. I think we have a good balance of youth and experience, however we do have a lot of work to do before the tournament starts on 6 December and the team is well aware of this."
Penalty corner danger man Chris Ciriello will make a milestone 150th appearance in Australia’s opening match against England while Tim Deavin is on course to reach a century of appearances for the Kookaburras if he plays in all six matches. Simon Orchard returns having made his comeback from a broken thumb in the Kookaburras’ fourth Test against India earlier in the month.
The Kookaburras have won the last five Champions Trophy titles, a run that stretches back to the 2008 tournament in Rotterdam, making Australia the most successful nation in the history of the competition having won 14 gold medals since the Champions Trophy began in 1978.
Australia will take on Belgium 24 hours after opening the biennial tournament against England, with 2012 runners-up Pakistan their final Pool A opponents. The ABC will broadcast the Kookaburras’ Champions Trophy campaign on ABC 2.
A number of athletes were not considered for selection due to their injury status. Captain Mark Knowles is undergoing rehabilitation for a foot injury, as is Joel Carroll, while Kieran Govers is recovering from hip surgery. Jamie Dwyer sustained a ligament injury in his foot at the end of the club season, ruling him out of Queensland’s AHL campaign and Australian selection.
Kookaburras squad for Champions Trophy
Bhubaneswar (IND), 6-14 December 2014
Name (Hometown/State) Caps/Goals
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD) 38/7
Chris Ciriello (Melbourne, VIC) 149/95
Andrew Charter (GK) (Canberra, ACT) 78/0
Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW) 3/1
Matthew Dawson (Central Coast, NSW) 4/0
Tim Deavin (Launceston, TAS) 94/4
Russell Ford (Melbourne, VIC) 152/72
Matt Gohdes (Rockhampton, QLD) 104/31
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 21/7
Fergus Kavanagh (Geraldton, WA) 191/14
Tyler Lovell (GK) (Perth, WA) 31/0
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS) 225/56
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW) 4/0
Simon Orchard (Maitland, NSW) 157/49
Glenn Simpson (Melbourne, VIC) 112/21
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD) 72/30
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW) 38/3
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA) 46/4
Kookaburras’ Champions Trophy fixtures
Saturday 6 December – Champions Trophy v England – Bhubaneswar – 5:30pm AEDT
Sunday 7 December – Champions Trophy v Belgium – Bhubaneswar – 5:30pm AEDT
Tuesday 9 December – Champions Trophy v Pakistan – Bhubaneswar – 11pm AEDT
Thursday 11 December – Champions Trophy quarter finals – Bhubaneswar
Saturday 13 December – Champions Trophy semi finals/playoffs
Sunday 14 December – Champions Trophy medal matches/playoffs
ABC Broadcast Schedule*, Champions Trophy
Saturday 6 December – Kookaburras v England – ABC 2, 10:30pm (on delay)
Sunday 7 December – Kookaburras v Belgium – ABC 2, 8:20pm (on delay)
Tuesday 9 December – Kookaburras v Pakistan – ABC 2, 11pm (live AEDT states)
Thursday 11 December – quarter final – arrangements to be confirmed
Saturday 13 December – semi final/playoff - arrangements to be confirmed
Sunday 14 December – medal match/playoff - arrangements to be confirmed
*All times subject to change. Times are local to your state. Check local TV listings.
Champions Trophy competing teams
Australia (World ranking #1) – Pool A
Netherlands (#2) – Pool B
Germany (#3) – Pool B
Belgium (#4) – Pool A
England (#5) – Pool A
Argentina (#7) – Pool B
India (#9) – Pool B
Pakistan (#11) – Pool A
Hockey Australia media release
Kerly strikes help Canterbury beat Leicester
Canterbury's Sarah Kerly is watched by Sofi Walbaum of Bowdon. Canterbury v Bowdon Hightown 25 Oct 2014. Credit Simon Parker
Sarah Kerly scored in the first and last minute to secure a dramatic 2-1 win for Canterbury over Leicester in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.
Her first goal was cancelled out by Katie Long for Leicester after 26 minutes, but Kerly added the crucial winner with seconds remaining.
Jenna Woolven scored a hat-trick as Surbiton continued their march at the top of the table with a win over Bowdon Hightown.
Bowdon have only chalked up one win so far this season and they met couldn’t cope with a team in top form, going down 6-0. Rebecca Herbert, Sarah Page and Natalie Maclean scored the other goals.
The two bottom clubs met with Buckingham hosting Beeston and it ended in a 2-2 draw.
