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All the news for Thursday 15 January 2015

Hockey World League rolls into Singapore

Men’s Round 2 event signals start of second phase on the Road to Rio


(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)

The Hockey World League - the tournament that makes the dream of reaching the Rio 2016 Olympic Games a possibility for every hockey playing nation – enters a new phase this weekend, with the breathtaking city-state of Singapore playing host to the first of six (three men, three women) Round 2 events that will take place over the coming months.

The three highest finishers in the eight-team men’s tournament, which takes place between Saturday 17th and Sunday 25th January, will each be guaranteed a place in the semi-final of the competition, where coveted berths at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are up for grabs. 

Like all of the upcoming Round 2 events, the competition in Singapore will witness a clash between teams that battled their way through the first phase of the competition against sides that were automatically given a bye through to Round 2 due to their higher placement in the FIH World Rankings. The top ranked teams – those placed from 1-11 in the FIH World Rankings in April 2013, the entry deadline for the event – will enter the tournament at the semi-final stage.

With a current World Ranking of 12th, Malaysia arrive in Singapore as clear tournament favourites but are certainly not going to have an easy ride. The talented team lead by seasoned campaigner Azlan Misron – a player who is rapidly closing in on 350 international appearances – have targeted top spot, but need to negotiate their way past Pool A rivals Oman (WR: 23, 2nd place - HWL R1, Muscat), Ukraine (WR: 24, 3rd place - HWL R1, Hradek Kralove) and host nation Singapore (WR: 37) ahead of the quarter-final cross-overs.

“By going into the tournament as top-seeds we need to keep our reputation intact and what better way than win the gold medal”, said Misron in a recent interview. "Having said that, we are not overconfident playing against lower ranked teams, but are confident with our own capabilities."

Malaysia’s biggest threats to a first place finish in Singapore appear to lie in Pool B, with Japan (WR: 15) and Poland (WR: 18) both being capable of mounting a serious challenge for the event win.

Bangladesh and Mexico complete the Pool B line-up, and will be determined to make their mark on Round 2 in the same way that they did in Round 1. Bangladesh stormed to victory at the Round 1 event in Dhaka, while Mexico – who feature in Round 2 following the withdrawal of Fiji – finished second behind Chile at the tournament in Guadalajara.

You can keep track of the tournament in Singapore on the official tournament microsite.

FIH site

Hawgood will get down to work in Singapore

By Aftar Singh


National hockey coach Tai Beng Hai (centre) will have a lot of help from assitant Stephen van Huizen and newly appointed consultant Neil Hawgood in the World League in Singapore. - SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Good news for Malaysian hockey. Australian Neil Hawgood will arrive in Singapore to help the national team win the World Hockey League Second Round, which starts on Saturday.

Hawgood, who was named the national team consultant on Monday, will be arriving from Australia.

“He is an experienced coach and we need his expertise to help the national team play consistently in every match,” said team manager Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad.

“Although Tai (Beng Hai) is the coach for the Singapore tournament, Hawgood will observe and give his recommendations on every aspect of the game.

“I want Hawgood, Beng Hai and national assistant coach Stephen (van Huizen) to work closely to produce the desired results in Singapore.”

The national players arrived in Singapore on Wednesday and held their first training session at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium.

“The players are in high spirits and ready to give their best,” said Stephen, who added that they are still trying to arrange a friendly with the Singapore team.

Eight teams will feature in the tournament. Malaysia will start their Group A campaign against Ukraine on Saturday, followed by matches against Oman (Jan 19) and Singapore (Jan 20). Japan, Poland, Bangladesh and Mexico are in Group B.

The top three teams will qualify for the World League Semi-Finals in Belgium and Argentina in June.

The World League is the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The Star of Malaysia

Tengku Ahmad is OK with new role

By Aftar Singh


Tengku Ahmad Tajudin (left) is coming to terms that speed has left his legs and play in midfield in support of faster forwards in the team. - FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: In hockey, speed is an asset if you play as a forward. Lose that, and you are in big trouble.

Knowing that he is not as quick as he used to be, Tengku Ahmad Tajudin Tengku Abdul Jalil is ready to play in a different role when the World Hockey League Round Two tournament begins in Singapore on Saturday.

