News for 01 March 2012
Thursday, 01 March 2012 09:26 | 
| 
All the news for Thursday 1 March 2012
USA, Spain ends in scoreless tie
Ashley Meunier
COLORADO SPRINGS, C.O. - The U.S. Women’s National Team and Spain played 70 minutes of scoreless field hockey in a 0-0 draw in Terrassa, Spain this afternoon.
The U.S. controlled the pace, outshooting Spain and creating seven penalty corners to Spain's one. The U.S. applied great pressure in both halves and caused several turnovers, preventing Spain from any serious scoring opportunities. However, despite circle penetrations and several shots on net, the U.S. was unable to convert their efforts into a tally on the boards.
The U.S. had the best chance to take the lead late in the second half on a penalty corner. Claire Laubach (Centreville, VA) sent a hard drag flick towards goal, but Spain’s goalkeeper made a diving stick save to prevent a score for the U.S.
The U.S. will face Belgium once last time in the final match of the tournament tomorrow. The U.S. faced the Belgians earlier this week, drawing the first match, 3-3, and winning the second match 2-0.
USFHA media release
Second half outburst leads U.S. Women to victory over Great Britain
Ashley Meunier
COLORADO SPRINGS, C.O. - A three-goal outburst in the second-half led the USA Women’s National Team to a 3-2 victory over Great Britain this afternoon in Terrassa, Spain. The U.S. failed to tally a win against Great Britain during a home series in Chula Vista, CA in December 2011 and proved they were looking for vengeance by making a statement in the second half to secure the win.
Great Britain is ranked No. 4 in the world and is expected be a top contender in 2012 as the host nation of the London Olympic Games.
U.S. goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer (Robesonia, Pa) had a remarkable first half to keep the score an even 0-0 heading into halftime. Great Britain challenged Kintzer and the U.S. defense with four penalty corners in the first 35 minutes of play, but a solid performance in the backfield rejected all scoring opportunities for Great Britain.
After a scoreless 43 minutes, Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa) helped break the tie by sending a reverse shot on goal. Teammate Shannon Taylor (Midlothian, VA) was able to redirect Selenski’s ball into the left corner of Great Britain’s cage.
Minutes following Taylor’s goal, strong pressure applied by the U.S. resulted in a turnover by Great Britain. Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville, Pa) carried the ball into the circle to find Katie O’Donnell’s (Blue Bell, Pa) stick. O’Donnell redirected Kolojejchick’s pass into the net for the second goal of the half.
Selenski made the score 3-0 at the 51 minute mark, when she found the back of the cage after a hard ball was sent into the circle from outside the 25 yard line.
Great Britain fought back from a three goal deficit and knocked two goals past Kintzer in the final 12 minutes of play, but the comeback was not quite enough to top the U.S.
O’Donnell celebrated 100 international competitions with the Women’s National Team today.
"Whether I am playing in my first game or my 100th game, the feeling I get when I step on the field is the same,” said O’Donnell. “I am representing my country and it is an honor."
At the age of 23, O'Donnell is one of the most decorated players in U.S. field hockey history. As a 16-year-old in 2005, she became the youngest athlete ever to earn an international cap for the U.S. In October 2010, she became the first field hockey player to be named Sportswoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation. O’Donnell’s goal is not only to make the Olympic Squad this summer, but also to come home from the Games with a piece of hardware around her neck.
Team USA will look for redemption against host nation Spain tomorrow. The U.S. fell to Spain, 0-3, earlier this week.
USFHA media release
Lizzie Colvin Talks about the Upcoming Olympic Qualifiers in Belgium
by Stephen Findlater
Lizzie Colvin hopes to summon the spirit of Parana when the Irish women travel to Antwerp in March for their Olympic qualifying tournament.
The remote Argentinean town was the venue for Ireland's best performance of recent times, played out in front of huge, vocal crowd, as they came within minutes of toppling the reigning world champions.
Performances of that ilk - as well as strong showings against the likes of South Africa, India and Belgium recently - have created a buzz and the bubbly Colvin believes the Parana experience has given the side a hunger for an Olympic place and more dates on the big stage.
"For the majority of the girls, it was the most exciting game they played in their lives. The crowds were unbelievable."
"You might think [a crowd like that] would make you more nervous but we really fed off the crowd. They weren't just cheering for Argentina but seemed just up for a really good game. The energy, the style of play; we got a really good taste of what it could be like and all the girls want to re-live that."
"It was unfortunate that we did concede the goal five minutes from the end but it was one of the best performances we have put in against one of the best sides in the world."
"After Argentina, there was a real buzz in the team as we put in so many good performances for quite a young and inexperienced side. In South Africa [in January], we were quite disappointed with some of the results but we came away with a lot of lessons."
Among the most crucial lessons were how to deal with Belgium. The lowlanders had the better of Gene Muller's side in last August's Europeans and are one of the main threats for a final place at the OQT in March.
As such, it was an eye-opening notion to play them three times in Randburg but Colvin says that the couple of draws garnered have acted as part of the healing process after the rough time endured in Monchengladbach.
"It was good to play the Belgians and shake off any of the baggage we might have had from the Europeans so it was positive feedback.
Before we played Belgium, we were all a bit nervous because we didn't know if our backlash would come off but we are all quite relieved we did get to play them and get rid of any emotions we had from that day.
We learned so much from playing against them. Now, we're excited about meeting them in the OQT because we know we can beat them. It was close in those matches but we just have to go out and score the goals on the day."
Looking at the tournament as a whole, Colvin approaches the tournament as a really exciting opportunity to fulfil a lifetime ambition, one forged in the Orchard county.
There, she was part of the incredible rise of Armagh hockey club where she took up the game as a seven year-old. Playing with the likes of Emma Stewart, Amy Stewart and Steph Quinn - all of whom became teenage senior internationals - she helped the club to a string of promotions.
They reached the upper echelons of the Ulster Premier League before studies brought her to Trinity College and a hook-up with Loreto having already made her Irish debut.
An Electric Ireland Irish Hockey League and Electric Ireland Irish Senior Cup title ensued but she now has her eyes on reaching the international showpiece, a desire forged from watching the classic ties on television, picking out the Netherlands-China final from Beijing 2008 as the one to stand out in her mind.
She says that apart from hosts Belgium, Spain are the team that stand out as the major roadblock to fulfilling her dream.
We drew 1-1 with Spain in the Champions Challenge and know we can do it and have the ability to beat them so we are going in quite confident.
I've always watched hockey at the Olympics and it's always been my dream. Being in the squad for four years, this is the year we can actually believe we will be there. We've put in good performances, had a taste of victory against some good sides. It makes the dream more real that we can get there. I have complete faith we can do it.
Written by Stephen Findlater on behalf of the Irish Hockey Association
Irish Hockey Association media release
Successful launch of World Series Hockey, a slap on the face of HI and FIH
K Arumugam
The much awaited – but much-hated by powers that be in India as well as in the world --- World Series Hockey has been successfully launched today in Chandigarh. A simple but impressive opening ceremony was followed by the first match, between Bhopal Badshahs and Chandigarh Comets.
Not less than sports minister of the country came on board and not only wished success of WSH and also expressed a view that WSH is an innovation that India presents to the world. Its is not a small praise, but has significance on how the government of the day view the happening on hockey front.
Leading players of India – except those who are in the national camp – took part. Players like Bharat Chhikara, who was in the Olympic Qualifier standby list, was among the players on duty today.
