News for 18 October 2015
All the news for Sunday 18 October 2015
Young Irish Squad Draw with Argentina 
Ireland earned a draw against the world number 6 in a close match that saw the Green Machine hand debuts to Murray and McKee. The young Irish squad, ably marshaled by Jackon, Gleghorne and Cockram, got off to the ideal start with a goal inside the opening few minutes. Jackson earned the men in green a PC and Cockram drove the ball low into the bottom left. However it was an Irish error that handed the Argentinians the equalizer. A loose aerial ball was snatched from the night’s sky by Vila who fired past Fitzgerald.
The Argentinians enjoyed periods of controlled possession and showed their experience with 3 of their players having over 200 caps. The trio of Glassey, Bell and Robson were a constant threat when they had the ball in their possession and forced Santiago from his goal to make several saves but the score remained 1-1 going into half time.
Peillat made it 2-1 with a hard drag into the right corner and Carr, coming on for the final quarter, was called into action to make 2 terrific saves to keep the Green Machine within a goal. The equalizer came courtesy of Kyle Good who showed great reactions to tip home Cockrams deflection, after intuitive link up play by Robson and Glassey. The game ended in a barrage of cards, 2 yellow for Argentina and a green for Robson but there were to be no more goals and the young Irish team finished the series with a 2-2 draw against the world cup bronze medalists.
Ireland 2(Cockram, Good)
Argentina 2 (Vila, Peillat)
Irish Hockey Association media release
Great Britain ease into final Featured
by Satwant Dhaliwal
It will be a repeat of last year’s Sultan of Johor Cup final as Great Britain defeated Argentina 3-0 to book a spot in Sunday’s final against India.
The two teams met in a thrilling encounter that resulted in an Indian triumph with the winning goal coming 45 seconds from time.
“We lost to them last year which we were disappointed about but this year we think we’re in a really good place to go against them and hopefully get a win.” said goalkeeper Chris Wvyer.
“We’ve redeemed ourselves from our performance yesterday so we’re really happy with today’s result.”
“I’m really pleased with the team and we’re looking forward to the finals.” added Great Britain coach Jon Bleby.
Tournament top scorer Luke Taylor made no mistake from Great Britain’s second penalty corner to give them a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
Great Britain pulled further ahead 10 minutes later when Sam French converted their fourth penalty corner.
The second half had barely started when Luke Taylor scored his 9th goal of the tournament in the minute and gave Great Britain a deserving 3-0 lead against Argentina.
James Simpson could have added to Great Britain’s score through a field goal in the 65th minute but it was disallowed due to a foul.
“We didn’t have a good first half, I think we played better in the second half but it wasn’t enough to win against Great Britain as they were playing really well today.” said Argentinian player Manuel Vartanian.
“We’re going to be prepared for tomorrow no matter who we end up facing and are hoping to finish in third.”
Official Sultan of Johor Cup website
India finish tops
by Satwant Dhaliwal
India played at half pace but still did enough to defeat Australia 1-0 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.
The win gave India top spot in the pool standings with 12 points from 5 matches, the only defeat coming at the hands of Great Britain, their opponents in Sunday’s final.
As for Australia, they will now have to wait for the outcome of the Malaysia v Pakistan match to determine if they play for the bronze or are relegated to the 5th/6th placing match.
“I think it’s going to be a well-contested finals, both teams are well prepared for it and I think that it’s going to be a world class match.” said Indian coach Harendra Singh.
“We’re not going to be overconfident about being defending champions, anything can happen, the winner will be the team who can better capitalize on chances during the match.”
“Our tactical strengths so far have been in the rotation of the ball and in overlapping so as long as we keep that up and improve on our weaknesses we will do well in the final.”
It was a slow start to the Australia v India match as the first half ended with a clean sheet for both teams.
There were prime opportunities for Australia to gain a lead when they managed to get 2 penalty corners in the 3rd and 27th minute respectively but India’s strong defence deflected their attempts.
Similarly, India’s attempts at field goals were well blocked by the Aussies.
There was a close call in the 27th minute when Kiran Arunasalam scored a goal for Australia but it was subsequently disallowed by the umpires.
