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News for 06 August 2017

All the news for Sunday 6 August 2017


USA, Canada earn shutout wins, Leonas edge Chile to top Pool B

2017 Pan American Cups - August 4-13

Ali Baggott


USA's Hatrick hero Kat Sharkey in action 2017 Pan American Cup - USA vs. Mexico   

The women’s Pan American Cup opened with a big win for the Canadians over Brazil, while the evening games to come will see South American rivals Argentina against Chile and hosts USA against Mexico.

WOMEN Pool B: Canada vs. Brazil (9-0)

Canada opened Pool B play with a 9-0 victory over a young Brazil side and more importantly it was a special moment for Canadian skipper Kate Wright. The speedy forward becomes the highest capped Canadian women’s player in history with 169 internationals surpassing long-time defender Stephanie Jameson.

Brazil was on their heels immediately as keeper Teska Tuijt faced an early penalty corner flick in the second minute of play. Karli Johansen practice has paid off as the defender’s flick rang off the left post and the inside of the right post before crossing the line for Canada’s opening goal. Moments later a hard ball in from the left side rebounded off the Brazilian defence and Stephanie Norlander was there to one-time the loose ball for a 2-0 Canadian advantage.

Brazil defender Anna de Almeida did well to stymie Canada’s next penalty corner chance, even springing a counter-attack but her team was unable to generate anything at the other end of the pitch. Canada extended their lead to 3-0 in the second quarter as Norlander pocketed her second in almost the exact fashion of her first goal, burying a rebound from close range. Johansen took a cue from Norlander’s repeat goal and capitalized on a penalty corner flick on in the 27th minute. Brazil’s Luciana Peralta denied a fifth Canadian goal from Brienne after the defender saved one in the air on the line. Canada’s Alison Lee sailed a penalty stroke over the net before the half-time buzzer but Canada regrouped quickly and Nikki Woodcroft turned and blasted one in for a 5-0 lead at half time.

Brazil kept Canada off the board in the third quarter, largely due to the defensive strengths of Karolina Sluis. Canada wasted no time in the fourth though as Shanlee Johnston calmly finished on her back-hand after some crafty skills from Stairs set her up for a 6-0 lead. Wright made today’s milestone even more special firing in a rebound on a penalty corner for the team’s seventh goal. Sara McManus and Woodcroft each got on the board late in the game for a final score of 9-0. 

WOMEN Pool A: Argentina vs. Chile (2-1)

Argentina and Chile faced off in the Pan American Cup in Lancaster in one of the most rivaled games of the day. It was a stingy battle that saw the Leonas triumph 2-1 thanks to goals from Maria Granatto and Maria Campoy. Sofia Walbaum scored for Chile on a penalty corner in the last minute of the game.

It has been two weeks since the Diablas andLeonas faced each other in international competition. There last match up in South Africa was at the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals, where Chile finished seventh under the leadership of coach Cachito Vigil, meaning this tournament is their last chance to qualify for the 2018 World Cup held in London. Argentina finished fourth but still qualify for the World Cup meaning they only ticked one of two boxes as set out by their coach Agustín Corradini.

The game started with a fast pace from both teams that both tried to gather attack through their strengths in midfield. In the 3rd minute Julia Gomez Fantasia earned the first penalty corner for Argentina. Luciana von der Heyde shot the resulting rebound but the Chilean goalie Claudia Schuler cleared the ball without issue. In the 8th minute, a turnover in front of Schuler fell close to the stick of Majo Granatto, who dove with determination to lift Argentina up 1-0. At the 11th minute Denise Krimerman fired a shot across the goal mouth looking to equalize but the Leonas remained in the lead by one.

The second half started with Chilean attack generated by Carolina Garcia, who until now had been the most prominent for both offence and defence. In this quarter Chile obtained their first penalty corner but were unable to capitalize, mostly due to Argentina’s experienced keeper Belén Succi. Succi’s pads denied an air-born strike by Kim Jacob. At the 44th minute Pilar Campoy had a burst of speed down the right side and finished off a rocket of a shot to send Argentina up 2-0.

Chile seemed to find their strides in the final quarter, earning a few penalty corner chances but they were stymied away by Suzzi. The Diablas continued their pressure on the Aregentine area including generating another Kim Jacob chance but it flew high over the cross bar. Seconds to the end of the match, Florencia Habif’s hard stick foul on Urroz was upgraded to a penalty corner. Sofia Walbaum’s deflection converted but it was too late as Argentina takes the victory 2-1 to top Pool B.

WOMEN Pool B: USA vs Mexico (6-0)

Pan American Cup hosts USA put on a set-piece display in their first game against Mexico, winning 6-0 in front of a boisterous and packed crowd. Four penalty corner goals proved to be the difference as the USA join Canada at the top of Pool B following Day 1.