Phoebe Willars had given Beeston the lead before two goals in ten minutes from Jess Bloom made it 2-1 to Buckingham. But Beeston battled on and grabbed an equaliser through Erica Sanders.
Only goal difference separates Canterbury and Clifton and the Bristol side kept up the pressure with a 3-0 win over fourth-placed Holcombe. Harriet Pearce, Els Mansell and Jo Leigh were all on target.
University of Birmingham and Reading are both mid-table but Birmingham have had the better results of the two sides and they managed to edge a close contest between the two teams, an Anna Toman goal after nine minutes deciding the game.
Investec Women’s Conference West
Slough dropped their first points of the season in the Investec Women’s Conference West, drawing 1-1 with hosts Gloucester City.
The home side took the lead through Emma Done but Amy Sheehan rescued a point for Slough.
Second-placed Swansea also drew, 2-2 with Isca. Sophie Clayton popped up with two minutes remaining to steal a point for Swansea.
Bottom club Olton and West Warwickshire faced ninth-placed Cheltenham and managed to leapfrog their opponents with a 2-1 win. Bristol Firebrands played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Trojans and Stourport beat Oxford Hawks 2-1.
Investec Women’s Conference North
Leaders Brooklands Poynton beat Liverpool Sefton 4-1 in the Investec Women’s Conference North with two late Helen Turner goals helping to keep them at the top.
Second-placed Wakefield couldn’t quite match the result but still took a healthy 3-1 win over Sutton Coldfield with Sally Walton bagging a brace.
Whitley Bay and Tynemouth moved up to sixth as a Joss Plummer hat-trick helped them to a 5-2 defeat of Cannock.
University of Durham beat Loughborough University 2-0 and Kendal scored their second win of the season, a 2-1 result against Ben Rhydding.
Investec Women’s Conference East
East Grinstead are still at the top of the Investec Women’s Conference East with a 3-1 victory over Wimbledon - Sophie Bray, Bara Karanova and Lucy Brown scoring their goals.
St Albans are now three points behind after suffering their first defeat of the season, a 2-0 loss to Harleston Magpies.
Kate Maxey hit three goals as Chelmsford got the better of Horsham, running out 4-1 winners.
Sevenoaks were also big winners, beating Ipswich 5-1. Cathy Gillat-Smith led their scoring, scoring a brace. Maidenhead took a 2-1 win against Bedford in the other game.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Sunday, November 16 2014):
Investec Women's Premier Division: Buckingham 2, Beeston 2; Clifton 3, Holcombe 0; Reading 0, University of Birmingham 1; Leicester 1, Canterbury 2; Surbiton 6, Bowdon Hightown 0.
Investec Women's Conference West: Bristol Firebrands 3, Trojans 3; Isca 2, Swansea City 2; Stourport 2, Oxford Hawks 1; Cheltenham 1, Olton and West Warwickshire 2; Gloucester City 1, Slough 1.
Investec Women's Conference North: Kendal 2, Ben Rhydding 1; Liverpool Sefton 1, Brooklands Poynton 4; Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 5, Cannock 2; Sutton Coldfield 1, Wakefield 3; University of Durham 2, Loughborough Students 0.
Investec Women's Conference East: East Grinstead 3, Wimbledon 1; Maidenhead 2, Bedford 1; Sevenoaks 5, Ipswich 1; St Albans 0, Harleston Magpies 2; Chelmsford 4, Horsham 1.
England Hockey Board Media release
Clifton's Jo Leigh rounds off incisive display as Holcombe's unbeaten start ends
By Rod Gilmour
Star turn: Surbiton’s Jenna Woolver, centre, hit fine hat-trick Photo: ADY KERRY
Clifton rose to the occasion at home to Holcombe on Sunday, inflicting a first defeat on a Kent side experiencing life in the top flight for the first time. Their 3-0 win was hailed by Steve Rixon, their coach, as “one of our strongest performances of the year.”
Clifton were awarded four penalty corners before netting their opener through Harriet Pearce, the only goal of the half.
Els Mansell then scored in the 43rd minute before Joanna Leigh finished off the move of the game a minute later thanks to some incisive movement. It was Leigh’s seventh goal of an increasingly successful season.
“We had an idea of what kind of game Holcombe would bring,” Rixon added.
“They have an extraordinary squad, but we also have a balanced one and I have huge trust in the team.”
Surbiton, the play-off champions, continue to impress as Bowdon Hightown were subjected to a 6-0 drubbing on the road.