The match finally picked up in the second half when Harmanpreet Singh scored the first goal of the match for India via a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute.
Even though Australia managed to get another 3 penalty corners in the 44th, 49th and 50th minutes, simple mistakes led to failure to converting them into goals.
Australia took a risk and removed their goalkeeper Matthew Finn in the 65th minute, substituting him for Sam Liles in a last ditch effort to gain a goal but it wasn’t enough to break through India’s defence.
“Our enthusiasm to get out there and win the game was there as it always is but unfortunately we couldn’t follow through on the opportunites we created.” said Australian team manager Chris O’Reilly.
“We haven’t done ourselves any favours in controlling our own fate as we’ll now have to see what happens between Malaysia and Pakistan before knowing our own placing.”
“We could still get lucky and be able to play for the bronze medal so we’re being cautiously optimistic.”
Official Sultan of Johor Cup website
Malaysia on track for podium finish
by Satwant Dhaliwal
It was a convincing victory for Malaysia at the expense of Pakistan which gave the host a respectable finish to the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya stadium last night.
Which means the Malaysians will play the fourth placed team Argentina today in a match to decide who finished third in the final classification matches.
India beating Australia and Great Britain beating Argentina meant the top two finishers in the six-team tournament was already decided with the Indians with 12 points finishing on top and Great Britain on 11 points are the runner-up. They will meet again on Sunday in a repeat of last year's final.
“We’re making improvements but not enough.” said Malaysian coach Arul Selvaraj.
“We’ve still got a couple issues to work out especially with how we always seem to make mistakes in the last 3 to 5 minutes of the game.”
“We’d love to go out and kill the game against Argentina tomorrow and try to get the 3rd placing, we definitely want to go out and win.”
Malaysia lying fifth before last night's match on four points from four matches, need at least one point to overhaul the Australians who are also on four points after the completion of the round robin matches and are lying fourth on a healthier goal difference.
The early signs were encouraging as Malaysia threw everything into attack from the very first whistle looking to score an early goal to demoralise the Pakistanis.
And they didn’t have to wait long. By the fourth minute Malaysia were in the lead as Shahril Saabah did not miss from the team's first penalty corner for his sixth goal of the tournament.
By the seventh minute Malaysia were two goals to the good. Again thanks to Shahril's deadly penalty conversion which left Pakistan in total disarray.
A second period where Malaysia continued from where they left off in the first half, saw Malaysia winning another three penalty corners but they were left frustrated until the 62nd min when a rare defensive lapse from Pakistan presented Shahril with the ball just outside the D.
One quick movement into the danger area and then a reverse hit made it 3-0 for Malaysia. A late penalty corner conversion from Pakistan's Abu Mahmood in the 68th min didn't make much difference as Malaysia by then were home and dry.
Official Sultan of Johor Cup website
Now to keep bronze in Malaysia
By Jugjet Singh
MALAYSIA beat Pakistan 3-1 to book a date with Argentina in the third-fourth playoff of the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Stadium Saturday.
In the pool match, Malaysia and Argentina drew 2-2, but the bronze battle is expected to be tougher.
India and Britain will play for the Fifth Edition gold.
"This is the kind of commitment I am looking from my players in no only the remaining match against Argentina, but also in the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan.
"My boys took an early lead, and played well to defend it even though Pakistan placed them under tremendous pressure. Of course, we will be going for the bronze medal now, and Argentina are not invincible if we play our game," said Malaysian coach Arul Selvaraj.
Malaysia scored two quick goals inside eight minutes to take a firm grip of the situation, and remained cool in the entire first half to deny Pakistan a comeback.
Off the three penalty corners won in the first half, Shahril Saabah scored the first in the fourth, missed the second, and Najmi Jazlan tucked in the third penalty corner in the seventh minute.
With a good lead, Malaysia toyed around with Pakistan and only relied on counter attacks, but could not increase the lead.
Pakistan were the better team after the 10 minute break, but good goalkeeping from Ridzwan Azmi kept the score in favour of Malaysia.
