News for 16 February 2015
All the news for Monday 16 February 2015
Salles marks 100 caps with Spain clean sweep
Atletic Terrassa Marc Salles celebrated his 100th international cap by playing his part in a 3-1 win over Russia on Sunday, their third successive win over the visiting side to Real Club de Barcelona.
It concluded a clean sweep from the Spaniards from their latest training camp, winning 3-0 in game one and 2-1 in game two.
Pau Quemada was the key man in the first of those games, netting twice with Alvaro Iglesias getting other one. Quemada was again on the mark on Saturday with the first goal before Albert Beltran made it 2-0 before Pavel Plesetsky got one back in the 26th minute but on further goals accrued.
In game three, Andres Mir got them off to a great start with the first goal following a fluid combination and Quemada made it 2-0 a minute later. Gabriel Dabanch made it 3-0 by half-time with Salles laying on the assist.
Pavel Golubev got one back for Russia before half-time before the final two quarters were much quieter with no further goals.
Euro Hockey League media release
India eves, Spain play out a draw in 1st Valencia Test
NEW DELHI: Indian eves and Spain were locked in a goalless draw in the first match of Valencia Test Series in Spain, which is being played in preparation for the FIH World League Round 2 to be held in New Delhi from March 7-15.
Indian women, including debutants Punam Barla and Renuka Yadav, put in all their efforts to find gaps in opponent's defence but they could not get past the Spain defenders.
Indian women, led by captain Ritu Rani, had a couple of good scoring chances -- both field goal opportunities -- but they failed to convert them.
While they failed to breach their rival's defence, Indian eves also ensured that their strong defence and coordination, thwarted all efforts by Spain to score. The hosts had no opportunity to beat the Indian goalie and reach the nets.
The next game of the series will be played tomorrow.
The Times of India
Indian women play 0-0 draw with Spain in hockey test series
VALENCIA (Spain): Indian women's team played out a goal-less draw against Spain in the first hockey test series here on Sunday.
The series is in preparation for the FIH World League Round 2 to be held in New Delhi from March 7-15. The opening game of the series on Sunday was also the debut match for Punam Barla and Renuka Yadav for India.
Opening the game on a high, Indian women put in all efforts to find gaps in opponents' defence and score for their side. Spain, on the other hand, looked solid in defence and their strikers made some good moves.
Indian women had a couple of good scoring chances, both being field goal opportunities, but failed to convert them. The Indian women with their strong defence and coordination ensured that all efforts to score by Spain were thwarted.
The next game of the series will be played On Monday. During the fifteen day tour, the Indian team will also play two matches with Dutch hockey clubs GCHC and HDM, besides another two with Germany.
The Times of India
European champs Mulheim withstand Arminen fightback
Uhlenhorst Mulheim landed gold for the tournament hosts as they held off a concerted SV Arminen second half fightback to land the indoor EuroHockey Club Champions Cup.
After a gruelling series of four games since Friday, the German side got off to a flyer in their fifth tie against the Austrian side, building a 5-1 lead. Ole Keusgen got them on the board five minutes in and, despite, Dominic Uher equalising early on, Uhlenhorst raced into a big lead.
Keusgen, on the switch, netted a corner before Tobias Matania and Tom Brinkmann extended the lead to 4-1 at the break. Benedict Furk got another one on the board for what looked an insurmountable lead.
But Arminen were determined to bounce back and Uher started the comeback in the 23rd minute. Sebastian Eitenberger scrambled home with three minutes left and the gap was reduced to one on the final hooter as Uher scored his third.
Spain’s SPV Complutense won bronze with a 5-3 win over Sweden’s Partille while Switzerland’s Rotweiss Wettingen were fifth, East Grinstead sixth while Belgium’s Royal Namur and Russia’s Dinamo Yekaterinburg were relegated.
In Denmark at the Champions Trophy, WKS Grunwald Poznan and Bohemians Prague earned promotion to the top tier following their performances.
In the third tier, hosts Rotterdam and Portugal’s AD Lousada moved up a grade from the Champions Challenge I while the Challenge II in Bulgaria was won by the hosts NSA Sofia with Finland’s HC Klippari coming second.
