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All the news for Saturday 29 October 2016

Guatemala leads the classification matches of the indoor tournament and goes for the crown of the men’s competition

On the women’s side Guatemala is at the top with only one game played. More to come tomorrow, Saturday (starting at 8 a.m.); four women’s games and two men’s.

Patrick Espejo M.


2016 Central American Indoor Championship (Men) – Panama City, Panama – 28 Oct 2016 - Guatemala vs. Costa Rica. Photo: Patrick Espejo

Guatemala gave today a decisive step to revalidate last year’s championship at the Central American Indoor Tournament in Panama, where after two wins is the leader of the competition with perfect score. In their first match, they won to Costa Rica, and in the afternoon, they defeated the host, Panama, 5-3

On Saturday, they will play Honduras, and a victory or a draw, will lead them to the big final match on Sunday. The tournament is organized by the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF), in coordination with the Panamanian Hockey Association.

Guatemala’s National Team had to work hard in the Eugenio 'Yuyin' Luzcando Gymnasium to find spaces and overcome solid Costa Ricans, in the first match, ensuring their victory with 4 minutes to the end, thru Juan Navarro Coto.

Later in another exciting game the Guatemalans, could recover from Panama’s lead, thru their scorer Agustín Depaz, placed as 'Hunter' in the area, taking advantage of every rebound close to the penalty mark. He converted three of the five goals beating the host.

Panama and Costa Rica will play for a second spot in the finals at their match on Saturday. Both National Teams beat Honduras. Panama won 8-3 and the “Ticos” 8-0.

WOMEN COMPETITION

The last match of the day was emotional and dramatic, and captured the attention of the fans at the stands. Costa Rica took a 3-2 lead with excellent goals from Daniela Solano, after the execution of a penalty corner at the end of the 40 minutes. Celina Portugal found the net with a strong shot and tied the match in three.

Guatemala then climbed to the top, after winning Honduras 5-0.

Today, the ladies will have a double date making their way to the finals on Sunday.

CHANGE OF SCHEDULE TIME

Due to force majeure, tomorrow’s schedule was modified. Day two will start at 8 am as follows:

8 a.m. Guatemala vs. Honduras (men)
9:15 a.m. Costa Rica vs. Honduras (women)
10:30 a.m. Guatemala vs. Panama (women)
11:45 a.m. Costa Ria vs. Panama (men)
2:30 p.m. Costa Rica vs. Guatemala (women)
3:45 p.m. Panama vs. Honduras (women)

Pan American Hockey Federation media release

Indian men defeat hosts Spain and women go down 1-2 against Germany

Valencia, Spain: India's Junior Men Hockey team beat the hosts Spain 3-1 in their match at the 4-Nations Invitational tournament yesterday. The result saw India top of the table after the round-robin stages. India were the dominant team from the start and were applying pressure and pushing the hosts on the defensive from the starting hooter. They won their first PC in the 5th minute and Parvinder Singh's conversion gave them a 1-0 lead.

Spain clawed their way back with a PC conversion of their own in the 16th minute, by Gerard Garcia. India kept their attacking intent alive though and kept on the offensive throughout the half. They won a host of PCs, midway through the half, but Alberto Carnicer in Spain's goal denied them the lead.

Just before halftime though Nilakanta Sharma put them in the lead with a superbly taken goal in the 30th minute. Spain came out of halftime more organised at the back and were soon making incursions into the Indian defence right at the start of the second half. A swift counter attack by India in the 41st minute, finished by Armaan Qureshi, effectively killed off the game though, as India held on for a 3-1 win.

At the 5-Nations Invitational Tournament, India's Junior Women team went down 2-1 to Germany in a hard-fought encounter.

Elisia Grave opened the scoring in the 25th minute via a PC conversion. In the final minute of the half, India launched a superb attacking move, with swift movement, that culminated with Jyoti Gupta putting the ball in the back of the net to draw them level as they went into the break.

Julia Meffert gave Germany the lead in the 58th minute via another PC conversion and despite India's sustained pressure and possession play, Germany held on for a narrow victory.

India's Junior Men Hockey Team play the hosts, Spain in the semi-final of the 4-Nations Invitational Tournament at 1630 hours IST on 29th October 2016.

India’s Junior Women Hockey Team play Belgium at the 5-Nations Invitational Tournament, at 2030 hours IST on 29th October 2016.

Stick2Hockey.com

India's junior men's hockey team beats Spain 3-1 at 4-Nation meet

VALENCIA: India's junior men's hockey team beat the hosts Spain 3-1 in their match at the 4-Nations Invitational tournament on Thursday evening.

The result saw India top of the table after the round-robin stages. For India, Parvinder Singh (5th min) opened the scoring while Nilakanta Sharma (30th min) and Armaan Qureshi (41st min) added to the tally.