The Americans wasted little time, putting the Mexicans under pressure off the push back. In the 4th minute of play USA’s Kathleen Sharkey unleashed a booming penalty corner strike that echoed off the back boards for the game’s opening goal. Mexican keeper Jesus Castillo denied Ashley Hoffman’s flick from the top of the circle in a penalty corner minutes later but the American attack continued. In the 9th, Michelle Vitesse had a clear sweep at goal, again on a set piece, but the shot was blocked and fell loose at the top of the circle. Ali Froede was there to smash home the rebound and lift the World No. 4 ranked USA up 2-0. Mexico’s only circle entry of the quarter was an open shot on the back hand by Fernanda Oviedo but it was defended well by Hoffman.

The second quarter was much of the same pace as the first with the USA hemming the Mexicans in there end despite some spirited defensive work from Maria and Martlet Correa. In the 17th minute Sharkey finished again from the top of the circle, this time her straight strike was off the turf and hit the backboard and ricocheted straight up into the top of the net for a 3-0 USA lead. Castillo did well to stymie another series of USA corners to keep the defecit to three entering half time.

Jill Witmer opened the second-half scoring, perfectly deflecting a Vitesse penalty corner sweep into the mesh for a 4-0 advantage in the 33rd minute. The USA attack continued as Sharkey’s quick hands freed up space for her in the circle and a defensive scramble resulted in the ball going in for a USA’s fifth goal. Mexico earned a late penalty corner chance but Maria Correa’s shot was blocked by the American defence. Froede buried a penalty corner sweep in the final minute of play to close out the night with a 6-0 victory.

Women’s pool-play matches continue on Aug. 7 with Mexico vs. Brazil (12:00), Uruguay vs. Argentina (17:00) and Canada vs. USA (19:00). Men’s round-robin play continues tomorrow, Aug. 6, with Brazil vs. Canada (10:00), Trinidad and Tobago vs. Mexico (12:00), Chile vs. Argentina (17:00) and USA vs Venezuela (19:00). All matches are streamed live via USA Field Hockey here and you can stay connected on facebook, Instagram and twitter @panamhockey or online at panamhockey.org.

Pan American Hockey Federation media release



Hat Trick by Sharkey Lifts USWNT Over Mexico in First Pool Play Match of women's Pan American Cup


Image courtesy of Mark Palczewski

LANCASTER, Pa. – August 5, 2017 – In front of packed stands at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa., the U.S. Women’s National Team opened pool play against No. 30 Mexico in the 2017 women’s Pan American Cup. After scoring early in the first quarter, USA didn’t look back and tallied another five on their way to victory over Mexico.

“We can into this match focusing on ourselves and I am happy with the amount of [penalty] corners we got,” said Janneke Schopman, USWNT Head Coach. “In the third and fourth quarters, we put more pressure on them. We are looking at improving, especially defensively not giving up too many free hits, where they can slow the game down.”

With the opening whistle, both teams searched to find rhythm and familiarize themselves with their opponent. It only took a few moments for USA as they earned a penalty corner in the 4th minute of play. Off the option, Kat Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) converted on a straight shot to give USA an early 1-0 lead. The momentum stayed with USA as they continued to apply a high press on Mexico’s defense looking to capitalize on turnovers. Smart decision making led to USA earning a penalty corner in the 9th minute and although the initial shot was saved by Mexico’s goalkeeper Jesus Castillo, the rebound fell to Ali Froede (Burke, Va.) who buried it into the far corner of the goal to extend the lead.

USA started the second quarter in much of the same fashion, driving quickly into Mexico’s defensive end. Persistence paid off as USA earned a penalty corner just two minutes in where Sharkey tallied her second goal of the match to further USA’s lead to 3-0. Mexico shifted the pace as they attacked hard against USA and sent a ball into the circle that crossed untouched. USA earned a few penalty corners in the remaining minutes of the quarter, but were unable to add to the goal margin as the score stood at 3-0 at halftime.

Continuing off the first half momentum, USA gained possession early, used their quick passing and worked it behind Mexico’s defense. Katelyn Ginolfi (Lewes, Del.) saw an open lane was obstructed by a Mexico defender but not before placing it on her foot to earn a penalty corner. Successfully executed, Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) swept the ball down to Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) who deflected it into the net to make it 4-0. Three minutes later, Sharkey extended the lead and logged a hat trick by staying strong on the ball in the circle, dumped in on goal and tipped in off a Mexico defender’s foot. USA controlled much of the play and finished out the quarter with a penalty corner that achieved no result.

