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All the news for Saturday 2 December 2017

Odisha Men's Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017 - Day 2

Pool A ARG v BEL 2 - 3
Pool A NED v ESP 2 - 3
17:30 Pool B GER v AUS
19:30 Pool B IND v ENG

Pool A

Rank	Team	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	P
1	Belgium	1	1	0	0	3	2	1	3
2	Spain	1	1	0	0	3	2	1	3
3	Argentina	1	0	0	1	2	3	-1	0
4	Netherlands	1	0	0	1	2	3	-1	0

Pool B

Rank	Team	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	P
1	Germany	1	1	0	0	2	0	2	3
2	Australia	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
2	India	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
4	England	1	0	0	1	0	2	-2	0

FIH Match Centre

Germany impress on Day 1 of the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017


Germany's Christopher Rühr was among the scorers on day 1 of the Odisha Men's Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017. Copyright: FIH / World Sport Pics

Bhubaneswar, India: The race to be crowned champions of the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017 got underway on Friday, with Germany finishing the day at the top of Pool B after two hugely entertaining matches at the Kalinga Stadium.

Germany’s Die Honamas (FIH Hero World Ranking: 5) were in action against England (WR: 7) – a team that had beaten Germany to the bronze medal at the Rabo EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam earlier this year - in the opening match of the day, and left the field rightfully pleased with their afternoon's work.

Although England were the better side in the opening quarter, Germany were excellent in the second period and went ahead when Hockey Stars Male Player of the Year 2017 nominee Mats Grambusch coolly fired into an open goal to finish off a rapid counter-attack.

Germany’s advantage was doubled ahead of half time when the ever-dangerous Christopher Rühr was given a clear sight of goal and made no mistake with his strike, firing into the bottom left corner beyond the outstretched right leg of Hockey Stars Male Goalkeeper of the Year nominee George Pinner. Attacking star Florian Fuchs had a hand in both of Germany’s goals, putting to bed any doubts that he would need time to rediscover his international form after taking more than a year away from the game.

Germany could easily have added to their tally in the third and fourth quarters, with Marco Miltkau and Rühr both going close before the match finished with the score at 2-0. The victory was a perfect way for Germany team captain Martin Häner to mark his 200th international appearance, while match umpire Eduardo Lizana was awarded his Golden Whistle in recognition of umpiring 100 international matches, a marker he reached in Glasgow, Scotland earlier this year.

“I’m absolutely delighted about the win”, said goal-scorer Mats Grambusch, who was named Man of the Match presented by Odisha New Opportunities, after the contest. “I think we had a poor first quarter but got better and better. The other three quarters we played good hockey and defended well, so I think we deserved the win. We are looking forward to our next match (against Australia) as we haven’t played them for a while, so we are going to focus on recovery and hopefully we can get another win tomorrow.”   

The day’s other match saw host nation India (WR: 6) take on reigning world and Hockey World League champions Australia (WR: 2) in front of a huge crowd that made an incredible noise throughout the contest. Taking place after a dazzling opening ceremony featuring dancers, laser lights and fireworks, the battle between the respective continental champions of Asia and Oceania proved to be every bit as entertaining as the pre-match show.

India dominated proceedings throughout the first quarter and deservedly took the lead early in the second period when Mandeep Singh’s clever backhand strike from the left of the circle found the target. The Kookaburras replied almost immediately thanks to a trademark penalty corner drag-flick from Jeremy Hayward, giving the Aussies the boost that they needed to edge the latter stages of the second quarter.

The scores remained locked at 1-1 throughout the third quarter, with both sides having good opportunities which they failed to convert. The home favourites came closest to sealing all three points in the fourth quarter when a deflected cross rattled the frame of the Australian goal. It proved to be the last significant moment of the match, with both sides taking away a share of the spoils on the occasion of Indian team captain Manpreet Singh’s 200th senior international appearance.

Speaking after the contest, Australia’s Matt Dawson – who was named Man of the Match, presented by Odisha New Opportunities – said: “It is always going to be tough playing India in India. I love the Bhubaneswar people as a player for (Hockey India League side) Kalinga Lancers, but matches like these are always tough. Our preparation has been pretty good and we are raring to go against top sides in the world.”

The competition continues on Saturday 2nd December with four potentially thrilling matches taking place. The day begins with two encounters in Pool A, with Olympic champions Argentina and Olympic silver medallists Belgium meeting at 1200 Indian Standard Time (UTC: +5.30) before European champions the Netherlands take on Spain at 1400. Germany’s Pool B contest with Australia begins at 17.30, with India going head-to-head with England at 1930 in front of a stadium that will surely be packed to the rafters.

RESULTS – DAY 1

Pool B: Germany 2, England 0.
Man of the Match, presented by Odisha New Opportunities: Mats Grambusch (GER)
Junior Player of the Match, presented by ONGC: Julius Meyer (GER)

Pool B: Australia 1, India 1.
Man of the Match, presented by Odisha New Opportunities: Matt Dawson (AUS)
Junior Player of the Match, presented by ONGC: Dipsan Tirkey (IND)

#HWL2017

FIH site

Kookaburras Open World League Final With Draw

Ben Somerford



The Kookaburras have opened their FIH Men’s Hockey World League Final campaign with a 1-1 draw with hosts India in Bhubaneswar on Saturday morning (AEDT).

Mandeep Singh opened the scoring in the 20th minute, before Jeremy Hayward equalised with a trademark drag flick from a penalty corner barely 60 seconds later.

Both sides came close to a winner in the second half, with Hayward hitting the post from a 35th minute penalty corner and Akashdeep Singh’s deflected effort also striking the woodwork in the final 10 minutes.

Australia defender Matt Dawson said: “It’s always going to be tough playing India in India.

“It’s been a busy time playing the International Festival of Hockey but we’re ready to go to play the top eight teams in the world here.”

Australia are next in action on Saturday night (11pm AEDT) when they meet Germany, who won their opener 2-0 against England.

The match will be midfielder Eddie Ockenden’s 300th game for Australia.

Hockey Australia media release

India’s draw against Australia an anti-climax after dazzling performance

Sundeep Misra


File image of India captain Manpreet Singh. Image courtesy: Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia

Beneath the brave words, the quiet yet painful comfort of a 1-1 draw, a practical captain explaining the errors and a coach who quietly understands the value of only the 19th draw in the history of India-Australia hockey, the Indian team must be hurting. Like the ache you get when you know you missed the lottery by just a digit.

The hurt would be particularly severe on Gurjant Singh, for he came close twice — within the space of 20 seconds — to going from a young lad with promise to someone permanently stamping his class on this game. In front of 8,000 adoring and roaring fans, India moved the ball on the flanks like a team of jugglers hellbent on winning the show in their very first act.

Each player had his part and they almost squeezed the Aussies out of the match. If Gurjant played high, Akashdeep Singh was the main fulcrum outside the striking circle, picking up through balls, creating space, allowing vital seconds for Mandeep Singh, SV Sunil, Chinglensana Singh and to run into empty pockets. The Aussies were so desperate in the first five minutes that they used the long ball thrice. In the last five years, Australia would rarely have been pegged back so easily — the 2014 World Cup final comes to mind when the Netherlands scored first at home; Australia later smashed home six.

From India, the probes came from the defence too — Harmanpreet Singh and Varun using the flanks with piercing through balls that cut through the Aussie midfield. Varun, in one instance, dodged past an Aussie forward and then reverse hit the pass to the other end. Yes, the youngsters also were rattled later in the match by some dogged Aussie offensive work.

But overall, India dominated and should have been up by a couple of goals in the first quarter. There is always a lurking thought in every hockey fan that at some point the attacks would be reversed. The Australians aren’t at all like the Germans who need to create that perfect passing pattern to open up the bowels inside an opposition defence. Their speed and skill usually bludgeon the opponent. But that is exactly what was being dished out to the Aussies. And the fans loved it. In the end moments of the first quarter, Akashdeep, shimmied down the middle, did a bout of fast breaks with Sunil and then saw his shot whizz past the post.

Finally, the goal arrived in the 20th minute. The crowd was a little restless; too many good moves had been wasted. And when Manpreet Singh picked up the ball from a lovely right flank action there were only two options — either move up, wasting precious seconds or pass down the line. He took the middle path only because Lalit Upadhyay opened up space outside the Australian striking circle.