The league’s top scorer, Rebecca Herbert, opened the scoring before Jenna Woolven hit a hat-trick to take Surbiton’s account to 29 goals from nine games.
Meanwhile, Canterbury ended Leicester’s four-match unbeaten run as Sarah Kerly scored a brace with one of the first and last touches of the game. Katie Long scored for the hosts.
Reading lie 13 points adrift of Surbiton in seventh after University of Birmingham’s 1-0 win inflicted a fifth defeat of the season.
On the mark: Sam Ward (right) notched brace for Beeston (SIMON PARKER)
MEN’S ROUND-UP
Ball lifts Dons in title chase
Wimbledon’s victory in foggy conditions provided more clear evidence as to why the Londoners are being talked about as title challengers.
A second-half blitz saw Wimbledon record a crucial 4-1 win at Surbiton after the hosts had taken the lead through Matt Daly in the 15th minute.
Level at half-time, Phil Ball’s two goals, an individual lob effort and a lifted strike, then paved the way for another victory for Ben Marsden’s classy side.
Marsden, the Wimbledon coach who has now presided over away wins against the top two, said: “A few weeks ago I said we would have been able to beat and lose to anybody in the league.”
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying we are title contenders yet, but we are certainly finding form. It’s going well."
Beeston consolidated third place thanks to Sam Ward’s brace in a 5-0 victory on the road at Southgate. Mark Gleghorne also scored two as East Grinstead ousted Canterbury, who are enduring a tough season.
Brooklands Manchester University followed up their first win of the season last week with another at Hampstead and Westminster. David Flanagan scored the only goal, in the 20th minute, to seal the win.
Reading’s game at home to Cannock had to be abandoned at half time due to poor visibility. Tom Carson had given them the lead on 14 minutes.
The Telegraph
BPCL win a 19-goal thriller
Sudheendra Tripathi
MUMBAI: In high intensity matches, the team that triumphs is the one which maintains a calm and composed attitude. On Sunday, at Churchgate's MHAL stadium, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) was the team which dished out an attacking, yet a controlled brand of hockey. They defeated Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) 10-9 via the penalty shootout-sudden death to clinch the Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament.
The scores were tied 5-5 at the end of regulation time and 8-8 after five attempts each in the tiebreaker. BPCL goalkeeper Swinder Singh, who had an outstanding game, once again rose to the occasion making three remarkable saves in the penalty shootout. First, he did well to foil Vikas Sharma and Dharamveer Singh and later in the sudden death, he thwarted the dangerous Gurjinder Singh to clinch the issue in his team's favour.
"They played superior hockey," IOCL coach Ramesh Parameswaran told TOI.
"Though we scored first, they did well not only to bounce back but also put us under pressure. We have won may tournaments this year and losing here was a wake up call," the coach added.
RESULTS: BPCL (Tushar Khandekar 22nd, 24th, 34th, Prabdeep Powar 49th Pen, Lalit Upadhyay 54th) beat Indian Oil (Roshan Minz 15th, Deepak Thakur 21st, Vikram Kanth 38th, Gurjinder Singh 57th, 68th).
Penalty shootout: BPCL 5 (Birendra Lakra 2, Lalit Upadhaya 2, S.V. Sunil) beat Indian Oil 4 (Gurjinder Singh, S.K. Uthappa, Kothajit Singh, Dharamveer Singh).
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: Player of the tournament: Birendra Lakra (BPCL); Best goalkeeper: Adrian D'Souza (Air India); Best defender: Gurjinder Singh (IOC); Best midfielder: Manpreet Singh (BPCL); Best forward: Tushar Khandekar (BPCL).
The Times of India
HIL Closed Bid: Dabang Mumbai cynosure of all eyes
K. Arumugam
With almost all other teams settled with minor additions and omissions for the upcoming third edition of Hero Hockey India League, its Mumbai's new teams Dabang Mumbai turned out to be the cynosure of all eyes today when the details of the closed bid was disclosed at Holiday Inn hotel in New Delhi.
The team also had many trumps to show as if to increase the suspense element.
Dabang Mumbai spent maximum amount on a single players, packed half the team with midfielders, while its coach is not a big name compared to the limes of Oltmans and Dancers, but hugely potential, and present Junior German National team coach.
undefined Dabang Mumbai packs as many as 12 midfielders out of 24 members, as the closed bid for the third Hero Hockey India league was disclosed today in New Delhi.
This is not the lone surprise from the Mumbai metro's new HIL avtar, Dabang Mumbai.
