News for 07 April 2017
All the news for Friday 7 April 2017
Belarus knocks out hosts Canada in come-back thriller, joins Uruguay as semifinal qualifiers
Ali Lee
Photo: Yan Huckendubler
Uruguay and Belarus edged out wins in the quarter-finals to secure spots in the semifinals against Chile and India, respectively. Uruguay hung on to a 2-1 advantage over Mexico, while Belarus scored four unanswered goals to overcome a three-goal defecit and ultimately dismiss hosts Canada.
Quarter-Final: Uruguay vs Mexico (2-1)
Uruguay converted their first penalty corner to take an early lead as Janine Stanley tapped in a rebound in the 5th minute to send the Cimarronas up 1-0. Uruguay dominated possession in the opening half but struggled to generate quality chances in the circle. Mexico defenders Eliana Cota and Karen Orozco were very busy and did well to disrupt the flow of the Uruguay attack. Mexico keeper Jesus Castillo was also quick to get a pad on the few open looks at goal. Uruguay were able to again find the backboard in the 16th minute on a close range finish from Matilde Kliche and they 2-0 entering half time.
Uruguay continued to pin Mexico in their end but were unable to find their rhythm through the low wall of Mexican sticks at the circle perimeter. An uninspiring third quarter seemed to recharge the teams in the fourth. In the 47th minute Mexico were awarded a penalty stroke after Ana Juarez’s shot deflected off a Uruguay foot on route to goal. Michel Navarro’s flick beat Uruguay keeper Rosanna Paselle on her stick side to cut Uruguay’s lead to one. Mexico showed a revived wave of energy but were just short of an equalizer, sending Uruguay through to the semifinals with the 2-1 victory. Uruguay will face Chile on 8 April and are just one win away from potentially qualifying for the Hockey World League Round 3.
Quarter-Final: Canada vs Belarus (3-4)
It was a tale of two halves as Canada got too comfortable after a first half lead and allowed Belarus four-straight second half goals on route to booking themselves a spot into the semifinals against India.
Bolstered by home field advantage, Canada came out crisp and composed, moving the ball with confidence and earning two early free play goals. In the 8th minute Jordyn Faiczak’s baseline run resulted in a cross-circle pass where a waiting Stephanie Norlander tapped in for a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later Canadian Brienne Stairs cut through the Belarussian midfield with ease and set up a streaking Hannah Haughn, who calmly flicked the ball to the far netting to double her team’s advantage. Canadian Rachel Donohoe cleaned up a rebound to net her fourth of the tournament and give Canada a 3-0 lead in the 20th.
It wasn’t until the third quarter that Belarus started to show their offensive flare. A penalty corner in the 35th minute was brilliantly executed as a sliding Volha Skryba deflected in to break Canada’s shutout to 3-1. Momentum drastically shifted and just five minutes later Belarus cut Canada’s lead to one. A hard ball was crushed in to the circle and an unmarked Maryna Nikitsina redirected past Williams to get Belarus within one, trailing 3-2. It didn’t stop there as another penalty corner chance allowed Yuliya Mikheichyk’s drag flick to level the game 3-3 in the 43rd minute, while captain Ryta Batura blasted home a penalty corner strike in the 51st to give Belarus the 4-3 lead. Canada had multiple penalty corner chances in the dying minutes but Belarus goalkeeper Maryna Navitskaya was outstanding between the pipes. Set pieces proved to be the difference on the day as Belarus’ 4-3 victory knocks the hosts from World Cup qualification through World League.
The 8 April semifinal stage is now set as India will play Belarus at 14:15 and Chile will play Uruguay at 16:30. Canada now plays Trinidad and Tobago at 12:00 for the bottom bracket qualifications.
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
Belarus gets by Canada in Gryphon Hockey World League 2 quarterfinal
Shaheed Devji
Brienne Stairs carries the ball in Canada’ 4-3 loss to Belarus on April 6, 2017 at the Gryphon Hockey World League Round 2 in West Vancouver, BC (By Blair Shier)
Canada’s women’s field hockey team suffered a narrow 4-3 loss to Belarus in the 2017 Gryphon Hockey World League Round 2 quarterfinal Thursday in West Vancouver, British Columbia.
The loss means Canada’s women cannot move on to the World League Semi-Finals (Round 3) – which will be played later this year and where spots for the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup will be awarded – as only the top two finishers in West Vancouver will advance.