India were the dominant team from the start and were applying pressure and pushing the hosts on the defensive from the starting hooter.

They won their first penalty corner in the 5th minute and Parvinder Singh's conversion gave them a 1-0 lead. Spain clawed their way back with a short corner conversion of their own in the 16th minute, by Gerard Garcia.

India kept their attacking intent alive though and kept on the offensive throughout the half. They won a host of penalty corners midway through the half but Alberto Carnicer in Spain's goal denied them the lead.

Just before halftime though Nilakanta Sharma put them in the lead with a superbly taken goal in the 30th minute.

Spain came out of half-time more organised at the back and were soon making incursions into the Indian defence right at the start of the second half.

A swift counter attack by India in the 41st minute, finished by Armaan Qureshi, effectively killed off the game though, as India held on for a 3-1 win.

The Times of India

Key players you watch out in today semifinals

Its business end of the Kuantan Asian Champions Trophy. Both semi-finals present a rich fare. That none of these teams, when played in the league each other, could post one-sided victories against the other. Loose matches were seen only against now relegated China and Japan teams. Hockey is a team game. Still, there are individuals who outdo themselves, and proved their edge in the team’s outcome.



Malaysian veteran Kumar Subramaniam stand head and shoulders above the rest when comes to goalkeeping. No other than Paul Lissek, who worked in Malaysia for almost two decades, feels but for Kumar things would have been different for Malaysia. This is a high praise one can earn. The 36-year old, oldest in Kuantan players, may prove to be a tough nut to crack for Pakistan’s young and up coming Aleem, who has produced many crucial goals for Pakistan through penalty corners.

For Indian defender Rupinder Pal Singh Malaysia is a dream destination. He was declared best player in his very debut international Sultan Azlan Shah Cup six years ago. The lanky Rupinder Pal Singh doesn’t give up easily. He put it away one in the 58th minute for India against Malaysia in the last pool match after giving lead in the first quarter too. Besides drag-flicking, he surges upfront to accelerate attach when it is slack, and then his defence skills are impeccable.



India’s Nikkin may not have been among the scorers as much as he deserves, but the fleet-footed forward is one Korean defenders would like to watch out and keep under control. Nikkin is known for dash, spurt and self-less passes, like of which set up Lalit Upadhyay to post the equalizer against the same Korea in the league.

Aleem Bilal of Pakistan is one player who can tilt the scales against the hosts. Aleem is Penalty corner expert in the Pakistan ranks. He has shot vital goals, and his drags are powerful. He was not so good in the league against today’s rival Malaysia, where Kumar called the shot in their 4-2 win, but after five matches Bilal is an improved executioner. Inexperienced, but ready to execute novel techniques, Aleem may turn out to be the player who Pakistan want to deliver today.



The defending champions’ fate depend on this 23-year old.

Its difficult to select one or two players from the cracking bunch of Koreans, for, theirs is an impact making full team. However, their defender cum goal tender Jeon Jung Woo attracts attention.

Ifran Jr of Pakistan is fast emerging star on the international circuit. He has speed, hawkish eye, and untiring efforts. One goal he struck against China in a lightening speed, that too after earlier goal in the same minutes, speak volume of his emerging stardom. Malaysia need to be wary of him.



Rahim Razie, with jersey No.17 is already a star. He was released by the Malaysian Police, where he is presently employed, belatedly. But it did not deter him from determined effort to see his nation improve its performance. He much like Rupinder Pal of India, works hard at rear, moves up when needed and then reliable drag flicker too.

With him in the defence and Kumar in the cage, Malaysia presents a big challenge to every other team in the business end.

Stick2Hockey.com

Pakistan target final at Malaysia’s expense


Guests hoping to knock out hosts having finally acclimatised to conditions. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: The Pakistan national hockey team will take on hosts Malaysia in the semi-finals of Men’s Asian Champions Trophy today with one eye on a finals berth and another on improving their world ranking.

The Greenshirts, who were defeated 4-2 by Malaysia in their round-robin match last week, recently dropped from 10th to 13th in the rankings, and a win over the home side would not only avenge that defeat but also earn them some valuable ranking points in times when they don’t get to play too many international matches.

Head coach Khawaja Junaid put down that defeat to Malaysia to the players’ unfamiliarity of playing conditions — something which he says will not be an issue this time around.

“The team is fully prepared to knock Malaysia out and prove that we are the better team. We have now got used to the rainy conditions and the turf as well, and our adaptation reflects in our recent performances,” Junaid told The Express Tribune.

“Even in the defeat against India we scored two goals and at one point were leading against a sixth-ranked team, which is a promising sign,” he added.

