News for 13 December 2014
All the news for Saturday 13 December 2014
Confident India face resurgent Pakistan in Champions Trophy semifinal
Stunning turnaround for India and Pakistan; Australia to meet Germany
Y.B. Sarangi
Indian hockey team celebrate after their victory over Belgium in quarterfinals. India will be facing their arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinal to be played on Saturday. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
The history of world hockey is incomplete without the legendary tales of India-Pakistan contests. So one can expect another high-adrenalin encounter when the two teams meet in one of the semifinals of the Champions Trophy at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday.
In the other semifinal, World champion Australia will meet Olympic champion Germany.
Even as India and Pakistan aim to revive the sport in their countries, their stunning turnaround in the Champions Trophy after early debacles in the pool stage has left everybody awe-struck.
Nobody had expected Pakistan to bounce back from three straight defeats, and outsmart a high-quality Dutch team in the quarterfinals.
But coach Shahnaz Sheikh had faith in his boys, who rose to the occasion at the right time and exhibited the virtues of using the wings.
The World No.11 has some dangerous strikers in Rizwan Sr and Muhammad Umer Bhutta, who are capable of changing the course of a match in no time.
The clever use of variations in converting penalty corners was another key point behind Pakistan’s success. Shahnaz has issued a veiled threat by saying that his team was yet to showcase its complete repertoire in this department.
The lethal duo of Muhammad Imran and Muhammad Irfan were too good against the Dutch and would be keen to repeat their act against the home side.
India’s High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans is aware of the possible threats and challenges. “I did not expect Pakistan to beat the Netherlands. They were more organised. I saw their structure and execution,” said Oltmans.
Even though passions might run high in such a contest, Oltmans expects his boys to focus on the execution of plans. The recent Asian Games experience, where India lost in the league stage before beating Pakistan to regain the continental title after 16 years, should come in handy.
India is bubbling with confidence after shooting down the Netherlands and Belgium, the second and fourth ranked sides in the world respectively, in succession.
Factors like the increasing utility of Rupinderpal Singh and Gurjinder Singh as defenders-cum-drag-flickers, the balancing act of Sardar Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Dharamvir Singh and Gurbaj Singh in the midfield and the effectiveness of S.V. Sunil and Akashdeep Singh upfront have combined well to help the side.
The World No.9 needs to translate its plans into action for 60 minutes to negate the threat of Pakistan. The city, which has supported India wholeheartedly, will hope to see the team come out with flying colours and touch a new high.
The Hindu
Revenge match for India Pakistan today
K. Arumugam
India Pakistan encounters have been elixir of field hockey, if not excellence and essence of it. It was such an excellence and essence of the sport we all love -- which was the till the 60 -- that each of their encounter evoked glamour and fire in equal measures. In their halcycon days, their matches were copybook cases for every nuance and the artistic values for which the sport stood for. Thereafter, they languished in the middle of the global order, leaving no mark on the neo-powers and neo-regions whose number and strength grew faster.
Yet, the neighbour countries’ encounters were remarkably different in every tournament, both teams lifting their game to unbelievable levels, presenting in the process a ray of hope, albeit momentarily, for the victory starved countrymen.
The theatre of Champions Trophy was no exception. Both teams set the turf on flame whenever they happened to meet, which is going to be case tomorrow in the second semifinal.
More so against the manner both teams rose from ashes like phoenix to be in a stage of envy, where they are now. Having lost all the three matches in the pool, Pakistan stunned their perennial tormentor Holland in the quarters while India came to form a bit earlier.
Since India and Pakistan have progressed at the cost of World No.2 team Netherlands, their meet tomorrow stocks exciting stuff, stokes fire in the minds of fans. Expectations have been aroused. Increasing media strength here in Bhubaneswar, never ending serpentine Qs at the ticket counters mirror the excitement.
India and Pakistan are not playing for the last two positions, as was the case in recent cases, even not for Bronze like previous edition or in the early 2000s. They are fighting for a place in the final.
This is an unexpected development in Bhubaneswar even the most optimistic soul would not have predicted even couple of days ago.
The truth is stranger than fiction and it is here.
India, historically speaking, is seeking to take revenge. When India hosted the Champions Trophy for the first time in 1996, it met Pakistan in its last pool matches. India just needed a draw to advance to the final to engage Roelant Oltmans’ Netherlands in the Final.
The scores were levelled 1-1 at half time, but Pakistan overcame the big vocal crowd to post a winning goal and ending the Indian dreams.
Now, its time for India to even the status.
For Pakistan its often pride and proud moment to finish above their traditional rivals on their own soils. Be it traditional Test Series, World Cup, Asian Games and name any tournament that India hosted, Pakistan finished above India in most cases.
Secondly, Pakistan have an axe to grind. Its India that snatched their Rio dreams via shoot out in Incheon Asian Games. It’s a double delight for India while huge setback for cash-starved Pakistan.
Where on earth such an opportunity a nation gets so quickly in the same calendar year to revenge as is the case with Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan here have reasonably silenced their critics. What is left now is that eagerness to go that extra mile. Both want to improve their position at the cost of other, and herein lies the sweet stage of tomorrow.
Like many Netherlanders have said, Pakistan defence has tremendously improved. Imran Mohammad stands out here with a lion-heart, getting enough support from Ifran. Midfield, where Rashid is bundle of energy, functions well, though more on defensive side. The form of young Imran Butt, younger brother of right winger Rehan Butt, under the cage has seen vast improvement. His agility will be put to test tomorrow. Forwards were a bit wayward but Kashif, Waqs and Umar Bhutta made marks so far. Sometimes they combine beautifully, with amazing speed in their legs.
India on the other hand is a well settled unit. Gurnjinder for once is noticeable in game for all good reasons. Raghu, bit slow makes up with uncanny ball control and power with which he packs it. Rupinderpal is a bit tentative, but he will be impregnable against Pakistan. India’s strength of course is goalie Sreejesh who usually reserves his best for this arch rival.
India just need to be cautious inside their own D. Pakistan will be eyeing for penalty corners, that is one department of them which is threatening now every rival. Pakistan got three penalty the quarters, and converted all of them despite having Jaap Stockmann under the cage!
Its actually penalty corners, getting them and converting, will make or make for both teams.
Indian midfield is stronger compared to Pakistan’s but it is to be waited and seen whether Indians will maintain their composure or will go for the kill all the 60 minutes. Whatever India achieved so far are due to the fact that they are no more an emotional side, but a mature one with focus on ball control and rotation rather than trying to be aggressive all the times.
Nikkin is Indian asset, matching Shan Ali of the rival side. Pakistan relies on long passes to penetrate D. India did the same mistake against Argentina and paid for it.
If India can play the way they did in Incheon finals, a boring brand of field play, but far more effective than gallery oriented attack-attack style.
The encounter of former giants, now the finalist of the Asian Games, is much looked upon by the entire sporting fraternity of India and hockey world.
India has more pressure than Pakistan, who seemed to have achieved far more than expected of them, to win tomorrow. And there going to be a full house, mad house.
This is one kind of pressure hardly do past Indian teams withstand. Sardar is a seasoned man, a biggie in the business of hockey, he need to control not only ball movement but also nerves of his boys.
If this will be done, the job will be done.
Stick2Hockey.com
Showtime as India, Pak clash in semis
Indervir Grewal
Sardar Singh-led side is on the cusp of making history, says coach Roelant Oltmans.
Bhubaneswar - The blue turf at the Kalinga Stadium will turn into a battle-zone as the Indian team, cheered on by 7000-plus supporters, will face their most fierce rivals.
The semifinals clash between India and Pakistan has created such a buzz in the city that the demand for tickets has gone up phenomenally. A day before the match, the venue already got a teaser of what the intensity of the crowd will be tomorrow.
The ticket booth outside the stadium was vandalised by frustrated fans seeking tickets. All throughout the morning and afternoon the booth was swallowed by a huge crowd seeking tickets. The scene got so tense that police had to be deployed.
With the kind of support India got in their matches till now, it won’t be a surprise that the spectators will make life hell for Pakistan.
Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh, though, thinks otherwise. “When India and Pakistan play, the pressure is always on the home team,” Sheikh said. “There is no pressure on us. When we had left home, we had said that our main aim was to finish in the top-four. We have been successful in doing so.”
Pakistan know the importance of the match tomorrow. If they beat India, it will be the first time Pakistan will reach the final of the Champions Trophy since 1998. “Tomorrow’s match is nothing less than the final for us. We have done our homework,” Pakistan Captain Muhammad Imran said.
Pakistan surprised everyone with their win over Netherlands on Thursday and Indian coach Roelant Oltmans said that it showed how good they are.
“This is the third time we play this year. So we have to again find a strategy to beat them. They are very good at counter-attacking and that is exactly what I am expecting from them. We will have to play our 100 percent to win. The key tomorrow will be executing the plans and not getting carried away by emotions,” Oltmans said.
Reacting to Sheikh’s comments that India would be under more pressure, he said, “No. I feel no pressure. My players feel no pressure. We are here to improve ourselves and show the world we have improved. And we have proved ourselves. A top-four finish is a great achievement. But now that we have come so close, we want achieve more.” India are chasing history — a win over Pakistan will take them to their first final of the event (India had only won a bronze in 1982). Australia take on Germany in the other semifinal.