Euro Hockey League media release
Eurohockey Indoor Challenge 
In a battling performance against the Hungarian Soroksari HC Railway Union retained Ireland's position in Eurohockey Indoor Challenge 1 with a 7-6 win. In a man of the match performance Kenny Carroll scored 4 of Railway's goals from the corner routine but it was a sterling team performance as all the players dug deep to bring home the win. Railway opened the scoring with Carroll scoring Railway's first corner but the Hungarians equalised half way through the half from Balint Langer. Railway increased their lead when Mark English finished off a passing move but Soroksari replied straight away through Mark Tapai. Railway regained control when Carroll scored Railway's second corner but Langer equalised again. Soroksari were to take the lead when Railway were down to four, Tapai with his second goal and Soroksari's fourth. Carroll then surged forward and won a corner for Railway which he converted to equalise the scores, but Soroksari attacked again and Langer got his hattrick to put Soroksari ahead at half time. HT: Railway 4 Soroksari 5.
Railway knew they needed to dig deep and take control of the match in the second half. They played a patient game waiting for the gaps which paid off half way through the half when Nicolas Wilmshoefer equalised at the end of a good team move. But Soroksari went ahead again with 3 minutes on the clock when Sebastian Leber scored off their third penalty corner. Tamas Suba of Soroksari took yellow for dissent with two minutes left and Railway took advantage Carroll scoring from a corner to equalise. And in an exciting finale Railway captain Rob Abbott scored the winner following good work by Mark English. Full Time; Railway 7 (K Carroll x 4, M English, N Wilmshoefer, R Abbott) Soroksari HC 6 (B Langer x3, M Tapai x2, S Leber).
This result means that Railway will finish 5th or 6th, depending on the result of the match between Cardiff & Met and HC Lipovci, and so retain Ireland's position in the Eurohockey Indoor Club Challenge 1. After the tournament coach Paul O'Brien expressed his relief saying 'it was a nervy game which kept the spectators entertained. If Railway had converted all the chances they created it would
Irish Hockey Association media release
Last-gasp goal leaves Inverleith to suffer European agony
A last-gasp equalising goal from HC Bohemians Prague’s Lukas Plochy agonisingly denied Inverleith Hockey Club promotion from the EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy in Lyngby.
Following WKS Grunwald Poznan’s 7-1 demolition of HC Olimpiia Kolos-Sekvoya Vinnitsa in the tournament’s penultimate match, Stuart Neave’s side were handed control of their own destiny, needing a win against their Czech opponents to seal second place and promotion to the Champions Cup next year.
Player of the Tournament Stephen Dick, who finished the event with seven goals, notched a hat-trick, scoring in the first, third and 32nd minute.
Ondrej Vudmaska and Ales Perinka had got HC Bohemians Prague’s first and second goals in the 13th and 18th minute.
With his side 3-2 up, it looked like Dick’s contribution it would be enough to end the tournament on a high in what has been a rollercoaster three days for the Scottish indoor champions.
However, with seconds remaining, Plochy popped up in the right place to break Inverleith hearts and ensure his side snatched the second promotion spot behind the excellent WKS Grunwald Poznan, who comfortably won the competition with a 100% win record.
Following their eventual fourth place finish, Inverleith will return to the competition next season as Scotland’s indoor European representatives.
For more information please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy website.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
USMNT prepares for WLR2 with Stars vs Stars series
Today marked the start of the U.S. Men's National Team intrasquad series to prepare the team for World League Round 2. Game one of the four match series was played between the designated Stars and Stripes squads. With World League Round 2 just around the corner the match was competitive and provided a good opportunity to get some minutes playing together.
The game started quickly with Alex Cunningham finding the net with a short backhand shot. The pressure continued to be applied and Will Holt found the net via a breakaway field goal.
The two zero lead was gradually depleted with Aki Kaepellar finding the net in the third and fourth period.
The remainder of the game saw both teams have opportunities to score, however, Tom McCarthy found the net after some good combining through the midfield and down the end line to seal the victory for the stars. The final match report: Stars 3, Stripes 2.
USFHA media release
Lancers beat Delhi 2-1
Kalinga Lancers players celebrate a goal during a Hero Hockey India League match. File photo
Kalinga Lancers on Sunday edged out Delhi Waveriders 2-1 in an inconsequential match of the Hockey India League (HIL) at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi.
They didn’t have any hopes of qualifying for the knock out stage but Kalinga still gave a good performance in their last game of the tournament, scripting a come-from-behind win against Delhi, who are already through to the last four.
Aran Zalewski (40th minute) and Russell Ford (49th) were the goalscorer for Lancers, while Andy Hayward (29th) was the player for Delhi to find the net.
Lancers ended with 21 points at the fifth spot in the table, while Dabang Mumbai have 15 points with only a match remaining to be played.