To cut down on errors, the players have been watching videos of their defeats. “We have been working on the errors pointed out by our coaches after every game,” said defender Rashid Mehmood. “We are confident of not repeating them again in the semi-final.”

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Imran Butt reminded critics that the team had been deprived of international hockey since April before entering this tournament and so it is unreasonable to expect them to fire on all cylinders.

“The players were out of the international circuit and hadn’t faced any of these teams in the recent past so how can we put on a good show,” Butt asked rhetorically.

Pakistan booked their place in the knockout stage by finishing third out of six teams in round-robin group, winning three out of their five matches.

In addition to the aforementioned Malaysia defeat, the four-time former world champions also lost 3-2 to India, but secured victories over Japan, China and South Korea.

The Express Tribune

Pakistan face tricky Malaysian test in semi-final

KUANTAN -  Pakistan are all set to challenge host Malaysia in semifinals of the Fourth Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 in the Malaysian city of Kuantan Saturday.

The first semi-final will be played between India vs Korea.

India won the inaugural 2011 edition of the Champions Trophy, while Pakistan have been two-time champion.

It is presumed that Sunday’s final will be another epic battle between the two archrivals if both teams succeed in their respective encounters in semi-finals.

Malaysian team have been enjoying a terrific run in the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Pakistan in the opening match, defeated China 5-1 and Japan 7-2 until India slammed the brakes on the host following a 2-1 win.

The defending champion, Pakistan thrashed Korea 1-0, beat Japan 4-3 and outclassed China by 4-0.

Pakistan coach M Khawaja Junaid promised a tough fight in tomorrow’s match and that his players would give all it takes to stop Malaysia from entering the final.
 
Although the records favour Malaysia, Khawaja said he was optimistic that their first victory would be possible if the players gave their full concentration and used all the opportunities to score goals.

 “We will be careful with the tactical and individual skills during the match against Malaysia.

Both teams have an advantage on penalty corners but creating opportunities is also important.

I think we had lots of it in the previous game, but we missed it.

But each game is different and I believe both teams will give their best,” he said

Malaysia will have to contend with the lethal penalty corners and finishing of Pakistan in the semi-final.

Malaysia captain Shukri Mutalib said the task would be a top priority for the squad even though they defeated Pakistan 4-2 in the opening match as analysis found the defending champions had improved after every game.

 “The game against Pakistan cannot be compared to the match earlier.
We have anlaysed the matches and found Pakistan have improved.

They improved game by game,” he told a media conference.

Meanwhile, national hockey coach Stephen Van Huizen said tomorrow’s game would be different compared to the previous match and would see new challenges as both teams were eyeing to be in the final.
 
“Pakistan are always one of the good teams in hockey but we managed to beat them in the first game and we finished second in the pool standing.
But the match has entered a new round.

This position does not matter now.

Who plays a better game tomorrow, who makes the right decisions, as well as taking chances and defending well. will decide the winners of tomorrow’s game,” he said.

Stephen added that his boys were ready and had undergone extra training on penalty shooting as part of preparations to meet Pakistan.
 
He noted that the team were aware and prepared if defender Faizal Saari had to leave the game to be with his wife, who is expecting to give birth any time now.

“We can’t control certain things, but we are all prepared.

We know his family comes first but we hope he will be with us until the end of the tournament.

I believe Faizal has also set his mind to finish the tournament if he can,” he said.

The Nation

Sreejesh injury a worry as India take on resurgent South Korea

KUANTAN (Malaysia): India are hopeful of producing the magic to surmount the challenge from resurgent South Korea in the semi-finals+ of the fourth Asian Champions Trophy despite ankle injury to ace custodian PR Sreejesh.

The other worry for India is deep defender Surender Kumar+ 's suspension.

Seeking to reclaim the title that they won in the inaugural edition in 2011, fancied India were held to a 1-1 draw by the young South Korean side, which has improved with every outing.

India topped the round-robin league standings, but did not know their semi-final opponents until the end of last league encounter between the Koreans and hosts Malaysia.

The Koreans led by a goal until four minutes from the hooter before a penalty corner produced the Malaysian equaliser and got the home side the second place in the league standings.

"South Korea is a good side that has improved its quality throughout this tournament. We saw yesterday what they can do," said Indian coach Roelant Oltmans+ .

"The Korean strength lies in their defence. It will all depend on how we can break past their defence," said Oltmans, hoping his own defence would overcome the problems confronting the team.

"I think Sreejesh will be able to play. He's recovering from the ankle injury, but even if he does not play in the semi-finals, Akash Chikte is a very good reserve goalkeeper," the coach said.

Oltmans praised Chikte for his fine show in the last two matches, where he was fielded for the entire duration of the games as Sreejesh was rested.