Pak coach makes awful 9/11 gaffe
Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh told journalists he would use the same strategy against India that he had been using against the other teams. A journalist asked him to explain the strategy. The strategy wasn’t anything worth noticing but his choice of words was poor, if not insensible. A few days ago, Sheikh in an informal talk with a few journalists had said that he had been using the “9-11 strategy” against his opponents. As soon as he had said the words, he explained that he wasn’t alluding to the terrorist attacks on the WTC in New York. It was the name he had given to a strategy in which Pakistan attacked with nine players in the opponents’ half and defended with 11 players in their own half. A journalist today asked Sheikh if Pakistan would use their 9-11 strategy against India and what it meant. Without any hesitation, Sheikh went on to explain the strategy again. Sheikh might have had no intention to cause a controversy by naming his strategy 9-11, being the coach of a national team he should have known better than to repetitively use the term in public. He could have easily said that their team would attack in numbers and defend in numbers.
The Tribune
India, Pakistan set for intriguing semifinal
BHUBANESWAR: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan return to centre stage in hockey on Saturday after a controversial format helped them reach the Champions Trophy semifinals in Bhubaneswar.
Instead of rewarding performances in the preliminary league, all eight teams were assured of reaching the quarterfinals -- a round which turned the tournament on its head, and left some teams quietly fuming.
The top four teams in the league -- England, the Netherlands, Argentina and Belgium -- were all knocked out in Thursday's round of eight, while the bottom four sailed through to the semifinals.
The format also helped new-look world champions Australia, seeking a sixth successive title, and Olympic gold-medallists Germany recover from shaky starts to line up for Saturday's other semifinal.
Hosts India, ranked ninth in the world, fought back from a 0-2 deficit to beat number four Belgium 4-2. Eleventh-ranked Pakistan stunned the Dutch by a similar margin after losing all their three league matches.
The Germans knocked out England 2-0 and Australia ousted Argentina 4-2. Dutch coach Max Caldas had been wary of the format from the start. "If you lose all three league games, you could still win the tournament and I think that's bad," he had said earlier in the week.
In contrast, the surviving teams could not hide their glee. "Although I am not in favour of this (format), today I don't mind it," Australian coach Graham Reid said on Thursday.
German captain Moritz Furste added: "In this situation it is good for us. It has given us a lease of life. We can go on to win the tournament from here."
Pakistan coach Shahnaz Shaikh tempered his joy with a suggestion. "To make this format fair to everyone, a handicap of one goal should be given to the table-toppers," he said.
Millions of fans across India and Pakistan will tune in to what should be a rousing semifinal, a repeat of the Asian Games gold medal clash in South Korea in October which India won in a penalty shoot-out.
Once the masters of the sport, neither team has advanced to the final of a major world competition since 1998, when Pakistan lost the Champions Trophy final to the Dutch in Lahore.
"I am so happy that both teams are in the semi-final," Shaikh said. "For fans it is a dream. For me, it is a good sign that Asian teams have started to do well again."
India have not won a major title since bagging the last of their eight Olympic gold medals at the Western-boycotted Moscow Games in 1980.
Dutchman Roelant Oltmans, India's high performance director who is acting as coach after Australian Terry Walsh was controversially axed last month, preferred to look ahead to the 2016 Olympics.
"We need to play tough matches to prepare for the Olympics," said Oltmans, who had earlier coached Pakistan. "And this tournament is as tough as it gets."
The other semi-final promises to be a classic between two young sides. Australia wear a new look in the absence of veterans Liam de Young and Rob Hammond, who retired after the World Cup in June, and five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles, who are both injured.
Germany, with seven junior World Cup winners from 2013 in their squad, are banking on Furste, the world player of the year in 2012, to deliver.
The Times of India
Pakistan to unleash 9-11 attack on India
BHUBANESWAR: Aiming to outwit India in the Champions Trophy semifinals, the Pakistan hockey team has devised a rather controversially-titled 9-11 strategy which they plan to unleash at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.
"We will go with our 9-11 strategy against India tomorrow," Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh said, expecting some raised eye brows.
"Wait, don't misunderstand me it's not that 9-11 which you are thinking. It's a strategy that we have adopted. By 9-11 I mean we will attack with nine players leaving behind two at the back and defend with 11 players. So I call it 9-11," said the classy center-forward of yesteryears, who was a member of Pakistan's silver-medal winning team in 1972 Munich Olympics team.
9-11 is usually referred to the infamous terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York. On September 11, 2001, the world was rocked when a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks were launched by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda upon the United States in New York City and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
The attacks, which killed 2,996 people and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage, was carried out by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists, who used four hijacked passenger airliners to blow up the twin towers of the World Trade Centre and on Pentagon, the headquarters of United States Department of Defence.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan coach said an Indo-Pak encounter at the knockout stages of a world event is good for hockey in both the nations.
"I am very happy that India and Pakistan are playing each other in the semifinals of a world level tournament. It is good for India-Pakistan hockey," Sheikh said.
India will face Pakistan in the second semifinal of the prestigious eight-nation tournament on Saturday, while in the first last-four match world champions and five-time defending champions Australia will square up against Olympic champions Germany.
The Times of India
Pakistan v India: Greenshirts go into the semis with a new game plan
By Nabil Tahir
Pakistan and India will once again go at one another tooth and nail, as they did in this year’s Asian Games final, when India defeated the Greenshirts in the penalty shootout. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: The Pakistan hockey team will use the controversially-titled 9-11 strategy against arch-rivals India in today’s Champions Trophy semi-final clash in Bhubaneswar, India, according to head coach Shahnaz Sheikh.
“We will use our 9-11 format tomorrow and hopefully it will help us a lot more while facing India, who have home advantage,” said Sheikh yesterday while talking to The Express Tribune. “9-11 means we will attack with nine players while two will stay at the back and defend.”
Once the masters of the sport, Pakistan have not advanced to the final of a major world competition since 1998, when Pakistan lost the Champions Trophy final to the Dutch in Lahore.
“I am so happy that both teams are in the semis,” he said. “For the fans it’s a dream match and for me, it’s a good sign that Asian teams have started to do well again.”
Team captain Muhammad Imran has backed the chosen plan saying, “I’m sure the plan suggested by the Sheikh will help us overcome the mistakes we made during the Asian Games final against India.”
Meanwhile, Olympian Samiullah Khan said that the boys played against a European side after a long gap but despite this, they had demonstrated great skills. “They will have to keep the momentum going and give the same performance against India, which will be do-or-die situation.”
Earlier, the top four teams in the league – England, Netherlands, Argentina and Belgium – were all knocked out in Thursday’s quarter-finals, while the bottom four — Pakistan, India, Germany and Australia – cruised into the semis.
The Express Tribune
India-Pakistan at Champions Trophy
The traditional rivals met in the Champions Trophy for the first time in 1980, and the visitors were outclassed for a 1-7. Pakistan struck three goals in the last three minutes of the game, and Hanif Khan posted a hat-trick in the fluent win.
India avenged the defeat when they met next time in 1982. Helped by a hattrick by Rajinder Singh Sr. India emerged successful in the high scoring match at 5-4 score.
In 1983 in Karanchi, India did everything but score, but Pakistan twice.
In 1985, Md. Shahid and MP Singh scored a goal apiece to defeat Pakistan 2-1.
Those were the times Md. Shahid used to be a thorn in the flesh of Pakistan and it again told in 1986 when India again outclassed Pakistan (3-2) with Md. Shahid, Thoiba Singh and Tikken Singh being Indian scorers.
In 1989, Qamar Ibrahim’s lone goal gave Pakistan a win Thereafter, that is, having played six times in the Champions Trophy, India had big miss for next six years, till it qualified for the 1995 edition after attaining fifth rank at the Sydney World Cup. Cedric D’Souza’s tight defence strategy did not work much as India went down 1-2 in Berlin.
India hosted it in 1996 in Chennai, but the hosts failed again (2-3) despite total domination. Shabaz Sr. and Jr were the Indian tormentors while Goalie would not let any of India’s 11 penalty corners in.
The came another six years of gap.
India re-entered the elite group in 2002. This third spell in the Champions Trophy company provided enough thrills for India – Pakistan fans.
Stick2Hockey.com
Six best India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clashes
As India and Pakistan prepare for a mouth-watering clash in the Champions Trophy semifinals on Saturday, we bring to you the six best matches out of 17 played between the two arch-rivals in the tournament so far.
1. Amstelveen, June 12, 1982
India 5 (Rajinder Singh 3, Gurmail Singh 1, SS Sodhi 1) beat Pakistan 4 (Hassan Sardar 2, Saeed Khan 1, Qasim Zia 1)
India's dream run and best ever finish in the tournament - third - came with a 5-4 win over Pakistan. The way India rallied after being 0-3 down by the 17th minute is talked about even today. Rajinder Singh (Sr) was the hero, scoring the country's only hat-trick in history of Champions Trophy with conversions of successive penalty corners. Saeed Khan put Pakistan ahead, Hassan Sardar made it 2-0 before Qasim Zia added to the tally. Then came the turnaround. Rajinder's first goal came in the 25th minute off the fourth of the 12 penalty corners that India got. The other two came in the 32nd and 46th minutes. Sardar made it 4-3 for Pakistan but Gurmail converted a penalty stroke and skipper Surinder Singh Sodhi struck a brilliant Zafar Iqbal solo to leave Pakistan stunned.
