News for 10 October 2018
All the news for Wednesday 10 October 2018
3rd Youth Olympic Games - Day 3
Buenos Aires (ARG)
Men's results
KEN 1 IND 7
AUT 3 BAN 0
CAN 3 AUS 6
ZAM 2 MAS 7
MEX 8 VAN 3
POL2 ARG 5
Pool standings
Men's Pool A
| Rank | Team | Matches | Goals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points | ||
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
ARG
MAS
MEX
POL
ZAM
VANMen's Pool B
| Rank | Team | Matches | Goals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points | ||
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
IND
AUS
AUT
CAN
KEN
BANWomen's results
ZIM 0 CHN 7
MEX 2 NAM 2
POL 0 AUS 8
VAN 0 IND 16
URU 1 AUT 2
RSA 0 ARG 4
Pool standings
Women's Pool A
| Rank | Team | Matches | Goals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points | ||
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
RSA
URUWomen's Pool B
| Rank | Team | Matches | Goals | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points | ||
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||||
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
CHN
NAM
ZIM
Teams qualify for Quarter-Finals following day 3 wins at YOG 2018
Australia joined India in qualifying for the Quarter-Finals Photo: FIH/WSP
Day three of the Youth Olympic Games saw a number of teams qualify for the Quarter-Final stages of the event thanks to their dominating performances in the early stages of the events being played in Youth Olympic Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
All matches were broadcast live to the world for the first time via the Olympic Channel and their broadcast partners. And the future of our sport did not disappoint as they produced yet another feast of goals throughout the day.
In men's Pool B, India secured their spot in the Quarter-Finals as they made it three wins from three by defeating Kenya 7-1, with two goal heroes Sudeep Chirmako and Rabichandra Moirangthem getting their names on the scoresheet once again.
Australia joined their Asian rivals in qualifying for the Quarter-Finals as they earned a third successive win, this time 6-3 against Canada. Speaking afterwards, Australia's Alistair Murray said: “The experience here is great. It feels good playing here and the facilities are amazing. It's just an amazing first international experience for me. Of course we can feel a little pressure but Team Australia is doing well so far!”
Austria meanwhile picked up their second win in Pool B as they remain focused on reaching the Quarter-Finals, this time defeating Bangladesh 3-0. An inspirational performance by Yannick Matousek, who scored two goals, helped his team to victory.
Zambia meanwhile took the initiative in the early stages of their match against Malaysia, taking the lead in the first minute through Dominic Mulenga. Whilst Malaysia equalised a minute later, Mulenga gave Zambia the lead once again seconds later. However it wasn't to last as Pool A leaders Malaysia went on to win 7-2.
Argentina however lead Pool A on goal difference as they continued their fine form by defeating Poland 5-2, while Mexico picked up their first win, 8-3, against Vanuatu.
In women's Pool B, reigning women's champions China once again showed they're the team to beat as they maintained their 100 percent record with a 7-0 win against Zimbabwe.
Despite a 2-2 draw with Mexico, Namibia also remain in the hunt for a place in the Quarter-Finals in Pool B along with Australia who bounced back from yesterday's defeat to the African nation to beat Poland 8-0 today.
Meanwhile in Pool A, Argentina continued to dazzle thousands of spectators who came to watch the in-form home team beat South Africa 4-0. Their perilous form has seen them score 31 goals in total so far, without having conceded a single goal.
India also continued their ruthless form as they won 16-0 against Vanuatu - taking their event goal tally to a staggering 22 goals. Whilst all outfield players got on the scoresheet today, it was Mumtaz Khan who stood out with four goals for the Asian giants this evening.
Austria were another team to pick up their first win of the event today as they edged Uruguay 2-1 in a tough Pool A match.
#YOG2018
FIH site
Zago, born to lead Argentina
Lisandro Zago (No.8) salutes the crowd after leading his Argentina hockey 5s side to an 18-0 victory over Vanuatu (Ivo Gonzalez for OIS/IOC)
BUENOS AIRES - Every time Lisandro Zago runs out to captain Argentina’s hockey 5s team at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympics Games, he is fulfilling the destiny of a boy born to play the sport.
“To take the field knowing that if I turn my head and look towards the stands I will see my family and my friends is an amazing feeling,” said Zago, after Argentina showed their power in an 18-0 rout of Vanuatu on Monday.
“The stands were packed, just like the day before when the girls played,” said Zago of the atmosphere at the Youth Olympic Park.
The son of Sabrina Castagneto and Hernan Zago took up hockey when he was six. Both parents played the sport at a high level for Club Ducilo, of Berazategui in the south of Buenos Aires. 
Tadeo Marcucci (ARG) in control against Vanuatu in their Pool A hockey 5s match at the Youth Olympic Park (Ivo Gonzalez for OIS/IOC)
Add the fact that Hernan is coach of the women’s national team at Buenos Aires 2018, and that Lisandro’s godfather is Matias Paredes (ARG), and you have an Argentinian hockey dynasty. Paredes played for the full Argentina national team who won gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“My godfather gives me a lot of advice,” Zago said of Paredes. “He is always there for me and I really admire him. What they achieved in Rio was like a miracle.”
Aged 13, Zago was selected for training camps for Buenos Aires under-14s, but was eventually dropped. The pain and frustration he felt made him realise how much he cared about the sport, and renewed his determination to succeed.
“I have always imagined big things in hockey (since) I was a little boy,” Zago said. “Me and my teammates are all very young and this is a tremendous experience for us. But to be here and to listen to the Vamos Argentina (Let’s go Argentina) song roaring to the point you can’t hear anything else, it really is something special.”
FIH site
From playing barefoot to playing on Olympic turf
Credit: Buenos Aires Olympic Committee 2018
For any team with a strong tradition in field hockey, losing by a wide margin in the first two matches at the Youth Olympic Games would be something of a catastrophe. But that is not the case for Vanuatu women’s team, who are by no means sad about having been badly defeated in their opening games (21-0 against Argentina and 12-0 against South Africa).
They started practising the sport just one year ago and today they are competing on the world’s elite circuit. What’s more, it was only last month when they received the sticks and shoes they are using in the hockey 5s tournament at Buenos Aires 2018.
For the Games, they traveled more than 12,000 kilometres from their small island located in the South Pacific Ocean to busy Buenos Aires - a big change considering that touring Vanuatu, according to them, takes just a few hours of driving. The buses, traffic lights and tall buildings are not common things for them, as the Vanuatuan people have different customs and the country has only one supermarket.
The Vanuatuan women’s hockey 5s team strikes a pose at the Youth Olympic Village. (Photo: Vanuatu Hockey Federation)
Vanuatu’s youth hockey team was formed no more than a year ago, and for many of the girls this was their first time playing the sport.
"Many of them practised other sports, such as football, but their adaptation was very good, they are athletes by nature," said Vanuatu’s coach Jennifer Bowtell, who is originally from Australia, the island’s big neighbour.
The coach explained some of the problems the young Vanuatuan players have: "A lot of them don’t go to school and the girls face a lot of challenges just to get to training. It’s hard to get them to keep coming. A lot of the times their families don’t want them to go to training, so it’s quite difficult. The culture really kind of says that girls shouldn’t be playing sports and that they should be staying at home and having babies.”
The Vanuatuan girls are still waiting to score their first goal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. (Photo: Vanuatu Hockey Federation)
In Vanuatu there is only one hockey 5s field, which was built three years ago. Until then, the sport was played on natural grass. And until just a few months ago, the girls practised barefoot, with old sticks and without protective gear.
Getting to Buenos Aires 2018 is already a big adventure for the Vanuatuan players and they are enjoying every moment, not only the sports competition, but also Argentina’s culture. Bowtell said that they love the breaded-meat sandwich (locally known as Milanesa) and the traditional “alfajor de dulce de leche y chocolate” (a caramel filled cookie covered with chocolate). However, they have yet to try the mate(Argentinian tea).
The Vanuatuan girls are not alone in their journey at the Youth Olympic Games. The men’s hockey 5s team from their country is also competing, getting similar results and embracing them with the same positive attitude.
There is mutual support between both teams and that becomes very clear on the field. When one of them is playing, the other one is cheering from the stands. They are loving it. And they have earned it.
FIH site
Big Wins For Australia At Youth Olympics Hockey 5s
Ben Somerford
Australia have recorded big wins in both the women’s and men’s Hockey 5s tournament at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires overnight.