Ramandeep Singh, the wily winger who enthralled the crowd a couple of months ago in the Sultan of Johor Bahru Cup was also on play. The point is, national players as experienced as Chhikara and as young as Ramandeep chose to play the WSH.
The umpiring was done by none other than most acclaimed of Indian horizon, golden whistle holder, Satinder Sharma, and the coaches on board were also no less reputed.
Padamshree award winner Vasudevan Baskaran was the coach of one side, while Harendra Singh, who was national coach this month last year was the other.
With top brands like Bridgestone on the title, rival mobile giants -- Airtel and Vodafone – and matrix, Ambuja cement on either television screens or on the billboards of the stadium, nothing lacked as far as the WSH is concerned.
Paradoxically, the same Shivnaresh who provided sportswear and kitted national team for the recent Olympic Qualifier, was the official provider of the same to WSH.
FIH’s own blue-eyed Denis Meredith is the man in charge of technical things, and one of the India’s think tanks during the Perth tour in October – November last year, Charles Goudoin, is among the foreigners coaches with a WSH Franchise.
The first match, despite stars absenting, was not a bore. It was a thrill more so in the last Quarter where three of the seven goals the match witnessed were scored.
Crowd was not overflowing, and it is a bit of dampener considering the hockey hungry Chandigarh people, but one has to consider the fact the match was held on a working day and the match started 21 hrs.
The FIH may have taken a very mature, very balanced, vary well-guarded view of WSH of late, but it has been a bitter critic of WSH till then. We are at pains to understand its sudden volte face. We are also not aware what factors contributed to its sudden softening. We are confused why all of a sudden the parent body passed the buck on the national federation much against what it was doing till then, calling the league unsanctioned, for which it has no business to pass a judgement as it is something India’s domestic affair.
Whatever, the fact of the matter is the WSH is a reality. It has been achieved against every obstacle both FIH and HI created. Even now Railways, Indian Overseas Bank, Services Sports Board and some others have refused permission to players. Yet, the WSH has about 200 good players like Chhikara, Rajpal Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Diwakarram and others on its teams.
We in India cannot say they are not players of worth.
Hockey India Secretary General Narinder Batra gave the impression to this site that he will not have any problem if the WSH is held after the Qualifier. He reasoned that the series needed to be postponed so that Indian players would give their best in the Qualifier. We in the media were officially sent a signed letter / request of players on tour (Champions Challenge Cup I) asking for the postponement.
The WSH was then postponed. Now that HI and current national players chose to do what they did, there certainly arises a question of ethics and morality.
Stick2Hockey.com
Chandigarh Comets 3 - 4 Bhopal Badshahs
Chandigarh: The big day has arrived and the inaugural match of the 2012 Bridgestone World Series Hockey (WSH) between Chandigarh Comets and Bhopal Badshahs, will usher a new era in Indian hockey. At every major league, an athlete or team emerges to define the tournament, and both the Comets and Badshahs players are eyeing to steal the limelight in the historic opener.
The Sector-42 Stadium is set to stage a spectacular Opening Ceremony, which will begin at 7pm. The Grand Opening will feature superstar Saif Ali Khan. The power packed line up of performers include singing sensation Mika, super performer Neha Dhupia, ‘Rockstar’ singer Harshdeep Kaur, and many others.
Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan said “I look forward to being a part of the opening ceremony of World Series Hockey. The association of Agent Vinod with this action-packed event was more of an emotional reason as my grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, represented India in hockey. Our national sport has been ignored for a while and an initiative like this will ensure the sport is given its due attention and will resonate well with the youth of India.”
Over the next 34 days beginning from February 29, we will see 200 hockey players from across the world, sweat it out in 59 matches, shown live in more than 30 countries, to clinch the biggest purse in a hockey tournament and the glistening trophy.
Chandigarh Comets are confident about starting their opener with full points. The team had been training hard for the past one week, and head coach Harendra Singh preferred to give his boys “rest”, on eve of the opener, though he made an exception with his goalkeepers and drag flickers to send a strong hint of what to expect tomorrow. The goalkeepers and penalty-corner specialists sweated it out in the evening today under the watchful eyes of the astute former India coach and the team’s Australian-based coach Charles Gaudoin.
Commenting on Comets’ game plan, Harendra said, “I believe in the EPL policy – to grab full points on home matches. Our boys are raring to go, and though we have high respect for our rivals, there is no question of settling for anything less than a win.”
Bhopal Badshahs have one of the best coaches in India, the man who led India to their last Olympic gold medal, Vasudevan Baskaran. The Badhshahs went through some rigorous work out and strategizing at their home ground, and played one practice match with the four quarters rule which will be tried out for the first time in Indian hockey in the Bridgestone WSH. The indefatigable Baskaran said, “On paper both the teams are equal and we have more or less equal number of youngsters in the team. South Afruican striker Geowynne Kyle Gamiet and Kiwi Casey Henwood bring a lot of experience with them. It will be a first-time experience and hopefully an exciting one to play at 9pm under the floodlight.”
Teams:
Chandigarh Comets (from): Rehan Butt (Captain), Ajitesh Roy, Barkat Singh, Belsajar Horo, Bharat Chhikara, Birendra Lakra Jr, Gurjinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Harjot Singh, Jasjit Singh Kular, Jiwa Mohan, Llyod Stephensonn, Manpreet Singh, Matthew Phillips, Mohd. Amir Khan, P R Sreejesh, P Thirumala Rao, Pramod Kumar, Preetinder Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Ranjodh Singh, Robert Green, Sandeep Singh, Sanwar Ali, Sarvanjit Singh, Sher Singh Sukwinder Singh (Gabbar); Head coach Harendra Singh; Coach – Charles Gaudoin.
Bhopal Badshahs (from): Sardar Singh (Captain), A B Cheeyanna, Armaan Qureshi, Baljinder Singh, Baljit Singh, Cariappa A D, Casey Henwood, Ganendrajit Ningombam, Geowynne Kyle Gamiet, Girish Ravaji Pimpale, Harbir Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Kangujam Suresh Singh, Karan Bhaskaran, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Armaan Qureshi, Mohd. Sahir, N Senthil Kumar, Raghunath V R, Rajesh Kumar, Sameer Dad, Shailendra Singh Bundela, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker, Waseem Ahmad; Head coach - V Bhaskaran.
Schedule: Opening Ceremony – 7pm at Sector-42 Stadium, Chandigarh; Chandigarh Comets vs Bhopal Badshahs – 9pm.
World Series Hockey website
Badshahs throw Comets out of orbit
Vaibhav Sharma
Players from Chandigarh Comets (Blue) and Bhopal Badshahs vie for the ball during their match for the World Series Hockey in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Badhshahs won 4-3. Tribune photo: S Chandan
Chandigarh: The drama, the controversies and the delay notwithstanding, finally the World Series Hockey started at the Sector 42 stadium here tonight. The news of Indian players pulling out seemed to have had an impact as the intensity was somewhat lacking, but this is sport, and the politics aside, on-field action was good enough to warrant attention.
And it was the Bhopal Badshahs who wrapped up the first win by beating Chandigarh Comets 4-3 in a see-saw of a contest.
The match started with the Badshahs striking in the 4th minute itself as Laxman Baskaran scored off a penalty corner (1-0). The first quarter then witnessed a rather cagey affair, with neither team being dominant. But the Comets hit back in the 3rd minute of the second quarter as Gurjinder drilled in a low shot from a penalty corner, which despite brushing off the keeper, went in to restore parity. From there on, the action picked up, and went on till the last minute.
