News for 24 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011 08:00 | 
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All the news for Sunday 24 July 2011
Investec SA Hockey Women beat Belgium 4 - 1
JONATHAN COOK in Antwerp
The Investec South Africa hockey team celebrate Tarryn Bright (fifth from left) goal during the 4-1 first Test win against Belgium in Antwerp Saturday.(Photo: FREDERIC DESTOOP)
The Investec South Africa womens hockey team were in unstoppable mood at the Royal Beerschot Hockey Centre in Antwerp, Belgium Saturday, beating Belgium 4-1 in the first of three Tests after leading 1-0 at half-time.
The SA goals went to Shelley Russell in the first half and Tarryn Bright, Sulette Damons and Dirkie Chamberlain after the changeover.
The second Test is at 3 pm Sunday.
SA started strongly with incisive running from captain Marsha Marescia, Shelley Russell and Sulette Damons in particular, and it was impressive to see as the girls in green and gold were without world record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee (study commitments), Lesle-Ann George and Lisa Deetlefs (injuries) which left 500 caps worth of experience at home.
The Belgians were in confident mood, having won the Champions Challenge II tournament in Vienna , while SA ended a disappointing fifth at Champions Challenge I in Dublin, where they were widely regarded as the best team, having finished top of Pool A that included a 5-1 thumping of eventual gold medallists Japan.
The fast, bumpy turf didnt deter the South Africans and Kelly Madsen, and Chamberlain came close before Rusell backed herself and a powerful run through the left channel saw her reverse stick flick evade Belgian goalkeeper Nadine Khouzam nine minutes before half-time.
The Belgians were disappointed that SA keeper Mariette Rix was on hand to save from captain Charlotte Vos, Anouk Raes and Dorianne Meuwese during the match.
The game opened up markedly after the break and Cindy Botha hit the post, while Damons earned SA first penalty corner in a golden five minutes, from which Bright slapped high into the net (2-0).
Damons got in another shot and a strong driving run from Chamberlain set up Damons for 3-0.
Investec SA centre back Kim Hubach enjoyed a very good game against the physical Belgian forwards and Jade Mayne, Hubach and Kathleen Taylor all came close before Chamberlain got a touch on Lenise Marais initial shot from South Africas third penalty corner (4-0).
Belgium continued working hard and were rewarded with a conroversial penalty stroke, which was converted by Stephanie de Groof (4-1).
It was a good win for SA after their arduous 22-hour trip via Dubai and and Amsterdam the day before.
Coach Pascal Kina spent time as a tactical consultant to the SA team before his appointment to the Belgian national side and he will no doubt come up with a few ideas before the teams meet at 3 pm Sunday, but SA coach Giles Bonnet will likely have picked up a few tips for his team as well, so it should be another absorbing encounter.
SA Hockey Association media release
Kookaburras bounce back against Germany
The Kookaburras have responded well from their recent 6-1 defeat by the Netherlands, bouncing back to defeat world number 2 team Germany 3-1 at the 4 Nations tournament in Monchengladbach, Germany.
The win will restore much confidence to the young Kookaburras team, with key player Simon Orchard once again leading from the front.
In stark contrast from their last performance against the Netherlands the Kookaburras created many opportunities early in the match, with Glenn Turner a focal point in attack.
Striker Jason Wilson got Australia on the board at the 32 minute mark with a clever reverse stick shot at the 32nd minute mark to give Australia a 1-0 lead at half time.
Germany were able to equalise after half time at the 53rd minute, but the Kookaburras responded well only two minutes later with Glenn Simpson finishing a great build up by Orchard to once again give the Kookaburras the lead.
With three minutes remaining Turner put the game beyond doubt to keep Australia alive in the 4 Nations tournament.
They will now play Spain at 7.30pm EST on Sunday 24 July.
Kookaburras 3 Germany 1 (1-0 half time)
Goals – Jason Wilson, Glenn Simpson, Glenn Turner
Hockey Australia media release
Kookaburras v Spain LIVE online broadcast
The Kookaburras v Spain match from the 4 Nations Tournament in Germany will be broadcast live and for free online!
The match takes place at 7.30pm EST and will be shown live at this site:
http://www.spobox.tv/sport-mix/vier-nationen-turnier/hockey-23-24-juli-live
A full replay from last nights Australia v Germany game is also available on this site.
Hockey Australia media release
Canadian Women’s National Team Defeated by Chile at 4 Nation Classic Field Hockey Tournament
Vancouver, July 23 – Team Canada Women suffered a 0 – 5 loss to Chile at the 4 Nation Classic today. Chile, ranked 16th in the world, proved a tough opponent against Canada, currently ranked 20th.
