Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

Daily Hockey news updated @ 10:00 GMT

News for 18 February 2018

All the news for Sunday 18 February 2018


Great Britain defeated in final Test match


Sophie Bray in action for GB

Great Britain suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the final match of their series against Argentina in Rosario.

Eugenia Trinchinetti netted the only goal of the game in the tenth minute which turned out to be the winner as the hosts secured a 4-1 series win.

The first quarter was tight and well contested with little between the sides and no clear cut chances. However just before the first break the ball broke to Trinchinetti who slapped home from a tight angle to give the hosts the lead.

Under the lights in front of another packed the house the contest between the sides remained a close one and Argentina took their slender one goal lead into the half-time break.

The hosts increased the pressure on the GB back line after half-time but the visitors remained solid and thwarted the advanced to keep themselves in the match heading into the final quarter.

GB pushed for an equaliser putting pressure onto their hosts, but Belen Succi in the Argentina goal was equal to the tests thrown her way as the hosts held on and secured a 4-1 series win.

Great Britain XI: Rose Thomas, Laura Unsworth, Anna Toman, Susannah Townsend, Alex Danson (C), Giselle Ansley, Sophie Bray, Hollie Pearne-Webb, Ellie Watton, Nicola White, Amy Costello

Subs: Nikki Cochrane, Zoe Shipperley, Sarah Haycroft, Hannah Martin, Sarah Robertson, Ellie Rayer, Jo Hunter

Great Britain Hockey media release



2018 Oman Triangular Series -Day 4
Muscat (OMA)

PAK - OMA 4 - 4

Standings

R Team GP W D L GD P
1 Pakistan 3 1 2 0 3 5
2 Japan 2 1 1 0 3 4
3 Oman 3 0 1 2 -6 1


FIH Match Centre



Oman Hold Pakistan to Surprise 4-4 draw

In a match of  fluctuating fortunes, Oman gave Pakistan a major scare in the 3-nation hockey tournament at Muscat's Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

When Pakistan ran up a three goal lead in the first 10 minutes, it seemed the hosts would be buried in goals.

In a most amazing turn around, Oman not only equlalised withing the next 10 minutes but even went ahead in the 25th minute.

Their lead remained intact over next 18 minutes. Pakistan managed to equalise through veteran Shafqat Rasool in the 43rd minute.

And it remained 4-4 when the 60 minutes ended.

It is a great result for Oman.

At least two Pakistanis must be really happy.

Former captain Tahir Zaman is currently the head coach of Oman; a position he assumed only a few week back.

Shakir Munir, a former Pakistan junior international goal keeper and now an FIH certified coach, is a part of the Omani coaching staff for quite a few years.

Pakistan now has 5 points from three matches. For Oman, it was their first point in three matches.

Pakistan: 4,  Oman:4

SCORERS:
Pakistan: Arslan Qadir (2'), Abubakr Mahmood (6' off PC),  Shafqat Rasool (10' & 43' off PC)
Oman: Mubarak Al Qasmi (11'), Mahmood Al Hasni (20' off PC), Mahmood Bait Shamaiaa (24'),
Rashad Al Fazari (25' off PC)

Pakistan next plays Japan on Sunday

PHF Media release



Coach Marijne has infused belief in Indian team: Cedric D'Souza

Bagawati Prasad

CHENNAI: Former India coach Cedric D'Souza believes the current Indian hockey team "doesn't have the fear psychosis" and lauded new coach Sjoerd Marijne for infusing "belief" in the young unit.

D'Souza, who is now in charge of the Austrian team, stated that the emergence of Hockey India League (HIL) has helped change the mindset of Indian players when they step into bigger events.

"The current team is doing a fantastic job in terms of being able to compete, hold their own and beat the elite nations of the world. I think a lot of credit must go the HIL. Over the last four years, the youngsters have rubbed shoulders with the elite names of the world. And there is no fear psychosis. Everybody is just the same.

"Earlier, you didn't play those (big names) on a regular basis. When you met them at the bigger events, you felt like there was a bit of fear psychosis. The graph of Indian hockey has zoomed up," D'Souza, who is the coach of Delhi Waveriders in HIL, told TOI on the sidelines of the launch of the SPARRC Trust - Indian Institute of Sports Medicine.

D'Souza said Marjine has done an exceptional job in laying down a process in place. "He has brought in a process where he has asked the players to be accountable for their actions. They have got the team to understand that they want to play in a certain way. Everybody is on the same platform. They are playing well as a unit," he added.

After stating that India should go on to win the upcoming Asian Games, D'Souza hopes India can do a repeat of their 1975 World Cup gold-medal winning feat again later this year.