Shahril scored his seventh goal of the tournament to hand Malaysia a handsome lead, with a reverse stick attempt in the 62nd minute and Pakistan were doomed to play for the fifth-sixth against Australia.
Pakistan scored their consolation in the 68th off Abu Mahmood, but time ran out on them. A final minute shoving and pushing saw Shahril and Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Khalid flashed the yellow card -- but it made no difference to the scoreline.
India will play Britain in a repeat final, and a chance to lift a hat-trick of SOJC titles.
esterday, Britain beat Argentina 3-0 while India beat Australia 1-0 in their final pool matches.
In the final last year, the score was tied at 1-1 before India scored 45 seconds from time to lift their second title.
"It will be a well contested final, as both teams are at their best right now. Britain has good structure, and my players must think out of the box to win," said India coach Harendra Singh.
In the pool, India lost 3-4 to Britain.
RESULTS: Argentina 0 Britain 3, Australia 0 India 1, Malaysia 3 Pakistan 1.
TODAY: Fifth-Sixth: Pakistan v Australia (3.05pm); Third-Fourth: Malaysia v Argentina (5.35pm); Final: India v Britain (8.35pm).
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
INDIA 5 4 0 1 14 8 12
BRITAIN 5 3 2 0 15 9 11
MALAYSIA 5 2 1 2 11 11 7
ARGENTINA 5 2 1 2 8 9 7
AUSTRALIA 5 1 1 3 12 11 4
PAKISTAN 5 0 1 4 5 17 1
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Malaysia beat Pakistan to secure playoff spot
by S. Ramaguru
Malaysia's Syed Muhd Shafiq Syed Cholan (in yellow) dribbles the ball in the match against Pakistan during the Sultan of Johor Cup match at Taman Daya Stadium. - ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG / The Star
JOHOR BARU: Hosts Malaysia outclassed Pakistan 3-1 to stay on track for a podium finish in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
The Malaysians ended their preliminary round matches with seven points to finish third in the standings.
In Sunday’s playoff for third place they take on fourth placed Argentina. In the preliminary round, the two teams played out a 2-2- draw.
India and Britain will contest the final while the fifth placing match will see Australia playing Pakistan.
Malaysia got off to a great start against Pakistan when they scored two goals within seven minutes both coming from penalty corners.
The opener came in the fifth minute when Mohamed Shahril Saabah’s hard shot sounded the board.
A minute later Malaysia were awarded another penalty corner and Mohamed Najimi had no problem flicking it home.
Shell-shocked Pakistan regrouped and fought back to win four penalty corners but Malaysian goalkeeper Mohamed Ridzwan Azmi was up to the task to deny them.
Malaysia extended their lead from a quick counter attack which saw Shahril scoring a field goal to make it 3-0 in the 63rd minute.
And two minutes before the end, Abu Mahmood scored the consolation goal for Pakistan.
Malaysian coach A. Arulselvaraj said they were a little relaxed in the second half and rode on their early lead to win the match.
“There were some anxious moments but in the end we managed to get past them. We are looking forward to win the third placing match tomorrow,” he said.
Earlier, Britain booked their final berth with a 3-0 win over Argentina and will face India in a repeat of last year’s showdown.
In another match, India extended their winning run when they beat Australia 1-0.
It was their fourth win and their only defeat was against Britain (2-3).
A 42nd minute penalty stroke conversion by Harmanpreet Singh was enough to give them full points.
The Star of Malaysia
Australian colts succumbs to Indian sway
Johor Bahru (Malaysia): Harjeet's invincible colts had a great preparation for tomorrow's final and also pepped up their own morale, with a win in their last league clash of the 5th Sultan of Johor Cup against Australia today at Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
India now are set to take on Great Britain in the title clash tomorrow. India would be defending the title for the third consecutive time.
India began on an attacking note today, but Australia played a strong defensive game, denying India of any chances to score. The first half came to an end without any goals from either side. Australia began the second half on an attacking note but could not sustain it for long and had to return to a defensive game, as India pressed hard to score.
An error from the Australian half in the 42nd minute resulted in a penalty stroke to India. Harmanpreet Singh, thereafter made no mistakes in converting it, helping India win their last league encounter by a single goal margin.