“We have not seen a score like that against Chile in a long time,” said Stephanie Jameson (Vancouver). “The team was ready for this game, we were excited to play, but things didn’t go well early on and spiraled from there. I know we are really motivated to get back to work and make sure this doesn’t happen the next time we meet them, which could be at the Pan Ams in October.”
Jameson, who recently achieved her 150th international cap representing Canada, remains positive. “Moving forward, we have an important game against Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow. We have to come back, compete hard, and finish this tournament with a solid win. We have a three game test series against Japan next week, which will be important preparation for the Pan Ams. We have to bury this loss, keep our heads high and get ready for the next few games.”
Danielle Hennig (Kelowna, BC), added, “It was frustrating because we just didn’t really get our stuff together. We’ve got another game tomorrow, so we’re ready to get refreshed, come out hard and show them how we can play. We’ve got a lot more to give.”
Field Hockey Canada media release
Canada vs. Trinidad & Tobago (9-1)
A new Canadian team took to the field to play Trinidad &Tobago on July 22nd. On paper it was the same team that has already playedT&T twice this week (with the exception of Devohn TEXIERA whoplayed his first game of the series after recovering from an injury).In actuality, it was a Canadian team that started to play to their potential.If the team can continue to build on this game’s success – the sky is the limitas to where they can go.
“Tonightwas the perfect game for us. We’veworked hard all week, studied videos, and focused on putting a good seventyminutes together,” says Pearson. “Thereare always little things we can look at and try to improve, but it was a greatnight. Personally, I earned a hat trick,and it was encouraging to see so many former national athletes, as well as thewomen’s national team out to support us.”
Prior to the start of the game, Rob SHORT and Ken PEREIRAwere honoured for surpassing the long-standing Canadian international cap record held by Bubli CHOHAN. In May, SHORT and PEREIRA passed CHOHAN’s 317 cap record. CHOHAN was on hand to congratulate the athletes for their great accomplishment.
“Iknew that eventually my caps record would be broken,” says Chohan. “I couldn’t have asked for better people tobreak it. I got to know Ken and Rob as Iplayed with them for eight or nine years. They are dedicated to the sport; they love it like I do. Whenever they retire, if they retire, (saidChohan with a chuckle), I challenge them to give something back to the sport,to further its development in Canada.”
Canada took it to T&T from the start of the game. Field goals in the 6th, 11th and 18th minutes byPEARSON, TEXIERA, JAMESON & SMYTH respectively put Canada up 4-0 only aquarter of the way into the match.
TUPPER top corner drag flick gave Canada a five to nilladvantage in the 21st minute of play.
BROWNE netted a goal in the 23rd minute to giveT&T some hope. A broken corner lead to a scramble in front of the net andBROWNE made no mistake beating a helpless Dave CARTER.
Gabbar SINGH scored one minute before half time to giveCanada a 6-1 lead entering the intermission.
Three more field goals from SINGH, and two from PEARSON (hattrick), in the second half gave Canada a brilliant 9-1 win over their Pan-Amcompetitors.
Canada finishes the 4 Nation Classic against Chile Sunday at1:30
Played: WRIGHT, TUPPER, JOHNSTON, WATSON, HILDRETH, STEWART,PEREIRA, JAMESON, SHORT, TEIXERA, PEARSON, K. PEREIRA, SMYTH, SINGH, FROESE,CARTER
DNP: MEAKIN, KINDLER
Field Hockey Canada media release
Canada blows out hockey men 9-1
Nigel Simon
Gabba Singh scored a beaver-trick as hosts Canada slammed T&T’s senior men’s hockey team 9-1 in their penultimate match at the Four-Nation Classic hosted by Field Hockey Canada in celebration of its 20th anniversary on Friday night. Going into the clash at Wright Field, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, T&T was looking for its first win in three matches against the Canadians, who won the first two encounters, 2-0 and 4-2.
But as early as the sixth minute, Canada opened the scoring through Mark Pearson before Devohn Texeira, David Jameson and Iain Smythe added their names to the score board for a 4-0 only a quarter of the way into the match. Scott Tupper top corner drag flick gave Canada a 5-0 advantage in the 21st minute of play before T&T standout, Kwandwane Browne netted a goal in the 23rd minute to give T&T some hope. A broken corner lead to a scramble in front of the net and Browne made no mistake beating a helpless Dave Carter in goal for Canada. However, T&T’s chances of a second-half revival was dealt a sever blow when Singh scored one minute before half time to give Canada a 6-1 lead.