Chandigarh then took the lead in the 10th minute of the second quarter, when Jasjit struck off another penalty corner, and made it 2-1 to the home team. But both teams were not done and after playing out rather timid second quarter, they picked up their game subsequently.
The last quarter saw a lot of activity, with end results as well as the goals flew in thick and fast. Gayle struck in the 4th minute to make it 2-2, only for Gurjinder to get back the lead for Comets a minute later.
It was looking like the teams were heading for a draw, but first Yousuf Affan in the 5th minute and then Laxman Bhaskaran in the 8th, scored the equaliser and the winner, to wrap up all three points for the Badshahs.
The Tribune
WSH: Bhopal Badshahs down Chandigarh Comets in opener
Gaurav Kanthwal
CHANDIGARH: Bhopal Badshahs beat Chandigarh Comets 4-3 in the inaugural match of the World Series Hockey tournament, at the Sector-42 Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
Badshahs scored three goals in the last quarter to peg the game back in their favour but it was Laxman Bhaskaran who scored the first goal for the Bhopal team in the sixth minute of the first quarter.
Comets' Gurjinder Singh equalized in the third minute of the second quarter. In the 11th minute, Jasjit Khullar added one more to go past the visitors.
The third quarter remained a goalless affair. With Comets leading 2-1, the fourth quarter saw two goals being scored in quick succession. The first one came off Badshahs' Gayle's blade only to be paid back by Comets' Gurjinder Singh through a field goal.
With nine minutes left, Bhopal player Affan Yousuf hit a reverse shot from the top of the circle to equalize the score and bring back life into the match.
Two minutes later, Bhaskaran scored the winning goal to put his team into the lead for the first time in the match.
Pakistan player and Comets skipper Rehan Butt was conspicuous by his absence and Aussie Robert Green filled in his place. The four-quarters format (17 minutes each) seemed to have broken the momentum of the game as the game never rose to great heights.
Dull opening ceremony
Earlier, the opening ceremony of WSH failed to deliver to the promise it made in the run-up to the event. It turned out to be a mere song and dance affair with a sprinkling of Bollywood stars in between.
Singer Mika and Harshdeep Kaur tried to touch the chord with some folk songs. Predictably, Mika started off with 'Singh is King' and carried on in his inimitable style. Kaur, with her humming voice, drew applause as she sang 'Katiya Karun'.
Saif Ali Khan made a brief appearance before reeling off the WSH promotional stuff. Neha Dhupia donned the avatar of item girl and danced to the tunes of 'Chammak Challo' and 'Kolaveri Di'. Though the performers and event managers tried to capture the Punjabi spirit with some bhangra beats and dancing
The Times of India
A night of Bollywood, bhangra and Badshahs
Playing in their backyard, the Chandigarh Comets crashed to a narrow defeat 3-4 loss against the Bhopal Badshahs in the inaugural match of the World Series of Hockey (WSH) on Wednesday.
The visitors opened the account, but the second and third quarters were dominated by the hosts. It was the fourth quarter which saw the maximum action and it was Bhopal who sealed the match in their favour.
Earlier, for all the controversies surrounding the event, the opening ceremony of the was pretty impressive, though the crowd response left a lot to be desired.
The organisers might have expected a greater turnout —there were barely 4,000 spectators in the stadium with a capacity of 20,000 — but an hour-long delay in the start of the match did not do any good to the reputation of the WSH.
Though there was a fair sprinkling of Bollywood — Saif Ali Khan and Neha Dhupia were the star attraction — and Punjabi singer Mika did well to keep the crowd on its feet, the buzz seemed to be missing.
In fact, sports minister, Ajay Maken, too gave the opening ceremony the miss, though his message for the success of the league was shown on a giant screen.
“I congratulate the WSH and the Indian Hockey Federation for daring to dream and conducting such a grand hockey feast for the people of India and hockey players of the world,” said Maken in his video message.
“We may have lost ground for some time but that's part and parcel of sports and life. The good news is that hockey is regaining ground and I'm very happy that the WSH is being held in India,” Maken said.
Hindustan Times
Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi to play in WSH
KARACHI: Pakistan’s star hockey players Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi have decided to participate in World Series Hockey (WSH), India’s controversial hockey, league which begins today.
Talking to the media at Lahore airport, Butt said that he had made the decision to play in the league to honour the commitment that he had made.
He further added that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) should not be stopping the players from participating in the league as Pakistan’s national team is not playing any other series at the moment.
According to Butt, the PHF has threatened the players and warned them not to participate in the league.
The PHF, acting in accordance with the policy of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), has forbidden the players to participate in the league and will be imposing bans on them if they do.
Dawn
National stars face ban for participation
Six hockey players ‘desert’ Pakistan for ‘unsanctioned’ WHS; Current Indian players not taking part in ‘unauthorised league’
By Muhammad Ali
LAHORE: Six national hockey players including four former captains left for India here on Wednesday to feature in controversial World Hockey Series (WHS) that has been declared an ‘illegal’ event by the Federation International Hockey (FIH). Former captains Wasim Ahmad, Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt, Zeeshan Ashraf and players Adnan Maqsood and Tariq Aziz will be part of the different teams taking part in the WHS. The FIH has refused to recognize the WHS as official and directed its affiliated national hockey federations worldwide to take stern disciplinary action against their respective players who opt to play in it.
It is pertinent to mention that the WSH has caught the attention of the international hockey community but big stars from all the top countries are not particiapting in the inaugural edition as the Olympics is around the corner. The decision of current Indian players to pull out of the WSH has robbed the eight-team event of easily identifiable stars. According to media reports, Hockey India (HI), the governing body of Indian Hockey, has reportedly forbidden the Indian players to participate in the tournament. Top players Rehan and Abbasi, who were named in the probables list for the London Olympics national camp, obtained visas to travel to India. It is very unfortunate that Rehan and Abbasi, who was expected to lead the green shirts at London Olympics, have deserted their country for greener pastures in the WSH, and leaving the selectors in the lurch. The Pakistan players should have taken lesson form other countries players who have given preference to national duty over personal gains.
“We are going to play hockey in a professional league and in my opinion it is not a wrong step or decision,” maintained former captain Abbasi before his departure. He was of the view that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will not initiate any disciplinary action against them by imposing a ban on them. “The PHF has always taken measures for the welfare of the players and we are confident that the PHF will support us on our participation in the WHS,” he added.
Wasim said he was going to explore a better era in hockey by being a part of the WHS. “And since I was not invited to attend a national training camp for London Olympics, my participation in the WHS will not make a big impact on Pakistan hockey. I am not part of the hockey team or the probables invited to attend the camp and I believe that I can play any professional league to watch my interest in hockey,” he said. To a question, Wasim replied that if the PHF came up with a disciplinary action he would announce his line of action seeing what sanctions were imposed on him.
Rehan justified his decision to be a part of the league on the ground that better monetary gains had persuaded him to participate in the WHS in India. “I am thankful to the PHF for inviting me to attend a training camp for London Olympic but we signed the contract of the WHS last year in March and since then no restrictions were imposed by the PHF to play in the league,” he stated. “We have decided to take part in the WSH after much thought because it is the future of our families that we have to put first,” Rehan said.