"It wasn’t an easy game and we played against a tough Australians.However Harmanpreet duly converted the Penalty stroke which gave us the much needed lead. The boys are confident of defending the title and I am hopeful about witnessing some top quality hockey tomorrow on the field from both the teams,” said Harendra Singh, Coach, Indian Men’s Junior Team.
India now faces Great Britain, who has remained unbeaten in the tournament so far with 3 wins and two draws. India now tops the points table with 12 points from 4 wins and a single loss, that too to Great Britain earlier in the tournament. Sumit Kumar and Harmanpreet Singh with 3 goals each have been the top scorers for India so far.
Stick2Hockey.com
India beat Australia 1-0 in their last league game; to face Britain in Johor Cup final
JOHOR BAHRU (Malaysia): Defending champions India defeated Australia 1-0 in their last league match to enter the final of the fifth men's Sultan of Johor Cup junior hockey tournament here on Saturday.
India will take on Great Britain in the title clash on Sunday.
India would be defending the title for the third consecutive time this year.
India began on an attacking note on Saturday, but Australia played a strong defensive game, denying their opponents any chances to score.
The first half ended goalless.
Australia began the second half on an attacking note but could not sustain it for long and had to return to a defensive mode, as India pressed hard to score.
An error from the Australian half in the 42nd minute resulted in a penalty stroke to India, and Harmanpreet Singh made no mistake in converting the opportunity to give his side the lead.
"It's great to finish the league matches on a winning note. It wasn't an easy game and we played against a tough Australian team today. However, Harmanpreet duly converted the penalty stroke which gave us the much-needed lead. The boys are confident of defending the title for the third consecutive time and I am hopeful about witnessing some top quality hockey tomorrow from both the teams," said India's junior team coach coach Harendra Singh.
India will now face Great Britain, who have been unbeaten in the tournament so far with three wins and two draws.
India now tops the points table with 12 points from 4 wins and a single loss, that too to Great Britain earlier in the tournament.
Sumit Kumar and Harmanpreet Singh with three goals each are the top scorers for India so far.
The Times of India
Pakistan suffer 3-1 defeat against Malaysia
KARACHI: After registering three losses and a draw, Pakistan’s junior hockey team lost their last pool match 3-1 against hosts Malaysia at the Sultan of Johor Junior Hockey Tournament in Johor Bahru on Saturday.
Pakistan started off by gifting Malaysia a penalty corner in the fourth minute of the game, with Shahril Saabah successfully converting it to take a 1-0 lead.
Just a minute later, Malaysia received another penalty corner and while attempting to convert it, received a follow-on penalty corner which Malaysia’s Najmi Jazlan struck right into the net to extend the hosts’ lead 2-0.
Pakistan were awarded several penalty corners but failed to get the ball past the Malaysian goalkeeper. The hosts then scored their third in the last eight minutes, with Pakistan striking a consolation penalty corner goal through Abu Mahmood in the last two minutes to end the game 3-1.
“We tried our best but our game plan and strategy was full of flaws and we need to make amends in the next match to finish the tournament at least on number five,” captain Dilber Hussain told The Express Tribune.
He added that although Pakistan’s players lacked experience, they gave the matches their best. “We just need some more time to make a perfect combination,” said Hussain.
Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the table, and will now play the 5th/6th place match against Australia, who have so far registered one win, three losses and a draw.
The Express Tribune
Bowdon leapfrog Leicester
Bowdon Hightown’s Lisa Garbutt celebrating a goal against Leicester. Credit Andy Smith.
TWO first half goals proved enough for Bowdon Hightown to battle past Leicester and leap-frog them in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.
Lisa Garbutt’s 14th minute strike and a goal from a penalty corner on 21 minutes from Sally Walton proved enough for Bowdon Hightown to take the win and secure their second win of the season so far.
Elsewhere, Canterbury held leaders the University of Birmingham to a 1-1 draw. Dirkie Chamberlain’s 24th minute penalty corner gave them the lead, but seconds before the break the home side pulled back level through Alicia Caillard.