The Kangar-born player began his career as a forward – a position he has played in for the last nine years.

But, in Singapore, he will switch to midfield.

Tengku Ahmad, who turned 29 on Jan 5, admitted that he has been forced to make the switch to midfield “as age has caught up with me”.

“The other strikers in the team are young and agile. They are fast and able to penetrate the opponents’ defence to score,” he said.

“So, I’d rather play the role of a feeder ... and create chances for the forwards,” said Tengku Ahmad.

The forwards in the national team are Faizal Saari, Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin, Mohd Firhan Ashaari and Mohd Haziq Samsul.

“I have no problems playing in the new position ... I believe I did quite well in the two friendlies against Poland last week,” said Tengku Ahmad.

“I will still play as a forward if the coach wants me to.”

Tengku Ahmad, who made his international debut in the 2006 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, is aware that the national team have not achieved much of late.

“It’s been five years since we last won an FIH (International Hockey Federation) tournament. This (the Singapore tournament) is our best chance to as we are the top seeds (by virtue of being ranked 13th in the world) among the eight teams,” said Tengku Ahmad, who married Siti Raifana last June.

In 2010, coach Stephen van Huizen guided Malaysia to victory in the five-nation tournament in Paris.

Tengku Ahmad and his wife are expecting their first baby soon.

“My wife, who is pursuing a Masters degree in sports science at USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) is due to give birth in March. I’m excited about becoming a father,” he said.

The Star of Malaysia

Canadian teams announced for Indoor World Cup

Twelve men, twelve women headed to Germany

Shaheed Devji

With the Indoor World Cup of Hockey set to begin in only two weeks, Field Hockey Canada has named both the Men’s and Women’s Indoor National Teams which will travel to Leipzig, Germany to take part in the tournament from February 4th-8th, 2015.

Twenty-four athletes – twelve men and twelve women – have made the final rosters, with the majority hailing from Ontario, where the indoor programs train.

Leading the men’s side are Jeewanjot Bath (Brampton, ON) and Jonathan Roberts (Stoney Creek, ON), both of whom have played more than fifty international indoor matches each for Canada. Ken Pereira (Unionville, ON) who leads Canada in outdoor matches played with 348, is also a part of the team.

Goalkeeper Shankar Premakanthan (Ottawa, ON) will be taking part in his fourth Indoor World Cup for Canada.

On the women’s side, Kathryn Williams (Burlington, ON) will be the only goalkeeper headed to Leipzig, while Malinda Hapuarachchi (Ottawa, ON) and Kristen Shier (Toronto, ON) lead the team in indoor games played for Canada.

Also on the women’s team are Kaelan Watson (Richmond, BC) and Alison Lee (Toronto, ON) who are also a part of the outdoor Women’s National Team and Senior Development Squad respectively.

Both the men and women qualified for the World Cup by winning gold at the Indoor Pan American Cup in Uruguay in 2014.

The tournament opens on February 4. The Canadian women are in a group with Australia, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Ukraine, while the men are grouped with Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa and Russia.

Canadian Men’s Indoor National Team

Canadian Women’s Indoor National Team

Field Hockey Canada media release

USWNT to face off against Pan American Rival

LANCASTER, Pa. – The U.S. Women’s National Team isn’t quietly easing into 2015 but rather attacking it with ferocity. Team USA is priming their pre-Olympic year by contending against Pan American rival Argentina at the Home of Hockey in Lancaster, Pa. in mid-February. Argentina recently hosted and won the Champions Trophy, equalling The Netherlands and Australia’s win record of six-time Champions. A veteran squad with an extensive history of holding one of the top three FIH World Rankings, Argentina meets the United States again after a tug-of-war battle of inches and minutes at the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup. At this tournament, Argentina clenched a third place medal at the World Cup in a 2-1 win over the United States. Although a historical marker on Team USA’s timeline by making their first appearance in a medal match since the 1994 World Cup, the red, white and blue remain with vision in clear focus.

“We’re delighted Argentina has accepted the series,” said U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Craig Parnham. “I am very much looking forward to some intense matches. Argentina is a world class opponent and it's a great opportunity for us to continue to grow and develop our group."