After an attacking first quarter which was dominated by the Waveriders, it was the Lancers who were the first to earn a penalty corner. However, Delhi defence thrawed the attempt as the first quarter ended 0-0.
Continuing their aggressive hockey in the second quarter, the Waveriders finally earned successive penalty corners.
While the first one was wasted, Andy Hayward ensured that the hosts drew first blood in the second PC.
Hayward produced a grounded shot, which hit a defender’s stick before jumping and hitting the roof of the net as Delhi were 1-0 ahead at the break.
In the third quarter, Lancers bounced back to level the score in the 40th minute. It was Man-of-the-Match Aran Zalewski, who dodged the Waveriders defence and pounced on the ball and belted it home without much ado.
In the fourth quarter, Lancers nosed ahead when Zalewski feeded the ball to compatriot Russell Ford, who didn’t make any mistake and found the net in the 49th minute.
After that, Lancers defended successfully the Waveriders attempts for an equaliser to emerge victorious.
Waveriders will play UP Wizards in their 10th and last league game here on Wednesday.
The Hindu
UP Wizards grab last-gasp win against Dabang Mumbai
LUCKNOW: Playing their last match on their home turf, Uttar Pradesh Wizards defeated Dabang Mumbai 3-2 in a Hero Hockey India League match at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here on Sunday.
With five more points in their kitty, the Wizards have further strengthened their standing at the top of the league table.
The home side started off the first quarter with more ball possession and they made swift attacks at the opposition goal. But it was Dabang Mumbai who managed to score the first goal when Vikas Pillay sneaked in a goal in the eighth minute, handing his team a 1-0 lead.
The visiting team again had a scoring chance when they were awarded a penalty corner but due to the tight defence of Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai failed to convert it.
The hosts came out a lot more attacking in the second quarter and did not allow the opposition team avail any further chances while their strikers kept taking frequent shots at the goal.
Their efforts bore fruit in the 29th minute when Nithin Thimmaiah scored a field goal to level the score 1-1 just few minutes before the first half came to an end.
With maximum ball possession in the third quarter, Uttar Pradesh Wizards once again displayed an attacking game but could not hit the nets. The Wizards got a penalty corner but due to the lack of coordination, they could not utilise the chance.
Dabang Mumbai once again took the lead in the 44th minute when Glenn Turner gently touched the ball as it swung past the strong guards of PR Sreejesh to find the net.
Dabang Mumbai tried to restrict Uttar Pradesh Wizards from scoring further in the last quarter but Harjeet Singh found a break in the defence and sliced-in a beautiful field goal to level the score at 2-2.
In the dying moments of the game, Nikkin Thimmaiah scored a stupendous field goal, the decider of the match as Uttar Pradesh Wizards clinched a 3-2 win in the last moments.
The Times of India
Kalinga will aim for an honourable exit today
Tazeen Qureshy
Vickram Kanth is usually calm and composed when it comes to his on-field and off-field gestures, not letting emotions overpower his demeanour. But, after the match against Punjab Warriors in Bhubaneswar which the Kalinga Lancers lost 1-2, disappointment clearly reflected on his face as he faced the harsh reality of losing his team mate and star drag flicker Gurjinder Singh for the next two matches.
Gurjinder had intentionally hit an opposition player during the course of the match which got him a two-match ban. And as an experienced player and skipper of the Kalinga Lancers team, Kanth knew this would be the turning point in his team’s fortune.
And it did turn out to be the hamper their performance. Without Gurjinder in the next two matches, the team failed to convert penalty corners repeatedly, losing out golden opportunities to score and firm their position in the league.
Meanwhile, the other drag flicker in the team, Argentina’s Gonzalo Peillat, who was the top scorer in the last edition, failed to convert any of the penalty corners.
Not that, Kalinga Lancers were the best team in the tournament, but the absence of Gurjinder was clearly understood.
Kalinga Lancers had a good start and a good end as far as their home matches is concerned, winning their first match against Ranchi Rays with a 6-3 margin. The last home match against Mumbai Magicians too went in their favour, as they wrapped it up with a 2-1 win. What happened in the middle of these two matches is the cause of worry and disappointment.
As coach Jude Felix pointed out, there are three reasons for the Lancers disastrous run in this edition. First is the inconsistent performance, second, is Gurjinder’s two-match ban and third is Gonzalo’s inability to convert penalty corners.
“Gonzalo was the top scorer in the last edition. We don’t know what went wrong this time. In the penalty corners, the push was correct, the stopping was correct, as to why Gonzalo failed to convert the penalty corner is still a mystery to me,” coach Jude Felix reasoned out.