PHF secretary general Mohammad Asif Bajwa told Daily Times that the hockey players participating in WHS in India would face a ban in Pakistan. “The reason is that the FIH has clearly declared that the WSH is not affiliated with the world body, thus making the league “unsanctioned.“ When contacted Pakistan hockey team manager and former Olympian Khawaja Mohammad Junaid, he expressed his disappointment on the decision of players to join the WHS in India. “I don’t know about others as they were not a part of the probables attending the national training camp for London Olympics but Rehan and Abbasi should have preferred their country over the WHS as they were was invited for the camp and I believe representing Pakistan in the Olympics is far superior than playing in a league for the sake of money,” he said. He said no one was indispensable in hockey and Pakistan was rich in hockey talent and they would fill the void. The tournament will go on till April 2, and will involve 200 players. The event will have 59 matches held across eight different venues –- Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Pune
The Daily Times
‘A platform for Indo-Pak friendship’
Hockey players from Pakistan, who arrived in the country on Wednesday for the WSH, said they were thrilled to be a part of the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Former Pakistan skipper Zeeshan Ashraf and midfielder Adnan Maqsood of Karnataka Lions crossed over from the Wagah border, while star forward Rehan Butt, striker Shakeel Abbassi and Waseem Ahmed flew into Delhi from Lahore earlier on Wednesday.
“Bridgestone WSH is the first of its kind league to be held in the history of hockey and we are thrilled to be participating in the tournament,” said Zeeshan Ashraf. “It’s fantastic that hockey can provide a great platform for forging friendship between India and Pakistan. I hope our cricketers will also get to play together in the IPL. ‘Yeh silsila chalta rahna chahiye’ (This association should continue),” he added.
Another player Adnam Maqsood added that WSH would help in the growth of the Pakistani players.
“WSH will help Pakistani players since all the top players are playing here. I'm confident about giving my best to my team, Karnataka Lions, and it will be fantastic to play with the legendary Dhanraj bhai,” Adnam said referring to former India captain Dhanraj Pillay.
Pune skipper Diwakar injured
Pune Strykers suffered a major blow when they lost the services of their captain and ace drag-flicker Diwakar Ram to an injury.
Diwakar, who was part of the India World Cup squad last year, has suffered a wrist fracture and has been ruled out for at least three weeks. He has been replaced by Simrandeep Singh.
Hindustan Times
Pakistan hockey stars looking forward to WSH participation
Defying Pakistan Hockey Federation's directive, top players of the country has left for India today to play in the unsanctioned but lucrative World Hockey Series.
Top players Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi, who were named in the probables list for the London Olympics camp that begins today in Islamabad, have obtained visas to travel to India. "We have decided to take part in the World Series Hockey after much thought because it is the future of our families that we have to put first," Butt said.
The senior forward is to lead the Chandigarh franchise in the USD 2 million WSH that begins in Chandigarh later tonight. Besides, Rehan and Shakeel, other Pakistani players who have decided to play in the league include seniors Zeeshan Ashraf, Mohammad Imran, Waseem Ahmed and Imran Warsi.
Butt, who was a member of Pakistan's Beijing Asian Games gold medal-winning team, said playing for the country always comes first for him, but WSH offers hockey players an opportunity to strengthen their financial stability.
Butt requested the PHF to reconsider its decision of not allowing players to participate in the month-long league to be be held in different cities of India. "Look this is the most we can earn in our long careers and I think we deserve this chance because we have to keep in mind the welfare of our family," he said.
"I have played international hockey for over a decade but I will earn more in this one league," Butt added. Butt is guaranteed a payment of 10 million rupees if his team win the league title, but he will still get five million rupees even his team does not do well. "I have not earned that kind of money in my entire career," he said.
A PHF official, however, said that the federation's stance remained the same and any Pakistani player participating in the league would be banned immediately. "We can't recognise this league until the International Hockey Federation (FIH) sanctions it. Our hands are tied being a member of the FIH," the official said
Indian Express
Depleted Strykers to take on Marines
Satya Siddharth Rath
MUMBAI: The 'camp bomb' - dropped by Hockey India (HI) on Monday by announcing a 48-member probables list and a national camp from March 5 - seems to have scared the national players away. The lot that just helped India qualify for the London Olympics are likely to give a cold shoulder to the World Series Hockey. But the show must go on.
After Wednesday's opening match of the WSH between Chandigarh Comets and Bhopal Badshahs, the action shifts to Mumbai and Jalandhar. On Thursday, Mumbai Marines will take on Pune Strykers at the MHA Mahindra Stadium, while Sher-e-Punjab will clash with Chennai Cheetahs in Jalandhar.
The Strykers suffered a big blow even before the start of the event when Diwakar Ram, the main cog in their defence, was ruled out from the tournament with a hand injury. They have also lost livewire forward Gurvinder Singh Chandi, and two Railway players - midfielders Vinod Gopi Nair and Amit Gowda. Railways are believed to have barred their players from the WSH, while Chandi has opted out because of HI's diktats.
The Marines, who would be playing at 'home', were thumped five-nil by Strykers in a practice game recently. "There's a big difference between practice match and real match, so let's not take that result seriously. I think the teams are evenly balanced. They have a legendary coach guiding them (Andrew Meredith), so we know it will be tough," felt Strykers manager Mervyn Fernandes.
Marines have lost SV Sunil, who was a revelation upfront during the Olympic qualifiers, and Yuvraj Walmiki, who's injured. "Sunil will be missed, but we can't do much about it. But we have a great coach in Andrew Meredith. His style is different, for him there are no stars on the pitch, it's all about how you play as a team," said Marines midfielder Viren Rasquinha, who is returning to the game after four years.
The Times of India
Diwakar Ram injury leaves Pune Strykers poorer
MUMBAI: Pune Strykers suffered a major blow even before the commencement of their campaign in the World Series Hockey tournament when they lost the services of their captain and ace drag-flicker Diwakar Ram to an injury.
The Uttar Pradesh born player, who was part of the India World Cup squad last year, has suffered a wrist fracture and has been ruled out for at least three weeks.
Diwakar has been replaced by Rail Coach Factory player Simrandeep Singh, it was announced ahead of Pune's opening tie against Mumbai Marines at the Mahindra Stadium here.
"Diwakar Ram was our first draft pick and it's unfortunate that he suffered an injury on his right hand above the wrist. He seems to be out of the tournament. It's a big blow for us but we have to make do with whatever resources we have got," team manager and Olympian Mervyn Fernandis said today.
According to Mervyn, the team is a young side with an average age of 25, as per the wishes of franchise owner Manoj Chaudhary.
"We are a young side, the youngest among all the eight teams in World Series Hockey," said Mervyn, who added the team will also be without some India and Railways players, who have not been given permission to play in the tournament.
"We will be without India players Gurvinder Singh Chandi and Kangujam Chinglensana Singh, who is also from the Railways, besides three other Railways players -- Vinod Gopi Nair, Amit Gowda and M G Poonacha," he said.
But the team has the services of Roshan Minz and Damandeep Singh, though, they are in the list of 48 probables picked by Hockey India for the national camp scheduled to start in Bangalore from March 5.
Poonacha is also among the camp probables.
Mervyn said the players, who have been told not to play in the tournament, jointly organised by HI's rival Indian Hockey Federation ( IHF) and Nimbus Sport, were only being told so verbally and not given anything in writing.
"Nothing has been given in writing to these players, they have been told verbally," said Mervyn, a fact corroborated by Pune's newly named skipper Kenny Pereira of Canada.
"We (Canada players) have been told orally (by the Canadian hockey federation) that taking part in the tournament could lead to problems, but nothing has been given in writing. I am not bothered as I'm close to retirement," said Pereira, who represented his country in the just concluded Olympic qualifiers in Delhi.
Team coach Gundeep Singh, meanwhile, said the team will depend on the newly drafted pair of Simrandeep and Gurpreet Singh Guri to take care of the penalty corner hits.
Mervyn explained that as per the rules of the WSH competition each match would be split into four halves of 17 and a half minutes each.
