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All the news for Sunday 19 January 20120

2020 FIH Pro League (Men)
Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

18 Jan 2020    IND v NED (RR)   5 - 2
19 Jan 2020 17:00 (GMT +5:30)     IND v NED (RR)

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

FIH Match Centre

India make dream start to FIH Hockey Pro League with thrilling victory over the Netherlands



FIH Hockey Pro League debutants India made a dream start to the 2020 competition, powering to a superb 5-2 victory against the Netherlands in a breathtaking encounter at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The fifth-ranked hosts needed less that 15 seconds to open the scoring against the third-ranked Dutch, with Gurjant Singh firing home in clinical fashion after a neat exchange of passes with Mandeep Singh. The advantage was doubled in the 12th minute thanks to Rupinder Singh’s deflected penalty corner drag-flick, before Jip Janssen halved the deficit with a penalty corner of his own as the end of the first quarter approached. 

The Netherlands dominated the second quarter and pulled level through Jeroen Hertzberger’s close-range finish, but after half time it was all India, with Mandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay moving the score to 4-2 before Rupinder Singh netted again early in the fourth quarter to complete a comprehensive and thoroughly deserved victory. 

Speaking after the match, India goal scorer Lalit Upadhyay, who was named Player of the Match, said: "I want to say thank you to the crowd who came to cheer. There was some good work done by the forward lines. We have been doing a lot of hard work in the training sessions, so all credit goes to my team-mates and the coaches."

Reflecting on his team’s defeat, Netherlands captain Billy Bakker said: "I think we have to focus on our own game. We played one quarter from the four quarters pretty good, the other three we didn't get the level that we wanted to get. With a team like India, it's really tough to win here, so I think they deserved it today."

Complete information on the match can be found on the live reporting page by clicking here.

India and the Netherlands will return to the field at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Sunday for match two of the double header in Bhubaneswar. To see the complete match schedule, click here.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

FIH Hockey Pro League result – 18 January 2020

Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND)

Result: Men’s Match 1
India 5, Netherlands 2 (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Lalit Upadhyay (IND)
Umpires: Gareth Greenfield (NZL), Rawi Anbananthan (MAS) and Sean Rapaport (RSA – video) 

Upcoming fixtures

Match Day 4 - Sunday 19 January 2020
Bhubaneswar (IND) – Men: India v Netherlands (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1700 (GMT/UTC +5.30)

Match Day 5 – Friday 24 January 2020
Valencia (ESP) – Men: Spain v Germany (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1100 (GMT/UTC +1)
Chapel Hill (USA) – Women: USA v Netherlands (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1400 (GMT/UTC -5)

Match Day 6 – Saturday 25 January 2020
Sydney (AUS) – Women: Australia v Belgium (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1600 (GMT/UTC +11)
Sydney (AUS) – Men: Australia v Belgium (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1830 (GMT/UTC +11)
Valencia (ESP) – Men: Spain v Germany (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1300 (GMT/UTC +1)

Match Day 7 – Sunday 27 January 2020
Sydney (AUS) – Women: Australia v Belgium (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1500 (GMT/UTC +11)
Sydney (AUS) – Men: Australia v Belgium (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1730 (GMT/UTC +11)
Chapel Hill (USA) – Women: USA v Netherlands (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1400 (GMT/UTC -5)

#FIHProLeague

Official FIH Pro League Site

India's speed, accuracy too hot to handle for Dutch as hosts canter to memorable win

Sundeep Misra


The Indian men's hockey team made a dream debut at the FIH Pro League, beating world number three Netherlands 5-2. Image Courtesy: Hockey India

Aggressive, innovative and using speed as a weapon, India turned Holland inside out to register a 5-2 victory that made India’s debut in the Pro League that much sweeter.

The clock was stopped at 14.47 in the 1st quarter; 13 seconds into the match when the Dutch were caught sleeping on the half line and couldn’t clear twice before the duo of Gurjant Singh and Mandeep Singh wove in and Gurjant with a clear line of sight, smashed the ball into the Dutch goal. It was India’s fastest goal in an international match. Holland looked shocked.

The Dutch tried both the flanks to gain some control. But the balls thrown into the Indian circle were cut off efficiently. On one such move, Rupinder picked up the ball around the half line and sent Lalit Upadhyay through who while cutting into the Dutch circle ensured the ball hit a defender’s leg. India had their first PC and Rupinder flicked hard, the rising ball clipping the Dutch runner’s stick, going the other way as the goalkeeper was caught on the wrong foot. At 2-0, India soared.

Two minutes later, Billy Bakker showed the actual meaning of the word intent. He worked his way on the right flank, shielding the ball all the way before giving it to Thierry Brinkman whose goal-bound shot was stopped but not before conceding the penalty corner. Jip Janssen was on target, the flick beating Krishan Pathak. At 1-2, Holland were crawling their way back into the match.

The first quarter was an indicator of what was coming in the remaining three. India, in the first quarter, had five shots on goal to Holland’s one. But it is the pass accuracy that would create all the moves and put the pressure on the World Cup silver medallists.

India, usually, have their share of forced and unforced errors. But to their credit, not much was given away. Even the second quarter, Holland’s best play in the match, was defended well by India. It was in the 2nd quarter that the Dutch gave a display that was reminiscent of the 2018 World Cup quarter-final against India. Solid midfield play with exemplary ball rotation meant the Dutch enjoyed a possession of 66 percent to India’s 34 percent. They had 14 circle entries to India’s one and four PCs to India’s none. But, the Indian defence held back and took on the punches.