They have spent a huge sum, USD 103,000 -- highest for any player so far in the three year old HIL -- to acquire Tom Boon, a Belgium star.
The second highest earner, Mathew Swamm, also goes to the Dabang's account.
Tom Boon is talk of the town what with USD 103k for a four-week tournament, giving for a while is it hockey league or something football.
Ever since Netherlands' successful coach Mark Lammers took up the coaching of Belgium, the all rounder Tom has been in the news, what with his excellent work upfront, and also with drag flicks in the penalty corner situations.
Coach Valentin Attenburg was the former coach of Stuttgart HC, where Viren Rasquinha, VS Vinaya had a stint in the early 2000s.
Incidentally, the youngest mentor in the HIL canvass Viren opted for youngest coach of the HIL.
Visiting first time to India, Valentin was all calm and composed to face media today.
Mumbai team's another surprise today was inclusion of a Czech Republic player Tomas Prochazka.
"He is a tall guy, with huge energy and enterprise in whatever he does. He is a good defender and will be a great strength to our team. I know his talent well, as he is playing in the German league", said Valentin.
Mumbai franchise somehow had not clicked well in the past two editions, finishing last in the first edition with Ric Charlesworth as coach and then last but one stage in the last season with MK Kaushik as the chief coach.
Dabur Mumbai's magic did not work, now with the new team and franchise things look better
The Dabang Team: Adrian D'Souza, Anup Walmiki, Nilakanta Sharma, Harmanpreet Singh, VS Vinaya, Amit Gowda, Tyron Pereira, Santa Singh, Rajat Sharma, Chinglensana Singh, Vikas Pillay, Bharat, Arjun Halappa, Vikram Pillay, Tom Boon, Mathew Swan, Glenn Turner, David Harte, Jeremh Hayward, Nick Catlin, Timothy Deavin, Tomoas Prochazka, Floris Evers, Conor Harte.
Stick2Hockey.com
HIL Closed Bid: Highlights and Sidelights
s2h Team
Of the all coaches present in the press meet convened to disclose closed bid for Hero Hockey India League, Dabang Mumbai's Valentin was well sought after by the media.
Dhanraj Pillay, Harendra Singh, Jagbir Singh, have left after the closed bid meeting not present for the media interaction
This media conference was perhaps the thinnest in terms of number of print and visual media attendance, in the recent memory, despite transport was organized from three pick centres for media.
Moments before the interaction was to start, the hotel authorities made an announcement to vacate all, seemingly a caution for fire, but it soon recalled even before all have vacated the ball room.
Each team management was invited to main stage for media question and answer, more questions asked to Dabang Mumbai.
Ranchi Rays teams however did not come forward on stage, perhaps it was without coach Harendra Singh at that point of time.
While the manager, mentor or coach of teams replied media queries, it was a PR who replied for Kalinga Lancers, despite Dilip Tirkey present on the dais.
It was nice to see both Jude Felix and Anil Anil Aldrin, who together played many years in the early 90s, especially the Sydney World Cup, the former as captain.
Anil Aldrin said that the coaching at this level is an learning experience for him, and he is focussed on the job and looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Former captain and mentor of Kalinga Lancers Dilip Tirkey have put on weight, and had recently undergone two ligament operations in Adelaide, Australia. "My fitness is casuality in the public life", the Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament said. He also unsuccessfully contested Sundargarh Parliamentary election recently.
Absence of Pune Franchise created a lot of curiosity, but not many questions were asked on that score, perhaps absence of Narender Batra, president of Hockey India, told on the media.
A total of 149 players - 54 foreign, 95 domestic - were in the fray. These include two franchises that cried out -- Ranchi Rhinos and Mumbai Magicians.
Belgian strike Tom Boon got the highest money, USD 103k followed by Mathew Swann, 78k, and PR Sreejesh 69K. Fourth rank went to Trent Mitton of Australia 67K.
