News for 28 May 2019
All the news for Tuesday 28 May 2019
2019 Test matches RSA v NAM (Men) 1st Test
Randburg (RSA)
Fixtures (GMT +2)
27 May 2019 RSA v NAM 4 - 0
28 May 2019 19:00 RSA v NAM
30 May 2019 19:00 RSA v NAM
Live stream https://www.facebook.com/ShoOTTSA/ (No commentary)
FIH Match Centre
South Africa win entertaining opener against Namibia
The Garreth Ewing Era of South African Hockey got off to a winning start as the hosts defeated their African neighbours 4-0 at Randburg Astro on Monday night. The South African side marked several changes from the Hockey Series Final squad due to availability including Rassie Pieterse taking the captains armband and Sam Mvimibi earning his first cap for South Africa.
Iconically this was the first ever test series between South Africa and Namibia, having only met at African Cup competitions before this. It’s a great follow up to the statements made by Garreth after being appointed coach in his conversations with the Hockey 24 Seven podcast regarding playing more test matches against Southern African opposition.
South Africa started well on a cool evening in Johannesburg and Owen Mvimbi, playing in his 33rd match for the country, took advantage of a defensive error to strike with a superb tomahawk into the bottom right corner. They made it 2-0 just before the end of chukka as Bili Ntuli superbly stole in and finished superbly passed DJ Strauss.
South Africa had a significant amount of possession and were managing the Namibian counter well. They were also creating moments of danger in attack without making Strauss make too many saves disappointingly. They did get a third before half time, when Ryan Julius, back from a good club season in Europe, created an easy finish for Ntuli to get his brace.
Keenan Horne, South Africa’s vice-captain on the night, made it 4-0 in the 37th minute and perhaps surprisingly that’s where the scoring ended. Richard Pautz, Tyson Dlungwana, Jethro Eustice and Tevin Kok all created big opportunities but were denied by a wonderful display from the Namibian rear-guard.
The result was a pleasing result for Springs and his team, with a happiness with how the experienced players performed, while the young stars given an opportunity where highly impressive with the likes of Tevin Kok, Sam Mvimbi and Andrew Hobson all impressing at different times.
The second test match will take place at 19:00 on Tuesday night at Randburg Astro before the series completes on Thursday at the same time. All matches will be streamed live on the Shoott South Africa Facebook page.
SA Hockey Association media release
2019 3 Nations Tournament ITA v MAS v ESP - Day2
Rome (ITA)
Fixtures (GMT +2)
26 May 2019 ESP v MAS (RR) 5 - 1
27 May 2019 ESP v ITA (RR) 2 - 1
28 May 2019 17:30 MAS v ITA (RR)
29 May 2019 17:30 MAS v ESP (RR)
30 May 2019 17:30 ITA v ESP (RR)
31 May 2019 15:30 ITA v MAS (RR)
FIH Match Centre
Spain inflict pain on Malaysia
By Jugjet Singh
The Malaysian women’s hockey team in Italy yesterday.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women's hockey team were hammered 5-1 by Spain in a Tri-Nation in Italy yesterday, but coach K. Dharmaraj and his charges are not heartbroken.
Spain, ranked World No 7, fieled their full World Cup squad and Malaysia matched them for 15 minutes but collapsed after the half-time break.
“Speed. The Spanish players' speed in deflecting the ball caught my charges off guard,” said Dharmaraj
“We lost the match but gained much by playing a high ranking team. This is what we need in the run-up to the Series Finals.
“Nobody is heartbroken with the score. In fact, my girls are looking foward to playing Spain again.
“And improvement in the rematch is what we want from this Tri-Nation.”
Spain won only one penalty corner in the first quarter and Maria Lopez scored in the 24th minute but Malaysia equalised off a penalty corner in the 26th minute off Nur Amirah Zulkifli.
Maria Lopez again gave Spain the lead via a 29th minute penalty corner and the other goals were scored by Berta Bonastre (32nd), Lola Riera (41st) and Marta Segu (50th).