Mirco Pruijser was a battering ram, pure physical presence, his brute force powered him past 3-4 defenders with ease. Two minutes before the break, a beautiful move by Bob de Voogd down the left flank and a ball release timed to perfection saw Jeroen Hertzberger deflect the pass in. At 2-2, it seemed the Dutch would raise their level a notch. After continually defending for almost ten minutes, the end of the 2nd quarter must have come as a much-needed relief, one boxer pummelling the other and the bell saving him.

India started off the 3rd Q with both feet on the pedal. SV Sunil saw a shot cannon into the Dutch goalkeeper’s pads. The Dutch picked up the rebound and threw it upfield into Indian territory where Harmanpreet caught it and passed to Manpreet. The Indian captain moved in 5-6 metres into the Dutch half and sent a brilliant pass to Mandeep, a little deep into the Dutch striking circle. Mandeep trapped, zipped into the circle, went wide a bit and unleashed an angular shot that zipped into the Dutch goal. It was 3-2. The Dutch were reeling.

Speed was king as the Indians sped in and out with ease. The stick work was fabulous with perfect passes and errors minimised to an extent where India exerted control on the Dutch. India had 12 circle entries to Holland’s six with five shots on goal to Holland’s one.

Gurjant had a wonderful chance to slot in his second goal but after a great move between Chinglensana and Akashdeep, delayed on the ball before the Dutch defence moved into clear. In the 36th minute of the 3rd Q, Harmanpreet moved up, slipped onto the flanks, moved into the circle and passed to Lalit who deflected in the ball for a 4-2 lead.

Holland had to do something urgently as the match was slipping away. They fell back to what they know best – move, rotate and hold possession. But the Indian team had probably learnt their lessons from the WC quarter-final defeat. They refused to yield space, moved up constantly to cut the moves and sprinted hard. Holland didn’t take the risk of moving up, knowing fully well that India’s skill quotient combined with speed would kill them. By the end of the 3rd Q, Holland had 7 PC’s to India’s 5.

In the 4th quarter, Holland needed to pull back a goal to put the pressure on India. If possession was almost equal, one area where India scored was the pass accuracy of almost 60 percent. Balls were not wasted. India moved the midfield and played the flank. The trio of Rupinder, Harmanpreet and Lakra at the back maintained the structure. If Harmanpreet went up, Chinglensana fell back. In the 46th minute, India had their 5th PC and Rupinder fired it in. Leading 5-2, it would need a miracle, super-human effort from the Dutch to try and knock back the goals. India earned two more PCs while Holland got their 8th.

The Dutch captain Billy Bakker said: “I think we have to focus on our own game. We played one quarter from the four quarters pretty good, that was the second one. The other three we didn't get the level that we wanted to get. With a team like India, it's really tough to win here, so I think they deserved it.”

If everything went to plan for India, it was also a day when six out of six referrals were called correctly by the Indians. The last time, India had beaten Holland 5-2 in a tournament was at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when both teams met to decide the 5th/6th playoff. After that in a two-match series which was played in 1994 in New Delhi, India had beaten Holland 5-1 and drawn the second match 1-1. Holland were on their way to Lahore to play in the 1994 Champions Trophy.

With less than 24 hours to recover and play the second match of the double header, the Dutch will hit back with a vengeance. India, on the other hand, having made a brilliant Pro League debut, should try and make it two out of two. Consistency is something they need to strive for.

Firstpost

Fitter India makes mincemeat of Dutch for once

s2h Team

What a start to an Olympic Year. Manpreet Singh's Indian team would not have expected a better start than they had today at Bhubaneswar against the higher ranked The Netherlands. Meticulous in attack, merciless in finish, methodical in approach, India gladdened the hearts of Indian fans with a fluent 5-2 win in their ProLeague opener. Never once did India trail in the sixty minute non-stop thriller.

The Indians intentions were clear from ab initio. With the first move after bully off, India struck through Gurjant Singh off a pacy feed from Mandeep Singh on the left of the circle to take 1-0 lead in the 13th second, perhaps the quickest ever goal struck in an international.

It set the stage for a stupendous win.

Rupinder Pal Singh added another when brilliant Manpreet Singh went for a referral against the decision of Anbunanathan did not notice the ball hitting the foot of Lalit Upadhyay on the other side of the circle, and succeeded.

First move a goal. First Penalty Corner another one. India was well on top of the Dutch who are two ladders up in the FIH ranking.

However, Netherlands too converted its first penalty corner, and then Joren Hertzberger cleverly deflected a short pass into the cage to level the score 2-2 at Half time.

Indian chief coach Graham Reid attributed to India conceding two goals to their famed rival to 'excitement of taking 2-0 lead'.

Perhaps, half time seemed to have found a formula to overcome this.

The script changed after that.

Unlike second quarter when India allowed Billy's team to take over them in attacking department -- Dutch's shot at goals was double of India's at that time -- it underscored the axiom attack is the best form of defence.

In the third quarter, India dominated with clinical finish inside the circle. Everytime the famed rivals were seen blocking Akashdeep, Mandeep Singh or ultimate Man of the Match Lalit Upadhyay, there was a Sunil or Manpreet Singh to demand a referral.

The timing, the confidence and the intelligent way they got the sense are all delightful, and a measure of maturity the team had attained under Gram Reid.

The one appeal for referral for deliberate attempt to block match with a foot kick is heartwarming.

Its a fantastic forehand of Mandeep Singh that gave India again the lead (3-2) in the 34th minute. Two minutes later, Lalit added another one from a difficult angle. Rupinder Pal Singh, who had a nasty fall earlier, came out with a stunner early in the fourth quarter to stun the Dutch in taking a dream 5-2 lead.