The coach said India had no choice of a semi-final opponent.

"They are all strong teams. It does not matter who we play in the semi-finals. When we left India for Kuantan, we saw these four teams making the semi-finals," said Oltmans.

"Five minutes before the end of the last league match yesterday, my mind was preparing for a semi-final against Pakistan," said the coach, referring to the scenario of an India-Pakistan semi-final had the Koreans won the game against Malaysia.

"Now, I have to prepare for a match against South Korea. Hopefully it would not be a 1-1 draw tomorrow," said Oltmans, referring to the only match in the round-robin league that India did not win.

Oltmans said India will have to learn to play without Surender in the next two games following his suspension for a dangerous foul during the last league outing against Malaysia on Wednesday.

"In a short period of time that he has been in the national squad, Surender has acquired a certain place," said the coach. We'll have to make some changes, but it will not affect the game-plan."

India have benefitted from the success of Rupinnder Pal Singh+ in conversing penalty corners in this tournament, where he is the tournament's highest scorer with 10 strikes against his name.

Three players - Pakistan's Muhaammad Aleem Bilal, Malaysian Faizal Saari and Kenta Tanaka of Japan - are tied for the next position, which is six goals behind Rupinder.

Paul Lissek, the German coach of the South Korean side, is all praise for his young team after yesterday's match, where they gave Malaysia a fright.

"We've been consistent throughout the tournament, but were unlucky not to have scored more goals," said Lissek.

"We're looking forward to taking on India. We played a fine game against them in the league fixture," Lissek said, asserting that South Korea were "capable of winning this tournament."

Hosts Malaysia are looking to repeat their winning show of the tournament's opening match against defending champions Pakistan.

"Tomorrow will be different ball game than the league fixture. This is the business end of the tournament," said Malaysian coach Steven van Huizen, adding that his team was bracing for the challenge.

Winners of the 2012 and 2013 titles, Pakistan started the tournament with a 2-4 loss to Malaysia, but their coach Khawaja Junaid believes that "the semi-final will be a mental battle."

"We have talented players who are showing their mettle. The result of the semi-final will depend upon conversing penalty corners, which is the strength of both teams," said Junaid.

The Times of India

It’s India vs Korea in ACT semifinals

Kuantan (Malaysia) - India will look to live up to their reputation as they face a tricky South Korea in the Asian Champions Trophy semifinals on Saturday.

India remained unbeaten in the round-robin stage with 13 points. They have conceded six goals and scored 25 in their five matches so far.

The world No. 6 dropped points only once in the round-robin stage — against their semifinal opponents South Korea and that could be on India’s mind when they take the field tomorrow.

In a big boost for India, captain PR Sreejesh will be back after missing the last two round-robin games due to an ankle injury.

South Korea finished fourth in the group stage after conceding a last-minute goal to Malaysia in their final game. The South Koreans, world No. 11, have scored 11 goals in the competition so far — the lowest among the semifinalists.

India chief coach Roelant Oltmans said: “Korea have an extremely well-drilled and organised defensive structure, and they rely on that in their games. We already have an experience of seeing how suffocating their play can be, and it is a challenge for us. We will have to be more clinical against them. It should be a good encounter.”

For India, dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh has been in an imperious form, scoring 10 goals in the tournament. The power of the Punjab set-piece specialist has been too hot to handle for India’s opponents and Oltmans will hope that he keeps scoring. Singh will be extremely important as a central defender, and his defensive pairing with Birendra Lakra and Kothajit Singh will be tested against the nimble-footed Koreans.

The midfield will be led by former captain Sardar Singh. The 30-year-old has been average and looked out of touch so far. Right midfielder SK Uthappa has been playing well, perfectly transforming defence into attack while helping the forwards in making the circle penetrations.

In the other semifinal, Pakistan will face hosts Malaysia.

The Tribune

India’s semi- finals in Continental tourneys

By B.G.Joshi(Sehore-Bhopal, India)

 In Hockey 15 Asian Games (AG), 9 Asia Cup (AC) and 4 Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) had played. Tournament was played as Single league format in 1958, 1974 and 1990 Asian Games and in 1982 Asia Cup. In ACT semi final stage introduced first time.
A detail of India’s SF in Continental tourneys

India versus South Korea

Fieldhockey.com

Financial hardships haunt Korean hockey

s2h team



Paul Lissek banks on spirit of players in hard times to tide over Korean crisis

Virtual Global ambassador of hockey, Paul Lissek, is the chief coach of Korean men’s national team. As the Korean hockey authorities face financial hardships to run the show, he banks on the spirit of Korean players, their work ethics, and motivation to sail through hard times and bring back the team to a position of strength at least in the Asian context.