The fourth quarter saw very similar play as USA continued to test Mexico’s defense. No results came off of the first penalty corner of the final frame for USA, nor did their other four corner chances throughout the quarter. Mexico meanwhile earned their first penalty corner of the contest in the 56th minute, but was saved and cleared by Ginolfi. With time winding down USA was awarded one final penalty corner, their sixth of the quarter, as Froede buried her second goal of the game making it 6-0 at the final horn.

"I am pretty pleased with the way we played, getting back into the tournament style game," said Sharkey. "It is great to see how well we are connecting with the varying levels of experience."

More than 1,300 fans packed the stands and the USWNT was happy to be back playing at Spooky Nook Sports, their home base.

“It’s super exciting to see how many people come and watch our games,” said Schopman, on playing in front of a home crowd. “It is great and I know the girls love it. It is so much fun playing in front of a home crowd while having your family and friends in the stands watching.

The U.S. Women’s National Team will face No. 19 Canada on Monday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET in their second pool play match.

USFHA media release



Canada’s Women open Pan American Cup with convincing 9-0 victory over Brazil

Kori Sidaway


Stephanie Norlander carries the ball in the Women’s National team’s 2017 Pan American Cup tournament opener that resulted in a 9-0 victory over Brazil. (by PAHF)

Canada’s Women’s National team kicked off the 2017 Pan American Cup with a 9-0 shutout victory over Brazil.

The game was a celebration for many, as team captain Kate Wright became the highest capped Canadian Women’s player in history with 169 international games played for Canada as she stepped onto the pitch.

For others, this game marked their first cap with the Canadian Women. Rookie Hannah Eborall earned her first cap with the Women’s National team today on Day 1 of the Pan American Cup (Women) versus Brazil in Lancaster, U.S.A.

Off the whistle, the Women’s National team came out strong on the outset and forced Brazil onto the defence, immediately driving down on goal.

Three minutes in Karli Johansen took a flick off a short corner to send the ball ricocheting off both posts to squeeze past the Brazilian goalie to open scoring for Canada.

The next 10 minutes were filled mounting pressure from Canada until Stephanie Norlander found a rebound off a Brazilian stick which she one-timed into the back of the net, to make it 2-0 for Canada.

More Canadian short corner opportunities defined the end of the 1st quarter, with Brazil goaltender coming far out of her net to make a huge safe in the dying seconds of the first 15 minutes of play.

The second quarter then began with Canada holding the majority of possession, swinging the ball from sideline to sideline across the defence, trying to find the right channel.

Brienne Stairs made a channel to the cirlce available for herself with some stunning stick and teammate Steph Norlander buried her close range rebound, for her second goal, to extend Canada’s lead to 3-0.

Seemingly to be in a goalscoring competition between themselves, Johansen fired back with second goal of her own as she sent another rocket past the Brazil defence off a short corner call to make it 4-0 in the 27th minute.

More close calls in the Brazillian zone were capped off by a penalty stroke awarded to Canada player Alison Lee, which jumped wide of the net. Teammate Nikki Woodcroft fought back with a no look shot with her back to the net, and slipped the ball past Brazilian goalkeeper Teska Tuijt, to leave it at 5-0 at halftime.

The next quarter saw Brazil come back to even up the play a bit, with less chances for the Women’s National team. But Canada was still seeing opportunities. Shanlee Johnston converted a hard drive by Stairs and Hannah Haughn with a wicked back-hand to mark it 6-0.

In the 46th minute of the game, Kate Wright, in her milestone game sent it home with a bang, after she fired in a rebound off a short corner call to make it 7-0 for Canada.

The onslaught continued as Woodcroft deflected a shot under the goaltenders kicker, and Hannah Haughn tipped in goal off a short corner, to leave the final score standing at a solid 9-0 shutout.

Up next: the Women’s National team face the U.S.A. which will surely be a competitive, exciting game of hockey.

Photos: Canada vs Brazil – August 5/17

Select photos from Canada’s 9-0 win over Brazil & Kate Wright’s all-time cap record celebration on August 5, 2017 at the Pan American Cup in Lancaster, USA. (Yan Huckendubler/PAHF)

Field Hockey Canada media release



Kate Wright (Gillis) breaks Women’s National cap record with 169 games played

Kori Sidaway



On Saturday August 5th in Lancaster, US, Kate Wright (Gillis) donned the maple leaf and red and white for Team Canada for the 169th time, surpassing a record of games played for the Women’s National Team, previously set by Stephanie Jameson who had held the record since 2012.

Wright has had a career of such magnitude, it’s better to start off at the beginning.

Wright started playing field hockey after her mom, Diane Gillis – Canadian track and field athlete in her own right – encouraged her to try out for her grade nine field hockey school team at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School in Kingston, Ontario.

Gillis saw it as the perfect blend of all the sports Wright already loved: soccer, ice hockey and track & field. Wright, an all-around tomboy, was hesitant to put on the skirt, but she ended up following her mom’s advice and made the senior varsity team first try, as a junior.

