News for 27 September 2018
All the news for Thursday 27 September 2018
World hockey turns down Malaysia and India automatic Olympic places
By Rod Gilmour
World hockey chiefs will turn down the Asian Hockey Federation’s request that the silver medallists from the Asian Games be awarded Tokyo 2020 berths.
The International Hockey Federation confirmed to The Hockey Paper that it had received a letter from the AHF requesting that it should reconsider the Olympic qualification system.
Japan, hosts of the 2020 Games, won both the men’s and women’s Asian Games titles, with Malaysian winning men’s silver and India the women’s silver.
As such, the AHF wanted Malaysia and India, respectively, to be awarded Tokyo places.
“We have responded to them to explain that the Qualification System for an Olympic Games is set by the IOC and not FIH,” Thierry Weil, the FIH chief executive, said.
“We also explained that, apart from the fact that it is an IOC Qualification System and therefore impossible for FIH to change, it would be unfair and unjust to other Continental Federations and National Associations to change the Qualification System after one Continental Federation qualifying tournament.”
Olympic Council of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria had told the New Straits Times that he believed the Asian Games tournament rules weren’t “carved in stone”.
However, the IOC’s approved qualification criteria for the Tokyo Games states: “Should the Host Nation Japan be highest placed in the 18th Asian Games 2018, the second placed nation does not subsequently qualify and the quota place will be allocated to the Olympic Qualification Events.”
The Hockey Paper
FIH says not possible for Malaysia to earn automatic qualification
By Saiful
The national hockey squad have got no choice but to go through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games qualifying process should they wish to play in the prestigious event. Pic by NSTP/FATHIL ASRI
KUALA LUMPUR: The national hockey squad have got no choice but to go through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games qualifying process should they wish to play in the prestigious event.
This comes following a statement made by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief executive officer Theirry Weil, who pointed out that it was not possible to change the qualifying system as it was not under the world governing body's jurisdiction, but instead the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Earlier, it was reported that Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) CEO Datuk Tayyab Ikram had written in to FIH, appealing for the two Asian Games silver medal winning teams — Malaysia (men) and India (women) — to be allowed automatic qualification to the Olympic Games.
However, Weil's statement which was posted on thehockeypaper.co.uk on Wednesday, read: “We have responded to them to explain that the qualification system for an Olympic Games is set by the IOC and not FIH."
“We also explained that apart from the fact that it is an IOC qualification system and therefore impossible for FIH to change, it would be unfair and unjust to other continental federations and national bodies to change the qualification system after one continental qualifying tournament.”
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, said the national body will still wait for the final decision from the FIH Congress in November.
"We sent our first letter to the FIH two weeks ago.
"Yesterday, we sent another appeal letter, together with supporting documents and facts to the FIH and AHF chief executives to be considered at the FIH Congress which will be held in New Delhi on Nov 1-3," said Subahan.
New Straits Times
Manpreet replaces Sreejesh as captain for Asian Champions Trophy
Arjuna awardees hockey player Manpreet Singh (R) and Savita Punia. PTI
New Delhi - India midfielder Manpreet Singh will take over the captaincy from PR Sreejesh in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat next month, marking the hockey team’s first major tournament after the retirement of Sardar Singh.
Hockey India on Wednesday named the 18-member team for the tournament beginning on October 18.
India will go into the tournament as the defending champions after they won the 2016 edition when they beat Pakistan 3-2 in the final in Kauntan, Malaysia.
Chinglensana Singh has been named Manpreet’s deputy. Alongside experienced goalkeeper in Sreejesh, the team also features young goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, while the defensive unit will see seasoned defender Kothajit Singh Khadangbam make a comeback.
Harmanpreet Singh, Gurinder Singh, Varun Kumar, Surender Kumar and Jarmanpreet Singh will also be involved in India’s defence while 20-year-old Hardik Singh will be making his debut for the senior team.
Skipper Manpreet, the recipient of this year’s Arjuna Award, will be responsible of commanding the midfield along with the experienced Chinglensana.
The midfield duo will be joined by Lalit Kumar Upadhyay while Nilakanta Sharma and Sumit will also make a comeback into the side.
India’s forward-line will see 23-year-old striker Gurjant Singh return to the squad while Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh and Dilpreet Singh will hope to score plenty of goals in Oman to help India retain the title.
Speaking on the team’s composition, chief coach Harendra Singh said: “I believe we have a great mix of players in this 18-member team as there is a right balance between youth and experience.