Unlike 4,5 years before, Korea has lost its sheen in the elite levels, their team not seen around the world stage as they used to be so in the past, and is no longer a numero uno team of Asia either.

German Paul Lissek who worked in Malaysia and Australia after playing for Germany and coaching Germany Junior teams to World Cup titles, is tasked to usher Korean hockey into a new era.

There is no one is as competent to talk about present state of Korean hockey than Paul Lissek, who is with the Koran Federation for almost last one year, and has hands on experience.

“The problem in Korea is money, lack of it. We have plans to rebuild Korean hockey. That would require international exposure. For that we would like to go Australia, India, here Malaysia. But what reply we get is you can’t do this, you don’t do this, we don’t have no money like that. Korean men’s hockey faces severe financial problem at present”.

On asked that Korea has been playing all over the world till 2,3 years ago and what has changed now, Paul’s straight reply is: :The change is money”.

“They say Paul, your program is very short. Men haven’t qualified for the Olympics. The money goes to ladies”.

“I hope India comes to our help, visit us for playing test matches. Then you will ask what do we offer in return. I don’t have any reply to that. We can’t even put them in a hotel. The Federation is so poor, I cannot explain beyond”.

If that is the situation what future holds for Korea.

Positive as ever, Paul says the future is the response of these young sportsmen, hockey players.

“They are motivated for hockey, that is there. We don’t have many players but those available are highly spirited, motivated and intelligent enough to follow tactics, strategy. They are hard working, and training”.

Paul even agreed frankly that he is not given any target. “But am given freedom to go anywhere, plan and formulate work in Korea”.

Other than lack of financial crisis, Paul doesn’t find any other hardships there in Korean hockey domain. He doesn’t even find any difficulty in communicating with players.

“Seung Song Tae is there with me. He has played in Germany and Europe. He know English. He translates for me, slowly the team start to understand English too”.

Paul is frank enough to even acknowledge that Korea no more has great goalkeepers in the mould of, say Kumar Subramaniam of Malaysia.

No, we don’t have good goalies. Today we would have won against Malaysia if not Kumar is there. Korea needs that kind of goalies too.

Stick2Hockey.com

Pakistan preparing for Junior WC in India: Shahbaz



KUANTAN -  Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Friday said the training of its team for the Junior World Cup in the Indian city of Lucknow is in full swing, even as it awaited clearance from the government.

Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, Secretary of the PHF, said an unnecessary controversy had been created in the media whether Pakistan would participate in the Junior World Cup, to be played December 8-18 in India.

“The team’s preparations are in full swing and the tournament is more than six weeks away,” Shahbaz told PTI during the fourth Asian Champions Trophy in the western Malaysian city of Kuantan.

“There are procedural issues and sanctions that are sought from the government every time a team goes abroad,” said Shahbaz.

“We have applied to the government for the clearance and the tournament is more than month and half away.

In the meanwhile, our team is preparing for the tournament and travel issues are being looked into,” said Shahbaz, a former Pakistan captain and dazzling striker in his career that spanned over a decade and a half.

Shahbaz said the PHF had already communicated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that it was committed to participate in all international tournaments.

Recent political tension between the two countries led to media reports that sporting relations between the two countries may be affected.
Bilateral sporting tours are already under a strain, but media reports said international tournaments could also be affected.

“All this talk is speculative and an unnecessary controversy is being created,” said Shahbaz, adding that there was no problem about visas for the Pakistan junior team to visit India.

“Visas for Pakistan team are not a problem.

The matter has been resolved,” he said.

Pakistan have twice won the Junior World Cup, which started in 1979.

The Nation

Kampong and Rotterdam battle for top three spot



SV Kampong and Rotterdam meet tonight with both hoping they can claim third place on their own as they play a back match which was originally scheduled for October 9.

Kampong were playing in the EHL that weekend, qualifying for the KO16 with wins over Holcombe and AZS AWF Poznan. Now the focus switches back to their Hoofdklasse campaign as they look to close the gap on Bloemendaal and AH&BC Amsterdam who are well clear.

Last season, the two sides drew 4-4 and 2-2 and so goals are usually the order of the day. Indeed, Constantijn Jonker is leading the scoring charts with 10 goals and has netted in each of his last three meetings with Rotterdam to show his threat.

A win for Kampong would move them up to 16 points in third place on their own; a Rotterdam win would lift them to points.

On Sunday, Kampong travel to Hurley for their second game of the weekend.

Elsewhere, the top two meet with Bloemendaal – with seven wins from seven – hosting Amsterdam in a clash between the two oldest clubs in the Netherlands. Bloemendaal have won all seven of their games this season while Amsterdam have six wins to their name.

Both Thierry Brinkman and Justin Reid-Ross have scored in six of the seven rounds of play and the South African flicker has netted 10 times before against Bloemendaal in the league.