From there, Wright went on to play club leagues all over Toronto, with family travelling each weekend to and from, to see that she played in high competitive leagues.

At the young age of 17, Wright accepted an offer from then Head Coach, Sally Bell, to trial with the team. At a crucial moment in her young athletic career, Bell took a chance on Wright and asked her to join the team full time. Wright made the big leap to Vancouver to pursue her dream of competing for Canada. She finished grade 12 by correspondence. Something she wouldn’t have been able to do without the help of her high school, and without advocates like Ed Kenney, her high school athletic director.

Upon graduating high school in 2007, Kate pursued education at Boston College (2009), University of Melbourne, and finally UBC – where she was named UBC’s Academic All Canadian for the years 2012/2013/2014.

No stranger to standing out both academically and athletically, Wright was also awarded the Dianna Popowich Memorial Scholarship Award in 2013, acted as an Athlete Representative in the Sochi Olympic Familiarization Program in 2014, and was honored to walk as the torch bearer for the 2015 Pan American Games.

Her first appearance as #3 with the Canadian Women’s Team was in 2007, to a home crowd cheering her on in Vancouver vs. Chile. Now, as team captain, Wright has led the Women’s National team to multiple international tournaments – 2 Commonwealth Games (2010 & 2014), two Pan American Cups (2013, 2017), and a Pan Am Games. And along with those competitions came further recognition. Wright was awarded the Field Hockey Canada’s Women’s National Team Player of the Year in 2013, and player of the tournament at the World League 1 in 2014.

But, the last Pan American Cup in 2013, stands out as a career highlight for Wright. To a home crowd of Toronto, Ontario, with her family, friends and high school athletic director Ed Kenney, cheering from the stands, Wright led the Women’s team to win bronze – the first Pan American Cup medal in 9 years since 2004.

Kate is an athlete known for her durability. She has played the last 77 matches straight and over the past five years has only missed two games – for her brother Max’s wedding.

Wright has played for three full time coaches with the Women’s National Team, from 11 games with Coach Sally Bell (2007-2008), to 60 games with Coach Louis Mendonca (2009-2012) and 90 of her caps in the past five years with current Women’s National Team Head Coach Ian Rutledge (2013 – current).

Rutledge has come to know Wright closely, working with her for so many years on the pitch, and has nothing but respect for the 27-year-old team captain.

“Kate is one of the best athletes I have had the privilege of working with,” Head Coach Ian Rutledge says. “She is a dynamic, hardworking striker who has a rare combination of both aerobic power and blistering speed.” Rutledge goes on to add, “more importantly, Kate is an amazing person with a work ethic and value set second to none.”

As a team captain, Rutledge says she leads by example – her drive to push herself to personal bests on fitness testing days, and on the pitch, is something that consistently awes both him and her teammates.

“She continues to push personal boundaries and still set program records as one of our senior athletes, inspiring all of the team to be better every day,” reveals Rutledge.

As for the future? No one has their doubts, especially not Rutledge. “I have no doubt Kate can lead this team to Tokyo and become the first Canadian Women’s player to reach 200 caps. Well done Kate and very well deserved.”

Here’s to many more games, Kate. From here to Tokyo; to 200 games and beyond.

Field Hockey Canada media release



Calypso Stickmen hunt first win

Nigel Simon

Following yesterday’s rest, T&T senior men’s hockey team will return to action against Mexico in for Pool B losers in the Men’s Pan American Hockey Cup Tournament. The clash is set for noon today at the USA Field Hockey’s showpiece venue, Spooky Nook, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.

When the eight-team tournament served off on Friday, the T&T men who were third placed finishers four years ago in Canada went down 4-0 to the host.

The 41st ranked Mexicans, meanwhile were upstaged by 29th ranked Brazil 3-1 with Joaquin Lopez, Stephane Smith and Lucas Paixao getting a goal each to cancel out Irvin Chavez’s.

In Pool A, Chile (27th), slammed 48th world ranked Venezuela 6-0 in the day’s first match while two-time winners and defending champions, Argentina, also the Olympic champions also hammered USA, ranked 26th, 6-0.

Speaking after Friday’s match, T&T’s 39-year-old standout Kwandwane Browne, playing in his 309th match said the “Calypso Stickmen” were disappointed with the loss, but can take a lot from the game against team that has qualified to the World Cup.

“Canada scored from their three penalty-corners, and we had four and did not score on any of them, but in general the match stats apart from the goals were very much even and we must now look to take their chances against Mexico and Brazil in their remaining pool matches.”

Looking ahead of his team’s remaining pool matches and overall chances in the competition, the England-based Browne said they have to do a better job overall.