The Aussie women bounced back from their 4-3 loss to Namibia to record a commanding 8-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
Australia’s men’s side recorded a 6-3 win over Canada on Wednesday morning (AEDT), maintaining their perfect record.
In the women’s, Australia raced to a 6-0 half-time lead and never looked back.
Courtney Schonell scored a first-half hat-trick and finished with five goals for the game, while Jolie Sertorio netted a double and Maddi Smith scored too.
In the men’s, the Aussies also flew out of the blocks, scoring the first four goals of the game through Craig Marais, Alistair Murray, Miles Davis and Lain Carr.
Canada hit back to make it 4-3, but Australia iced the game through strikes from James Collins and Murray.
Australia are up against India next in the men’s (7:45am AEDT) and China in the women’s (12:15am AEDT) on Wednesday morning.
Click here to view men’s report
Click here to view women’s report
For the first time ever, there will be 24/7 streaming Youth Olympic Games coverage through www.olympics.com.au/live-stream.
Australian Schedule (all times AEDT):
Men’s Hockey
Monday 8 October 1am – Australia v Kenya
Tuesday 9 October 4am – Australia v Bangladesh
Wednesday 10 October 1am – Australia v Canada
Thursday 11 October 7:45am – Australia v India
Friday 12 October 1:45am – Australia v Austria
Women’s Hockey
Monday 8 October 3:30am – Australia v Zimbabwe
Tuesday 9 October 1am – Australia v Namibia
Wednesday 10 October 5:30am – Australia v Poland
Thursday 11 October 12:15am – Australia v China
Friday 12 October 5:30am – Australia v Mexico
Selected Australian Teams:
Men’s Hockey
Lain Carr (18), Matcham, NSW
James Collins (18), Perth, WA
Miles Davis (17), Sydney NSW
Brad Marais (18), Melbourne VIC
Craig Marais (16), Melbourne, VIC
Alistair Murray (18), Tincurrin, WA
Jed Snowden (16), Melbourne, VIC
Christian Starkie (17), Perth, WA
Ben White (18), Blackburn, VIC
Women’s Hockey
Caitlin Cooper (17), Perth, WA
Naomi Duncan (16), Sydney, NSW
Amy Lawton (16), Emerald, VIC
Morgan Mathison (18), Gold Coast, QLD
Indianna Robertson (18), Bentleigh, VIC
Courtney Schonell (17), Narellan Vale, NSW
Jolie Sertorio (16), Peppermint Grove, WA
Maddison Smith (18), Albion Park, NSW
Grace Young (15), Yowie Bay, NSW
Hockey Australia media release
Kenya suffer second loss against Canada
By GEOFFREY ANENE
Kenya put in a much improved performance as they narrowly lost 4-3 to Canada in men’s five-a-side hockey at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires on Monday.
The East Africans, who are taking part in the discipline for the first time at the Youth Olympics, got their consolation goals in the dying minutes through Brian Ogenche's brace and Ian Olando.
Kevin Lugalia's charges were on the verge of losing their second straight match without a goal in Pool "B" but just when Canada thought they had won with a clean sheet 4-0, Kenya scored three goals in the last three minutes to plant respect on the score line.
Ganga Singh, Isaac Farion and Shazab Butt gave Canada a 3-0 lead at half time after finding the net in the first, fifth and sixth minutes respectively.
Rowan Childs made it 4-0 five minutes after the break before surviving a late scare from Kenyans, who sounded the boards through Ogenche in the 18th minute and again 20th minute seconds after Olando had added the second goal.
The Kenyans face an uphill task against heavyweights India on Tuesday. Lugalia’s charges will then face Austria on Wednesday and complete group stage action against Bangladesh on Thursday. In other matches played on Monday, India hammered Austria 9-1 as Australia was made to sweat before edging out Bangladesh 4-3.
India and Australia, who hit Kenya 7-0 last Sunday, lead the group with six points each. India tops the six-team group with a better goal difference having thrashed Bangladesh 10-0 in their opening match. Canada and Austria have three points apiece from one win and a loss. Kenya and Bangladesh occupy positions five and six without a point.
Argentina and Malaysia are placed first and second in Pool ‘A’ with six points each. Argentina hit Vanuatu 18-0 on Monday, a day after seeing off Africa’s other flag-bearer Zambia 6-2. Malaysia whipped Vanuatu 14-0 in their opener before adding Mexico on its list of casualties with a 4-2 victory on Monday.
Zambia registered their first victory after coming from one goal down to floor Poland 4-3. Poland is third on a better goal difference against Zambia. The Poles hit Mexico 6-3 last Sunday.
Daily Nation
No reprieve for Kenya in Argentina
By AYUMBA AYODI
Kenya is out of contention for a medal in hockey at the ongoing Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina when they suffered their third consecutive loss, crushing to India 7-1 on Tuesday.
The Kenyans trailed 4-1 at the break before losing to the Indians, who claimed their third consecutive victory.
Kenya, who had lost 7-0 to Australia on Sunday and 4-3 to Canada on Monday, scored through Olando Ouma as Sudeep Chirmako and Rabichandra Moirangthem snatched a brace each for India.
Kumar Rahul, Sanjay and skipper Sagar Prasad scored India’s other goals for victory to uphold their clean run in the Pool “B” outing after they had crushed Bangladesh 10-0 and Austria 9-1.
Kenya now meet Austria on Wednesday, before wrapping up their pool outing against Bangladesh on Thursday, paving way for the knockout and classification matches starting Friday.
In the other Pool “B” matches, Austria stopped Canada 3-2, while Australia edged out Bangladesh 4-3.
In Pool “A”, Poland beat Mexico 6-0, Malaysia hammered Vanuatu 11-0, while Argentina edged out Zambia 6-2. However, the Zambians recovered to pip Poland 4-3 as Mexico faltered, going down to Malaysia 4-2.
Argentina upheld their winning touch, crushing Vanuatu 18-0.
Daily Nation
2018 Sultan of Johor Cup - Day 3
Johor Bahru (MAS)
Results 9 October
GBR v AUS (RR) 2 - 2
JPN v IND (RR) 0 - 1
NZL v MAS (RR) 5 - 5
Pool standings
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| 2 | Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Australia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Great Britain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Malaysia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 13 | -6 | 1 |
| 6 | New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 1 |
Golden Goals Give GB U21 Men Dramatic Point
Cameron Golden SOJC 2018 v Australia
Cameron Golden scored twice in a minute to secure a sensational comeback for Great Britain’s U21 Men’s squad at the Sultan of Johor Cup.
Heading into the final quarter Britain trailed by two goals courtesy of Blake Wotherspoon and Nathan Ephraums.
Stuart Rushmere had a goal disallowed midway through the third quarter in what was his side’s first effort of the game.
But James Oates took the game by the scruff of the neck in the final period, setting up Golden for both goals to secure an impressive point.
It took just two minutes for reigning champions Australia to test the Great Britain goal as Ollie Payne was forced into two quickfire saves to keep out Alec Rasmussen and Wotherspoon.
Fellow ‘keeper James Mazarelo was then called into action in the 18th minute, sticking out a foot to deny Hayden Beltz, but the 17-year-old could do nothing to keep out Wotherspoon’s precise flick in the 24th minute.
That sparked the reigning champions into life as they pressed hard to find a second before half-time but Mazarelo stood firm, stopping shots from Jake Staines and a Damon Steffens corner flick.
Payne returned for the third quarter and was in the thick of it after five minutes to smother Ehren Hazell’s effort after he was put clear by a fabulous aerial from Coby Green.
Two minutes later and Rushmere thought he had his second of the tournament but it was disallowed after Cameron Golden’s initial effort was deflected into the body of Thomas Russell by Cade Banditt, with Eddie Way’s following corner charged down.
Australia then ramped up the pressure once again, winning three corners in a quick succession with Ephraums converting the final one as he deflected Hazell’s shot past Payne.
But it was Oates who then took control of the game, driving through the centre of the Australian defence at the start of the final quarter before setting up Golden to slot through Banditt’s legs.
Less than a minute later the two once again combined for a dramatic equaliser, with Oates’ shot hitting the Australian ‘keeper and falling kindly for Golden who lifted it into the roof of the net for his third goal of the tournament.
Both teams pushed for the winner thereafter, with Beltz seeing a corner deflected wide while Hazell’s effort flew harmlessly across the face of goal with the final tough of the game under pressure from Jacob Draper.
The result sees GB stay behind Australia in fourth place on goal difference currently, while next up they play hosts Malaysia at 11:05 tomorrow – you can watch the game here.
