News for 28 October 2017
All the news for Saturday 28 October 2013
Ambreen Arshad's brace in Pakistan's 4-0 win over Brunei; face Hong Kong China in Final
Ambreen Arshad scored a brace as Pakistan easily defeated Brunei 4-0 at the Women's Hockey Asian Challenge 2017, in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Bagawan.
After the conclusion of the double league, Hong Kong China and Pakistan have finished 1st and 2nd.
These two will feature in the final on Saturday.
In their first meeting at this event, Pakistan had overcome the hosts with the same scoreline.
Pakistan led 1-0 at the half time. They upped the tempo in the second half and added three more goals
SCORERS:
Ambreen Arshad (2), Sehrish & Kalsoom Shahzadi
Final will be played late in the evening .All the six matches of the double league had started early afternoon.
PHF Media release
Vanquished Kenya teams play for pride in Egypt
By BRIAN YONGA
Kenya men and women’s hockey teams will be in action Saturday afternoon on the penultimate day of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ismailia, Egypt.
The men’s team take on champions South Africa, while the women will be up against the hosts Egypt at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium.
With World Cup qualification already up in smoke and chances of winning their maiden continental title gone, the teams will be looking to salvage some pride.
Both teams are also set to play in the bronze medal matches on Sunday when the week-long competition ends.
After two days of rest, the men’s team face a baptism of fire against South Africa, who are currently second on the charts with seven points, after two wins and one draw. Kenya are second from bottom in the five team table with three points after one win and two losses.
The Meshack Senge-led side will be hoping that the two-day rest will play to their advantage against a South African team that drew 3-3 with Egypt on Thursday. Senge believes they have nothing to lose and will therefore give the top ranked nation in the continent a real test.
“It has been a disappointing competition but we look to finish on a high and hopefully we can pick some valuable lessons from the competition,” Senge told Nation Sport via phone Friday.
Kenya narrowly lost 2-1 in the two teams’ last meeting in 2015 and Senge is hoping his charges can show the same resilience.
Senge could get a chance to field a number of fringe players among them Danstone Wabwire, Kennedy Munialo, Francis Kariuki as well as second choice goalkeeper Allan Agesa. The Kenyan defence will need to be wary of the South African twin attack of Kenan Horne and Nqobile Ntuli who have scored three goals each.
Egypt, who top the standings on seven points, take on Ghana needing a draw to be sure of playing in Sunday’s final. A win for the West Africans will see them book their slot in the final.
Kenya women’s coach Wilson Otieno could also make changes in their clash against the hosts.
Kenya are placed third with three points after winning one and losing twice. Second choice keeper Rachel Kerubo could make her first start, having been on the bench in the first three matches.
Leaders South Africa take on second placed Ghana in a dress rehearsal of Sunday’s final.
Saturday’s matches
Men: South Africa v Kenya – 12noon, Ghana v Egypt – 4pm
Women: Ghana v South Africa – 1pm, Egypt v Kenya – 3pm
Daily Nation
Women’s hockey team ready to meet target of finishing fourth
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women’s hockey team have been set a target of fourth spot in the Asia Cup, which starts in Kakamigahara, Japan, today.
The Malaysian team are ranked 22nd in the world and fifth in Asia.
“We may be ranked fifth in Asia, but I intend to help Malaysia finish one spot better. We’ve been training hard for the tournament and my players are ready for action,” said national coach K. Dharmaraj, who has been in charge of the women’s team since January last year.
Eight teams will feature in the tournament and Malaysia will open their Group A campaign against world No. 8 China at the Gifu Stadium.
Malaysia’s other matches are against world No. 40 Singapore tomorrow and world No. 12 India on Tuesday.
Group B comprises world No. 9 South Korea, defending champions Japan (No. 11), Thailand (No. 31) and Kazakhstan (No. 34).
The champions will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in London, which China, South Korea and Japan have qualified for.
Dharmaraj, who guided Malaysia to the World League Semi-Finals for the first time ever in Brussels in July, has faith in his players.
He said: “We have a solid team, who did well to finish runners-up to champions Holland in the World League Semi-Finals in Brussels.
“We expect a tough opening match against China. We have to be very disciplined. It will be really good if we can snatch a point against them.
“We also hope that Nuraini (Abdul Rashid) will be able to deliver the goals from penalty corners.”
Malaysia lost 3-1 to China when they last met in the Asian Champions Trophy in Singapore last year.
Malaysia’s best-ever outing in the Asia Cup was a third placing in Seoul in 1985.
The Star of Malaysia
Wallace believes Malaysia can upset Australia in must-win game
By Mohd Farhaan Shah
Scramble: Malaysia captain Aiman Nik Rosemi (centre) trying to score past the United States’ Colin Hennessy and goalkeeper Nathaniel O’lari in the match on Thursday.
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia and Australia have every reason to aim for a win when they clash in the final preliminary match in the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium today.
Malaysia are already out of contention for a final berth but a win will keep them in the playoff for third placing.
The Australians, on the other hand, are the defending champions and need a win to make the final.
Australia and India have nine points each but the champions are third with an inferior goal difference.