Three more field goals from Singh, and two from Pearson (hat-trick), in the second half gave Canada a brilliant 9-1 win over their Pan-Am competitors and improved its record to 5-0 in the three-team tournament ahead of its final match against Chile today from 4.30pm . Last night, the local men’s team ended their tournament against Chile, having won their previous duels, 4-3 and 3-1 to lie second on the table with six points. The national women’s team also went after a first victory in six matches last night when they came up against Japan ahead of today’s playoffs.
The Trinidad Guardian
Bodimeade selects team for European tour
Ashley Meunier
COLORADO SPRINGS, C.O. - The USA Women’s National Team Head Coach Lee Bodimeade announced eighteen players to the travel squad for an upcoming tour in Germany and Belgium. The athletes selected will depart for Europe on August 1 and compete in three test matches in Moenchengladbach, Germany August 4-7. The second half of the tour will be in Antwerp, Belgium for four test matches against the champions of Champions Challenge II, August 10-14.
In February, USA faced Germany in Mendoza and Rosario, Argentina for two four-nation tournaments. In three matches against the number three world rank Germany team, USA was victorious in two, including a 3-0 shutout win in their final matchup together.
“Germany will be a good test for us,” said Bodimeade. “We match up well against them and had good results in Argentina. They are coming off a disappointing result from Champions Trophy and we will be pressing to win these test matches. We beat Belgium twice in the Olympic Qualifier before Beijing. They have been steadily improving and recently won Champions Challenge II. We are very wary of their abilities and want to do well against them as well.”
After completing Champions Challenge I in Dublin, Ireland, Bodimeade is looking to rest some of the veteran players and allow playing opportunities at the international stage for some of the younger players as they push towards selection for the Pan American Games. Kathleen Sharkey will embark on her first tour with the USA Women’s National Team since selection to the squad at the Women’s National Championships in late May.
Sharkey led the Women’s National Championships with number of goals scored and was named the 2010 Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton University. She currently holds the record for the Tigers for goals in game and points and goal in season.
“Sharkey being the leading goal scorer at the Women’s National Championships proves she can play at the senior level. She has been training with the squad in Chula Vista since the completion of Women’s National Championships and is pushing for selection for the Olympic Games, said Bodimeade.”
Athletes that will not be in attendance on this tour include veterans, Carrie Lingo, Claire Laubach, Caroline Nichols, Michelle Kasold and Keli Smith. Stalwarts Laubach, Kasold and Nichols will receive a well earned rest.
“Carrie is still recovering from a knee injury and it is too soon to take her on tour to Germany and Belgium,” said Bodimeade. “Keli is expecting a baby within the next month and that is the most important thing for her right now.”
Although, a second child is on the way, Smith remains committed to the National Team and training. At the five month mark, she gradually cut back on high impact running and resorted to getting her cardio on an elliptical or through walking, a workout regiment she upholds four to five days of the week.
“If you drop the stick for nine months it’s more difficult,” Smith says. “Being out there shooting on the goalie a couple times a week, playing around with the ball helped me with my first pregnancy.”
USA is currently ranked thirteenth in the world and continues to develop their reputation as a team that can have a presence at the highest level heading into the 2012 Olympic year. USA will compete in one more test series in Chula Vista, CA against New Zealand in September before heading to Guadalajara, Mexico in October for the Pan American Games and USA’s first opportunity for Olympic qualification.
The following athletes have been named to the European Tour travel squad: Kayla Bashore (Shoemakersville, PA), Michelle Cesan (New Vernon, NJ), Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, PA), Rachel Dawson (Berlin, NJ) Katie Evans (Newtown Square, PA), Katelyn Falgowski (Ladenberg, PA), Maren Ford (Ann Arbor, MI), Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, NY), Jaclyn Kintzer (Chapel Hill, NC), Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, PA), Lauren Pfeiffer (Mt. Laurel, NJ), Julia Reinprecht (Perkasie, PA), Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, PA), Paige Selenski (Shavertown, PA), Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, PA), Amy Swensen (Norfolk, VA), Shannon Taylor (La Mesa, CA), Michelle Vittese (Woodbury, NJ)
The schedule of matches is as follows. Visit usafieldhockey.com for up-to-date results, video blogs and news on the Women’s National Team in Europe.
USA vs Germany in Moenchengladbach, Germany
August 4 @ 4:00pm
August 6 @ 3:00pm
August 7 @ 12:00pm
USA vs Belgium in Antwerp, Belgium
August 10 @ 4:00pm
August 11 @ 4:00pm
August 13 @ 4:00pm
August 14 @ 4:00pm
USFHA media release
World Series of Hockey and after…
S. Thyagarajan
The polemics over the World Series Hockey (WSH) is predictable. The surprise element is the stark ambivalence of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
In a clarification note, the FIH reiterates that IHF is not a recognised constituent unit. But goes on to state that players who have “signed contracts with World Series of Hockey before March 31 2011, could, subject to they having no other contractual, or national obligations with their respective National Associations, play in the League.”