HI CEO Elena Norman informed that eight teams will figure in 2016 league
Complete list of players
Here is the complete list of new entrants and those who shifted changed franchise with their bid price for the season 2015
No. NAME TEAM BID US$ Price
1 Tom Boon ( Belgium ) 1,03,000
2 Matthew Swann ( Australia ) 78,000
3 Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran ( Indian Overseas Bank ) 69,000
4 Trent Mitton ( Australia ) 67,000
5 Gurjinder Singh ( Hockey Punjab /Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. ) 65,000
6 Glenn Turner ( Australia ) 61,000
7 Harmanpreet Singh ( Hockey Punjab ) 51,000
8 David Harte ( Ireland ) 51,000
9 Vinaya Vokkaliga Swamy ( Air India Sports Promotion Board ) 46,000
10 Jeremy Hayward ( Australia ) 46,000
11 Vikram Vishnu Pillay ( Air India Sports Promotion Board ) 45,000
12 Roshan Minz ( Hockey Gangpur - Odisha /Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. ) 45,000
13 Arjun Halappa ( S.A.I ) 44,000
14 Andrew Hayward ( New Zealand ) 41,000
15 Daniel Beale ( Australia ) 35,000
16 Adrian D'souza ( Air India Sports Promotion Board ) 31,000
17 Bob De Voogd ( Netherlands ) 31,000
18 Nick Catlin ( England ) 27,000
19 Simranjeet Singh ( Hockey Punjab ) 24,000
20 Bharat ( Hockey Haryana /Indian Oil Corpn. ) 23,000
21 Timothy Deavin ( Australia ) 21,000
22 Shea Mcaleese ( New Zealand ) 18,000
23 Vikas Vishnu Pillay ( Air India Sports Promotion Board ) 17,000
24 Chinglesana Singh Kangujam ( R.S.P.B ) 16,000
25 "Tomas Prochazka " ( Czech Republic ) 10,000
26 Ajitesh Roy ( R.S.P.B ) 8,000
27 Sumit ( Hockey Haryana ) 4,000
28 Ajay Yadav ( The Mumbai Hockey Asson ) 4,000
29 Anand Lakra ( Hockey Odisha ) 3,500
30 Pawan Kumar ( Hockey Haryana ) 3,500
31 Floris Evers ( Netherlands ) 26,000
32 Pradhan Sommanna Pudiyokkada ( O.N.G.C ) 21,000
33 Andrew Charter ( Australia ) 21,000
34 Conor Harte ( Ireland ) 10,000
35 Gurpreet Singh ( Air India Sports Promotion Board ) 5,200
36 Nilakanta Sharma ( Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy ) 3,500
37 Anup Valmiki ( R.S.P.B / Hockey Maharashtra ) 3,500
38 Diwakar Ram ( O.N.G.C ) 3,000
39 Amit Gowda ( The Mumbai Hockey Asson/R.S.P.B ) 3,000
40 Tyron Pereira ( The Mumbai Hockey Asson. /O.N.G.C ) 3,000
41 Santa Singh ( Hockey Haryana /Namdhari XI ) 3,000
42 Rajat Sharma ( The Mumbai Hockey Asson. ) 3,000
Stick2Hockey.com
HIL 2015: Windfall for Tom Boon as Dabang Mumbai splurges
Dabang Mumbai officials during the unveiling of logo of the team ahead of Hockey India League in Mumbai. File photo
Belgian forward Tom Boon emerged as the costliest player ever of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) at the bidding here on Saturday.
New outfit Dabang Mumbai acquired Boon for a whopping $103,000 for the 2015 season, against his base price of $20,000, netting him more than $25,000 per week in the four-week event.
Australian midfielder Matthew Swann, who was bagged by Mumbai for $78,000 was the second costliest, while star goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for $69,000 (base price $26,000), was the most expensive Indian player, and third overall.
Altogether, 95 Indian players and 54 foreigners were available for the bidding.
In fact, the Mumbai outfit, which retained only four players from the old franchise, dominated the auction. The sidecoached by German Valentin Altenburg pocketed nine players out of the top-15 costliest names.
India junior defender and penalty-corner expert Harmanpreet Singh was purchased by Mumbai for a stunning $51,000 against his modest base price of $2,600.
The team, heavily relying on midfielders including some well-known Indian players like V.S. Vinaya, Arjun Halappa, Vikram Pillay, Chinglensana Singh, has also acquired some fine overseas professionals such as Dutchman Floris Evers, and Glenn Turner and Jeremy Hayward from Australia.
Altenburg said the new beginning was an “interesting challenge.”
The former German under-21 coach said he would look to bank on HIL’s popularity in his country and try to bring in some players and support staff for the 2016 season.
Another new franchise, Ranchi Rays, adopted a contrasting approach. It retained 18 players from the previous franchise while roping in only six new faces. Aussie forward Trent Milton ($67,000) turned out to be the costliest buy for the side, co-owned by M.S. Dhoni.
“I am a happy man. I got five out of six of our targets. The team had been playing well and there was no need to change the combination. Besides, Dhoni did not want the team changed entirely,” said Ranchi coach Harendra Singh.
Kalinga Lancers purchased four players, including drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh for $65,000 (base price $8,600).