In between the first two halves there would be a break of three minutes and even in this period (what normally constitutes half time in a regular hockey game) a two-minute technical break can be availed of.
There is a break of 10 minutes in between the second and third halves, he added.
Mervyn said though the absence of India players would rob the tournament of some glamour, the speed of hockey would remain top class.
"The pace of the game is at least four times what we used to play. The extra breaks (for this event) and the rolling substitutions and the abolition of hit-ins have speeded up play," he said.
About tomorrow's opening game, Pune coach Gundeep said "It will be a tough encounter. All the teams in the tournament are of the same level."
The Times of India
Rajpal Singh to lead Delhi Wizards in WSH
NEW DELHI: Former India skipper Rajpal Singh was on Wednesday named the captain of Wizcraft-owned franchise Delhi Wizards which will be one of the participating team in the World Series Hockey (WSH) starting in Chandigarh on Wednesday.
"I am honoured to lead the Delhi Wizards. I hope to live up to the confidence shown in me by the franchise and give our fans an exciting season of hockey," said the Arjuna Awardee, who had led India to silver at Commonwealth Games, bronze at Asian Games and gold at the Asian Champions Trophy.
"I look forward to the valuable inputs from my team. My aim will be to get the best out of a very talented squad and I am confident that by doing so we will have a great chance of doing well in the tournament," he added.
Rajpal will be involved in all aspects such as team strategy and help guide the youth and talent in team Delhi Wizards. He will represent Delhi Wizards at the WSH opening ceremony on Wednesday in Chandigarh.
Sabbas Joseph, Director Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, said: "We are delighted to announce Rajpal as Captain. He epitomises all the values of the Delhi franchise with his true grit and never say die attitude. We hope all Delhi fans will get behind Rajpal and the team in the upcoming tournament."
The Times of India
Sports Minister hails WSH, calls it India’s contribution to world hockey
K Arumugam
“Sports needs sponsors. It needs to entertain masses. Indian hockey needed big ones on these lines, and World Series Hockey is therefore a welcome development”
Thus spake Sports Minister Ajay Maken during the opening ceremony of the World Series Hockey in Chandigarh an hour before.
The Delhi based Minister was not present in Chandigarh, but his video message was broadcast in the opening moments of Grand Opening Ceremony now being underway.
In his brief but impressive 3-minute message, the minister traced the history of Indian hockey and hailed its legends, before calling Dhyan Chand India’s contribution to the world.
“Pele is Brazil's contribution to world, so we have Dhyan Chand, our contribution to the world’, he said.
While expressing happiness that India now possesses eight floodlight hockey stadium -where incidentally the World Series Hockey will now be held -- he hailed Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand Stadium as the world’s best.
Dwelling on the tradition of India, he said’, “We are not only known for tradition, but also innovation. The rules and regulations of WSH is such that it merits to be called innovative and it will be beneficial to world of hockey”.
Naming hockey as 'Dil Ka Dhadkan' (heartbeat of India), he said: “We have achieved excellence in other sports. Still hockey has a special place in our hearts”.
"Hockey is a sport that brought laurels for 40 years", he nostalgically recollected.
The minister thanked Indian Hockey Federation and others for putting in place WSH.
The minister's whole-hearted supported to WSH must have been a big relief for the WSH organizers who seemed to have encountered myriad obstacles in their way.
Stick2Hockey.com
Hon’ble Sports Minister Ajay Maken lauds Bridgestone WSH
Chandigarh: Passion for hockey dominated the spectacular, star-studded Opening Ceremony played to a packed audience here at the Sector-42 Stadium in Chandigarh for the inaugural Bridgestone World Series Hockey. The performance from Bollywood stars and starlets was preceded by an emotional appeal from Chief Guest and Honourable Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Ajay Maken, who made a passionate appeal to fellow-Indians to support the national game and help it retain its glorious past.
In his stirring video speech which was beamed to millions of people in over 30 countries, and a moved audience which heard the Sports Minister’s speech in rapt silence, Maken said, “Hockey strikes an emotional chord with us Indians – the legacy and tradition of our national sport is and will always be a matter of great pride to us Indians. I congratulate the World Series Hockey and the Indian Hockey Federation for daring to dream and conducting such a grand hockey feast for the people of India and hockey players of the world.”
The Union Sports Minister further said, “We may have lost ground for some time but that’s part and parcel of sports and life. The good news is that hockey is regaining ground and I’m very happy that the World Series Hockey is being held in India. Sports needs sponsors and entertainment to become popular and it’s very heartening that the WSH is taking care of all these issues. It gives me great pride to see as many as 8 world-class floodlight hockey stadiums in 8 cities across India are being used for the WSH. As India’s Sports Minister it gives me great pride to announce that we are launching the first of its kind, a global league for the sport of hockey.”
Maken added, “I’m told that the Bridgestone WSH league will have 59 matches, featuring the top Indian players and global superstars from across the world. This is an unprecedented achievement and unheard of in hockey in any part of the world.”
The Bridgestone World Series Hockey will be held from February 29 to April 2, 2012, and will involve 200 leading players -- Indian and international -- who will showcase their talent in 59 matches and vie for the biggest prize money hockey tournament in the world.
The 8 venues for the inaugural edition of the league are Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Pune. Chandigarh Comets will face-off against Bhopal Badshahs in the first tie of the tournament on their home ground.
Stick2Hockey.com
Maken supports WSH, lauds IHF for launching league
The inaugural World Series Hockey today got the backing of Sports Ministry although the the league has lost star Indian players due to a threat of ban from the FIH.
FIH had said that it does not recognize the league and anyone who would play in the unsanctioned league, would be banned.
WSH is an initiative of Indian Hockey Federation and Nimbus Sport, while FIH recognise only Hockey India (HI) as the recognised body of the game in the country.
Star Indian players Sardar Singh and Sandeep Singh have decided against participating in the league, having agreed earlier.
"I congratulate the World Series Hockey and the Indian Hockey Federation for daring to dream and conducting such a grand hockey feast for the people of India and hockey players of the world," Sports Minister Ajay Maken said in his video message, beamed during the Opening Ceremony at the Sector-42 Stadium here.
“We may have lost ground for some time but that's part and parcel of sports and life. The good news is that hockey is regaining ground and I¿m very happy that the World Series Hockey is being held in India," Maken said.
"It gives me great pride to see as many as 8 world-class floodlight hockey stadiums in 8 cities across India are being used for the WSH. As India's Sports Minister it gives me great pride to announce that we are launching the first of its kind, a global league for the sport of hockey."
The league began today and will conclude on April 2.
Indian Express
Title favourite DAV blast past fighting GHG Khalsa 4-2 in Nehru Colleges Cup
Jalandhar based DAV College, a giant in colleges hockey, and title favourite here, came out successfully against fighting Guru Har Gobind Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, Ludhiana. With a flurry of goals in the mid way through first half, the Jalandhar team realized its potential to beat Ludhiana 4-2.
In the other matches, held before this exciting tie, Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar overcame Pachiappa College Chennai 3-1 after leading 2-1 in the first half.
In the second match of Day 2, Jawaharlal Nehru Postgradugate College had no difficulty in pumping goals at will, and thus post a heavy 13-0 defeat on SK Porowal College from Central India, Nagpur.
