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All the news for Saturday 29 August 2015

Hosts England to take on Dazzling Dutch in Dream Final



Host nation England will meet the Netherlands in the final of the women’s Unibet EuroHockey Championships as they got the best of Spain and Germany by just a single goal each in Friday’s semi-finals in London.

For England, it means they are back-to-back finals and will hope to go one better than two years ago in Boom when they were denied in a shoot-out. The Netherlands, meanwhile, are going for a ninth title when they meet on Sunday, a match that will immediately follow the Bronze medal match between Spain and Germany.

England’s victory over Spain was great news for India’s women, who are now assured of a place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS

Netherlands 1-0 Germany

The Netherlands were the first side to progress to the final with Ginella Zerbo’s single goal enough to see off a resilient Germany for whom goalkeeper Yvonne Frank was superb throughout.

Indeed, it was toughest challenge to date for the Dutch as the reigning champions were not likely to give up their title without a fight. As it was, a moment of real quality settled the tie 1-0 as Ellen Hoog found a wonderful angle to pass through the defences of a couple of defenders.

Zerbo took the ball on and cleverly finished from close range for the game’s only goal. The Dutch created plenty more openings – Maartje Paumen rattling the bar with the best of them – but it was the only goal to arrive, enough to put the Netherlands through to the final for a ninth time.

On reaching the UniBet EuroHockey Championship final, defender Margot van Geffen said: “It was a tough game. Semi-finals are always exciting and close. But we won and are in the final again. Now it’s time to look ahead to winning the tournament.”

England 2-1 Spain

Lily Owsley’s 52nd minute winner earned England a back-to-back Unibet EuroHockey Championships final berth as they won a physical battle over Spain 2-1.

England got off to flying start with Alex Danson continuing her superb form, netting her fourth goal of the tournament in the fourth minute with sharp reactions to a corner rebound.

Spain, though, were resilient and organised, making life difficult for the hosts in front of a boisterous home crowd. Georgina Oliva was the engine behind the Spanish resistance and she fittingly scored a sensational goal to equalise, making it 1-1 going into the final quarter.

But England kept working and got their reward with eight minutes to go when Georgie Twigg pushed goal-ward and Owsley poked home amid a thicket of legs for the winning goal.

While Owsley was named player of the match and took the plaudits for the winning goal, she was quick to pay tribute to the work done further back to set the base for the victory. “Us forwards, we are happy to do the work for the team because our defenders are absolutely outstanding. They’ve saved us a lot tonight and were incredible. They get the ball to us and we sometimes get the glory and we are so proud of this team performance.”

WOMEN’S POOL C

Poland 1-1 Italy

Poland came agonisingly close to their first ever win in the top tier of European hockey when they were just seconds away from a 1-0 victory over Italy. Head coach Fernando Ferrara removed keeper Martine Chirico and the Italians pushed forwards. The ploy paid off and so Poland and Italy both go into their final games on Sunday knowing only a win will suffice.

Belgium 1-0 Scotland

Belgium were 1-0 winners over Scotland to ensure their place in the top tier of the competition as Louise Versavel’s early goal made the difference. It lifts them to six points in Pool C, while Scotland are on three points and need a draw against Poland or better to stay in the competition for 2017, too.

FIH site

England into final after tense win over Spain


England against Spain

Goals from Alex Danson and Lily Owsley steered England into the final of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships after a tense battle with Adrian Lock’s Spain. Danson struck her fourth of the tournament in the fourth minute to give Danny Kerry’s team the lead but Spain hit back through Georgina Oliva’s splendid strike to set up a nervy finish. Owsley’s intervention eight minutes from time settled the match and set up a final with the Netherlands.

England started brightly. Susannah Townsend stole the ball inside the Spain half and burst forwards. Her shot was charged down with the rebound falling to Shona McCallin, but she couldn’t connect at the top of the circle and the chance was gone. Danson then fired a snapshot into the side netting as England hunted the opening goal.

On four minutes they got that goal from their first penalty corner. Kate Richardson-Walsh took the shot which came back off the goalkeeper’s pads but Danson was on hand to stab home on the volley from close range. It stayed 1-0 at the quarter time break.

Sophie Bray tested Maria Ruiz in the Spain goal with a backhand strike at the start of the second period but the goalkeeper kicked the chance clear. Berta Bonastre created Spain’s first real opening, seizing possession inside the England half and racing clear of the defence. The angle was against her and Maddie Hinch made the save.

Townsend stung the goalkeeper’s pads with a shot and Ashleigh Ball was unable to direct the rebound on target as England rallied and took control of the game once more.

Danson took the full force of a ball on the foot, causing concern for England as their iconic striker left the field for treatment. Then it went from bad to worse for the hosts as Spain won a penalty corner. Gloria Comerma hit the shot but Hinch got down well to make the save and preserve the lead at the interval.

The third quarter began with a welcome sight for the home crowd, Danson emerged to take her place back on the pitch. The No15 was straight into the action, peeling away from her marker at the near post to get on the end of a cross with her shot flashing just wide. With a minute left until the end of the third quarter Spain drew level with a splendid goal. A quick free hit set up Oliva who smashed a searing backhand shot into the top corner to level it up with a quarter of the game to go.

Spain’s Carlota Petchame picked up a yellow card inside the final quarter handing England a player advantage. Georgie Twigg engineered some space inside the circle but the goalkeeper did well to keep out her shot. The Spanish resistance was short-lived and after a series of passes just outside the circle Owsley forced the ball past the goalkeeper to re-establish the lead.

McCallin broke forwards inside the final three minutes and fed Ball who hit a strong backhand strike which Ruiz got a glove to. England couldn’t quite kill off Adrian Lock’s team and Spain threw everything forwards in the closing stages. England’s backline held firm to see out the game and to take their place in Sunday’s final.

England’s next match is the final against Netherlands on 30 August at 16:00 live on the BBC.

Quotes – Laura Unsworth, England

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. It was a really tough match but we played our hearts out to the very last minute. We knew if we kept playing our game the second goal would come. We were hanging on at the end but we got over the line. I can’t wait for Sunday!

We knew if we could start strong like we did against Germany we would be well set. We got the early goal but Spain are an improving side and they gave everything. Some teams don’t allow you to play. When we’re in our flow we are unstoppable and obviously they did their best to slow it down and break the play up. We spoke about increasing the tempo and not playing the way they wanted us to, and that got us the goals we need and we’re in the final!

The crowd was unbelievable tonight. When they sang the national anthem it gave me goosebumps. It was an incredible night. We have special memories of three years ago in the Olympics and this place is becoming home, we love playing here.

It’s always tight against the Dutch but they don’t like our physicality. I think the semi-final in 2013 was the last time we played them so it’ll be very interesting for us to take them on. We have the 12th man of the crowd, we are fit and strong and we will go out and go after them.”

England 2 (1)
Alex Danson 4 (PC)
Lily Owsley 52 (FG)

Spain 1 (0)
Georgina Oliva 44 (FG)

England Hockey Board Media release

England battle into the Final

By Mike Haymonds

GOALS from Alex Danson and Lily Owsley brought England a 2-1 victory over Spain and a place in the final against the world and Olympic champions the Netherlands at the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in the Olympic Park.

England had not tasted defeat to the Spaniards for 20 games since 1995 and, for the opening quarter, this success looked set to continue as England dominated. But the Spaniards’ sound defence frustrated their efforts and it was not until eight minutes from the end that Owsley scored the winner.

Danson gave England the perfect start from their first penalty corner in the fourth minute when skipper Kate Richardson-Walsh‘s shot rebounded for Danson to volley home from close range.

There was a scare for England in the second quarter when Danson took a blow to the foot and had to leave the pitch for treatment but she returned at the start of the third period.

