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All the news for Friday 7 February 2020

2020 FIH Pro League (Men) - 7 February

7 Feb 2020 20:30 (GMT -3)     ARG v ESP (RR)     Cenard, Buenos Aires
8 Feb 2020 17:00 (GMT +13)     NZL v GBR (RR)     North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland
8 Feb 2020 17:00 (GMT +5:30)     IND v BEL (RR)     Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
8 Feb 2020 20:30 (GMT -3)     ARG v ESP (RR)     Cenard, Buenos Aires
9 Feb 2020 15:00 (GMT +13)     NZL v GBR (RR)     North Harbour Hockey
9 Feb 2020 17:00 (GMT +5:30)     IND v BEL (RR)     Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

FIH Match Centre

2020 FIH Pro League (Women) - 7 February

7 Feb 2020 18:00 (GMT -3)     ARG v USA (RR)     Cenard, Buenos Aires
8 Feb 2020     CHN v BEL (RR)     -     On hold due to Coronavirus
8 Feb 2020 18:00 (GMT -3)      ARG v USA (RR)     Cenard, Buenos Aires
8 Feb 2020 19:30 (GMT +13)      NZL v GBR (RR)     North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland
9 Feb 2020     CHN v BEL (RR)     On hold due to Coronavirus
9 Feb 2020 17:30 (GMT +13)      NZL v GBR (RR)     North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

FIH Match Centre

History is made in North Harbour as umpire team prove 'equally amazing'



On Saturday 1 February history was made as four umpires combined to provide the first mixed gender umpiring teams at a top tier international fixture.

South Africa’s Wanri Venter, plus Aleisha Neumann, Stephen Rogers and Adam Kearns from Australia, comprised the umpiring team for the men’s and women’s FIH Hockey Pro League matches between New Zealand and Belgium. The matches were held in Auckland, at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium. For Wanri and Stephen, the matches were doubly daunting and exciting as the two umpires were also making their FIH Hockey Pro League debuts.

What were your overriding emotions when you first stepped out on the pitch this weekend?
Aleisha Neumann: “Just excitement. To be involved with a men’s fixture for the first time is quite exciting. I was maybe a little bit nervous around the speed of the match and what might come out of that. But to do something different and to be the first person to do it, well that is pretty special.”

Stephen Rogers: “It was very different, being my first Pro League game and also being the first male to umpire a women’s game. It was nerve-wracking but exciting as well. It was good.

Wanri Venter: “It was exciting. There was a little bit of nerves but the nerves meant the game meant a lot to me. It was really exciting being there umpiring with Adam. We had really good connections throughout the game so that was good too.”

What were the best words of encouragement/words of wisdom you received either before or during the weekend?
Adam Kearns: “I said to all three of the guys, ‘just be yourself, you are all skilful umpires so trust yourself as you would in any other game’. I hope that helped!”

Aleisha Neumann: “It’s just a game of hockey. It’s the same processes, the same rules just of a slightly different nature so, yeah, just be yourself.”

Wanri Venter: “You are still a team out there. You are not alone. You work together and that is the biggest part of it. Our cooperation on the field was exceptional and that really just added to making me feel comfortable.”

Stephen Rogers: “Just enjoy the ride.”

What will you have gained from this experience? And did you enjoy it?
Stephen Rogers: “I thought it was good. It was a little bit different to what I am used to. Especially a lot of ‘inside the circle’ stuff. With the men, they tend to lead out a little bit more but with the women there was only one player leading out, so it was a little congested for me. That meant I had to change a few little things. But it was good.”

Wanri Venter: “For me, being the first Pro League match, it was about feeling comfortable and feeling that I was part of the process.

Aleisha Neumann: “For me it was a little bit of timing. So understanding when the men’s game is quicker than the women’s and at other times, when you could potentially ‘hold’ the whistle and allow them to play the advantage because skills they were performing may not appear or are very rare in the women’s game. So just working on that timing and getting used to the flow of the game.”

Adam Kearns: “For the last couple of years, with the Pro League, as a group, we have all become a lot tighter, so we can share more [experience and knowledge] on-field and pass on that knowledge. It’s nice to have a good crew and we are all friends now so we have developed good trust and we can start to demonstrate that [on the field of play].”

