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All the news for Tuesday 10 April 2012

Ireland 2-3 Germany (Mannheim)

Ireland put in a spirited performance against Germany today, losing 3-2 in Mannheim. Germany had the better of possession in the first half but Johnny Bruton gave Ireland a 31st minute when he fired home a reverse shot from the top left.

Germany equalised in the 34th minute when Witthaus followed up with a rebound shot off the post to make it 1-1 at half time.

The game ebbed and flowed in the second half and Stralkowski gave the home side a 2-1 lead from a penalty corner rebound before Rabente made it 3-1 in the 57th minute when he picked off a bye-line ball.

Ian Sloan got Irelands second goal in the 67th minute from open play and the final result remained Ireland 2-3 Germany.

Ireland play again tomorrow this time against the Germany U21 side at 3pm before taking on the full squad again on Wednesday at 2pm

Ireland 2 (1) Johnny Bruton 31st op; Ian Sloan 67th op
Germany 3 (1) Wittahus 34th pc; Stralkowski pc; Rabente 57th op

Starting XI: Kenny Carroll; John Jackson; Ronan Gormley; Johnny Bruton; Peter Caruth; Ian Sloan; Bruce McCandless; Timmy Cockram; David Ames; Paul Gleghorne; David Fitzgerald

Bench; Brian Doherty; Phelie Maguire; Johnny Bell; Jason Lynch; David Cole

Irish Hockey Association media release

KO16: Dragons and hosts Rotterdam reach Final 4

Final 4 fixtures now known


KHC Dragons celebrate their victory (Photo: EHL / Frank Uijlenbroek)

The Belgian champions KHC Dragons as well as the KO16 hosts H.C. Rotterdam qualified for the Semi Finals in the Euro Hockey League. Rotterdam defeated the English champions East Grinstead HC 3-1. Dragons won 3-1 against Reading HC after extra time.

Dragons and Rotterdam join Uhlenhorster HC and Amsterdam H&BC who qualified for the Final Four on Sunday. The EHL double winners UHC Hamburg celebrated a massive 7-1 win over the English champions Beeston HC. The second Quarter Final in Rotterdam was won by the Dutch champions AH&BC who defeated last season’s Hoofdklasse runners-up Bloemendaal 3-2.

The Final Four will be played on 26 / 27 May. The Semi Finals will see UHC taking on Dragons with Amsterdam facing Rotterdam. EHL Board will announce the venue as soon as possible.

It’s the fourth time that Rotterdam qualify for the EHL Final Four. The current Hoofdklasse leaders have reached the Semi Finals in all four EHL editions they have participated in. Grinstead were the third English team to be eliminated in the Quarter Finals as Beeston and Reading also lost their KO8 matches.

EHL all-time top scorer Jeroen Hertzberger contributed two goals to the Rotterdam victory raising his career total to 26 goals. All-time Hoofdklasse top scorer Roderick Weusthof scored as well as Grinstead’s Mark Gleghorne.

KHC Dragons beat Reading HC in the second period of extra time. The score stood at 1-1 after regulation. A double-strike from Jeffrey Thys and Renaud Pangrazio in the second period of extra time saw the Belgian champions qualify for the Semi Finals. It’s the first time in EHL history that Dragons reach the Final 4. In last year’s Quarter Final they lost to Reading on penalties.

Dragons team-captain and Belgian international Jeffrey Thys said: “This was a game with a lot of emotions. It was a deserved victory, we played with a lot of energy.” While the defeat was a big disappointment for last years’s Bronze medallists from Reading, Dragons celebrated with their enthusiastic fan base. “I think we have the best supporters in Europe”, said Thys.

Detailed match summaries, video highlights, fixtures and results, images and much more information on the KO16 is available on www.ehlhockey.tv , the official website of the Euro Hockey League.

FIH site

English clubs exit Euro Hockey League


Barry Middleton in action for East Grinstead at the Euro Hockey League KO16 2011-2012 (Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)

East Grinstead became the third English side to lose in the Euro Hockey League quarter finals following Reading’s defeat to KHC Dragons earlier on Monday and Beeston’s loss to UHC Hamburg on Sunday.