The Aussies were bisected through the middle and Lalit in a second had flicked it to Mandeep, a lurking presence on the top of the circle. He took it to his left, struck the reverse hit neatly as Lovell Tyler got the angle wrong and to his horror saw the ball neatly shoot in for India to take the lead. The fans roared. It’s always a spectacle for hockey connoisseurs to watch a strike from the top of the circle. None of the fumbling, poking, tapping in off goals here — it was a clean strike from a player who always had the positional sense and skill to score fluently.

But India are most vulnerable when they take the lead. Over the years, India concede from strong positions on the scoreboard. And it came true when an absolutely soft approach made its way into the Indian striking circle for Australia’s 2nd penalty corner. Jeremy Hayward would be more shocked to see Akash Chikte concede a soft goal; a flick that rolled in past the Indian goalkeeper. Chikte, normally clean and efficient in keeping out powerful flicks, failed to anticipate the shot. But probably got taken in by what in cricket terminology would be termed ‘the slower one.’

It took a few seconds for India to rotate and regain momentum. Impressive were the moves on the flanks. Yes, intensity dipped at moments but when playing the World No 2 team, you also have to understand Australia would attack too. For those who have seen Aussies playing fluent hockey with moves that showcased them as a team of ice skaters with pinpoint passing accuracy, the display at the Kalinga Stadium was more of doggedness and a game they brought building on resoluteness. For that itself, all credit to the Indians for forcing Australia to change their tactics.

It’s not that India don’t have anything to worry about. Their forward line with all the razzle-dazzle still needs to tuck away the opportunities. And the midfield would do well to allow Chinglensana, Sumit and Kothajit Singh to ‘intentionally’ move down the left flank as Australia concede more penalty corners on the turn and with ball players like Mandeep, Lalit and Akashdeep, India could have got three or four more PCs. The youngsters in the defence are still vulnerable as Amit Rohidas showed in conceding a penalty corner with an amateurish flash of his stick inside the Indian striking circle.

A strike at that stage by Australia would have made India run after an equaliser. Even later in the match, Amit miss-passed, giving momentum to the Aussies. But what was pleasing to watch was Harmanpreet growing into his role, using the width at the back to ease pressure and make the younger minds settle down. Some of his through passes would have killed the opposition on any other day — but both times, Indian forwards couldn’t read the last second change of direction.

Rupinder Pal Singh brought some verve back and would be deeply disappointed on the penalty corner conversions; in fact, his flick was powerful but couldn’t get the elevation and Tyler only had to stick to his ground to take it on the gloves. But the remaining three in the match lacked direction and any form of thought.

Birendra Lakra still needs a couple of matches to get into his groove but his flashy save of a ball sinking into the Indian goal in the 4th quarter showed the man still hasn’t lost his speed and defensive positional sense. A look at the stats show India’s domination.

At the end of the match, Australia had eight shots to India’s 11 on goal; possession was almost equal at 48 percent to 52 percent; on penalty corners, India conceded six to Aussies’ four; they scored off one. The figure that would make India happy is their circle penetrations at 19 shows a clear domination while for Colin Batch, the Aussie coach, concerns would be high at just 11.

In the Azlan Shah, when India lost 1-3, Australia’s circle penetrations stood at a dominant 20. There are layers that determine a team’s mental fatigue in wins, losses and even draws. But this 1-1 draw would make sure India start fresh against England on Saturday. India have a point, and a win against England would make it four giving us a middle-of-the-table view. Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne felt that India should have walked away with a win.

“In the second half, our defence was in control,” said Marijne. “In the first quarter, of course, we would have liked to score more. We are working on that. We are also working on our penalty corner conversions. This match gives us a good feel for the next match. But we are not satisfied because we wanted to win.”

There was a dip in the intensity somewhere in the 3rd quarter when Australia, in their struggle to wrest the initiative, rotated the ball. With speed killed, India couldn’t sprint past the Aussie midfield and dodge defenders. Australian captain, Mark Knowles, admitted that India are fast on the break. “We knew that they bring speed and also a have controlled, tight defence. It would always be difficult against them.”

For all the beautiful play, deft flicks, give-aways, dazzling shimmies and subtle footwork, a 1-1 draw seems like an anti-climax. When the excitement would have dipped and each of the players closeted with their own thoughts, it would have dawned on them, one by one, the importance of what they let slip away.

Firstpost

Positive India content with 1-1 draw

s2h team



Freeflowing India rattled world's number two team Australia establishing a clear upper hand in the midfield, but failed to extract an outright win and had to be content with a 1-1 draw in the first encounter of the Hockey World League Finals here in Bhubneswar.

The Indian forwards, in particular Akashdeep Singh, did not measure upto the demands of the day, and were woeful in giving finish to the wonderful chances they got inside the circle.

India's 20th minute Mandeep Singh goals was cancelled out within a minute by Jeremy Hayward in only Australia's second of six penalty corners. Entire second session could not move the scoreboard despite a flurry of action from both gifted teams.

It was markedly a different but entertaining match compared to the sedate opening encounter in which Germany dominated England to post a befitting 2-0 win.

India started on brisk note with SV Sunil and Sumit combining in their flank to foist quite a few attacks, but the scoreboard did not move. A couple of times Akashdeep Singh mistimed his hits. India came close to scoring through their only penalty corner of the first half. Rupinder Singh on comeback trial, took the dragflick aiming centre of the net, only to see Australian goalie diving full length and blocking. Sumit, who had an excellent game today, trapped the rebound but his shot was declared rising. India in all got four penalty corners, first three were taken in vain by Rupinder, the fourth and crucial one was lost on poor trapping of pushed ball on the edge of circle by local hero Birendra Lakra.



Mandeep Singh, who had a couple of run ins into the circle, trapped a Lalit Upadhyay's gem of a pass from 25-yard area and whacked in to the open net, as Australian goalie has already charged out (1-0).

But the lead did not survive too long, as Australia pressed hard and got a penalty corner after a forward deep on the left of circle could find the foot of Harmanpreet Singh.

Jeremy Hayward's grounder went past the stretched left leg of goalie Akash Chikte (1-1).

Australia continued to press, and got another penalty corner within a minute in the second quarter, but a sloppy drill led India to clear even before a shot was taken.

Team went with 1-1 at half time and the remainder of time did not see any goal despite most penalty corners came in the spell.

Dipsan Tirkey was declared Young Player while Mathew Dawson, who played a stellar role in defending Australian citadel, easily walked away with Man of the Match epithet.

Julius Meyer of Germany was chosen for Young Player Award for the first match while the first goal scorer Mats Grahmbusch the Man of the Match for the Germany-England match.

Stick2Hockey.com

Profligate India settles for a draw in its opener against Australia

The midfield, marshalled by Manpreet, was exceptional; Germany puts its past England

Uthra Ganesan


On target: The Indian players celebrate Mandeep Singh’s strike against Australia. 

A ground-bisecting pass from captain Manpreet Singh on the left, a fluid one-touch pass ahead from Lalit Upadhyay and a diving, stumbling reverse shot from Mandeep Singh that stuck the board in the 20th minute.

It was one of the many moments of brilliance executed by the Indians but the only one that mattered as the host began its campaign in the Hockey World League Final with a 1-1 draw against defending champion Australia here on Friday.

It was a match India should have won. It was a match where the sixth-ranked team in the world had the World No. 2 side on the backfoot for a good half hour — the first and last quarters — and relentlessly pressed ahead, created chances by the dozen and restricted Australia to its own half.

“We conceded too many turnovers on the 30-yard line, that is something we need to work on,” captain Mark Knowles admitted.

It was more than just that. The Indian midfield was exceptional, marshalled by Manpreet who clearly was the best player on display. Diving, leaping, changing directions and moving ends, he was everywhere. Feeding the strikers, distributing the ball, disrupting the Australian moves, he did everything.

The captain was clearly on a mission in his 200th international. He just couldn't find the personnel upfront to make the most of his efforts. Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep and Gurjant all misfired, hitting wide. Four penalty corners were earned but all went waste.

S.V. Sunil and Sumit stood out for their crosses from either flank but the team missed the finishing touches. And the defence, with two men returning from injuries and the others inexperienced, held up firm despite repeated assaults.