Oranje Rood will look to reignite their push for a top four finish when they play their derby at Tilburg, a venue they have won at – in their OZ days – the last four times they have played.

Euro Hockey League media release

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - Hillhead take the spotlight


Hillhead v Uddingston men. Photo by Duncan Gray www.duncolm.co.uk

Friday Night Lights and a blistering first half performance by Hillhead was enough to see off Uddingston in the Scottish Men’s National League 1.

The game was barely a few minutes old when Hillhead took an early lead. A long searching pass into the D was finished off from a tight angle by Ewan Campbell to make it 1-0.

Hillhead were looking strong and composed early doors; dominating the midfield and the tempo. Uddingston were struggling for fluency in the early stages but not for effort as they strived to match their hosts.

The speed of Hillhead's play was too much and soon it was 2-0. Andrew Black was sensational in the move and a great exchange in the D was smashed home by Chris Wilson.

Uddingston had barely caught their breath when Hillhead piled into their D yet again and a wayward challenge brought the award of a penalty flick. Andrew Hilton stepped up and struck it hard and low into the net to make it 3-0.

Uddingston came close but were denied when Hillhead keeper Jamie Frail rushed out to block a shot at the edge of his circle.

As half time approached Hillhead were playing some exceptional hockey and the play was rewarded with another goal when Callum Duke struck a superb finish across the keeper to make it 4-0 Hillhead.


Hillhead v Uddingston men. Photo by Duncan Gray www.duncolm.co.uk

It was a great first half performance by the hosts and while Uddingston were working hard to compete they were not able to create chances of their own.

The second half however was a different story – a much more even affair. Uddingston looked a far more settled side after the break and did a much better job of destructing Hillhead’s play. Percy was much more involved and the visitors were able to play further up the pitch.

A good penalty corner by Uddingston was well saved by Frail. Then Kaza made a good run down the right but was crowded out by Hillhead defenders.

Later there was a massive battle for the ball in the Uddingston D but Percy dug deep under pressure and came away with the ball while gold jerseys swarmed around him.

Uddingston’s second half performance was rewarded by a goal when they pulled one back through a Kaza penalty corner. It was a great low finish to the left of the goalkeeper.

Hillhead Head Coach Mark Ralph said: “I’m massively pleased with the performance. We took on board the points made at last week’s training and it worked dividends in the first half tonight. We let it slip a little in the second half, but credit to Uddingston for changing their tactics.

“We knew it would be a physical came but we matched that and maybe caught Uddingston a bit cold in the first fifteen minutes, and we were able to get some goals in the first fifteen minutes.”

It was Hillhead’s night and they were well deserving of their victory under the lights at Old Anniesland.

FULL TIME: Hillhead 4-1 Uddingston

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Telkom Orange, Sliders face off as title race enters homestretch

By BRIAN YONGA


Lillian Aura of Telkom Orange controls the ball during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match against Daystar Falcons at City Park Stadium on October 15, 2016. PHOTO | MARITN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Champions Telkom Orange tackle Sliders on Sunday at the City Park Stadium in the pick of this weekend’s Kenya Hockey Union Women’s Premier League matches.

This is Orange’s penultimate game of the season and a win against Sliders will leave the champions needing just a point in their final league match against newcomers Amira Sailors to retain the title.

Orange top the standings on 16 points, five more than second-placed Strathmore University Scorpions, who play Kenyatta University (KU) Titans on Sunday.

The 18-time league champions come into this match buoyed by last weekend’s Sana Cup triumph in Mombasa.

Orange beat Sailors 3-0 in the final to win their fourth Sana Cup and will be looking to extend their fine form on Sunday.

The eight-time Africa Club Championship title holders hit 26 goals in their two league matches.

Veteran striker Jackline Mwangi has been in excellent form and will again be charged with leading the forward line against fifth-placed Sliders.

Orange coach Jos Openda has however warned his charges against any slip ups at this point of the season.

“We are on a roll and we just need to keep up the momentum. However, at times this season we have been guilty of laxity and this cannot be allowed especially at this stage of the season,” Openda said.

Openda will have to decide whether to stick with third-choice keeper Alice Wanjiru, who impressed on her debut at the Sana Cup tourney, or recall first choice goalie Cynthia Onyango.

Sliders, winless in their last three matches, have seen their title ambitions gone up in smoke, after a bright start to the campaign.

The Nixon Nyangaga-led side, who finished second last season, face a stern-test against the red-hot champions.

Coach Nyangaga has called on his charges to forget their poor form and face the champions without fear.

“We are capable of playing well and I want the team not to do Orange any favours. It is a big match and we must therefore play like a big team,” Nyangaga said.