Three matches were staged on second day of the 19th edition of the Nehru-SAIL Champions Colleges Cup here on the second turf of the historic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
FIXTURE MARCH 1, 2012 – THURSDAY
Match No.5 09.30 AM B S.K. Porwal College, Nagpur V/s CRA College, Sonepat (Haryana)
Match No. 6 11.00 AM A Pachayaippa College, Madras V/s Municipal College, Rourkela
Match No.7 12.30 PM D Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi V/s St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata
Match No.8 02.00 PM
GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, Ludhiana V/s Annamalai University (T.N.)
Stick2Hockey.com
England offers hope for Indian hockey
Prabhjot Singh
Chandigarh: A wave of jubilation had swept across entire Great Britain on February 26 soon after India defeated France 8-1 to earn a right to play its second Olympic Games in London.
Return of India to Olympic fold after missing the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has not only warmed cockles of hearts of the overseas Indian community globally in general and of the Great Britain in particular but also revived fond memories of the the gold medal match that the two nations played against each other in their first ever Olympic encounter.
British, credited for introducing hockey in India in the late 19th century, had skipped the 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles) and 1936 (Berlin) Olympic games for they did not want to compete against their then colony, unpartitioned India. And the 1948 London edition not only brought the two teams face to face but also saw an independent India romping home with a 4-0 win for its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. The first three gold medal triumps were by teams of unparitioned India.
Intriguingly in 2008, Great Britain, the masters of hockey, demolished India in the Olympic Qualifier in Chile to keep it out of Beijing games.
Hockey has always remained a binding force between India and Great Britain as not only a number of clubs but also the Great Britain and England teams have had a fairly good representation of players of Indian origin. Sutinder Kehar, for example, had the rare honour of leading England in his farewell World Cup game.
Otherwise, looking back nostalgically, England has generally been a happy hunting ground for Indian hockey teams, both men and women. The only bitter exception had been the 1986 World Cup in Willesden where India ended with a wooden spoon losing 2-3 (after extra time) to Pakistan in the game to decide 11th and 12th positions.
By winning the Delhi tournament, India has become the 10th of 12 teams that will play in the summer Olympic Games later this year. Winners of the remaining two qualifier tournaments in Dublin(Ireland) and Kakamigahana (Japan) will join the hosts Great Britain, Pakistan, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and India in the men’s event.
Interestingly, before the Kakamigahana qualifier ends, India would have played Great Britain, Germany and Australia in a four-nation tournament at Riverbank Arean, the official venue, to test the facilities there. For the first time, hockey will be played on blue surface.
Though pools and match schedule would be announced only after completion of qualification process, Indo-British community appears to be greatly enthused by India featuring in the four-nation pre-Olympic tournament. Statistically, India would be competing against much higer ranked teams in the pre-Olympic event.
Going by the cuirrent rankings, India is at number 10 while Australia, the defending World Cup champions head the list followed by other two super powers of hockey - Germany (defending champions) and the Netherlands. England (not Great Britain) is ranked fourth followed by Spain, Korea (yet to qualify for London Olympic Games), New Zraland, Pakistan and Argentina.
The Tribune
Technology a big boon to hockey
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has engaged SportsMechanics – a Chennai-based sports technology company dedicated to providing high-performance solutions to teams & players.
Since 2003, SportsMechanics have been the analysts of the Indian Cricket team and have been part of many success stories.
Being the most experienced Indian company in this sphere, is now contributing to Indian success in other sports as well.
In the recently concluded Hockey Olympic Qualifiers where the Men’s team cruised through, SportsMechanics were involved in providing in-depth analysis to the teams about their own players and also on opposition teams.
Complex data models & trends using video technology are used to derive strategies of our own and counter opponent’s strategies.
Michael Nobbs, the head coach of the Men’s team, says that they have been “an integral part of the team” and “have been critical to devising game plans during the Olympic Qualifiers”.
Assistant coach Mohd. Riaz feels that “the efficiency of the team improved drastically due to the intelligence provided by SportsMechanics and that the reports provided were very useful to read into the game’’.
CR Kumar, the head coach of the Indian Women’s team which narrowly missed the qualification spot to South Africa, feels that “this helps his team visualize all the plans and what they need to execute on the field”.
Sandeep Singh, the prolific drag-flicker whose goal scoring skills were a highlight during this campaign said “just like we do the hard work on the field, the analysts do the hard work off the field. They help me in identifying some key aspects about the opponents that help me in exploiting and scoring more goals for the country”.
With SportsMechanics providing such quality inputs to the Hockey teams, we can expect their performance to become more consistent and bring more laurels to our country.
In addition to Hockey, they are engaged by SAI to provide such analytics to many more contingents representing our country in London 2012.
Deccan Herald
NZ Masters ready for annual hockey tournament
There will be over 850 master’s hockey players in Palmerston North and Levin next week to compete in the annual National Masters Tournament.
Regional pride will be on the line for the 59 teams competing across the various age divisions, and for those players keen to experience international competition, selectors will be on the sideline scouting talent for national teams.
Hockey New Zealand’s masters coordinator Graham Jackson says New Zealand is aiming to enter teams in this year’s FIH Masters World Cup (men and women 40+, 45+ 50+) and at the FIH Grand Masters World Cup (men 60+) which are both being held in England.
“New Zealand has a strong reputation in master’s hockey and it is helped by having a competitive annual National Masters Tournament, which players train throughout the year for,” says Jackson.
Canterbury Women's 40's team member, Janelle Mckellow, has been playing hockey for 30 years. As a mother of three including seven month old twin girls, she says she makes the time to get out and play the game that she loves.
"I am in a very talented team with a lot of friends I have played hockey with before. I enjoy the tournament because it is a chance to catch up with people I have played with over the years in various teams. It is always an awesome atmosphere and good hockey," says Mckellow.
This year, the penalty shoot out has been introduced to align with international rules. This will replace the penalty strokes as a decider when matches are drawn.
Hockey Manawatu is hosting the tournament and would like to thank Rehab Physiotherapy, Party Up, Pub Charity, Ford, Palmerston North City Council and Lotto for their support.
The tournament runs from 4-10 March and entry is free.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Last chance for Amin to feature in a major hockey tourney
Time to go: National hockey players (from left) Azreen Rizal Nasir, Mohd Izzat Mohd Rahim, Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin, Mohd Marhan Mohd Jalil and Faizal Saari getting ready to board the bus in Bukit Jalil yesterday. The team left for Cardiff last night. Inset: Mohd Amin Rahim. — M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Penalty corner specialist Mohd Amin Rahim has represented the national hockey team for 13 years but has never featured in the Olympic Games or World Cup.
And the Olympic qualifier in Dublin, from March 10-12, is definitely the Kuala Lumpur defender’s last chance to set the record straight.
The 32-year-old father of two says he will quit if Malaysia fail to qualify for the London Olympics.
Amin, who made his international debut in the 1999 Brunei SEA Games, failed to earn a place in the national team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
“It’s a depressing record after 13 years in the game,” said Amin, who has been capped 215 times and will be featuring in his third Olympic qualifying tournament.
“The Olympic qualifier in Dublin is the most important tournament of my career. The pressure will be on me to defend well and deliver the goals from penalty corners as well.
“The odds are stacked against us as we also failed to qualify for the last two Olympics – in Athens (2004) and in Beijing (2008).”
His first Olympic qualifier was in Madrid in 2004 followed by the one in Kakamigahara, Japan, in 2008.
Amin feels that the tournament in Dublin will be the national team’s biggest challenge.
“We were heavily criticised for our performances in the five friendlies against China last month and many fans have lost faith in the team,” said Amin, who also played in two World Cup qualifiers in Changzhou, China, in 2006 and Invercargill, New Zealand, in 2009.
“But we hope to silence the critics by qualifying for the London Olympics.”