“We have to do a better job on defending and attacking corners as well as they did not go very well against Canada, but we can still be positive about the Canada match because we created a lot of chances.”

Prior to the T&T match, Canada will meet Brazil from 10am while in the afternoon session, Chile battles Argentina from 5pm, followed by USA and Venezuela two hours later.

On Tuesday, T&T faces Brazil from 10am and at the end of the round-robin pool play the top two teams in each pool will advance to the main draw semi-final play-off and the two teams to emerge from this stage of the tournament will earn a berth at the World Cup next year.

The top six teams will also qualify for the 2021 Pan American Cup, and the teams placed seventh and eighth must play the 2019 Pan American Challenge.

Remaining Matches

Today

Brazil vs Canada, 10 am
T&T vs Mexico, noon
Chile vs Argentina, 5 pm
USA vs Venezuela, 7 pm

T&T vs Brazil, 10 am
Argentina vs Venezuela, noon
Canada vs Mexico, 5 pm
USA vs Chile, 7 pm

Pool A winner vs Pool B runner-up, 5 pm
Pool B winner vs Pool A runner-up, 7.15 pm

Fifth to Eighth semifinals

Third Pool A vs Fourth Pool B, 9.15 am
Fourth Pool A vs Third Pool B, 11.30 am

Seventh place, 10 am
Fifth place, 12.15 pm
Third place, 3.30 pm
Final, 5.45 pm

The Trinidad Guardian



How Tournament Organizers Prepared for the Pan American Cups



The sun climbed behind Manheim's Spooky Nook Sports Complex Friday, coating the venue's outdoor field hockey pitch in thick mid-morning heat. On the pitch, with the hum of Route 283 in the background, the national men's field hockey teams from Venezuela — in highlighter-green kits — and Chile — a rich-red uniform — warmed up in front of water cannons and music-blasting speakers and an early crowd of about two dozen fans on the bleachers.

For four years, Lancaster had prepared to host the Pan American Cups, and as Chile and Venezuela opened the 10-day men's and women's tournaments, Lisa McCoy snapped a photo on her smartphone and soaked in the atmosphere that she helped set up.

"I'm not a big social media person," said McCoy, the general manager of the Pan American Cup Committee. "I watch, but I don't do a lot of tweeting. I did actually tweet a picture because it felt really good to say we're on our way. We got started, and we're off."

McCoy, a former head field hockey coach at Manheim Central and the director of futures and international events for the United States' women's national team, led a committee of about 10 people that helped organize the tournament in the 18 months leading up to the opening match.

"Some days, I'll have to admit," McCoy said, "I felt a little panicked, like we weren't going to get it all together because we all have other responsibilities within USA Field Hockey."

Arriving in Lancaster

McCoy and her committee found a challenge in arranging travel plans for the tournaments' 15 participating teams. Each team carried about 25 people, including rosters of 18 players.

"Many of them don't choose teams until right before they come," McCoy said as the feet of the Chilean and Venezuelan players thudded on the water-soaked turf. "They roster the teams, and then it's very last minute. You hope to have that transportation information three months ago, and you get it three days before they're showing up."

While Rio and Johannesburg — host sites for the 2016 Olympics and the 2017 women's World League Semi-Final — also contained international airports, Lancaster required an extra step to transport incoming teams, officials, volunteers and technical workers to Spooky Nook Sports.

"That's one of the hardest challenges," said Simon Hoskins, the executive director of USA Field Hockey, "the inbound transport."

Justin Miller led a transport team that shuttled participants from the Philadelphia International Airport to one of four Lancaster hotels affiliated with the tournament.

"There has been a bit of a language barrier with a couple of teams," Miller said, "but it has been interesting just to see them come down the escalators into the terminal, and then just being able to greet them into the United States is just a really cool experience."

Miller made his final run early Friday morning, arriving in Lancaster with the Mexican women's national team at 2:30 a.m. His most memorable adventure involved driving back with the Brazilian coach after collecting the team's misplaced luggage.

"We got to talk about the development of hockey in Brazil," Miller said, "and how their high-performance pipeline is different than ours how they select the national team, and just the culture of sport in Brazil."

Following Guidelines

Lancaster and Spooky Nook made the bid for the 2017 Pan Am Cup tournaments in 2014, about a year after the complex opened, as the U.S. women's national team made the venue its headquarters.

"If you ask any of these guys," Hoskins said, as Chile took a 1-0 lead over Venezuela into halftime, "they're wowed by Nook Sports. Just the scale of the venue, the indoor facilities and the hotel."

The Nook's dome gave the venue enough room to host both the men's and women's tournaments, alternating days between playing on the outdoor pitch and practicing inside.

"That schedule," McCoy said, "makes it a little more complicated."