Great Britain 2 (0)
Golden (FG, 46; FG, 47)
Australia 2 (1)
Wotherspoon (PC, 24); Ephraums (PC, 44)
Starting XI: Payne (GK), Nurse, Draper, Oates, Turner, Griffiths, Ramshaw, Park, Way (C), Mackenzie, Scott
Subs: Mazarelo (GK), Buckle, West, Crowson, Russell, Golden, Rushmere
Great Britain Hockey media release
Burras Blow Two-Goal Lead Against British
Ben Somerford
Reigning Sultan of Johor Cup champions Australia were held to a 2-2 draw by Great Britain in their third match on Tuesday night at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.
The British fought hard to claw back from two goals down to earn the point, while the Burras failed to capitalise on the lead and will rue the two points lost from the match.
Both teams now have four points, with Australia having defeated Malaysia 6-1 and going down 2-1 by Japan.
Australia coach Chris O’Reilly said his side’s hopes of reaching the final were up in the air.
“We need to win the next two matches and bag six points to stand a chance,” he said.
“But even then, it is out of our hands. We are playing well but in patches.
“We missed several chances to score and the defensive play was not good.
“This tournament is shaping up to be a close encounter and you cannot discount any teams of making the final at this stage.”
The Australians started out strongly and scored in the 26th minute through a Blake Wotherspoon penalty corner.
They increased their lead in the 44th minute with another penalty corner taken by Nathan Ephraums.
A two-minute spell in the fourth quarter allowed the British to snatch a draw.
Cameron Golden was the hero as he scored in the 46th and 47th minutes off two field attempts.
Australia will play India next on Wednesday from 7:05pm AEDT. Watch the game via this link.
Story by Satwant Dhaliwal via www.sultanjohorcup.com.my
Burras' 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup schedule:
Saturday 6 October 8:05pm (AEST) - Australia 1 Japan 2
Sunday 7 October 11:35pm (AEDT) - Australia 6 Malaysia 1
Tuesday 9 October 7:05pm (AEDT) - Australia 2 Great Britain 2
Wednesday 10 October 7:05pm (AEDT) - Australia v India
Friday 12 October 11:35pm (AEDT) - Australia v New Zealand
Saturday 13 October - Finals
Burras’ 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup team:
Cade Banditt (QLD)
Hayden Beltz (TAS)
Lachlan Busiko (SA)
Hayden Dillon (NSW)
Nathan Ephraums (VIC)
Matthew Finn (QLD)
Matthew Fisher (WA)
Liam Flynn (WA)
Coby Green (WA)
Niranjan Gupte (ACT)
Ehren Hazell (NSW)
Brayden King (WA)
Dylan Martin (NSW)
Daniel McBride (VIC)
Alec Rasmussen (WA)
Ben Staines (ACT)
Damon Steffens (VIC)
Blake Wotherspoon (QLD)
Hockey Australia media release
Defending champs Australia held to a draw by Britain
Great Britain's Jacob Draper (white) trying to get past Australia's Jonathan Bretherton during their Sultan of Johor Cup match at the Taman Daya Stadium. - ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG/The Star.
PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Australia were held to a 2-2 draw by Britain in their third match at the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.
It was a good result for Britain as they had to claw back from two goals down to earn the point.
The Australians were disappointing in that they failed to capitalise on the lead and would rue the loss of two points from the match.
Both teams now have four points after a win and the draw. Australia crushed Malaysia 6-1 and were beaten 1-2 by Japan.
Britain, on the other hand, had beaten New Zealand 3-2 and had also lost to Japan 1-2.
Australia coach Chris O’Reilly said that the chances of making final do not rest with them.
“We need to win the next two match and bag six points to stand a chance. But even then, it is out of our hands. We are playing well but in patches. We missed several chances to score and the defensive play was not good.
“This tournament is shaping up to be a close encounter and you cannot discount any teams of making the final at this stage,” he said.
The Australians started out strongly and scored in the 26th minute through a Blake Wotherspoon penalty corner. They increased their lead in the 44th minute with another penalty corner taken by Nathan Ephraums.
A two-minute spell in the fourth quarter allowed Britain to snatch a draw.
Cameron Golden turned hero for the Brits as he scored in the 46th and 47th minutes off two field attempts.
The Star of Malaysia
Teams clash as Great Britain fight back to earn Australia draw at Sultan of Johor
By The Hockey Paper
Spicy sporting rivalry between Great Britain and Australia extended to the under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup on Tuesday.
A tempestuous ending briefly overshadowed a fine comeback from Britain as Cameron Golden scored two goals in a minute to earn a point in a lively 2-2 draw against the defending champions in Malaysia.
In a frantic ending after late British pressure, Australia broke down field and Ehren Hazell’s effort eventually went wide after pressure from Welshman Jacob Draper.
As the hooter sounded, Draper then looked to have pushed an Australian to the ground in the circle as tempers frayed and the teams briefly locked together before being pulled apart by coaching staff.
It was an acrimonious ending to an exciting, hard-fought and passionate match between the two old rivals.
Earlier, Britain were pinned back after strikes either side of half-time from Blake Wotherspoon and Nathan Ephraums.
Jon Bleby’s side saw goalkeepers James Mazarelo and Ollie Payne both make key saves.
The two teams now have four points each after a win and a draw and sit behind India and Japan in the table.
Great Britain play hosts Malaysia on Wednesday and coach Bleby says his side’s tournament will only get better.
“It is always good to get a point off Australia,” said Bleby.
“We played well in the later stages and I always felt that getting a goal back would shift the momentum our way. We still have two matches to go and we will take one step at a time.
“We play the Host Malaysia next and that cannot be an easy match either. This tournament gives a lot of learning experience for the players and we are happy with the exposure they have had. I think we will get going from now.”
The Hockey Paper
India puts it past Japan
Disciplined Japanese defence makes it tough for the Indians
Making it count: Mandeep Mor, left, converted a penalty corner to score India’s winner.
Skipper Mandeep Mor’s well-executed penalty corner in the 42nd minute helped Indian junior men’s team beat Japan 1-0 to register its third successive victory at the 8th Sultan of Johor Cup here Tuesday.
Intensely fought
The rain-affected India-Japan match, which was stopped for a few minutes during the first quarter, was intensely fought.
Indian attack was often challenged with good, disciplined defence structure that Japan adopted during the entire duration of play. Though India created a few chances in the opening quarter with the team winning a penalty corner, it failed to capitalise on it.
With the second quarter too ending goal-less, the third quarter saw India up its attack. While two penalty corners were awarded to India after a Japanese infringement, it was in the second attempt that Mandeep converted.
Leading by a goal, India put all its might into defence with goalkeeper Pankaj Rajak making some excellent saves.
Close shave
India overcame a close shave when Japan won a penalty corner with minutes left for the final hooter, however, the chance was missed and India held on.
Earlier in the tournament, India Colts had won 2-1 against Malaysia and 7-1 against New Zealand.
India will next take on defending champion Australia in its fourth match on October 10.
The Hindu
Kiwis come back to kill Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia blew a three-goal lead to end with a 5-5 draw against New Zealand in their Sultan of Johor Cup tie at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium yesterday.
The Malaysians scored four goals in the first quarter and even regained the lead in the fourth quarter.
But their efforts came to nil when the Kiwis hit them with telling blows.
The Malaysian defence was chaotic and failed to defend well especially against penalty corners.
In the end, they paid a heavy price despite their attacking prowess.
Malaysia coach Nor Saiful Zaini said he was disappointed with the result as they should have wrapped up the tie easily.
“We had the chances to win but blew it. But then again this is the material we have at hand and it is not good enough. It is always a learning curve for the players and they must realise that international hockey demands a lot out of them.
“Our defence was poor. The New Zealand side, too, had their weaknesses and we exploited them early. But we were unable to sustain the pressure. That only comes from experience which our team lack,” he said.
It was a match between two teams seeking their first win of the tournament. New Zealand had lost to Britain (3-2) and India (7-1) while the Malaysians fell to India (2-1) and Australia (6-1).
The first quarter provided thrilling action with six goals as the Malaysians led 4-2.
Mohamed Mohamed scored in the seventh minute and Shello Silverious added the second in the ninth minute for a great start.
Then Adam Mamat added the third off another field goal before the Kiwis replied through a Reuben Andrews penalty corner. Mohamed Abu Kamal scored a field goal in the 12th minute but Andrews managed to reduce the deficit in the 15th-minute from another direct penalty corner flick.