Delhi Waveriders picked three players, including Kiwi Andrew Hayward for $41,000.
Wizards also got Dutchman Bob de Voogd for $31,000 and New Zealand’s Shea McAleese for $18,000.
Jaypee Punjab Warriors acquired young midfielder Simranjeet Singh for $24,000.
The Hindu
Hayward, Beale in HIL
Hockey India League snaps up Jeremy Hayward and Daniel Beale at auction
Seven Kookaburras were picked up for a total of $375,000 (US$329,000) in the auction for the third season of the Hockey India League (HIL), which runs from 25 January until 23 February next year.
Australian defender Matthew Swann ($89,000 / US$78,000) emerged as the second most expensive player in the auction of 149 athletes, which comprised 95 Indians and 54 from overseas. Swann and Kookaburras teammates Glenn Turner, Jeremy Hayward and Tim Deavin were all picked up by new franchise, Dabang Mumbai, which has replaced the Mumbai Magicians in the third edition of the HIL.
They will team up with Belgian forward Tom Boon at Dabang Mumbai after Boon became the most expensive hockey player of all time and the first to break the US$100,000 mark when he was snapped up for US$103,000 ($117,000).
Hayward and fellow young Kookaburra Daniel Beale will compete in the HIL for the first time in 2015 with Beale attracting the attention of another new franchise, Ranchi Rays, which is owned by Indian cricket captain MS Dohni and which has taken the place of the Ranchi Rhinos. The Rays, however, will retain a familiar feel with Beale and Australian forward Trent Mitton two of just four changes to the previous squad.
Kookaburras goalkeeper Andrew Charter was also picked up in the auction with Kalinga Lancers bidding $24,000 (US$21,000) for his services.
Australians in the 2015 season auction:
Matthew Swann $89,000 / US$78,000 (Dabang Mumbai)
Trent Mitton $76500 / US$67,000 (Ranchi Rays)
Glenn Turner $69600 / US$61,000 (Dabang Mumbai)
Jeremy Hayward $52,500 / US$46,000 (Dabang Mumbai)
Daniel Beale $40,000 / US$35,000 (Ranchi Rays)
Tim Deavin $24,000 / US$21,000 (Dabang Mumbai)
Andrew Charter $24,000 / US$21,000 (Kalinga Lancers)
Australia’s other Hockey India League participants were already contracted to their respective franchises for the 2015 season. The full complement of 24 Australians by HIL squad can be found below.
Delhi Waveriders
Matt Gohdes
Tristan White
Jason Wilson
Kalinga Lancers
Kiel Brown
Andrew Charter
Russell Ford
Glenn Simpson
Aran Zalewski
Dabang Mumbai
Tim Deavin
Jeremy Hayward
Matthew Swann
Glenn Turner
Ranchi Rays
Daniel Beale
Fergus Kavanagh
Trent Mitton
Uttar Pradesh Warriors
George Bazeley
Eddie Ockenden
Jaypee Punjab Warriors
Chris Ciriello
Jamie Dwyer
Kieran Govers
Rob Hammond
Mark Knowles
Simon Orchard
Jake Whetton
Hockey Australia media release
Hayward, McAleese snapped up in HIL auction
Black Sticks Andy Hayward and Shea McAleese have both been signed in the 2015 Hockey India League player auction.
Defender and drag flick expert Hayward was signed by defending champions Delhi Waveriders for US$41,000, while midfielder McAleese went to the Uttar Pradesh Wizards for US$18,000.
The duo join four other Kiwis contracted for the 2015 edition including Simon Child, Steve Edwards, Ryan Archibald and Nick Wilson.
Belgium striker Tom Boon fetched top bid in the auction, earning a whopping US$103,000 (or just over US$20,000 a week) for the four week tournament which starts in January.
DELHI WAVERIDERS
Simon Child, Steve Edwards, Andy Hayward
KALINGA LANCERS
Ryan Archibald
RANCHI RAYS
Nick Wilson
UTTAR PRADESH WIZARDS
Shea McAleese
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Walsh clarifies his stand
Y. B. Sarangi
Negotiations are going on about chief hockey coach Terry Walsh’s demands, the Australian says that he has been misunderstood on two major aspects — his work from his home base in Australia and the organisational adjustment to delegate specific authorities to appropriate individuals.
Besides, he expects to be financially rewarded for his good work, resulting in the improvement in performances of the National side.
Walsh’s contract is set to expire on Wednesday and the Sports Authority of India (SAI)-appointed committee is having its second round of meeting on Monday to find a solution to this impasse. The Aussie, who “enjoyed working with the great bunch of players,” is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the meeting.