“The tournament gives us the last chance to test a few players before the World Cup Bhubaneswar and I’m sure that these players will produce the results in Oman. It is important we stick to our plans and have a good outing in this tournament so that we can wash away the bad memories of the Asian Games,” he said.
The Indian team will continue to train in Bhubaneswar for the next three weeks as they are undergoing a camp, following which they will leave for the Asian Champions Trophy.
The World No. 5 team will be up against the likes of Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan and hosts Oman, with all the teams playing round-robin matches to progress to the semifinals.
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Gurinder Singh, Varun Kumar, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh (captain), Sumit Nilakanta Sharma Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (vice captain)
Forwards: Akashdeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh.
The Tribune
After Asian Games low, Hockey India changes captains, drops senior players
The governing body made seven changes to the 18-man squad that took part at the Asian Games, with centre-half Manpreet Singh replacing PR Sreejesh as the Captain
by Mihir Vasavda
Manpreet Singh will take over the captaincy from PR Sreejesh in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat. (File Photo)
Hockey India continued to crack the whip on the Indian hockey team following its dismal show at the Asian Games by changing the captain and dropping two of the senior-most players, SV Sunil and Rupinderpal Singh, while announcing a new-look squad for next month’s Asian Champions Trophy. The governing body made seven changes to the 18-man squad that took part at the Asiad, which concluded in Jakarta-Palembang earlier this month.
Centre-half Manpreet Singh, who was axed as captain in the aftermath of the Commonwealth Games, replaced PR Sreejesh as the skipper. The goalkeeper was named as the team’s leader soon after the CWG, with Hockey India declaring that he will retain that position till the World Cup, which will be held in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16.
Hockey India’s secretary general Mohammed Mushtaq Ahmed had said back then: “The idea behind announcing one captain for all events until the end of the year was to bring stability to the core of…the teams.”
However, he has been demoted after just two tournaments. While chief coach Harendra Singh declined to comment on the team selection, a senior Hockey India official described their about-turn as a direct consequence of the team’s failure to win the gold medal at the Asian Games. Interestingly, it was India’s inability to manage a podium finish that cost Manpreet the captaincy.
The official, who is closely involved in team selections, conceded the decision to change captains in April was ‘to show that Hockey India had taken some action’ after a disappointing performance in Gold Coast. “The reason Manpreet was removed was because we felt there had to be a reaction. That team shouldn’t have finished fourth…the mandate was top three. So we appointed Sreejesh and it felt like a logical choice because he was captain before he suffered his injury,” the official said.
Reinstating Manpreet, the official said, was keeping in mind the long-term balance. “Manpreet can be our skipper the next two-to-four years. So we made this decision to appoint him,” the official said, adding that he ‘should remain captain even for the World Cup.’
The decision to suddenly change the leader after just two tournaments has added to the uncertainty that has dogged the team this year. Fueling the intrigue is the decision to drop Sunil and Rupinderpal. Team sources said Sunil has been ‘rested’ for the tournament, while drag-flicker Rupinderpal has been made to sit out because of poor performances at the Asian Games.
Apart from them, the other players from the Asian Games squad who won’t feature in the Asian Champions Trophy include: Sardar Singh, who retired from international hockey earlier this month, Birender Lakra (injured), Simranjeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Amit Rohidas (all dropped). Their places have been taken by Kothajit Singh, Gurinder Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh (all defenders), midfielders Sumit and Nilakanta Sharma and striker Gurjant Singh.
The Asian Champions Trophy will be the last tournament India will take part in before the World Cup. The six-nation tournament will be held in Muscat from October 18 to 25, with India opening their campaign against hosts Oman on October 18.
Squad: Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak; Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Gurinder Singh, Varun Kumar, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh; Midfielders: Manpreet Singh (Captain), Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (Vice Captain); Forwards: Akashdeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh.
Indian Express
Great Britain squad to take on Belgium named
New Great Britain men’s head coach Danny Kerry has named a squad of 20 players for his first match in charge as his side take on Belgium in the Anniversary International in partnership with Toshiba TVs.
The fixture at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on 3 October will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Great Britain’s famous Olympic Gold medal victory at the Seoul 1988 games.
A number of legends from the 1988 team will be in attendance for a night of nostalgia as their success is remembered and celebrated.
The squad harbours a mix of both youth and experience with Barry Middleton, Adam Dixon, Harry Martin and Henry Weir having almost 1000 international caps between them.