It had seemed the Malaysians were going to romp home easy winners.
But the second quarter saw the Kiwis closing the game with goal number three in the 30th minute through Sam Hiha.
From then on it was the New Zealand side that showed strength in their attack and with the mistakes coming off the Malaysian defence, it was a matter of time that the fourth goal would come.
A third penalty corner in the 48th minute allowed the Kiwis to draw level with Andrews scoring with a direct drag flick.
But the Malaysians finally got back their goalscoring act. They earned a penalty corner in the 57th minute and Mohamed Mohamed scored easily as the New Zealand side had replaced their goalkeeper Louis Becket with Andrews as their kicking back.
But the Malaysians defence continued to play like novices and the Kiwis hit them in the 58th minute with a field goal from Sam Hiha to end the match at 5-5.
New Zealand coach Colin Bryce was happy with the result considering they were chasing four goals against the hosts.
“It was an exciting game and we really feel good for our players in fighting back after falling behind early. It was a bad start for us but we managed to get back slowly and earned a point. I am proud of the players for their display,” he said.
New Straits Times
Sore point for Malaysia after 10-goal thriller ends in draw
By Mohd Farhaan Shah
Malaysia's Muhammad Izham Azhar (blue) in a tackle for the ball with New Zealand's Lawson Harry during the Sultan of Johor Cup 2018 at Taman Daya hockey stadium, Johor Baru. - ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG/Starpic
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia finally recorded their first point in the Sultan of Johor Cup after their match with New Zealand ended in a thrilling 5-5 draw.
The result is still very disappointing for the national youth squad as they had taken a 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes last night.
Malaysia started strongly when Lokman Hakim Asri put his side in the lead with a goal in the seventh minute.
Shello Silverius doubled Malaysia lead’s two minutes later with a field goal.
Mamat Adam then scored Malaysia’s third goal with another field goal in the 10th minute much to the delight of the home fans at the Taman Daya hockey stadium here.
New Zealand, however, pulled a goal back when they converted a penalty corner by Rueben Andrews in the 11th minute to make it 3-1.
Malaysia immediately responded through Muhammad Azrai Azaid Abu Kamal, who scored a field goal in the 12th minute for a 4-1 lead.
Andrews then scored his second goal through another penalty corner in the 15th minute to make it 4-2 just before the end of the first quarter.
Malaysia’s poor defending enabled New Zealand to claw their way back with Sam Hiha scoring a field goal in the 30th minute to make it 4-3.
New Zealand piled on the pressure and it paid off when Rueben scored his third goal through a penalty corner in the 48th minute to make it 4-4.
Muhammad Hafiz Mohd Zauri put Malaysia back in the lead when he converted a penalty corner with just three minutes left to make it 5-4.
Hiha scored his second of the match through a field goal in the 60th minute to make sure that both teams shared a point.
The Star of Malaysia
Teamwork central to releasing Spanish potential
Frédéric Soyez feels his Red Sticks can medal in Bhubaneswar Photo: FIH/WSP
Frédéric Soyez has been Head Coach to the Spanish team since 2014. Over that time he has steered the Red Sticks to a fifth place finish at the Rio 2016 Olympics, fifth in the 2017 Rabobank EuroHockey Championships and qualification for the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.
Under his leadership, the Spanish team has also risen to eighth in the FIH Hero World Rankings. Like his counterpart, Adrian Lock, Head Coach to the Spanish women's team, Soyez is predicting some surprise results at the World Cup in India. He said: "Every year, we have more and more competitive teams because hockey is becoming more professional in a greater number of countries," says Soyez, who played for and coached France before moving across the border to play and coach in Spain.
"The team is always above all the players. It’s not the team with the best players that win but it is the players with the best team that wins."
Frédéric Soyez, Head Coach Spain
"There are still some teams who are rightly in the top four or five in the rankings, but the difference between a top four team and a team in the top 12 is not so big, that is why we should see for sure some ‘surprises’ during this World Cup.”
Spain’s preparations for the World Cup began in September, with squad training every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There are test matches planned against Belgium, Netherlands and Germany in the coming weeks. The team will then travel to India to arrive in Bhubaneswar six days ahead of competition, giving the players time to acclimatise to the weather, conditions and World Cup environment.
As Soyez points out, Spain played in the Hockey World League Finals in 2017, which were also held in Bhubaneswar at a similar time of the year. This will have prepared his players to play in the high pressure environment that is Indian hockey. 
Spain's Red Sticks will need to stop defending champions Australia in Bhubaneswar Photo: FIH/WSP
Aside from the physical preparations needed to perform well at a long and competitive event, what mental training will the players and coach need? On this point the Frenchman is sanguine. “We don’t need anything especially different for a World Cup, we just try to prepare the players to be competitive, no matter what the situation – whether it be training, test matches or a competition. We always train as we want to play at the World Cup.
“And for me as Coach, I don’t feel any additional pressure. I always try to prepare the players and the team to always look to win the next game. At the World Cup there are four or five teams who are among the favourites to win and four of five more, including Spain, who can fight for a medal. I know where we are and what we can expect of this competition.” 
Spain are aiming to medal in India Photo: FIH/WSP
Spain are always an exciting team to watch, packed full of talent and with the capacity to surprise the higher-ranked teams. Soyez says he has a good mix of experienced players such as Quico Cortes, Sergi Enrique, Pau Quemada, Marc Salles, Miki Delas and Xavi Lleonart, but with 10 players leaving the national squad after the Rio 2016 cycle, some new faces have also been added to the mix.
The Head Coach name checks Quique Gonzalez de Castejon, Marc Perellon, Joan Tarres and Marc Bolto as highly talented and very ambitious players. He adds however: “As Coach, I reiterate: ‘The team is always above all the players. It’s not the team with the best players that win but it is the players with the best team that wins.”
Spain compete in Pool A at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, where they will face Argentina, New Zealand and France.
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Hockey World Cup Mascot Launched on sea with jet ski
s2h team
Olly, the mascot of the Men’s Hockey World Cup was launched today in the temple town of Puri in Odisha State. The mascot represents the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, which comes in troves to the Puri and adjoining beaches annually, has been the mascot for every international tournament that is held in Odisha.
The mascot made its entry in style, cutting through the waves of the Puri sea beach in a jet ski.
“We are lucky to have Olly as our official mascot for the Hockey World Cup. Not only does he bring enthusiasm and positivity about the Hockey World Cup, he also raises awareness about hockey as a sport and sportsmanship as a virtue. Coupled with that, he also makes an emotional appeal for us to be more concerned about our surrounding environment and to take steps to protect his habitat and fellow Olive Ridley turtle brothers,” said Odisha Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera.
Olly had been a major attraction even during the Hockey World League Finals last year, when the mascot caught the attention of not just the visitors but also international players, who danced and celebrated with it.
Stick2Hockey.com
Shahrukh Khan To be a part of World Cup Opening Ceremony
s2h team
New Delhi Bollywood Superstar Shahrukh Khan took to twitter to extend his support for forthcoming World Cup and its build up effort, 'Heartbeat for hockey'. Cheering the Men in Blue to get the cup back home, SRK in his tweet also urged everyone to get behind Team India and support the game. With the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 just a few weeks away, the team is gearing up for the mega tournament and training in Bhubaneswar, even as they will leave for Muscat Asian Champions Trophy next week.
With the superstar firmly behind the team, it is certain that the sport will attract a larger fan base that steps forward to see the battle of the finest hockey talent as India play the rest of the world at Bhubaneswar come end November.
Khan has always been an ardent fan of the game and used to play Hockey in his school days. Recalling his childhood dream to play for the country, he had earlier this year, expressed a sentiment for his five-year-old son, AbRam to grow up to be a hockey player and represent the country at the international stage. Mr. Khan was also instrumental in popularizing the sport in the country a decade back when he played the iconic role of Hockey coach, Kabir Khan in the sports movie Chak De! India.
As far as his connection with Odisha, it goes to his portrayal of Ashoka, the Great, in his movie. This helped bring alive the glory of the Kalinga Empire of yore, and it is at Kalinga Stadium that he is now set to return.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahrukh Khan said, “Hockey is the song of my heart. It is that time of my youth that is forever etched in my consciousness. I follow the game and watching the game, even now, gets my pulse racing. India is hosting the Hockey World Cup in November at Bhubaneswar, and I am honoured to be a part of hockey at the highest level. We have a young and promising team and they have my unconditional support. They are my heroes and I pledge my heartbeat for India, for the Indian team and for hockey.’’
Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Govt. of Odisha said,“Shahrukh Khan is one of the greatest icons of this generation and a role model for the youth of the country. His passion for sports is in full view as he has been at the forefront of sport even as he exemplifies the sporting spirit, the grit and discipline that go into making a sportsman. Mr. Khan extending his support for Hockey will not only motivate the team but it will also catalyse the nation to join this movement for Hockey, and I thank him for the same.”
Mr. Patnaik further extended the invitation saying that the people of Odisha, worldwide hockey fans who would be in Odisha for the HWC 2018 and indeed the Kalinga Stadium look forward welcoming him, “as we cheer the finest talent and the sport at the highest level.”
Mr. Khan accepting the invitation urged all Indians to join him at the HWC 2018, saying, “My heart beats for hockey, and I will be at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. Are you game?”
Stick2Hockey.com
Contrasting Dilip & Dhanraj Exhibition match today
K. Arumugam
Two of Indian hockey's living legends will line up today with the present and past players behind them to play an exhibition match in Bhubneswar to mark the inauguration of refurbished Kalinga hockey stadium. Fittingly, one team is named after Dilip Tirkey, the local folkfore, while the other after his senior colleague Dhanraj Pillay.
Both players were contrasting not only in the roles they assumed on the fields, but also personality wise.
If Dhanraj Pillay on the turf was a fox on the forwardline, drawing applaud for every move Dilip Tirkey on the other hand played to copybook, concealing his sphere of excellence from spectacle.
Dhanraj can instantly intrigue his rivals with his unpredictable pattern of play, and mesmerize crowd. Whatever Pillay does will be envious for others, role model stuff for the up and coming players.
Dilip Tirkey was a cucumber, byword for calm and composure even on situations that is not conducive to be so.
His cool-headedness is remarkable, inimitable and impeccable.
Dilip Tirkey was coaches' delight measured in terms of punctuality, commitment, readiness to stick to the work plan.
Dhanraj has always been his own man. he is anathema to coaches, not many could control the Tsunami that he proved to be so often. Further, he will choose his tournament, his occasion, even his front line partners!
Dhanraj often represented team's cause, arguing for its creature comforts, questioning run of the mill officials acts of omissions. This had made him a savior of sort within the team. "When he is around, the team will get all that it wants", used to tell a physiotherapist with the team often.
That's why Dhanraj got into troubles often, actual or contrived, which kept him under limelight all through his career.
In the process, he turned out to be hockey's brand and face.
Dharaj alternated with his ambition to be a professional player and commitment to country. He had a genuine dilemma. Its also the open secret behind his longevity: playing in top notch clubs abroad during India's domestic season and appearing for national camps straightaway even sometimes only for the selection trials! His charisma got him the privilege, which was often disliked and disapproved by the coaches, not to speak of administration.
Dhanraj therefore created news, always being centre of it, and his temperamental nature further added further fuel. many even claim rightfully that he was exploited by the media.
In a unique way, he can befriend, belittle or battle against journalists. He often said many things openly only to deny, and risked on interviews. While, Dilip was wordy wise, often difficult to get anything from him at all! Both are this way journalists nightmare, to put it mildly. The angry young man image of Dhanraj is one thing one cannot deny.
From this perspective, Dilip Tirkey is vastly different. He was hardly in controversy. Despite playing for 15 years and had to work under as many as 20 coaches, to remain noncontroversial is simply an unthinkable aspect given the whim and fancy that form the hockey ecosystem of the country.
Its here Dilip scored.
Dilip never complained; over-worked, even boarded another flight within six hours of landing after another engagement (WC Qualifier in Ediburgh and then Sultan Azlan Shah). He did not think of conserving energy.
Like in life and also in hockey, Dilip scaled far greater than many of his contemporaries, not to speak of the former players. In his post playing career, Dilip became Member of Parliament and then now heading such a vital department as Odisha Tourism Development Coroporation.
Its in many ways the tortoise that won the race against rabbit.
Dilip never declined to tour, even when he was running hemoglobin count short in his blood!
He was never dropped in his long career.
Dhanraj Pillay on the other hand managed his engagement professionally, avoiding end to end Indian journey vis-a-vis domestic tournaments. Calcutta to Kovilpatti, Mumbai to Meerut kind of things.
The feature of course is that the duo presented a perfect team picture despite both appeared on extremes of the same spectrum
India won an Asia Cup and Asian Games title each with both in the team, a feat Pargat Singh-Jude Felix combination or MM Somaya-Md Shahid combination could not deliver in the preceding decades.
Its fitness of things that teams named after them is playing an exhibition match today on Tirkey's turf.
Note: This writer is extremely happy today, having penned biographies of both legends when they were still active on the international circuit. Even the reaction to that effort reflected their very persona. Dilip got it released at the hands of Chief Minister, the same Naveen Patnaik. Whereas Dhanraj took objection for a journalist making money out of his name and fame. Details of which are reserved for another occasion.
Stick2Hockey.com
Germany's Müller-Wieland excited for Pro League transformation
Germany's Janne Müller-Wieland is looking forward to the FIH Pro League Photo: FIH
Janne Müller-Wieland is the German women’s hockey team captain and one of the country’s most highly capped players. She is a veteran of three Olympic Games, three World Cups and led her team to Indoor World Cup gold in February this year. Despite her vast experience within the game, on both a national and domestic level, the new FIH Pro League is something of a ground-breaker for the 32-year-old.
“I am intrigued by the FIH Pro League and I´m looking forward to playing it next year, as it could take hockey to a different level,” says Müller-Wieland.
Germany will hit the ground running with an opening set of fixtures against southern hemisphere opponents Australia, New Zealand and Argentina in February. This is usually the time that the German squad gets together after a break and starts to prepare for the season ahead. As Müller-Weiland says, there will need to be some quite dramatic adaptations made to the team’s approach to international fixtures.
“It will be difficult for us to go on a trip early in the year and have a Pro League game right away. Normally that is the time of year we get together for big training camps with some friendlies and development work. Now we will have to play a very important game pretty quickly. It will be interesting to see how we adapt and it will do us good to get used to more important games throughout the year, not just in the big tournaments in the summer.”
There are also the complications that many players will face when it comes to juggling other commitments. German players, like a lot of other elite athletes, often have other professions or are studying for careers in areas such as medicine, law or accounting.
“I am intrigued by the FIH Pro League and I´m looking forward to playing it next year, as it could take hockey to a different level!”
Janne Müller-Wieland, Germany
“For us German players, we all study or work besides playing hockey, so it will become even more complicated to juggle our dual careers and perform at our best for our clubs and for our countries as well as for our professors at university or our employers.”
Despite the added attention that Die Danas will need to pay to their diaries and schedules, Müller-Wieland is highly positive about the impact the FIH Pro League will have upon the sport, and Germany’s performance in particular: “Traditionally, we never have enough time with the national team, but due to the Pro League we will spend much more time together as a team, which is a benefit for us. Also it is easier to expose younger players to the pressure of international competition.
“Ideally the Pro League will evolve the way it is planned and will bring great events and big crowds and with it more money which would enable us – both internationally and on a domestic level – to become more professional.
“And obviously, the home games against top nations are a big chance to raise hockey awareness in Germany. How many people we attract to the games very much depends on the time of the year, the location – because Germany is a big country – and the opponent. I’m sure the locations chosen for our home games are smart choices though and we will host some great events.”
The FIH Pro League gets underway on 19 January 2019 when Spain men play host to Belgium. Germany women take on Australia on 10 February, part of a double header with Australia and Germany men’s teams.
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FIH site
Eindhoven to host week-long Euro Hockey League title decider
By The Hockey Paper
HC Oranje-Rood will host the EHL finale at Easter PIC: WORLDSPORTPICS
A trio of Dutch, Belgian and German clubs will lead the way in Europe when the live draw takes place on October 21 for the last 16 of the Euro Hockey League.
Spain have two representatives while Surbiton are the only English club left in Europe’s top flight competition after Wimbledon were knocked out at the weekend.
The EHL will return to HC Oranje-Rood and Eindhoven for a week-long spectacular next Easter (April 17 to 22) with the 12th winner of the world’s best club hockey competition set to be crowned. Oranje-Rood were confirmed as host after qualifying on Sunday.