USA vs ARG series schedule:

Friday, Feb 13                            USA vs Argentina, 6.30 p.m. EST
Saturday, Feb 14                        USA vs Argentina, 4:00 p.m. EST
Monday, Feb 16                         USA vs Argentina, 6.30 p.m. EST
Wednesday, Feb 18                    USA vs Argentina, 6.30 p.m. EST

Be a part of the journey by purchasing your ticket here.

Ticket sales are limited, the matches will be played in the spectacular dome arena and are $18 for adults and $9 for children (under 18). Tickets are anticipated to sell out and may be purchased online at www.usafieldhockey.com

USFHA media release

Hawke’s Bay Festival of Hockey expands in 2015


Pictured: Petrea Webster, Rose Keddell and Sam Charlton take on Te Mata Peak 

The 2015 Hawke’s Bay Festival of Hockey will see 80 games of hockey played over 13 days with 28 teams participating at venues in Hastings and Napier.

The event organiser, HBSEEC, today announced that the dates for this year’s Festival would be April 7 to 19 with games being hosted at both the Regional Sports Park in Hastings and Park Island in Napier.

The elite level Hawke’s Bay Cup is expanded to eight teams this year with seven of the World’s top 10 women’s teams already confirmed [ the eighth team will be announced shortly].

The seven confirmed teams attending are:

 - Australia [World ranking 2nd]
 - Argentina [3rd]
 - New Zealand [4th]
 - China [5th]
 - USA [8th]
 - Korea [9th]
 - Japan [10th]

In a further development, Hong Kong will field both a men’s and women’s team in the Affiliates section of the 2015 Festival. This section of the Festival celebrates some of the best hockey in New Zealand with Hawke’s Bay men’s and women’s representative teams playing host to some of the leading national teams including New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Indian, New Zealand Seniors and New Zealand Universities.

The Festival once again incorporates an invitational under 17 secondary school girls tournament – the Furnware Cup – which has also been expanded to eight teams with the inclusion of teams from Wanganui Collegiate and St Peters, Cambridge in addition to last year’s participants who are all returning – Gisborne Girls High School, Havelock North High School, Iona College, Taradale High School and Woodford College.

In a further initiative the 2015 Festival of Hockey will introduce a new award for players participating in the elite Hawkes Bay Cup – the Robyn Mactaggart Medal. This medal is named in memory of the late Robyn Mactaggart who was a passionate supporter of hockey in Hawkes Bay and who had coached both school and junior representative teams in the Bay. The Robyn Mactaggart Medal will be awarded to the player adjudged the Best and Fairest player of the international division of the tournament.

The Festival of Hockey is also today launching a new website which contains comprehensive information about all elements of the Festival and participating teams. The website is at www.hockeyfestival.nz .

Both reserved seating and general admission tickets for the Festival will go on-sale at 9am on Thursday January 22 and will be available through the website, www.hockeyfestival.co.nz . Preregistration for tickets is also available through that site.

Hastings Mayor, Lawrence Yule, today said:  “This is a fantastic advancement for Hawke’s Bay’s only truly international multi-year sporting event. The joint participation of HBSEEC, Hockey New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay Hockey and the Regional Sports Park show what vision and determination can deliver. It’s a superb outcome.”

Malcolm Harris, CEO of Hockey New Zealand was in Hawkes Bay to launch the Festival today and he commented: “It’s great to have so many of the world’s best nations here in Hawke’s Bay – it will once again be a spectacular event to attend.”

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Walsh departure won't impact Indian hockey team: Harbinder

NEW DELHI: Indian hockey selector Harbinder Singh Wednesday said the departure of Terry Walsh as India's chief coach will not have any impact on the team's fortunes.

Walsh demanded an improved contract after masterminding India's 2014 Asian Games gold at Incheon.

Walsh wanted a contract that would provide him better functional autonomy in the team's decision-making, most notably in selection of the players.

But he and the Hockey India (HI) failed to reach an agreement and Walsh resigned in October last year.

"I don't think it will have any impact. A player trains under various coaches throughout his career and he learns from each of them and moves ahead," Harbinder said.