Malaysia will next play Italy, who have seven naturalised Argentine players.
“It is good that Malaysia are playing quality opponents in the run-up to the Series Finals. Now we know our weaknesses, and when we play teams like Ireland and the Czech Republic, we will be better prepared," said Dharmaraj.
The ultimate aim is the Series Finals in Banbridge, Northeren Ireland on June 8-16.
Malaysia (World 22nd) are in Group A with Ireland (8th), Czech Republic (19th) and Singapore (35th). In Group B are South Korea (11th), Scotland (18th), Ukraine (26th) and France (30th).
Malaysia must finish in the top-three at the group stage and play in a cross-over for a shot at the semi-finals.
Dharmaraj's charges, due to their low ranking, must end the tournament as finalists if they want to play in the final round of the Olympic Qualifier in November.
New Straits Times
Adjustments by USMNT Not Enough to Overcome Ireland in Game 2
DUBLIN, Ireland – The U.S. Men’s National Team took to the pitch Sunday for the second match of a two-game test series against No. 11 Ireland at the Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club in Dublin. In a game where both sides tried new techniques from their first meeting on Friday, the Green Machine established an early lead while holding off a new-tempo USA squad to win 2-0.
The host nation took the lead in the 3rd minute off a series of penalty corners where Shane O’Donoghue found the back of the goal. Ireland continued to pressure in the opening quarter but strong play by goalkeeper Jonathan Klages (Berlin, Germany) countered their efforts. USA was had plenty chances of their own offensively as they tested goalkeeper Mark Ingram early on. Shots by Michael Barminski (Ventura, Calif.) and Deegan Huisman (Almere, The Netherlands) were on target but could not find the back of the goal.
Ireland threatened once more on a pair of penalty corners to begin the second quarter, but USA’s defense was up to the task ending on a swatting save by Klages. Another attempt by Ireland in the 23rd minute saw a high drag flick by Luke Madeley get past Klages for the 2-0 advantage. The red, white and blue continued to find chances as the half rounded down, including a hard shot by Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.) that was saved by Ingram.
Both squads came in to the third quarter with a new pressing strategy which saw Ireland gain more circle entries near the baseline, but USA remained swift on defense. On the other side USA found more scoring chances from their adjustments and nearly scored on a turnover opportunity. The play began when Huisman jumped on a loose ball who took a shot that was saved by goalkeeper Jamie Carr. The rebound came out to Kei Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Germany) which forced Carr to come off the line, but the rebound shot ended up sailing over the goal.
"These games provided great information for our players and staff," said Rutger Wiese, USMNT Head Coach. "We feel that we are working in good steps towards our tournament in India next week. Another positive is that [Julian] Croonenbergh and [Alberto] Montilla earned their first caps."
Up next for the U.S. Men’s National Team is the FIH Series Finals in Bhubaneswar, India from June 6-15.
USFHA media release
Hockeyroos Ring Changes For FIH Pro League Finale
Ben Somerford.jpg)
Renee Taylor returns from a shoulder injury
Hockey Australia today announces the 20-member Hockeyroos team to play in the upcoming matches in China and Europe as the 2019 FIH Pro League nears its conclusion.
The Hockeyroos face five matches in three weeks to round out of the FIH Pro League, plus hopefully two more matches in the finals to be played in the Netherlands in late June.
Australia currently sits third in the women’s FIH Pro League standings, ahead of the June matches against China (2 June), Great Britain (9 June), Germany (16 June), Belgium (19 June) and the Netherlands (23 June).
The Hockeyroos are behind the Netherlands and Argentina on the standings but remain in a tight battle with upcoming opponents Belgium (fourth) and Germany (fifth) for finals spots.
The selectors have made several changes from the team which claimed two wins and a shootout loss in the Pacific leg against New Zealand, Argentina and USA.
Queensland defender/midfielder Renee Taylor returns from a shoulder injury after being out of action since September 2018.
Taylor returns along with Jocelyn Bartram, Rebecca Greiner, Penny Squibb and Mariah Williams. Kristina Bates, Kate Jenner, Amy Lawton, Michaela Spano, Ash Wells and Georgia Wilson have made way.