2. Amstelveen, August 22, 2003
India 7 (Jugraj Singh 2, Deepak Thakur 2, Prabhot Singh 1, Gagan Ajit Singh 2) beat Pakistan 4 (Rehan Butt 1, Md Nadeem 1, Mudassar Ali 1, Sohail Abbas 1)
Another amazing comeback by India that catapulted Gagan Ajit Singh to stardom. India were trailing 2-4 with 21 minutes to go when the Indian frontline went on the rampage. Deepak Thakur (50th minute) reduced the margin and Prabhjot Singh (54th) restored parity before Gagan Ajit Singh took over with two splendid strikes, one of them a backhander, in the 60th and 62nd minutes. Deepak's goal three minutes later only added to Pakistan's misery. Who would have thought of such a dramatic change in fortunes particularly after Rehan Butt (18th), Md Nadeem (20th) and Mudassar Ali (28th) and Sohail Abbas (42nd) put them ahead 2-4. Jugraj plugged the damage to an extent early on with goals in the 24th and 35th minutes.
3. Cologne, September 8, 2002
Pakistan 4 (Mudassar Ali 2, Rehan Butt 2) beat India 3 (Gagan Ajit Singh 1, Jugraj Singh 1, Dilip Tirkey 1)
Rehan Butt studded his rise to fame by fetching Pakistan the bronze with two late goals in the 62nd and 63rd minutes, one a diving deflection that left the Indians clueless. The teams went into the breather 1-1 with Jugraj (12th) and Mudassar Ali (28th) doing the scoring. Dilip Tirkey (48th) and Gagan Ajit Singh (53rd) made it seem like a cruise in the second half with goals in a span of five minutes. But Ali (59th) reduced the margin before Butt declared that he would be India's chief tormentor in the following years.
4. Karachi, January 3, 1980
Pakistan 7 (Hanif Khan 3, Safdar Abbas 3, Mansoor-ul-Hasan 1) beat India 1 (Davinder Singh 1)
Pakistan gave India a foretaste of the 1-7 drubbing at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games with a similar verdict in the second edition of the Champions Trophy. Like in Delhi, India were up 1-0 by the sixth minute through Davinder Singh's penalty corner conversion. Then the famed Pakistani forwardline came alive. They equalised in the 13th minute, went ahead 2-1 via Safdar Abbas in the 17th before dominating the second half with five more goals, the last three coming with just eight minutes for the hooter. Hanif Khan got a hat-trick. So did Abbas before Mansoor-ul-Hasan completed the rout with a penalty corner conversion. Kaleemullah and Samiullah were there too to trouble the Indians, much like they did at the Asiad two years later.
5. Karachi, April 6, 1986
India 3 (Tikken Singh 1, Md Shahid 1, Thoiba Singh 1) beat Pakistan 2 (Hassan Sardar 1, Qasim khan 1)
Watched by around 20,000 spectators, this was one of those games which India dominated, leaving Pakistan to play catch-up. Tikken Singh put India ahead in the 30th minute but errors in the defence saw the mercurial Hassan Sardar equalise. In the second half, skipper Mohammed Shahid made it 2-1 for India but Qasim Khan helped his team draw level again with a penalty corner conversion. Then came the match-winner from Thoiba Singh, his stiff shot ending Pakistan's hopes of a victory at home.
6. Perth, November 16, 1985
India 2 (MP Singh 1, Md Shahid 1) beat Pakistan 1 (Hassan Sardar 1)
India outplayed Pakistan despite having arrived at Perth late. With little time to acclimatise they showed no signs of the travel fatigue as they took on their archrivals on the opening day. Hassan Sardar put Pakistan ahead but from then on he was marked well by Joaquim Carvalho on the midfield and MP Singh in the defence. MP Singh converted a penalty corner for India's equaliser before Mohammed Shahid fetched the match-winner.
The Times of India
Stats speak
by B.G.Joshi (India) with inputs J. Sanders (Australia)
India vs. Pakistan
|
Particulars |
Played |
India's Wins |
Drawn |
Pakistan's Wins |
Goals For India |
Goals For Pakistan |
|
Total |
160 |
52 |
29 |
79 |
307 |
374 |
|
In CT |
17 |
6 |
0 |
11 |
41 |
50 |
|
Last Played |
Incheon Asian Games Final on Oct 2,2014,India wins in Shoot Out, FT 1-1; SO 4-2 |
|||||
Australia vs. Germany
|
Particulars |
Played |
Australia's Wins |
Drawn |
Germany's Wins |
Goals For Australia |
Goals For Germany |
|
Total |
118 |
48 |
21 |
49 |
259 |
230 |
|
In CT |
35 |
13 |
6 |
16 |
73 |
64 |
|
Last Played |
London Olympics Semi-Final on August 9,2012,Germany wins 4-2 |
|||||
Details will assume importance: Oltmans
Roelant Oltmans. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
High Performance director Roelant Oltmans said the Indian hockey team would have to implement every finer detail of its plan in the Champions Trophy semifinals against Pakistan in order to make history.
So far, India has won only a bronze medal (1982) in the event.
Oltmans said the home team was not under any pressure before the much-anticipated contest.
“It is just one of the matches. We have to find a good strategy to get a good result,” he said on the eve of the match.
Since both countries have the same style of build-up, the Dutchman said the result would depend on the execution of details. “There is 75 per cent chance of winning a medal and making history.”
Underlining the fact that Pakistan thrived on its tight defence and strong counterattacks in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands, Oltmans said, “We are ready for any challenge. We have a few options with us.”
Dharamvir doubtful
Dharamvir Singh, who played an important role in India’s last-eight win over Belgium, has a minor injury and remains doubtful for the match.
Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh said his team had achieved its primary goal of reaching the semifinals, and was not under any pressure.
“India is an improved side, and its fitness levels have gone up in the last one year. But it will be under the pressure of expectation,” he said.
The Hindu
We're on the cusp of making history, says Oltmans
BHUBANESWAR: High performance director Roelant Oltmans feels Indian hockey team is on the cusp of making history but said to achieve that Sardar Singh and Co will have to give their 100 per cent against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Hero Champions Trophy semifinals on Saturday.
Since the tournament's inception in 1978, India has managed to win just one medal - bronze in 1982 edition in Amstelveen, the Netherlands and Oltmans said his side has come 75 per cent close to the podium.
"Of course we are happy (with our performance) but when you are close to getting more, every sportsman will try to get more out of it. There is now 75 per cent chance to win a medal. In the history of the Champions Trophy that happened once. So this team can write history and that's what they are looking for," Oltmans said on the eve of the high-voltage encounter at the Kalinga Stadium.
The Dutchman, who is doubling up as a coach in this tournament after Terry Walsh's exit, said to register their name in record books India need to execute their plans on Saturday.
"Pakistan has showed against Holland that they can play very good hockey and there is no doubt about it. It is up to us to find the strategy that will allow us to get a good result, a result which we are looking for. It's always about details and if we can execute our strategy we have a serious chance. But we have to give 100 per cent, Oltmans said.
He rejected that his team will be under pressure on Saturday, but said Indian players should do away with emotions before the match, which is a common feature in any Indo-Pak encounter.
"I never feel pressure and likewise my team doesn't feel pressure. We are here to improve ourself, we are here to show the world that we are coming closer to the top. I think we showed that already. We enjoy what we are doing," Oltmans said.
"For me it's the same. It's a one of match in the tournament and that's the way you have to approach. History doesn't work.
"(But) we have to get our strategic execution right instead of emotional execution," he said.
The Times of India
Win over Dutch morale boosting: Rana Mujahid
LAHORE: In the wake of Pakistan’s stunning 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of Champions Trophy on Thursday, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Rana Mujahid said the players deserved a big applause.
In a press statement, Rana said that although he was sad at Pakistan’s three straight losses (in Pool ‘A’) ahead of the last-eight clash, the win against a strong team like the Netherlands was “morale-boosting for all hockey lovers”.
“The victory was also significant as Pakistan had not played a match against any European team [before the Champions Trophy], for the last year and a half,” he said.
Pakistan lost 2-1 to Belgium in their opening match before being hammered 8-2 by England.
In their final pool match, the Green-shirts lost 3-0 against Australia but the tournament’s format saw all eight teams advancing to the quarter-finals where Pakistan recorded an impressive win.
“The victory raises hopes of a good future for Pakistan hockey,” Rana added. “Hopefully the boys will do well in the semi-final [against India] as well.”
Olympian Samiullah Khan, meanwhile, praised Pakistan’s ability to bounce back from three successive losses.
“It was a huge challenge before them and to bounce back against a superior European team in the quarter-final was marvellous,” he said. “The boys demonstrated their skill and art in a do-or-die match which is very commendable.”
Dawn
Pakistan capable of beating India in semi-final: Asif Bajwa
LAHORE: Former Olympian and ex-secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Asif Bajwa has expressed hope that the Pakistan team will repeat their performance against arch-rival India in Saturday’s semi-final which they displayed in the quarter-final against Netherlands at the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar, India on Thursday.
“Though Indians are the Asian champions and they will also be playing on their home soil, I believe the Pakistani players can turn the table on them if they play with the same spirit and plan that worked against Holland,” said Bajwa.
He said an attacking game against India could play effective role for Pakistan in winning the game.
“Pakistan gave tough time to India in the Asian Games in South Korea and I can say with confidence that our boys are capable of beating India,” he said.