If IHF is not a recognised unit then why FIH labours hard to issuing an NOC for WSH? The plausible explanation is that it does not want to be drawn into a legal battle on the question of restraint on trade for players in case of a censure.
The WSF promoters are learnt to have indicated to FIH a possible launch of a legal battle in Singapore, Lausanne and London. What an embarrassment the FIH is facing thanks to the plethora of problems related to India. Will the FIH give a helping hand? The WSH is to feature players from nine countries. It is also a mammoth project worth millions of dollars. Can the FIH permit an event on a scale as big as the WSH to run without its supervision?
From the players' standpoint — there are 176 of them — the WSH is a bonanza. The payment and bonuses are handsome. Few players will reject them. Else, it is not easy to rope in players like Brent Livermore of Australia, Rodrigo Garcia of Spain and Lucas Vila of Argentina. What mechanism will the FIH employ if more players come into WSH after their “retirement?”
Gigantic exercise
The Nimbus Communications Ltd., its Executive Chairman Harish Thawani and COO Yannik Colaco, deserve gratitude of the hockey community. What they have launched is a gigantic exercise. The logistics are manifold. Success will depend on the ability for synchronising work of various sections from assembling players, selecting franchises, recruiting the best technical officers and, importantly, disbursing the financial rewards.
All these demand for utmost professionalism. The need for seasoned technical officials is primary to facilitating a smooth conduct of the competition.
The WSH management should not fight shy of seeking technical support from the FIH. Will the FIH oblige? If not, then the search for seasoned officials is necessary. It is revealed that as many as 147 officials, Tournament Directors/Officers and umpires from across the globe have offered help. A handful of Indian officials, who have handled the FIH tournaments are also a safe bet. There is understandable consternation in Hockey India. The stance taken by FIH is a shocker. But HI must strive clear of giving the impression of a spoil sport. After all, the whole lot of players at the national level are in the WSH net and stand to benefit financially.
Hockey India should now refrain from making an issue out of the players attending the launch in Mumbai. That a call for strong action against them comes from Pargat Singh is strange. The former Olympian's credibility is at a new low after he had switched over to head the Development/Disciplinary Panels in the group against whom he contested for the post of president!
In the interest of hockey, HI should whole-heartedly support the venture. At least, it must remain on the sidelines and allow the event to proceed without a hitch.
The Hindu
'Indians need to focus on flexibility'
BANGALORE: In two weeks of his stay with the national hockey team, David John has realised that flexibility is one of the crucial factors which may hamper Team India's running and posture on the field.
Only two or three players pass muster, leaving him with a mountain to climb. But the exercise physiologist from Australia is unfazed. Flexibility exercises will be ongoing, he says, till the boys reach acceptable levels. Of the lot, John rates midfielder Gurbaj Singh highly. "He has been outstanding in all the tests that we performed," he says. Excerpts:
Assessment of players: Most of the players have completed their fitness testing. I'm happy with their endurance. The main group of 20 has reached good levels in some areas and every person has an area to improve. Now we work on their speed endurance and agility, especially their speed over 20 metres and their ability to repeat that 30-40 times in a game. That is what is required in an international game.
The tests conducted: One of the tests done is to assess their fatigue over 30 metres. That is an area that we need to improve. Before I got here, the players did a beep test, but the most scientific ones were done on the treadmill earlier this week to test their aerobic fitness. Eight players are very good, 7-8 acceptable and 2-3 need improvement.
We did speed endurance to test their fatigue over 30 metres, agility tests for all including the goalkeepers as also the running posture test. All of them need to improve on their flexibility. Around 2-3 players off the 48 are acceptable. Obviously, it is not an area that has been worked in the past perhaps. As a result we do a one-hour stretching routine after practice to improve flexibility.
Correction of posture: A lot of their running style has to do with their flexibility. We need to improve that. Flexibility exercises are ongoing but we will make some headway in two weeks.
Improvement until the China tour: The players' workload increases next week. During the weeklong break, each one would be given a specific programme to work on. When they return, it would be speed endurance and flexibility. We are also trying to reduce injuries among the 48 players. We have to make sure that the core group does not get injured. Part of the assessment was to highlight the possible areas where injury could occur in the future and eliminate the possibility of injuries.
His inputs to chief coach Michael Nobbs: I can provide that from a fitness perspective and not from a skill perspective. He may choose a specific player for a certain position, but he may not currently rank high in fitness. It's my job to ensure that the player reaches a higher level.