Spain equalised at the end of the third period when Georgina Oliva fired home a stunning backhand shot and a tense final quarter ensued until Owsley forced the ball home to clinch victory.

Anticipating the challenge against the Dutch, England head coach Danny Kerry said: “They have four or five world class players and we will have to cope with them if we are to win gold.”

Laura Unsworth said: “It was a really tough match but we played our hearts out to the very last minute. We knew if we kept playing our game the second goal would come. We were hanging on at the end but we got over the line.

“We got the early goal but Spain are an improving side and they gave everything. Some teams don’t allow you to play.

“When we’re in our flow we are unstoppable and obviously they did their best to slow it down and break the play up.

“We spoke about increasing the tempo and not playing the way they wanted us to, and that got us the goals we need and we’re in the final.”

Daily Express

Scots must wait to secure A Division status


Scots European survival still in the balance

Scotland`s target of a top six spot and survival in the European Nations Championships is now less secure as Gordon Shepherd`s charges went down 1-0 to 12th ranked Belgium in the second relegation pool match.

Belgium scored in the opening minute leaving the Scots chasing the game for the rest of the contest, but their cause was hindered by unforced errors and too many aimless passes in a game that the Belgians controlled throughout.

The result means that Belgium will certainly finish in the top two and thereby secure their survival in the top flight, but the Scots could still join them if they can take the three points from tomorrow`s crucial final game against Poland.
In an earlier game Poland and Italy fought out a 1-1 draw, and both sides remain two points behind the Scots in the table, so their destiny still lies in their own hands.

The nightmare start came when the Scots defence was caught napping and gave away a sloppy penalty corner in the opening minute, the initial shot found its way through to Louise Versavel who slid the ball past Amy Gibson with her reverse stick.

Although the Belgians were the more enterprising side, the Scots had a chance to level just before the end of the first quarter at their first penalty corner, the ball was slipped to Kareena Marshall but her shot across the goal went directly to a Belgian defender who cleared the danger with ease.

The Belgians continued to dominate the second quarter with only half-chances falling to Nikki Kidd and a Susan McGilveray cross that failed to find a Scottish stick.

While the Belgian goalkeeper was a virtual spectator in the match, at the other end Gibson was forced into several crucial saves to prevent the Scots falling further behind.

Gibson blocked two penalty corner shots, the second with a brilliant left handed save, while Kareena Marshall had to look lively to block a dangerous Belgian attack.

The first real chance of the second half fell to Becky Merchant but her effort was foiled by the Belgian goalkeeper in almost her first action of the game.

The Scots had to survive two further set piece scares while at the other end they lost their video referral in a spurious penalty corner claim.

The final quarter was a rather dull affair, but the Scots had a good chance to save the match with five minutes to go at a penalty corner but Emily Maguire`s slap shot was diverted to savety by the goalkeeper.

Scotland put in some late pressure to get something out of the game but in the end they failed to create any clear-cut chances.

"I was very disappointed at the level of performance given the high standards we had set in the original pool competition, we didn`t deserve anything from today.   We need to return to level we set in the pool matches for the final game against Poland," said Gordon Shepherd, Scotland`s coach.

Unibet EuroHockey Championships 2015 (W)

Pool C Result

Scotland 0 -1 Belgium

Scotland Senior Women: Amy Brodie, Leigh Fawcett, captain (both Grove Menzieshill), Fiona Bruce, Ali Howie, Susan McGilveray, Nicki Skrastin (all Clydesdale Western), Louise Campbell, Nikki Cochrane, Becky Merchant (all Edinburgh University), Vikki Bunce, Becky Ward (both Dundee Wanderers), Aileen Davis (Clifton), Amy Gibson (Slough), Nikki Kidd (Mannheimer), Nikki Lloyd (Wimbledon), Emily Maguire (Reading), Kareena Marshall (Western Wildcats), Sarah Robertson (Holcolme)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Germany-Netherlands will play their 11th final in Euro Cup Hockey

B.G.Joshi (in London)

Olympic Champions Germany has played 10 finals of Euro Cup Hockey, won 8 Gold medals. Hockey World League (2012-14, World Cup season) winner Netherlands also appeared on 10 occasions in title match of Euro Cup Hockey, won thrice. Netherlands and Germany had met once in Olympics final. Both have played Champions Trophy final on 3 occasions (2000, 2002and 2006). In Euro Cup Hockey Final both faces each other 6 times. Details are as under: 

Head to head of Germany-Netherlands are:

 Note:  In 2002 Cologne CT, Netherlands won in tie break; FT 0-0, In1995 (FT 2-2); 1999(FT 3-3) Europeans Cup Germany won in tie break.
Details of The Finals of Euro Cup are

The Finals

 Fieldhockey.com

India women qualify for Rio 2016 Olympics



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed today that India women have qualified for the hockey event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

India qualified after England defeated Spain in the semi-finals of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London, which ensured that the only teams who can now win the event have already qualified for Rio through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals – Netherlands and England (as Great Britain).

The winner of the EuroHockey Championships will qualify for the 2016 Olympics as European continental champions, opening up a further qualification spot which India secure as the team who ranked highest at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals not already qualified.

India women join the nine teams already qualified for Rio 2016 - Korea as Asian Games champions, Argentina as Pan Am Games champions and Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.

The remaining two Olympic places (women) will not be finalised until after the Continental Championships, the Oceania Cup and the Africa Cup for Nations, which finish in November this year.

FIH site

Indian women's hockey team end 36-year drought; qualifies for Rio Olympics


Indian women hockey Indian women hockey File Photo

Indian women's hockey team last featured in an Olympics in the 1980 Moscow Games, where they finished at a respectable fourth position.

Indian women's hockey team will return to the Olympics after a long gap of 36 years as it qualified today for next year's Rio Games, courtesy England making it to the final of the ongoing EuroHockey Championships in London.

England's semifinal victory over Spain, coming after the Netherlands' win over Germany in the other semifinal in the European Championships freed one quota place as both the finalists have already qualified for the Olympic Games.

India took the quota place on the basis of its fifth-place finish in the women's Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium last month. International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed that Indian women's team has qualified for the Rio Games.

"India qualified after England defeated Spain in the semi-finals of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London, which ensured that the only teams -- The Netherlands and England (as Great Britain) -- who can now win the event have already qualified for Rio through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals," the FIH said in a statement.

"The winner of the EuroHockey Championships will qualify for the 2016 Olympics as European continental champions, opening up a further qualification spot which India secure as the team who ranked highest at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals not already qualified," it said.

Indian women's team now join nine other teams, who have already qualified for 2016 Rio Games -- Korea as Asian Games champions, Argentina as Pan Am Games champions and Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.

Indian women's hockey team last featured in an Olympics in the 1980 Moscow Games, where they finished at a respectable fourth position.

DNA

India women qualify for Rio Olympics 2016



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed today that India women have qualified for the hockey event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Indian women qualify for Olympics after a gap of 36 years. They last played in Olympics in 1980, the Moscow Olympic year when women's hockey was introduced in Olympics.

India qualified after England defeated Spain in the semi-finals of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London, which ensured that the only teams who can now win the event have already qualified for Rio through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals – Netherlands and England (as Great Britain).

The winner of the EuroHockey Championships will qualify for the 2016 Olympics as European continental champions, opening up a further qualification spot which India secure as the team who ranked highest at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals not already qualified.

India women join the nine teams already qualified for Rio 2016 - Korea as Asian Games champions, Argentina as Pan Am Games champions and Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.

The remaining two Olympic places (women) will not be finalised until after the Continental Championships, the Oceania Cup and the Africa Cup for Nations, which finish in November this year.

The 2016 Summer Olympics will start on 5th August at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and the Women team will commence its outing from 7th August 2016.