"In my opinion, India should win the Asian Games. I'm quite confident about it. I saw them in the Asia Cup and Hockey World League. They are a strong unit and the speed of these guys is incredible. At the moment, any team in the top 10 can beat anyone on a given day. I really hope that India does a 1975 World Cup again this year," said D'Souza.

The Sports Performance Assessment Rehabilitation Research Counseling Institute (SPARRC) – Indian Institute of Sports Medicine (IISM) was inaugurated on Saturday.

Dr Kannan Pugazhendi, founder of SPARRC, has worked with many national and international athletes over the last two decades. Kannan stated that the SPARRC-IISM is intended at bringing relief for patients with surgery-less treatments.

"Sports medicine is not only for athletes. It's about guiding patients with the right exercise in order to relieve pain. It can be a dancer, cricketer, footballer or even an artist. We have tried to separate treatments for athletes and the rest as part of our new fitness medicine programme. I try my best not to suggest surgeries and deal muscle-related issues with exercises," Kannan said.

Some of the treatment methods involved in SPARRC are Aqua therapy, Exercise physiology lab, Indoor running track, Fitness Adaptation and exercises for vocal issues as well.

The Times of India



Sreejesh confident of regaining his top form

India’s leading goalkeeper is fighting back after a surgery which kept him out of action.

By SAJI CHACKO


P.R Sreejesh

Its never easy to comeback after an injury. Often the the best of sportspersons have a long and ardous way back from an injury layoff.  For India’s best hockey goalkeeper, P.R. Sreejesh is fully aware of the mountain he has to scale after missing out on top flight action ever since he was injured in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia last May.

Sreejesh, who had to undego a surgery has since then played in only one international tournament since then, says he is determined to reach peak fitness. “I know this is a very big year as we have the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Cup.  I am determined to put in as much hard work as is required,” said the 26-year-old from Kerala.

Ever the pragmatist that he is, Sreejesh admits he has a long way to go. “I know that I have a quite a long way to go in terms  of attainting my top form. Modern hockey is all about fitness and confidence. The pre-injury Sreejesh is history. This one is something new. You can›t rely on what you were. I had to build up something new,» he added.

"Post surgery, I had a big transformation. I am totally changed. Now, I don't want to be what I was. I want to be better than what I was," he added.

Sreejesh recounted the tough post surgery recovery, Sreejesh said the entire journey made him change his perception in life as well. "I saw life in a different perspective. I realised life as a person other than hockey and how my family members function in day-to-day life. In sporting terms), when you comeback from injury, you start from scratch. You need to learn how to walk, how to run. That was a difficult period for me being a goalkeeper, you cannot move like you were able to before (the injury). A goalkeeper has added weights. I was determined. In two months, I started to jog and three months’ time, I started to wear pads -- I followed a perfect process, Sreejesh said.

Talking about the busy period till December, Sreejesh said: «Every match is important for us. It is important to save your energy and avoid injuries. Pressure is there but we have experienced players and the younger players are also getting their chances going into the big events."

 Meanwhile the International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Narinder Batra said that Bhubaneswar›s Kalinga Stadium, with an increased crowd capacity of 15,000, will be almost ready by July, months before it hosts the Hockey World Cup beginning on November 28.

 Batra said the FIH is pleased with the work carried out by the Odisha government in making Kalinga Stadium ready for the quadrennial hockey showpiece, to run from November 28 to December 16.  “Earlier, the main stadium had a capacity of 7,500. Before the World Cup, that crowd capacity will be doubled -- currently seating arrangements are being done,” Batra told IANS on the sidelines of an event to announce Odisha’s sponsorship association with the national men’s and women’s hockey teams.

Batra went on to add that, “New turfs will be laid at both the grounds inside the stadium. And the work will be completed by July,”

The FIH has asked the state government to arrange accommodation for around 1000 players and officials from the participating countries.  On his part, Batra, the former Hockey India (HI) President thanked Odisha for its support.

In his capacity as Indian Olympic Association (IOA President), he also requested Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to build a High Performance Centre for all sporting disciplines.

Sunday Guardian



Sanders strikes see University of Birmingham leapfrog Surbiton


Flora Peel beats Sarah Ellis to score a goal for the Univ of Birmingham. Credit Peter Smith

Erica Sanders scored four goals as the University of Birmingham beat Clifton Robinsons 5-0 and went top of the table in the Investec Women’s Hockey League’s Premier Division.

A field goal on 11 minutes and a penalty corner six minutes later gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at half time. Sanders then completed her hat-trick on 38 minutes and – following a goal from Flora Peel – she added another with two minutes left.