Australia, though, would feel lucky to escape with a draw. It did push in the middle two quarters and earned as many as six PCs but could convert only one and hardly created any open chances. “It was quite an experience for the newcomers to play in front of this kind of crowd. There were a few missings but just the first match, things need sharpening up,” Australia coach Colin Batch said.

The result may not really matter in the larger scheme of things. With all eight teams playing the quarterfinals, everyone would get a second chance and that would be the stage when things would start getting serious. But it would be the missing elements that would concern the team more.

“The result may not be that important but it matters. If we do not score now, after taking the upper hand against the World No. 2 and dominating them, then it will be even more difficult in the later stages. Momentum needs to be built up from the beginning,” admitted Sunil.

Earlier, England appeared to have taken its lessons from the previous edition a tad too seriously, playing second fiddle to a dominant Germany in a 2-0 loss in the tournament opener. Barring a brief period at the beginning, Germany was the superior side in every department and in control without getting too aggressive. Mats Grambusch and Christopher Ruhr struck for Germany.

The result: Pool B: Germany 2 (Mats Grambusch, Christopher Ruhr) bt England 0; India 1 (Mandeep Singh) drew with Australia (Jeremy Hayward).

The Hindu

Pacy India surprise Aussies but settle for draw; Germany win

Indervir Grewal


Australian goalkeeper Lachlan Sharp goes for the ball during the Men’s Hockey World League Final match on Friday. PTI

Sjoerd Marijne’s fast and relentless India hit their first major hurdle, and almost cleared it. But not without a few realisations about their game and getting some idea about the challenges they will face over the next 10 days.

What looked like a hurdle they were going to run over at the start of the match, turned into a wall that took everything out of India, but they still couldn’t cross it. In the end, it might look like India’s match, and they were electric for most part in the 1-1 draw. But Australia were at their defiant best, especially as they had an ordinary game, defensively — making too many “errors” according to captain Mark Knowles.

It was a horrible start for Australia, who almost conceded two goals in the first couple of minutes. The errors could be attributed to the incredible pace India started at. Even though Australia had “expected India to come out fast”, the Indian forwards’ stifling pressure on the ball carrier in the midfield took them by surprise.

Interceptions were crucial for India to succeed at the top level, Marijne had said before the tournament, and his team did exactly that. Time and again their interceptions or steals led to dangerous counter-attacks.

But the Australians “reorganised themselves” and patiently worked their way into the game. They slowed the game down and, importantly, held on to the ball better. As they found a foothold, they started moving the ball and started changing the pace. Those were the times when the Indians lost their focus and deviated from the game plan. From being proactive and defending high, India sat back waiting for a counter-attacking opportunity. At times, Akashdeep Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh or Manpreet Singh had to gesture to the players to push forward.

Aussies pulling the breaks on Indian bullet train

That became the story of the match — India starting energetically after each interval, which yielded many chances, and Australia grinding down the pace to an amble before hitting with small bursts.

But they couldn’t find a way through the middle as India, for most part, were fabulous as a defensive unit. So the Australians started playing long and diagonal aerial balls to the flanks to find India on the wrong foot.

Australia’s changing tactics throughout the match would have been a lesson for India, even though their execution was far from the top level expected from them. At one point, Knowles was heard screaming “hold, hold” to Aran Zalewski, who still fired a hopeful cross into the circle.

It was a mixture of Australia’s poor execution and India’s fast, one-touch game — which they have started playing under Marijne — that led to the first goal. Matthew Swann’s pointless cross into the circle was intercepted before Manpreet Singh picked up the loose ball just outside his circle. His second touch took him past one Australian player, his third sent the ball to Lalit Upadhyay in the middle. Upadhyay’s second touch sent the ball to Mandeep Singh at the heart of the circle, and the wiry forward took just two touches to sneak the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper. But in the next minute, India switched off and conceded a penalty corner, which Jeremy Hayward converted.

Germans edge out England

Germany’s happy times at Bhubaneswar continued as three years after beating Pakistan 2-0 in the final of the 2014 Champions Trophy, they beat England 2-0 in their opener of the HWL Final.

The Germans overcame initial nerves to muscle out a win against another defensive team. “In the first quarter, we were a bit nervous, and were moving the ball at a slow pace,” said German captain Martin Haner. That allowed England to dominate possession and mount pressure on the German defence.

“In the break, we discussed that we had to pick up the pace, hold the ball, and make them run more,” added Haner. The team did exactly that. The Germans became more proactive in defence. They put more pressure on the ball carrier, making more interceptions and stealing the ball often.

It led to counter-attacks, which were crucial in a defensive match. Mats Grambusch scored from their second counter-attack in the 19th minute. The goal helped Germany control the match better, while England lacked the cutting-edge up front. Six minutes later, Christopher Ruhr finished another quick attack with a first-time strike that blasted into the backboard. A two-goal lead was sufficient for the wily Germans to see the match through.

Results

    Germany 2-0 England M Grambusch (19th min) Christopher Ruhr (25th min)
    India 1-1 Australia Mandeep Singh (20th min) Jeremy Hayward (21st min)

The Tribune

India, Australia play out 1-1 draw

Feroz Khan

BHUBANESWAR: India played out an intense 1-1 draw with defending champions Australia in their Odisha Hockey World League Final opener on Friday.

The Indians made a sparkling start with an early incursion into the Australian half in the pool B encounter, catching the opponent defence by surprise. SV Sunil moved briskly on the right flank and his shot after deflection from a defender found Gurjant Singh whose reverse hit was blocked by the Australian 'keeper Tyler Lovell. World no. 2 Australia responded with a counterattack but the resultant attempt at goal was weak.

Then Harmanpreet Singh's long pass was picked up by Akashdeep and he went past Matthew Shawn to unleash a thunderous shot which was palmed away by Tyler. However, Gurjant had a lovely chance to score on the rebound but the shot was, again, padded away.

The capacity crowd at the Kalinga Stadium was on its feet after witnessing a sprightly start from their team. Soon, India won their first penalty corner but again, they were denied after yet another save from Lovell. While India had the edge in the opening exchanges, Australia were ready with their replies. They soon earned their first penalty corner (11th minute) but an alert Akash Chitke was equal to the task.

Akashdeep was repeatedly making probing moves but somehow Australia managed to deny him and the first quarter ended goalless. Five minute in to the second quarter, India finally sent one crashing inside the Australian cage through Mandeep Singh. A lovely cross from the midfield from Manpreet to Lalit Upadhyay opened up the Australian defense and his gentle touch pushed the ball further to Mandeep. The 22-year-old went past Tyler, diving, and with a reverse hit put India 1-0 ahead. It was a perfect culmination of the build-up by the hosts with Manpreet being in the thick of action.

The joy was short-lived after Australia converted a penalty corner with Jeremy Hayward equalising in the 21st minute. That was followed by a period when Indian defenders were tested by the Kookaburras. The first-half ended with both sides on equal footing.

The third quarter was punctuated by both the teams conceding penalty corners. India won the first two of the six penalty corners during the period while Australia won four inside 60 seconds. Neither team converted them. The bristling start was fast peering towards a quiet end with India left to rue the missed opportunities at the start of the game. Australia had their own failures to look back upon when they had the chance to take the lead during a period when they got four penalty corners.

Akashdeep had a frustrating outing as he had several chances to score tonight. In the final quarter, Mandeep's long pass found the 22-year-old forward inside the Australian D but his deflection hit the woodwork. Little separated the two teams in Bhubaneswar with India enjoying 11 shots on target as compared to Australia's 8.

India next face England on Saturday evening while Australia lock horns with Germany. Olympic gold medalist Argentina will be up against Belgium while Netherlands square off against Spain on a busy Saturday.

The Times of India

Penalty corner is area of concern: Sjoerd Marijne

s2h team

India might have started their Hockey World League Finals campaign decently with a draw against the World number 2 outfit Australia, but one area where the team looked off colour was the penalty conversion besides missing field chances.

India missed out on converting any of four penalty corner awarded to them, the last of the lot was not even stopped. Birendra Lakra was the man who tried to stop the PC push of Chenglensana, but the ball rose too high prompting umpire to blow the whistle for dangerous play.

Coach Sjoerd Marijne, admitting the area needs to be looked upon also stated that the particular portion of the pitch at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar has a ‘bump.’

“The last one we couldn’t stop. There is a little bump on the pitch,” the coach said.

However, the team will not be raising the issue with the administration.