What was the biggest difference when umpiring the different gender?
Aleisha Neumann: “A bit of what I said earlier around the timing. And also just the physical size of the people on the field. In the women’s game I am normally one of the taller people and I can see over the crowd but with the men, they are bigger shapes on the field so it is about working on those angles so I have sight of the ball.”

Stephen Rogers: “Mine is more about the ‘inside the circle’ stuff. The more congested way the ladies played but it was all okay.”

#FIHProLeague

Official FIH Pro League Site

At the site of their crowning glory, red-hot Belgium set to test India's skill and resolve

Jitendra Nath Misra


Higher-ranked Belgium are certain to test India when the teams meet this weekend. Image credit: Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia

In inter-state relations, memory and grievance remain the building blocks of rivalry. But if there is no history of animosity between two nations, the context changes. No matter from which perspective we look, the hockey rivalry between Belgium and India has no pressing contention. It is mostly sport that we discuss in this rivalry. So, it can be termed a trophy' rivalry — a sporting contest for its own sake.

This rivalry will be renewed during the FIH Pro League games at Bhubaneswar on 8 and 9 February.

According to FIH data, beginning with the 1928 Olympics, India hold a 16-14 advantage over Belgium, and four games have been drawn. In the 20th century, India were ascendant, and in the 21st century, Belgium have had the upper hand.

Since 2001, Belgium have won 14 games against India (beginning with their first victory over India in 2011), while India have beaten them 11 times, and 4 games have been drawn. While Belgium have moved from No 13 in 2006 to No 1, India’s ranking has risen from No 9 in 2015 to No 5.

Statistically, the rivalry appears equal, except that it isn’t. Belgium’s improvement cancels India’s past dominance. This trend is likely to continue. Belgium resemble Australia, Germany and the Netherlands, who have spun webs around India since the 1970s. This should put at rest the 'legacy' (oh, the eight Olympics gold medals!) that so harms Indian hockey.

“Belgium are a good side,” Brigadier HJS Chimni, 1975 World Cup gold medallist says. “On the astroturf, there are greater opportunities to score than on grass. The team that converts the chances wins,” he asserts.

So, the things that might determine the result are the final pass and shot at goal. Belgium have been clinical in the four Pro League games they have played this season, while India remains suspect. Mathematically, to win, India need to create more chances than Belgium and put a high percentage of those chances away.

As the most improved elite men’s team, Belgium have studied India inside out. With a vaunted development plan, Belgium scout for excellence, and are predisposed towards putting rivals to the shade. The players have been the longest together, in a team that instinctively does the right things on the field. Being a recent entrant into the elite club, Belgium are not psychologically scarred from past cycles of decline. It plays with freedom and authority.

India, with a history of falling from the pedestal, are not so lucky. India may not have faced serial defeats to Belgium, but lately, Belgium have beaten and bruised India. The psychological context to the Pro League is compelling.

Belgium’s recent accomplishments create further imbalance. They are the current world and European champions, with silver medals in the Olympics (2016), the Pro League (2019) and the World League (2014-2015). Just weeks ago, they defeated an outstanding Australian team in two back-to-back Pro League games in Sydney. After claiming 11 of a possible 12 points in Australia and New Zealand, Belgium sit at the top of the table, winning back the number one rank from Australia. Ominous signs for India.

To be fair, India did win two silver medals in the Champions Trophy (2016, 2018) and two bronze medals in the World League (2014-2015 and 2016-2017). Weeks ago, India won an impressive 5-2 victory against the higher-ranked Dutch, and another come-from-behind 3-3 shoot-out victory.

After the slide from the 1970s, India are on the mend. “The overall performance of the Indian team, both in attack and defence, has improved a lot. The confidence, individually and in the team, is much higher now. It looks that they have the ability to win against every country they play against,” says Chimni. Belgian head coach Shane McLeod had said in 2019: "Our team and coaching staff certainly do not underestimate India. I think they are not far away from a big result.”

Besides, just because Belgium scare opponents by sheer excellence, we might miss a moment of brilliance that could alter the script. Unexpected things happen in sport.