"Similarly, the national team will also move ahead from this episode. Someone else will take over and the players will further improve. We are on the right track," he said.

"We all saw how the team performed in the Champions Trophy. They played serious hockey there and could have claimed a bronze," Harbinder said.

India finished fourth in the tournament, getting beaten by Australia in the 3rd-4th classification match.

However, Harbinder, member of the 1964 Olympic gold medal-winning team, pointed out that the Sardar Singh-led side was successful last year and the Australian coach fully deserves credit for it. Indian team also won the silver medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"Obviously, the team did reasonably well under him. Last year was a very successful year for Indian hockey. We won the Asian Games after 1998. He certainly deserves the credit for it," Harbinder, who was also part of the bronze medal-winning team in 1972 Olympic team, said.

The selector also said India's qualification to the 2016 Rio Olympics, two years ahead of the Games, will help the team in numerous ways.

"We will not feel the pressure of playing qualifying tournaments at the end. We can try out various combinations and compositions that will benefit the team in the longer run."

Harbinder stressed the need to organise hockey tournaments in schools.

The Times of India

Kalinga Lancers confident of good show

BHUBANESWAR: Kalinga Lancers coach Jude Felix Sebastian on Wednesday said his team is all set to take on Ranchi Rays in the lung opener of the third edition of the Hockey India League (HIL).

The inaugural match is scheduled at Kalinga Stadium on January 22. "The players are practicing hard. We expect to do very well this time," said Jude during a courtesy visit to the TOI office in the city.

Felix replaced former Australian striker Terry Walsh as coach of Kalinga Lancers after the team's dismal show last year.

Admitting that coordination between Indian and foreign players will be a major factor for the team to come up trumps, the coach said, "The foreign players have arrived. To ensure better coordination, we are emphasizing on more practice."

On Wednesday, four overseas players of the team arrived here and would join practice from Thursday. "Jude's vast experience would be a big asset for us. We hope to put up a good performance under his guidance," said Kiel Brown, a midfielder.

Defender Gurjinder Singh, who joined the team for the third edition, said taking into consideration the experience of last edition, the team looks more confident and energetic. Singh was playing for Dabang Mumbai in 2014.

International Roshan Minz, who hails from Odisha, said each player has to give his best on the field to ensure the team's victory. Minz, a forward, expects good support from the home crowd to spur the team achieve better results.

The Times of India

Tomas 'Czechs' into field hockey

Sudheendra Tripathi

MUMBAI: For a country which thrives on football and ice hockey, and, occasionally on handball, athletics, basketball and tennis, Czech Republic's Tomas Prochazka's presence at a hockey ground leaves one intrigued.

Czechs and field hockey do not connect. The 30-year-old, a member of Dabang Mumbai in the Hockey India League, not only is a fine outfield player, but an accomplished drag-flicker.

After a couple of trips to the stadium and the neighbourhood, the strapping Czech is left bewildered: "I like Mumbai. It is different from Europe; the traffic... is akin to a game in itself," he says with obvious reference to the craze on the streets.

Prochazka explains his connection with hockey: "It's a small sport back home. We have a rich tradition of ice-hockey and football. But (field) hockey really isn't big. We fund our games," he adds. Prochazka's father knew the president of the field hockey association and that's how the 8-year-old started playing the sport.

As Prochazka grew older and proficient in the game, he started liking it. But to play at a higher level, he relocated to Germany. Only around 3000 people play hockey in Czech Republic.

The strength of club-level hockey is restricted to 12 and the culture is on a decline too. Most importantly, the Czechs don't have the resources or a team to compete at international tournaments.

"We stand nowhere in the world, so I can't play big tournaments like the Champions Trophy, the World Cup or the Olympics. For us it's always a fight for survival," he says.

But for now, Prochazka, who is pursuing a degree in Economics, is supremely excited about HIL. After all, it is the sport that is helping him fund his education and other basic needs.

The Times of India

UP Wizards certain put up a terrific show: Sreejesh

LUCKNOW: Continuing with their rigorous training for the upcoming Hero Hockey India League, starting on January 22, Uttar Pradesh Wizards goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on Wednesday said that his team is confident of putting up a "terrific show" this season.