It will feature of the continent’s best clubs including the hosts Oranje-Rood, Germany’s Mannheimer HC, Belgium’s Royal Leopold and Three Rock Rovers who qualified via ROUND1 in Barcelona this weekend.
They will join the pre-qualified sides for the KO16: SV Kampong and AH&BC Amsterdam from the Netherland, Uhlenhorst Mülheim and Rot-Weiss Köln from Germany; KHC Dragons and Waterloo Ducks from Belgium, Spain’s Real Club de Polo and Club Egara, France’s Saint Germain, England’s Surbiton, Russia’s Dinamo Kazan and Scotland’s newcomers Grove Menzieshill.
Oranje-Rood captain Mink van der Weerden said: “Really looking forward to it. It made our task of qualifying for the KO16 here in Barcelona even more important.
“It’s an honour to host as a club. We did a really good job in organising it two years ago and every one of us is really keen to play in front of our home crowd.”
The live draw for the EHL KO16 will take place on October 21 at Oranje-Rood when the club play a home double-header with the men facing Den Bosch and the women meeting HDM.
The Hockey Paper
Ashley Jackson gets better with age, says HGC’s Paul van Ass
The accolades continue for Ashley Jackson as the Englishman kept himself on top of the Hoofdklasse leading scorer table at the weekend.
The HGC player, who moved to Holland on a two-year contract in the summer, has been on blistering form for his club under the auspices of coach Paul van Ass.
“I do notice that he has become older, he might even be better than before. He plays more in the service of the team, his connecting factor is greater than before,” Van Ass told hockey.nl at the weekend.
“I want to see beautiful things on the field. Ashley, like me, is a hockey enthusiast. He is a player like Hakim Ziyech at Ajax. He suddenly sees holes. He is waiting for passages inside. His aptitude is insanely good. He reads the contest.
“With the English national team everything is always very structured. That’s not for Ashley.”
While his form for his club remains free spirited it is his country future which remains of interest.
His goal feats in the world’s best league have come at a time when GB and England men’s coach Danny Kerry admitted to The Hockey Paper and the BBC in recent weeks that Jackson is not out of his thoughts as attentions turn to a potential u-turn on his international career.
Jackson has linked up brilliantly with the likes of Seve van Ass, Kenta Tanaka and Tanguy Cosyns in the HGC this season.
For now, Jackson is happily based in Wassenaar with his wife, having used Australian player and “fitness king” Nick Budgeon as a personal trainer in preparation for the season.
“Paul sold me on the dream,” said Jackson. “So far everything is going to plan.
“At the moment I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I’ve got no plans to go back to the national team immediately.
“They run a full-time programme and I’m happy here. Who knows what the future holds.”
The Hockey Paper
Australian Hockey League Round Two Preview
Ben Somerford
Photo Credit: Tony O'Leary/Hockey NSW
Round Two of the 2018 Australian Hockey League (AHL) gets underway this weekend as teams begin to shape up for positions for the Finals Weekend on the Gold Coast.
This round will see numerous debutants in the men’s competition, with Kookaburras’ players unavailable due to a pre-World Cup national training camp in Perth, along with Burras at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.
Round Two sees the AHL return to Melbourne for the first time since 2013 with Victoria hosting WA on Saturday (men’s 2pm, women’s 3:45pm AEDT), along with Canberra for the first time in years with ACT entertaining Queensland on Sunday (women’s 1pm, men’s 3pm AEDT).
Adelaide hosts another fixture with SA welcoming NT to town on Saturday (women’s 5pm, men’s 6:45pm ACDT), while after a big Round One crowd in Hobart, Tasmania hosts New South Wales on Sunday (women’s 1pm, men’s 2:45pm AEDT).
Victoria is currently top of Pool B in both men’s and women’s divisions after big wins in Darwin with the WA Thundersticks second in the men’s and SA Suns second in the women’s after Round One victories in Adelaide.
Wins were shared in Pool A, with Tassie Tigers and Queensland Blades both claiming five points to top the standings in the men’s, while Canberra Strikers and NSW Arrows did the same in the women’s to lead the charts.
Australian Hockey’s elite domestic competition consists of three rounds played in every capital city before the finals weekend on the Gold Coast from Thursday 25 October to Sunday 28 October.
This year’s AHL includes rule modifications and innovations, including conversion goals, PumpPlays and no draws, providing more excitement for fans. The 2018 AHL will be the final edition of the competition before a revamped league is launched next year.
Follow the action on www.hockeyaustralia.altiusrt.com and www.facebook.com/HockeyAustralia, Twitter @HockeyAustralia and Instagram @HockeyAustraliaOfficial and via the official hashtag #AHL2018.
Round matches will not be streamed but Hockey Australia will publish weekly highlights on Mondays. Medal matches on Sunday 28 October will be live streamed on www.epicentre.tv.
TEAM NEWS
Victoria Vikings v WA Thundersticks, Saturday 13 October 2pm (AEDT), State Hockey & Netball Centre, Melbourne
Both sides have been hit hard but players departing on national team duty with the Vikings losing Josh Simmonds, Aaron Kleinschmidt and Johan Durst. Ex-Australia pair Tim Cross and Andrew Philpott both return, while George Bazeley will step up in goals.
After having six debutants last round, WA lose Aran Zalewski, Tyler Lovell and Jake Harvie, diminishing their depth. Ben Rennie will replace Lovell as goalkeeper while Tim Geers will take the captaincy from Zalewski. Veteran Graeme Begbie also returns to add some experience.
Vic: James Webster, Max Hendry, Andrew Scanlon, Andrew Philpott, Stephen Gale, Josh Pollard, Russell Ford (c), George Bazeley (gk) Joel Hamilton, Jayshaan Randhawa, Zach Meaden, Tim Cross, Oscar Wookey, James Knee
WA: Jason Gabriel, Tim Andrew, Tim Geers (c), Frazer Gerrard, Marshall Roberts, Graeme Begbie, Will Byas, Dane Gavranich, Daniel Robertson, Bryn De Bes, Brandon Gibbs, Joshua Bowen, Ben Rennie (gk)
Victoria Vipers v WA Diamonds, Saturday 13 October 3:30pm (AEDT), State Hockey & Netball Centre, Melbourne
Reigning champions Victoria got off to a flying start with a 13-0 win in Darwin and have made no changes to that squad. Likewise, despite a 3-2 loss to SA, the Diamonds are unchanged with Jemma Buckley to skipper the side.
Vic: Aisling Utri, Nicola Hammond, Sophie Taylor, Kristina Bates, Lily Brazel, Kary Chau, Lydia Velzian, Emily Hurtz (c), Meg Pearce, Hayley Padget, Madi Ratcliffe, Samantha Snow, Hannah Gravenall, Rachael Lynch (gk)
WA: Phillipa Morgan, Candyce Peacock, Jemma Buckley (c), Caitlin Pascov, Penny Squibb, Shanea Tonkin, Kathryn Slattery, Danielle Bestall, Rachel Frusher, Line Malan, Roos Broek, Sage Rogers-Uff, Annie Gibbs, Aleisha Power (gk)
SA Suns v NT Toshiba Pearls, Saturday 13 October 5pm (ACDT), State Hockey Centre, Adelaide
Emma De Broughe comes into the Suns line-up at the expense of Ashleigh Morrison, while rising forward Leah Welstead will be buoyed by her fine winning goal and conversion last round.
The Pearls will be smarting for their 13-0 loss at home to the reigning champions Victoria and hopeful for a positive response.
SA: Mariana Lagos, Jane Claxton, Celeste Foord, Holly Evans, Emily Grist, Amy Hunt, Euleena MacLachlan, Emma De Broughe, Karri McMahon (c), Alison Penington, Hattie Shand, Lucy Talbot, Leah Welstead, Ashlee Wells (gk)
NT: Elizabeth Duguid (gk), Jennifer Hoes (gk), Brooke Peris (c), Felicity Gallagher, Natarlia Smith, Grace Nalder, Jessica Martin-Brown, Tayla Ainslie, Courtney Knowler, Georgia Graf, Josie Short, Babette van der Velden, Kim Leiper, Erin Lidbetter, Danarra Bishop, Jacqueline Graf, Carly James, Seriou Frankema (to be reduced to 14)
SA Hotshots v NT SRA Stingers, Saturday 13 October 6:30pm (ACDT), State Hockey Centre, Adelaide
The Hotshots will be eyeing off this game as a potential five-pointer, given they’re unaffected by national call-ups except for Burra Lachlan Busiko, while the Stingers lose key defender and drag-flick gun Jeremy Hayward.