Stick2Hockey.com

Indian women hockey team bags 2016 Rio Olympic berth

NEW DELHI: Indian women hockey team on Saturday booked their tickets to the 2016 Rio Games, only their second qualifications ever for the Olympics. India's only previous qualification for the Games was in 1980, where they finished a commendable fourth.

The fifth-place finish at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals in July was enough for India to clinch the historic berth as a place opened up after Netherlands and England reached the final of the Euro Hockey Championships in London.

The Indian women's team was waiting for the confirmation since July as they needed two of the already-qualified teams to reach the final of the European Championships for their qualification.

"India qualified after England defeated Spain in the semi-finals of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London, which ensured that the only teams who can now win the event have already qualified for Rio through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals - Netherlands and England (as Great Britain)," the FIH said on its website.

"The winner of the EuroHockey Championships will qualify for the 2016 Olympics as European continental champions, opening up a further qualification spot which India secure as the team who ranked highest at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals not already qualified," it added.

India became the 10th team to qualify for the Rio Games after South Korea, Argentina, Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and USA.

The Times of India

The Hockey Museum Exhibition stand at EuroHockey 2015

by Dil Bahra
 

The Hockey Museum Exhibition stand at EuroHockey Championships 2015
 
As you enter the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the Unibet EuroHockey Championships 2015, you will immediately notice the Hockey Timeline which covers the length of the South stand leading you to The Hockey Museum stand.

The stand, which features historical video footage and artefacts from the early years, has been a fantastic success, attracting visits from administrators, players and spectators from around the world. Manned by a team of Museum volunteers, the stand is open everyday throughout the tournament.

The EuroHockey Championships have also provided the Museum with a  platform to conduct the Oral Histories project which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Oral history is the recording of people's memories. It is the living history of everyone's unique life experience and preserves everyone's past for the future. A booth has been set up in the stand and a number of hockey personalities including Leandro Negre, Roger Self, Anne Ellis, Martin Gotheridge and Bernie Cotton have already been interviewed.
 

Roger Self, Manager of Great Britain's Gold Medal team at Seoul 1988 Olympic Games being interviewed by Project Leader Evelyn Sommers.
 
Members of many of the competing teams and national associations, including the FIH and EHF have visited the stand and promised to donate items. Wolfgang Hillmann, President of Deutscher Hockey Bund (DHB) donated a set of indoor goalkeeping kit from the 1970s. This is very encouraging for the Museum. The Polish delegates added a few hockey stamps to the Museums collection.
 

Wolfgang Hillmann, President of Deutscher Hockey Bund and The Hockey Museum Trustee, Dil Bahra

The Hockey Museum

ParaHockey athletes take centre stage in London


The ParaHockey European Championship showcased the inclusivety of hockey

The ParaHockey European Championship finals were played out in front of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park earlier this week.

The opening matches of the event had been played at one of the EuroHockey satellite pitches in Essex, but the medal matches were played on the main stage - England Hockey’s pitch, after the Scotland v Italy women's Pool A Unibet EuroHockey Championships match.

The ParaHockey Championship was part of the Flyerz Hockey ‘Festival of hockey’. Flyerz Hockey is the name given to disability hockey in England – part of the push for inclusivity that both England Hockey and the European Hockey Federation (EHF) are firmly behind.

Norman Hughes, EHF Education and Development Manager said: "We wanted to create a pathway for ParaHockey players. There is a good club versus club set-up, but we wanted to give the players an inspirational event to show just what they could achieve. ParaHockey is about participation, but this event lends an element of performance to it as well."

The target for the ParaHockey movement, says Hughes, is for the tournament to reach 10 teams when the next EuroHockey Championship comes around in two years time. Many more European nations have been challenged to enter teams into the event.

For this year's three-day competition, seven teams from six nations participated – Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands and England.

The opening matches were played at Old Loughtonians Hockey Club in Essex. On the final day, the finalists and their supporters made their way to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, but not before dropping into the iconic Copper Box Arena – home to Handball and Volleyball during the London 2012 Olympics – to join in some of the fun activities that were taking place as part of the Flyerz Festival

The finals provided two tense and highly competitive games. Italy faced Germany in the bronze medal match while Netherlands were playing against Portugal in the European ParaHockey Championship final.

Four mixed teams, with seven players per side were playing on half the pitch at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in front of a packed stand. For those involved, hockey doesn't get much more inclusive than this.

Portugal picked up the gold medals – the winning goal scored by Portugal's only female player Patricia Saraiva. That meant the Netherlands picked up silver while Italy and Germany shared the bronze medals after they drew.

Speaking after the game, Portugal coach Hugo Santos said: “My players have never played on a pitch like this before, they feel like true Olympians, which they all are. They are very emotional and they did a great job. They have challenges in their everyday lives and this will give them huge self-confidence.

"The organisers and the volunteers must be very proud with all that has been achieved here today, they have truly made a difference to these players' lives."

That was a point that Hughes agreed with. He said: "The EHF Youth Panel was fantastic; nine young leaders who between them ran the social media, they were liaison officers for the teams, they were umpire managers. Without them we could never have handled it."

The ParaHockey European Championship was run at the same time as the Unibet EuroHockey Championships 2015 that have been taking place at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

FIH site

It’s Southern Gauteng vs WP in SA Women’s IPT hockey final

JONATHAN COOK in Potchefstroom


Border goalkeeper Bianca Noble prepares to clear the ball in the match against Spar KZN Raiders. Photo GERDIE CROUCAMP

Lining up for the final in the elite A Section of the SA Women’s Interprovincial Hockey Tournament (IPT) at North-West University in Potchefstroom Saturday afternoon will be the country’s hockey heavyweights, Southern Gauteng and Western Province.

Friday afternoon and evening respectively, Southern Gauteng, arguably the most impressive side so far, accounted for defending champions Northern Blues 5-1 while WP edged Free State 2-1 in the second semi-final.

Nine of the Southerns players as well as head coach Rob van Ginkel will be gunning for their third prestigious title of the year, having already won the Varsity Cup and University Sport SA titles in University of Johannesburg colours.

The first semi-final belonged to Southerns throughout. Into the second minute Lisa Hawker made an incisive run along the right-hand baseline before drawing the defence, flicking across to captain Bernie Coston who tapped the ball in from close (1-0).

In the fifth, there was more Southerns joy when Catherine McNulty’s pressure allowed Shelley Russell to tap the ball into the backboard (2-0).

At the other end Southerns goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa was assured in dealing with any danger that came her way.

The Johannesburg girls went 3-0 ahead in the 25th, just five minutes from half-time, when Kristen Paton broke through tackles in the nine-yard area.

A minute from half-time Blues had a rare opportunity – from the semi-final’s first penalty corner – but the chance came to naught.

After the changeover Southerns maintained the pressure and made it 4-0 in the 42nd minute from their third PC, the ball injected to the second of two castles at the top of the strike zone, and Carmen Smith cracked the ball home.

The goal of the match came six minutes later (48th) when the fleet-footed Sylvia Horstmann intercepted on the halfway line, raced down the right channel and crossed to Toni Marks, whose shot towards goal was glanced in by Coston (5-0).

With seven minutes left (53rd) Northerns pulled one back when captain Nicolene Terblanche created the opportunity for Dirkie Chamberlain to finish clinically (5-1). But it was last year’s bronze medallists Southerns who had the last say in what was an outstanding victory against the defending champs.

The second semi-final saw WP twice denied in the opening seven minutes by Free State keeper Beatrix Westdyk as the girls from Bloemfontein went in search of their first final in 28 years.

Free State have never won the IPT title while multiple winners WP had a host of players who have been in semi-finals and finals before.

In the 12th, Nicole de Vries shot wide of the far post following WP’s second PC and the first quarter ended with the score 0-0.

Two minutes into the second quarter the young Free State side were dealt a massive blow when a collision resulted in the experienced Mignon van Tonder having to be stretchered off.