Amin, who was named as the best player in the four-nation Hamburg Masters in Germany in 2008, said his dream “is to play in the Olympics before retiring”.
Amin’s best achievement thus far is winning the silver medal in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. He also bagged bronze medals in the 2002 Busan Asian Games and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
The national team left for Cardiff last night to play two friendly matches against Wales tomorrow and Sunday before checking in at Dublin on Monday.
Malaysia open their Olympic qualifying tournament against Chile on March 10, followed by Russia (March 11), Ukraine (March 13), South Korea (March 15) and hosts Ireland (March 17).
The final and classification matches are on March 18.
The Star of Malaysia
Thunderbolt as good as in final thanks to hat-trick hero Sufi
BY AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Sufi Ismat scored a hat-trick to steer defending overall champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt to a convincing 5-2 win over MBI-Anderson in the Milo Cup semi- final first-leg at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Thunderbolt, who won the Division One title two weeks ago, are virtually through to the final. The return-leg will be played at the same venue tomorrow.
Sufi, who was on target in the 24th, 38th and 45th minutes, has so far scored 14 goals. Mohd Khairol Shafik Kasin (12th) and skipper Shazril Irwan Nazli (40th) got the other two goals.
Mohd Najib Abu Hassan (13th) and Azril Misron (22nd) replied for MBI-Anderson.
Despite the impressive scoreline, Thunderbolt, who trounced the Ipoh team 6-0 in a league match, were lacklustre in the first-half.
Thunderbolt found themselves 2-1 down in the 22nd minute before fighting back to equalise in the 24th.
And they only came alive in the second half.
Thunderbolt coach Wan Roslan Wan Abdul Rahman was clearly annoyed with his defenders’ lapse of concentration.
“They took it easy and gave away two early goals. We can’t do that in the return-leg on Friday,” said Wan Roslan.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2012/3/1/sports/hockey2.jpg
It’s mine: Thunderbolt’s Amir Zulkarnain Ahmad Robangi gets to the ball ahead of MBI-Anderson’s Mohd Alif Noor Faizal (left) and Mohd Akmal Mohd Tajuddin during their Milo Cup semi-final first-leg match in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star
“I am also disappointed with our poor penalty corner conversation rate. We earned two and failed to convert both.”
In the other semi-final, Division One runners-up Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) came back from a goal down to grab a hard-fought 3-1 win over former five-time double champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).
BJSS started off well, taking the lead in the 13th minute through Norshafiq Sumantri.
UniKL, who won the overall title in 2010, hit back through a Mohd Haziq Samsul penalty corner goal in the 34th minute.
The Star of Malaysia
Thunderbolts almost there
A 5-2 win against Anderson allows them an easier return leg encounter
by Vijhay Vick
CHECKED: Mohd Fitri Saari of Thunderbolts (left) is tackled by Mohd Ashran Hamsani of Anderson at Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium.
KUALA LUMPUR: Just as expected, Thunderbolts have virtually booked their place in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) cup final.
This is after their convincing 5-2 win of Anderson in the semifinal first-leg tie at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
However, despite a comfortable lead Thunderbolts could have walked away from the match with an even bigger goal margin if it wasn’t for them firing blanks at times.
Thunderbolts coach Wan Mohd Roslan was pleased that he can now instruct his boys to play a cautious game instead of risking suspension or injury.
“We should have converted at least some of the chances that went begging. It would have put us in an even stronger position.
“We cannot be too confident though. But I will tell the boys to take it easy but remain solid at the back. Maybe one or two more goals will put us in a better position,” he said.
Thunderbolts took the lead in the 12th minute through Khairol Shafik Kasim but Anderson equalised in the very next minute as Najib Abu Hassan converted a penalty corner.
The Ipoh side took the surprise lead when Azril Misron laid off a perfect pass for Akmal Mohd Tajuddin to slot the ball into goal.
Thunderbolts were shocked and doubled their efforts to seek an equaliser.
It was then that Sufi Ismat Md. Rohulamin put his team back on level terms.
The tide then swung in Thunderbolts’ favour as they scored three goals within 10 minutes of the second half resuming.
Sufi scored in the 38th minute before skipper Shazril Irwan Nazli made it 4-2 with a goal in the 40th minute. Sufi completed his hattrick in the 45th minute giving Thunderbolts a 5-2 lead with 25 minutes still remaining.
Thunderbolts wasted numerous chances from then on and will hope not to regret this in the second leg.
Malay Mail
Firhan boost for Thunderbolts
By Jugjet Singh
Firhan Ashaari’s inclusion into the Thunderbolts team has given them hope of notching a double.
FIRHAN Ashaari's timely inclusion has given League champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts the thrust to finally land a Junior Hockey League double this season.
Thunderbolts, who evolved from title-less Bandar Penawar Sports School, won the Overall title last season, but lost the League title battle to UniKL Young Guns.
It was the same in 2010, when Thunderbolts won the League title, but lost the overall fight against UniKL.
And this year, Thunderbolts wrestled the League title from UniKL Young Guns on a goals scored average after both teams ended tied at 1-1.
"We thumped all the teams in the League, except for the 1-1 draw against UniKL, so I feel this team is finally ready to claim the JHL double this season.
"And with Firhan back in the fold, our scoring machine will move a few rungs higher in the Milo Cup knock-out," said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan.
Firhan was listed by Thunderbolts when the JHL entries closed, but he was immediately drafted into the senior national side and did not play a single league match.
"After the Dublin Qualifier team was named and Firhan did not make the cut, he played his first match for Thunderbolts in the second leg quarter-finals (against Petaling Jaya Municipal Council) and scored two goals," said Wan Roslan.
Nineteen-year-old Firhan's gruelling training with the big boys as well as the tours and friendlies he played in the run-up to the Olympic Qualifiers, has given Thunderbolts the edge against MBI Anderson.
For the record, MBI Anderson lost 6-0 to Thunderbolts in the league. However, the Ipoh side surprised Sapura with their fighting spirit in the quarter-finals.
As for UniKL, they will have to bring out their best against Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in the other semi-final. If the league encounter is taken as a yardstick, where UniKL could only beat BJSS 3-2, this match will remain interesting until the return leg.
"We still have not forgotten the League encounter against BJSS where we almost squandered the match. So, I believe even without their skipper (Ahmad Ashraf Alias who picked up a yellow card in the second leg quarter-final for deliberately stopping the ball with his foot) BJSS cannot be taken lightly," said UniKL manager Amir Azhar.
TODAY — Semi-finals, 1st leg: SSTMI-Thunderbolts v MBI Anderson (5pm), Bukit Jalil SS v UniKL (7pm).
FRIDAY — Semi-finals, 2nd leg: UniKL v Bukit Jalil SS (5pm), MBI Anderson v SSTMI Thunderbolts (7.30pm).
(All matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil).
New Straits Times
Scare for big guns
By Jugjet Singh
BJSS’ Azrul Hasbullah (right) celebrates his teammates after scoring against UniKL in the first leg of the Milo Cup semi-finals at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
SSTMI Thunderbolts virtually qualified for the final of the Junior Hockey League Milo Cup when they hit MBI Anderson of Ipoh 5-2 in their semi-final first leg at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
UniKL Young Guns also came back from the dead to win 3-1 against Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), to keep themselves on track for a final appearance.
However, both the semi-finals had looked like they were heading for upsets, when Anderson took a 2-1 lead against Thunderbolts, while BJSS also drew first blood against UniKL.