Bajwa expressed the hope that Shahnaz Sheikh’s plan against India would work effectively as a win against the old rivals would be a tonic for Pakistan hockey.
“India-Pakistan matches have always been pressure games for the players of both the sides and the two nations as well. I want to advise the players to keep their nerves and attack from the outset to get the better of Indian team.
Dawn
Carrying on a Dutch tradition
TOP-NOTCH DRAG-FLICKER: Mink van der Weerden is inspired by the past greats of Dutch hockey and wants to emulate them. Photo : Sandeep Saxena
For long, the Netherlands has been producing penalty corner experts par excellence and 26-year-old Mink van der Weerden is the latest addition to the elite league of players who have enriched the trade with their sheer brilliance and helped the Dutch achieve World and Olympic glory.
Mink, a silver medallist in the 2012 London Olympics and this year’s World Cup at The Hague, seeks inspiration from former Dutch short corner exponents and wants to replicate their efforts in leading his country to the top of world hockey again.
“There is a big tradition of penalty corner specialists in the Netherlands. These are the men who contributed to the team over the years with their great skills of scoring goals through penalty corners,” van der Weerden told The Hindu on the sidelines of the Champions Trophy tournament at the Kalinga Stadium here.
The Netherlands had dominated the international scene in the 1970s and 80s due to the fire power of its penalty corner experts such as Ties Kruize and Paul Litjens.
“The real kings of penalty corner were the two magnificent Dutchmen, Ties Kruize and Paul Litjens. The top scorer in the Munich Olympiad, Kruize was the hero of Holland’s historic success in the second World Cup in Amsterdam...Kruize was named ‘Thor’ after the Scandinavian god of thunder,” writes sports writer Ron Hendricks in his book titled Hockey.
“Litjens had lived long enough in the shadow of Kruize. He got his big break in the Montreal Olympics when Kruize’s injury kept him out. Litjens grabbed the opportunity. He was powerful and accurate,” says Hendricks.
After the duo, Netherlands continued to manufacture one great after another, including the devastating Floris Jan Bovelander and the most-feared Taeke Takema.
“All the guys who have played before are my role models. Taeke Takema, Paul Litjens, Ties Kruize, Floris Jan Bovelander — I am sorry if I am missing out any name. They have scored so many goals for the team and that was an important factor in Netherlands’ success on the world stage,” said van der Weerden.
The drag-flicker said he loved the nerve-wracking aspect of his job. “There is pressure in every match to score goals from penalty corners. But you love it and that is what you play for.”
van der Weerden said he would like to emulate his idols and lead Netherlands to some gold medals in elite events.
“I would like to contribute to the team’s cause and help it go ahead. We have won a couple of silver medals in the World Cup and Olympics. Now we are keen to take the next step and win the gold at the highest level.
“We hope to do well now with the new set up. We are going to train hard as we look forward to the Rio Olympics two years from now,” he said.
The Hindu
Hype building for India-Pakistan field hockey semi
Indian hockey players celebrate after their team's fourth goal during their Champions Trophy field hockey quarter final match against Belgium in Bhubaneswar, India, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. India won the game 4-2. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)
BHUBANESWAR, India — A measure of the anticipation for the India-Pakistan semifinal in the Champions Trophy could be seen in the kilometer-long queue outside the ticket office at Kalinga Stadium, before the sun had risen on Friday.
A day after the teams won their quarterfinals in upsets, it didn't take long for their showdown on Saturday to be sold out, and black market tickets reportedly going for 10 times their worth in rupees.
The matchup also answered a wish by Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh, who complained this week his cash-strapped side was suffering for not playing more often with its neighbors, especially India.
"We hope bilateral series between the two teams are revived very soon," Sheikh said.
"The pressure is on them (on Saturday) because the crowds are coming in to watch them," he added. "We've achieved our goal of reaching the last four, and a win against India will be a step ahead."
The other semifinal, reduced to mere curtainraiser status, pits world champion Australia against Olympic champion Germany.
India's Captain Sardar Singh celebrates after India scored a second goal during their Champions Trophy Quarter-final
Pakistan leads the rivalry with India in the Champions Trophy, and has been the far more successful team, but India has enjoyed more success this year. India reached the final of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and while it lost to Pakistan in the preliminaries at the Asian Games, India beat Pakistan in the final in a shootout, qualifying for the 2016 Olympics.
Beating three-time champ Pakistan on Saturday would secure India only its second ever Trophy medal, after a bronze 32 years ago.
"The team is on a high," said India high performance director Roelant Oltmans, standing in as coach after Terry Walsh resigned last month. "We're getting closer to the top and now we have a 75 percent chance of finishing with a medal, which will be very big for India.
"There are a lot of expectations when you are playing Pakistan. We have our plans in place, but the execution has to be strategic rather than emotional."
India beat Belgium 4-2 from 2-0 down, and Pakistan shocked the Netherlands by the same score.
Australia, seeking a sixth consecutive Trophy title, will meet Germany for the first time since the 2012 London Olympics, and a first in the Trophy since 2010.
Australia started slow with a loss to England and conceding a draw to Belgium, but has since rounded into form with wins against Pakistan and Argentina.
Germany, with seven of the 2013 Junior World Cup squad, opened with a win over India, then was crushed by the Dutch and Argentines. But they produced a remarkable defensive performance to shut out England in Thursday's quarterfinals.
Yahoo News
Tickets in demand for Indo-Pak Champions Trophy semis
BHUBANESWAR: It was a mad rush at ticket counters on Friday to purchase tickets for the India-Pakistan hockey Champions Trophy semifinal on Saturday with fans expressing their keenness to watch the marquee match between the two arch-rivals.
Long queues were seen at the Kalinga stadium as fans jostled to get hold of the tickets, forcing Hockey India officials to issue only two tickets per person, instead of four per person as in the quarterfinals.
"I had been in the line since 6.00 am. But, finally I got two tickets after three hours standing in the queue. I don't want to miss the match," Priyanka Piyadarsini, a college student said.
There was online demand as well with tickets getting sold within hours.
Due to the scarcity of tickets, black-marketing was rampant as touts sold Rs 100 and Rs 150 tickets for as high as Rs 500 and Rs 1000 respectively.
"I don't mind getting a ticket at a high price. I just want to enjoy the match at any cost. I want India to win the match, Prakash Sahu, a software company employee said.
Hockey India officials said they were helpless to curb the black marketing.
"We are selling tickets at various ticket counters with the actual price. If someone sells tickets at higher rates, we are no way responsible for this," a Hockey India official said.
Tickets for the India games have been in high demand here with all the four matches of the hosts getting sold-out crowds at the 7000-capacity stadium.
The Times of India
I was scared to come India, Mother of Australian goalkeeper
Tazeen Qureshy
Of late India has been in the news not for right reasons. The rape of a lady in a Delhi cab has sent wrong signals across the world on the safety of women in the country. The reason was enough for Yvonna Charter, mother of Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter to think twice before coming to India to watch her son play in the Champions Trophy.
“It is my first visit to India. Honestly, I was scared to come. You know the reasons, don’t you? I am 54 year old and I did not feel safe to come to India. But then, I decided to take a chance. After coming here my perception has changed. India is a nice country,’ says Yvonna.
“In fact, I feel safe here in the stadium. The people are friendly as well. An Indian I met in the stadium had predicted that Australia would win. He came over to me and shook hands when it happened. That was a sweet gesture,” she says after Australia scripted a win against Argentina, becoming the second team to qualify for the semi-final after Pakistan.
Yvonna is one of the few foreign faces visible in the thousands that throng the stadium for the match. She herself notices the difference and points out. “I usually like to see the matches my son plays. But, never before have I seen this type of crowd. The stadium is totally full you know,” she says with her eyes clearly reflecting here excitement.
“I have never ever seen so many people. No, not even Australia has such kind of crowd,” she admits.
So, what is her plan for the maiden India trip? “Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Shimla – we plan to visit these places,” she says after taking help of her second son to remember the names of the cities. “Here, I have been for shopping and have purchased some silver ornaments and an Indian kurti,” she reveals.
Heading back home after the break, does she expect to carry the Champions Trophy as well? “You want me to be honest? I think India has the best chance this time,” she whispers.
“The crowd support will help them a lot. But, I will not mind an India versus Australia final.”
Stick2Hockey.com
Pic of the day
FIH President Leondro Negre leaving the field after greeting the Indian Hockey team that beat Belgium to face Pakistan in the Semifinal of the FIH Hero Champions Trophy 2014 this Saturday 13th December. Photo: Vino John/a2zfotos
If any newspaper/media outlet or National Association would like photos from the Men's Champions Trophy, please contact Vino John of a2zfotographics who is an excellent freelance Hockey photo journalist and who will be at Bhubaneswar.
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.a2zfotographics.com |
Malaysia are top seeds in Olympic hockey qualifier in S’pore
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will be the team to beat in the World League Second Round hockey competition at the Seng Kang Hockey Stadium in Singapore next month.
Coach Tai Beng Hai’s men have been given top billing in the eight-team competition, which will be held from Jan 17-25.
World No. 13 Malaysia are in Group A with minnows Oman, Ukraine and Fiji – and should have no problems winning all three group matches.
Group B comprises world No. 16 Japan, world No. 19 Poland, Bangladesh and hosts Singapore. Japan and Poland are expected to be Malaysia’s strongest challengers.