With WP striker Taryn Glasby a constant headache down the right flank, Free State were consistently under pressure but the score remained 0-0 at half-time.

The semi-final broke wide open one minute into the second half (31st minute) when Izelle Lategan got the deflection off Cornelle Botha’s hit into the strike zone. WP struck back almost immediately (33rd minute) with a beautifully taken deflection goal by Megan Robertson off a PC (1-1).

The action flew from end to end in this frenetic third quarter but the score remained 1-1 as the teams went into the last 15 minutes.

Both sides created chances but with seven minutes left (53rd) Free State’s brave bid for the final was dealt a major blow when a cross from the right by Taryn Glasby was steered over the goalline by Heather McEwan for what was the 2-1 scoreline at full-time.

In the first round of playoffs for fifth to eighth places, Spar KZN Raiders played a superb first half in accounting for Border 7-0, all the goals coming before the changeover.

The Durban girls’ goals came from vice-captain Wendy Snelling, Cardeux Nel (2), Kara Stella, Donna Small, Donne Oxenham and captain Kelly Madsen.

In the other playoff North West beat a determined South Gauteng Wits 3-1 after leading 1-0 at half-time, the goals coming from Lenthea Kamffer, Celia Evans and Steph Baxter, while the Wits goal was scored by Luche Klaasen from the penalty spot.

Saturday’s A Section classification matches see Border against SG Wits for seventh and eighth places at 09h30 followed by the showdown for fifth and sixth places between Spar KZN Raiders and North West at 11h30. The playoff for third and fourth places between Northern Blues and Free State is at 13h30 while the Southerns/WP final is at 15h30.

The second-tier B Section, a nine-team tournament is played in a round-robin format with no semi-finals or final. It’s a close race for first place between Namibia and WP Peninsula.

RESULTS
A Section: Spar KZN Raiders 7 Border 0; North West 3 SG Wits 1. Semi-Final 1: Southern Gauteng 6 Northern Blues 1. Semi-Final 2: WP 2 Free State 1.
B Section: KZN Inland 3 SA Country Districts A 0; KZN Mynahs 4 EP 2; SACD B 0 Mpumalanga 0; WP Pens 5 SG Nuggets 1; Namibia 4 SACD A 0.
SATURDAY: A SECTION CLASSIFICATION MATCHES
(7th/8th placings) 09H30 Border vs SG Wits; (5th/6th) 11h30 Spar KZN Raiders vs North West; (3rd/4th) Northern Blues vs Free State; (Final) 15h30 Southern Gauteng vs WP.
Saturday B Section fixtures: 08h00 EP vs SG Nuggets; 09h30 WP Pens vs Mpumalanga; 11h00 SACD B vs KZN Mynahs; 12h30 EP vs Namibia; 14h00 WP Pens vs KZN Inland; 15h30 SACD A vs SACD B.
B SECTION LOGS
(Matches played in brackets, goal difference, points)
1 Namibia (7) 18GD 19 pts; 2 WP Pens (6) 20GD 16 pts; 3 KZN Mynahs  (7) 8GD 16 pts; 4 KZN Inland (7) 9GD 15 pts; 5 SACD A (7) -5GD 9 pts; 6 EP (6) -3GD 6 pts; 7 Mpumalanga (6) -9GD 4 pts; 8 SG Nuggets (7) -17GD 3 pts; 9 SACD B (6) -18GD 1 pt.

SA Hockey Association media release

KLHC consolidate position

By Jugjet Singh

UNIVERSITI Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) almost became giant killers Saturday, but collapsed in the fourth quarter to hand Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) full points in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League.

Top-of-the-table KLHC were tied 1-1 with UniKL until the 48th minute, but a 15 minute onslaught saw them collapsing like dominoes.

KLHC took the lead off Ali Shan in the fourth minute, but Richard Sykes equalsied in the 25th minute and the match looked like it was heading for an upset.

However UniKL, who have yet to win a single point this season, went down tamely to goals from Noor Faeez Ibrahim (48th) and Razie Rahim (51st, 52nd).

The difference yesterday was that UniKL players did not have the confidence in the last quarter, while experienced hands KLHC went in the last phase of the match with determination.

"Yes, we almost had our moment under the spot-light, but when my players went in for the last 15 minutes I could see from their body language that they were saying 'on no, we have to go through another 15 minutes.

"Lack of confidence in themselves was whay we lost the match," said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.

Arul, who is also the Project 2016 coach, hopes his charges will show progress before the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan.

"We have 12 Project 2016 players in this team, and my main worry now is their lack of believe in themselves. This needs to be rectified before we head to Kuantan to qualify for the Junior World Cup," said Arul.

KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj and hie men had a different mindset: "Going into the last quarter, I told my players that they have a lot of time to win the match and I expected them to score at least one, but they did even better by scoring three. They had the confidence, and we retained our lead and it looks like the final match on Sept 4 (against Terengganu Hockey Team) will decide who lifts the title."

RESULTS: Premier Division -- KLHC 4 UniKL 1, Terengganu HT x Tenaga x.

Division One: Group A: MASUM USM x TNB Thunderbolts x, MSN-THT 5 BJSS 2; Group B: ATM Airod 3 SSTMI 1, PKS-KPM 1 UiTM 4, Nur Insafi 2 Politeknik 1.

Women's Division Group A: ATM Pernama x Politeknik x.

SATURDAY: Division One: Group B: PKS-KPM v UniKL Young Guns (7pm, Pitch I).

SUNDAY: Premier Division -- Sapura v KLHC (6pm, Pitch II), Terengganu v Maybank (Batu Buruk, 6pm), uniKL v Tenaga (8pm, Pitch II).

Division One: Group A: MSP-YPSSP v BJSS (Kuantan, 5pm), MBI v MSNT-THT (Azlan Shah, 5pm); Group B: UiTM v UniKL Young Guns (5pm, Pitch I), Nur Insafi v SSTMI (Sg Petani, 5pm), ATM Airod v Politeknik (Tun Razak, 5pm).

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

KLHC stay in MHL driver's seat after thrashing UniKL

by S. Ramaguru



KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) consolidate their position at the top of the Premier Division standings in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) with a 4-1 win over Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).

Friday’s win at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil gave them 22 points from eight matches. Defending champions Terengganu are second with 21 points after beating Tenaga Nasional 2-1 at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.

Faizal Saari kept alive Terengganu’s hopes of retaining the league title with a brace in the seventh and 39th minute. Tenaga pulled a goal back in the 49th minute through Mohamed Ramadan Rosli.

Maybank are Terengganu’s opponents on Sunday before their decisive last match at home against leaders KLHC on Friday.

KLHC play third placed Sapura on Sunday and complete their clash with Terengganu.

KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj said the win took some of the pressure off his players as they prepare for the last two crucial ties.

“This was a match we needed to win badly. Now we can face the next two opponents with less pressure. We had some lapses in the game despite taking the early lead. But credit to the boys for coming back strongly in the last quarter,” said Dharmaraj.

“To score three goals at that stage showed that the players are committed. We need to keep that going as we enter the final lap,” he added.

In the first round, KLHC only managed a 1-0 win over UniKL and were fully aware that their opponents could spoiled their title ambitions.

Wary of the danger, KLHC started aggressively and took the lead in the fourth minute through Pakistani Ali Shan who hit home a penalty corner rebound.

UniKL fought back and found the equaliser in the 25th minute, scoring from a penalty corner through Richard Sykes’ direct flick.

It was touch and go for both sides until the 48th minute when Mohamed Noor Faeez regains the lead for KLHC with a penalty corner goal. Three minutes later Mohamed Razie Rahim added a third from a penalty stroke conversion.

And in the 52nd minute, Razie netted his second goal with a direct penalty corner flick.

UniKL coach A. Arulselvaraj was not happy with his players’ commitment.