Second-placed Surbiton hammered bottom of the table Reading 7-0 to keep up the pressure at the top of the table. Their goals came from Rebecca Herbert (2), Charlotte Calnan (2), Hannah Coulson, Sandra Roche and Giselle Ansley.
Holcombe inflicted East Grinstead’s first league defeat of the season, beating the newly-promoted side 2-1.
Lucy Wood scored a goal in each half to put Holcombe two goals up. Zoe Burrell pulled one back, but it wasn’t enough to challenge for the points.
In Bristol, Clifton beat Buckingham 2-1 with goals from Els Mansell and Jess Bloom.
Investec Conference West
Leaders Swansea dropped their first points of the season as they drew with hosts Olton and West Warwickshire 1-1 on Saturday.
Jo Westwood put Swansea ahead with a 15th minute strike from open play, but Mandy Gatherer levelled for Olton after 20 minutes of the second half, and they held on to secure a point.
Gloucester City moved up to third in the table after securing a 5-3 win at Isca university. Zoe Burford was in fine form for the visitors with four goals, while Kim Pullon scored Gloucester’s other. Megan Crowson scored twice and Sophie Jefferson added another, but it wasn’t enough for Isca.
Elsewhere, Bristol Firebrands won 4-3 at Trojans, while Oxford Hawks were 4-2 winners at home against the University of Bristol.
Investec Conference East
Two goals from Amy Sheehan helped Slough secure a 4-0 win at Ipswich and remain unbeaten in the Investec Conference East.
Alex Scott and Laura Bailey were also on target in the victory, which leaves Slough with a 100 per cent record.
Second-placed Cambridge City were forced to settle for a point from a goalless draw with third-placed St Albans, while Wimbledon were 3-2 winners at Hampstead and Westminster.
Maidenhead and Chelmsford drew 2-2, as did Harleston Magpies and Sevenoaks.
Investec Conference North
Wakefield remain top of the Investec Conference North after Rosie Tootell’s late goal rescued a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Ben Rhydding.
Tanisha Janzen put the visitors ahead early on before Georgia Byas struck back for the leaders, and Beth Cordukes looked to have won it for Ben Rhydding until Tootell’s late intervention.
That result allowed second-place Loughborough to gain ground with a 2-1 win at home to Whitley Bay and Tynemouth after trailing at half time, whilst the University of Durham moved up to third with a 2-0 win at Springfields who stay bottom.
Elsewhere Brooklands Poynton won 3-1 at Liverpool Sefton and Belper were 2-1 winners at home against Beeston.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, October 17 2015):
Investec Premier Division: Clifton 2, Buckingham 1; Holcombe 2, East Grinstead 1; Leicester 0, Bowdon 2; Surbiton 7, Reading 0; University of Birmingham 1, Canterbury 1.
Investec Conference East: Cambridge City 0, St. Albans 0; Harleston Magpies 2, Sevenoaks 2; Ipswich 0, Slough 4; Maidenhead 2, Chelmsford 2; Wimbledon 3, Hampstead and Westminster 2.
Investec Conference North: Belper 2, Beeston 1; Liverpool Sefton 1, Brooklands Poynton 3; Loughborough Students 2, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 1; Springfields 0, University of Durham 2; Wakefield 2, Ben Rhydding 2.
Investec Conference West: Isca 3, Gloucester City 5; Olton & West Warwicks 1, Swansea City 1; Oxford Hawks 4, University of Bristol 2; Stourport 0, Sutton Coldfield 1; Trojans 3, Bristol Firebrands 4.
England Hockey Board Media release
Fiji hockey faces tough test ahead
Shalveen Chand
THE Fiji men's hockey team have a chance of making it into the Olympic Games next year provided they are able to beat New Zealand in the Oceania Cup in New Zealand next week.
Fiji head coach Hector Smith said the team believed the target was achievable.
"We start our campaign by playing Australia who are the world number one. So it is a great opportunity for us to get some top class competition," he said.
"Then we play Samoa and our final hurdle is New Zealand who are ranked sixth. It is a tough ask but we can do it.
"There are two spots from Oceania into the Olympic. In the women's both Australia and New Zealand have qualified but in the men's only Australia so there is a spot for one more team.