There are three World League Second Round hockey competitions. The other two will be held in California, the United States; and Cape Town, South Africa.
The eight teams competing in California from Feb 28-March 8 are Canada, Ireland, Austria, Chile, Italy, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago and hosts US.
The teams competing in Cape Town from March 7-15 are China, France, Belarus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Switzerland, Azerbaijan and hosts South Africa.
The top three teams from the three different venues will qualify for the two World League semi-finals, which will be held in Belgium and Argentina in June next year.
The top 11 teams in the world have already qualified for the semi-finals. They are Germany, Holland, New Zealand, Spain, South Korea, Australia, Britain, India, Pakistan, Belgium and Argentina.
The World League is a competition for teams to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Beng Hai said that he would call up 25 players for training next week in preparation for the tournament in Singapore.
“The players are chosen based on their performance in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL). We will start training on Thursday once the MHL ends this Sunday,” said Beng Hai.
The Star of Malaysia
Fiji hockey ready
Rashneel Kumar
Members of the national hockey squad with coach Hector Smith after receiving their new gear from UB Freight Ltd branch manager Wayne Gibson for today's final with New Zealand Presidents XI. Picture: JONE LUVENITOGA
THE Fiji men's hockey side will be a different team when it takes on the New Zealand Presidents XI in the final of the Oceania Pacific Cup today at the National Hockey Centre in Laucala at 3pm.
The Shaun Corrie-coached side lost to the visitors 2-8 in the preliminary rounds of the competition this week but the side is ready to turn the table when they meet again this afternoon.
The undefeated New Zealand Presidents XI side will be led by former Black Stick Hayden Shaw.
"We know it will be tough but we will try our best," Corrie said.
"It's good to have teams like New Zealand Presidents XI and Australia Country coming to play us. We hardly have this sort of competition here."
Corrie said they would have to tighten their defence in order to counter the New Zealanders.
"We have to look at our defence, maintain possession and make use of the opportunities that we create to counter them," he said.
"When our boys wear black and white (jersey), they shoulder the expectations of their family, those who have worn the black and white before, the Fiji Hockey Federation and the hockey fraternity in the country.
"They know respect is not given but we have to earn it and we will do our best to make sure we earn that tomorrow (today)."
Corrie has called on fans to come out in numbers and support the team in the final.
In the women's final at 1pm, New Zealand Presidents XI will play Australia Country while defending champions Fiji will take on PNG in the third place playoff at 9am.
Meanwhile, the national men's team received a set of goalkeeper's gear from New Zealand-based hockey gear manufacturers, OBO.
UB Freights paid for the freight charges amounting to about $5000.
The Fiji Times
Black Sticks secure series win over Canada
Photo courtesy www.photosport.co.nz
The Black Sticks Men have secured a series win after defeating Canada 3-1 at Marist Park in Christchurch.
New Zealand were in front from start to finish but were pushed hard by the Canadians especially in the second and third quarters.
The result sees the Kiwis secure the series with three wins from three games ahead of the final test at 3pm tomorrow.
It took the Black Sticks just four minutes to open the scoring with striker Jacob Smith swooping on a loose ball and putting it into the back of the goal.
Stephen Jenness then extended the lead to two goals just minutes later after tapping in from a hard cross into the middle of the circle.
Canada then fought back and scored in the final minutes of the half through James Kirkpatrick to take the teams into the break with the Black Sticks leading 2-1.
After a tight and goalless third quarter, Nick Wilson showed some vintage skills in winning a goal mouth tussle before delivering the final goal.
Head coach Colin Batch said it was a tough game that provided some good learnings ahead of the final test.
“It was a testing game for us today. I thought we got more out of the group than in the second game so from that point of view it was good,” he said.
“I was a bit disappointed with our inability to hold the ball in the midfield and at the back and I thought we wasted far too much ball. There’s no doubt we can play better so that’s the aim for tomorrow.”
The win was extra special for Black Sticks midfielder Arun Panchia, who notched up his 150th international cap.
“Every time you bring up a milestone it’s something pretty special and it’s always good to get the win,” Panchia said.
“Canada changed their tactics from the first two games, they put a bit more pressure on us and kept us on our toes but it was good to see we could stick with it and close out at the end.”
The Black Sticks are back in action tomorrow for the final test against Canada at Marist Park with the opening whistle at 3pm.
Tickets are cheaper online and still available at www.dashtickets.co.nz
BLACK STICKS 3: (Jacob Smith, Stephen Jenness, Nick Wilson)
CANADA 1: (James Kirkpatrick)
Halftime: Black Sticks 2-1
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Canadian men fall short in third match against Blacksticks
James Kirkpatrick scores lone goal for Canada
Shaheed Devji
The Canadian Men’s National Team put in an improved performance in the second-to-last match of their test series with the New Zealand Blacksticks, but were unable to earn the victory, losing 3-1.
After going down 2-0 in the four-game series against the New Zealand Blacksticks, Canada was looking for a bounce back performance in the third game of the series, which was the first of two taking place in Christchurch.
Coming off a 4-0 defeat in Nelson, in which the Kiwis got off to a quick start, the Canadians knew the start in game three would be equally important.
Canada began the game with a higher pace and more up-field pressure, but it was once again New Zealand that scored the game’s opening goal.
A loose ball found the stick of Jacob Smith at the side of the Canadian goal. Smith was easily able to put it in the gaping cage to give the home side the 1-0 lead.
The Blacksticks had a chance to go up 2-0 almost immediately after their first goal but Carter stood tall on a shot from his left to keep the game at 1-0.
Canada was able to turn the momentum after a great run down the right side of the pitch by Gabriel Ho-Garcia, who ended up earning a penalty corner.
A strong drag flick from captain Scott Tupper found its way through but was turned away by the New Zealand keeper George Enersen.
Tupper was then forced to make a strong defensively play on a penalty corner in his end shortly after, as he stopped the ball on the line to keep the game at 1-0.
But the Kiwis would add to their lead before the half. Early in the second quarter, a nice drive from Ryan Archibald was finished by Stephen Jenness to make it 2-0.
Canada got on the board before half time when Ho-Garcia made a strong turn at the top of the Blacksticks circle, turning and unleashing a quick wrist shot.
The shot was deflected by the New Zealand keeper by James Kirkpatrick to cut the Kiwi lead to 2-1.
In the second half, Ho-Garcia created another great chance for Canada when he found Paul Wharton open at the side of the Kiwi goal. Wharton’s shot was stopped point blank.
Nick Wilson added a goal in the 55th minute to give New Zealand insurance and Canada was unable to get any closer.
“I think it was a little bit closer contested than our last game,” Tupper told the Kiwi broadcast crew post-game. “We brought our level up a little bit but weren’t able to take any points”
“We’re not going to win too many games against a team like New Zealand scoring only one goal. Hopefully we can generate more of an attack.”
The fourth and final match of the series takes place on Saturday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET. The final match and all archived matches from the series can be watched here.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Ross called up as injury cover for Black Sticks
Image courtesy www.photosport.co.nz
Southern midfielder Nick Ross has been called into the Black Sticks camp to replace injured defender Cory Bennett.
Bennett was injured early in the first test against Canada on Tuesday night when he slipped on an opponent’s foot and badly rolled his ankle.
The 23-year-old flew home to Auckland yesterday and has undergone scans to assess the extent of the damage.
Ross takes his place in the Black Sticks team of 18, who are looking to wrap up a series win in game three tomorrow at Marist Park, St. Bede’s College at 3pm.
Canterbury’s Richard Bain, who had been named to play both tests in Nelson, has also been ruled out of the series with a hairline ankle fracture.
Tickets for the remaining two games of the Black Sticks vs Canada series this weekend are still available.
CLICK HERE to buy now!
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Young Black Sticks men looking for lockout over Canada
HANNE DAVIS
TURF TUSSLE: Canterbury’s Brad Shaw (left) and Northland’s Shay Neal vie for the ball with Canada’s Devohn Noronha Texeira at Nelson earlier this week. Marion van Dijk/Fairfax NZ
After two promising results against Canada, the men's Black Sticks hope to continue their vein of good form and shut out Canada in their two tests in Christchurch this weekend.
Head coach Colin Batch said the aim was to play their best hockey in the final match and, after two victories in Nelson this week, the team is on course to achieve that tomorrow in the second match of the doubleheader at Marist Park, St Bede's College.
With a young team taking its first steps into an Olympic cycle, he praised the workthe players had done but it's clear that the Canadian side can threaten.
Despite being one of the elder statesman of the side, Cantabrian Brad Shaw, 31, is still as keen as ever.
"I always see myself as a new boy on the block because I've had a lot of spells where I haven't played hockey. I come in and I learn the new structures and new things. Sometimes it's the younger guys showing me what to do, so it's just about balancing it out."
As a teacher, he's enjoying the opportunity to visit local schools and take along some of his team-mates to inspire a new generation of Canterbury players.
"If you said 12 months ago even the guys who are involved would have been quite surprised but they've earned their spots and they're playing well.
"Saying that we've got a couple [of injured] Cantabrians that aren't playing who would have, so it could have been even stronger. We have had two solid years in the national league, haven't really made it through to the final but it's been going well so I guess we're showing the rewards from that."
He's looking forward to his family being in the stands at the weekend as he beds into a new position in the team.
"They are the type of team that if they get a couple of goals ahead, they can be almost impossible to beat. They have some elements of their game that can be unpredictable.