We don’t know why India were able to impose their authority over Belgium in the past. Was it technique and talent alone? But today’s game is workmanship with large talent pools and support teams. Belgium have created excellence from a weak base. They had 50,000 players in 2017, 40 percent of them women, up from 16,000 in 2005. Belgian clubs and the national governing body function closely, and regional selection begins at 13 and 14, leading to the apex of the national men’s and women’s teams. Club play improves as national-level players join club competitions.

India, where hockey enjoys a large profile, have no 'pay and play' club system. Players remain closeted in endless drills in academies, and there is no recognisable presence of 'stars', except during international tournaments. Elite players mostly give domestic tournaments a miss, where their participation would improve standards.

This is the context for the hugely-anticipated games this weekend.

Indian captain Manpreet Singh said, "As both the teams are equally good, we need to hit the turf with the same energy and passion as we did against the Netherlands. Our main focus will be to have a strong defence and convert any PC chances we get."

Regardless of the outcome, India being in the Pro League is good for development. “The Pro League generally gives opportunities to play a lot more against the best teams. Unless you play a lot, you can’t correct mistakes. It gives the coach the opportunity to see the strengths and weaknesses individually and in the team,” Chimni says.

Looking beyond, the Pro League’s format promises attacking hockey. A drawn game must be decided either way in a shootout, the winner earning two points (including a bonus point), and the loser gets one point. In an Olympics year, don’t expect coaches to reveal all their plans, though.

Jitendra Nath Misra is a retired ambassador and is the vice president of Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament Society.

Firstpost

Belgium expects ‘good fight’ from India

Thomas Briels, the Belgium captain, says his team is wary of the threat India possesses.


Briels...“We expect a tough couple of matches [with India].”   -  Biswaranjan Rout

Belgium captain Thomas Briels is expecting a tough challenge from India in the upcoming two FIH Hockey Pro League matches at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium scheduled to be played on Saturday and Sunday.

“India is looking really sharp as well, and they have been playing well which is something we saw in their initial two matches against the Dutch. We expect a tough couple of matches, and it’s going to be a good fight for us as well,” said Briels after his team’s arrival in the city on Wednesday.

“Of course, we are wary of the threat that they possess, but we are really excited to play a tough opponent like India so we can improve further before the Olympics.”

Table topper

Having already tasted success in their matches against former World No. 1 Australia and World No. 8 New Zealand with victories, World No. 1 Belgium currently sits atop the points table with 11 points, while India is currently fifth with five points from its two matches which it played against the Dutch in January.

Briels also said that the tournament serves it well in its preparations for the Olympics. “I think the FIH Hockey Pro League is a really good competition for us to take part in, right before the Olympic Games. It gives us time to prepare ourselves well, and also face tough competition along the way.”

“We have started the competition well, and want to make sure we keep the momentum. The team is really working hard, and we had some hard training sessions in Australia as well before arriving here,” said the veteran.

Sportstar

Belgium wary of India threat


Belgium captain Thomas Briels talks to the media. PTI

World champions Belgium are brimming with confidence after wins over Australia and New Zealand but captain Thomas Briels is expecting a tough fight from India in the upcoming round of FIH Hockey Pro League here this weekend. Briels said Belgium are “wary of the threats” which the home team possesses.

Belgium are currently atop the points table with 11 points. However, Briels believes India will be a totally differently opponent, especially after their morale-boosting win over Netherlands in their opening Pro League tie.

India are currently fifth with five points from their two matches which they played against the Netherlands here last month.

“India are looking really sharp as well, and they have been playing well which is something we saw in their initial two matches against the Dutch,” Briels said. “We expect a tough couple of matches, and it’s going to be a good fight for us as well. Of course, we are wary of the threat that they (India) possess, but we are really excited to play a tough opponent like India,” he said.

Preparation for Olympics

Briels said the second edition of the Pro League is a great platform for hockey playing nations to prepare ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “It gives us time to prepare ourselves well, and also face tough competition along the way,” he said.

“We have started the competition well, and want to make sure we keep the momentum,” Briels said.

The Tribune

Gurjant Singh- Consistency against top sides crucial ahead of Tokyo Olympics

The Indian hockey team began its FIH Pro League campaign on a positive note by defeating the Netherlands in both its matches last month.