“They would be knowing about it (the bump), and there is nothing they can do about it. We will have to deal with it,” he said.

Coach Sjoerd Marijne also praised his defenders. "The defence starts with the strikers and they did well".

The new coach also feels the boys have done better than recent Asia Cup that India won. "It was an improved performance compared to Asia Cup".

Whatever the real test of India will come when the knock out phase starts

Stick2Hockey.com

Need to focus on converting chances: Manpreet Singh

Feroz Khan

BHUBANESWAR: Indian hockey team impressed with their quick counterattacking play in their Hockey World League Final opener against defending champions Australia on Friday. In the first quarter at the Kalinga Stadium, especially in the opening exchanges, India were all over the Australian defenders, repeatedly putting their custodian Tyler Lovell to stern test.

Those were fairly easy chances and had the team managed to convert them, the result could have been different.

"We got several chances to score throughout contest. We will focus on converting them into goals in coming matches," skipper Manpreet Singh, who dazzled in his 200th appearance for India on Friday observed.

After coming close to breaking the deadlock in the opening 10 minutes, it was Mandeep Singh who put the home team in the lead that lasted nearly a minute before Australia equalised via penalty corner. For India, their age-old problem of failure to convert penalty corners came to haunt them again as they wasted their all four penalty corners. Their opponents fared a tad better scoring one of their six penalty corners.

Coach Sjoerd Marijne echoed Manpreet's thoughts while praising his defenders. "The defence starts with the strikers and they did well. It was an improved performance (from Asia Cup). We did really well as a team but need to improve in few areas. Few penalty corners were easy and we need to convert them," he said after the match.

Australia were rattled early on, forcing their captain early on to gather his troops and calm their nerves against a charging Indian team and a partisan home crowd. "It was just about refocusing. We've got a lot of guys with not much experience. When you are playing in front of such a huge crowd, sometimes things can get on the top of you. So, it was really important for me to refocus the group. Our quality wasn't good enough and when you let that down at the start of a match you can pay for it. One goal in international hockey is nothing," Australia captain Mark Knowles said.

Australia coach Colin Batch defended his relatively inexperienced side saying, "It was a great experience for them. They made some errors and they did some really good things. We were expecting that to happen. Not everyone has a dream debut. The noise and to play an international match in India, I think they handed it well."

The Times of India

Opening game defeat for England


England v Germany HWL Final 2017

England fell to defeat against a strong German outfit in the opening game of the Odisha Hockey World League Finals in India.

Second quarter goals from Mats Grambusch and Christopher Ruhr were enough for the Germans to come away with the victory, despite England starting the game on top.

Bobby Crutchley’s side did have good chances of their own through Liam Ansell and Phil Roper but goalkeeper Tobias Walter was on hand to thwart both efforts.

But on the whole it was Germany who dominated much of the game against an England team missing three players due to illness to start their tournament in the best possible fashion.

Much of the possession belonged with England early on as they initially started the sharper of the two sides, with Mark Gleghorne and Anselltesting Walter inside the first seven minutes.

The world number five outfit then sprang into life at the start of the second quarter, with Niklas Bruns slapping a shot wide after substitute ‘keeper Harry Gibson made a good save down low to his left.

But just three minutes Germany took the lead as Martin Zwicker raced up the centre of the field before feeding Florian Fuchs, the midfielder then keeping his composure to set up Grambusch to tuck his effort into an empty goal.

Germany kept on piling on the pressure thereafter and extended their lead in the 26th minute as Ruhr unleashed a fearsome shot past Gibson after a fantastic run down the right by Fuchs.

England then held firm despite continued dominance by their opponents in the third quarter, forcing Constantin Staib and Grambusch into speculative reverse stick efforts from narrow angles.

Then, in a rare foray forward in the 41st minute, Roper – making his 50th England appearance – almost snuck a shot between Walter’s legs but could not quite connect perfectly and the German ‘keeper did well to keep it out.

His opposite number George Pinner – nominated for the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year earlier in the day – then instinctively kept out a deflection from Dan Nguyen to ensure the lead did not increase at the end of the third quarter.

A yellow card for Marco Miltkau with 11 minutes to play gave England an opportunity and they almost took advantage immediately but Sam Ward was deemed to have not touched Gleghorne’s vicious cross on its way into the goal, despite a referral.

But that was to be as good as it got in the final quarter as Germany closed out the game to avenge their loss to England in the bronze medal game during the summer’s EuroHockey Championships.

Germany (2) 2
Grambusch (19, FG), Ruhr (26, FG)

England (0) 0

Starting XI: Pinner (C), Weir, Ward, Gleghorne, Roper, Dixon, Middleton, Ansell, Condon, C Griffiths, Sanford

Subs (Used): Taylor, Gibson , Goodfield, Gall

Subs (Unused): Ames, Martin, Creed

England Hockey Board Media release

England lose to Germany


England beat Germany in the bronze medal match at the Euro Hockey Championships

England lost their opening game of the Hockey World League Finals against Germany in India.

Second quarter goals from Mats Gramsbusch and Christopher Ruhr gave Germany the 2-0 win in a fairly dominant display.

Liam Ansell could have given England an early lead but was denied by Tobias Walter while Phil Roper, making his 50th appearance, had further chances.

England face hosts India in their second match on Saturday.

Bobby Crutchley's side were missing regular starters David Ames, Harry Martin and Brendan Creed due to illness.

Germany, who lost to England in the bronze medal game during this summer's Euro Hockey Championships, are currently ranked fifth in the world, two places higher than England.

"It was a good first quarter against a very decent German team," said Crutchley.

"Being three men down meant we were always going to struggle to maintain the required intensity for the whole game but we defended well."

England squad: George Pinner (C), Henry Weir, Sam Ward, Mark Gleghorne, Phil Roper, Adam Dixon, Barry Middleton, Liam Ansell, David Condon, Chris Griffiths, Liam Sanford, Luke Taylor, Harry Gibson (GK), David Goodfield, James Gall

BBC Sport

Germany beat England 2-0 in Odisha Hockey World League Final opener

Feroz Khan

BHUBANESWAR: Germany defeated England 2-0 in the opening match of the Odisha Hockey World League Final to start their campaign in a dominating fashion here on Friday. Germany scored through Mats Grambusch (19) and Christopher Ruhr (25) with both the goals coming in the second quarter of the game.

Barring the first quarter, England played second fiddle to a rampaging Germany who continued to press on after a lacklustre start. England began brightly, consistently entering German half, putting the defenders to an early test. However, the Germans just about managed to hold on, absorbing the pressure. England's Liam Ansell won a free hit and Sam Ward got the deflection the ball went wide. Apart from that, England continued to press on as Germany committed silly errors and allowed England to take early control with the first quarter ending 0-0.

In the second quarter, Germany attacked more and it was England's turn to commit mistakes. But they weren't as lucky with Grambusch sounding the board in the 19th minute. Midfielder Martin Zwicker regained the possession in the German half and in a lighting turnaround, surged ahead unleashing pass in quick-time to Florian Fuchs inside the circle which drew England goalie forward. And all Fuchs had to do was simply pass the ball to Grambusch who gleefully put the ball inside an empty cage.

Cristopher Ruhr doubled the lead six minutes later thanks to Marco Miltkau's brilliant move from German half. He pushed the ball in to the England half and ended up finding Timur Oruz on the backline. Timur quickly responded, twisting and turning to pass it back to an unmarked Ruhr who did the rest.

Germany had gained control with tighter defence and regular surges not permitting England any chance to settle in. The frustration was visible in the final stages when England failed to press deep with the game heading towards a German victory. It was this growing frustration that perhaps forced Sam Ward to claim a deflection for a goal which resulted in a confrontation with unhappy Germany players who chided him for the move. The on-field umpire didn't award that as a goal and after inconclusive evidence, the TV umpire too upheld the decision.

It was a typical German performance and though the scoreline shows that they scored just twice, their overall performance was nothing short of utter dominance. Overall, they enjoyed 66% possession and penetrated the circle 17 times as compared to England's lowly 7.

The Times of India

Germany start campaign with comfortable victory over England


Hockey World League Final 2017 action between Germany and England. Twitter/@EnglandHockey

Bhubaneswar: Mats Grambusch and Christopher Ruhr struck a goal each as four-time Olympic champion Germany started their Hockey World League (HWL) Final campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over England in the opening match of the elite eight-nation tournament, in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

After a slow opening 15 minutes, world No 5 Germany got their act together and scored both their goals in the second quarter to register full points from the match in front of a capacity crowd at the Kalinga Stadium.