Meanwhile Rhys Smith of East Grinstead, Jack Waller of Wimbledon and Zach Wallace of Surbiton could all make their senior international debuts and are currently on assessment for the GB programme.
On naming his squad, Kerry said: “It’s great to recognise the 1988 team’s success in this fixture. For the current GB squad we will be using it to look at developing our play, our combinations and our understanding of the playing group looking to both the World Cup and the FIH Pro League starting in January.
“Belgium are an excellent team with excellent players and there will no doubt be plenty of exciting hockey on show.”
This fixture will provide a key part of the squad’s preparations as firstly England build up towards the Hockey World Cup this November and December in Bhubaneswar before Great Britain embark on their FIH Pro League campaign, the ground-breaking new format for international hockey.
Great Britain Squad:
Harry Gibson - Surbiton
George Pinner - Holcombe
Liam Sanford - Reading
Michael Hoare - Wimbledon
Henry Weir - Wimbledon
Luke Taylor - Surbiton
Adam Dixon - Beeston
Jack Waller - Wimbledon
James Gall - Surbiton
Ian Sloan - Wimbledon
Rhys Smith – East Grinstead
Chris Griffiths – East Grinstead
Harry Martin – Hampstead & Westminster
Barry Middleton - Holcombe
David Condon – East Grinstead
Phil Roper - Wimbledon
Zach Wallace - Surbiton
Alan Forsyth - Surbiton
Will Calnan – Hampstead & Westminster
Sam Ward – Old Georgians
Tickets are still available for the fixture on 3 October at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre starting at 7.30pm. For more details and to secure your seat click here.
The squad are also playing Belgium on Tuesday 2 October with numerous schools invited for a school day to see their hockey heroes in action.
England Hockey Board Media release
Uncapped trio Rhys Smith, Jack Waller and Zach Wallace called up
Danny Kerry led the Great Britain women's team to Olympic gold in 2016
New Great Britain men's coach Danny Kerry has included uncapped trio Rhys Smith, Jack Waller and Zach Wallace in his 20-man squad to face Belgium.
The game is to mark the anniversary of GB's 1988 Olympic gold medal win.
Experienced quartet Barry Middleton, Adam Dixon, Harry Martin and Henry Weir are also included.
"Belgium are an excellent team with excellent players and there will no doubt be plenty of exciting hockey on show," said Kerry.
The fixture will also form a key part of Great Britain's preparations for the Hockey World Cup in India at the end of the year.
Great Britain will also take part in the new Pro League next year, which acts as the qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"For the current Great Britain squad we will be using it to look at developing our play, our combinations and our understanding of the playing group looking to both the World Cup and the Pro League starting in January," added Kerry, who was appointed in August.
Great Britain squad: Harry Gibson, George Pinner, Liam Sanford, Michael Hoare, Henry Weir, Luke Taylor, Adam Dixon, Jack Waller, James Gall, Ian Sloan, Rhys Smith, Chris Griffiths, Harry Martin, Barry Middleton, David Condon, Phil Roper, Zach Wallace. Alan Forsyth, Will Calnan, Sam Ward
Great Britain v Belgium
Venue: Lee Valley Hockey Centre
Date: Wednesday, 3 October, 19:30 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, app and connected TV
BBC Sport
Golden and McKenzie selected for Sultan of Johor Cup
Scotland’s Cameron Golden and Callum McKenzie are two of the ten members of the GB U21 side that won silver at the 2017 Sultan of Johor Cup returning to Malaysia hoping to go one better at this year’s tournament.
Jacob Draper, Cameron Golden, Gareth Griffiths, Callum Mackenzie, Tim Nurse, Nick Park, Josh Pavis, Oliver Payne, Eddie Way and top scorer Duncan Scott will all travel to Johor Bahru for the week-long tournament starting on 6 October.
They will be joined by Tom Crowson, Kyle Marshall, James Mazarelo, James Oates, Matt Ramshaw, Stuart Rushmere, Jack Turner and Daniel West as Jon Bleby’s side try to win their second gold medal at the event, having done so previously in 2015.
They begin their campaign by opening the tournament against New Zealand before taking on Japan the next day.
They then face the Australians on the 9 October before taking on hosts Malaysia the day after, while they end the group stages against India on 12 October before a final ranking game – based on where they finish in the pool – the next day.