Canada still has a chance to qualify for the 2018 World Cup later this year at the Pan American Cup (August 4-13 in Lancaster, PA) where the winner and continental champion is awarded a World Cup spot.
“This is a tough day really,” says Canadian head coach Ian Rutledge. “To be three-nil up and to lose 4-3 is never an easy day, and it’s never an easy day when it’s a lot to play for. And that loss puts us out unfortunately.
“But in full credit to our girls, I thought we played a pretty good game for the most of it, and Belarus just got the jump on us in the third quarter and picked back goals.”
Canada’s 3-0 lead at the half was well-earned. While Belarus proved to be a worthy opponent, the Canadians were the better of the two teams in the first half.
Stephanie Norlander opened the scoring in the 8th minute after youngster Jordyn Faiczak fed her on a cross-goal pass to give Canada the 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Brienne Stairs carried the ball through the midfield before dishing to Hannah Haughn in the circle, where she flipped the ball by Belarusian goalkeeper Maryna Navitskaya to extend Canada’s lead in the 10th minute.
“I’m really proud of the way that we came out in the first half,” Haughn says. “It was really exciting to come up and have a strong performance and put some balls in the net.
“Having my friends and family in the stands has been incredible, and scoring a goal in front of them is also a great feeling.”
In the 20th minute, Rachel Donohoe added her fourth goal in the last two games to put Canada up three goals at the half.
But Belarus made a game of it in the third quarter, and scored three times in an eight minute span – twice on penalty corners – to chip away at Canada’s lead and eventually tie the game.
“I think sometimes when that happens, you start to think of losing the lead rather than just maintaining control and getting back in the game,” Rutledge adds. “But in full credit to Belarus, I think they played a good game.”
Belarus went ahead on a penalty corner in the 51st minute, and despite a handful of chances throughout the final 9 minutes, which included multiple penalty corners, the Canadians could not equalize.
Canada will now face Trinidad and Tobago in a classification match on Saturday (12:00pm PT/3:00pm ET). The winner of that match moves on to play Mexico in the 5/6 match on Sunday (12:00pm PT/3:00pm ET).
“Our mentality is really gritty,” says Haughn. “So we’re going to look to come out hard in our last game(s) of World League 2, and make our fans proud and Canada proud.”
Field Hockey Canada media release
Black Sticks share points with Hockeyroos
Photo: Planet Hockey
The Vantage Black Sticks Women have played out a 1-1 draw with Australia in their round five match at the Vantage Hawke’s Bay Festival.
There was just one point separating the teams on the points table ahead of this match with their previous clash in round two resulting in the same 1-1 draw.
The first quarter was evenly fought with both teams creating a number of quality chances to score.
Australia broke the stalemate in the 28th minute when a penalty corner saw Madi Ratcliffe rattle a shot into the back of the goal.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams pressing hard on attack but unable to create many genuine chances.
Black Sticks striker Samantha Harrison delivered the equalising goal in the 52nd minute after receiving the ball and chipping over the keeper’s head into the goal.
At the end of five rounds Australia retains the points advantage with nine, the Vantage Black Sticks stay in second with eight, Japan are on six and the USA four.
The Vantage Black Sticks meet USA in their final round robin match at 5pm on Saturday, with live coverage through the Vantage Festival of Hockey Facebook page.
VANTAGE BLACK STICKS 1: (Samantha Harrison)
AUSTRALIA 1: (Madi Ratcliffe)
Halftime: Australia 1-0
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Hockeyroos draw with Black Sticks at Hawkes Bay
1 all in game 5
Holly MacNeil
It was a 1 all draw for the Hockeyroos and the Black Sticks today at the Hawkes Bay Cup in Hastings, New Zealand.
It was a hard-fought game from the beginning with neither team willing to give away any opportunities resulting in only one shot at a penalty corner each in the first term.
Going into the second quarter and both teams continued to press and defend, with the Hockeyroos receiving their first corner opportunity in the 28th minute which was successfully blocked by the Black Sticks.
In the 29th minute, they were up for another chance at a corner. This time the Hockeyroos used the advantage and scored using a set play which lead to a goal from Madi Ratcliffe.