Surbiton dropped to second after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bowdon Hightown. Steph Addison gave the hosts the lead on 44 minutes, only for Charlene Mason to level for Bowdon five minutes later.

A goal from Australian international Penny Squibb four minutes from the end helped Canterbury secure only their second win of the season, beating Buckingham 3-2.

The visitors to Polo Farm were 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Natasha James and Abbie Brant, but Canterbury hit back and were level at half time thanks to a 31st minute field goal from Lucy Hyams and another four minutes later from Vicky O’Sullivan.

The second half was a closely-fought affair until Squibb broke the deadlock with her 66th minute strike.

Third-placed Holcombe won 1-0 at Slough with Philippa Lewis scoring the only goal of the game on 52 minutes, while East Grinstead are fourth and just a point behind Holcombe after winning 2-1 against Leicester thanks to goals from Chloe Palmer and Natasha Brennan.

Investec Women’s Conference North

Beeston continued their impressive winning streak in the Investec Conference North, beating Sutton Coldfield 8-1 to go 12 points clear at the top of the table.

Captain Sophie Robinson, the Conference’s top scorer who was playing her 151st match for Beeston, scored the last of Beeston’s eight goals while Rosy Stephens had earlier claimed two.

Ben Rhydding move up to fourth with a 2-1 win at bottom of the table Liverpool Sefton, Kate Wood and Tanisha Janzen scoring for the winning team.

Loughborough Students were 3-0 winners at home to University of Durham with their goals coming from Annabel Sams, Lucy Millington and Ella Cusack.

Timperley eased their relegation worries with a 3-1 home win against Wakefield.

Investec Women’s Conference East

Hampstead & Westminster put six unanswered goals past struggling Southgate to maintain their domination of the Investec Conference East table.

Annabel Driver and Hayley Turner scored to give them a 2-0 lead at the break, before further strikes from Jasmine Clark, Louise Radford, Amy Askew and Jess Orrett saw them coast to victory.

Wimbledon climbed to second after a 2-1 home win over Harleston Magpies, while Sevenoaks dropped to third after being held to a 2-2 draw at Cambridge City, for whom Hannah de Selincourt scored both their goals.

Barnes and St Albans also drew 2-2, while Bedford secured a 2-1 away win at bottom of the table Chelmsford with their goals coming from Kate Costin and Rebeca Tarrant.

Investec Women’s Conference West

Trojans left it late before snatching a 1-0 victory over Gloucester City, Lizzie Gittens scoring in the 66th minute to help them remain three points clear at the top of the Investec Conference West.

Stourport remain second after their 2-0 win at home to Oxford Hawks with Sophie Thornton and Lorna Mackenzie scoring.

Goals from Keelie Perham and Emma Thomas helped Reading battle back from behind and win 2-1 at home against Isca, for whom Anna-Rose Gabbitass had scored early on.

Sara Rebecca Davies scored in the dying seconds to help Swansea City win 1-0 at Cannock, while Olton & West Warwicks beat bottom of the table Team Bath Buccaneers 3-1.

England Hockey Board Media release



Tough day for Grove Menzieshill in Minsk


Photo by Duncan Gray

Grove Menzieshill require a win against HC Zelina from Croatia in tomorrow`s final game to ensure their survival in men’s EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy 2018. It’s the result if a difficult day in Minsk that saw the Scots defeated in both matches.

Grove Menzieshill 4-6 Slagelse

Aspirations of a medal and promotion were replaced by the battle against relegation following Grove Menzieshill`s 6-4 defeat at the hands of Danish champions Slagelse in the final pool match at the European Indoor Club Trophy in Minsk.

The result left the Taysiders in third place in Pool A and bound for the subsequent relegation dog-fight. On the bright side, Grove Menzieshill take five points along with them after their earlier 2-1 win over Italian side Bra.

The game stood poised at 2-2, but then came a frantic denouement which included a double from Cameron Golden for his hat-trick, four from the Danes and a yellow card to Slagelse`s Stephan Trzepacz – and all in the space of the last four minutes.

The contest started well enough for the Dundonians with a goal in the first minute from Gavin Tomlinson, the hat-trick hero of the Bra encounter. But Grove Menzieshill failed to hang on to their advantage and were 2-1 down at the interval with goals from Lasse Steinmetz Christensen and Mathias Due Tankmar.

Tayside hopes were raised when Golden levelled at a penalty corner just four minutes into the second half – and that is how it stood until the 36th minute.