Dutch pressed hard, and had once three penalty corners continuously but dashing Amit Rohidoss as first charger and PR Sreejesh under the cage stood like Gibraltor to deny the run our steam Dutch any leeway.

Lalit Upadhyay was declared Best Player and got the reward of Rs.50k.

Both the giants will play tomorrow in the repeat match

Stick2Hockey.com

India begins campaign with 5-2 win over Netherlands

Rupinder Pal Singh scored twice as India recorded a comprehensive 5-2 victory over Netherlands in the first leg of the FIH Pro League on Saturday.

Uthra Ganesan


Indian men's hockey team celebrates after scoring the fifth goal against Netherlands at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.   -  SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A 13th second goal in modern hockey is a rarity even among rookies. India got one against World No. 3 Netherlands here on Saturday to kickstart its Pro League campaign. It was the first of five India struck in its 5-2 win against the Dutch here, a result even the most ardent fans would have predicted only with extreme caution.

It was the fastest-ever goal by India, overshadowing Ajit Singh’s 15th second strike against Argentina at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. It came against a full-strength, well-prepared, on-the-offensive Dutch side that is looking to break its Olympic gold jinx at Tokyo. It was scored by a man – Gurjant Singh – who had forced his way into the side after more than year.

This was India’s first competitive game against a team ranked higher since the 2018 World Cup quarterfinal game against the same opponent. Through 2019, the team spent more time training than actually competing. That seemed to have born fruit for Graham Reid and his charges.

The quick goal – courtesy a speedy run from Mandeep Singh and his give-and-take with Gurjant – and the aggressive start was not the only thing different in this Indian side. The entire structure of play was unlike what was seen the last time around. Reid had said he was not one to sit back and protect a lead and the team mirrored his philosophy. The opener only led to India increasing pressure on the Dutch defence and it finally came off when Rupinder Pal Singh flicked to a 2-0 lead.

The Dutch gradually came back together in the second quarter, levelling scores by the end of it and appearing to get control of the game. Both coach Max Caldas and Reid admitted it was the best period of play for the visitor but the two-goal cushion upfront helped India go into half time with a clean slate.

The technical things India did differently on Saturday were small but significant. The passes landed more precisely. Rupinder said later that the team had worked on pre-scanning the personnel on field split seconds before actually passing. The players seemed to get the balance between holding the ball long enough to control it but not too long to lose the advantage. The Dutch failed to find the momentum or the opening to counter India’s charge.

The air was used more to release pressure than random passing. Controlling the midfield was the key and Manpreet, Vivek Prasad and Lalit Upadhyay did so well. The biggest advantage for India was its referrals. In a game as fast and subjective, India got every one of its five reviews correct, four of them resulting in penalty corners and two in goals.

Both sides, though, are aware it is just the beginning of a long season. Sunday’s second game would be a sterner test.

The result:
India 5 (Rupinder Pal Singh 2, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay) bt Netherlands 2 (Jeroen Hertzberger, Jip Janssen).

Sportstar

India make winning start to men's FIH Pro League with home win over Netherlands

By Mike Rowbottom


India beat The Netherlands 5-2 in the first match of this year's men's FIH Pro League series ©Getty Images

Home team India marked their first appearance in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Pro League in ideal fashion, as they got the 2020 competition underway with a 5-2 victory over The Netherlands.

The hosts, seeded fifth, required just 28 seconds to open the scoring at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar against the third-ranked Dutch, as Gurjant Singh fired home in economical fashion after a neat exchange of passes with Mandeep Singh, FIH reports.

The advantage was doubled in the 12th minute thanks to Rupinder Singh's deflected penalty corner drag-flick, before Jip Janssen halved the deficit with a penalty corner of his own as the end of the first quarter approached.

The Netherlands dominated the second quarter and pulled level through Jeroen Hertzberger's close-range finish, but after halftime it was all India, with Mandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay moving the score to 4-2 before Rupinder Singh netted again early in the fourth quarter.

Upadhyay, who was named Player of the Match, commented: "I want to say thank you to the crowd who came to cheer.

"We have been doing a lot of hard work in the training sessions, so all credit goes to my team mates and the coaches."

Reflecting on his team's defeat, Netherlands captain Billy Bakker said: "We played one quarter from the four quarters pretty good, the other three we didn't get the level that we wanted to get.

"With a team like India, it's really tough to win here, so I think they deserved it today."

The two teams will return to the venue tomorrow for match two of their weekend double-header.

This is the second season for the Men's FIH Pro League event.

The tournament that started today is set to finish in June, involving nine nations in a round-robin competition involving nine nations.

In order of seeding they are Australia, Belgium, The Netherlands, Argentina, India, Germany, Great Britain, Spain and New Zealand.

Inside the Games

India thrash world No. 3 Netherlands 5-2

From being 2-2 in the first half to winning the match 5-2, the Indian hockey team put in their best foot forward against the Netherlands in their Pro League debut.


INDvNED , Hockey India Twitter handle

From being 2-2 in the first half to winning the match 5-2, the Indian hockey team put in their best foot forward against the Netherlands in their Pro League debut.

It was a high-intensity game, Manpreet Singh’s men bagged three points in the 2020 edition opener.

“We had got the go-ahead from our coach to go on the offensive from the start,” said drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who scored a brace (12th and 46th minutes). Gurjant Singh (1st), Mandeep Singh (34th) and Man-of-the-Match Lalit Upadhyay (36th) scored a goal each, while Jip Janssen (14th) and Jeroen Hertzberger (28th) scored for the visitors at the Kalinga Stadium.