The fight for domination continued in the third quarter, with the Hockeyroos leading going into the final 15 minutes. With just under ten minutes to go in the game, the Black Sticks played some fantastic hockey; an unexpected play going across the front of goal to Samantha Harrison whose aerial flick soared right over the head of Australian goalkeeper Ashlee Wells and into goal.
The Black Sticks had one more chance for goal with a penalty corner opportunity in the final minute of play, but the Australian defence wouldn’t concede a defeat and the game finished at one – all.
Hockeyroos head coach Paul Gaudoin said: “It was a mixed game today; our first half was reasonable. We were really looking to chase consistency across our game, and we had it for most of the first half.
“We just couldn’t maintain our consistency in the second half which let New Zealand in and gave them the chance to score, which they did.
“Again, it is a great opportunity for us for learning, we do have a very young group and this opportunity to learn will put us in good stead for the future.”
The Hockeyroos next play JPN on Saturday, April 8 at 1pm AEDT / 11ampm AWST. Keep up to date with the score by following @Hockeyroos on Twitter.
The Festival of Hockey will be livestreamed via The Festival of Hockey Facebook page.
Hockeyroos Match Schedule
Saturday 8 April: AUS v JPN 3pm NZST / 1pm AEST / 11am AWST
Sunday 9: Finals
HOCKEYROOS 1 (1)
Madi Ratcliffe 29 (PC)
BLACK STICKS 1 (0)
Samantha Harrison 51 (FG)
Hockeyroos team v NZL
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Jocelyn Bartram (Albury, NSW) 9/0
Kristina Bates (Port Melbourne, VIC) 5/0
Edwina Bone (Orange, NSW) *plays for ACT 132/3
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 125/2
Kate Hanna (Constitution Hill, NSW) 14/0
Jordyn Holzberger (Ipswich, QLD) 44/5
Stephanie Kershaw (Townsville, QLD) 11/2
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW) 9/0
Madi Ratcliffe (Warnambool, VIC) 8/3
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 168/66
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD) 17/0
Used Substitute
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC) 26/5
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 116/11
Ashlea Fey (Sunshine Coast, QLD) 11/3
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 194/37
Gabi Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) *Plays for SA 53/3
Ashlee Wells (Morwell, VIC) 88/0
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW) 61/7
Hockey Australia media release
Sam Harrison strike snares draw for Black Sticks against Australia
By David Leggat
New Zealand celebrate a goal by Sam Harrison in the draw against Australia. Photo / photosport.nz
A late strike from in-form Sam Harrison earned New Zealand a 1-1 draw against Australia at the Festival of Hockey in Hastings tonight.
It was the second round robin match in the tournament between world No 4 Australia and No 5 New Zealand, and Harrison scored New Zealand's goals in both games, plus one against the United States.
A good leadup enabled Harrison to finish the move, with the equalising goal seven minutes from the end.
Victorian Madi Ratcliffe had given Australia the lead in the first half.
The Black Sticks had a late opportunity from a penalty corner but couldn't finish the chance.
However, going into the final round robin games on Saturday New Zealand are looking good to make Sunday's final. Australia have nine points, New Zealand eight, Japan six and the US 4.
New Zealand meet the US on Saturday in their final round robin match, and will want a win to maintain some momentum going into the final.
''It was a tight little game," assistant coach Sean Dancer said of tonight's result.
''I'd say the stats would be pretty close. Australia probably had the better of first half and we played quite well in the second and created good chances."
However the tournament has come at some cost for New Zealand, with star midfielder Stacey Michelsen ruled out of the last two games with a niggly knee injury, and she's back in Auckland and due for an MRI scan.
''The good news is there's no major damage there; the bad news is she won't be available for the rest of the week," Dancer said.
There is plenty of youth in the New Zealand squad, who are without a clutch of senior, vastly experienced players and Dancer knows the present squad have more in them.
''To be fair we're still not quite hitting our straps. We had a quarter or quarter and half and couldn't control the ball well enough.
''That's what we expect of a younger, newish group that we're going have periods like this.
''The pleasing thing is we've had two draws against the Aussies when we were behind and that shows good fight and spirit from the girls."
In the early game, the US beat Japan 4-1.
The New Zealand Herald
Late Samantha Harrison goal enables Black Sticks to draw with Australia
Black Sticks striker Samantha Harrison is congratulated by team-mates after equalising against Australia on Thursday night. PHOTOSPORT
An equaliser from Samantha Harrison with nine minutes left earned the Black Sticks women a 1-1 draw against trans-Tasman foe Australia on Thursday.