"It's never going to be a walkover and the fact we can walk away from a game being happy but also having a lot to work on is quite good. The next match is all about whether you can step up again or back track, and it'll be interesting to see how the boys react."
Shaw says in the last two tests of the series, they'll be aiming to solidify their shape at the back and keep providing balls to the forward players who have been adept at taking opportunities.
With an average age of 24, there is the potential and hope for the squad to develop and challenge the worlds best, despite losing a quarter of their funding in the cuts handed down by HPSNZ on Thursday.
After sweeping changes to the team, Batch has welcomed the opportunity to bring new players into the squad and see them bed into the regime of international hockey. He's feeling confident about his side but says there are still areas to improve on despite their dominant performances so far.
Both matches will start at 3pm.
Stuff
THT blast into final
By Jugjet Singh 
THT's Ismail Abu(right) scores past Maybank's Abdul Sukur Adam and goalkeeper Moritz Knobloch in their TNB Cup semi-final, second leg at the National Stadium in Bukil Jalil yesterday. Pic by Goh Thean Howe
LEAGUE champions Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) blasted Maybank in the second leg of the TNB CUP semi-finals.
They will play either Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) or Tenaga in the final tomorrow.
Maybank squandered a 3-2 win in Kuala Terengganu, to lose 8-1 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit jalil yesterday. THT advanced with a comfortable 10-4 aggregate.
South Korean penalty corner ace Jang Jong Hyun blasted a hat-trick in the seventh, eighth and 15th minutes and the other goals were scored by Ismail Abu (13th), Seo Jong Ho (30th) and Faizal Saari (35th, 44th, 60th). Maybank got their consolation in the 55th minute off Jiwa Mohan.
Terengganu had to wait for two rain delays of more than an hour and 30 minutes even though they were leading by 6-0 and then 7-0 in the last quarter as Maybank refused to throw in the towel.
“The early goals gave us what we needed to beat Maybank and the rain delays were a little frustrating. However, we have achieved our target of winning the League title and now have a shot at the TNB Cup as well and we aim to sweep that trophy too,” said THT coach Sarjit Singh.
THT have only lost two matches this season which were a 2-1 defeat to KLHC in Round One, and a 3-2 to Maybank in the semi-finals, first leg.
“The Korean imports and our local players are combining well and even though I expect a tough match in the final, I am confident my players will not disappoint,” said Sarjit.
THT are injury free and raring to go for their second title.
“Right now, the team is at its peak, and we aim to make an impact in the final as well, as we owe it to our die-hard fans who have been solidly backing the team come rain or shine,” said Sarjit.
RESULT — Semi-final, 2nd Leg: Terengganu Hockey Team 8 Maybank 1 (THT win on 10-4 aggregate).
New Straits Times
Terengganu thrash Maybank to set up final with KLHC
By Aftar Singh
Terengganu players celebrate after scoring a goal against Maybank in the second leg semi-final of the TNB Cup on Friday. Terengganu won 8-1. By AZHAR MAHFOF/ The STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: You can’t keep a champion down for long.
Newly-crowned Premier Division champions Terengganu suffered a stunning 3-2 loss to Maybank in their Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) semi-final, first-leg match in Kuala Terengganu on Wednesday.
On Friday, they showed the stuff of champions to pulverise the Tigers 8-1 in the return leg at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil to qualify for Sunday’s TNB Cup final with a 10-4 aggregate. They will meet Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the final. KLHC defeated Tenaga 3-1 in a penalty shootout after both teams ended Friday’s match 2-2 to remain deadlocked 3-3 in aggregate score.
South Korean penalty corner ace Jang Jong-hyun and national forward Faizal Saari bagged a hat-trick each for Terengganu. Jong-hyun scored three penalty-corner goals in the seventh, eighth and 15th minutes while the 24-year-old Faizal was on target in the 35th, 44th and 60th.
The South Korean has now scored nine goals while Faizal tops the goalscoring chart with 14.
Ismail Abu (13th minute) and another South Korean international Seo Jong-ho (30th) chipped in with a goal each. The Tigers, despite having the services of two Pakistan players and one German, were trailing 7-0 before they managed to pull one back through Jiwa Mohan in the 55th.
The match, however, was called off twice due to thunderstorm and lightning.
Play was halted in the 41st minute in the third quarter and only resumed 50 minutes later.
Barely five minutes later, it was stopped again due to heavy rain. The game resumed 40 minutes later.
Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh was mighty pleased with his players’ performance.
“We wasted a number of chances in the first-leg on Wednesday, but today we did exceptionally well to capitalise on the opportunities,” said Sarjit. “I was confident we would beat Maybank and qualify for the final ... but I never expected such a big scoreline. It was a good morale-boosting win for us ahead of Sunday’s final,” said the former international.
Jong-hyun, who is playing in the MHL for the first time, was delighted to have done his part in helping Terengganu reach the final.
“It was good to score a hat-trick in the semi-finals. We are just one match away from winning our the double (league and overall),” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Hockey 5s starts this weekend!
Bowdon Hightown's Sally Walton scores from a penalty corner against Canterbury in the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Semi-Finals
This weekend marks the start of England Hockey’s Indoor season with the first round of Hockey 5s league matches all set for action at Bromsgrove School and St George’s Park.
In the men’s competition, East Grinstead will be bidding to retain the title for the seventh year in a row and boast their usual array of talent with Niall Stott leading the charge alongside the ever-reliable Glenn Kirkham and Mark Pearn.
Beaten semi-finalists Holcombe are back again for another assault on the Premier League title whilst Canterbury and Reading, who also made it to Wembley last time out will be hoping to go all the way and wrestle the title from East Grinstead. Beeston and Conference North outfit Bowdon as well as Bath Buccanners, promoted at the end of last season to the top flight will also be dreaming of making the finals. Surbiton will aim to continue their blistering outdoor form, indoors as they make their return to the top division.
Sevenoaks, the only non-national league side in the top flight will rely on the experience of their ex-East Grinstead contingent of Giles Dakin, Mike Holland, Richard and Ben Payne to improve on their fifth placed finish last season which left them tantalisingly close to the big day out at the finals.
There will be plenty of quality on show, not least in terms of the guest players on display. Each club is allowed two players who ply their trade outdoor elsewhere and some excellent signings will grace the Premier Divisions.
One of the most eye-catching moves is that of Euro Hockey League winner and former Loughborough Student Richie Dawson-Smith who moves from German outfit THC Harvestedhuder to turn out for reigning champions East Grinstead. Another Loughborough graduate, Dom Bowden returns from Den Bosch to bolster the Sevenoaks ranks. Bowdon and Bath Buccanneers have also looked abroad, in Germany and Holland respectively, with Leon Bernstein and Carl Alt from UHC Hamburg joining Bowdon and Christiaan Collot d’Escury and Christiaan Stroboer from Hurley heading to Bath.
The women’s premier division also gets underway this weekend with Bowdon Hightown’s mix of youth and experience keen to better their runners-up spot in last year’s showcase at The SSE Arena, Wembley. Reading, the defending champions have plenty of quality in their squad and are lead as always by tenacious skipper Emma Thomas.
Canterbury welcome back skillful Scotland star Nikki Lloyd from injury to bolster their team as they aim to avenge their semi-final shootout defeat last season. Slough too will be out for revenge as a last-gasp Alex Danson strike saw them exit at the semi-final stage last season.
East Grinstead, Sutton Coldfield and Harleston Magpies will be looking to build on solid campaigns in 2013. There two newcomers to the top flight as Clifton, in fine form outdoor, make their way into the Premier Division, joined by University of Birmingham, who also secured promotion last season.
There are some interesting guest players, in the Women’s Premier Division, too. There are returns to former clubs for two players, as Sally Walton, now a Wakefield player outdoor, has registered for last season’s beaten finalists and former club Bowdon Hightown. Fleur Horner also makes a return to a familiar side, joining Clifton from Hampstead and Westminster. The other stand-out signing is Holcombe and England’s Maddie Hinch who will keep goal for Slough, as she did last year in their run to the semi-finals.
Hockey 5s results and stats 2014-15
13 & 14 December
Men’s Premier Division Week 1 – St Georges Park
Women’s Premier Division Week 1 – Bromsgrove School
3 & 4 January
Men’s Premier Division Week 2 – St Georges Park
Women’s Premier Division Week 2 – Bromsgrove School
10 & 11 January
Men’s Division 1 Week 1 – UWE, Bristol
Women’s Division 1 Week 1 – Nottingham Trent University
Men’s Division 2 North – Cocks Moor Woods, Birmingham
Men’s Division 2 South – Fleming Park, Eastleigh
Women’s Division 2 North – Perdiswell, Worcester
Women’s Division 2 South – The Edge, Haslemere
17 & 18 January
Men’s Division 1 Week 2 – UWE, Bristol
Women’s Division 1 Week 2 – Nottingham Trent University
31 January & 1 February
Men’s Division 2 – Whitgift School, Croydon
Women’s Division 2 – Nottingham Trent University
England Hockey Board Media release
Scottish National Division 1 Indoor Season Preview
National Indoor gets in full swing this weekend, so we look ahead to the 2014/15 season.
The Mens National Indoor Division 1 champions Inverleith will want a strong season as they prepare for Europe in the Club Champions Trophy. They face new comers to the league PSL Team Sport Clydesdale who were promoted in last years play offs.