The reasons are valid. But, for the crowd which came in large numbers to cheer for their team, these are merely excuses for them. The Lancers had a disappointing last edition when they finished at the bottom of the pool table and this edition looks no different.
The stadium which was jam-packed last year bore patches of empty seats this time. Agrees skipper Vickram Kanth who says the performance did matter in the crowed thinning away.
“The crowd wants to see us win. They came in large numbers to support us. Our performance would have surely disappointed them.”
After a draw and a win, Lancers might have got back the lost confidence and concentration, but it is a little too late. As they are up to play their last pool match against Delhi Waveriders today, a win would give them only an honourable exit more than anything else.
Stick2Hockey.com
Brooklands claim Reading scalp
Brooklands MU captain Peter Flanagan celebrates, Credit Mark Henderson
Brooklands Manchester University climbed away from relegation danger as they battled back from behind to beat hosts Reading 2-1 in the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division.
Reading were desperate for a win to maintain their hopes of challenging for a top-four spot and a place in the championship play-offs, and they got off to a good start with Tom Carson scoring from a penalty corner after just three minutes.
But Brooklands pulled back level through Ross Hall after six minutes, and when Richard Slater scored from open play on 44 minutes it proved to be the decisive goal which left Reading ten points behind fourth spot in the table, while Brooklands climbed to eighth.
Surbiton climbed to the top of the table on the back of an emphatic 5-0 win over Cannock, with Nick Cooper and Matt Daly (pictured) scoring twice each and Jonny Gall adding the other.
Wimbledon battled back from behind to win 5-4 at Canterbury. Ian Sloan scored twice, with others coming from James Osborn, Blake Govers and Phil Roper.
Beeston edged to a 1-0 win over Hampstead and Westminster with Stuart Pilgrim’s 23rd minute goal consolidating third place.
NOW: Pensions Conference West
Team Bath Buccaneers continued their impeccable league form this season with a convincing 7-0 win over the University of Exeter, giving them a healthy six-point lead at the top of the table.
Mathew Ming’s hat-trick was the highlight for the Buccaneers, while their other goals came from Matthew Boote, Shaun Baker, Tim Davenport and Liam Sanford.
Elsewhere, Fareham fought back from behind to overcome a spirited Barford Tigers side 3-5, whilst the University of Birmingham eased past hosts Cheltenham 3-1.
Indian Gymkhana boosted their bid to avoid the relegation play-offs with a 3-2 win at Whitchurch to move above rivals University of Exeter.
NOW: Pensions Conference North
Trailing at half time, Sheffield Hallam battled back to beat rivals Loughborough Students 4-2 and consolidate second spot in the NOW: Pensions Conference North.
Adam Clark had given Loughborough the lead on the stroke of half time, but Sheffield Hallam hit back after the break through Liam Ansell (2), Martin Sutherland and David Smith.
Olton and West Warwickshire saw their faint hopes of challenging for promotion damaged as they could only draw 2-2 with bottom of the table Leek.
Similarly Doncaster could only manage a 2-2 draw when they hosted Belper, while elsewhere the University of Durham secured a 2-0 victory at home to Wakefield.
But leaders Bowdon continued to impress with a 5-1 victory against Deeside Ramblers.
NOW: Pensions Conference East
Leading at half time, Chichester Priory Park had to settle for a share of the spoils after a dramatic 7-7 draw with strugglers Teddington in the NOW: Pensions Conference East.
They were 4-2 ahead at half time, but a flurry of second half goals – including two each for Chichester’s Alex Thakore and Teddington’s Thomas Canty and Andrew Pett – saw the two sides forced to take a point each.
Elsewhere, league leaders Holcombe delivered another impressive performance to comfortably beat Old Loughtonians 2-7, whilst Richmond picked up a valuable point as they drew 2-2 at home against Bromley and Beckenham.
West Herts secured a 3-5 victory over Oxted despite having fallen behind in the first half, while Cambridge City beat Brighton and Hove 3-1.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, February 15 2015):
NOW: Pensions Men's Premier Division: Canterbury 4, Wimbledon 5; Hampstead and Westminster 0, Beeston 1; Reading 1, Brooklands MU 2; Surbiton 5, Cannock 0.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference West: Barford Tigers 3, Fareham 5; Cheltenham 1, University of Birmingham 3; Team Bath Buccaneers 7, University of Exeter 0; Whitchurch 2, Indian Gymkhana 3.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference North: Bowdon 5, Deeside Ramblers 1; Doncaster 2, Belper 2; Leek 2, Olton & West Warwicks 2; Sheffield Hallam 4, Loughborough Students 2; University of Durham 2, Wakefield 0.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference East: Brighton and Hove 1, Cambridge City 3; Chichester Priory Park 7, Teddington 7; Old Loughtonians 2, Holcombe 7; Oxted 3, West Herts 5; Richmond 2, Bromley and Beckenham 2.