Hockeyroos head coach Paul Gaudoin said: “Selection was a big challenge. We came off a reasonably successful Pacific leg where it was good to hit some field goals.
“It was difficult at the selection table but there have been some changes.
“It’s great to see Renee Taylor back in form after injuring her shoulder. She hasn’t played for quite a while so it’ll be interesting to see how she goes.
“Mariah Williams has also had a lay-off and she’ll be back into the side. She’s starting to show some good form in training.”
Gaudoin said the Hockeyroos were bullish about their FIH Pro League finals chances but also keeping an eye on the Oceania Cup in Rockhampton in September which will serve as Australia’s Olympic qualifier for Tokyo 2020.
“We’re hoping to make finals,” Gaudoin said. “We’re also trying to make sure we give a number of players in our squad an opportunity to perform.
“We’re keen to do well in this FIH Pro League leg and we’ve also got a small eye on the Oceania Cup, which is our Olympic qualifier later in the year.
“We’re keen to make sure we’ve got a group that’s pushing for selection for the Oceania Cup as well.
“With the group we’ve got we’re confident we can do some good things in China and Europe.
“We’re playing some tough teams, they’re all quality sides and they’re a bit different to what we played in the Pacific leg.
“It’s a bit of a challenge to play against teams who are tighter in defence to score field goals but we’re looking forward to it.”
The team is due to fly out of Perth for China today. The matches will be televised live by Kayo Sports and on FOX SPORTS.
FIH Pro League matches:
China v Hockeyroos – Sunday 2 June 6pm AEST
Great Britain v Hockeyroos – Monday 10 June 1am AEST
Germany v Hockeyroos – Sunday 16 June 8pm AEST
Belgium v Hockeyroos – Thursday 20 June 2:30am AEST
Netherlands v Hockeyroos – Sunday 23 June 11am AEST
Semi-Finals – Thursday 27 June
Finals – Saturday 29 June
Hockeyroos 20-member team:
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Jocelyn Bartram (Albury, NSW)
Edwina Bone (Orange, NSW) *Plays for ACT
Lily Brazel (Sydney, NSW) *Plays for VIC
Emily Chalker (Crookwell, NSW)
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA)
Kalindi Commerford (Ulladulla, NSW) *Plays for ACT
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) *Plays for QLD
Savannah Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) *Plays for QLD
Rebecca Greiner (Bundaberg, QLD)
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD)
Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC)
Ambrosia Malone (Burleigh, QLD)
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW)
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW)
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT)
Penny Squibb (Tambellup, WA)
Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW)
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD)
Sophie Taylor (Melbourne, VIC)
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW)
Hockey Australia media release
Forward Ramandeep Singh returns to Indian squad for FIH Men’s Series Finals
The team will be led by Manpreet Singh with Birendra Lakra being named as the vice-captain.
Ramandeep Singh | Hockey India
Hockey India on Tuesday announced an 18-member Indian squad for the FIH Men’s Series Finals to be held in Bhubaneswar in June.
The team will be led by Manpreet Singh with Birendra Lakra being named as the vice-captain. A notable addition in the squad is that of forward Ramandeep Singh who returns having recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of action for nine months.
In defence, Amit Rohidas returns to the fold in place of Kothajit Singh, while Simranjit Singh finds a place among the forwards at the expense of Armaan Qureshi. Rupinder Pal Singh who was brought back to the side by coach Graham Reid for the Australia tour retains his place in the side.
India begin their campaign on June 6 against Russia and will be aiming to finish on the top in order to make it for the Olympic qualifying event to be held later this year. “I am very much looking forward to my first FIH tournament as chief coach of the Indian team. The Series Finals is an important step in the Olympic qualification process,” expressed Reid.
Speaking about India’s preparedness for the tournament, Reid said, “Our focus for the tournament will be consistency of performance. To achieve this will we need to respect every opposition and give our 100 percent every quarter, each half, each game. Our goal will be to be the best team we can be.”