The Dutch and India were tied at 2-2 at halftime and the Europeans tried to continue the momentum but the host looked very much in control in the second half.

Four minutes into the second half, skipper Manpreet created a brilliant ball, pushing it to Mandeep in the striking circle, whose powerful hit gave India the lead (3-2).

India restored their two-goal cushion when an unmarked Upadhyay tapped the ball into the unguarded net. Rupinder too hit the final nail in the coffin when he scored his second. His lethal flick hit the board to put India 5-2 ahead.

On the eve of the match, India chief coach Graham Reid to Dutch midfielder Seve van Ass, all had spoken about the unpredictability of the India hockey team. “You never know which Indian team will turn up,” van Ass had said.

Daily News & Analysis

India score five goals to thrash World No 3 Netherlands in exhilarating clash at Bhubaneswar


India made a dream debut at the FIH Pro League, beating world number three Netherlands 5-2. Image Courtesy: Hockey India

Bhubaneswar: The Indian men's hockey team made a dream debut at the FIH Pro League, beating world number three Netherlands 5-2 in the opening match of the two-game encounter on Saturday.

Rupinder Pal Singh (12th, 46th minutes) converted two penalty corners, while Gurjant Singh (1st), Mandeep Singh (34th) and Lalit Upadhyay (36th) scored three fine field goals for India.

Jip Janssen (14th) struck from a set piece, while Jeroen Hertzberger (28th) scored from a field effort for the Dutch side.

After having missed the first edition of the Pro League, the Olympics-bound India kick-started their preparations for the quadrennial showpiece in earnest.

With all the top teams of the world in the fray, the home-and-away Pro League is looked upon as an ideal preparation for world number five India ahead of the Summer Games later this year.

India will square off against the Netherlands in their second game on Sunday.

The Indians made a perfect start and took the lead inside 30 seconds through Gurjant, who fired past Dutch goalkeper Pirmin Blaak after an exchange with fellow striker Mandeep Singh.

India doubled their lead in the 12th minute when Rupinder converted a penalty corner.

Two minutes later, the Netherlands pulled one back through Janssen's brilliant penalty corner conversion, which rattled the bottom left corner of the Indian goal.

In the 20th minute, the Netherlands secured three consecutive penalty corners but the Indian defence stood tall to keep the Europeans off the score-sheet.

Janssen was twice denied by brilliant blocks from the onrushing Amit Rohidas, with India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh blocking the third effort, a drag-flick from Mink van der Weerden.

A diving Sreejesh came up with another brilliant save to deny Bjorn Kellerman's.

But two minutes from the end of second quarter, the Netherlands drew level through Hertzberger's field strike, as both the teams went into half time locked at 2-2.

The break seemed to rejuvenated the Indians as four minutes into the third quarter, Mandeep scored after receiving a pass from captain Mandeep Singh to restore their lead.

A minute later, India secured another penalty corner but Rupinder's drag-flick sailed wide of the right post.

Lalit extended the home team's lead, tapping into an unguarded net after a brilliant play down the left by Harmanpreet Singh.

The Indians were bang on target with their video referrals as a fourth decision went their way for a penalty corner. But the Dutch defence held firm to deny the hosts a fifth goal.

The Indian defenders, too, were on their toes as they blocked three penalty corners by their rivals.

A minute into the fourth and final quarter, India made it 5-2 when Rupinder netted his second of the game from another penalty corner.

In the 53rd minute, India earned another penalty corner through their sixth successful video referral, but Amit Rohidas failed to capitalise.

Two minutes from the final hooter, the Dutch earned a penalty corner, but Mink van der Weerden's flick was saved by an alert Sreejesh.

Firstpost

Stats Speak: Fastest  Indian goal in elite tourneys  goes to Gurjant Singh

By B.G.Joshi(Sehore-Bhopal-India in  Kalinga Stadium Bhubaneswar)

Born on Indian Republic day (January 26) in  1995 in holy city  Amritsar(Punjab) Gurjant Singh  wrote his name as fastest goal by an Indian in International Hockey.
 Gurjant Singh scored the first goal in 13 seconds  versus Netherlands in  5-2 triumph in Bhubaneswar Pro league match.

Previously Ajit Singh(India) scored the goal in 15 seconds against Argentina in Montreal  Olympics(1976)  pool  match.India won 4-0.

Gurjant  made his debut versus Belgium in Boom test match in 2017. Since then he played 42 international matches and scored 15 goals. In Asia Cup(2017) and Asian Champions trophy(2018) he was in victorious Indian squad.

However he stands in 3rd position in the list of fastest goal in World level elite tournaments, details are:

 Fieldhockey.com

EuroHockey Indoor Championship 2020 (M) - Day 2
Berlin, Germany

18 Jan 2020 09:00     AUT v UKR (Pool A)     6 - 1
18 Jan 2020 10:15     RUS v POL (Pool A)     5 - 4
18 Jan 2020 11:30     BEL v CZE (Pool B, Pool C)     3 - 4
18 Jan 2020 12:45     GER v NED (Pool B)     7 - 6
18 Jan 2020 16:45     UKR v BEL (Pool C)     7 - 10
18 Jan 2020 18:00     POL v CZE (Pool C)     3 - 3
18 Jan 2020 19:15     AUT v NED (SF1)         5 - 3
18 Jan 2020 20:45     GER v RUS (SF2)         6 - 1

Final Pool Standings

Pool A

Pool B

Pool C

FIH Match Centre

Hosts Germany make superb start to Men's EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship

By Mike Rowbottom


Germany's men have won their opening EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship matches in Berlin by huge margins ©Getty Images

Hosts Germany won both their opening pool matches by huge margins at the Men's EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship in Berlin, and are certain to be involved in tomorrow's semi-finals at the Horst-Korber Sportzentrum.