Numbers game: It depends on the area. In terms of aerobics, 9 out of 10 are very good; in terms of flexibility there are only three players who are adequate and the 45 need improvement. Gurbaj Singh has been outstanding in all the tests. Many others have their own good and bad points. Goalkeepers need to be more agile.
Strengthening exercises: Currently we do two biometric and two agility tests per week. The players use their own body weight at the moment. Later in the programe they will start using the gym.
Fitness levels: I am happily surprised by the fitness levels. I had to spend a lot less time on endurance. Often that is the most difficult aspect to improve. We are educating them on the drills. They are new to it and have to do them properly.
The Times of India
Players who left hockey national camp barred from training
By Mihir Vasavda
The five Indian players, who have been pulled up for leaving the national camp without taking Hockey India’s permission, will not be allowed to train with the team at least till Monday.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will decide on the action to be taken against the players only after Hockey India (HI) and Indian Hockey Federation’s (IHF) crucial meeting with the sports ministry in New Delhi on Monday. Skipper Arjun Halappa, drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza and midfielders Prabhjot Singh and Sardara Singh met Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials on Saturday.
“The players reached the SAI campus on Friday night. They met (camp in-charge) SS Grewal, who allowed them to stay at the campus. On Saturday morning, they had a meeting with the SAI officials and it is decided that though they can continue to stay at the campus, they cannot participate in the training sessions till Monday at least,” a source said.
The sports ministry has given an ultimatum to HI and IHF to resolve the merger issue by Monday. A meeting of the officials from both sides is scheduled for that day in New Delhi.
The five players knowingly left the national camp to attend an IHF event in Mumbai on Thursday. That has irked HI and can also act as a roadblock in the merger issue. HI secretary general Narendra Batrasaid he will comment on the issue only on Monday, once the meeting with the ministry is over.
DNA
Players await HI clearance
Special Correspondent
The five players — Arjun Halappa, Adrian D'Souza, Sandeep Singh, Sardar Singh and Prabhjot Singh — who deserted the National hockey camp in progress at the SAI South Centre here, to attend a media launch of the World Series Hockey (WSH) on Thursday and returned only on Friday night, were barred from taking the field for practice on Saturday morning.
Camp coordinator and a senior Hockey India official S.S. Grewal clarified that there was no word from either HI officials or SAI officials from New Delhi and until then he had no authority to take them in.
SAI wants to go easy on the five senior players while HI's Development Committee chairman Pargat Singh, a former India captain and Olympian, is in favour of ‘banning' the five players on disciplinary grounds. “We may not qualify for the London Olympics… but we will have a good team for the 2016 Olympic Games,” feels Pargat.
But with ‘no word' emerging either from SAI or HI and with the camp winding off for the day after the morning session and a day-off on Sunday, any possible word on this issue further will only be on Monday. The players, on their part preferred to remain indoors. “We will see what happens on Monday,” said one of them.
Monday is also the day earmarked for the merger of the two factions — HI and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).
The Hindu
Pakistan hockey team getting into good shape: Sohail Abbas
Dutch coach, Michel van den Heuvel, is trying out different combinations and is developing the structure of the team ahead of the 2012 Olympics. —AFP Photo
KARACHI: Pakistan’s world record goal scorer Sohail Abbas said on Saturday that the national team was improving under Dutch Van dan Michael and they will be in good shape before London Olympics 2012.
“The Pakistan hockey team is showing improvement and heading in the right direction for next year’s Olympic Games,” he told APP in an interview here on his return after a month-long European tour.
“It was a training tour and our coach told us not to worry about the results and play to our potential,” he said.
“The coach tried different combinations and is interested in developing the structure of the team ahead of the Champions Trophy and the Olympics,” he pointed out.
“Result wise it was not be very impressive tour but the boys learnt a lot by playing against the best European teams like Germany, Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium and Ireland,” Sohail said.
He rued the lack of international games that the national hockey team gets to play due to the busy schedules of foreign teams and security reasons in the country.
“Our hockey problem is that we were not playing many games against the Europeans and because of the security problem these teams are not touring our country,” Sohail Abbas, who mostly played at half back position, said.
The 34-year-old said that because of his vast international experience, the coach was using him in the midfield to feed the forwards and absorb the opponent’s attacks.
Commenting on his fitness, Sohail Abbas said as per the test carried out by the team trainer, he was among the top four.
He said that the senior players and former Pakistan captains Shakeel Abbasi, Rehan Butt, Salman Akbar and Waseem Ahmed played well during the tour.
“But as far as his and other seniors fitness was concerned it was upto the selectors and team management to decide their fate,” he added.
However he expressed his eagerness to continue playing until the next Olympics to bring honor and glory to the country.