Thunderbolts, who whitewashed Andersons 6-0 in the League, took matters for granted after Khairol Shafik scored in the 12th minute.
Anderson then shocked the favourites when skipper Najib Hassan scored off a penalty corner set-piece.
Azril Misron then made it 2-1 in the 22nd minute but Sufi Ismat equalised in the 24th and the score remained until the breather.
However, Thunderbolts showed why they were the league champions when they hit three goals within 10 minutes through Sufi (38th, 45th) and skipper Shazril Irwan Nazli (40th).
BJSS shocked UniKL when Azrul Hasbullah scored against the run of play in the 13th minute in pouring rain. But the joy was shortlived as UniKL's Haziq Samsul equalised in the 34th.
After the breather, UniKL retook the lead off Hafiz Zainol in the 40th and Syafiq Zulzairin then gave them some breathing space for the return leg with his 65th minute effort.
"There was a total lack of understanding between the midfield and forward line, and when BJSS scored it rattled my players further," said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan.
RESULTS -- S-finals, 1st leg: SSTMI-Thunderbolts 5 MBI Anderson 2, Bukit Jalil SS 1 UniKL 3.
TOMORROW -- Return leg: UniKL v Bukit Jalil SS (5pm), MBI Anderson v SSTMI Thunderbolts (7.30pm). -- Pitch II, National Hockey Stadium.
New Straits Times
Pivotal weekend on Tayside for Kelburne
SCOTTISH SUBWAY NATIONAL LEAGUE (MEN)
Glynhill Kelburne manager Harry Coles sees this weekend as pivotal in the destiny of the Subway national league championship, the Paisley side have a double header against bottom side VWS Dundee Wanderers on Saturday and Grove Menzieshill the fol;lowing day.
Given that Kelburne have yet to drop a single point in the campaign so far, six points this weekend on Tayside is a realistic prospect, and Coles` charges would only require a further four points to guarantee their eighth consecutive title.
"This weekend could be a very significant occasion in terms of the championship. But we expect a tough contest in both games, especially against Menzieshill who have shown some very good form of late, scoring plenty of goals," said Coles.
However, Coles` reticence is not borne out by the statistics, earlier in the season Kelburne beat Wanderers 5-0 and Menzieshill 9-0 with Alan Forsyth, Jonny Christie and Mark Ralph from the set pieces doing most of the damage. (Saturday at Riverside Park at 15.00).
It is the battle for second spot and a place in Europe next season that is focussing the minds of the coaches of Grange, Western Wildcats and Inverleith. After last weekend`s thrilling 3-3 draw with the Wildcats, Grange still hold a three point lead over the Auchenhowie outfit, but with a game more played. At the moment Inverleith trail Western by a further two points, but also with the luxury of a game in hand.
"Currently we are fourth in the table, at the start of the season we set ourselves a target of finishing in the top three. At the moment we are still on track for this target, and if we could finish second, then I think that would be a great achievement," said Stephen McCurry Inverleith`s coach.
The Edinburgh side have a catch-up weekend, a double header against CALA and Edinburgh University, and six points here would overtake the Wildcats into third place.
McCurry is certainly not counting his chickens against teams below Inverleith in the table. "Both will be very hard games. In the first half of the season, we dominated the game against CALA for long spells, but we only won the game by the odd goal in five. Our game against Edinburgh University ended in a 2-2 draw, so it will not be easy to take the six points, and we will take nothing for granted."
The 2-0 win over bottom side VWS Dundee Wanderers last weekend gave Inverleith a winning start to the second half of the season, but McCurry was the first to admit that his charges were not firing on all cylinders that day.
Inverleith will almost be at full strength for the double header weekend, the only absentee is defender and penalty corners expert Adam McKenzie, still nursing a broken finger sustained in the recent European Indoor Club Trophy. (Saturday at Peffermill 13.30 - Sunday at Peffermill at 14.15)
Grange also take on the Edinburgh students today and a win would preserve their second place status. Rob Barr`s charges blew hot and cold in last week`s draw with the Wildcats, but a Phil Sully double was enough to see off Edinburgh earlier in the season. (Peffermill at 13.15)
Western entertain Grove Menzieshill in a fixture fraught with pitfalls. In the first game of the season the contest ended 3-3, Scott McCartney (2) and Douglas Simpson doing the damage, and in addition the Taysiders are unbeaten in their last five league encounters.
With four points in their last two games, AMN Hillhead are beginning to claw their way to safety from the relegation zone, and are now only three points behind third bottom CALA and with a game in hand. Further progress could be made if they could take something from the visit of unpredictable Greaves Clydesdale.
"I think we can won against Clydesdale, both matches so far this season have been closely contested affairs," said Keith Joss, Hillhead`s coach. "Prior to the turn of the year, in league matches we were performing better than the results may have suggested, and the four points gained in the past two weeks keeps us on track for the target we have set."
In fact, Hillhead`s results against Clydesdale have been encouraging for Joss, a 3-3 away draw in the opening league game of the season, then a 3-0 win at Jordanhill to dump the Titwood side out of the Scottish Cup. But Joss has a few injury problems, in particular Matt McIntrye is out with a broken thumb and Wei Adams with a hip problem. (Jordanhill School at 14.25)
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Still Grove`s league to lose
SCOTTISH SUBWAY NATIONAL LEAGUE (WOMEN)
Milne Craig Western may be on a roll with nine consecutive victories and have moved into second spot in the Subway national league, but coach Neil Menzies still believes the destiny of the title is for Grove Menzieshill to throw away.
Perhaps rather pessimistic as the Taysiders are only four points ahead of Western who have a game in hand, but the premise behind Menzies` theory is that the champions are unlikely to drop any further points before the end of the season.
This Saturday is possibly one of the few occasions as third placed Giffnock come calling to Dundee, desperate to get back on the rails after last weekend`s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Western. But what must be a cause for concern for player/coach Rhona Simpson is not only her own form but also the fact that her side were so out of touch for most of the game. The last meeting of the clubs is not much of a source of comfort for Simpson either, Grove won 4-1 with goals from Ali Bell (2), Linda Clement and Suzi Roberts.
However, there has been a dip in the form of the champions of late, a fortnight ago they lost their unbeaten record 2-1 to Western while last Saturday they could only beat second bottom side Grange 3-1 on Tayside. Perhaps not the stuff of champions, but if Grove can keep on winning, the championship will definitely return to Tayside.
Western should move to within a point of Grove if they can beat CALA Edinburgh on Saturday and Edinburgh University the following day. On current form Menzies` charges should see off both, but they will certainly have to be more clinical in front of goal. (Saturday Titwood at 14.30 - Sunday Peffermill at 11.00). Yet the Edinburgh students have been the surprise packet of the season under player/coach Sam Judge, they are established in fourth position in the table and are unbeaten in their last six outings. On Saturday Edinburgh should pick up another three points at home to neighbours Grange. (Peffermill at 14.45)
Fifth placed VWS Dundee Wanderers are also on catch-up mode, they should take the three points from their visit to Western Wildcats whose form seems to have dipped recently. Glynhill Kelburne at Bellahouston on Sunday could be a difficult assignment, last time out the Paisley side forced a 2-2 draw, Wanderers` goals from Louise Sherriffs and Heather Elder were cancelled out by Amanda Maxwell and Kate Longbottom. (Bellahouston at 12.00)
The foot of the division is getting tighter, only four points now separate GHK at the foot and Grange and Wildcats above them. GHK travel to Bellahouston to meet a rather unpredictable Kelburne side, but points here could be a premium for the Glasgow side.
Scottish Hockey Union media release