As did some of the particulars in the tournament-hosting guidelines.

"Interestingly," Hoskins said, "we have to have bottled water, even though the water here is great. It's a consistency thing across so many different countries."

To accommodate more teams, the tournament organizers also shipped in a portable locker room from Ohio with showers mounted inside a trailer. They also set up a room to accommodate anti-doping tests for athletes selected at random after matches.

"People will fly in at an unknown time," Hoskins said, "to use a room that has to be set up to a specific map with a seat in a specific place and a monitor."

The committee provided players with a packet that listed events and attractions in Lancaster County, something to lure them away from the pitch during an off day later in the tournament. At the site of the tournament, McCoy helped organize more than 100 registered volunteers and about 200 ballgirls.

"It's a little bit of a humbling experience," she said, "when you're kind of a chairperson of a project because everybody's looking for you to kind of make this happen, and I don't take that lightly."

But as the morning rolled on and the opening match bounced off satellites and into television sets in Chile and Venezuela, the tournament's organizers saw the product of their weekly meetings, their attention to detail and the journey that brought an international field hockey tournament to Lancaster.

"Sharing Pennsylvania with so many people," Hoskins said, "is great."

Content courtesy of LancasterOnline/Tim Gross

USFHA media release



Indian hockey seeks characters among young guns on Europe tour

Six uncapped players from last year’s Junior World Cup winning team have been included in the 18-man squad.

Jaspreet Sahni


HockeyIndia/Twitter

The final rolling substitutions have been done. India’s senior men’s hockey team is set for the last stage of the drill, its coach Roelant Oltmans and High Performance Director David John had cut out at the start of the season.

“The 33 players from the core group will be tried out on three tours to decide the best 18 for Asia Cup and Hockey World League (HWL) Finals later this year,” the duo have said on multiple occasions. The ‘three tours’ started with the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, followed by the HWL semis in London and will now conclude with exposure in Netherlands and Belgium beginning August 9.

The highlight of India’s Europe tour is that half of the 18 members of the squad are last year’s junior world cup winners. It’s the largest inclusion from that group into the same senior team until now, five of whom will make their international debut. The sixth uncapped player of the touring party is goalkeeper Suraj Karkera.

Dipsan Tirkey, Varun Kumar (defenders), Gurjant Singh, Arman Qureshi (forwards), and Nilakanta Sharma (midfielder) – all from the junior world cup-winning team – have received their maiden call-up to the senior national squad.

Besides the above five, Gurinder Singh, Harjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Sumit are the other junior world cup winners in the squad and have already made their senior-team debuts.

The inclusion of these many young legs means rest for a few experienced ones. While regular captain PR Sreejesh and Rupinder Pal Singh are injured, Sardar Singh, SV Sunil and Akashdeep Singh were given well-deserved rest.

“We told each other that this is our chance to cement a place in the core group,” said Karkera talking to The Field.

Karkera, who was also selected for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup earlier in April but couldn’t make it to Malaysia due to an injury, said Sreejesh keeps guiding them on the goalkeepers-only Whatsapp group.

“Sreejesh bhai is always there, telling us things like not to go down early, stay focused and keep calling defenders. He stays connected via the Whatsapp group that has all the goalkeepers in it,” said the 21-year-old from Mumbai.

Eyes on Gurjant

Focus will especially be on striker Gurjant Singh who scored in both the semifinal and final of the junior world cup last December.

“Every player from that team had set a senior debut as his next target. Most of us have achieved it now. Nine of us are together in this team, which will obviously help our coordination. It’s a plus point,” the Punjab forward added.

India started well in terms of scoring field goals at the HWL semis in London, but then slowly faded away, which led to embarrassing defeats against Malaysia and Canada.

“Any national camp after a tournament focuses on mistakes from the previous competition. That’s what we have done here in the last six weeks. Besides the skills, we have also worked on the mental aspect to keep patience in the striking circle and wait for the right moment to strike or earn a penalty corner,” Gurjant said, speaking like a senior pro.

New Dragflick Experts

With Harmanpreet Singh also rested, India is without any of their tried-and-tested drag-flickers in the squad. In fact, even Harmanpreet and Rupinder Pal have had a very patchy season so far, missing the target more than hitting it.

With none of them in the squad, young Varun Kumar, Dipsan Tirkey and Amit Rohidas will shoulder that responsibility. Varun didn’t have a fruitful Hockey India League following the junior World Cup high, but is eager to make amends.

“Jugraj sir is working with us very closely and is very particular about how to position if we want to beat the goalkeeper to his right or left with dragflicks. A dragflicker also depends a lot on injection and stopping, which is also being worked upon,” Varun told The Field.

In the past, Jugraj has spoken very highly of Tirkey and Rohidas, and in particular the former.