The home nation, who took bronze at the last edition of this Championship in 2018, delivered an extraordinary 12-1 win over the 2018 silver medallists Belgium, who only lost that final to Austria on penalties.

Germany followed up with a similarly emphatic 12-2 win over the Czech Republic and now top Pool B on goal difference from The Netherlands.


Defending champions Austria have also made a good start at the Men's EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship in Berlin ©Getty Images

The Dutch, who were not involved in the 2018 finals, beat the Czech Republic 6-2 and then earned a 7-4 win over Belgium.

In Pool A, the defending champions are clear at the top having beaten Russia and Poland by the same scoreline, 5-3.

Russia are second thanks to a 5-3 win over Ukraine, while in the other opening match Poland beat Ukraine 5-4.

The final pool matches are due to be played on Saturday morning, with semi-finals later in the day.

Inside the Games

EuroHockey Indoor Championship II 2020 (M) - Day 2
Lucerne, Switzerland

18 Jan 2020 09:00     DEN v BLR (Pool B)     1 - 8
18 Jan 2020 10:15     TUR v POR (Pool B)     3 - 7
18 Jan 2020 11:30     ITA v CRO (Pool A)         1 - 3
18 Jan 2020 12:45     SUI v SVK (Pool A)         6 - 2
18 Jan 2020 16:45     ITA v DEN (Pool C)         5 - 2
18 Jan 2020 18:00     SVK v TUR (Pool C)     1 - 5
18 Jan 2020 19:15     CRO v POR (Pool D)     4 - 6
18 Jan 2020 20:30     SUI v BLR (Pool D)         3 - 2

Pool Standings

Pool A

Pool B

Pool C

Pool D

FIH Match Centre

EuroHockey Indoor Championship III 2020 (M) - Day 2
Santander, Spain

18 Jan 2020 11:00     SLO v SCO (Pool A)     0 - 9
18 Jan 2020 12:25     ESP v IRL (Pool A)         3 - 0
18 Jan 2020 16:15     WAL v SCO (Pool A)     4 - 4
18 Jan 2020 17:40     IRL v SLO (Pool A)         4 - 0

Final Pool Standings

Pool A

FIH Match Centre

Scotland men book final spot after successful indoor Euros day 2



Scotland convincingly beat Slovenia 9-0 before battling out a 4-4 draw with Wales on day two of Men’s Indoor EuroHockey Championship III in Santander. The results put Scotland in tomorrow’s final where a win will see them promoted to the second tier of European indoor hockey.

The day will see the Blue Sticks take on hosts Spain in a double-header, first to resolve who finishes the pool stage on top before they play in the final to decide who gets the gold medal and promotion spot.

Slovenia 0-9 Scotland (D. Coultas x3; C. Golden x4; S. Dick; C. Falconer)

Scotland started day two at Men’s Indoor EuroHockey Championship II with a comprehensive 9-0 victory over Slovenia. Cammy Golden scored four; Dan Coultas scored a hat-trick; and there were goals from Stephen Dick and Craig Falconer.

It was a match where Scotland were clinical from penalty corners scoring four from six. Slovenia parked themselves on the D and presented the Blue Sticks with the challenge of breaking them down.

Midway through the opening quarter the Scots went to work on their goal scoring exploits. Drag flick expert Dan Coultas fired home a penalty corner and almost immediately Cammy Golden followed up with a strike to make it 2-0.

Golden and Coultas again were the protagonists in the second quarter as the Blue Sticks thundered home more goals. First Coultas completed his double before two Cammy Golden penalty corner finishes gave him his hat-trick.

The goals continued in the third quarter and again it was Cammy Golden who pinged home his fourth of the match from another penalty corner for 6-0.

Scotland’s captain Stephen Dick made it 7-0 for Scotland early in the final quarter before Coultas bagged his hat trick to go 8-0 ahead.

Craig Falconer got in on the act as the match neared a conclusion when he finished to make it 9-0 with a minute remaining.

The result meant Scotland required at least a draw against Wales in their next match to guarantee a place in the final.

Wales 4-4 Scotland (D. Coultas x2; C. Golden; A. MacKenzie)

Scotland earned a vital point in a 4-4 draw against Wales in Men’s Indoor EuroHockey Championship III in Santander. The Scots are now five points clear of the Welsh and two points behind Spain in the pool with one game left to play before the final later tomorrow where they’ll face Spain for the promotion spot.

It was the Welsh who came out the traps quickly and Benjamin Francis opened the scoring in the first minute of the game when he gave Wales the lead from a penalty corner.

From there Scotland dominated the play and issued a quick response through another clinical Dan Coultas penalty corner equalised to make it 1-1.

Early in the second quarter Wales retook the lead and it was Francis again who provided the strike to make it 2-1. A quick counter-attack saw the ball in the Scots net at a time when the Blue Sticks were running the show.

Wales furthered their advantage as the quarter progressed; it went to 3-1 when Jonathan Fleck scored on another break with two minutes of the half remaining to give his side a solid advantage at half time.

Scotland re-emerged with purpose and Coultas scored his second of the match as Scotland pulled one back to make it 3-2 to Wales. He finished well in a crowded D to get the important goal.