With the play-off slots for the men’s Premier League already decided, teams will be aiming to finish their preliminary matches on a high.

Champions Butali Sugar Warriors take on USIU Saturday evening looking to maintain their unbeaten run.

The Kisumu-based side have already won Pool A and coach Cliffe Okello wants a good performance ahead of next month’s play-offs.

Butali will play Pool B runners up Greensharks while 2013 champions Kenya Police will play Strathmore Gladiators in the play-offs.

In the second tier men’s league, Parkroad Tigers will inch closer to securing promotion with a win against Mutlimedia University tomorrow while TUK play Kimathi University.

FIXTURES (All matches at City Park Stadium unless stated)

Saturday

Premier women: USIU Spartans v Amira Sailors- 12pm
National men: TUK V Kimathi University – 2pm, Kabarak University v Daystar University – ( Kabarak)- 2pm
Premier men: KU Vultures v Strathmore- 4pm, USIU v Butali – 6pm

Sunday

Premier women: Strathmore v KU Titans -9am, Orange v Sliders – 5pm
National men: Parkroad Tigers v Multimedia – 11am
Premier men: Sikh Union Nairobi v Parklands – 1pm, Chase Sailors v Parkroad- 3pm

Daily Nation

Orange tackle Sliders

Hockey champions keen to extend league lead

By Elizabeth Mburugu


USIU Lucy Wangechi(r) and Orange Lillian Aura(r) fight for the ball when they played Women National league at CityPark. Orange scored 2-O. ON 29/11/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Champions Telkom Orange face Sliders in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league encounter tomorrow at City Park Stadium. The clash is one of the ten matches lined up this weekend.

The reigning queens will leave no room for error as they seek to defend their title. Orange are currently at the peak of the table and a win over Sliders will enhance their chances of retaining the title.

Telkom coach Jos Openda told Feverpitch that Orange are determined to win all their remaining matches and put a firm grip on their crown.

“We are on a mission to defend our title and extend our reign. I believe my girls have what it takes to make it happen,” Openda said

Orange dropped points in their 2-2 draw against bitter rivals Strathmore University Scorpions. They lead the standings with 16 points while Strathmore are second with 11. Newcomers Amira Sailors who have proved they are no push-overs are third with ten points.

In today’s tie Amira will be hoping to bounce back from the 1-0 loss to Strathmore and increase their chances of a top four finish.

They take on fourth placed United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans.

The Scorpions have a chance to consolidate their second place when they take on Kenyatta University Titans in another women’s match tomorrow.

In the last round of the men’s Premier League group matches titleholders Butali Sugar Warriors lock horns with USIU-A in pool B dead rubber tie. Warriors have played like champions dominating their opponents and they remain unbeaten.

Warriors coach Cliffe Okello said that they will be going for a win because they are targeting finishing the season with a clean slate.

“The outcome of this match will not affect our place in the playoffs, but it matters to us because we still want to maintain our unbeaten run.

We are going for nothing less than victory because our aim is to retain out title without dropping a point,” Okello said.

In other Premier League matches Nairobi Sikh Union face Parklands in group A while Parkroad tackle debutantes Chase Sailors in pool B.

Sailors will be hoping to end their run on a high note.

The Standard Online

Top Fijian teams clash

Zanzeer Singh

ROCKEFELLERS and Marist will defend their respective titles during the Medica Pacifica/Williams & Gosling-sponsored Mates Hockey Championship which starts at the Nadovu grounds in Lautoka this morning.

The Mates Hockey Championship is the longest club hockey tournament in the Western Division entering its 28th year.

Former champions Ventures from Suva, Rebels of Nadi, Blue Star from Lautoka and Naidrodro from Ba are among the top seeds.

Rockefellers will defend the men's title while Marist (Suva) will defend the women's title.

The championship's director Fergus Underwood said eight men's team and six women's teams would be participating.

Underwood said Sugar Sticks was a new team that would participate in the event.

"We are grateful to Bhoo Gautam for sponsoring the event again," he said.

"Rockefellers will have the services of Marcus Hicks, Tommy Zoing and Ilaisa Veidreyaki while Marist (Suva) will have Ana Finau. There are eight men's teams and six women's teams."

Former members of the Mates club who reside in Australia and New Zealand are also supporting the event.

Men's: Pool A: Rockefellers, Mates, Marist, Sugar Sticks; Pool B: Blue Star, Rebels, Ventures, Naidrodro.

Women's: Pool A: Marist, Mates, Blue Star; Pool B: Ventures, Tokalau, Rebels.

The Fiji Times

St Andrews Win Subway All Ireland Schoolboys Championship



Ben Walker provided the flash of inspiration with less than 90 seconds remaining to land St Andrew’s their sixth Subway All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship title, dethroning Banbridge Academy in dramatic style.