The result in their penultimate match at the Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey in Hastings leaves both countries well placed to make Sunday's final.
Just one point separated the teams on the points table ahead of the match with their previous clash in round two resulting in the same scoreline.
The first quarter was evenly fought with both teams creating a number of quality chances to score.
READ MORE: Kirsten Pearce goal leads Black Sticks to narrow victory over Japan
Australia broke the stalemate in the 28th minute when a penalty corner was taken by Gabi Nance and the shot by Madi Ratcliffe rattled the back of the Black Sticks' goal.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams pressing hard on attack but unable to create many clear-cut shooting chances.
It took until the 51st minute before the home crowd had a goal to cheer about.
Black Sticks striker Harrison received the ball to the left of the Australia goal mouth and her shot flew high in the air and eventually over the keeper's head into the goal.
At the end of five rounds, Australia retains the points advantage with nine, the Black Sticks stay in second with eight, Japan are on six and the USA have four.
USA crushed Japan 4-1 in the earlier match, having led 2-0 at halftime.
In final round-robin matches on Saturday, Australia meet Japan and the Black Sticks clash with USA.
The top two teams after round-robin play will compete for the Hawke's Bay Cup on Sunday afternoon.
AT A GLANCE:
Australia 1 (Madi Ratcliffe) drew with New Zealand 1 (Samantha Harrison) HT: 1-0.
Stuff
USWNT Tallies Win Over Japan at the Vantage Hawke's Bay Cup
Photo Courtesy of Ned Dawson/Vantage Hawke’s Bay Festival of Hockey
HASTINGS, New Zealand - The U.S. Women's National Team belied their bottom of the table position when they accounted for early leaders Japan 4-1 at the Vantage Hawke’s Bay Cup being played in Hastings, New Zealand.
Japan was in third position on the points table coming into the fifth round match while the USA had only a draw to show from their four matches.
The USA made the running from the start and struck in the ninth minute when Alyssa Parker (Woodbine, Md.) put the ball in the back of the goal.
It was just four minutes later when the USA extended their lead. This time it was Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) who scored off a deflection from a well worked penalty corner.
The rest of the half saw both teams force penalty corners but were unable to score.
The early part of the second half was scrappy with neither side able to string a series of passes together. The game was made safe for the USA in the 40th minute when Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) got free in the shooting circle and made no mistake with the shot.
Team USA made it four in the 52nd minute when captain, Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) shot low from a penalty corner and the ball went under the body of Japan goalkeeper Megumi Kageyama.
Japan did get a consolation goal just a minute later when Yukari Mano scored from one of their few attacking opportunities.
The win means Team USA stays in the hunt for a finals berth but must beat the Black Sticks in their final pool match on Saturday and will rely on other results going their way.
Japan’s final match is also a must win against Australia on Saturday (NZ time).
The top two teams after double round robin play will compete for the Vantage Hawke’s Bay Cup on Sunday, April 9 (NZ time)
Half time score: USA 2, Japan 0
Final score: USA 4 (Alyssa Parker, Jill Witmer, Michelle Vittese, Melissa Gonzalez), Japan 1 (Yukari Mano)
The USWNT will be back on the pitch Saturday, April 8 to take on New Zealand at 5:00 p.m. local time (1:00 a.m. EST) in their final game before the placement round. This game will be live streamed on Vantage Festival of Hockey's Facebook page. To receive a notification prior to the start time of upcoming matches, just “LIKE” the Vantage Hawke’s Bay Festival of Hockey Facebook page.
Article Courtesy of The Hawke's Bay Cup
USFHA media release
Sloan and Wimbledon galvanised for challenge of UHC Hamburg
Ian Sloan says the experience of 12 months ago at the EHL KO16 has galvanised Wimbledon with a belief that they can push on and make a major impact on the competition this time around.
Last year, they started brilliantly against hosts AH&BC Amsterdam, going ahead from an early penalty stroke only to succumb to a 3-1 defeat against the eventual finalists.
Since then, the English side have won their domestic season title with something to spare, losing just once. They have added a real cutting edge in the form of Simon Mantell while Borja Llorens’ arrival from Real Club de Polo is another big addition.