Britain top the standings with 12 points.
Malaysia have four points while fifth-placed Japan have one point. Winless United States prop up the standings with no points.
Japan have a good chance to pip Malaysia to a place in the third-placing playoff as they will be taking on the whipping boys of the tournament – US – in their last game today.
National Juniors head coach Wallace Tan, however, is confident that his team can upset Australia “as we’ve been improving with each game”.
He said that the big (18-0) win over the US had boosted their confidence and should put them in a good frame of mind for the game against the champions.
“Our penalty corner executions are better now,” he said.
“We scored 11 field goals and seven from penalty corners against the US.
“So, that’s definitely good for our confidence.
“Australia are strong but we can give them a tough fight. We have the motivation to go for a win as it will keep us in the playoff for third place.”
Australia head coach Brent Livermore acknowledged that the Malaysians could trouble them and scupper their chances of a final berth.
“I’m disappointed that we lost to Britain (4-2) on Thursday and now have to raise our game against Malaysia,” he said.
“This is a must-win game for us if we want to make the final and defend our title.
“It’s important that we focus on the way we play and stick to our game plan. Malaysia too need to win, so that will make the match even tougher.”
The Star of Malaysia
Punjab Police in Surjit semis
CAG Delhi (yellow) and Air India Mumbai played out a goalless draw at the Burlton Park in Jalandhar. Sarabjit Singh
Jalandhar: Punjab Police entered the semifinals of the 34th Surjit Hockey Tournament at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here.
Despite losing the league match to Bharat Petroleum 1-2, Punjab Police reserved the berth for semis on the basis of better goal difference in Pool B. Air India Mumbai and CAG Delhi played out a goalless draw in a Pool A fixture.
In the women's section, Punjab XI beat UCO Bank 3-0 in a Pool A fixture. Rajwinder Kaur, Reena and Jyoti were the goal scorers.
Bharat Petroleum Mumbai scored the first goal of the match through Tushar Khandker (25th min) to make it 1-0. Harmanpreet Singh converted the penalty corner (39th min) to consolidate the lead 2-0.
In the 52nd minute, Punjab Police's Manpreet Singh sounded board to reduce the deficit (1-2).
In the end, Bharat Petroleum Mumbai won the match comfortably.
In a Pool A fixture, Air India Mumbai and CAG Delhi played out a goalless draw to secure one point each.
The Tribune
Two Delaware Natives Appointed to FIH Hockey World League Final Events
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – With the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World League Finals nearly in site, teams are beginning final preparations for one of field hockey’s biggest stages. While the U.S. Women’s National Team will represent the red, white and blue on the pitch, USA Field Hockey is also proud to congratulate two Delaware native umpires that have been appointed to the men’s and women’s Final.
On the men’s side, Steve Horgan (Wilmington, Del.) has been assigned as Umpires Manager in the Odisha Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar, India, which runs from December 1-10. Horgan, USA Field Hockey’s current Director of Umpiring, was recently named the national assignor of field hockey officials for the NCAA. He also is currently a member of the FIH Rules Committee. Horgan will be part of a diverse technical staff that is represented by 17 countries.
For the women’s side, Stephanie Judefind (Wilmington, Del.) will Umpire in the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland, New Zealand, which takes place from November 17-26. Judefind will be the lone United States official on the tournament’s technical staff that is represented by 12 different nations.
USA Field Hockey wishes both Horgan and Judefind well as they continuously serve the game of field hockey proudly as they prepare to represent on the impending international stage.
USFHA media release
Binish Hayat Upgraded to 'Promising Umpire' Category
Pakistan's first and so far the only female international hockey umpire Binish Hayat has been upgraded to 'Promising Umpire'.
Binish, who has been blowing whistle in the international arena since 2012, was previously placed in the category of 'International Umpire'.
She had umpired at the Asian Challenge Cup, Asian Hockey Federation Under-18 and SAF Games.
With the status of Promising Umpire, Binish is now eligible to umpire at not only the main Asian events such as Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy, etc. but also out side Asia, for Euro Hockey Nations Championships, African , Pan American and Oceania Cups.
Moreover, she can be called for the FIH events including World Cup & Olympic qualifiers and Hockey World League.
PHF Media release
TT hockey men eye Canada tour
OUTTA MY WAY: Trinidad and Tobago’s Kristien Emmanuel, left, blows past his Argentine opponent in front the TT bench in the final of the Pan Am Indoor Hockey Cup in Guyana last week.
The Trinidad and Tobago men’s hockey team are looking ahead to the 2018 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
And there may be plans for the team to engage in a tour of Canada before the February 7-11 World Cup, according to assistant coach Darren Cowie.
Last Saturday, the TT team booked their ticket to Germany after trouncing Argentina 7-0 in the final of the 2017 Indoor Pan Am Hockey Cup in Georgetown, Guyana.
With regards to the team’s pre-World Cup plans, Cowie said, “The coaching staff — myself, Raphael (Govia, coach) and Kirth Davis (manager) — would have to have a meeting with the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board and then they would let us know how we move forward, where our training sessions are concerned.