Ahead of the tournament, Head Coach Bleby said: “The Sultan of Johor Cup is always a really exciting tournament which we are really looking forward to.
“The players will be able to gain great experience from playing against non-European opposition exposing them to differing styles of hockey in very challenging conditions.”
GB squad for 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup
Tom Crowson – Loughborough Students
Jacob Draper – Cardiff & Met
Cameron Golden – Grove Menzieshill
Gareth Griffiths – Beeston
Callum Mackenzie – Cardiff & Met
Kyle Marshall – Beeston
James Mazarelo – Bowdon
Tim Nurse – Bath Buccaneers
James Oates – Hampstead & Westminster
Nick Park – Beeston
Josh Pavis – Nottingham University
Oliver Payne – Durham University
Matt Ramshaw – Loughborough Students
Stuart Rushmere – Bath Buccaneers
Duncan Scott – Exeter University
Jack Turner – Durham University
Eddie Way – Birmingham University
Daniel West – Loughborough Students
GB fixtures for 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup
Sat 6 Oct – GB v New Zealand (09:05 BST)
Sun 7 Oct – Japan v GB (09:05 BST)
Tue 9 Oct – GB v Australia (09:05 BST)
Wed 10 Oct – Malaysia v GB (11:05 BST)
Fri 12 Oct – India v GB (09:05 BST)
Sat 13 Oct – Rankings (5th v 6th – 08:35 BST; 3rd v 4th 11:05 BST; 1st v 2nd 13:35 BST)
Scottish Hockey Union media release
World Cup hockey heroes duke it out far from their ‘comfort zone’
Several Ireland stars now play in Germany and two will meet in a top-of-the-table clash
Ireland’s Deirdre Duke: She will be lining up against her comrade Katie Mullan in Germany when Düsseldorfer meet Club an der Alster this weekend. Photograph: Joe Toth/Inpho
Saturday will, says Deirdre Duke, be “a weird one”. For five years she had lined up alongside her trusty comrade Katie Mullan in both the Irish and UCD teams, the pair winning everything on offer in the club game before having the summer of their lives at the World Cup in London.
They won’t, though, be part of the UCD line-up that opens the defence of its Hockey League title against Pegasus at Queens on Saturday; instead, they’ll be on opposite sides in the top-of-the-table meeting of Düsseldorfer and Club an der Alster over in Germany.
While Ireland’s success in London resulted in a number of players attracting the interest of European clubs, Duke had already arranged her season with Düsseldorfer having taken a year out to focus on hockey before starting work with a law firm next May.
Her and Mullan’s moves mean a third of the squad will be playing their hockey abroad this season, Megan Frazer (Mannheimer HC) and Nikki Evans (UHC Hamburg) also based in Germany, both now playing their second seasons there, with Anna O’Flanagan having moved from HC Bloemendaal to Pinoké in the Dutch league and goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran starting her final year at the University of Louisville.
And Duke expects that number to increase over the next few seasons, not least if the national team maintains its profile, leading to more opportunities coming the players’ way. And while having more of the squad competing at a higher club level will, she believes, stand to the Irish team, she concedes their loss will be a blow to the national league back home.
“It’s really a Catch-22 situation, I suppose it’s inevitable that the more players who leave the greater the impact on the standard of our league, it will definitely take a hit,” she says. “But at this point in our careers we have to be a little bit selfish in order for us to develop as players, especially in the build-up to Tokyo. You can’t let the impact on the league at home be a factor in your decision, you can’t let it stop you progressing as a player. It’s more a structural issue for Irish hockey, how they’re going to improve the league, that’s something that’s going to have to develop over the years. A long-term plan needs to be put in place to stop players from leaving.
European league
“And unfortunately the leagues in Ireland, although they’re getting better, are not quite at the same standard of the European leagues. And the standard is definitely higher in Germany, mainly the pace that they play at. In order for us to compete at international level, to improve as players and challenge ourselves, it’s a chance to push on. And definitely, I do see more players opting to play abroad.
“I know from my own point of view the whole reason I came over to Germany was to take me out of my comfort zone. I probably took things for granted at home a bit with UCD, you do get a little bit comfortable, you know everyone you’re playing with and against, what they’re thinking, what pass they’ll probably make, so developing connections with new players, especially when you speak very little of the language, is a real challenge. Hopefully in the long run it will benefit me.”
Mind you, the notion that our European-based players are full-time professionals is a little far-fetched.