Edinburgh University outdoor players Stephan Dick, Gordon Amour, Graham Moodie, Aedan McCrossan and Chris Duncan, who all boast International experience, will feature in the title holder’s squad for this season, Dick scoring a vital hatrick in last year’s final.
Hillhead face last year’s finalists and indoor specialists Grove Menzieshill, Hillhead managed to stay up after winning the promotion play off against Uddingston in a close encounter last year so will be keen to stay up in the top flight division.
Grove Menzieshill, who have won the Mens National Indoor title 19 times since 1985, have boosted their team featuring Scotland internationalist Gavin Byers from last season so will be eager to secure another indoor title.
They may be outdoor champions of ten years in a row but Bromac Kelburne have never won an Indoor title and after their killer start to the outdoor season they will be hoping to be the first team from the West to take home the title.
They will be missing there goal keeper Ben Rennie who has been selected to represent Australia in the FIH World Indoor Cup in Germany but they will have the ever reliable Andrew Wilkie in goal for the indoor season. Scotland internationalists William Marshall and Alan Forsyth will also feature in the squad.
Western Wildcats have a few new faces in the side featuring Andrew Sinclair who has experience winning the title with Inverleith and young Scottish internationalists Fabian Golden and Jack McAlister. They hope with their experience they too can challenge for the title.
The Scottish Cup holders Grange take on Kelburne and Hillhead in their opening weekend, their side will be full of fresh faced hockey players giving the next generation to develop their hockey skills.
In the Women’s National Indoor Division 1 Dundee Wanderers will be aiming to maintain their indoor domination ahead of Europe for the Club Champions Trophy in February.
Vikki Bunces side were beaten by one goal, narrowly loosing out promotion to the top Euro division last season and claiming the bronze medal spot, so they will be more determined than ever to have a great indoor season to help gain promotion this time around.
After retaining a spot in the top division Waverly Inveresk Trinity have a tough first day at the office facing indoor finalists Milne Craig Clydesdale Western and Grove Menzieshill.
Milne Craig Clydesdale Western will have Edinburgh University students and senior Scotland goalkeeper Nikki Cochrane and fellow student Ali Eadie join the ranks for this indoor season.
Grove Menzieshill will be a tough side to beat with all the experience in the form of many ex Scotland internationalists and will be keen to challenge for the title.
Aberdeen based side Bon Accord face the title holders in the first game of the day, they were automatically promoted from the second division.
CALA Edinburgh secured third spot last year with a side full of Scotland U21 youngsters, they will be keen to do one better than last year and make the Grand Final.
The two Glasgow based sides Western Wildcats and Kelburne will want to improve after last year’s final positions, with Kelburne finishing 6th and Western Wildcats finishing 4th.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
KO16/FINAL4 match schedule confirmed for Easter 2015
The fixture schedule for the Euro Hockey League KO16 has been released for next Easter 2015’s festival of hockey in Bloemendaal, one which promises to be another thrilling instalment of the world’s best club competition.
For the second year running, the competition will run over six days from Wednesday 1 April to Monday 6 April, combining the KO16 and FINAL4 phases for 16 games of knock-out action with each club fighting to win the Alain Danet Trophy.
The KO16 phase sees four qualifiers from Round One in Barcelona thrown into the mix against 12 sides whose performances last season in their national competitions was enough to earn their place in this elite session.
Reigning champions from Germany, Harvestehuder THC, open their campaign with a mouth-watering tie with Belgium’s KHC Dragons in the third game of day one. Tournament hosts Bloemendaal close the day with their game against Polish champions Pomorzanin Torun.
Indeed, all eight of the sides playing on day one are making their seasonal debuts with French champions Saint Germain taking on Spain’s Club Egara getting the action underway before Russian leaders Dinamo Kazan face three-time champions UHC Hamburg.
On Thursday 2 April, Spanish stars Real Club de Polo meet Round One qualifiers Rot Weiss Koln; English champs Beeston face rising Belgian force Royal Daring. SV Arminen’s reward for an excellent showing in Barcelona is a date with Dutch masters MHC Oranje Zwart, a club looking to go one better than last year’s final appearance, in the closing KO16 game.
A win there earns a place in the KO8 on Saturday 4 April with the FINAL4 match-ups taking place a day later, leading up to the main event on Monday 6 April in the race to be the eighth champion of the Euro Hockey League. It promises to be, once again, an enthralling ride.
EHL 2014-2015 (KO16, KO8 and Final4 match schedule)
1-6 April 2015 at HC Bloemendaal
Wednesday 1 April
M1 11.00h Saint Germain HC (FRA) – Club Egara (ESP)
M2 13.15h Dinamo Kazan (RUS) – UHC Hamburg (GER)
M3 15.30h Harvestehuder THC (GER) – KHC Dragons (BEL)
M4 17.45h KS Pomorzanin Torun (POL) – HC Bloemendaal (NED)
Thursday 2 April
M5 11.00h Real Club de Polo (ESP) – Rot Weiss Koln (GER)
M6 13.15h Beeston (ENG) – Royal Daring (BEL)
M7 15.30h MHC Oranje Zwart (NED) – SV Arminen (AUT)
M8 17.45h Waterloo Ducks (BEL) – SV Kampong (NED)
Friday 3 April
Rest day
Saturday 4 April
M9 10.00h Winner M6 vs Winner M5 (KO8-1)
M10 12.15h Winner M7 vs Winner M1 (KO8-2)
M11 14.30h Winner M2 vs Winner M8 (KO8-3)
M12 16.45h Winner M3 vs Winner M4 (KO8-4)
Sunday 5 April
M13 12.30h Semi Final 1 (winner KO8-2-winner KO8-1)
M14 15.00h Semi Final 2 (winner KO8-4-winner KO8-3)
Monday 6 April
M15 12.30h 3/4 (loser SF 1-loser SF 2)
M16 15.00h Final (winner SF 1-winner SF 2)
Note: Match times and schedule subject to change due to the requirements of television or other factors as determined by EHL. Information on how you can buy tickets will be confirmed in due course.
KO16 = KNOCK OUT 16 (ROUND 2); KO8 = KNOCK OUT 8 (ROUND 3 / QUARTER FINALS)
Euro Hockey League media release
Providence retains U-15 girls hockey title
...Fatima dethrones Royalians
Providence Girls kept hold of their Under-15 title when the T&T Hockey Board Secondary Schools National Indoor Championship continued at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilton-Holder Street, Woodbrook, yesterday.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for Providence coached by former national women’s team captain Stacey Siu Butt as after breezing through the five-team round-robin phase and winning all four matches, and securing a 5-2 semifinal win over South East Port-of-Spain, it needed penalty stroke shoot-out to get past rival Holy Name Convent (Port-of-Spain) 3-1 in the final.
And in the boys equivalent, Fatima, also coached by Siu Butt, first dumped last year’s winners’ Queen’s Royal College 3-2 in the semifinals before spanking Trinity College 4-1 in their final. Today, the Under-20 segment will conclude the 2014 season of local ahead of Sunday’s T&THB awards at the VIP Lounge Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 3pm.
T&THB Secondary Schools Indoor Hockey Championship results:
Girls Under-15 round-robin:
St Joseph Convent (PoS) 3 bt South East Port-of-Spain 2
Providence Girls 6 bt Holy Name Convent (PoS) 3
Providence Girls 7 bt St Augustine Girls High 0
Holy Name Convent (PoS) 8 bt St Augustine Girls High 0
Providence Girls 6 bt St Joseph Convent (PoS) 0
St Augustine Girls High 1 bt South East Port-of-Spain 0
Providence Girls 5 bt South East Port-of-Spain 2
Holy Name Convent (PoS) 6 bt St Joseph Convent (PoS) 0
South East Port-of-Spain 4 bt Holy Name Convent (PoS) 2
St Joseph Convent (PoS) 3 bt St Augustine Girls High 0
Semifinals:
Providence Girls 5 vs South East Port-of-Spain 2
Holy Name Convent (PoS) 3 vs St Joseph Convent (PoS) 1
Third placed:
St Joseph Convent (PoS) 2 bt South East Port-of-Spain 1
Final
Providence Girls 3 vs Holy Name Convent (PoS) 3 – Providence won 3-1 on penalty shoot-out
Individual awards:
Most Goals: Samantha Olton (Providence Girls) – 15 goals
Most Valuable Player: Saraah Olton (Holy Name Convent (PoS) )
Best Kicking Back: Celeste Chin (Holy Name Convent)
Boys:
Group round-robin results:
Pool A:
QRC 1 bt St Augustine Secondary 0
QRC 7 bt Belmont Boys 0
St Augustine 2 bt Belmont Boys 0
Pool B:
Fatima 13 bt Marabella Secondary 0
Fatima 17 bt Marabella Secondary 0
Pool C:
South East Port-of-Spain 1 vs Tunapuna Secondary 1
South East Port-of-Spain 1 vs Tunapuna Secondary 1
Tunapuna won penalty stroke shoot-out 7-6 to win the two-team group
Pool D:
Trinity 3 bt St Mary’s College 1
Digeo Martin 1 bt Trinity College 0
St Mary’s College 3 bt Diego Martin 2
Semifinals:
Fatima 3 vs QRC 2
Trinity 2 vs Tunapuna Secondary 2 – Trinity won 2-0 on penalty stroke shoot-out
Third placed:
QRC 3 vs Tunapuna Secondary 2
Final:
Fatima 4 vs Trinity 1
Individual awards:
Most Goals: Teague Marcano (Fatima) – 14 goals
Most Valuable Player: Teague Marcano (Fatima)
Best Kicking Back: Mattias Sylvester (QRC)
The Trinidad Guardian
Class of '76 still serving hockey long after gold medal moment
GOLDEN GLOW: The New Zealand team celebrate after winning the men's hockey title at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
As Christchurch gets set to host it first men's hockey tests in seven years, TONY SMITH talks to several Black Sticks greats about the 1976 Olympic Games gold medal team's stellar contributions to sport.