It was England who started on a promising note but the Germans took control of the game after the first quarter.

England had the first shot at the goal but Mark Gleghornes's try from inside the box didn't have enough power to trouble German goalkeeper Tobias Walter in the seventh minute.

Thereafter, the Germans slowly and steadily got into their groove and scored the first goal of the tournament in the 19th minute through Grambusch who slotted home a Niklas Bruns assist from inside the circle past skipper George Pinner in front of the England goal.

In the 25th minute, the Germans doubled their lead through another field strike from Ruhr to go into halftime with a comfortable lead.

The Englishmen were expected to make a strong comeback after the change of ends but the Germans did not allow that.

Germany kept a tight defence in the third and fourth quarters and held on to their lead.

Germany will play world champions and No 2 side in the world Australia in their second Pool B match on Saturday, while England will be up against hosts India.

Firstpost

Stats Speak: India versus  England at a glance

By B.G.Joshi (in Kalinga Hockey Stadium Bhubaneswar)

*includes Great Britain

Fieldhockey.com

Ockenden Set To Reach 300-Game Milestone

Ben Somerford



Eddie Ockenden never expected to reach 100 games let alone 300 and is blown away to be joining the elite company like Jamie Dwyer, Brent Livermore and Mark Knowles in the exclusive club.

Hobart product Ockenden will play his 300th game for the Kookaburras in Saturday’s (11pm AEDT live on Fox Sports) FIH Men’s World League Final match against Germany in Bhubaneswar, India.

The midfielder, who debuted internationally as a teenager in 2006, will become the sixth Kookaburra to bring up 300 games and the first Tasmanian to reach the milestone.

Ockenden will join Dwyer, Jay Stacy, Livermore, Liam De Young and Knowles in the 300-game club.

“There’s been some greats ahead of me to play 300 games,” Ockenden said.

“I played in a couple of those (milestone) games. I played with three of those guys, so it’s pretty cool. It’s an indication of how much hockey we played nowadays as well.”

Ockenden was beaming with state pride when asked about becoming the first Tasmanian to reach the milestone.

“I’m very proud to represent Tasmania,” he said. “Being the first Tasmanian to reach 300 games is pretty cool.

“We’ve had a really long history with the Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos so I’m proud to be Tasmanian and to represent the state and continue our proud hockey tradition.”

Ockenden debuted for Australia in June 2006 against South Korea at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia as a 19-year-old.

“When you’re young on debut I never thought I’d reach 10, 20, 100 or 300 games,” Ockenden reflected.

“When you’re young, you don’t really think about that. You go out there and try to cement yourself in the team, play the best you can and improve as much as you can.

“It hasn’t been quick but it seems like it’s gone quickly now when you think about 12 years ago.”

Ockenden cited the likes of Tasmanian Institute of Sport mentor Andrew McDonald as a key influence over his journey, along with Australian coaches Barry Dancer, Colin Batch, Ric Charlesworth, Graham Reid and Paul Gaudoin.

Now 30, Ockenden said he had no retirement plans at this stage, although he wasn’t setting his sights on reaching Dwyer’s record 365-game mark just yet.

“I’m not too sure how much longer I want to keep playing,” he said.

“I’m having a really good time now. I’ve got a young little boy and it’s not held me back.

“While I’m loving it and while my body is feeling good and I’m still in the team, I don’t have an end goal.

“I’ll just enjoy it and if I’m enjoying it, I’m happy to be around.”

Australia’s World League Final campaign commenced on Saturday morning against India live on Fox Sports.

Hockey Australia media release

Thomas Briels: Hockey star, Olympic medalist and a practising podiatric

Feroz Khan

BHUBANESHWAR: In recent years of international hockey, no team has captured the imagination like the Belgium men's national team. They have consistently punched above their weights, surprised everyone with an attractive, counter-attacking style of play and crashed the barrier to establish themselves among the elite teams in the present world hockey order. They first defied all expectations to bulldoze their way to the Rio Olympics final where they were denied the gold by Argentina. Then, a year later, they again left a lasting impression with a silver medal at the European Championship.

What makes their rise interesting is the fact that hockey in Belgium doesn't enjoy the same status as in other top-ranked nations. Be it in terms of popularity or financially rewarding, it is still not considered a viable career option. That is the reason why Belgian hockey players are taught to learn a life skill to ensure that they can live off comfortably after the end of their professional careers.

Even Thomas Briels, the captain of the current Belgium hockey team, has already built himself an alternative career that doesn't concern hockey. Briels, a striker, is a triple-Olympian who has an Olympic silver medal to his name apart from bronze and silver medals at the Euro Championship and has also won a bucketful of trophies playing at the club level - both in Belgium and the Netherlands. You would expect someone boasting his kind of portfolio to have made it big in life with a secured financial future. Well, turns out it's not the case.

The 30-year-old hockey star divided his team between playing professional hockey and studying to be a, wait for it, podiatrist. Not many would have heard the word podiatrist let alone know what that stands for. As per American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, a podiatrist "diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg."

"I played professional hockey and simultaneously studied for podiatry," Briels told TOI after he had just finished a high-intensity practice session ahead of Belgium's Odisha Hockey World League Final opener against Argentina on Saturday. "In finished that in 2015. Now I am working one day a week on Wednesday and the rest of the week I am playing hockey. I am learning and get a bit of experience in podiatry. Hopefully when I stop, I want to teach kids, share with them my experience what I have learnt, maybe some coaching. I am going to combine the two - practice a podiatrist and coaching hockey."

With their rapid improvement, has the sport now become interesting, if not preferred, career option in Belgium, Briels has no hesitation in stating otherwise. Hockey players are still advised to study or work part-time to learn something to fall back upon after finishing professional hockey. "No, it's still the same. See, you can easily live off hockey during your professional career but afterwards you cannot save enough money to have a secured future. So, you have to study or work part-time. Basically learn something else. Some players take to coaching, others go for studies. In the end, you can combine high level sports with studies and it makes you better. Makes you smarter as a person. For me, it's really important to do something else from hockey. Mentally, it is also good to sometimes focus on something else other than hockey," Briels revealed.

But things are improving at home. And after their excellent performances at the international level, funding has increased, the national federation has become more professional. "We've a good federation - it has become much more professional than it was ten years ago. They have worked on it. There's more funding and players have also become more professional. Everything around hockey in Belgium is getting more professional," he said.

Hockey is not as financially rewarding as other sports, especially football, which is highly popular in Belgium. The current crop of Belgian players might be a gifted lot but can performance alone attract future generation to take up the sport? Briels, who has clocked 282 international caps till date, has an interesting take on that.

"You get a lot of things out of hockey. It's not just about the money. You can travel the world. By playing sports at a highest level, you can learn a lot as a person. There's a lot of pressure when you are competing at the top level and you learn a lot. You become disciplined, more professional. I think you can learn a lot of things which cannot be taught in school. Hockey has given a lot to me. Even though we do not learn as much as footballers, there are little kids who look up to and it's a nice thing to be an inspiration to younger generation," said Briels.

Belgium might be dishing one strong performance after another, Briels made it clear that the team's biggest target remains to win a major international trophy. They have come close to achieving recently in Rio 2016 and Euro Championship 2017 but had to contend with runners-up medal.

"It has taken a lot of hard work. We had a good generation of talented players. A lot of them have played with each other for a long time. We try to train really hard to get results. Hard work pays off in the end. Really happy with where we are right now. We want to get better. Still need to win a major international tournament with Belgium. That's our big ambition.

Does the loss to Argentina in Rio still rankles? "At that point we were really disappointed," he said. "We were playing well, could've won the game had we been at our best. But Argentina played better and they deserved the title. I think a week or two later, we felt proud that we had won an Olympic silver. It was a nice experience but we hope to go one better in future and go on to win the final."

Come Saturday, Belgium will have a chance to avenge the loss when they face Argentina at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium. "It's been a long time since we played them (Argentina). Lost the Olympic final to them, so we want to take a little revenge. Like us, they also have some new players. So it will be interesting contest. It's our first game of the tournament, so looking forward to it," Briels said.