SA: William Abbott, Cameron White, Sijbrand Bolhuis, Brodie Gleeson, Kurtis Willson, Andy Leat, Fred Gray, Scott Germein, Ross Hetem, Luke Larwood, Daniel Mitchell, Glyn Tamlin (c), Lee Dong-Hyung, Alastair Oliver, Simon Brown, James Keeves, Michael Wells (gk), James Richardson (gk) (to be reduced to 14)
NT: Jason Lowe, Tarrant Haami-Jones, Adam Luck (gk), Adrian Lockley (c), Jamie Hullick, Corey Piggin, Jye Clark (gk), Jacob Andrade, Robert Duguid, Nicholas Hill, Nathan Hochman, Ronan Myyrylainen, Dylan Hill, Jason Hullick, Joel Carroll, Matthew Argent, Dwayne Abbott, Ewan Wallin, Isaac McDonald (to be reduced to 14)
Van Demons v NSW Arrows, Sunday 14 October 1pm (AEDT), Tasmanian Hockey Centre
The Van Demons suffered a 3-0 home loss to Canberra Strikers last round and have made one change with Julia Gunn replacing Nellie Paynter.
The Arrows lose Hockeyroo Georgina Morgan and Kate Hanna, with Lisa Farrell and Makaela Potts coming into their side following their 5-3 win over Queensland.
Tas: Sofie McLeod, Madeleine Hinton, Jess Tremayne, Blair Patten, Laura Spandler, Ashleigh Arthur, Samantha Lawrence, Louisa Jacobson, Jean Flanagan, Sarah McCambridge (c), Eliza Westland, Phillida Bridley, Julia Gunn, Ruby-Rose Haywood (gk)
NSW: Jocelyn Bartram (gk), Sarah Johnston, Emily Smith, Lisa Farrell, Grace Stewart, Anna Flanagan, Greta Hayes, Mikaela Patterson, Tamsin Bunt, Kaitlin Nobbs, Makaela Potts, Jessica Watterson, Kate Jenner, Abigail Wilson
Tassie Tigers v NSW Waratahs, Sunday 14 October 2:30pm (AEDT), Tasmanian Hockey Centre
Gobrindraj Gill, James Dick and Linden McCarthy earn opportunities with Kookaburras trio Jeremy Edwards, Eddie Ockenden and Joshua Beltz unavailable. The Tigers will lean on ex-Kookaburras defender Tim Deavin’s experience given they’ll field a youthful side.
The Waratahs are hit by absences too, with Lachi Sharp, Tom Craig, Matt Dawson, Flynn Ogilvie, Tim Brand, Ash Thomas, Blake and Kieran Govers all out from the side that lost 6-4 to Queensland. Goalkeeper Nick Holman gets an opportunity, while there’s four debutants in Tom Brown, Sam Gray, Daine Richards and Ky Willott.
Tas: Nick Leslie, Kurt Mackey, Linden McCarthy, Samuel McCulloch, Jack Welch, Kieron Arthur, Grant Woodcock (gk), Tim Deavin (c), James Bourke, Ben Read, James Dick, Oliver Smith, Gill Gobindraj, Sam McCambridge
NSW: Simon Orchard, Jack Hayes, Nick Holman (gk), Nathaneal Stewart, Kurt Lovett, Matthew Butturini, Danie Richards, Nicholas McEwen, Sam Gray, Tristan White, Ky Willott, Ryan Proctor, Tom Brown, Joshua Miller
Canberra Strikers v Queensland Scorchers, Sunday 14 October 1pm (AEDT), National Hockey Centre
Australia Indoor skipper Shelley Watson comes into the Strikers team which won 3-0 in Tasmania at the expense of Rebecca Lee. Savannah Fitzpatrick returns for the Scorchers after a hamstring worry but experienced defender Jodie Kenny is unavailable.
Can: Edwina Bone (c), Catriona Bailey-Price, Jessica Smith, Meredith Bone, Shelley Watson, Sophie Gaughan, Samantha Economos, Naomi Evans, Elena Tice, Beckie Middleton, Kalindi Commerford, Tina Taseska, Sarah White, Rene Hunter (gk)
Qld: Savannah Fitzpatrick, Madison Fitzpatrick, Ashlea Fey (c), Ambrosia Malone, Jordyn Holzberger, Madeline James, Tegan Richards, Stephanie Kershaw, Rebecca Greiner, Morgan Gallagher, Emily Burrows (gk), Layla Eleison, Britt Wilkinson, Renee Taylor
Canberra Lakers v Queensland Blades, Sunday 14 October 2:30pm (AEDT), National Hockey Centre
Brendan Hill replaces Australia goalkeeper Andrew Charter, while Glenn Turner returns to skipper the Lakers line-up which lost 5-1 in Tasmania last round.
The Blades lose Corey Weyer, Tim Howard, Matthew Swann, Daniel Beale, Jake Whetton and Dylan Wotherspoon to the Kookaburas, offering chances up to Michael Francis, Ashley Hennegan, Oliver Crane, Douglas Buckley and Matthew Shaw.
Can: Brendan Hill (gk), Owen Chivers, Glenn Turner (c), Kazuma Murata, Jamie Hawke, Anand Gupte, Garry Backhus, Manabu Yamashita, Aaron Kershaw, Lewis McLennan, Lewis Shepherd, Thomas Deane, James Day, Thomson Stuckey
Qld: Hugh Pembroke (c), Michael Francis, Ashley Hennegan, Joel Rintala, Robert Bell, Jacob Anderson, Shane Kenny, Scott Boyde, Oliver Crane, Douglas Buckley, Matthew Shaw, Justin Douglas, Jared Taylor, Mitchell Nicholson (gk)
Hockey Australia media release
Champs Telkom seek to recapture Africa trophy: USIU-A Spartans set to make their maiden appearance
Telkom seek to recapture Africa title
By Elizabeth Mburugu
Telkom player Terry Juma with the ball as her colleague guards Lucy Lichuma from JKUAT players. Jenipher Wachie, Standard
Nine-time continental champions relinquished their crown to Ghana Revenue Authority after winning five back-to-back titles.
Telkom coach Jos Openda is a man on a mission to regain control of Africa women’s club hockey.
The two-time Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) winner has his eyes set on regaining continental dominance.
Openda, Kenya’s most accomplished hockey coach, is determined to reclaim the African gong at this year’s Africa Cup of Club Championships (ACCC) set for December 17 to 24 in Abuja, Nigeria.
“Our hearts are set on salvaging our continental dominance and we have been working very hard to ensure we are ready for the challenge," Openda said.
"The girls are dedicated to this course because we don’t want to suffer more heartbreak."
Telkom’s continental reign at the helm of women’s continental club hockey was disrupted by bitter rivals Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) early this year in Accra Ghana, following a 1-0 loss.
The Kenyan girls had ruled the continent for five years since 2012 when they won in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
They went ahead to stage brilliant performances with four successful defences in 2013 (Kampala, Uganda), 2014 (Bulawayo), 2015 (Lusaka, Zambia) and won the 2016 title at City Park, Nairobi.
Openda added that their preparations are on the right track and are currently at 50 percent of what they need to accomplish ahead of the continental showdown.
“We are doing well in training and we are currently at half of where we would want to be. My aim is to hit 90 before we travel then aim to hit the peak in Abuja.
"We are improving in all aspects of the game and we are also training to enhance our fitness levels as well as endurance.”
He added that he has also told his forwards to sharpen their skills as it was their major undoing during the last contest.
“Our finishing was bluntly poor because despite getting four clear chances in the final, we failed to utilise them and were severely punished because our opponents got two and they made one count and won the title.”
He said they are under no pressure from any of their opponents including the experienced Ghanaian players, who took part in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
“After we lost, focus shifted from us to the winners. We will not be under any pressure from our opponents. This will give us a chance to concentrate on our campaign. Gold Coast was a perfect exposure opportunity but we will not be intimidated,” Openda said.
Also seeking to impressive in Abuja will be debutants United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans.
The students will be seeking to make a memorable debut in the women’s title hunt.
Last season, men’s Premier League champions Kenya Police and Butali Sugar Warriors qualified to represent Kenya in the championships.
The Standard Online
Badal demands Bharat Ratna for hockey great Balbir Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended the name of hockey legend Balbir Singh for conferring the Bharat Ratna.