Here's a challenge for the present-day Black Sticks once they've completed their international hockey careers.
Can they match the bar set by New Zealand's most famous hockey team, the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games men's gold medallists, in terms of service to sport?
STILL GIVING: 1976 team member Barry Maister is a member of the International Olympic Committee after serving for 10 years on the NZ Olympic committee. Derek Flynn/The Marlborough Express
The 76 squad were, and still remain, a tightknit bunch. Friendships were forged through the years with some players veterans of the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympic campaigns.
They were a microcosm of New Zealand society at the time, when even the All Blacks had day jobs.
Hockey was a high-IQ sport. Some of the 76-ers were students who became high achievers in academic, business and professional fields.
FOND MEMORIES: NZ goalkeeper Trevor Manning with his gold medal from the 1976 Olympic Games.Maarten Holl/Fairfax NZ
But goalkeeper Trevor Manning - who had his kneecap smashed saving a shot in the 1-0 gold medal game victory over Australia - was a Wellington wharfie and reserve keeper Les Wilson was once a boilermaker.
It would have been easy for the 76 team to dine out for the rest of their lives on the glory of winning gold through their captain's knock, a penalty corner strike by skipper Tony Ineson.
But resting on laurels wasn't in their hockey DNA. Most of the 16-man squad went on to make major contributions, not just to hockey, but to sport in general.
Yet they are suitably self-effacing about their service. Centre half Selwyn Maister, who still coaches junior hockey, says it was "just something we did in that era.
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"If you went through other sports I think you would find the same volunteer ethos applied to everyone of that era."
Inside-right John Christensen says the 76-ers were inspired by their own coaches, who were all volunteers.
"We just followed the same path. We came from an amateur era; there was no remuneration then."
Coaches such as the charismatic Cyril Walter, who coached seven of the 76 squad in the University of Canterbury club or the Canterbury representative team, and the highly-respected Ross Gillespie, the coach in charge of the gold medal group, devoted their lives to helping hockey players. Their charges were inspired by their example.
Look down the list and it's clear that contribution to sport was the rule rather than an exception.
The Maister brothers, Selwyn and Barry, were both honoured for services to sport in the 2012 New Year's Honours list.
Centre forward Barry, 66, is a member of the International Olympic Committee after serving for 10 years as the New Zealand Olympic Committee's secretary-general following a long stint as a secondary school principal.
Selwyn, 68, helped Barry coach the New Zealand junior men's team in the 1980s and was assistant-coach to Jan Borren of the 2000 Sydney Olympics New Black Sticks women's team. He and 1976 team-mate Greg Dayman, a successful Auckland architect, were New Zealand men's selectors together.
A scientist and a Rhodes Scholar, Selwyn Maister later became head of applied science at Christchurch Polytechnic, was Sport Canterbury's chief executive and is chairman of Paralympics New Zealand and a consultant to other sports.
But he's still involved at hockey's fibreroots as chair of the Canterbury Artificial Surfaces Trust charged with developing more hockey turfs in the city, both before and since the Canterbury earthquakes.
The Maisters' devotion to hockey isn't surprising. Their grandfather, Havilah Down, was a pioneer of the New Zealand game and their father, Gerald, was a national team goalkeeper in the early 1950s.
Christensen is also typical of a team which put back more into hockey than they got out of it.
An engineer who is now environmental services manager at the Selwyn District Council, he has just retired from coaching this year. Christensen, 66, hung up his hockey stick in 1980 and took up squash with great gusto. But he returned to his first sporting love in the early 1990s as coach of the Carlton Redcliffs men's team.
He became a national selector and was the Black Sticks men's team assistant-coach at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
"About five years ago I started coaching the HSOB-Burnside women's team and also became assistant-coach of the Canterbury Cats for a season."
Ashburton-raised Paul Ackerley was a maths teacher for many years before working for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority in a senior role and for Sport and Recreation New Zealand as a coaching advisor.
Ackerley, who died of skin cancer in 2011 at the age of 61, was the Wellington women's team coach before coaching the Black Sticks women to a bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Thur Borren, another Canterbury player, became CEO of Hellaby Holdings, a publicly listed company, but also served on the New Zealand Hockey board and coached the University club in Auckland.
Then there were the Patels.
Forward Ramesh Patel, who missed a penalty stroke in the Olympic final, went on to play 122 tests. A former teacher, Patel, 61, was New Zealand Hockey's CEO for 21 years until 2010.
He was recognised as one of New Zealand sport's most progressive administrators, managing to get more international hockey exposure for both Black Sticks teams and acknowledged for his diplomacy during a successful merger of the national men's and women's associations.
Mohan Patel, who became deputy principal of Mangere College, became an Auckland Hockey board member and had a long career as a schools hockey coach.
Inside-right Alan McIntyre, 65, first represented New Zealand as a 15-year-old in 1964. After retiring, he coached the Wellington men's representative team in the 1980s.
Forward Jeff Archibald, whose son Ryan is a senior member of the 2014 Black Sticks, has been a faithful hockey servant in Auckland as a coach, administrator and sometime umpire.
Business beckoned some team members.
Left half Alan Chesney left Canterbury after the Olympics to forge a business career in Australia, Asia and now South Africa. Captain and right back Ineson became CEO of the Adidas factory in Christchurch.
Two reserves who didn't receive gold medals - as was Olympic policy in 1976 - have juggled business and hockey interests. Neil McLeod, 62, owns an upholstery company in Whangarei, but has helped coach Northland. His younger brother, Grant, became a dual Olympian.
Les Wilson, the back-up goalie, developed his own shelving manufacturing firm, but has made his mark in Wanganui as a hockey coach and administrator.
Coach Ross Gillespie - a two-time Olympian as a player - had a long coaching career. Now 79, he lives in retirement in Christchurch.
The 1976 team was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and are still closeknit, Selwyn Maister says. "We still have reunions. We've lost Paul Ackerley, and also our manager Tony Palmer, and Brian Maunsell, our trainer. But the rest of us do get together still."
Christensen says it wasn't surprising that the bonds remain strong.
"When you experience things of that intensity with people, you seem to pick up with them very easily, although you may not have seen them for a while."
Maister marvels that "a lot of [the '76 team] are still playing" masters hockey in their 60s. It's a wonder they still find the time given their ongoing service to their sport.
Maister admits, after some prompting, that the '76 team was "probably quite exceptional", in that respect. But he says "sport was quite different in the 70s" compared to the professional era where players often "disappear quite quickly".
"But it was just something you did. No-one talked about it or felt any pressure. You just did it."
Stuff
Former Canadian Women's National Team star goes into B.C. Sports Hall of Fame
Cleeve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist
Of the two hockey players being inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame with the Class of 2015, former NHL star Paul Kariya will receive the lion’s share of attention.
But Olympian Shelley Winter Andrews of Victoria, the first field-hockey player to be enshrined in the 47-year-history of the B.C. Sports Hall, can more than hold her own in the resumé department.
“I am overwhelmed by this honour,” said Winter Andrews, as the Class of 2015 was unveiled Thursday at B.C. Place Stadium.
The Oak Bay High graduate spearheaded a halcyon era in co-captaining Canada to the silver medal at the 1983 World Cup, bronze at the 1986 World Cup and fifth place at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
“We took field hockey seriously. It was not a once-a-week or twice-a-week thing for us. It became our lives,” said the 61-year-old retired Lansdowne Middle School teacher.
That attitude coincided with a revolution in Canadian sport preparation.
“Suddenly, sports psychologists, weight training and top-level coaching became available to us. The national team soccer girls are all together now but those sort of ideas [such as centralization] were all new to us.”
And they made the most of it, rising to heights never before imagined for Canadian field hockey.
Winter Andrews led the way, holding down the back line as national team captain, and becoming the first Canadian player to reach 100 career caps.
“You have to have a competitive nature, which I do. But I was not a big gung-ho type captain. I led by example,” said Winter Andrews. “I just loved the sport”
She still does, playing in the Island Third Division for the Oak Bay Field Hockey Club.
This post is an excerpt from article written by Cleeve Dheensaw in the Victoria Times Colonist. Read the full article here.
Field Hockey Canada media release
John O'Connell RIP 
It is with much sadness that we have heard of the death of John O'Connell.
John was one of the true stalwarts of Munster hockey, having served as Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, President and Life Member of the Munster Branch and of the former Irish Hockey Union. His dedication to the sport was marked by his commitment as an officer of the Munster Branch for many years in an era when hockey was not as strong as it is today.
He was a co-founder of Belvedere Hockey Club in 1945, and remained an active member, serving on the club committee until very recent times, and never stopped supporting teams at all levels and in all weathers.
John died peacefully on Wednesday morning, 10th December. To his family and club colleagues we extend our sincere sympathies.
Irish Hockey Association media release