He further added that the team’s emphasis at the moment is on circle entries, finishing, tight marking and tackling. “
“The Australian tour made us very aware of the level we need to play at to compete with the best teams of the world and we need to aim for that each time we train and each time we play.
“We are spending a lot of time at the moment on our circle entries, our finishing, tight marking and tackling and we want to see improvements in these areas. PCs are also important and we have chosen three drag-flickers to use during the tournament,” said Reid.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Krishan B Pathak, PR Sreejesh
Defenders: Rupinder Pal Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra (Vice-Captain), Gurinder Singh, Amit Rohidas
Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh (Captain), Sumit, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Gursahibjit Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Simranjit Singh, Ramandeep Singh
Scroll.in
African Indoor Hockey set for a boost at SPAR Indoor Series
African Indoor Hockey is set for a timely boost this week as the SPAR Indoor Series gets underway in KwaZulu Natal. The series features Botswana Men and Women, Zimbabwe, SPAR South Africa and excitingly an Emerging South African side featuring U21 players.
It’s the first time that the South African ladies will be in action since their historic and triumphant tour to Europe earlier this year where they beat Switzerland and drew with the Czech Republic. Its also a South African squad with heaps of experience as Jess O’Connor, Cindy Hack, Kara Botes and Amy Greaves all have more than 50 test caps, while the return from injury of Celia Evans is extremely exciting for fans of the game.
Zimbabwe, who competed fantastically at the Psi Indoor Hockey Series in Zimbabwe last year, will look to continue building on their development and their goals to challenge their Southern African neighbours in the African Cup. Botswana are the unknown factor as they take their first steps into International Indoor Hockey, but there is a lot of excitement around this.
The South African Emerging Squad features some exciting talent including IPT top goal scorer Cloe de Souza and will be led by SPAR South Africa’s assistant coach AJ Spieringshoek, supported by Brighty Mashaba and Bridget Kee. It’s the first time an Emerging South Africa will play International opponents in exhibition matches, so it offers a superb opportunity to the fans.
Tournaments like this are only possible thanks to the backing of sponsor SPAR South Africa. Speaking to the Hockey 24 Seven Podcast by Rayder Media, Cindy Hack was quick to pay tribute to SPAR: “SPAR is not just our sponsor, they are our family. We can’t thank them enough for believing in us and supporting us right from the start. We will continue to work to make our sponsors and our fans proud!”
The full schedule is available here:
(Right click and View Image for a larger version)
The following matches will be live streamed through the Sports 24 Seven Facebook page:
Wednesday 29 May 18:00 – SPAR South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
Thursday 30 May 10:00 – SPAR South Africa vs. Botswana
Thursday 30 May 18:00 – SPAR South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
Friday 31 May 10:00 – SPAR South Africa vs. Botswana
Friday 31 May 18:00 – SPAR South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
Saturday 01 June 10:00 – Zimbabwe vs. Botswana
Saturday 01 June 18:00 – SPAR South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
SA Hockey Association media release
Fitri hopes team can gain plenty in their Europe hockey tour
PETALING JAYA: Fitri Saari (pic) is excited to learn from the ‘masters’ when the national hockey team head to Europe in July.
Fitri believes that their tour there would help tremendously in their quest to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The 26-year-old midfielder also urged his teammates to absorb as much knowledge as possible against Europe’s top hockey nations.
“It would be a valuable lesson for us all to learn from these European teams. Over the years, their standards have improved significantly,” said the Terengganu player.
“Their leagues obviously are good and you can see how it has impacted their national teams.
“Apart from playing, we are also on a learning mission. We are going there to learn and master their game.”
From July to August, the team will be travelling to Germany, Spain, Holland and Belgium for a series of test matches and also compete in a four-nation tournament in Spain to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers.
Only 12 teams will play in the Tokyo Olympics next year. Japan, as the host nation, have qualified.
Four slots would be filled by the champions of the 2019 Pan American Games, 2019 African qualifying tournament, 2019 Euro Championship and 2019 Oceania Cup while another seven will come from the Olympic qualification events.