“The problem is their lack of self-believe. You can see in the body language after the third quarter that they are not focused on winning. There is no issue with the other aspects of their game,” he said.

The Star of Malaysia

Skipper Azreen lead the way as Sapura edge Maybank

by Joash Ee de Silva


Sapura Mohd Marhan Jalil (front) is being challenged by Maybank's Muhd Iderus Ali during the Malaysia Hockey League match at National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. - M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Sapura consolidate their third spot in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) with a 3-2 win over Maybank at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Thursday’s victory gave Sapura 13 points from eight matches while Tenaga Nasional are fourth with nine points from seven games in the six-team standings.

Sapura took a 1-0 lead as early as the second minute through Norsyafiq Sumantri.

It took Maybank 41 minutes to equalise through Muhd Hafiz Zainol but Sapura replied immediately through Mohd Zulhairi Hashim from a penalty corner to make it 2-1.

Sapura skipper Azreen Rizal Nasir increased the lead to 3-1 in the 50th minute. A fighting Maybank reduced the deficit two minutes later with Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin scoring to make it 3-2.

On Sunday, Sapura will be against table toppers Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) at the National Hockey Stadium while Maybank will take on Terengganu at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Teren­gganu.

The Star of Malaysia

Six seniors to bolster Junior Asia Cup hockey team

by S. Ramaguru

KUALA LUMPUR: Six senior players will spearhead the Malaysian girls’ challenge in the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Changzhou, China, next month.

They are Nur Aisyah Yaakob, Nurul Safiqah Mat Isa, Surizan Awang, Wan Norfaiezah Md Saiuti, Hanis Nadiah and Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri.

They were members of the SEA Games squad who won the gold in Singapore in June.

Former international Lailin Abu Hassan is the coach but he could only get the team together in June.

The Junior Asia Cup is a qualifier for the 2016 Junior World Cup.

Lailin said they have had three phases of training but no friendly matches to gauge their performance.

“Despite our limitations, we will try to reach the semi-finals. It will not be easy despite fielding six seniors,” he said.

Nine teams will take part in the tournament from Sept 5-13.

China are the top seeds in Group A together with India, Malaysia, Singapore and North Korea. Group B consists of South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Taiwan.

Malaysia will start their campaign against Singapore on Sept 5.

The top three finishers in the Changzhou tournament qualify for the Junior World Cup.

The squad

Nurain Hidayah Hasri, Ellya Syahirah Ellias, Nur Aisyah Yaakob, Nur Syafiqah Mohd Zain, Nurul Shafizan Amran, Nurul Safiqah Mat Isa, Nurliyana Mohd Kip, Surizan Awang, Wan Norfaiezah Md Saiuti, Nur Zafirah Aziz, Nur Aisyah Hashim, Siti Nurul Afina Mat, Nurshafiqah Ahmad Salim, Hanis Nadiah, Nur Asma'a Ahmad Kamil, Noor Rul Azwani, Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri, Nuraslinda Said.

The Star of Malaysia

Canterbury dominate South Island derbies in National Hockey League


Black Sticks goalkeeper George Enersen made three telling saves to help the Canterbury Cavaliers win a shootout against the Southern Dogs in Christchurch after the score was locked at 2-2 at fulltime. John Kirk-Anderson

Three players scored on debut as the Canterbury Cats celebrated the start of the National Hockey League women's competition with a resounding 4-0 win over the Southern Storm in Christchurch on Saturday.

Charlotte Symes, Phoebe Steel and Bridget Kiddle all netted in their first NHL games for the Cats at Christchurch's Marist Park.

The Cats led 3-0 at half-time after a quickfire opening goal by Symes, Steel's strike and a well-taken effort by midfielder Georgie Blackwood.

The Storm, who put a lot of players behind the ball, never really threatened but they defended doggedly to shut out Canterbury for more than 30 minutes until Kiddle struck in the final quarter.

Canterbury coach Aaron Ford said he was "happy with the four points" from the first-round win, "but performance-wise, it was a little bit frustrating".

"Southern's always a hard team to get up for. We did the damage in the first half, but fell off a wee bit, and that thrid quarter wasn't great. It's something to work on for next week's game [against Capital in Wellington]."

Ford said Canterbury need to learn that a three-goal lead is no guarantee of victory. "The way that hockey's played now you can score goals at a pretty quick rate. We can't fall off, like we did in that third period."

The Canterbury Cavaliers men's team drew 2-2 with the Southern Dogs after surrendering a two-goal lead. Both teams picked up a point, but Canterbury grabbed a second one by winning a shoot-out, 5-4, thanks to the goalkeeping guile of George Enersen, who repelled three Southern shots.

Canterbury shot out to a 2-0 lead through first-half goals to teenage debutants Sam Lane and Dominic Newman. However, Southern stormed back in the third quarter, inspired by New Zealand players Blair Tarrant and Hugo Inglis and national development squad member Kane Russell.

Jeremy Morris pulled back a goal for Southern and Russell equalised with some individual brilliance, beating several defenders before firing the ball home at the inside post.

Southern also struck the goalframe twice as they dominated the third quarter. 

Canterbury came charging back in the final 15-minute period, but could not get the decisive goal.

Southern led 2-1 in the early stages of the shootout, but Enersen showed he is the Black Sticks' keeper with some steely work in the Cavaliers goal to block a couple of Southern shots and harry another into firing wide with the eight-second deadline looming.

Canterbury coach Andrew Hastie was relieved to take away two points from "a really close tussle between two good sides".

"We controlled the first half really well and deservedly had a 2-0 lead. But we let it slip in the third quarter, we did not play to our potential at all."

He was pleased with the debuts of scorers Lane and Newman and fellow 18-year-old rookie David Brydon and said the "big players", Enersen and co-captains Nick Haig and Brad Shaw stepped up when needed most.

But Hastie said the Cavaliers now have to beat the Capital Cobras to go into the national tournament in Whangarei with six points.

Results

Women: Canterbury Cats 4 (Charlotte Symes, Phoebe Steele, Georgie Blackwood, Bridget Kiddle) beat Southern Storm 0. HT: 3-0.

Men: Canterbury Cavaliers 2 (Sam Lane, Dominic Newman) Southern Dogs 2 (Jeremy Morris, Kane Russell). HT: 2-0. Canterbury won shoot-out, 5-4.

Stuff

Coach keeping close eye on stars' comebacks

By David Leggat


Kayla Whitelock. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand women's coach Mark Hager will have a keener eye than usual on the national league, which starts today.

His Black Sticks have confirmed their place in next year's Rio Olympic Games, but experienced former internationals who have been missing for the past year are lining up in the league.

Former national skipper Kayla Whitelock and seasoned defender Emily Naylor took time out of the game - Whitelock to have her first baby - and Auckland striker Katie Glynn has been bedevilled by injuries to a knee and bulging discs in her back in the past couple of years.

All three are returning, and Hager is sure to take a sharp look at their form.

Whitelock was the rock in the national side, and Hager will be keen to have his talisman back and firing.

Glynn has been a prolific scorer - only national skipper Anita Punt with 82 goals has scored more for New Zealand than Glynn with 77 - and she has acknowledged the road back to full fitness has not been easy.

"It is almost a year since I last played hockey competitively. I still get pain in my back but it's decreasing over time," she said.

Auckland coach Jude Menezes is liking what he's seen from her in the leadup to the national league.

"She's been training really well, looking good on the ball and we all know she can score goals," Menezes said.

"She just wants to take it one game at a time, Rio is the ultimate prize and she's working her way towards that. She'll be an asset."

Auckland also have long-serving experienced attacker Krystal Forgesson back, after she retired at the end of last season.