With Olympians like Sloan, Michael Hoare and Henry Weir, they have a squad that will look to challenge the much decorated UHC Hamburg on April 15 (12.45 CET).
“This season has been an excellent squad effort from start to finish,” Sloan told the EHL website. “We have great depth this year and picked up two crucial wins without our international players to help us win the league stage. We are strong from back to front and have a number of players who can turn games in our favour.
“As a team we like to play a passing game through midfield and this enables us to get the ball to our attacking threats in positions where they can create chances and score goals.
“Phil Roper is one of the most exciting talents in world hockey whilst the goalscoring expertise of Simon Mantell has given us an extra dimension this season. Equally, we are capable of being compact and hitting teams on the counter attack with the pace of Jonny Kinder and Ben Arnold.”
Sloan is beginning his third EHL adventure. He previously played with Cookstown in 2011’s ROUND1 in Antwerp when he was 17.
“It was an incredible experience at that age and a fantastic moment in the club's history to come up against Reading and Amsterdam. Whilst the results didn't go our way, we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it was a privilege to be a part of the competition. Hopefully we can see the Red Army back in the EHL in the future.”
Now the full focus is on Wimbledon’s second year in the EHL. Looking ahead to the date with UHC, Sloan says the experience of 2016 will serve the London club well in their second season.
“Last year gave us a real taste for top level European club competition and galvanised everyone at the club to strive for better this season.
“There is a belief amongst the squad that we can go far in this competition and we certainly have more EHL experience in the squad this season which will be invaluable. This is a special competition and playing in it against European giants UHC Hamburg is something that we have all been looking forward to.”
They face an opponent who has not hit the heights of previous years with many new players settling into Kais al-Saadi’s panel for 2016/17 with mature players stepping back and Florian Fuchs moving to Bloemendaal.
Nonetheless, while sixth place in the German league, a team with Moritz Fuerste is rarely one that can be pushed over and Sloan is aware of the dangers.
“We have been able to watch a few of UHC’s games and it is clear that they have some excellent players and have key strengths that we will have to negate. We are going to approach the match with a high level of respect for UHC Hamburg despite their recent results and we will have to be firing on all cylinders to win the game.”
Euro Hockey League media release
UniKL working on back-to back wins
By Jugjet Singh
UniKL v BJSS Juniors last week. UniKL won 2-0.
UNIVERSITI Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Young Guns aims to claim full points this weekend in Division One of the Junior Hockey League (JHL).
Being the only Division One team playing Friday and Sunday, while the top guns rest as their players are competing in the Asian Schools tournament in India, UniKL will play PJCC Tigers and then Johor Juniors.
Admitting that his team were raw and inexperienced, UniKL Young Guns coach Arul Selvaraj feels that a proper execution of their game plan could be the difference.
"I believe that PJCC have an experienced team that could make things difficult for us," admitted Arul.
"But three points is what we are after and it boils down to one thing - which team has the stronger desire to win and makes the least mistakes.
"That is why I have spent the larger part of training to focus on our defensive set up as well as penalty corner execution.
"It is never easy playing against a hard running team so we need to have a game plan to neutralise them. While they may have the experience, I want my players to match them in terms of tenacity and determination, as this can overcome our shortcomings," said Arul.
UniKL Young Guns got off to a winning start by defeating BJSS Juniors last week.
And while PJCC did not see action, Johor Juniors defeated Olak-Nur Insafi 3-2 in shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time to collect two points.
Fielding largely players who are Under-16, Johor Juniors are expected to pose another tough challenge as most of their players were exposed to the Malaysia Hockey League.
"Although they are a young team, the fact that they defeated Olak speaks of their ability as a team," cautioned Arul.
FRIDAY -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns v PJCC Tigers (KLHA, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- MSN Young Lions v USM (Syed Putra, 5pm), USM Juniors v MSS Kedah (USM, 5pm), MSSP Stinger v MISCF-UFL Penang (Kuala Perlis, 5pm); Group B: MCKK v SSMS Resilient (Azlan Shah, 5pm), Felda Juniors v MISCF-UFL (Universiti Sultan Idris, 5pm), Andersons v MSSWPKL (Gunung Rapat, 5pm).
Group C: Datuk Bentara Luar v TBSS Tampin (Batu Pahat, 5pm), Datuk Taha v SSTMI Juniors (Seremban II, 5pm), MBMB Warriors v Young Hurricanes (Bukit Serindit, 5pm).