Fitri said he is looking forward to take on Holland as they are one of the best sides in the world.
“Their players’ abilities and skills are brilliant. Some of them have played in the Malaysian Hockey League. I’m impressed with the way they handle themselves before and after the game. We have so much to learn from them.”
Fitri added that the squad are working really hard to realise their Olympic dreams.
“It is a do-or-die mission. Some of the players are getting old and this is their last hope. We will do whatever it takes to get to Tokyo,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Pakistan Hockey Federation claim country should be given "special treatment" in Tokyo 2020 qualification bid
By Liam Morgan
Pakistan are facing the prospect of failing to qualify for two consecutive Olympic Games ©Getty Images
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary general Asif Bajwa has claimed the country should be given "special treatment" in its bid to qualify for next year's Olympic Games in Tokyo.
According to The News, Bajwa also said the PHF had been shocked after the team had been omitted from the list of competing nations at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Series finals, which offer a pathway towards Olympic qualification.
It comes despite the fact Pakistan had not entered the FIH Hockey Series Open, which enables teams to qualify for the Series Finals, as their world ranking is too high.
They had instead applied to participate in the FIH Pro League, the top-tier, home-and-away competition launched by the sport's worldwide governing body earlier this year.
But Pakistan were thrown out of the Pro League, which also offers teams the chance to book a place at a Tokyo 2020 qualifier, after they were unable to fulfil their opening three matches.
Pakistan could still secure a spot at next year's Olympics through the FIH world rankings but Bajwa said that would be a "tough ask" as they will not be playing many international matches owing to their Pro League exclusion.
The PHF official added that the national governing body would write to FIH President Narinder Batra in an effort to revive their qualification hopes.
"It’s a shock for us that we have been left out of all the qualifying events mainly due to our failure to honour the FIH Pro League commitments," Bajwa said.
"Our qualification has been left to the condition of improvement in rankings which is a tough ask considering the fact that Pakistan have hardly any tournaments to play in these months.
"Pakistan has served the sport in thick and thin.
"It is due to Pakistan and India’s contributions that hockey flourished internationally in the 60s and 70s.
"Pakistan initiated the World Cup, Junior World Cup and Champions Trophy and helped the sport take root in Olympics.
"Pakistan needs special treatment in this hour of need.
"What we want is to make the FIH realise that Pakistan is an important hockey-playing nation and as such should be given an opportunity to try to qualify for the Olympic Games."
In a statement sent to insidethegames, a spokesperson for the FIH said the worldwide body was unable to add Pakistan to the Series Finals as they had originally entered the Pro League.
The FIH has not yet received any letter from the PHF.
"With the announcement of the non-participation of Pakistan in the 2019 FIH Pro League back in January, it was not possible to integrate the Asian team in the FIH Series Finals," the spokesperson said.
"Firstly, Pakistan has not played the Hockey Series Open which enabled teams to qualify to the FIH Series Finals.
"Secondly, when the Hockey Series competition format was agreed, Pakistan was not part of the teams accessing directly to the FIH Series Finals – based on their position in the FIH World Rankings – since Pakistan had applied to play in the FIH Pro League."
Pakistan finished on the men's hockey podium at every Olympics from Melbourne 1956 to Barcelona 1992.
They won gold three gold medals during that time – at Rome 1960, Mexico City 1968 and Los Angeles 1984 – but have not claimed a medal since the Games in the Spanish city.
Pakistan failed to qualify for the Olympic hockey tournament for the first time at Rio 2016.
Inside the Games
Brilliant Bloemendaal back as Dutch champions as HGC qualify for EHL
©: Koen Suyk / World Sport Pics
HC Bloemendaal won the Dutch national title for the first time since 2010 as they won the decisive game in their best of three series against SV Kampong.
The Utrecht side had levelled the series on Saturday with a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Boet Phijffer and Jip Janssen overturning a second minute strike from Yannick van der Drift.