Under the guidance of the goalkeeping coach David Staniforth, who joined the team yesterday, the Wizards are brushing up their proficiency, focussing closely on skill development and team work.

Speaking on the sidelines of their second practice session, Sreejesh said, "After having a very successful first practice session, the second session was even more rewarding. The team looks much more in place and focussed for the upcoming league under the guidance of the goalkeeping coach, Mr. David Staniforth who joined us yesterday.

"We are keeping in mind the past lessons and looking like a strong bunch, certain put up a terrific show this season."

The Uttar Pradesh Wizards will open their season at home ground against Delhi Waveriders on January 23.

The Times of India

Wilson playing through the pain


Nick Wilson: Photo / David Row

Pain is something most sportspeople have to learn to deal with but it's normally later in their careers.

New Zealand hockey player Nick Wilson is still only 24 but has accepted the fact he will never play pain-free again. He's thankful, however, that he's even playing.

Wilson first suffered knee problems, which started as bone bruising but eventually included cartilage issues, while playing in Europe in mid-2013 and, despite extensive rehabilitation, surgery became the only option. He went under the knife in February last year.

"Six months after surgery, I was looking at my knee thinking, 'how the hell am I going to play hockey again?', because it was like a little kid's leg with no muscle and I couldn't do anything," he said. "It was so painful."

Perseverance eventually paid off for Wilson, and the striker returned to the international game last month when he played against Canada.

Yesterday (weds) he departed for India where he will link with the Ranchi Rays who have replaced the Rhinos in the Hockey India League.

He played in the inaugural competition in 2013, winning the title with the now-defunct Ranchi Rhinos.

Next year's Rio Olympics remains a major goal and the thought of playing at another Games helped him through the tough days last year when his knee wasn't improving, despite the constant gym work. He also started his career as a commercial real estate agent.

"If my body is OK, I'm definitely keen to push through to Rio and I'll just reassess depending on what happens in Rio," he said.

"[The knee is] always going to be a bit sore because you're putting bone to cartilage, so you just hope it doesn't deteriorate and you can handle the pain level."

Wilson will put his Olympic dreams on hold over the next month as the Rays travel across India playing in the cash-rich -- by hockey's standards -- six-team league that runs from January 22-February 22.

Five other Kiwis -- Andy Hayward, Shea McAleese, Simon Child, Ryan Archibald and Steve Edwards -- will also play in the HIL for various franchises.

"The games are really fun to play because there's not as much focus around defensive play," said Wilson, who has played 128 times for the Black Sticks. "The main focus is to entertain and attack and, generally, there are lots of turnovers and the game's quite open. You see a lot of goals."

The Rays are owned by Indian cricketer MS Dhoni but, given his upcoming commitments with the national side in Australia and at next month's World Cup, it's unclear if he will watch much of the HIL.

Kiwis in the Hockey India League:

- Simon Child (Delhi Waveriders)
- Steve Edwards (Delhi Waveriders)
- Andy Hayward (Delhi Waveriders)
- Nick Wilson (Ranchi Rays)
- Shea McAleese (Uttar Pradesh Wizards)
- Ryan Archibald (Kalinga Lancers)

The New Zealand Herald

Ashley Jackson warms up for Hockey India League with goals ... at ice hockey outfit Invicta Dynamos

England Hockey's record goalscorer dazzles on the ice with four-week stint at Kent side Invicta Dynamos ahead of spell with Ranchi Rays at annual Hockey India League

By Rod Gilmour
   

Cool as ice: Ashley Jackson netted four times during ice hockey stint at Invicta Dynamos Photo: DAVE TREVALLION

A stint on the ice is hardly the ideal preparation for the heat of the Hockey India League, but it clearly mattered little to Ashley Jackson, who turned his hand to ice hockey with the greatest of ease when he signed for Invicta Dynamos over the Christmas period.

Jackson carved out a four-week spell in the rink for the Kent-based side, who play in the National Ice Hockey League, after returning from England’s campaign on the field at the Champions Trophy last month.

In India, he netted his 111th international goal to break Calum Giles' international record before the East Grinstead midfielder continued his scoring spree for the Dynamos in the rough and tumble of southern division one, with four in eight games.