As well, Auckland striker Charlotte Harrison and Central's Cathryn Pollock - two other members of the London Olympic team, who finished fourth - have indicated interest in pushing for Rio spots,

The women's national team, ranked fourth in the world, have the Oceania Cup clash with Australia coming up in Stratford in October, the world league final in Rosario, Argentina in December, and Rio.

The Black Sticks men have to beat Australia at the Oceania Cup to qualify for Rio.

Auckland again look strong in both teams, loaded with internationals, and the men have a new coach in former international Lloyd Stevenson.

Midlands, Central and Canterbury should be competitive in the women's competition, while Northland, who will host the last five rounds and the finals, were beaten finalists last year and in Stacey Michelsen, Ella Gunson and Brooke Neal should have a quality leadership group.

The other men's teams have a smattering of internationals but none match Auckland's depth. Capital, Canterbury and North Harbour shape as their closest challengers.

Auckland have won the last three Challenge Shields, and shared the 2011 title with Central. The women's K Cup has been won by five different teams in the past six years.

New season

• The national league starts today with a full round in four venues. The same applies to the second round next weekend before all teams assemble for the last five rounds, plus semis and finals, in Whangarei.

• The finals are on September 20.

• Auckland are defending champions in both competitions.

• The women's games today are all at noon - North Harbour hosting Northland, Midlands playing Auckland at Pukekohe, Central meeting Capital at Palmerston North and Canterbury playing Southern in Christchurch. The men's draw and game locations are the same, but the matches start at 2pm.

The New Zealand Herald

Diamonds Secure Dutch Star

Former Dutch International Kim Lammers announced in WA Diamonds 18 athlete team for the 2015 AHL



The WA Diamonds have announced their final 18 athlete squad to compete at the 2015 Australian Hockey League.

Headlining the WA Diamonds squad for 2015 is former Dutch International Kim Lammers. The 2012 Olympic Games Gold Medallist has an impressive record in world hockey; having won the World Cup twice and the Champions Trophy four times.

The capture of Lammers is a coup for the WA Diamonds, with the drag-flick specialist providing additional firepower up front.

Hockey WA CEO Peter Churack said “We’re pleased to be able to bring a player of Kim Lammers quality into our WA Diamonds squad. Her years of experience at the pinnacle of the sport with the Dutch national team will provide our young group of Diamonds with leadership and experience. On top of this, she will also be conducting various development clinics for Hockey WA.”

WA Diamonds Head Coach Suzanne Tiverios said “We have Kathryn Slattery and Ashleigh Nelson who are playing at the top level, but Kim will bring a unique skill set to the group. She will be another target up front for us.

“She is extremely experienced who will not only contribute to the group on the field but just as importantly off the field.

“Her strength and goal scoring ability is something we don’t see in Australia very often and she is someone the girls will learn off by not only watching her but being able to talk to her”.

The inclusion of Lammers forms a fresh new look for the WA Diamonds. Over the past couple of seasons, the Diamonds have lost numerous senior key players including Fiona Ryan (nee Boyce), Kobie McGurk, Jayde Taylor, Shayni Nelson and Shelly Liddelow among others. Suzanne Tiverios said that whilst we have lost a number of senior players over the past couple of years, the Diamonds have been able to bring in some talented youth.

"Selection is never easy and it has been a competitive process” said Suzanne Tiverios

“We have a good mix of youth and athletes who have played in the team for a number of years. We’re still a young team age wise, but I think we’re also going to be an exciting team.”

The WA Diamonds final 18 selection comes following their 2-1 series win in the Normandie Foods All Stars Series. The series enabled some of the younger members of the squad to showcase their talents against strong opposition.

“Kyra Flynn and Aleisha Power performed well throughout the series, as did Lauren Turner who is new to the group. Some of the girls like Rachel Barclay, as well as Under 21 athletes Preah Hetherington, Teagan Gmeiner and Georgia Wilson have all performed strongly in the All Stars games”.

The 2015 Australian Hockey League will take place in Sydney, NSW from 25th September – 2 October.

Hockey WA congratulates everyone on their selections and thanks all of the athletes involved for their investment in the program.

WA Diamonds – 18 athlete team
Rachel Barclay
Jemma Buckley
Kate Denning
Jess Esslemont
Kyra Flynn
Teagan Gmeiner
Preah Hetherington
Kim Lammers
Ashleigh Nelson
Caitlin Pascov
Aleisha Power
Alessia Robinson
Kathryn Slattery
Penny Squibb
Lauren Turner
Ashlee Wells
Holly White
Georgia Wilson

Train ons
Candyce Peacock
Erin Flynn
Pippa Morgan
Chloe Pendlebury
Elly Buckley

Hockey Australia media release

Start of Division I College Season

US Field hockey season is in full swing starting this weekend - our favorite time of the year! On Tuesday, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) released their preseason rankings for Division I, II and III. From these rankings, good insight and perspective can be gained as to which teams fan should keep an extra keen eye on the next three months.

Because Division I teams begin play this weekend, USA Field Hockey highlighted a few matches and why they're a noteworthy 70 minutes of action.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

American vs Richmond
The American-Richmond game is a great predictor for how both teams will do in their respective conferences. In 2014, Richmond came out on top against American and finished their season with an National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) play-in game and an A-10 Tournament Championship. In 2013, American was the winner in the match-up and finished their season with an appearance in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament and a Patriot League Tournament Championship. This year’s game could be a predictor for which team wins their conference in 2015.

No. 1 Connecticut vs. No. 10 Northwestern
Connecticut is the defending back-to-back NCAA Tournament Champion and the NFHCA number 1 ranked team. Northwestern is the defending BIG 10 Tournament Champion and ranked number 10 in the NFHCA preseason poll. The game will definitely be fun and exciting to watch along with being a good predictor on how each team will fair this season.

James Madison vs. Liberty
Liberty completed a fantastic season in 2014 that was highlighted with a regular season win over Wake Forest, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament Champions, a NorPac Tournament Championship over Stanford and a 1-2 loss against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the first-round of the NCAA Championship. James Madison finished the 2014 season with a 0-1 loss against Delaware in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship under the new leadership of Head Coach Christy Morgan. The winner of this game will definitely be seen climbing the NFHCA poll this season.

No. 3 Maryland vs. Temple
Maryland is always a top team to watch with 8 NCAA Championships, 10 ACC Championships, and a regular season Big 10 Championship in 2014. The match up against Temple will be an exciting game to watch as Temple Head Coach Marybeth Freeman, 2014 Ivy League Coach of the Year, will be back on the same field as her former colleague Missy Meharg.

No. 7 Penn State vs. No. 16 Old Dominion
In 2014, Penn State made an NCAA Championship appearance, making it to the Elite 8 before falling to Syracuse. Old Dominion missed the Big Dance in 2014 but still made a great run with a win over ACC Regular Season Champions, University of Virginia. The game should be a good predictor as to how each team will do this season.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

No. 1 Connecticut vs. Northeastern
After opening up their season on Friday, Connecticut will play again on Sunday against Northeastern. Northeastern ended their 2014 season as CAA Regular Season Champions. The game should give us an idea of Connecticut’s depth and an idea of how Northeastern will fair in CAA play.

ACC/BIG 10 Challenge
The ACC/BIG 10 Challenge is the opener for No. 17 Iowa, No. 11 Wake Forest, No. 14 Michigan and No. 2 UNC every year. The Challenge gives a good idea as to how the teams will fair throughout the season. Will the ACC or BIG 10 come out on top? This match up could be a good prediction whether or not most of the ACC teams will make it to the Big Dance this year.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

No. 7 Albany vs. Ohio State
Albany certainly made a statement in 2014 to the field hockey community. Having missed out on the NCAA Tournament in 2013, Albany came back in 2014 and showed power through defeating both the ACC Tournament Champion and the Big 10 Regular Season Champion to make their way to the Final Four. An opening game against Ohio State, a consistent BIG 10 program, will definitely give us an idea of what to except from them this fall.