Forward Gurjant Singh (in white) said that the team needs to put up good performances consistently. (File Photo)   -  R. RAVINDRAN

Forward Gurjant Singh on Thursday said that consistent performances against top sides in the world will be crucial for the Indian men’s hockey team ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

India began its FIH Pro League campaign on a positive note by defeating the Netherlands in both its matches last month, and Gurjant said performances like that have boosted the confidence of the team in the Olympic year.

“This is a very crucial time for us. Every match is very important for us. We are coordinating and playing well as a unit. We have to ensure that we keep putting up good performances consistently,” Gurjant said.

“Each and every player in the team has the Olympics in their mind and we are working towards doing well at the tournament,” he added.

Ranked fifth in the word, the Indian team will face a bigger challenge when it takes on Belgium on Saturday and Sunday in Bhubaneswar.

The 25-year-old said that India is confident heading into Saturday’s match since it performed brilliantly during its tour of Belgium last year.

“We had a great tour of Belgium last year, we won all our matches there. That result certainly gives us a lot of confidence. All the FIH Hockey Pro League matches will help us prepare for the Olympics. All the top teams in the world are playing this tournament.

“Now the Indian team is performing well. We beat the Netherlands last month, who are ranked third in the world. So the team’s morale is quite high at the moment,” Gurjant said.

India registered an impressive win against the Netherlands after trailing 1-3 in its second match last month.

“After such a victory, the team’s morale gets a major boost. So one can say that the Indian men’s hockey team is a good chaser as well. We can come from behind and win the match and that too against the World No. 3 side. So such victories motivate us as individuals and as a team. It makes the side mentally stronger.”

Sportstar

Belgium return to top of men's world hockey rankings under new formula

By Michael Houston


Belgium go back to the top of the world rankings, unbeaten since October ©Getty Images

Belgium has moved to the top of International Hockey Federation (FIH) men's world rankings after the first update since the new calculation method came into effect.

The change saw the formula go from a tournament-based points system to match-based, with individual matches between teams having more importance than before.

The points exchanged between teams depends on the result of the match, the ranking of the teams and the importance of the match, with World Championships worth more than friendlies.

Since January 1, when the transition came in, Belgium have been undefeated, defeating New Zealand twice and winning once in normal time and once in a shootout against former number ones Australia.

Those defeats have seen Australia drop to second, with the only other change in the top 20 being the Kiwis moving marginally ahead of Spain into eighth position.

The Netherlands continue to lead Argentina and India in third position, with Germany, England and Canada filling out the rest of the top 10.

In the women's rankings, the top 10 stays the same order with The Netherlands holding an unassailable lead at the top of the rankings, the position that they have held at the end of every year since 2012.

Australia, Argentina, Germany and England round off the top five with New Zealand, Spain, Ireland, India and China completing the top 10.

Two movements have been elsewhere in the top 20 with Belgium leapfrogging South Korea into 11th and Japan doing the same to the United States in 13th.

Belgium's women's team could have risen to eighth had their two draws against world number two had been wins, which would've saw the Hockeyroos drop down to fourth.

Inside the Games

FIH Hockey Pro League Scouting Report: USWNT vs. Argentina

In anticipation of the U.S. Women's National Team's upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches, here is a scouting report you’ll want to review before the starting whistle.

Game Day: Friday, February 7 & Saturday, February 8, 2020

Time: 4:00 p.m. ET (both game starts)

Location: Cernard, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Live Stream: Don't miss a second of the FIH Hockey Pro League action and watch the USWNT take on No. 3  Argentina this Friday. One year ago, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) signed a four-year media rights agreement with B/R Live for the territories of Canada and the United States.

FIH Hockey Pro League single games are available paid per view for $2.99 per match or fans can purchase a Monthly Pass for $9.99 per month or Annual Pass for $79.99 per year. Click here to purchase.

B/R Live is offering two exclusive discount options to USA Field Hockey fans from now until Saturday, February 15, 2020.

    Offer 1: Get 80% off the first month of the B/R Live Monthly Pass with code FIH80
    Offer 2: Get 50% off the B/R Live Annual Pass with the code FIH50

Offer valid through Saturday, February 15, 2020. Cannot be used for any subscription renewal or combined with any other offer. Available to customers located in the United States only. For full B/R Live terms and conditions, go here.
 