In an exclusive interview with The Hindu on Sunday, Walsh sought to set aside some misplaced notions.
Walsh said he never demanded 120 days of paid leave in Australia. “It is incorrect. What I meant was working from my home base in Perth instead of working from the hotel room here when players are not in central training (camp). I can do much better work and spend some time with my family.”
Misconception
The Australian said it was a ‘misconception’ that he wanted to control certain things. Walsh, who has worked with several National teams around the world, said India should learn how sports administration worked in other countries and make adequate changes to its structure to delegate authorities to right people.
“The High Performance Director needs to control what he needs to control and what is required to control.”
“The concept I was suggesting was people must be knowing how sports administration works...It was about the overall organisation of the federation.”
The Aussie said rather than selection of players, the issue was “selection of personnel who can work with the programme.”
Walsh said he discussed these issues with Hockey India (HI) only on one occasion. “It was on the very first day when I resigned. There has been no discussion after that.”
The chief coach said SAI, on the other hand, was very comfortable with his ideas.
Walsh, who guided India to an Asian Games gold medal (and thereby a berth in the Rio Olympics), a Commonwealth Games silver medal and a sixth place finish in the World League Final, expected adequate financial rewards for his good showing. “I put the programme in place and it took the team to a strong position. That needs to be reflected in my salary,” said Walsh, the highest paid foreign coach employed by the SAI.
Despite the shortcomings in the system, Walsh appreciated the efforts put in by the players and expected good results from them in the Olympics. “They have the potential to achieve a top-six place in the Olympics and maybe an outside chance for a podium finish. But for that a huge amount of work is needed. And that involves not just working during the training, but also a lot of work which doesn’t take place on the pitch,” he said.
The Hindu
Electrifying KLHC
By Jugjet Singh
KUALA Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) slammed Tenaga Nasional 3-1 to start their Malaysia Hockey League Round Two with a bang at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The unbeaten four-time consecutive double champions, who had beaten Tenaga 5-3 in the Charity Shield, were in mean mood as they set out searching for their ninth league title.
However, KLHC’s clean run was marred when Nabil Fiqri was red carded in the 49th minute.
KLHC got their goals off Fareed Ahmad from Pakistan (12th), Nabil Fiqri (13th) and Harrison Page (25th), while Amin Rahim scored for Tenaga in the 39th minute.
“Nabil claims he was hit first by Tenaga player (Azammi Adabi) and he retaliated and was flashed the red card. But being an experienced (national player) he should have checked his temper.
“He will surely miss the next match (against Maybank) but we have the strength on the bench to replace him,” said KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj.
In another Premier Division match, Sapura started on a low note but went on to hold Maybank to a 3-3 draw. Maybank’s goals were scored by Jiwa Mohan (10th, 42nd) and Haseem Khan (46th), while the Sapura goals came off Pakistan import Khasif Ali (21st, 23rd) and Muhammad Zubair (55th).
THT were lucky to win 5-2 against UniKL in Kuala Terengganu as the University side scored first and were 2-2 at one stage.
RESULTS: Tenaga 1 KLHC 3; Maybank 3 Sapura 3; THT 5 UniKL 2.
New Straits Times
KLHC win again, T’ganu keep pace in Malaysia Hockey League
By S. Ramaguru
Hero to zero: KLHC's Nabil Fiqri Mohd Nor celebrates his goal against Tenaga during their Malaysia Hockey League match on Sunday, before he was sent off later. -- M. AZHAR ARIF/ The STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions KL Hockey Club notched their sixth win in as many matches to consolidate their position at the top of the standings in the Malaysia Hockey League.
They defeated Tenaga Nasional 3-1 in the first of the second round matches to keep their three-point lead in the Premier Division.
Terengganu kept pace with the champions when they defeated Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) 5-2 at the Kuala Terengganu Hockey Stadium.
Unheralded Syamiru Aiman Bidin scored four goals (8th, 16th, 31st, 34th) for the east coast side. Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin added the fifth in the 55th minute.
UniKL opened the scoring in the second minute through Mohamed Nor Aqmal Ghaffar while Phillip Stahr added the second goal in the 26th minute.
At the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, KLHC’s win was marred by a red card to Nabil Fiqri Mohamed Nor.
In the first round, KLHC had beaten Tenaga 5-3. But they were given a fight by Tenaga yesterday, who had a chance of narrowing the gap in the standings if they win the match.