Delaware vs. No. 19 Michigan State
With two back-to-back CAA Tournament Championships, Delaware definitely makes the list of schools to watch this fall. Michigan State, ranked number 19 in the NFHCA Preseason Poll will be a tough opponent for the unranked Delaware. The outcome of this game is a good predictor whether we will see Delaware sneak into the rankings in the upcoming weeks.

Indiana vs. No. 12 Louisville
The Indiana-Louisville marks another great ACC/BIG 10 match-up. Louisville closed out their season in 2014 in the first round of the NCAA Championship. Indiana, although unranked, is led by Amanda Janney in her first season as the head coach. The result of this game will give us a good idea of Louisville’s strength in the ACC and Indiana’s strength in the BIG 10. 

No. 18 Massachusetts vs. No. 20 Boston University
Boston University made a first round appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2014 after capturing the Patriot League Tournament Championship, while UMASS missed the Big Dance with a 0-1 loss to Richmond in the A-10 Tournament Championship. However, going into Sunday’s game, UMASS sits ranked at 18 and Boston at 20. Sunday’s game should be a close one!

USFHA media release

Navjot, Deep, Inderpreet are assets to the team: Rani

NEW DELHI: India's junior women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal feels Navjot Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka and Inderpreet Kaur are assests to the side going into the seventh Junior Asia Cup to be held in Changzhou, China from September 5 to 13.

"The team and players are in good shape for the upcoming seventh AHF Junior Asian Cup. We have worked on various strategies during the ongoing preparatory camp and are working to implement them during the tournament. We have good players such as Navjot Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka and Inderpreet Kaur, who are assets to the team.

"Out aim is to reach the reach the final of the tournament," Rani said.

The Indian junior eves are placed in Pool A alongside China, Malaysia, Singapore and DPR Korea. The team all set to depart next week for the tournament and will open its campaign against DPR Korea on the opening day of the tournament.

Indian women's team chief coach Mathias Ahrens too is hopeful of a good showing from his wards in the tournament.

"We have a good team with good players who have the ability to give a good fight to any team. The seventh AHF Junior Asia Cup will be a tough competition as the best Asian teams like Japan, Korea and China will participate in this tournament.

"The preparatory camp has improved the skills and stamina of the players. The camp has given players enough time for their recovery as well as working on their mistakes. We are expecting a good show from the team and positive results," Ahrens said.

The Junior Asia Cup is a qualification tournament for next year's FIH Junior World Cup 2016.

A total nine teams will participate in this tournament.

The Times of India

Dhyan Chand: A Maestro, nonpareil

BY S.THYAGARAJAN

A day that remains etched on the minds of the sports fraternity in India, or wherever the game of hockey is played, is August 29. On this memorable day in Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 1905 a genius was born, whose exploits became mind- boggling for many. No string of superlatives did credit to this maestro acknowledged today in several quarters as the outstanding sports personality of the country. His name: DHYAN CHAND.

Contemporary lexicons are devoid of superlatives to portray the persona of Dhyan Chand, hailed as a wizard, magician, or simply a gift to mankind.

The life and times of this stick artiste is extraordinary and nothing can be appropriate than celebrating his birthday as National Sports Day. August 29.

Can anyone refrain from acknowledging the fact that Dhyan Chand elevated the whole concept of hockey to the plain of aesthetic delight? For sheer craft, creativity and classicism, he was the ultimate. His charisma is eternal and enduring.

At a time when the country was thirsting for freedom Dhyan Chand’s stick work and supremacy served as the symbol of spirit and liberation. He gave the nation an unimpeachable identity in the Olympics between the years 1928 to 1936.

The turning point for Dhyan Chand’s life came when he joined the Army as a Sepoy at the age of 16 in the First Brahmin Regiment. Life at that point was uneventful until the coach Bale Tiwari discovered the spark for hockey in him. At 21, he was selected for the Army XI and for the first ever tour of New Zealand in 1926. Two years later, he became an Olympian at Amsterdam.

"The day of our dreams dawned... We were determined to show the world that in this game we are supreme," Dhyan Chand later wrote in his autobiography, ‘The Goal’.

India obtained 23 goals without a reply in four matches.

More than margins, it was the mellifluous flow of moves and methods that delighted the spectators.  A Dutch journalist went into raptures describing the Indians’ touch and grace. He wrote, "An Indian who stops the ball turns it by magic stroke into a cube. The sphere is no longer round, and lies immovably like a block of beat-fuel, cigar box, or a child's building block."

Unlike cricket, statistics in hockey are mere unsentimental numbers. But for Dhyan Chand his class was always measured in terms of goals, which he scored in plenty until the end of his career. It is portrayed that no player scored more than Dhyan Chand in a century!

His tally was 10 in the 1932 Games at LA, but in the tours preceding the Olympics, the Indian team scored 338 goals with Dhyan Chand alone accounting for 133. In the 1935 tour of New Zealand Dhyan Chand’s tally was 201 from 48 matches and one year later at the Berlin Olympics Dhyan Chand led the team to an 8-1 victory over Germany in the final watched by no less than a person Adolf Hitler! He was again the top scorer with 11. Interestingly, the third gold was achieved on August 15, 1936!

As the war clouds gathered across the globe sport suffered a great deal. Like many heroes in different disciplines, Dhyan Chand’s career hit a state of inertia. The absence of Olympics in 1940 and 1944 denied this maestro more honors at the sacred arena of Olympics.

Quietly, he faded into history as India gained its independence. A short tour of East Africa in 1949 gave glimpses to the supporters from this incomparable forward. A coaching assignment at the NIS was not an adequate reward to him yet he performed the role with diligence and enthusiasm.

Awarded Padma Bhushan in1956, Dhyan Chand’s international recognition was reflected when his statue was installed in the streets of Vianna and a road named after him in Germany.

In every yardstick Dhyan Chand’s life is an epoch, an era of action and achievement. He underlined his perception of life in his autobiography, THE GOAL, published by Sport & Pastime by THE HINDU GROUP. "I always felt that a man essentially is a man, and it was unbecoming of him to show off and to make others feel that there was snobbery in him," he observed.

Life ebbed out Dhyan Chand on December 3, 1979. The world of sport has not seen another like him until now. Nor will it forever.

Fieldhockey.com

Celebrating national sports day with the wizard of hockey

Sourav Roy



Today India celebrates national sports day. Schools across the country will organise annual sports events. The lifetime achievement awards in sports – regarded as the highest in the field in spots – the Dhyan Chand Award, will also be given away today. Other important sports-related awards like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award will also be presented today.

The day is celebrated in memory of Major Dhyan Chand, who was born today. Widely considered as the greatest field hockey player of all time, Dhyan Chand is remembered for his leadership, extraordinary goal-scoring skills and his unbeaten records, which earned India three Olympic gold medals.

Dhyan Chand’s life was as inspiring as his legacy. We as aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators following our creative pursuits have a lot to learn from him. Here’s a list of 10 lesser known facts from the life of hockey’s wizard, which continue to inspire us.

    Humble Beginnings

Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad. His father was in the British Indian Army. Due to his frequent transfers, Dhyan Chand went to school for just six years and had to terminate education soon afterwards. He does not remember playing hockey before joining the Army.

    The ‘Chand’ Connection

After joining the Indian Army at the age of 16, Dhyan Chand found interest in field hockey. He used to practice hockey after his duty hours during the night, in the moonlight, and was hence called ‘chand’ by his fellow players. Practising in the dark also sharpened his focus and control on the ball.