“During our stay in Netherlands, the team players went through various tests and a psychologist also spent time with the players,” he said.
He said that through a scientific fitness players are updating their trainer and coach about their fitness with a special meter which transferring all the information of players via internet.
About the junior players he said Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Rashid and Muhammad Irfan performed well.
Abbas said on the advice of the coach, he was also providing specialized training to full backs in penalty corner drills.
Dawn
KL crush Penang
By Jugjet Singh
DEFENDING champions Kuala Lumpur cruised to a 6-3 win over Penang in Division One of the Razak Cup at the Bukit Serindit Stadium in Malacca yesterday.
However, silver medallists Perak suffered a 4-2 blow at the hands of Terengganu, while Johor were shocked 2-0 by Armed Forces.
Perak, who play hosts Malacca today, now face an uphill battle to advance into the knock-out stage after national players Faisal Saari, his younger sibling Fitri, Shahrun Nabil and Firhan Ashaari robbed three points from them with ease.
Syafiq Nordin (21st), Ahmad Alif Nazaruddin (24th), Fitri Saari (51st) and Firhan Ashaari (65th) scored for Terengganu.
The Perak goals were scored by Amir Farid (54th) and Tajol Rosli (70th).
Perak coach Manjit Singh conceded that it would be difficult against Malacca: "We did not play well at all and credit goes to Terengganu who took their chances well. It will be tough against Malacca (today) but it is a match that we have to win in order to make the last four."
Armed Forces shocked Johor with early goals from Zulkifli Abdullah (second) and Ahmad Ridzuan (15th) and dug in their heels after that and Johor could not find any opening in the second half.
Results -- Division One (Group A): Johor 0 Armed Forces 2, Kuala Lumpur 6 Penang 3; Group B: Pahang 2 Malacca 2, Terengganu 4 Perak 2.
Division Two (Group A): Project 2017 1 Perlis 2, Selangor 10 Kelantan 2; Group B: Sarawak 1 Sabah 3, Negri 4 Kedah 1.
TODAY-- Division One (Group A): Armed Forces v Penang (4pm, Pitch I), Kuala Lumpur v Johor (5pm, Pitch II).
Group B: Malacca v Perak (6pm, Pitch I), Terengganu v Pahang (8pm, Pitch I).
Division Two (Group A): Perlis v Kelantan (7.30am, Pitch II), Selangor v Project 2017 (9am, Pitch II).
Group B: Sabah v Kedah (7.30am, Pitch I), Negri v Sarawak (9am, Picth I).
New Straits Times
Newcomers Terengganu stun former champions Perak
By AFTAR SINGH and PERCY D’CRUZ
MALACCA: Terengganu, who are playing in Division One of the Razak Cup hockey tournament for the first time created the biggest upset of the day when they defeated five-time champions Perak 4-2 in a Group B match at the Bukit Serendit Stadium yesterday.
Terengganu powered by three national players went on the offensive from the start and took a 2-0 lead in the space of three minutes.
Mohd Syafiq Nordin gave them the lead from a field goal from the top D in the 21st minute. And three minutes later they increased the lead through Ahmad Alif Nazaruddin.
Terengganu kept up pressure in the second half and made it 3-0 off another field goal through Mohd Fitri Saari in 51st minute.
Perak, the losing finalists last year, reduced the deficit in the 54th minute through Amir Farid.
National forward Mohd Firhan Ashaari scored Terengganu’s fourth goal in the 65th minute before Perak’s Tajol Rosli put in a goal in the 70th minute.
Terengganu coach Nik Rozemi Nik Mohamed praised his boys for playing exceptionally well and capitalising on their chances.
“We are playing for the first time in Division One and were hoping for a draw but created the biggest upset in the tournament. My boys are in high spirits and we will go all out against Pahang today to seal a place in the semi-finals,” said Nik Rozemi.
Former champions Johor could also face an early exit after losing 0-2 to Armed Forces in a Group A match.
Forces took the lead through Mohd Zulkifli Abdullah in the second minute before Ahmad Ridzuan Zainal Abidin made it 2-0 in the 15th minute.
Forces just need to beat Penang today to book a place in semi-finals while Johor will face18-time champions Kuala Lumpur in today’s match.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/7/24/sports/s_resultshockey.jpg
KL, meanwhile, defeated Penang 6-3.
Selangor got off to a flying start in Division Two when they trounced Kelantan 10-2 in a Group A match.
Former champions Selangor are expected to beat the Project 2017 team today to seal a place in the semi-finals.
The Star of Malaysia
Last gasp winner for Kedah as Perlis book semis spot
Kedah bounced back from their opening match defeat in the second division of the revived Tun Razak Cup when they scored in the final minute in their 3-2 win over Sabah.