SATURDAY: Women's Group A: MSN Kedah v CBN (Lela Pahlawan, 5pm), KLSS Wipers v USM Juniors (KLHA, 5pm); Group B: MSSPK v Zaaba (Gunung Rapat, 5pm), USM v Uniten (USM, 5pm).
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
UniKL eye maximum points this week
by S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) are on a six-point mission.
The 2010 overall champions and 2011 league winners want to win both their Division One matches in this week’s Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL).
UniKL made a great start last week, beating BJSS Juniors 2-0 in their opening match.
Today, they face 2006 overall champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and then Johor-based SMKD Bentara Luar on Sunday. MBPJ have yet to play this season as their match against AHP-MSP Pahang Thunderbolt last week was postponed.
“We want to secure maximum points. We have an inexperienced side so we need wins to boost the players’ confidence,” said UniKL coach A. Arulselvaraj.
But the former national coach conceded that it would be tough to beat MBPJ.
“MBPJ have an experienced side. They are capable of making things difficult for us.
“But we can win with a proper game plan. I need the players to follow it and not get side-tracked. There is a tendency to be overly casual, like in the opening match. We have to stay focused for 60 minutes.
“For the last one week, we have been working on our defensive play and penalty corner execution.
“We are not good yet in taking penalty corners. Most of the junior teams, I think, face this problem. We need to work harder at it and not waste chances,” added Arulselvaraj.
The Star of Malaysia
Camacho: New turf in place by end of June
By Mark Pouchet
Impressed with work on lighting: Douglas Camacho
Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board (TTHB) president Douglas Camacho predicted the brand new $1.3 million turf ordered by the Ministry of Sport could be installed and ready for play by the end of June.
Camacho told the Express yesterday, the new turf and lighting system installed at the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua ahead of the March 25-April 2 FIH Men's World League Tournament, are two of the important legacy items that will further develop the sport and allow the TTHB to bid for even bigger international hockey tournaments.
The lighting system exceeded the FIH standard of 2,000 lumens (a light measurement), reaching as high as 4,200 lumens in some spots and averaging 2,500 that facilitated satellite and high definition television broadcasts worldwide.
The turf, being manufactured in Germany by Polytan, a manufacturer and installer of synthetic sport surfaces, will take three weeks to ship then an additional three weeks of uninterrupted clear weather to lay down, including inspection, repair and levelling of the underlay which includes a base of rubberised pellets.
The former Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president said the process will include Polytan laying the turf to be followed, in a co-ordinated fashion, by one of the FIH-accredited and approved laboratories testing the new surface and then certifying it for six to seven years. The country would then make that certification available to the world governing body FIH, the Pan American Hockey Federation or any other international body that requires it.
Camacho added that the repositioning of the old turf to Petrotrin in Pointe-a-Pierre will be co-ordinated so that there will be just a one to two-week down-period before local hockey could resume, this time in the southland. When the new turf is completed, the TTHB programmes will be shared by the two facilities.
“We will roll it up, place it on a flat-bed truck and wheel it down to Petrotrin,” Camacho said.
Asked about any possibility of a fine for the use of the 11-year-old turf during the World League Round 2 because the new surface did not arrive in time, Camacho said: “Right now no news is good news. The issue of a fine is really an issue for the FIH to consider, whether they feel the facility was up to standard for a tournament of this nature. They had a representative here who oversaw the tournament along with an (FIH) technical director and everybody has to submit reports and each of the teams will do their reports.”
Camacho continued: “So at this point, this issue of a fine is speculation... but if the FIH comes and indicates something then we will deal with that as it arises. But as of now, there is no matter arising, we are just aware of what is possible and we have done everything to try and mitigate with repairs to the old surface and improve every other aspect which is effectively brand new.”
Camacho also commended the work of the government agencies in getting the Tacarigua facility ready, an achievement which Camacho's international counterparts doubted.
“I was particularly pleased by T&TEC and the work they did installing the new lighting system,” he said, adding that some of his international counterparts doubted whether the lighting could be set up in that two-week period ahead of the tournament.
He also praised the “overwhelming support” of over 100 volunteers--members of the Local Organising Committee---for their work over the last 18 months and the Ministry of Sport and the Sports Company.
Trinidad & Tobago Express