    Records Galore

Dhyan Chand brought 3 Gold Medals to India during the three Olympic Games of 1928, 1832 and 1936. In the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, India scored 29 goals and conceded none. Dhyan Chand alone scored 14. The media described the Indian hockey team as the eastern typhoon. In 1932 after winning the Los Angeles Olympics, the Indian hockey team went on a world tour, during which the team scored 338 goals and conceded only 34. Dhyan Chand scored 133 goals. He was soon made captain of the team. During a 1935 tour of New Zealand and Australia, Dhyan Chand scored 201 goals out of the team’s tally of 584 in 43 matches. The team conceded only 40 goals.

    A Master of Technique and Precision

During one of his matches, Dhyan Chand was not able to score any goal. After several attempts, he argued with the referee regarding the measurement of the goal post, which was surprisingly found not in accordance with the official width under international rules. Such were his precision and instincts.

    The Wizard of Hockey

He was named the ‘Wizard of Hockey’ due to his complete control on the ball. After India played its first match in the 1936 Olympics, Dhyan Chand’s magical stick-work drew crowds from other venues to the hockey field. A German newspaper carried a banner headline – ‘The Olympic complex now has a magic show too.’ The next day, there were posters all over Berlin – ‘Visit the hockey stadium to watch the Indian magician Dhyan Chand in action.’

    The ‘Magnetic’ Hockey Stick

In the Netherlands, the authorities broke his hockey stick to check if there was a magnet inside. It appeared that the ball was stuck to Dhyan Chand’s hockey stick while playing. Even in Tokyo, officials broke his hockey stick on similar allegations, and then consoled themselves saying he had added some sort of glue. On another occasion, a lady from the audience asked Dhyan Chand to play with her walking stick. He was supposedly so fast that TV analysis of his gameplay had to be rendered in slow motion.

    The Fine Art of ‘Not Scoring’

During the finals with the host Germany in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Dhyan Chand lost a tooth in a collision with the particularly aggressive Germany goalkeeper Tito Warnholtz. Returning to the field after medical attention, Dhyan Chand reportedly asked his players to ‘teach a lesson’ to the Germans by not scoring. The Indians repeatedly took the ball to the German circle only to backpedal. This was followed by a scoring spree. India won the match 8-1.

    A Patriot to the Core

After victory in Berlin, the team raised the Indian tricolour in the dressing room and sang Vande Mataram, instead of the British national anthem, which they were obliged to sing. Impressed by his performance, Adolf Hitler supposedly offered to make Dhyan Chand a Field Marshal in the German army but Dhyan Chand humbly refused the offer.

    International Man of Might

Don Bradman and Dhyan Chand once came face to face at Adelaide in 1935. After watching Dhyan Chand in action, Don Bradman remarked “He scores goals like runs in Cricket”. Residents of Vienna, Austria, also honoured him by setting up a statue of Dhyan Chand with four hands and four sticks, depicting his control and mastery over the ball.

    Died Penniless

Dhyan Chand retired from the defence services as a Major at the age of 51. He continued contributing to the game even after his retirement. After coaching for a few years, he settled in Jhansi. However, the final days of his life were not very pleasant, as he was short of money and was ignored. Once he went to a tournament in Ahmedabad and was turned away by the staff, which did not recognize him. He developed liver cancer, and died penniless in 1979, uncared for in the general ward of AIIMS, New Delhi, receiving a meagre pension.

Hockey is our national sport but is unfortunately not given its due. We need to bring back its lost glory. Today as India celebrates national sports day, let’s not forget those who followed their instincts and passion and mastered the sport, even during times which were far less favourable than it is today. As we work towards rejuvenating sports in India, Dhyan Chand’s life should continue to inspire us in the times to come.

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PM pays tribute to Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to hockey icon and legend Major Dhyan Chand on his 110th birth anniversary and all sports enthusiasts across the country on the occasion of National Sports Day.

“Best wishes to sports enthusiasts & tributes to Major Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day. May sports & sportsman spirit shine in India,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted

National Sports Day in India is celebrated on the August 29. The day marks the birthday of Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player who won gold medals for India at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics.

This day is usually celebrated by organising friendly matches between different Indian hockey teams at the Dhyan Chand National stadium in New Delhi which was constructed in honor of Dhyan Chand.

Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905, and died on December 3, 1979. He was widely considered the greatest field hockey player of all time and is most remembered for his extraordinary goal-scoring feats. India was the most dominant team in hockey between 1928 and 1964.

Known as “The Wizard” for his superb ball control, Chand played his final international match in 1948. He scored over 400 goals during his international career.

The Tribune

From Akhtar to Khokhar — forced change at PHF unlikely to bear fruit

Mohammad Yaqoob

THE Congress of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) once again proved on Thursday that it is a dummy body as it elected its new president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar. The Congress voted unanimously for Khokhar despite knowing fully well that he is a hand-picked man for the job owing to his close family relations with Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and has no prominent standing in the field of hockey.

In the past too, the Congress had been endorsing such decisions from the prime minister(s), who as patron-in-chief of the PHF, have an effective role in the federation. But to say that those responsible for bringing this change in the PHF have done a commendable job is a load of crap and the fact remains that only a certain lobby has been entertained in the entire move of replacing the old guard.

A complete drama was staged in which the previous president, former hockey captain and Olympian Akhtar Rasool, his staff and the entire national team were put on ventilator with all their resources either depleted by design from the authorities or completely cut off.

The federal government refused to issue a special grant to the PHF in the last two years, just because Akhtar was at the helm. To add fuel to fire, the national team was not honoured for winning the gold medal in the Asian Champions Trophy, nor for grabbing a silver at the Asian Games in 2014 which was heart-breaking for the players.

The PHF with great difficulty managed a short seven-day training camp for the all-important qualifiers while team could reach Belgium just four days before the start of the tournament as the funds were not released by the govt earlier.

With hardly any funds at their disposal and no proper training facilities or preparatory tours, Pakistan naturally fell short of qualifying for the Rio Olympics at Antwerp, Belgium and subsequently the PHF president was forced to resign the post.

The authorities conveniently ignored the fact that in last three international events before the qualifiers, the Pakistan hockey team had earned one gold and two silver, showing a marked improvement in its performance compared to the past several years.

Ironically, the cash prizes for team’s Asiad performance were awarded after the players returned from Belgium after losing the Olympic qualifiers. If the govt had rewarded the national team prior to their departure to Belgium, the incentive would have boosted the players’ morale which was otherwise at the lowest ebb at Antwerp due to the step-motherly treatment meted out to them.

Moreover, when the national team stunned everyone with their performance by qualifying for the final of the World Champions Trophy in India the same year, beating the arch-rivals in an electrifying semifinal before a hostile home crowd in 2014, the federal government continued to look the other way instead of eulogising the victors.

It must also be mentioned here that the national team only managed to reach India for Champions Trophy after a Pakistani business tycoon Nadeem Omar had come to its rescue as the main sponsor, financing the team’s visit with a lucrative grant of Rs5 million. Had it not been for Nadeem’s help, Pakistan would have never participated in the event to bag a silver medal.

But all said and done, one still expected the authorities to replace an Olympian of the stature of Akhtar Rasool with a renowned hockey player as the PHF boss. However, Khokhar’s appointment out of nowhere has left the critics and former players equally shocked. And the credit for this untimely change goes to the Inter-provincial Ministry which made all the background efforts to quietly usher in Khokhar as the new hockey chief and convince Akhtar to quit. The IPC, instead of getting involved in such political manoeuvres, should concentrate on taking measures to sincerely promote sports in the country.

Reliable sources confirmed that Khokhar has been desperate for bagging some role in the field of sports and had only last year attempted through federal contacts to bag the post of Pakistan Tennis Federation president.

However, when a heavyweight like Salim Saifullah got the post, Khokhar turned to hockey and has finally made it at the helm. If he really wants to justify his appointment at the PHF and is keen to do something good for the national game, he should focus on raising a competitive team to run the game with aplomb and on merit.

Dawn