"Not sounding too confident but we should be able to see off Samoa and then play our hearts out to ensure that we beat New Zealand."
Apart from a chance to play in the Olympic Games, Smith will get a chance to do a development course which would then allow him to become an Oceania Hockey Federation development officer for the region.
The team departs for New Zealand today.
The Fiji Times
Spotlight on: Netherlands Women
Reigning Hockey World League champions Netherlands (FIH World Ranking: 1) have long been one of the dominant forces in world hockey, and in recent years have claimed the vast majority of the sport’s biggest prizes.
They are the Olympic gold medallists from both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games, and last year proved they are the best team on the planet by winning the Rabobank Hockey World Cup in front of their adoring home fans in The Hague.
Since that glorious success, Netherlands have claimed a bronze medal at the Argentina Champions Trophy (December 2014), a first place finish at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp back in July as well as a silver medal at August’s Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London in August.
The Netherlands have a vast array of attacking options to call upon, including Naomi van As, Eva de Goede, Lidewij Welten and 2014 FIH Player of the Year Ellen Hoog. Combined with a rock-solid defence marshalled by 2014 FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Joyce Soembroek and the talents of superstar captain Maartje Paumen, the Netherlands will be, as always, the team to beat in Rosario.
Nickname: Oranje
Key player: Ellen Hoog. Alongside inspirational team captain Maartje Paumen, 29-year-old midfielder Hoog is a stand-out talent among a hugely gifted group of individuals. Hoog produced a series of exceptional performances to help her team lift the Rabobank Hockey World Cup on home soil, being named Player of the Tournament in the process. She was crowned FIH Player of the Year for 2014, joining an elite group of players that includes two of her team mates – Maartje Paumen (2011, 2012) and Naomi van As (2009, jointly with Argentina’s Luciana Aymar).
Notable honours
3x Olympic Gold medallists (1984, 2008, 2012)
Olympic Silver medallists (2004)
3x Olympic Bronze medallists (1988, 1996, 2000)
7x World champions (1974, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1990, 2006, 2014)
Hockey World League champions (2012-14 Edition)
6x Champions Trophy winners (1987, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011)
8x European Champions (1984, 1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011)
Additional information: In October, the Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB) named legendary Australia international Alyson Annan as the new Head Coach of the Netherlands women. Annan – widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and a central figure in the Hockeyroos team that won two Olympic gold medals and two World Cups between 1994 and 2000 – has moved into the position vacated by Sjoerd Marijne, who stepped away from the role following the Netherlands’ shoot-out defeat to England in the final of the European championship in August. Double FIH Player of the Year Annan has been a long-time resident in the Netherlands and, since ending her playing career in 2003, has held numerous coaching roles. In 2004 she was Assistant Coach to Marc Lammers, who guided the Netherlands women to a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Athens. More recently, Annan has been coaching the Dutch junior women’s team and Amsterdam H&BC men, the latter making her the first female Head Coach in the history of the top Dutch men’s division.
FIH site
Top Malaysian striker Faizal gets hitched with ex-bowler
by Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Striker Faizal Saari who struck terror into the hearts of defenders has finally been tamed.
The 24-year-old Terengganu hockey player took a break from the national team training to marry former Perak bowler Syaidatul Afyna Badrul Hamidi in Ipoh on Friday.
The 22-year-old Afyna is the younger sister of national bowler Syaidatul Afifah.
Faizal, who has donned national colours 170 times in the last six years, said he was happy to share his life with his number one hockey fan.
“I first got to know her when she came and supported me during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2013,” beamed Faizal, who was the joint top scorer (6) with India’s Rupinderpal Singh during the tournament in Ipoh.
“I have taken a break from training for a few weeks as there will also be a reception in my hometown next week.
“Despite getting married, I will continue to represent the national team as long as I can. My goal is to help Malaysia qualify for the 2020 Olympics and become the best striker in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).”
Faizal has been the top poacher in the MHL a record four times (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015).
He was also named the best player and the top scorer in the World League Second Round in Singapore in January.
The Star of Malaysia