“Then, from there, we’ll probably go back to the players, maybe bring in a few more players to bolster the training squad and then get ready for Berlin.
“I know we want to get some pre-tours as well,” Cowie added. “Right after the finals, Canada’s coach (Scott Sandison) came and told me that he would allow us to come up there and play some practice matches to get acclimatised to the European weather.”
Looking back on the team’s 100-percent record in Guyana, Cowie said, “The guys played out of their skins especially in the final.
“It’s something that all of us were talking about, not just the players, not just the coaches, but all of us collectively, having that collective energy and that consistency.”
Cowie, the ex-national player, said, “It wasn’t something what we really planned on.
It was one by one, one game at a time and, as the results started to flow, we said, ‘you know what, let’s not get carried away, we still needed to focus on performances and then results would start to come after’.
And that’s what pushed us through.” Cowie took over as coach after Raphael Govia had to return home midway during the competition, following the death of his father Winston.
“When I got the news of my father, I called a team meeting with Darren (Cowie) as well as two senior players, Solomon Eccles (captain) and Dwain Quan Chan.
I got the manager (Kirth Davis) involved as well. I basically told Darren that ‘I got some bad news today’.”
Govia admitted that he was informed about his father’s failing health, hours before the October 16 opener against Argentina, a game which saw TT prevail 5-2.
“(On) Tuesday morning I got the news that I needed to come back home and Wednesday I left.”
Govia, whose son Jordan Vieira was an instrumental member of the squad, acknowledged, “It was hard not being there, but with the communication with Eccles and Darren, it was a lot easier because I knew I left them in good hands.
“The team is closely-knit so it was not really an issue. It was not surprising that the boys won this tournament.”
The TT men’s coach pointed out, “This team started training on July 24.
This unit came on board together and we never looked back.
We rode the little challenges that we had and we dealt with it. We kept this team together and the boys were really fired up.
“There was never any negativity.
Everything was positive about this whole camp. It’s not surprising that the boys went undefeated in this tournament, and got a berth into Berlin.”
Newsday
St Andrews Crowned All Ireland Champions
St Andrew’s made it five All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship titles in six years as they got the better of Dublin rivals Wesley College on penalty strokes in the final at Garryduff this afternoon.
The pair had battled their way through the group stages and subsequently this morning’s semi-finals in Cork. For Andrew’s, they beat High School 2-1 thanks to Matteo Romoli’s second half winner while Wesley prevailed against Friends 2-0 with Cameron Ruttle and Ben O’Grady on the mark.
It set up a final between two sides who know each other incredibly well with Andrew’s, the reigning champions, meeting Wesley in the final for a fifth time in the competition’s history.
All four of those previous meetings had fallen Andrew’s way but Wesley showed few nerves in the opening quarter, starting much the brighter.
The Saints, though, held strong with Matteo Romoli to the fore at sweeper while Jamie Pullen and Stephen McCann put in huge shifts to break up their Ballinteer rivals’ rhythm. Gavin Quill’s deflection was the pick of the Wes chances.
Andrew’s grew into the tie and they went ahead five minutes before half-time when a raking move down the right channel ended with Riley Marchant on the right baseline. He spotted a near post gap and slipped home for 1-0.
Rian McDonald and Greg Arrowsmith had chances to extend the advantage in the first four minutes of the second half but, after that flurry of openings, Wesley reasserted their control on the game.
With Ruttle wreaking havoc, they won a series of penalty corners, one of which was slapped home by Rob McCollum for 1-1. They had more of the openings to win the game, drawing some brilliant stops from goalkeeper Nick Judge.
There was drama 10 minutes from the end when Andrew’s were awarded a penalty stroke only for the decision to be reversed following a discussion between the two umpires, meaning the tie stayed locked at 1-1 until full time.
No major chances came in the additional period, meaning the tie was to be settled by a penalty stroke competition. Judge saved in the first and third round while Romoli, David Shanahan and Greg Arrowsmith all scored to build a 3-1 advantage.
It gave Ben Walker – a senior international – to add the crowning moment for a second successive year and he duly flicked home to secure the Tasmanian Shield.
The win moves Andrew’s to joint top of the all-time list with RBAI with seven wins in this competition.
Coach Ivan Ovington has been at the helm for each of the seven victories and he said afterwards: “We did it the hard way this year, beating Ulster’s best side Sullivan Upper in the group stages and then High School and a very good Wesley side.
“We were glad to get the game to extra time and were willing to take our chances on strokes in the end.”
All-Ireland Schoolboys Championships
Final: St Andrew’s 1 (R Marchant) Wesley College 1 (R McCollum), St Andrew’s win 4-1 on strokes
Semi-final: St Andrew’s 2 (S Byrne, M Romoli) High School 1 (A Canning); Wesley 2 (C Ruttle, B O’Grady) Friends 0
Irish Hockey Association media release
U16 & U18 Boys Head Coaches Announced
Hockey Ireland would like to announce the appointment of Elun Hack to the position of Head Coach for U18 boys and Niall Denham as head coach to the U16 boys with immediate effect.
Irish Hockey Association media release