That made it all square going into the final game on Sunday but it was the home fans, the Bloemigans, who tasted ultimate glory as Jorrit Croon and Florian Fuchs got the crucial goals.
It was a final of passion and raw emotion in the stands with large banks of orange and blue, something which Fuchs said was extra special.
"This atmosphere is incredible. I don't experience this in Germany. This is Bloemendaal and that's why I love this club."
The 27-year-old German is one of the best players in the world but had never won the title of national club champion in his career despite winning a number of EHL titles.
His brilliant solo goal made it 2-0 in the 44th minute, adding to Croon’s penalty corner touch in the first half and while there was still time to get back into the game, Kampong could not breakthrough.
It was Bloemendaal’s 12th title, second on the all-time list behind AH&BC Amsterdam and ahead of Klein Zwitserland, HGC, Venlo and Kampong who all have eight successes.
The success means they will play in EHL Men’s FINAL8 next Easter with Kampong now looking to the KO16 in Barcelona in October.
The third Dutch representative in the EHL next season will be HGC after they got the best of Amsterdam in the third place playoff.
Their last EHL appearance saw them win the title back in 2011 when Rob Short inspired the team. Their other appearance also ended in a medal with a silver back in 2018.
Against Amsterdam, they lost the first leg 3-2 but won a pair of shoot-outs on Saturday and Sunday to turn things around.
Saturday’s was a wild 5-5 draw where Floris van der Linden rescued a draw with a minute to go and they went on to win the shoot-out 3-2 with Tanguy Cosyns scoring the winner.
In game three, they also fought back from 2-0 down to tie 2-2 and then won the shoot-out, coming back from 2-0 there, too, with a 7-6 win to secure their EHL place.
Euro Hockey League media release
Amsterdam end Den Bosch’s five-year reign as champions
©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics
AH&BC Amsterdam won their 20th women’s Dutch national title as Rick Mathijssen ended Den Bosch’s five-year reign as champions.
They backed up the opening game’s 2-1 success with a 2-0 win in Brabant, pulling off a rare series win over Den Bosch who have won the title 19 of the last 22 years.
In the second leg, they started brilliantly with Charlotte Vega opening the scoring in the fourth minute with a tip in after a great pass from Marijn Veen.
And Kitty van Male made it two in the 14th minute in what was her final game for the club, signing off with a penalty corner goal.
She went close to a third before half-time but her hard backhand shot was parried by keeper Josine Koning.
In the third quarter, Den Bosch showed a bit more fighting spirit which resulted in three penalty corners in a row. But thanks to good goalkeeper work from Anne Veenendaal and tough defending, Frédérique Matla was denied.
Lidewij Welten and Pleun van der Plas went close to gettting goals back but Veenendaal was equal to the challenge and saved everything that came her way.
And they secured the victory that got them over the line, giving van Male the perfect way to sign off on her club career with a third Dutch title to go with the EuroHockey Club Cup won in April.
It means Amsterdam will take the top Dutch seeding for EHL Women at Easter 2019 with Den Bosch taing the second seed.
Euro Hockey League media release
WKS Grunwald Poznan make it five Polish titles in succession
WKS Grunwald Poznan won their fifth successive Polish championship as they beat KS Pomorzanin Torun in their two-legged final.
The first leg of the weekend – all played at AZS AWF Poznan – saw the honours even at 2-2. Grunwald took the lead in the fourth minute after an effective penalty corner with a strike in off the bar from Piotr Kozłowski.
Before the end of the first quarter, Mikołaj Głowacki increased the lead for the military side but Pomorzanin fought back with a goal from Filip Sobczak after a strong team move.
It gave Torun more confidence and they forced Mateusz Popiołkowski into some good saves but they got their equaliser in the 66th minute via captain Krystian Makowski.
That put everything on Sunday’s final game and the deadlock remained into half-time with the score 0-0.
But Grunwald took control in the second half when Karol Majchrzak struck in the 44th minute. Pawel Bratkowski added a second from a penalty corner before Mikolaj Gumny completed the victory.