And on the adjacent pitch of the MPMBB Stadium in Bukit Serindit, minnows Perlis were the first team to book a place in the last four of Division Two when they hammered Kelantan 6-2.
Kedah had to win against Sabah following their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Negri Sembilan yesterday.
And they got off to a great start when Nur Hrsikesa Mohd Murni converted a penalty corner in the 15th minute.
But Sabah were on level terms in the 33rd minute through Mohd Soffian Kamaruddin.
Kedah surged ahead when Nur Hrsikesa found the target off a second penalty corner in the 41st minute. Sabah fought bravely to once again draw level through Larry Lian who picked up a penalty corner rebound to score eight minutes before time.
But Nur Hrsikesa had the final say as his completed his hattrick in the 70th minute but more importantly ensured Kedah stayed in the hunt for a semis spot.
Kedah will play Sarawak on Tuesday while NS takes on Sabah.
For Perlis , the toast of the team was Mohd Siful Hafiz Jaafar who scored four goals to book his team's spot in the semis.
Having defeated Projek 2017 with a 2-1 scoreline, Perlis were in their element as they dominated the match.
Siful was on target in the 5th, 8th, 42nd and 48th minutes while the other two Perlis goals were scored by Azroy Azeman (4th minute) and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin ( 65th minute).
Kelantan, who lost 10-2 to Selangor on Saturday, got their goals through the efforts of Shahrul Anuar Ibrahim (39th and 59th minutes).
Malaysian Hockey blogspot
Hosts Malacca held by Penang
Hosts Malacca were held to a 2-2 draw by Pahang in the final match of the revived Tun Razak Cup at the MPMBB Stadium at Bukit Serindit in Malacca.
Pahang opened scoring through Ahmad Kazamirul Nasaruddin in the 7th minute . Kaza had the presence of mind to steer clear of two defenders before sending his penalty corner attempt sailing into goal.
Try as they did, the Malacca forwards led by former national player Chua Boon Huat could not breach the Pahang defence.
But Chua did manage to win a penalty stroke for Malacca in the 31st minute when a Pahang player was adjudged to have played the ball with the reverse side of his stick. And Chua stepped up to duly convert the resulting stroke to draw Malacca level.
The respite was short lived as Pahang took the lead through Mohd Hafiz Zainul in the very next minute to lead 2-1 at halftime.
Malacca found the equaliser in the 63rd minute, again through Chua, who finished off a set piece to give the hosts a share of the spoils.
Malaysian Hockey blogspot
Perak goes down to Terengganu as KL defeat Penang
Terengganu defeated Perak 4-2 in a Group B match of the revived Tun razak Cup tournament at the MPMBB Stadium in Bukit Serindit Malacca this evening.
Two early goals took the fight out of the silver state and raised questions over their ability to make the semi finals.
Terengganu were in their element, using the flanks to open up the Perak defence And it paid dividends as Mohd Syafiq Nordin scored in the 21st minute. Barely three minutes later the East Coast side doubled their advantage as Ahmad Alif Nazaruddin Al-Nadhri scored.
With national players Faisal Saari, his younger sibling Fitri, Mohd Shahrun Nabil and Mohd Firhan Ashaari stringing some delightful passes, it was only a matter of time before Terengganu scored again. And the third goal came in the 51st minute as Fitri found the mark.
Perak reduced the deficit through Amir Farid Ahmad Puzi scored in the 54th minute but the fightback was snuffed when Firhan scored Terengganu's fourth goal in the 65th minute. Tajol Rosli Mohammad, who was in the centre of a dispute between Peang,Perak and KL, scored the second for Perak in the 70th minute but it was a case of a little to late for Perak.
"We did not play well at all and all credit goes to our opponents who took their chances well. It will be tough against Malacca tomorrow but it is a match that we have to win in order to have a chance to make the last four," said Perak coach Manjit Singh.
Perak have experience on their side as players like Azlan and Azli Misron, Roslan Jamaluddin, Tajol, S. Bubalan, Mohd Shukri Mutalib and Hafifhafiz Hanafi can change the course of a match with their ability. But getting them to play as a unit is something that Manjit has to do.
Meanwhile defending champions KL were given a rude awakening as Penang scored the first goal but failed to match the superiority of the city side as KL won 6-3.
It was a poor performance by KL, who had five national players in their ranks while Penang had four. But none of the nine players showed that they were a class above the other 12 players on the pitch at any given time.
Penang shocked KL as they scored in the 26th minute through Izwan Firdaus Tajuddin. However that goal jolted the defending champions out of their slumber and they drew level in the next minute when Mohd Ramadan Rosli scored.