After a time-out called by Grove Menzieshill coach Bruce Cuthill, it was the Danes who took moved into a 4-2 lead through a quick-fire brace from Mikkel Steinmetz Christensen. Cuthill also gambled by replacing his goalkeeper with an additional outfield player to attempt to rescue the game.

Golden pulled one back for 4-3 but almost immediately Lasse Christensen restored the Danish two goal advantage. Golden again struck back but so also did Christensen in the dying seconds – both players completing their hat-tricks – but the goal flurry left Slagelse 6-4 to the good.

The victory put Slagelse to the top of the pool and a chance of promotion.

Grove Menzieshill 2-3 Lille MHC

Grove Menzieshill still have a battle against relegation after going down 3-2 to French champions Lille MHC in the relegation pool in Minsk this afternoon.

However, their survival still lies in their own hands, but the Taysiders must beat HC Zelina from Croatia in tomorrow`s final game to ensure their survival. As it stands tonight the Croatians are on the same points as the Dundonians but with a superior goal difference.

Most of the first half failed to provide any goals until Ross McPherson opened for the Scots from open play. But just on the interval Francois-Xavier Laffineur levelled at a penalty corner.

The second half belonged to the French, Thomas Becuwe and then Benjamin Marque gave Lille a commanding 3-1 lead. Right at the death Michael Ross pulled one back for Grove Menzieshill at a set piece but it proved to be little more than a consolation in Minsk.

National League 1 (MEN)

Grange opened up a six point lead over Bromac Kelburne at the top of outdoor National League 1 after defeating Dundee Wanderers 6-2 in the opening game on Tayside after the winter shutdown.

The Taysiders opened the scoring with an early strike by Fergus Sandison, but that simply had the effect of stimulating Grange into action. Within six minutes Frank Ryan and Cammie Fraser had put the Edinburgh side into a 2-1 lead.

Grange continued to add to their tally, Luke Cranney got a third from a close range deflection, Fraser scored his second from a similar scenario while Ryan`s direct drag flick at a penalty corner put the league leaders into an unassailable 5-1 lead at the break.

Grange continued to dominate but failed to add to their score until Ryan diverted a cross from the left into the net for his own hat-trick with ten minutes remaining. Bobby Ralph converted a late penalty corner for Wanderers but it proved little more than a consolation in the end.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Surprise package Penang aim to make impact against Kedah

KUALA LUMPUR: Penang Hockey Club made their debut in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Division One only to gain exposure.

But the team surprised themselves to finish fourth in Group A to qualify for the President’s Cup (overall cup).

Represented by 15 juniors with an average age of 18, the team are aiming to keep their fairy-tale run going when they face Kedah in the quarter-finals of the President’s Cup at the Sungai Petani Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

Kedah, powered by six foreign players, finished third in the Division One behind eventual champions Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and runners-up Politeknik-KPT.

Penang Hockey Club defender Jiwa Mohan said they entered a junior team in the MHL for a long-term development programme.

“We want to follow the footsteps of KL Hockey Club (KLHC). They started in a similar fashion but now, they are one of the top clubs in the country,” said the former international, who represented Malaysia from 1998 to 2012.

“We hope to gradually build a strong team, good enough to feature in the Premier Division.

“The good news is that we’ll have another hockey stadium in Bukit Mertajam, which is expected to be ready in September to host the Asia Pacific Games,” said the 37-year-old.

Jiwa added that it was a good exposure for 15 juniors in the MHL in preparation for the Sukma (Malaysian Games) in Ipoh in September.

“I am quite pleased with their performances. They have defied the odds to reach the quarter-finals,” said Jiwa.

Jiwa said the odds were stacked against Kedah. They were previously known as Nur Insafi.

“Kedah have players who had played in the Premier Division in 2016 and they will start as the favourites,” said Jiwa.

“We’ve nothing to lose but a lot to gain playing against a stronger team like Kedah. I hope my boys can rise to the occasion and get the better of them.

The other quarter-final matches played on Tuesday are between UiTM and MBPJ Tigers; Politeknik-KPT versus Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS); and Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) versus Ipoh City Council.

The semi-finals will be played on Thursday and the final is slated for Saturday.

The Star of Malaysia



Uniten darling Nuraini out to help team win league title again

By Aftar Singh


Someone to rely on: Nuraini Abdul Rashid has turned out to be an asset for every team that she played for. This year, she will try to help PKS Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten)-KPT win the league title for the second time.

KUALA LUMPUR: Penalty corner specialist Nuraini Abdul Rashid is a gem of a player for any team in the Women’s Hockey League.

The national defender has helped three different teams win titles in the league since its inception in 2015.

And Nuraini’s mission now is to help PKS Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten)-KPT win it for the second time.