Opponent: Argentina

FIH World Ranking: 3

Head to Head: A Pan American match between rivals No. 3 Argentina and No. 14 USA is a fine way to start three intense days of FIH Hockey Pro League action. The Americans recently suffered a crushing 0-9 defeat on home soil against No. 1 The Netherlands, an opening match tinged with sadness following the recent death of U.S. National Teams Manager Larry Amar. USA's youthful, developing team certainly faces another stern test in Buenos Aires this weekend. Argentina has won 15 of their previous 24 meetings against USA and have not suffered defeat against USA since a Pool B clash at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. However, the last time they faced each other on Argentina soil was in last year’s FIH Hockey Pro League, with USA securing a 2-2 draw in Cordoba before losing the subsequent shootout.

What You Need to Know: ‘Las Leonas’ (The Lionesses) have long been considered as one of the world’s most fearsome attacking teams and are undisputedly a true powerhouse of the game. Since the 2014 retirement of eight-time FIH Player of the Year Luciana Aymar, unquestionably one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, Argentina has claimed numerous titles, including the 2016 Champions Trophy, 2017 Pan American Cup and 2019 Pan American Games, with the latter sealing their spot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They were perhaps unlucky to finish fourth in the inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, qualifying for the Grand Final event before suffering agonizing shootout defeats against both Australia (semifinal) and Germany (third-place playoff).

Argentina’s current squad contains some true superstars of the global game. Goalkeeper Belen Succi is rated as one of the best in the business, while Carla Rebecchi (nominee: 2019 FIH Player of the Year), Delfina Merino (2017 FIH Player of the Year), Maria Granatto (2016 and 2017 FIH Rising Star of the Year) as well as talented youngsters Lucina von der Heyde (2018 FIH Rising Star of the Year) and Julieta Jankunas (nominee: 2019 FIH Rising Star of the Year) - are all exceptional outfield performers. The team is coached by charismatic tactician Carlos Retegui, the man who guided Argentina’s men to Olympic gold at Rio 2016 and also Las Leonas to World Cup glory in 2010.

Argentina's Roster: Click Here

USFHA media release

Eight players to join camp late, says Junaid

KARACHI: Olympian Khawaja Junaid, the head coach of Pakistan hockey team, has said that eight players called to the training camp for Azlan Shah Cup were participating in the professional league in Malaysia and would return to the country from February 18-20.

While talking to ‘The News’ on Thursday, he said there were 22 junior players in the training camp, which starts from February 10 in Lahore.

He said that junior players have been included because they would also prepare for the Junior Asia Cup 2020 when they would play with the seniors. He said if any junior performed well in the seniors training camp, he could be considered for the Malaysia tour.

He mentioned that eight junior players were promoted to the senior team last year when the Green-shirts went to the Netherlands for 2020 Olympics qualifying matches.

Junaid said that the training camp would be conducted in three phases. Two phases would be held in Lahore and the third in Karachi, he added. He said that the second phase would be started in Lahore from March 2.

The third phase, in Karachi, would continue until the team’s departure for Malaysia. The head coach said that Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament would be a tough event as all other teams are much better in the world rankings. “But the good thing is that if a low-ranked team defeats a strong team, it will get maximum points. But all participating teams are tough and have been playing international hockey regularly. We would have to give the players some time,” he said.

He said that Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea were tough opponents and had a lot of international experience. He said that the players would start reporting for the training camp from February 9.

The News International

Indian Senior National Women's Hockey: SAI stuns MP to enter semis

M.R. Praveen Chandran

SAI stunned last year's runner-up Madhya Pradesh 5-4 in the penalty shoot out to enter the semifinals of the 10th National Women's Hockey Championship (A division) at the National Games Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.

In the semifinals, SAI will meet Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy which upset Punjab by Jyoti Pal's solitary goal. Last year's semifinalists Haryana and Maharashtra will face off in the other semifinal. Haryana beat Odisha 4-2 while Maharashtra came back from behind to beat Jharkhand 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

SAI and MP shared four goals during regular time and in the shoot out SAI's goalkeeper Anshu Lakra was the standout with three crucial saves.