Moments later and there was an all-important equaliser for Scotland when a clinical Cammy Golden penalty corner made it 3-3. The ball was switched to Golden and he made no mistake with the finish.

Three minutes into the final quarter a yellow card was shown to Coultas, giving the Welsh a player advantage, and they made it count when William Riley made it 4-3.

The Scots battled hard and then earned back-to-back penalty corner opportunities to equalise – and did some damage with the second one. Adam MacKenzie equalised with two minutes to go, slamming home a goal of upmost importance to give Scotland the vital point required.

Scotland face hosts Spain in the final Pool game before the final placings are settled later in the day.

Scotland Indoor Head Coach Stuart Neave said, “It was great to get the point against Wales and I’m delighted we’re in the final. Sometimes you have games where you’re on top and it just doesn’t quite click, but the guys dug in well and got what we needed. Wales pushed us so it’s really important we got that point.

“The earlier game was a different challenge; Slovenia sat at the top of their D and made us break them down. The boys stuck to the task and did really well.

“Tomorrow is a big day for us. Again, we’ll refocus tonight and look at the video of today. The first game is unusual as it doesn’t really mean anything, but the final afterwards is where we’ll have to be on top of our game. It’s a great opportunity.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Bronze medal match awaits Ireland after loss and a win



The Irish men’s indoor side finished the day with a bronze medal match assured, copper-fastened by a 4-0 win over Slovenia in their final group game of the EuroHockey Indoor Championship III in Santander.

They did come unstuck against hosts Spain – who had won their two earlier matches 9-0 – in in game one 3-0. They were down a player with vice-captain Jason Lynch suffering a broken bone in his hand against Scotland on day one.

Against the Spanish, John Jackson’s deflection to Mark English’s diagonal ball into the circle almost drew first blood but Adrian Rafi was not to be beaten in the tie.

The hosts – also returnees after a spell away from indoor – looked more assured, though, and they went in front in the fourth minute, working the ball to Ignacio Cobos in the left corner who spun to find a route to goal.

Marc Vizcaino hit the bar before whipping in Spain’s second corner in the seventh minute. He would net his second and his side’s third in the 18th minute from another corner but Ireland steadied well at that stage.

Neal Glassey’s forceful run ended with another Rafi save, leaving it 3-0 at the break. Ireland stayed compact in the second half, attacking at pace on the counter and they won a couple of corners but could not find a way through to close the gap.

“The boys put it up from the first minute to the last and, in my opinion, the scoreline didn’t reflect the game,” Lynch said afterwards having watched the game from the stands. “Their keeper made a couple of really good saves but, again, it is a learning curve for ourselves. We had a gameplan, stuck to it, and created numerous opportunities.”

For Irish manager Rob Abbott, he added: “The discipline and press against Spain worked really well after some good video work from Kenny Carroll and Craig [Stewart] to identify a weakness.

“We exploited it but obviously we were not clinical in the circle albeit they probably had 65 or 70% possession. We defended well and stuck to the plan. We are learning constantly and improving big time.”

Against Slovenia, things all came together in the first quarter with Jackson and Harry Morris scoring from corners for a strong 2-0 lead. Glassey made it 3-0 by half-time before Ross Canning netted his third goal of the tournament to complete the win.

“Against Slovenia, we kept a lot of the ball, they sat deep in their press,” Lynch said. “We could have scored more goals but in the end, we are delighted with the result and looking forward to the bronze medal match.”

Michael Robson was suspended for that tie for “reckless play” picked up by the TD to leave Ireland working with 10 for the game but he will return for Sunday’s classification game.

That will be against the winner of Slovenia and Wales who meet on Sunday morning.

Men’s EuroHockey Indoor Championships III (all in Santander, times Irish): Ireland 0 Spain 3 (M Vizcaino 2, I Cobos); Ireland 4 (J Jackson, H Morris, N Glassey, R Canning) Slovenia 0

Standings (played): 1. Spain (3) 9pts (+21) 2. Scotland (3) 7pts (+17) 3. Ireland (4) 4pts (-7) 4. Wales 2pts (-9) 5. Slovenia 0pts (-22)

Sunday

Group matches: Slovenia v Wales, 7.25am; Scotland v Spain, 8.50am

Sunday Classification matches

Bronze match: Ireland v Wales/Slovenia, 12.50pm

Final: Spain v Scotland, 2.25pm

The Hook

2020 Test matches BRU v SGP (M)
Bandar Seri Begawan (BRU)

17 Jan 2020 19:45     BRU v SGP     0 - 6
18 Jan 2020 16:00     BRU v SGP     0 - 4

2020 Test matches BRU v SGP (W)
Bandar Seri Begawan (BRU)

17 Jan 2020 16:00     BRU v SGP     0 - 5
18 Jan 2020 19:45     BRU v SGP     0 - 9

FIH Match Centre

SA Hockey Women Squad named for Summer Series

The South African Women’s Hockey side are bracing for a bumper 7 months that will culminate in their confirmed participation in the Tokyo Olympic Games in July. The first step of this journey is the squad heading down to Stellenbosch where they will take on the SA Invitational U21 side, Netherlands U21, Ireland and Germany.

The SA Hockey Women’s squad has today been announced for the Summer Series. It’s a massive opportunity for all the players selected to stake a claim for a place on the plain to Tokyo later this year.

Lilian du Plessis, the top scorer in the African Hockey Road to Tokyo event, as well as Ongeziwe Mali, player of tournament in Stellenbosch will return to their happy hunting ground. While Kara Botes and Robyn Johnson will hope to bring the great indoor hockey form to the outdoor team.