The champions’ Mateusz Hulboj was named the player of the match while Torun’s Michal Raciniewski was the player of the season.
Euro Hockey League media release
Sacramento Kings and Osaka from Canada in the money at the 48th Cal Cup
By Jawwad Qamar
Men's and Women's winners of the 2019 CalCup. Photo: Ned Dawson, planethockeymag.com
Four days of non-stop field hockey came to an end with two exciting finals in front of a capacity crowd in the beautiful setting of Moorpark College on Memorial Day at the 48th California Cup. Sacrament Kings defeated HFS Adidas 2-1in a very close Men’s Super Division encounter for the $7,500 prize money while Team Osaka from Canada edged local favorites, Jolie Pitts with the same score to earn their money in the Women’s Super Division thanks to the two goals by their captain Stephanie de Groof, a Belgian Olympian.
Nederland’s Tristan Algera gave the Kings a 1-0 lead in the 3rd Quarter and captain Tom Carson, English international and one of four Carson brothers playing for the Kings, made it 2-0 for the team from Northern California in the 4th Quarter. Another English international, Ed Horler got one goal back for HFS Adidas with his tournament leading tenth tally of the championship to make it 2-1, but, he was unable to do any further damage in a very exciting finish.
Men's Winners with CalCup Founder and Organiser Tom Harris holding the trophy. Photo: Ned Dawson, planethockeymag.com
Horler was easily the most exciting player in the men’s group and earned Ross Rutledge Award for leading the entire tournament in scoring. In the semifinal, on Saturday, Horler’s back to back goals, two minutes apart, helped HFS Adidas edge Osaka Diamonds, a Canadian club loaded with Canadian internationals, 3-2. The other semifinal saw the Kings destroy the Bulldogs 7-1 with three of the four Carson brothers getting into the act. George, Tom and James gave the Kings a 3-0 lead scoring in the 6th, 12th and 14th minutes. James added his second goal in the 34th minute. Tristan Algera, Barkat Singh and Amrinderpal Singh were the other scorers for the Kings.
Women's Winners with CalCup Founder and Organiser Tom Harris holding the trophy. Photo: Ned Dawson, planethockeymag.com
In the Women’s Super Division semifinals, Team Osaka easily defeated the Olympic Club 4-2 on the strength of a hat trick by the Australian Olympian Kathryn Slattery. Slattery was tournament’s second highest scorer with 9 goals. In the other semifinal, Jolie Pitts beat Northeast 3-1, thanks to two goals from New Zealand’s two time Olympian, Charlotte Harrison.
The 48th edition of one of the oldest and largest the field hockey tournaments in the world, more popularly known as the Cal Cup, featured 133 teams from Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, and the USA, consisting of over 2,000 athletes competing in 13 divisions ranging from Mixed Under-8 to Men/Women Super Divisions at four different locations including the main venue, Moorpark College.
In addition to $7,500 top prize in each Super Division, all players in the top three teams of each division received Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals.
For a complete list of all 2019 Cal Cup winners and final standings, please visit www.calcup.com.
Fieldhockey.com Exclusive
York edge Outeniqua in SPAR hockey shoot-out
The York team which won the South Western Districts leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in George on Saturday was (back, from the left) SPAR EC sponsorships and events manager Alan Stapleton, Jo-Anne Klue, Jessica Edington, Abi van Tonder, Jodi Orban, Jade van de Venter, Caitlyn Callaghan, Vasti Visagie, Inca Schneor, Erica Combrink (coach), (front, from the left) Kara Vermeulen, Megan Buckley, Rachel Boshoff, Kate Kirk, Megan van der Walt and Emily Klue (captain). Photo: Supplied
York High survived a tense penalty shoot-out against Outeniqua to qualify for the provincial finals of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge for the fourth straight year.
The George outfit will join four other regional winners in the final play-offs, to be held at Collegiate in Port Elizabeth on July 27 and 28. The other teams are DSG (PE North), Woodridge (PE Central), Clarendon (East London Coastal) and Queenstown Girls’ High (East London Inland).