Madhya Pradesh seemed to heading for a victory when it led 2-1 with a minute to go for the final hooter. But MP conceded a needless penalty and Dung Dung Betan snatched a last-minute equaliser for SAI by crashing in the rebound after the goalkeeper saved the first attempt.

MP paid the price for being too defensive in the second half as it tried to preserve its 2-1 lead. SAI hustled the MP defence from  both flanks. Dung Dung Betan was a constant threat and the sustained pressure resulted in the equaliser.

At the start it was SAI which called the shots as it went ahead early in the third minute through Gayatri Kissan. But MP regrouped and played with assurance in the midfield. Narender Kaur drilled a low shot from inside the D to equalise for MP in the 21st minute and at stroke of half-time, Raju Ranwa converted a penalty corner to put her side ahead. However, MP's passivity in the second half backfired against a keener SAI side which reaches its maiden semifinal in the Senior Nationals.

The results (quarterfinals)
SAI 5 (Gayatri Kissan 3, Dung Dung Betan 59, Simita Minz, Anima Tiru, Sonia) bt Madhya Pradesh 4 (Narender Kaur 21, Raju Ranwa 30, Akansha Singh, Anshu Lakra); Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 1 (Jyoti Pal 42) bt Punjab 0; Haryana 4 (Amandeep Kaur 5, Deepika 9, Annu 26, Devika 53) bt Odisha 2 (Dipti Larkra 32, 55); Maharashtra 2 (Rutuja Pisal  30, 52) bt Jharkhand 1 (Albea Rani Toppo 12).

Sportstar

China withdrawal a chance for Malaysia

By Jugjet Singh


Former national women’s coach K. Dharmaraj has until Monday to re-apply for the senior women’s coaching job. - NSTP/File pic

China’s misfortune might just turn into a fortune for the national women’s junior hockey team.

The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) on Wednesday confirmed that China have withdrawn from the Junior Asia Cup, a qualifier for the 2021 Junior World Cup, in Kakamigahara, Japan, on April 6-12 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Initially, China were in Group B with South Korea, Thailand and Singapore while Malaysia are in Group A with India, Japan and Uzbekistan.

And since only the top three teams qualify for the 2021 Junior World Cup, China’s exit has opened the door wider for Malaysia to make their debut.

“If the AHF do not move the tournament to a later date this year (to accommodate China), then this qualifier could just provide a chance for our women to play in the (Junior) World Cup for the first time,” said former national women’s coach K. Dharmaraj.

Coach Lailin Abu Hassan will handle the Junior Asia Cup team while Dharmaraj has until Monday to re-apply for the senior women’s coaching job.

“The present junior players (Under-21) are the best batch ever assembled in the last two decades.

“All the 18 players, who will head to Kakamigahara, have either played or trained with the senior side.

“With China out of the equation, I believe Malaysia, India, Japan and Korea will fight for the three qualifying slots.

“Malaysia have a chance to make the semi-finals. Going by the draw, they might play Korea in the last four.

“Our women’s Under-21 team held their Korean counterparts to draws in two matches in Bukit Jalil last year.

“It indicates that they are ready to mount a serious challenge in Asia,” Dharmaraj added.

But if, with the agreement of the other teams, AHF move the tournament to a later date, then defending champions China will become the biggest stumbling block for Malaysia’s dream debut.

FIXTURES

MALAYSIA HOCKEY LEAGUE

Today: NurInsafi v THT (Sg Petani Stadium), UniKL v UiTM (Bangi Stadium), Tenaga Nasional v Maybank (National Stadium, Pitch I), TNB Thunderbolts v HockAdemy (National Stadium, Pitch II).

* matches at 5pm.

New Straits Times

Wounded Tigers hoping to bounce back after UiTM loss

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s a season of misery so far for Maybank in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

The Tigers’ hopes of finishing top three in the eight-team league suffered a severe jolt after they lost 1-2 to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium on Wednesday at Jalan Duta.

They are lying in fourth place with 15 points from nine matches.

Prior to their recent defeat, they lost four key players.