When asked if there's one rule in hockey he would like to change, Briels pointed out the High Ball rule. "I think the whistling on the high ball. You don't really know about it. I am not clear about it and sometimes we get the impression that even referee don't know which way to go. Don't whistle on it. Just let the play continue. Change this rule a little bit," he chuckles before climbing over an advertising board and haring across the turf to join his team-mates who have already packed their kits, ready to leave for the hotel.

The Times of India

2017 Men's Asian Challenge - Day 6

BRU v TPE     0 - 8
HKG v MYA     0 - 5

Rank	Team	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	P
1	Chinese Taipei	6	6	0	0	34	4	30	18
2	Myanmar	6	4	0	2	24	7	17	12
3	Hong Kong China	6	2	0	4	17	15	2	6
4	Brunei	6	0	0	6	0	49	-49	0

FIH Match Centre

Spain Defeat Green army 5-2



It was a tough opening half for the Green Army as Spain took a 4-0 lead going into half time. Emma Buckley was kept busy by the Spanish, ranked 11th in the world, and was called on inside the opening minutes to clear a shot from Julia Pons. Moments later Maria Lopez sent a high reverse goalward only for Buckley to tip it over the bar. But the first goal came in the 11th minute when Carmen Cano slipped her marker and found herself free in the circle to calmly tap the ball around the oncoming Buckley. The Green Army struggled to retain possession and 2 goals in 2 minutes’ saw Spain take a commanding lead. Berta Bonastre scored at the near post following some confusion in the circle and Maialen Garcia scored the rebound from a PC routine. Lizzie Colvin, captaining the side, was leading any Irish charge alongside Anna O’Flanagan and a nicely weighted pass saw Naomi Carroll in on goal but her shot was saved by Melania Garcia. The half was rounded out by a fourth goal for Spain as Hannah McLoughlin was turned over by Belen Iglesias, who then slipped the ball to Mariona Serrahima to fire into the goal.

Ireland began to find some passes and O’Flanagan’s determined run into the circle drew a strong save from Garcia but there was nobody on hand to get to the rebound before it was cleared. Spain were hunting for more goals and Erin Getty did well to make an outstretched block to prevent a ball flying goalward. The Green Army recorded their first PC of the game in the 40th minute but Chloe Brown’s drag was parried away. Cano got her second as she was fastest to the rebound and smashed the ball home from close range in the 49th minute. McLoughlin very nearly got Ireland on the scoresheet as she darted along the left baseline but again Garcia was alert to the danger. The goal eventually came as Duke spun her marker and found an outstretched Naomi Carroll to push past the keeper. 2 minutes later as the game wound down, Sarah Torrans doubled her sides tally as she fired a rebound into the net from a PC routine.

Ireland play their final match of the tournament tomorrow against Belgium at 11:45am (local time). The match will be streamed live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UoO51NLJR0&feature=youtu.be

Spain 5 (Cano x2, Bonastre, Garcia, Serrahima)

Ireland 2 (Carroll, Torrans)

Squad: E Buckley, C Brown, N Evans, E Getty, E Tice, L Colvin (Captain), S Torrans, A O’Flanagan, Z Wilson, R Barry, L McGuire

Subs: G O’Flanagan, J McMaster, Y O’Byrne, N Carroll, H McLoughlin, D Duke, A Meeke,

Rank	Team	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	P
1	Spain	3	2	0	1	11	7	4	6
2	Belgium	2	2	0	0	7	4	3	6
3	Ireland	3	0	0	3	6	13	-7	0

(Standings courtesy FIH Match Centre)

3 Nations Fixtures at Club Hockey Alcalá:

Ireland 2vs4 Spain 28/11/17 11:45am
Ireland 2vs4 Belgium 29/11/17 11:45am
Spain 2vs3 Belgium 30/11/17 11:45am
Ireland 2vs5 Spain 1/12/17 11:45am
Ireland vs Belgium 2/12/17 11:45am
Spain vs Belgium 3/12/17 11:45am

*All times listed are local

Irish Hockey Association media release

Voting for the Hockey Stars Awards opens to the public



Voting has now opened for this year’s International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Stars Awards, celebrating the athletes, coaches and umpires who have lit up the world of hockey this year.

Winners in six of the 10 categories will be decided by the combined results of an online vote that is open to the public and a peer vote from international athletes.

Hockey fans are invited to cast their vote in the following categories: Player of the Year (men and women); Goalkeeper of the Year (men and women) and Rising Star of the Year (men and women). The public can vote for their favourite hockey players here.

The vote closes at midnight (Central European Time) 14 January 2018.

There will also be awards for the mens’ and women’s Coach of the Year and the men’s and women’s Umpire of the Year. Coach of the Year nominees are voted for by the international coaches and the coaches from the High Performance Panel, while Umpire of the Year Awards are decided by an international panel of umpires and technical officials, as well as athletes. 

Five male and five female nominees have been selected for each award. The Player, Goalkeeper and Rising Star awards were selected by a panel consisting of the FIH Athletes' Committee, Continental Federations, coaches and media. All awards are based on performance at international events during the 2017 season, as well as the player's overall contribution to the sport.

Here are the nominations in alphabetical order. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

Women: Alex Danson (ENG & GBR); Melissa Gonzalez (USA); Stacey Michelsen (NZL); Delfina Merino (ARG); Lidewij Welten (NED)

Men: Billy Bakker (NED); Mats Grambusch (GER); Gonzalo Peillat (ARG); Mirco Pruyser (NED); Arthur Van Doren (BEL)

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

Women: Jackie Briggs (USA); Aisling D’Hooghe (BEL); Maddie Hinch (ENG & GBR); Li Dongxaio (CHN); Anne Veenendaal (NED)

Men: Quico Cortes (ESP); David Harte (IRE); George Pinner (Eng & GBR); Vincent Vanasch (BEL); Juan Vivaldi (ARG)

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS (Players aged 23 and under)

Women: Maria Granatto (ARG); Nike Lorenz (GER); Frederique Matla (NED); Laura Nunnink (NED); Xan de Waard (NED)

Men: Thierry Brinkman (NED); Jorrit Croon (NED); Timm Herzbruch (GER); Arthur Van Doren (BEL); Victor Wegnez (BEL)

For more information about the FIH Hockey Stars Awards, including previous award winners, click here.

FIH site

GB & England trio shortlisted for FIH Awards


FIH Hockey Stars Awards

Great Britain and England have received a hat-trick of nominations for the 2017 FIH Hockey Stars Awards.

GB and England captains Alex Danson and George Pinner as well as Maddie Hinch have made the shortlists for three Hockey Stars Awards.

Danson has been named in the five woman list for FIH Female World Player of the Year, Hinch for FIH Female Goalkeeper of the Year and Pinner for FIH Male Goalkeeper of the Year.

Captain Danson has led England to bronze at both the EuroHockey Championships and World League Semi-Finals while also netting her 100th international goal in 2017.

Meanwhile Hinch has once again shown herself to be amongst the world’s very best with her consistent performances.

Pinner has two medals to his name so far this year as his fine form helped England to bronze on home soil at the World League Semi-Finals and then to bronze in Amsterdam at the EuroHockey Championships.

Voting has now opened for this year’s awards, celebrating the athletes, coaches and umpires who have lit up the world of hockey this year.

Winners in six of the 10 categories will be decided by the combined results of an online vote that is open to the public and a peer vote from international athletes.

Hockey fans are invited to cast their vote in the following categories: Player of the Year (men and women); Goalkeeper of the Year (men and women) and Rising Star of the Year (men and women). The public can vote for their favourite hockey players here.

The vote closes at midnight on 14 January 2018.

England Hockey Board Media release

Stacey Michelsen shortlisted for International Hockey Federation's world player of the year


Stacey Michelsen of New Zealand. Photo / Photosport

Black Sticks defender Stacey Michelsen has been shortlisted for the International Hockey Federation's world player of the year.

The 26-year-old New Zealand skipper is one of five players in a strong women's field which also includes Britain's Alex Danson, Melissa Gonzalez of the US, Delfina Merino (Argentina) and Dutchwoman Lidewij Welten.

Michelsen also made last year's shortlist, with the award ultimately going to double Olympic gold medal winner Naomi van As of the Netherlands.

Winners will be decided by the combined results of an online vote that is open to the public, closing on January 15 (NZT), and a peer vote from international athletes.