Two goals by Mohd Amin Rahim and Kevinder Singh, in the 31st and 33rd minutes respectively gave KL a 3-1 lead but Penang reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime through Izwan.
KL upped the tempo in the second half as Nor Izzat Sumantri (40th minute) and Amin (55th minute) made it 5-2. But Penang reduced the deficit through Azreen Rizal Nasir in the 59th minute. But KL had the final say when Mohd Hafiz Zakaria scored 10 minutes before time.
"We were slow in the opening 30 minutes as it was our first match as a team. But the win is what mattered and opening games can be difficult," said KL coach I. Vikneswaran.
"We hope for a more improved performance in our match against Johor. And we cannot read much into Johor's defeat against ATM as they will fight for their survival."
For Penang, the defeat, though a bitter pill to swallow, was not something that would worry their coach Bob Rajendran. For the wily Bob looked at the defeat as a learning experience for his charges.
"We lost out on experience as the KL side knew just when to change the tempo of the match. If they can sustain the performance in the next two matches, things will look good for us," said Bob.
Malaysian Hockey blogspot
Armed Forces defeat Johor
Armed Forces created the first upset of the revived Razak Cup tournament when they defeated Johor 2-0 at the MPMBB Stadium in Bukit Serindit.
The humid conditions worked against the southerners as the fitter ATM side scored two goals in the first half to deal a severe blow to the hopes of Johor to make the last four.
ATM opened scoring in the 2nd minute through Mohd Zulkifli Abdullah who converted a penalty corner. And they went 2-0 up in the 15th minute through Ahmad Ridzuan Zainal Abidin.
Despite fielding an experienced side, with the likes of national players - Mohd Faiz Helmi, Muhammad Azammi Abadi, and former internationals Baljit Singh, S.Shanker and Megat Azrafiq Megat Termizi, Johor lacked the killer instinct within the semi circle.
"We created enough chances but failed to score and it was always going to be difficult when you concede two early goals against a fitter opponent, " said Johor coach Gurnit Singh, an ATM stalwart during his days with the Army.
For ATM, the win has brightened their chances if making the semis as they will be up against Penang in their next match on Sunday.
"It was a spirited performance and we will take it one step at a time. Playing a tournament with a tight schedule has it's advantages for us but then again we do nit have skillful players but they make it up with a determined performance on the pitch," said ATM team manager Lt. Col Azlan Shah Dato Aziz.
The Army side will go into the match against Penang with confidence having blanked the islanders 5-0 in the zonal qualifying tournament two weeks ago.
Malaysian Hockey blogspot
NS make winning start as Projek 2017 are defeated
Negri Sembilan opened their Division Two campaign in the revived Razak Cup with a 4-1 win over Kedah in a Group B match at the MPMBB Stadium in Bukit Serindit this morning.
Missing former national skipper S.Kuhan who is in India, NS opened scoring when Mohd Marhan Jalil converted a penalty corner in the 8th minute.
But Kedah were on level terms in the 18th minute via Nur Hriseka Mohd Murni.
However NS scored the next three goals, through Mohd Asraf Zulzali ( 24th minute), Ganeisha Tamil Chelvam ( 33rd minute) and Kavin Kartik ( 48th minute).
The Project 2017 squad however lost their opening match 2-1 to Perlis.
In a match where all goals were scored by players donning the number 3 jerseys, the Project Squad were expected to do much better.
Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scored in the 16th minute before Muhd Fahmi Asri Amir put his team on level terms in the 49th minute. But Tengku Ahmad endured the northerners collected full points by scoring six minutes later.
In the East Malaysia derby, Sabah defeated Sarawak 3-1.
Meanwhile in another Group B match former champions Selangor went on a rampage when they defeated Kelantan 10-2.
Selangor opened scoring in the 2nd minute through Noor Muhammad Othman and doubled their advantage in the 15th minute through Norhisham Shaari.
Norhisham was on target again six minutes later before Kelantan reduced the deficit through Shahrul Anuar Ibrahim in the 26th minute.
Selangor regained their three goal advantage when Faridzul Afiq Mohamad was on target in the 32nd minute but a minute after the breather Kelantan scored via Abdul Laziz Ghani to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
But that was a temporary respite as the floodgates opened with Selangor scoring through Mohd Syakir Hamzah (50th), Noor Muhammad Othman (54) Muhammad Amerullah Abdul Aziz ( 55,64) Mohd Faisal Kamaruddin (60th) and Faridzul (69).
Fixtures ( Sunday )
Group A
0730H - Perlis v Kelantan
0900H - Selangor v Projek 2017
Group B
0730H - Sabah v Kedah
0900H - N. Sembilan v Sarawak
Malaysian Hockey blogspot