England Hockey Board Media release
UniKL step closer to second spot
By Jugjet Singh
UNIKL Young Guns kept their hopes alove of finishing second in Division One of the MHC-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League when they edged SSTMI Juniors 2-1 in Johor Baru.
Hafif Elkan (23rd) and Nur Faiz Rosli (32nd) made sure for UniKL while SSTMI Juniors skipper Nurasyraf Rosli narrowed the gap in the 41st minute but the University side held on for full points.
UniKL are now second on the standings behind Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) and both the teams square off next week to decide the second spot.
Defending champions Thunderbolts are clear favourites for the title as they meet their juniors in the final league fixture.
Meanwhile, six teams from Division Two have qualified for the play-off and they are Nurinsafi-PHA, 1Mas TBSS Tampin, MSNT-THT, 1 MAS Perlis, BJSS Juniors, SMKDBL Johor HA.
And interestingly all six are from different states, while powerhouse Perak failed to get any of their five Division Two teams inoto the play-offs.
Teams from Perlis (Y), Penang (X), Terengganu (Y), Kuala Lumpur (X), Johor (Y) and Negri Sembilan (X) have been placed in two groups of X and Y and they will play all their matches in Kuala Lumpur.
The top two teams from Group X and Y will then join the top 4 teams of Division One for the overall Milo Cup knockout stage which will be played on a home and away basis. The final is on March 15.
RESULTS -- Division One: KLHC 0 BJSS 1, SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts 2 Politeknik Malaysia 0, SSTMI Juniors 1 UniKL Young Guns 2.
Division Two Group C: 1Mas Johor 0 SMK Tun Hussien Onn 2.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
THUNDERBOLTS 7 6 1 0 29 9 19
UNIKL 7 6 0 1 29 10 18
PJCC 7 5 2 0 22 7 17
PSS T'DERBOLTS 7 4 0 3 16 13 12
KLSS-KLHC 7 2 2 3 9 11 8
OLAK 8 2 0 6 10 27 6
POLITEKNIK 7 1 1 5 6 17 4
BJSS 6 2 0 4 6 16 6
SSTMI JNR 6 0 0 6 3 20 0
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
UniKL edge SSTMI Juniors to keep junior hockey title hopes alive
By S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) kept alive their slim hopes of bagging the MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysia Junior Hockey League’s (MJHL) Division One title after a 2-1 win over SSTMI Juniors at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
UniKL moved back into second place in the nine-team standings on 18 points after seven matches, one point behind leaders SSTMI-Thunderbolt. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ are third with 17 points.
The last preliminary round match on Feb 27 will see UniKL play MBPJ while SSTMI take on Pahang SS-Thunderbolt.
UniKL took a 2-0 lead through Mohamed Hafif Elkan (23rd minute) and Mohamed Nur Faiz Rosli (32nd).
SSTMI Juniors then replied through Mohamed Nursyaraf Rosli in the 45th minute.
Pahang SS-Thunderbolt defeated Politeknik Malaysia 2-0 with goals by Mohamed Firdaus Ramli in the sixth and 17th minutes at the Temerloh Turf to secure fourth place.
They are on an unassailable 12 points, four ahead of KLSS-KLHC with one match remaining.
The Pahang side join SSTMI, UniKL and MBPJ in the quarter-final knockout stage.
Meanwhile, six teams have qualified for the playoffs from Feb 26-28 to decide the Division Two champions.
The six are BJSS Juniors, 1MAS Perlis, Johor’s SMK Datuk Bentara Laut, Nur Insafi, MSN Terengganu and 1MAS TBSS-Tampin.
In the draw made BJSS Juniors have Nur Insafi and 1MAS TBSS-Tampin for company in Group X.
Group Y consists of 1MAS Perlis, SMKDBL and MSN Terengganu.
The two group winners will then battle for the Division Two title.
The top four teams will join SSTMI, UniKL, MBPJ and Pahang SS-Thunderbolt in the quarter-final knockout stage to vie for the Milo Cup
The Star of Malaysia