Coach Ivan Ovington has presided over all six of the Booterstown school’s successes but said that the moment is all about the players.

“They are all equally special but you don’t take games and moments like this for granted,” he said afterwards. “I have been here a few times but what it means for these guys, it’s everything. They are special, special memories the lads will take away from today for sure.”

His side got off to a flying start in a tie hastily refixed for Newpark following a burst water pipe at Grange Road. Walker escaped the clutches of the otherwise immense Kyle Marshall down the left wing before picking out Ben Mannion at the right post to tap home.

Any notions of an easy ride, however, were quickly dispelled as Academy won a corner that Jake Rowe whipped home. He scored a hat trick of set pieces in the final a year ago and was once again deadly in this arena all through the tournament.

Parity, however, only lasted a couple of minutes as Charlie Denver got a great touch to Matteo Romoli’s crash ball in the 13th minute to redirect home.

Back came Bann; Nathan Liggett was nudged over when well placed to score, earning a penalty stroke that Rowe converted for 2-2 with just 15 minutes on the clock.

It was a potential goal-fest but both sides calmed down thereafter with Guy Sarratt controlling the tempo of the St Andrew’s game while Marshall made innumerable key interventions, more and more dramatic as time wore on.

Bann were also thankful to the superb goalkeeping of Luke Roleston. He crucially kept out a flurry of four penalty corners early in the second half while his counterpart Ben Bradley brilliantly tipped over another Rowe effort, a lovely 3D lob from the baseline.

Andrew’s were the side making most of the play and, with a shoot-out looming, they got their sixth and final penalty corner. The first two series of shots were smothered but amid the scramble, Walker was an oasis of calm, gathering the ball and coolly flicking home.

It was the seventh goal of the competition for the diminutive midfielder – who also netted twice in a 2-1 win over Wallace HS in the semi-final – and coach Ovington paid tribute to his key intervention along with his captain.

“Ben Walker just makes things happen and Guy [Sarratt] is an incredible leader. When we need something, Walker just seems to come up with something for us and if anyone is likely to come up with a winner, it’s him!”

 “It was an awesome game,” he added. “Banbridge were so disciplined and worked so hard. I didn’t think it was going to come in that second half but we just kept going and eventually we got that little spark to finish the game.”



St Andrew’s College 3 (B Mannion, C Denver, B Walker)
Banbridge Academy 2 (J Rowe 2)

St Andrew’s : B Bradley, E Good, G Sarratt, I Cooke, H Craig, M Romoli, B Walker, J Guilfoyle, D Shanahan, J Little, B Mannion
Subs: C Murphy, S Byrne, G Arrowsmith, C Denver, R McDonald

Banbridge Academy: L Roleston, K Marshall, R Simms, D Cowan, J Anderson, J Rowe, C Norris, M Barlow, P Campbell, N Liggett, J Reid
Subs: L Bingham, H Lockhart, E Rowe, S Dale, C Gibson

Irish Hockey Association media release

USWNT Athletes Help Launch After-School All-Stars' First Hockey Program in Philadelphia



PHILADELPHIA - The After-School All-Stars (ASAS) Philadelphia, who provides comprehensive after-school programs to help children succeed in school and in life, had two very special guests join them this week to help launch its first-ever field hockey team. U.S. Women's National Team Athletes Ali Campbell and Jill Witmer, also a Rio 2016 Olympian, dropped by Vare-Washington School in South Philadelphia, one of ASAS' two Title I schools in Philadelphia. They shared their background and their journey to the Olympic Games along with stressing the importance of doing well in school and staying healthy and active. The national team athletes then went over the basics, rules and skills of the sport for an eager group of girls.

After-School All-Stars Philadelphia was able to start its field hockey team thanks to a grant from Fundamental Field Hockey, a nationwide youth development initiative launched by USA Field Hockey to grow the game and promote fun physical activity. Fundamental Field Hockey provides free field hockey equipment to schools so that thousands of kids across the country can gain exposure to one of the most widely played and popular sports in the world.

“Health & fitness are an important component of the After-School All-Stars curriculum and thanks to the Fundamental initiative and the generosity of USA Field Hockey we are able to add field hockey to list of sports we offer our students,” said Rob Recine, After-School All-Stars Philadelphia Board Chair. “I know our students will enjoy learning to play field hockey and that they will benefit from the exercise it provides.”

“All-Stars brightens a child’s point of view toward their future and provides opportunities for that child to succeed in life,” said Yenni, an 8th grader at Vare-Washington School.

As a sweet sendoff, the athletes provided giveaways and signed swag for the students.

Click here to learn more about USA Field Hockey's Fundamental Field Hockey program and how your community can participate.

USFHA media release