“Their timing is really good and their stepping is very good,” he said. “The way they can change direction, especially Dipsan, is very good. He is very young and has a lot of time to improve. In the coming time, Dipsan will be on top as well,” he had said earlier this year.

The focus on this Europe tour may not be on wins but to find characters who don’t get ruffled while facing quality opposition and when put under pressure. That’s where India has been found out of late, both in Malaysia and London – failing to deliver when it counted the most.

Oltmans will have his eyes wide open to find those game-changing characters.

Scroll.In



Hockey team for Asia Cup to be named next month



KARACHI: Pakistan senior hockey team for Asia Cup 2017 will be announced next month, ‘The News’ has learnt.

PHF sources said that 60 seniors are part of a training camp in Islamabad, who would be possibly shortlisted to 35-40 players by the national selection committee led by Hasan Sardar.

The camp is currently headed by manager-cum-head coach Farhat Khan, along with his two assistants.

“The final team, which will represent the country in the Asia Cup in Dhaka, will be selected in the next phase of the training camp likely in the second week of September,” a source said.

“The shortlisted players will continue training till their departure for Bangladesh.”

The PHF has failed to organise a test series with any country before the Asia Cup, which could have helped the team in fine-tuning its international match experience and forming a winning combination.

Meanwhile, the PHF has announced that its Executive Board meeting will be held in Islamabad on September 10.

All PHF high officials, provincial hockey associations’ secretaries and technocrats will participate in the meeting.

The Executive Board will review the expenditures for national competitions and international engagements of senior and junior teams. Its members will discuss the arrangements to be made for the visit of World Hockey Eleven which will play two matches in Pakistan. Arrangements for Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) will also be reviewed.

The News International



Top field players to lead indoor hockey team



KUALA LUMPUR: Two field hockey players – Mohd Najmi Farizal Jazlan and Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan (pic) – will lead the quest for the indoor hockey gold at the KL SEA Games.

Penalty corner flicker Najmi helped the national field hockey team finish fourth in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in London in June to qualify for the World Cup in India next year.

Syed Mohamad was a member of the training squad for the London tournament.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have also included three Armed Forces players – Mohd Khairul Afendy Kamaruzaman, Mohd Hanip Che Halim, Mohd Shafiq Yaacop – in the 12-man final squad.

Defender Mohd Najib Abu Hassan will skipper the side.

Forces are the national indoor champions and have played at the Asian level.

World No. 26 Malaysia are the highest-ranked team among the SEA nations in indoor hockey.

Najmi and Syed Mohamad are determined to win the gold medal and help Malaysia make a clean sweep of all four medals at stake in this year’s Games.

There will be two medals in field hockey (men and women) and indoor hockey (men and women).

National indoor coach Mohd Amin Rahim feels that he has a good mix of experience and youth as they gun for gold.

“Najmi will give us an edge in penalty corners. He is basically the third flicker in the senior team and should be able to make a difference. Our target is the gold medal and we will deliver,” said Amin, who expects stiff competition from Indonesia and Thailand.

“Indonesia recently sparred with our Armed Forces team and easily defeated them in Jakarta. Thailand have a hired an Iranian coach and we all know that Iran are perennial Asian champions. So we have to be wary of Indonesia and Thailand.”

The indoor game will be played at the Mitec Hall in Jalan Duta.

The Star of Malaysia



ONGC, Bengaluru stun fancied opponents

The former dethrones Railways while the latter ousts PNB

K. Keerthivasan


In the thick of things ONGC’s Mandeep Antil, right, is ecstatic after scoring against Railways. 

ONGC and Bengaluru HA provided a twist to the tale, reaching the final of the 91st MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup all-India hockey tournament with stunning wins.

While the former dethroned Indian Railways 5-3, thanks to a change in strategy in the second session, Bengaluru overcame a late surge from favourite Punjab National Bank (PNB) to prevail 3-1 in the semifinals on Saturday.

Railways set the tempo in the first session. Even though ONGC matched the pace of the defending champion, it couldn’t maintain the momentum. As a result, it left a gaping hole in the defence on counter-attacks.

Leading 3-2 at half-time, Railways was expected to pull away, but ONGC had other ideas. Getting its defencive structure right, the team put up a strong performance in the second session. Diwakar Ram, as he has been doing throughout the tournament, sounded the boards off a penalty corner to equalise for ONGC.

Railways, for some reason, was unable to sustain the pace; to make matters worse, it failed to utilise the crosses that came its way. The side couldn’t also take advantage of the five penalty corners during this phase.

ONGC, on the other hand, utilised its opportunities. Bikas Toppo deflected home off a penalty corner before Diwakar completed a brace through a penalty stroke.

Comprising mostly youngsters in the forwardline, with seniors Vikram Kanth, Vinaya and Raghunath to guide them, Bengaluru pulled off a coup.