The New Zealand Herald

Harte Nominated For World's Best GK For 3rd Year In A Row

Congratulations to David Harte who has again been nominated for FIH World Goal Keeper of the Year. Harte has scooped the coveted award for the last 2 years in a row, cementing his place as the world’s top goalkeeper. This year Harte will compete in the hugely competitive category against Quico Cortes of Spain, George Pinner of Great Britain, current European silver medallist with Belgium Vincent Vanasch, and Olympic gold medallist Juan Vivaldi from Argentina.

Commenting on the nomination, Harte said “I’m absolutely thrilled to be nominated. This is the third year in a row for me and each year the feeling just increases, knowing what a prestigious award it is. It’s been a great year, qualifying for the World Cup with Ireland and being named GK of the tournament at World League 2. It would mean everything to win, I dedicate my life towards goalkeeping and hockey, and it’s something I love to do”.  

Voting for Best Goalkeeper, Rising Star and Best Player is open now and will close at midnight on January 14th.

Click here to vote for David Harte.

Irish Hockey Association media release

EHL stars abound in FIH 2017 Hockey Stars Awards


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

Players set for next Easter’s Euro Hockey League abound in the FIH’s 2017 Hockey Stars Awards, making it onto the shortlist to be named world hockey’s best players.

On the men’s Player of the Year shortlist, Rot-Weiss Köln’s Mats Grambusch will hope to cap a year in which he led his club to the EHL title with the men’s best gong award.

He is on the shortlist alongside KHC Dragons Arthur van Doren – also named on the Rising Star shortlist – who won bronze in the EHL on home turf in Brasschaat as well as earning a European Championships bronze medal with Belgium.

Mannheimer HC and Argentina corner machine Gonzalo Peillat was a key man in the German club’s run to the national title as well as a first ever run to the EHL KO8 last Easter.

AH&BC Amsterdam’s forward dream team Billy Bakker and Mirco Pruijser had an exceptional year with the Netherlands, winning European and World League Semi-Final gold. They close out the list of five.

On the goalkeeping front, Club Egara’s Quico Cortes had a marquee year with a string of player of the match awards for Spain in the World League Semi-Final. Holcombe’s George Pinner and two-time GK of the Year David Harte, with SV Kampong, are two player who could potentially play their part in the EHL KO16 in HC Rotterdam.

Similarly, on the Rising Star line-up, HC Bloemendaal’s Thierry Brinkman, Uhlenhorst Mülheim’s Timm Herzbruch, Dragons’ van Doren and Victor Wegnez will all hope to land the top prize with Jorrit Croon the other star.

On the women’s side, it is an equally star-studded selection. England’s Alex Danson has risen into the captaincy role superbly in 2017, passing 100 international goals, while Lisewij Welten came back from injury to produce some breathtaking displays.

Belgium’s Aisling d’Hooghe, England’s Maddie Hinch and Anne Veenendaal from the Netherlands are the European crew in the goalkeeping line-up.

Three Dutch women under-pin the Rising Star nominees – Xan de Waard, Laura Nunnink and Frederique Matla – alongside Germany’s Nike Lorenz and Argentina trickster Maria Granatto.

Voting has now opened for this year’s International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Stars Awards, celebrating the athletes, coaches and umpires who have lit up the world of hockey this year.

Winners in six of the 10 categories will be decided by the combined results of an online vote that is open to the public and a peer vote from international athletes. To vote for the winners, follow this link: http://www.fih.ch/global-stars/hockey-stars/2017/player-of-the-year-award/

Euro Hockey League media release

Vote for your favourite Hockey Stars and enter the draw to win a fantastic prize



The online vote for the stellar Hockey Stars Awards is now open and FIH is also delighted to announce the launch of its online competition for the voting public.

This is a truly magnificent prize for any hockey fan. Anyone who votes can enter into the competition, with the chance to win a fantastic trip to the wonderful and vibrant city of Berlin, which is host city for the showcase Hockey Stars Awards.

Not only will the lucky person and guest be able to mix with the stars of the game at the Awards but, just two days later, they will be able to enjoy a day of action-packed and top quality indoor hockey at the Men's and Women's Indoor Hockey World Cup.

The winner, plus his or her guest, will be flown from their home country to Berlin where they will first attend the fabulous Hockey Stars Awards evening and then they will be invited to attend the opening day of the Indoor Hockey World Cup.

This, the fifth Indoor Hockey World Cup, is taking place at the Max-Schmeling-Halle – a 7,500-seat indoor arena which provides the perfect venue for the fast-paced and mega-exciting indoor hockey event. Both the men’s and women’s Hockey World Cup is taking place at the Max-Schmeling-Halle with back-to-back action from 9:00am until 10:30pm.

This fabulous prize includes three nights’ accommodation for two people, plus flights. The winner will be chosen at random on 15 January 2018 at 12pm GMT.

About the host city:

Hip, energetic and vibrant Berlin is the perfect place to spend a three-day break. The capital city of Germany offers two versions of itself. On the one hand, Berlin is efficient and well-run – it is a city where everything works and everything happens on time. On the other hand, Berlin is exuberant and one of Europe’s most liberal cities. It is cosmopolitan and cultured with art and literature jostling alongside bars and night clubs.

It is also one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities and neighbourhoods such as Mitte, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg bustle with restaurants, cafes and nightlife. For those seeking some history and culture, take a visit to the Pergamon on Museum Island, the Brandenburg Gate and the Jewish Museum.

About the Indoor Hockey World Cup:

The 2017 Indoor Hockey World Cup will take place at the Max-Schmeling-Halle between 7-11 February. The world’s top 24 (12 men’s and 12 women’s) national indoor teams will take part in the blue riband event. 

Among the participating nations are current women’s Indoor World Cup champions, the Netherlands; Oceania men’s and women’s champions, Australia men and women; the Pan American champions Trinidad and Tobago men; the exciting east European teams of Czech Republic and Poland; the debutant teams Kazakhstan men, Belgium men and USA women; and of course, the host nations Germany, whose men’s and women’s team will be desperate to regain the titles they won in 2011.

For a chance to win this fantastic prize, simply vote online for your Player of the Year (male and female); Goalkeeper of the Year (male and female) and Rising Star of the Year (male and female). Further details of the achievements of all nominees will appear on the FIH website in the coming weeks.

#HockeyStarsAwards

FIH site

3 players on Pan Am hockey Elite squad

Nigel Simon



The T&T trio of England-based duo Kwandwane Browne and Tariq Marcano, as well as Australia-based Akim Toussaint were named to the Pan American Hockey Federation 2017 Men’s Pan American Elite Teams.

Since 2007, Pan American Elite Teams have been named every two years to recognize the top players in Pan American competitions and for the first time this year, separate Indoor Elite teams will be named and will be announced in a few days as well.

By being named to the Elite Team, the 39-year-old Browne who has appeared for T&T in a record 315 international matches earned his fifth selection to the PAHF Elite Team a record he shared with team leader Canadian defender Scott Tupper and Argentinian Lucas Vila.

Browne was on the first PAHF Elite Team back in 2009 and only missed making the 2015 Elite squad due to injury while also being selected to the team in 2007 with fellow T&T international Wayne Legerton and Dwain Quan Chan; 2009 and 2011 as the lone T&T player, and 2013 with countrymen Mickell Pierre and Akim Toussaint.

Toussaint, 28, meanwhile was selected to his third Elite Team after being selected in 2015 as well while 21-year-old student-athlete Marcano, voted the “Top Youth Player” at this year’s event in Lancaster earned his first Elite Team selection along with Argentinian Olympic gold medallists Pedro Ibarra and Agustin Mazzilli.

Overall, Pan American Cup finalists Argentina and Canada have the strongest representation with five and four players respectively, including Canadian David Carter with the nod for the goal-keeping position for the third time, following selections in 2009 and 2015.

The achievements of the USA and T&T, semi-finalists in Lancaster, were rewarded with the nomination of two and three players respectively.

Altogether, the 2017 men’s Pan American Elite Team is made up of players from six different countries: Argentina (five), Canada (four), T&T (three), USA (two) and one each from Brazil and Chile, with an average age of 28.4 years old.

Former T&T women’s team standouts, Nicole Aming (formerly Dixon) and Stacey Siu Butt remained the two players from the English-speaking Caribbean to have ever made the women’s Elite Team, back in 2009 when T&t ended fourth after a 2-1 loss to Chile in the bronze medal match.