Sardar Balbir Singh (Senior), besides being a three-time Olympic gold medallist, has been recommended by the International Olympic Association for the rare honour of featuring him as one of the 16 greatest sportspersons of all times in the world since the start of the Olympic games. He is also the only player in the world to score five goals in an Olympic final of any team sport, an unchallenged record since 1952 and is featured in the Guinness World Records.
Three great wins
A statement from the Chief Minister’s office said that Mr. Badal has asked the Prime minister to consider Sardar Balbir Singh’s name also because he led the Indian hockey team to its third successive Olympic gold and featuring in all three as a player (1948, 1952 and 1956). And after his playing days were over, the hockey player continued to serve the nation steering India as team manager at the country’s only World Cup triumph at Kuala Lumpur in 1975.
“Sardar Balbir Singh shines as a rare and most outstanding legend in his lifetime, and no other sportsperson in the country or for that matter from any other country has ever scaled the heights of Olympic glory as he has done,” said Mr. Badal in his letter.
The Hindu
Balbir Singh Sr still in ICU
India’s Living Legend - Balbir Singh Senior still in ICU AT PGI Chandigarh under the care of highly Qualified specialist Doctors & very efficient Medical & Nursing Staff, ( couldn’t have asked for any better) ) Plus - Dr. Rajinder Kalra , Retd . Medical Superintendent PGI , is Balbir Sr.’s very dear friend and family Doctor since 1975 Kuala Lumpur World Cup days is monitoring his progress on regular basis !
As per the Doctor’s Team - They are positive of our beloved Sporting Legend coming out of the present difficult phase . The situation under control and gradually improving !
We all know Balbir Senior is a born fighter! This time too, we trust -with God’s grace -he will win the match & come out of the hospital with flying colours !
At this difficult Hour - all that the family needs- is your precious Prayers ! ??
Sushbir Bhomia
Balbir Sr.’s daughter
Balbir Singh Sr. Facebook page
Dutch expert to conduct hockey umpiring clinic in Pakistan
LAHORE: World renowned Dutch hockey umpire Rob Lathouwers is conducting a one-day intensive umpiring clinic here on October 11 at the mini ground of the National Hockey Stadium. The Sports Board Punjab and Dar Hockey Academy are jointly organizing this beneficial activity. Rob has the distinction of standing as umpire in three Olympics and two World Cups.
A number of international and national umpires will attend the clinic which aims at upgrading their existing knowledge. The participating umpires will be awarded the ‘Certificate of Attendance’ signed by Rob.
The Daily Times
Rich lister Sir Owen Glenn continues New Zealand Hockey investment
Kiwi multi millionaire businessman Sir Owen Glenn has continued to invest in Black Sticks hockey after supporting the men’s and women’s set up towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Glenn’s long association with hockey, having played the game himself, has seen him support the Black Sticks players for many years and be the Patron and a Trustee of the Hockey Foundation.
Glenn, a shipping tycoon, represented New Zealand schoolboys and, according to the NZ Herald, once saved money to buy boots and a stick for hockey.
“Sir Owen’s incredibly generous support will help the Vantage Black Sticks compete successfully and sustainably on the world stage and help keep New Zealand’s best hockey talent playing longer, “said Hockey New Zealand chief executive Ian Francis.
“Both Black Sticks teams are playing in the new FIH Pro League from 2019 which will take the sport to a new level and make demands on our players like never before.
“For our players to compete in the FIH Pro League and on to the Tokyo Olympics, we needed to raise significant additional funds.
“We’re very grateful that Sir Owen has generously donated a substantial amount and I’m sure our players will be excited and appreciative to learn of this investment in them”.
Glenn said: “I am pleased that the Government through High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) and Hockey New Zealand have both agreed to match my grant over the next two years.
“This will allow the elite Black Sticks squads to have their primary focus on hockey and now have the same financial support as other leading hockey nations. I look forward to watching the men and women’s Black Sticks compete for medals at the Tokyo Olympics.”
While details of the funding arrangement will remain confidential, HPSNZ and Hockey New Zealand will match the grant, which will see the players of both women’s and men’s squads receive equal individual amounts.
The Hockey Paper
No. 5 Princeton tops No. 3 UConn for fifth straight win
STORRS, Conn. — No. 5 Princeton field hockey rolled over No. 3 UConn 5-2 at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.
It was the first time that the Tigers had won on the road against UConn since 2002. The Tigers' five goals were also the most that the Huskies have allowed since October 2013.
Ali McCarthy scored twice while Clara Roth added a goal and an assist. Hannah Davey and Maddie Bacskai also scored for Princeton. The Tigers held the Huskies to one shot in the first half and finished with a 17-8 advantage in the game. Princeton also held a 10-5 lead in corners.
Roth's outstanding weekend continued as she dribbled along right end line and blasted it into the cage seven minutes in. Sometime later, the Tigers were looking to add on to their lead off a corner, but Bacskai's attempt was blocked.
Another great scoring chance for Princeton came as Julianna Tornetta's shot hit the post, but did not get through as the clock ticked near nine minutes to go.
Davey's tally got the scoring started in the second half as she secured a rebound and whipped a shot into the cage for her second goal of the season. Connecticut quickly countered as Svea Boker scored on the next possession.
Five minutes later, Princeton executed a corner as Bacskai's try got in after Tornetta's stop from Roth's insert. The Huskies closed within one as Antonia Tiedtke riffled it in. Twenty seconds later, with the goalie closing in, McCarthy got the loose ball through and pushed it in to regain a two-goal lead.
The freshman wasted little time to add on, scoring 1:25 later. Off a rebound, she lined it into the cage for her first career multi-goal contest. UConn registered just one shot during the final 18 minutes of action.
Prior to today's game, the Tigers had not beaten the Huskies since 2012. Princeton improved to 10-3 overall as the victory pushed their winning streak to five. The Tigers finish the non-conference portion of their schedule 7-3 including six victories over ranked foes. Head coach Carla Tagliente's squad takes on Brown at Bedford Field next Saturday (Oct. 13) beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
NCAA
Maryland field hockey believes it can learn from its 1st loss of the season
The Terps were 13-0 before their 3-1 loss to Penn State.
By Lila Bromberg/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-umddiamondback.s3.amazonaws.com/public/HJCURTM2PVCKBBCDHURJO7BCYI.jpg)
Defender Kelee Lepage passes the ball during Maryland field hockey’s match against Ohio State at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on Sept. 21, 2018. (Andi Wenck/The Diamondback)
Entering Sunday’s game at Penn State, the Maryland field hockey team was undefeated, a double-overtime comeback win at Princeton the closest the team came to a loss.
The 13-game win streak ended against the Nittany Lions, who cruised to a 3-1 victory.
Faced with the unfamiliar feeling of defeat, the Terps hope to bounce back from the uncharacteristic performance and use it as motivation.
“We’re really just going to learn from this game. We can only go up from here,” midfielder Kyler Greenwalt said. “It’s a great, humbling experience, so everything that we made mistakes on we’re just going to watch in film and find ways to fix them.”
In the contest, Maryland’s offense was nowhere near the standard the team has come to expect this season.
Maryland averaged 18.15 shots per game, 11.38 shots on goal and 3.77 goals per game in its first 13 contests. The team generated 13 shots on Sunday, putting eight on goal and only one past Penn State goalkeeper Jenny Rizzo.
Maryland played well for the first 10 minutes, but after that, the Nittany Lions began pressing. From there, the Terps struggled to complete passes and communicate, two areas in which they normally excel.
And after relying on penalty corners as a primary source of offense all season, Maryland didn’t score any Sunday, tallying its only goal on a penalty stroke late in the second half.
"If we just use[d] our corners like we did against UConn, it could have been a different game,” defender Nike Lorenz said.
While Penn State’s defense certainly was a factor in the Terps’ offensive troubles, players and coaches said the team wasn’t where they should have been mentally.
"[We] really struggled with getting the normal intensity that we've been playing with,” coach Missy Meharg said. “We just were very sloppy. It started individually and was a little bit contagious.”
Meharg noted that her team looked too casual to start the game, but the loss has now shown them they can’t do that in the future.
And while players and coaches have taken away lessons from the loss, the Terps remain the No. 2 team in the country and know they will have bigger games ahead.
“I don’t think that losing one game is going to make us get down on ourselves,” Greenwalt said. “If anything, this will just fire us up even more for the rest of the season. And we’re really just going to learn from it and remember how it feels to lose."
The Diamondback