Former international forward Hafifihafiz Hanafi has been ruled out of the MHL after suffering a hamstring injury in the match against Hockey Academy on Feb 2 while ex-national forward Mohd Haziq Samsul is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Two juniors Mohd Nur Asyraf Ishak and Mohd Hafizi Zainudin are down with groin and finger injuries.

Maybank coach Azrul Effendy Bistamam said injuries to key players have affected their performance in the league.

“Losing 1-2 to UiTM will not help us in our bid to finish top three in the league. It gets tougher from here, ” said Azrul.

“UiTM have narrowed their points against us by five and we have to win at least two of the five remaining matches to secure our place in the last four to qualify for the TNB Cup.

“Our next match is against Tenaga Nasional (today) and it’ll be tough. Without our main penalty corner drag flicker Asyraf, we’ll have problems delivering goals from penalty corners, ” said Azrul.

Maybank’s other remaining matches are against Nur Insafi on Sunday, TNB Thunderbolt (Feb 12), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (Feb 14) and Terengganu on (Feb 16).

The Star of Malaysia

Stage is set for Scotland's GALA Day 2020



The indoor season has now come down to its denouement at Bell`s with the National League 1 finals (men & women), the winners representing Scotland in next year`s European Club Championships, along with the final top flight places up for grabs in the promotion/ relegation play-offs.

The men`s final brings together Inverleith and Grove Menzieshill in a contest that is in many ways too close to call.

Both sides have an almost perfect record, Inverleith has one defeat at 7-6 to relegation-threatened Clydesdale, while Grove Menzieshill went down 6-4 to Inverleith in the league.

Inverleith coach Stuart Neave confirmed that he had a full squad available for the ultimate clash.

Without giving much away, Neave said:  “Everybody is excited that we`ve made it this far. If both teams play to their potential then spectators will be in for an entertaining display of indoor hockey.

“There are talented players on both sides and it`s been a few years since we have faced Grove Menzieshill in a final, so we’re looking forward to a great game.”

In the only game between the sides this season, it was the Taysiders who took the early initiative and moved into a 2-1 lead after ten minutes through Jamie Golden and Olly James.

The rest of the first half belonged to the Edinburgh side with goals from Derek Salmond, Ewen Mackie, Patrick Christie and Charlie Jack to reach the interval 5-2 up.

Grove Menzieshill pulled it back to 5-4 through a double from Cammy Golden, but the killer blow came from Inverleith`s Jack Jamieson to seal the victory.

The Taysiders won both their games fairly comfortably last weekend, scoring 15 goals in the process, with Albert Rowling, the Golden brothers and Luke Cranney in lethal form.

In slight contrast Inverleith was held to a 2-2 draw by Western Wildcats – in a game that had no bearing for Neave`s charges – but then defeated Dundee Wanderers 7-3 in the semi-final with Stephen Dick and Jack Jamieson both scoring twice.

The destiny of the final spot in next season`s National League 1 sees second tier Watsonians take on Clydesdale. The Edinburgh side came second in National League 2 behind champions Kelburne, so are used to the win ethic. However, if Watsonians hope to triumph they will have to put the shackles on Clydesdale`s prolific striker Struan Walker; he scored a double hat-trick in the 9-7 win over Dunfermline Carnegie to prolong their survival programme.



So what of the women`s final between champions Dundee Wanderers and Clydesdale Western?

Wanderers step up to the final with a 100% record during this season`s campaign. The Taysiders also won the earlier fixture 4-0 with Emily Dark (2), Vikki Bunce and Millie Skidmore doing the damage.

Head Coach Iain Strachan said, “If we play as we have for the bulk of the season we should win. We have the most frugal defence in the league by some way and also at the other end we are outscoring teams by a long way.”

Then the word of caution. “However, these are just the stats, we have to go out with a plan and execute it to ensure the title. Clydesdale Western is a good side and have improved as the season has progressed, so it should be a good match.”

Last weekend`s semi-finals will breed confidence in the Titwood side. Clydesdale had little difficulty of disposing of Watsonians with a convincing victory, Margery Justice and Laura Paul both scored twice.

In contrast Wanderers had a tough job of disposing of Inverleith, it was only 2-1 until the closing two minutes when Becky Ward sealed the tie at a penalty corner switch.

But the champions have goal scorers a-plenty, Vikki Bunce, Emily Dark, Amy Snell and Ruth Blaikie have all been rattling in the goals on a regular basis.