Erin Hunter and Nicole Walraven may both be wearing new names on their backs, following their respective nuptials, but that defensive brilliance will still be on show.

SA Women’s Hockey Squad for Summer Series

No, Name, Province
1, Stephanie Baxter, North West
2, Quanita Bobbs, Western Province
3, Kara Botes, Southern Gauteng
4, Dirkie Chamberlain, Western Province
5, Lisa Deetlefs, Southern Gauteng
6, Lilian du Plessis, Southern Gauteng
7, Celia Evans, Northern Blues
8, Tegan Fourie, KZN Raiders
9, Erin Hunter, Southern Gauteng
10, Robyn Johnson, Southern Gauteng
11, Ongeziwe Mali, Eastern Province
12, Tarryn Mallet, Southern Gauteng
13, Marizen Marais, Northern Blues
14, Mmatshepo Modipane, Southern Gauteng
15, Kristen Paton, Southern Gauteng
16, Hannah Pearce, Southern Gauteng
17, Sylvia van Jaarsveldt, Southern Gauteng
18, Marelize van Tonder, Southern Gauteng
19, Nomnikelo Veto, Southern Gauteng
20, Nicole Walraven, Northern Blues
21, Bianca Wood, Border
22, Ontathile Zulu, SA U21

SA Women’s Hockey Summer Series Fixtures



SA Hockey Association media release

Asyraf’s flick does the trick

By R. KIRUBASHINI


Hot-shot Tiger: Mohd Nur Asyraf Ishak saw twice from his penalty corner drag flicks yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Youngster Mohd Nur Asyraf Ishak joined Maybank after a barren year with TNB Thunderbolts and suddenly saw his penalty corner drag flicks becoming potent in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

The 20-year-old defender from Melaka converted two penalty corners to steer the Tigers to a humiliating 9-3 win over hapless Kedah-Nurinsafi at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. Asyraf was on target in the third and 14th minutes. He has now scored three goals in four matches.

Former international forward Mohd Haziq Samsul scored a hattrick in the sixth, 19th and 58th minutes. Hafifihafiz Hanafi (44th and 47th), Alfarico Lance Liau Jr (17th) and Amirullah Zainol (41st) netted the other goals for the Tigers.

Nur Rahull Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi also scored a hattrick for Kedah in the 18th, 41st and 45th minutes.

It was Maybank’s biggest victory in four matches. The Tigers and Terengganu both have nine points from three wins and a defeat but the east coast team are in third spot with a better goal difference. Tenaga and UniKL are sitting in the top two spots with 12 points each.

Maybank won their first two matches against Hockey Academy of KL and Universiti Teknologi Mara with identical scores of 4-1 before losing to Tenaga Nasional 2-0.

Maybank’s next match is against TNB Thunderbolt and Nur Asyraf is looking forward to it.

“Last year, I played for TNB-Thunderbolt but I failed to score a single goal. I thank Maybank for hiring me and I’m glad I repaid them by scoring three goals so far.

“I am quite satisfied with my conversion rate and I hope to continue scoring goals in the league.

“It was a morale boosting win over the Kedah side and I hope we can pull off another win against my former team on Wednesday, ” said Nur Asyraf, who played for Malaysia in the Sultan of Johor Cup.

“My mission this year is to help Maybank to a top four finish in the league and help them get into for the semi-finals of the TNB (overall title).

“I also want to play for Malaysia in the Junior Asia Cup (in Dhaka, Bangladesh from June 4-14), which is the qualifying tournament for the Junior World Cup next year, ” added Nur Asyraf.

Maybank coach Azrul Effendy Bistamam was clearly delighted with the big win.

“We took an early lead and this enabled us to continue scoring. The win today has boosted us for our upcoming matches, ” said Azrul.

“We are also pleased with Nur Asyraf. He has been playing well and scoring regularly in the league. We hope that he will keep his good form going, ” he added.

The Star of Malaysia

MHL: Broken water pipe beyond our control

By Jugjet Singh


Terengganu Hockey Team coach K. Dharmaraj and two others helping to water the Tun Razak Stadium pitch on Friday.

PICTURES of Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) coach K. Dharmaraj helping to water the Tun Razak Stadium pitch, armed with plastic container, just before their match against Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) on Friday have been doing the rounds on social media and have earned the ire of netizens.

However, their anger was not directed at him but at the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and the competitions committee for their sheer lack of competency in organising the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

Perhaps the netizens have jumped the gun a bit here, as what happened was totally beyond MHC’s control.

As MHL tournament director K. Ananthavale explained: ‘While the pitch was being watered (for the THT v UiTM game), the main pipe broke and some parts were left dry.

‘Some coaches and officials helped to water the dry parts and the match went on without any problems.

‘It was an old pipe and laid in 1982.

‘This is an old stadium and needs some minor repair work. Unfortunately, the pipe burst at the wrong moment.

‘The contractors spent half a day yesterday (Saturday) to repair it.

‘They even conducted a thorough test after that and the pipe worked fine.’

This is not the first time such a problem had occurred as even the once well-managed Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium in Jalan Pantai was plagued with water pump problems some time ago.

The MHC and State HAs do not have a stadium of their own and rent from the Stadium Board or state agencies, who are supposed to make sure everything is in working order before confirming bookings.

MALAYSIA HOCKEY LEAGUE

RESULTS

Men: Maybank 9 NurInsafi 3.