“It is professional over here, but not as professional as people might think,” says Duke. “I’m beginning work here next week in a UK law firm, Taylor Wessing, just for a couple of days a week. Whether home or abroad, hockey doesn’t pay the bills, so it’s important to me that I continue my career at least on a part-time basis until I go back full-time. All the girls on the team have jobs or are students, your club supports you a little bit more than at home, but it’s not exactly . . .”
Neymar territory?
“No,” she laughs. “Not too many people make a living from hockey. The standard is higher, there’s more training, you can give more time to your sport here, and that’s something I’m really enjoying, but no, there’s no fortune to be made.”
‘Overwhelming’
The 26-year-old Dubliner, who made her Irish debut in 2013 and passed the 100 cap mark back in July, says the response to the team’s success when they returned to Ireland was “almost as overwhelming as the actual World Cup itself”.
“Meeting the President at Áras an Uachtaráin and then being pushed into a taxi and off to RTÉ for The Late Late Show . . . there were times we were asking, ‘Is this really happening?’ We were being asked to go to events, we were being recognised in bookshops or on the street, which is something we’ve definitely not been used to. It’s been incredible. The highlight was the homecoming in Dame Street, it was the most surreal thing of all of it. Thousands of people. We were just laughing. There were around 10 people at our last home game before we left for the World Cup. I don’t think we’ll ever get used to it. We do what we love and now people are paying attention, which is great.
“One of the big things we wanted to do was create some kind of a legacy, give the sport a profile, get more kids interested and playing it. It was probably a dream that was bigger than ourselves, but to think that we’ve maybe made a little dent in that, putting hockey on the map, that’s the best thing of all.
“I was in my local shop after the World Cup and there were four girls there with hockey sticks, that’s not usually something you’d see, it would be a hurley or a football. That’s definitely something really special for us, giving hockey a platform to grow, and hopefully the country and the media continue to take an interest.”
She didn’t, she says, travel alone to Germany. “I have my silver medal sitting on my bedside table. When you’re feeling a bit down or a bit tired and you’re wondering why you’re doing this, you have a little look at the table and it definitely reminds you.”
The Irish Times
Maryland field hockey’s Team USA alumni are powering an undefeated start
By Lila Bromberg
Forward Riley Donnelly fends off defenders during Maryland's 3-1 win over Harvard on Sept. 9 at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. (Alex Chen/The Diamondback)
When Sabrina Rhodes went to Team USA tryouts this summer, the Maryland field hockey forward was eager for the chance to make the National Development Squad for the first time.
But once she made the cut, what really thrilled Rhodes was the chance to play alongside Terps forward Linnea Gonzales, who was already on the squad.
"[It's] definitely really exciting to be playing with her again," Gonzales said. "We've played for 12 years with one another and it's great that we get to continue that relationship and keep growing together."
Rhodes and Gonzales are two of five current Terps representing U.S. Field Hockey, an experience they say helps prepare them for the challenging schedule Maryland coach Missy Meharg prepares each year for one of the nation's elite programs.
Kyler Greenwalt joined fellow sophomore Brooke DeBerdine on the U-21 team this summer, and freshman Riley Donnelly played for the U-19 team.
Gonzales already has 10 goals on the season, matching her number of scores from each of her first three years in College Park. Rhodes is also enjoying her best campaign as a Terp, tallying four goals and seven assists after getting off to a slow start last season.
"[Playing for Team USA] is really helpful because I never stop playing, I'm always on my game," Rhodes said. "That really gave me confidence."
Greenwalt has moved to midfield, after playing forward as a freshman, and has a goal and an assist apiece this year. Donnelly has emerged as the team's only freshman starter.
Greenwalt said that her coaches helped her focus on keeping her hips open and knowing her outs to get out of tight situations in games over the summer.
Coach Missy Meharg said players sometimes drop off in skills when they go from solely focusing on hockey over the summer to beginning classes in the fall. But she and her staff, most of whom played or coached at the national level, make sure to help those players continue their growth.
"It's two separate worlds playing international hockey and then playing collegiate hockey," Meharg said. "We need to be very demanding with them. … We just try to keep their skills as sharp as we can."
And for players like Rhodes and Gonzales, the summer not only improved their game but also allowed them to grow closer as teammates.
"It has an impact," Rhodes said. "We are able to play together throughout the summer and just really get that connection, so when we come in for the season, it's already there."
The Diamondback