Despite possessing a strong frontline in the form of Gurjinder Singh and Shamsher Singh, PNB looked a pale shadow of a team which shone bright in the group matches.

Vinaya, who toiled hard in the wings and provided clean passes, assisted in Bengaluru’s first goal early on in the first half, Sandeep Singh finding the middle of the roof with a backhander.

A gem

The second goal was a gem. Rajkumar Pal ran with the ball from the centre, hoodwinking three defenders and providing a precise pass to Umesha who had to just tap it home.

Trailing by two goals, PNB attacked with gusto. After Gagandeep Singh reduced the margin off a penalty corner, it looked like a team that had found its rhythm. However, Bengaluru put the contest to bed when Jenjen Singh, who has had an outstanding tournament, pushed one home.

The results (semifinals): ONGC 5 (Mandeep Antil 7, Tyron Perreira 35, Diwakar Ram 42 & 64, Bikash Toppo 61) bt Indian Railways 3 (Karan Pal Singh 8, Raju Paul 19, Sheshe Gowda 26).

Bengaluru HA 3 (Sandeep Singh 10, K.R. Umesha 30, Jenjen Singh 61) bt PNB 1 (Gagandeep Singh 42).

The Hindu



Super Hockey League from August 10

Prize purse increased to Rs. 10 lakh

The Bengaluru Hockey Association (formerly Hockey Bengaluru, a Hockey India affiliated unit) will conduct the Bengaluru Super Hockey League from August 10 to 26.

The tournament was last held in 2012 as KSHA Super Division Hockey League Championship.

But much has changed in the last few years with KSHA first rechristened Hockey Bengaluru and then Bengaluru Hockey Association a fortnight ago.

There is also an increased prize purse on offer, Rs. 10 lakh, with the winner getting Rs. 5 lakh.

“We are happy that the trauma of the last few years is over,” said hon. secretary K. Krishnamurthy.

“We are now part of Hockey India. We are grateful to them for allotting 17 days for the tournament whereas, on an average, all other tournaments get only eight-ten days.”

Air India is the notable absentee with Krishnamurthy citing “budgetery concerns” and “team re-building” as reasons.

Air India also skipped the all-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup tournament currently being held in Chennai, but is expected to be back soon.

Participating teams: IOCL, ONGC, BPCL, Army Red, South Central Railway, IAF, Punjab National Bank, All-India Customs, SAI, Fortis, Army Green and Jain Sports Academy.

The Hindu



Shahbaz Ahmad – The ‘Maradona’ of hockey who led Pakistan to World Cup triumph in 1994



Former Pakistan field hockey player Shahbaz Ahmad Senior is widely considered as one of the best forwards in the hockey history. The respect that the forward received on and off the field had made him one of the most likeable players of his era. He was nicknamed ‘The Maradona of Hockey’ for his amazing dribbling skills with the stick, who could pierce through opposition’s defence like a knife through butter. Shahbaz captained Pakistan to the 1994 World Cup title in Sydney, the last global triumph for the country in the much loved national sport. His performance in the final against the Netherlands is still considered by many as one of the greatest displays of dribbling, body dodges, ball control and stick work the world has ever seen. He became a member of Pakistan team in 1986. Besides Pakistan, he also played for German club Harvestehuder and Dutch club OranjeZwart after the Atlanta Games in 1996. Shahbaz participated in three Olympic Games and won the bronze medal in 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

From 1990 to 1994, Shahbaz was by a country mile the best player in the game. He is the only player in the hockey history to achieve player of the tournament awards consecutivetwo times: 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

With his trademark dribbling skills and crossfield runs, Shahbaz possessed the rare ability of producing magic when least expected. His main asset was his incredible fitness: a lithe and agile athlete who had supple muscle and powerful legs that helped him run around the field with ease. During his playing days, the green shirts were a powerhouse at the regional level, especially against archrivals India. The 1990 Asian Games and the 1989 Asia Cup were won thanks to the sublime performance of the great forward in crucial games. Shahbaz’s heroics in the Asia Cup final at Delhi left the Indian supporters rattled and frustrated as Pakistan lifted the trophy. The team bus was attacked by hooligans on their way to the hotel, slightly injuring some of the players. But it wasn’t India alone that bore the brunt of Shahbaz’s prowess; even the Australia and the European teams held him in great regard. Shahbaz was awarded some of the greatest accolades and awards in the country, including the Pride of Performance and Hilal-e-Pakistan awards. He had an unflinching desire to bow out on a high and made more than one comebacks to the national fold. Unfortunately, Shahbaz was a shadow of his former self in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and his last few days on the pitch petered out unceremoniously. Presently, he is working as secretary general of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

The Daily Times

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