Leading the 2017 women’s Pan American Elite Team is young Chilean sensation Denise Krimerman, who was instrumental in leading her team to a Pan American Cup silver medal .

She is closely followed in the voting by Americans Kathleen Sharkey and Melissa Gonzalez and Argentina stalwarts Florencia Habif and Delfina Merino.

Chilean Camilla Caram is the only player appearing for the fourth time on the Elite roster, with impressive Canadian striker Brienne Stairs making her third Elite appearance and Chilean Claudia Schuler voted for the third time as goal-keeper (following 2009 and 2013).

Pan American Cup finalists Argentina and Chile dominated the voting, with four players selected each, while semi-finalists USA and Canada are recognized with the selection of three players each while Uruguay and Mexico has one apiece.

The Trinidad Guardian

Unbeaten Police raid Jaguars’ territory as Sharks, Butali give chase

By BRIAN YONGA


Kenya Police's Amos Barkibir (left) celebrates his goal with Calvins Kanu during their Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match against Parkroad Badgers on November 19, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | 

Relegation-threatened Western Jaguars welcome unbeaten league leaders Kenya Police Saturday afternoon in a Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League match at Kakamega High School.

This is one of 12 league matches this weekend in Nairobi, Kakamega, Kabarak and Nakuru.

Second-placed Greensharks and Butali will also be in action as they look to keep up with Police in the men’s Premier League race.

Sharks take on Wazalendo Sunday, while Butali will be in Nairobi to play spluttering champions Strathmore University Gladiators Saturday and USIU Sunday.

In the women’s Premier League, Amira Sailors and Strathmore University Scorpions take on Sliders and Vikings as they look to close in on second spot and a place in next year’s Africa Club Championship.

Focus will be in Kakamega, where Jaguars will be trying to do what other teams have failed to do in the past 21 rounds - defeat Police.

The hosts, who are second from bottom with 18 points, desperately need the three points in their bid to avoid the big drop.

They however face a Herculean task against a Police side that is 15 points clear at the top and needs three more wins to clinch the title.

Those contrasting fortunes will definitely serve up an interesting tie as both sides fight for an outright win. Jaguars’ player-cum-coach Mike Malungu wants his charges to wreck Police’s title ambitions and also ease their relegation woes.

“It is a high stakes match, especially for us because we need to win as much games as possible in order to stay up. We need to be composed and make use of home advantage,” Malungu said Friday.

Jaguars were 2-1 winners over KU Vultures in their last match and will be hoping for a repeat result.

Police on the other hand come into the match in red hot form. Twenty wins from 21 matches have put them in pole position to reclaim the title they won in 2013. Police won the first leg encounter 4-0 and their coach Kenneth Kaunda wants his charges to finish the job.

“Our form has been scintillating this season and the key is now to avoid any complacency and just bury the chances in the match,” Kaunda said. Police top scorer Amos Barkibir hit a brace in the 4-0 win and will be aiming to add to his tally.

A slip up by Police will allow Sharks and Butali back into the race provided they win their matches this weekend.

(All matches at City Park Stadium unless stated)

Saturday

National Men: Dedan Kimathi University v UoN (10am), Impala v Daystar University (12noon), Kabarak University v Bay Club (Kabarak, 3pm);

Premier Men: Sikh Union v Parklands (2pm), Butali v Strathmore (4pm), Western Jaguars v Kenya Police (3pm) (Kakamega)

Sunday

Premier Men: Nakuru v Chase Sailors (Nakuru. 11am), Butali v USIU (3pm), Greensharks v Wazalendo (5pm);

Premier Women: Amira Sailors v Sliders (12noon), Vikings v Strathmore ( 1.30pm);

National Men: Thika Rovers v Parkroad Tigers (10am)

Daily Nation

Scottish Women’s indoor season gets underway


Last season’s National 1 Grand Final between Grove Menzieshill and MJV Dundee Wanderers – photo by Duncan Gray

Dundee Wanderers start their women’s National League indoor season this weekend as they set out to retain their crown, but there are some unknown factors in the background of the race to the title.

Firstly, it is not certain who will be turning out for top sides Wanderers, Grove Menzieshill, Milne Craig Western and Edinburgh University as Scotland coach Gordon Shepherd starts the build-up for the Commonwealth Games with a warm-weather training camp in Gran Canaria from 13 January to 3 February.
Women's indoor season gets underway

The champions commence their defence with a difficult hurdle against Western followed by the assignment of playing Kelburne. The Taysiders certainly beat the Glasgow side 8-2 in the championships semi-final, but it was a different story in the league encounter. Western raced into a four goal lead through Ali Eadie, Susie Gillman, Lexi Sabatelli and Kayleigh Justice, and although a Bunce hat-trick reduced the score to 4-3 Wanderers failed to retrieve the situation.

Grove Menzieshill could once again be the main stumbling block to Wanderers` title retention, but they could also lose some players to international commitments, especially the free-scoring Sarah Jamieson.

Grove Menzieshill came close in last year`s final to upsetting their Dundee rivals, but went down 4-2 in the end. They start this season`s campaign against Wildcats and Edinburgh University.

The newly promoted Edinburgh students certainly took the indoor season by storm, they finished second equal in the initial league competition, drawing 3-3 in their opening fixture with Western and beating Grove Menzieshill 4-3 in the process. They followed up this success by finishing top of pool 1B but failed to progress to the final after going down 4-3 to Grove Menzieshill. University finally finished a commendable fourth after losing 3-1 to Western in the 3/4 play-off.

The students start their campaign against Wildcats, then they renew their acquaintance with Grove in the second outing with their last game of the day against Hillhead, if they can maintain last season`s form it will undoubtedly result in a more competitive season.

At this stage it is difficult to know how the other sides will perform, that is Wildcats and CALA Edinburgh from last season along with newly promoted Kelburne and Hillhead.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Field Hockey Canada announces Susan Ahrens as Director of Hockey Development



Field Hockey Canada is excited to announce the appointment of Susan Ahrens as the organization’s Director of Hockey Development. Ahrens is a veteran in the global field hockey community and has a successful track record in teaching and coaching – having coached at club, provincial and international level. She arrives at Field Hockey Canada after four years at the helm of Field Hockey BC’s high-performance and Coach Education. For Ahrens, this transition from leading high-performance systems to leading development is an exciting new challenge and she is looking forward to driving hockey development across the country.

“There is lots going on and many great people and enablers already in place and I hope to be able to support and grow this foundation. Things are already starting to motor ahead and I’m excited to be on board to help drive this,” she said.

“For example, I think NextGEN will really help bridge the gap between the provincial and national level for athletes and then you have some great NCCP Coach Education and umpire/officials programs in place which will support the quality and growth of our sport in the long run. At the end of the day, it’s about the athletes, at all ages and levels, and giving them the best opportunities and we achieve this through creating a top environment.”

Ahrens has a comprehensive educational background, initially studying PE teaching in Scotland, before going on to achieving a Master’s of Science in coaching and then a PhD in philosophy, which focused on the broader social value of sport.

Her playing resume is as impressive as her work and scholastic background. With over 170 caps for her native Scotland, she played in one Junior and two Senior World Cups as well as two Commonwealth Games. To be the best she could be, she spent much of her playing career overseas, competing in professional leagues in Germany (Rot-Weiss Koln), Holland (HGC) and Australia (VIS) and alongside finishing in the top 10 at a World Cup, Ahrens points to winning the European Cup as a major playing highlight.

According to Jeff Sauvé, CEO of Field Hockey Canada, Ahrens brings a unique blend of experience in education, high performance and development.

“Susan is an expert in the field of sport development,” Sauvé said. “She also has tremendous experience in field hockey from many different perspectives. I have confidence that she will succeed in this important role. We are very fortunate to have Susan on board moving forward.”

Sauvé said the growth and development of coaches, officials and athletes is paramount in Field Hockey Canada’s strategic plan moving forward. He said that Ahrens is a great person to have leading the charge.

According to Ahrens, her experience as a player, coach and as a trained educator makes her a good fit for the role and having worked for field hockey in Canada over the past five years she is well placed to have a positive impact.

“We have an opportunity to get everyone on the same page nation-wide and move together towards something great.” – Susan Ahrens

Field Hockey Canada media release