Women: HockAdemy 9 Sabah 1, Mutiara Impian 1 PKS-Uniten 8, Terengganu Ladies 1 Police Blue Warriors 0.

New Straits Times

Cox decides to step back from Kampong role at end of season



Alexander Cox  – who led SV Kampong to the 2016 EHL title – has decided to resign as the club’s head coach at the end of the current season.

Explaining his decision, he said: “It’s a very difficult decision for me. As a player and immediately afterwards as a coach, hockey has been at the centre of my life for more than 30 years.

“I am in the privileged position of being able to turn my passion into my work. At the moment, I need to choose a different direction in my working life. That means that the current season will be my last as a coach.

“I look forward to successfully completing my great time at Kampong with my players, staff and club. We will do everything we can to achieve our goal, a third national title in four years.”

Dennis de Breij, chairman of Kampong said: “Alexander has brought us an incredible amount in the eight seasons that he has been associated with Kampong and we are eternally grateful to him for that.

“With four final places, two of which led to the National Championships in 2017 and 2018; winning the EHL in 2016, Kampong have been one of the leading teams in the Netherlands for more than five years.

“The image of Kampong as a tactical fighting machine is primarily due to Alexander. He stuck his neck out and gave the team their own image. It contains a lot of energy, talent and dedication from Alexander. An incredible achievement.”

Paul van den Putten, a Kampong top hockey board member, added: “We are not only grateful to Alexander for his enormous contribution to the successes of recent years, but also for his important impetus to further professionalise the training for our Kampong youth. We also appreciate Alexander for his versatility and intensity, which we will enjoy until the end of this season. “

Euro Hockey League media release

Olympians unveil OTHL's Mascot Chhota Cheetah

s2h team



Three living legends of hockey Olympic gold medalist -- Harbinder Singh, World Cup goldie HJS Chimni and Moscow Olympic gold medalist MK Kaushik -- together unveiled city based NGO One Thousand Hockey Legs' Mascot, named Chhota Cheetah OTHL Cheetah in a simple but impressive function on Wednesday at the historic Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.

The mascot symbolizes energy, vigour and of course teen's mischief in eyes will henceforth mark the identity of the globally acclaimed One Thousand Hockey Legs (OTHL). The OTHL is working at grassroot to improve the lot of Indian hockey since inception in 2008.



About 300 pieces of the mascot were distributed to the start up kids to motivate them to the sport of hockey

"Am happy to see hundreds of kids taking up hockey, and hail the organizers for this. To have a Mascot, that too a kind that would entice kids, is wonderful. It will go a long way in creating hockey culture in schools", said triple Olympian Harbinder Singh. His brother, Brig. Har Jeet Singh Chimni, who won gold at Kualumpur World Cup, and 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medalist MK Kaushik too joined senior colleague Harbinder in joining the sea of kids to motivate them towards hockey sport.

The NGO organized its annual Sporting Month Prgram at the MDCNS. Starting 20th Dec, daily 8-10 matches were held for different category of teams, say SubJr, Jr and Seniors. Over all 242 matches were held and the finals were held on 15th Jan.

One Thousand hockey legs is the flagship program of Hockey Citizen Group, founded by hockey historian K. Arumugam and his friends in 2008 to create career opportunity for the under-privileged section of Indian society. By micro planning and precise execution the OTHL aims to improve the educational and sporting abilities of not so well placed children of age group 10 to 18.

The NGO received Hockey India president's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2015 and President of India's RKPP award next year.

The Winners of OTHL Winter Competition Season were as follows:

2nd Living Legends Cup
PRESENTED BY : Mr. YS Negi, Principal
WINNER : Dilip Dynamos
RUNNERS UP : Ajit Pal Arrows

Skills Cup for U-13 boys
PRESENTED BY : Parents / Guardians
WINNERS : Govt. co-ed SBV, Shahpurjat
RUNNERS UP : GBSSS, Janakpuri - 1

Open Series Srs & Jrs
PRESENTED BY : Shri Uma Shankar Sharma
WINNERS : OTHL
RUNNERS UP : OTHL -1

Jr OTHL Cup 2019
PRESENTED BY : Brig. HJS Chimni, World Cup Gold medalist
JR OTHL CUP WINNERS : GBSSS, Ghitorni
JR OTHL CUP RUNNERS UP : GBSSS, Janakpuri - 1
JR OTHL CUP BRONZE : SBV, Ashok Vihar

Sr OTHL Cup 2019
PRESENTED BY : Mr. Harbinder Singh, Olympic Gold Medalist
SR OTHL CUP WINNERS : GBSSS, Begumpur
SR OTHL CUP RUNNERS UP : Anglo-Arabic Sr. Sec. School, Ajmeri Gate
SR OTHL CUP BRONZE : GBSSS, Ghitorni

Stick2Hockey.com

Former Sea Games skipper dies aged 74

By Jugjet Singh


The late Micheal Yan.

NEGRI Sembilan HA (NSHA) Hall-of-Fame inductee Michael Yan died at the age of 74 yesterday.

He was an architect by profession, but his love for hockey saw him coaching the St Paul’s Institution (SPI) team in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.

‘He was not only a player but also a coach and official of the NSHA. He also played in the 1973 Sea Games in Singapore.

‘For his immense contributions to hockey in the state, we inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 2016,’ said NSHA secretary P. Tamil Selvam.

After representing the country at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok, the Paulian captained the Sea Games team who won silver in Singapore three years later.

At the state level, he was captain when Negri won the 1974 Tun Hussein Onn Cup and the 1975 Razak Cup.

He retired as a player in 1977.

New Straits Times