“Not a great deal of field hockey attributes actually translate to ice hockey despite the apparent similarity which made his achievements all the more impressive,” Dynamos’ head coach, Kevin Parrish, told Telegraph Sport.

“However, you could instantly see his hand control is excellent and his vision is equally good.

“Despite his reputation in field hockey he arrived without any ego or pretentiousness and quickly became one of the guys in the changing room. He’s a natural athlete and has that hunger that only the best athletes have – he’d rather be putting in the hours to improve his performance than toasting a victory.”

Jackson laced up for the Dynamos, who currently lead the southern division, to take on teams such as Solent Devils, London Raiders and Milton Keynes Thunder. Judging by one of his goals, Jackson's month-long contributions for the Gillingham outfit were filled with his usual concoction of stick craft and invention.

It was enough for Parrish to admit that he would take the 27-year-old back “in a heartbeat” after the England star was first confirmed on the Dynamos' roster following Britain's fourth-place finish at London 2012.

“It’s impossible to predict where he could have ended up had he chosen the ice hockey route,” added Parrish. “He’s a superb athlete, the perfect professional and if he had been able to devote as much time to ice hockey as he has field hockey then I’m sure he would have honed his skills even further.

"Who knows, he could perhaps have been making a name for himself in this country’s Elite League.”

Jackson, one of five nominees for the FIH world hockey player of the year award, has had a penchant for the ice ever since he was a junior, while his uncle and grandfather both played the sport.

“I came back from India, had a look and had the chance to jump back on the ice and have a knock around with some old pals and it turned into what it has,” he told Kent Sport News.



“There’s not much that goes between the one sport and the other, just hand-eye co-ordination and I’ve been more worried about tripping over my own skates."

Jackson will now return to his day job where he will play for Ranchi Rays in the Hockey India League over the next month. He will then focus on a key six months, with Olympic qualifying and the European Championships, in London, both taking place.

The Telegraph

Pakistan star hockey player Arslan gets cash award



LAHORE: Pakistan’s star hockey player Arslan Qadir was honoured with a cash prize of Rs150,000 by his parent Tauqir Dar Hockey Academy here the other day. While former Olympian Tauqir Dar presented a cheque of Rs.100,000 to Arslan, director of the academy Asif Nawaz also gave away Rs.50,000 to lift the morale of the rising player. Arslan was exceptional in Pakistan’s exciting 4-3 win over arch-rivals India in the FIH Champions Trophy semifinal held in Bhubaneswar, India last month. He scored two goals including the decisive one in the dying minute of that high-voltage clash.

The inspirational victory in the semifinal sparked a new spirit in Pakistan hockey, which otherwise has largely been on decline since the green-shirts won gold in a high-profile world title in 1994 - when they clinched the World Cup in Sydney and the Champions Trophy the same year in Lahore. Meanwhile, Tauqir Dar praised the performance of Arslan who started his training at the Tauqir Dar Hockey Academy some years ago. Arslan on his part thanked the academy for helping him polish his talent that has enabled him to progress and shine at international stage. “More victories like the one against India recently would definitely help Pakistan regain its lost glory in world hockey,” said the player.

The Daily Times

Hockey clinic takes skills to a new level

Stephen Penney

Top young hockey players from around the province are currently taking part in an Eastern Cape Residential Hockey Camp, hosted by the Diocesan School for Girls.

Among the top coaches, with international playing and coaching experience, are Brian Hibbert (FIH high performance coach, former SA men’s coach and former Wales assistant coach), Paul Blake (Beijing SA team player and current Grey High School coach) and Rhodes student Dean Ferreira, an EP Men’s player.

Chris Hibbert, head of sport at DSG, said the aim of the camp was to teach modern skills to the players, different from those taught at school.

This includes new techniques and concepts. Hibbert said the players should then return to their school teams as better players.

The players are also taught off the field, receiving advice about nutrition and participating in a sport psychology chat.

The schools participating in the clinic are Kingswood College, DSG, St Andrew’s College, Victoria Girls' High School, Victoria Park, Collegiate and Pearson. A total of 60 girls and 30 boys are attending the clinic, with pupils ranging from U14 to U18.

Grocott's Mail