“I played for Uniten in 2015 and we won. A year later, I won it with Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI),” said Nuraini.

“Last year was my best outing as I helped Terengganu Ladies to win a double – the league and the overall cup. I also won the top scorer award by netting 21 goals.”

Nuraini wants to keep her good record intact when Uniten face Blue Warriors at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.

Uniten and Blue Warriors are both tied with 22 points from eight matches but Uniten top the standings with a two-goal advantage.

Uniten were supposed to play Blue Warriors last month in the first round match but it was postponed due to heavy rain.

Their second round match will be held at the Tun Razak Stadium on Tuesday.

The Pahang lass, who has netted eight goals for Uniten in eight matches, said they needed to stay consistent in the back-to-back matches against Blue Warriors, who would be depending on three former Indian internationals – Ritu Rani, Reena Rani and Narinder Kaur and five national players.

“The task is daunting. They have Ritu, who has scored 12 penalty corner goals. They also have the country’s top goalkeeper Farah Ayuni (Yahya),” said Nuraini.

“We cannot afford to give away penalty corners. We’ve to play a tight marking game and also make use of our chances.

“A win tomorrow (today) will put us as the frontrunners for the title.”

TODAY’S FIXTURE

WOMEN’S LEAGUE

KPS UNITEN-KPT vs BLUE WARRIORS 5pm (National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Pitch 1)

The Star of Malaysia



Multimedia, Wazalendo clash in final

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Kisumu Yongerstars Derrick Jabali(l) and Wazalendo Wicky Mbeda fight for the ball when they played Men premier league hockey at City Park. Jenipher Wachie,Standard

Multimedia University and Wazalendo Masters won their respective semi-finals matches to close in on winning the 2017 Kenya Hockey Union men’s National League title.

Yesterday, the students beat Mvita XI 3-2 in a penalty shootout while Wazalendo Masters thumped Kisumu Youngsters 2-0 at City Park Stadium to secure a slot in today’s final.

Coastal side Mvita surrendered a 1-0 lead to settle for a 2-2 draw in regular time forcing the match to be settled in a shootout.

Joshua Njogu, who netted a brace, saw his effort go to waste despite putting Mvita ahead as his side allowed Multimedia to score two goals in the second quarter.

Njogu had put his side ahead seconds to the first quarter break but a lapse in defence in the second quarter saw Moses Ademba restore parity in the 23rd minute.

Multimedia captain Danstone Barasa added a second in the 29th minute to give his side a 2-1 lead at half-time. Mvita searched for an equaliser with urgency and their resilience paid off as Njogu scored in the 44th minute. Both sides intensified their hunt for more goals but non was able to break the tie.

A delighted Barasa said that he was glad they had achieved their objectives of the season and were looking forward to a rewarding end. “Our aim was a good finish to the season and I’m glad we made it happen. We want to end the season on a high and we will all give our all to the final,” Barasa said.

James Mwangi and Wicky Mbeda were on target for Wazalendo Masters as they dismissed Kisumu Youngsters. Mwangi scored in the 15th minute whereas Mbeda put his name on the score sheet four minutes to full-time.

The Standard Online



Coaching E-Newsletter #6 - DEVELOPING Coaches and Players

Purpose: Bridge the gap between Soft Skills and Hard Skills

Core Themes covered in this issue

Tactical: Strategic moves and plays which are executed in the pocket of the Right Offensive Quadrant (ROQ), namely Play Making Space (PMS).

Technical: Developing the specific technical skills required to play effectively in this play making space.

Power point presentations and video clips: Supporting the core themes of this issue.

Training Method Tips: How to develop a young hockey player to play in this position

Motivational Quotes: On vulnerability

Food for Thought: A new addition to our Quarterly CNL, “Food for Thought”,it will cover comments and views of the experts on  various topics related to our game. In order to see things from a different perspective. These views will not be the same as we hear from our top coaches, experts and the commentators covering international matches. Especially with the current style of hockey, which is designed on the foundation based upon Brute Power and Overloaded Hard Skills.





Death strikes hockey fraternity again: Kenya Police coach passes on


Kenya Police coach Kenneth Kaunda follows proceedings from the touchline during a past match. Kaunda died on February 16, 2018. PHOTO | FILE |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

The hockey fraternity is once again mourning following the death of Kenya Police head coach Kenneth Kaunda.

Kaunda was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital on Friday night shortly after he had been rushed there after he felt unwell.

Daily Nation

Fieldhockey.com uses cookies to assist with navigating between pages. Please leave the site if you disagree with this policy.
Copyright remains with the credited source or author