KLHC took the lead in the 12th minute with Mohamed Shukri Mutalib scoring his first goal for his club with a field attempt.
In the 13th minute Nabil Fiqri was on target with another field goal before Australian Harrison Page extended the lead in the 25th minute to put them 3-0 up.
Tenaga pulled a goal back in the 39th minute with veteran defender Mohamed Amin Rahim scoring with a penalty corner drag flick.
In the 49th minute KLHC were reduced to 10 men when Nabil Fiqri was red carded for a foul on Mohamed Adabi.
KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj said they are just happy to collect all three points.
“Our main objective is to keep the winning run going. It is not about how many goals we scored. I want the team to play consistently and also stay focused on the task, said Dharmaraj.
In another match, Maybank and Sapura shared the points when they drew 3-3. It was the second draw for both teams after their first round match was tied at 2-2.
Maybank took control in the early stages and took the lead in the sixth minute off their first penalty corner attempt. Jiwa Mohan made no mistake with his drag flick.
In the second quarter, it was Sapura’s turn to dominate and they scored two goals to take the lead. Both came via penalty corners through Pakistani Kashif Ali in the 21st and 23rd minutes.
The Tigers roared back and were on level terms in the 42nd minute when Jiwa again was on target from a penalty corner set-piece.
In the 46th minute, they regained the lead through Pakistani Abdul Haseem Khan’s field goal.
But Mohamed Zubair earned Sapura a point when he scored a penalty corner rebound in the 55th minute.
The Star of Malaysia
UConn Field Hockey Defeats Stanford, Advances To Final Four
By Lori Riley
UConn forward Charlotte Veitner, left, reacts after scoring against Stanford goalkeeper Dulcie Davies in the first half. David Butler II / Special to The Courant
STORRS – The UConn field hockey team had, as senior forward Chloe Hunnable put it, a bit of an issue scoring earlier in the season.
The Huskies were only able to manage one goal the last time they played Stanford on Sept. 26, and lost.
Things have changed since then and Sunday, third-seeded UConn, the defending national champion, beat Stanford 3-1 in an NCAA quarterfinal game at Sherman Family Sports Complex.
UConn (18-3) will play Albany, a 2-1 winner over second-seeded Maryland Sunday and the only unseeded team left, in the NCAA semifinal game Friday at 4:45 p.m. at the University of Maryland.
It will be Albany's first trip to the final four and UConn's 12th. Albany is 20-2. North Carolina will face Syracuse at 2 p.m. in the first semifinal game Friday.
UConn has won 12 straight games since losing 3-2 to North Carolina Sept. 28 and has scored 55 goals in those 12 games.
"Now, we don't really have an issue with [scoring]," said Hunnable, who will go to her third final four. "We have 50-something goals in the last 11 games. I think that's pretty good."
Charlotte Veitner, a freshman forward from Germany, leads the Huskies with 18 goals. She had three Saturday in the 6-1 first-round win over Kent State and two Sunday, one in each half and both off penalty corners.
"Most of the goals I score are a team effort," Veitner said. "We've grown as a team. Our passing is so much better. I'm just at the right place at the end."
UConn jumped on Stanford, which had handed the Huskies a 3-1 loss in September, early in the game. Freshman Casey Umstead, who started for Sophie Bowden (out with an ankle injury), scored 1:20 into the game off an assist from Olivia Bolles. Veitner added the second goal with 1:43 left in the half, redirecting a goalkeeper save off a penalty corner shot into the cage. The Huskies outshot the Cardinal 7-0 in the first half and 11-4 for the game.
"We did struggle a couple games ago getting off to a good start," junior midfielder Roisin Upton said. "We fought back and won those games we were down in, but you don't want to put yourself in that situation.
"It's about that first 5-10 minutes, laying down the groundwork. We were at home. We were excited, we had our family and friends here. The opportunity to get to a final four, that really was enough to keep you motivated."
With 9:55 left in the game, Veitner had another goal off an assist by Upton, again off a corner. Stanford scored a few minutes later, off a penalty stroke by Kelsey Harbin and the Cardinal put pressure on UConn. But the Huskies defense held strong.
With Albany's upset of Maryland, UConn does not have to play the Terrapins on their home field.
"That leaves the door open a little wider for the other teams," coach Nancy Stevens said. "We've played Albany in the past and it's been a good, close game every time we've played them.
"The fortunate thing is that we're not playing the host in the final four. But as far as one being better than the other, Albany proved that they're the better team [than Maryland]. So we're playing the better team."
Hartford Courant