However, whatever the statistics and current form may be, the final is a winner-take-all contest with the side that performs on the day taking the silverware.

The day opens with the relegation/promotion tie between Hillhead and CALA Edinburgh from the second division.

The Glasgow side ensured that they lived to fight another day by beating Grange 8-2 in last weekend`s 7/8th play-off with a Rachel Osborne hat-trick and two each from Rebecca Osborne and Wendy Andrews.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Ireland women move training camp from Malaysia because of coronavirus concerns


Ireland qualified for the Olympics by beating Canada in a play-off

The Ireland women hockey squad's pre-Olympics training camp in Malaysia has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Officials from Hockey Ireland said they were trying to find a new location and could return to South Africa where they recently had a warm-weather camp.

Other Olympic qualifiers, including China and Japan, are also relocating their training sessions.

Ireland women will be playing in the Olympics for the first time.

They beat Canada in a penalty shootout after both legs in November's play-off in Dublin ended 0-0.

In Japan, Ireland's first match is against South Africa on 25 July and their other group opponents will be Germany, Great Britain, India, South Africa and world and European champions, the Netherlands.

BBC Sport

Tokyo Olympics chief ‘seriously worried’ over coronavirus

By The Hockey Paper


The Oi Olympic Hockey Stadium is in the waterfront area of Tokyo Bay

Tokyo’s Olympics chiefs remain “seriously worried” but hope the spread of the coronavirus will evaporate with 24 weeks until the Games start in earnest.

Japan has had 20 confirmed cases of the virus which is the largest number outside China. A cruise ship docked at Yokohama in recent days confirmed 10 cases on board, while the death toll in China is approaching 600 people out of nearly 25,000 cases since the outbreak of the virus.

A number of sporting events have been cancelled or postponed in China, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships, while the China v Belgium Pro League clash this weekend was also postponed.

Toshiro Muto, Tokyo Organising Committee’s chief executive, said: “I am seriously worried that the spread of the disease could throw cold water on the momentum towards the Games. I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as possible.”

Saburo Kawabuchi, mayor of the athletes’ village for the Games, said: “I truly hope that the disease will die down so that we will be able to operate the Paralympics and Olympics smoothly.

“We will do our utmost for the athletes so that they will be able to concentrate on performing their best.”

Government officials, as well as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, have said they are confident the Olympics will go ahead, with the International Olympic Committee also remaining optimistic.

Abe said: “We will respond appropriately, while closely co-operating with the World Health Organisation and other international organisations so that we can proceed with the preparations without letting it affect the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.”

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The Hockey Paper

St Mary’s School hockey stars shine at international tournament

The girls also participated in coaching clinics with German national coaches.


Kristy Leonard and Josephine Sabio at the airport, ready to depart for Germany. Photo: Supplied

Two St Mary’s School Grade 10 learners in Waverley, Kristy Leonard and Josephine (Pepe) Sabio, have expressed their excitement about their recent trip to Europe to represent South Africa as part of an African all-stars team.

The two were selected along with 11 other girls for the overseas tour in January to participate in the tournament in Cologne, Germany.

The girls were selected after their indoor hockey PSI tournament in December last year 2019 according to the school. They represented their relative franchises at the PSI Tournament where selection took place.

The girls played in the All-Star African team which is made up of players from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The team left South Africa in early January, for Europe and spent six days in Cologne playing against top German indoor teams and watched the German national team play. They also participated in coaching clinics with the German national coaches and explored the streets of Cologne.

“After six days in Cologne, we travelled to Maastricht, which is a small town near Amsterdam. We continued our journey to Amsterdam and played against a team called HC Tilburg at Bredaseweg,” Kristy and Josephine reflected.

“This was our first time playing in a blow-up dome instead of an indoor hall which was very exciting. We visited one of the biggest and most popular clubs in Amsterdam called the Amsterdam Hockey Club where we had a training session with the Dutch national players and coaches. We also played against a team called Hurley.”

After 12 days of hockey and exploring, their tour came to an end. The girls said they had the most memorable experience, made many new friends, had plenty of fun and worked on their hockey skills.

The North Eastern Tribune