Playing at York in George on Saturday, the South Western Districts qualifier went down to the wire as the hosts and Outeniqua again qualified for the final.
It was a repeat of the last two finals, but this time there were no goals scored during the regulation 20 minutes and the match was decided in the eight-second penalty shoot-out, which York won 2-0.
York coach Erica Combrink said they were happy to win again and thanked SPAR for “making this Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge possible”.
“The girls really enjoy the fast-paced 20-minute matches where it comes down to teams using their opportunities,” she said.
“It was a wonderful day, with a great vibe and some really good hockey on display.”
Event organiser Peter Wilson said the competitive matches had been combined with the camaraderie and exciting vibe these tournaments generate.
“The weather was superb and there was a large contingent of family and friends in support, so it was another excellent platform for the schoolgirls to show their talents,” he said.
“There was very good competition during the day, with a tight battle to decide the finalists.
“Glenwood House needed to beat Outeniqua in their final pool match to qualify for the final, but Outeniqua won to advance once more.”
Wilson added they were looking forward to the climax of the annual Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge when it takes place near the end of July.
“For the first time the provincial finals will be played over two days, with some matches being played under lights at the Collegiate astro on the Saturday, followed by the final games on the Sunday.”
Fullstop Communications media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge
Aqualyte Renewed As HA’s Official Hydration Partner
Ben Somerford
Hockey Australia (HA) today announces the renewal of Aqualyte as the official Hydration Partner of the Hockeyroos and the Kookaburras.
The national teams have been using Aqualyte’s products for the past decade, but the renewal marks the fourth year as HA’s official Hydration Partner.
Aqualyte’s low sugar, hypotonic fluid and electrolyte solution has shown to be a winning formula for HA’s elite athletes, particularly with their current busy international competition schedules.
HA CEO Matt Favier said: “The feedback from our national teams about Aqualyte’s taste and effectiveness has been excellent for a long time and we’re thrilled to renew our partnership”.
“Athlete recovery is an important part of our success, particularly given our national teams’ busy travel schedule in the new FIH Pro League, where the players travel all over the world on a week-to-week basis.
“Aqualyte’s products ensure our athletes recover well from long haul flights, and are always ready for their next match.”
Aqualyte’s Dr Graham Bates said: “We are delighted to be part of the Australian team’s preparation and performance.
“We wish the athletes and teams success in this year’s FIH Pro League and their preparations towards next year’s Olympic Games.”
Aqualyte is Australian owned and made for athletes and active individuals where effective hydration is important to their health and performance. To learn more, please visit aqualyte.com.au.
Hockey Australia media release
Dan Carter starts a poll on whether wife Honor should make a hockey comeback
Dan Carter pokes fun at wife Honor Carter on his Instagram MyStory. DAN CARTER/INSTAGRAM
Dan Carter has poked fun at his wife Honor Carter on Instagram, asking his followers if she is too old to make a hockey comeback.
Carter kept his fans up to date with his rehabilitation progress after his neck operation, while also recording his wife doing hockey drills in the front yarn.
Honor Carter (nee Dillon), 36, is a former national hockey representative. She played 68 tests between 2004 and 2011, when she retired.
The Instagram MyStory asked if she should come out of retirement, People were asked to vote on one of two possible answers: "hell yes" or "too old".
Carter's update was he had trained for over six weeks and it would be "back to basics".
"Back to basics," he said, wearing a neck brace, and doing some exercises with his feet.
Glamour Kiwi sports couple, Honor and Dan Carter, with golfer Sergio Garcia, left, at Wimbledon in 2017. MICHAEL STEELE/GETTY IMAGES
His dog and training buddy Chester was also part of the training group.
Carter, 37, underwent neck surgery at the beginning of last month after routine checks found an issue that needed addressing.
Dan Carter is back into training, six weeks post neck operation. KOKI NAGAHAMA/GETTY IMAGES
"Haven't been able to train for just over six weeks but today I started some very basic calf and ankle work. It's going to be a long road to recovery but I'm up for it," he posted on Twitter on Monday.
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