East Grinstead went down 3-1 to the hosts of the weekend’s action with a double from Jeroen Hertzberger and one from Roderick Weustof late on doing the damage.  At 2-0 down Great Britain international Mark Gleghorne netted from a third quarter penalty corner but EG could not find an equaliser despite a good effort from Danny Hall as the game entered its final five minutes.  And there was to be a sucker punch when Weustof was presented with a relatively simple finish from close range after good work by Rotterdam down the East Grinstead left.

It was East Grinstead’s first appearance in the quarter finals since 2009, when they lost 3-2 to another Dutch side, HC Bloemendaal.


Richard Mantell in action for Reading at the Euro Hockey League KO16 (Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)

Earlier in the day, Reading’s men played out one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament in Rotterdam but ultimately lost out 3-1 to Belgium’s KHC Dragons.

The Blues found themselves behind to a Stephen Butler goal at half time but an equaliser from Andy Watts in the third quarter set up a thrilling final spell.

Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the fourth period but defensive heroes emerged on both sides, notably Reading captain Richard Springham whose full length forward dive blocked perfectly on the penalty spot.

As happened last season, the match between the Dragons and Reading went to extra time but unlike in 2011, it was settled by the silver goal, rather than penalties.  Two and a half minutes from the end of extra time, Dragons’ captain Jeffrey Thys finished from the centre of the circle following a flowing counter attack to put the Belgians 2-1 ahead.  Needing to chase the game, Reading withdrew goalkeeper Nick Brothers in favour of a kicking back but the move did not pay off as the Blues lost possession in the midfield and Renaud Pangrazio ran thirty metres before slotting the ball home into the unguarded net to make it 3-1.


Mark Wadsley in action for Beeston in the Euro Hockey League KO8 (Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)

On Sunday, Beeston dropped out of this year’s Euro Hockey League at the quarter finals stage as they lost 7-1 to Germany’s UHC Hamburg in Rotterdam.

2-1 down at the end of the first quarter, Beeston found themselves 4-1 down at half time. With no goals in the third period there was still hope of a Beeston fightback as they entered the final quarter but a penalty corner goal two minutes into the quarter ended the Nottinghamshire side’s dreams of an appearance in the final four.

The Germans weren’t finished and they added two more on the break as Beeston continued to play right to the end.  Stephen Lawrence was Beeston’s goal scorer from a first quarter penalty corner.

Read the full match reports and watch highlights of the games on www.ehlhockey.tv.

England Hockey Board Media release

Leicester & Reading suffer Easter Monday defeat

Leicester lost their final match at the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup in San Sebastian on Monday morning as they went down 5-1 to Atasport of Azerbaijan.

3-1 down at the break, Leicester could not find a way back into the match in the second half, conceding twice more.

In Brussels, there was disappointment too for Reading’s women as they lost 2-1 to Ritm Azot Grodno.  The Belarusian side had taken a two goal lead at half time but Reading hit back in the second half.  It wasn’t to be enough though as Ritm Azot Grodno held on to take victory.

On Sunday, Leicester ladies had lost 3-2 to Russian side SHVSM Izmaylovo in their second and final pool match.  Lucy Brown and Helen Jelley were Leicester's goal scorers.

In Brussels on Sunday, Reading’s women lost 2-1 to German club Klipper THC, meaning that they too finished third in their pool.  Becky Halle got the goal for Reading.

Those results came on the back of earlier defeats on Friday.  In a not so 'Good Friday', Leicester went down 6-0 to an Uhlenhorster side packed with nine full internationals.  Reading lost 2-0 to Royal Wellington of Belgium on Friday. The hosts netted twice in the opening period, once from a penalty corner and the other from a penalty stroke.

Follow the team’s results on the European Hockey Federation website at www.eurohockey.org.

England Hockey Board Media release

England U18 Boys win 4 Nations Tournament

England Under-18 boys won the Easter Four Nations Tournament in Holland in thrilling style on Easter Monday, beating their hosts on penalty strokes.

The scores were tied at 3-3 after 70 minutes, but England held their nerve and in the shootout and won 5-3.

Goalkeeper Sam Brooks saved all the Netherlands’ attempts at goal in the shootout, while Rob Farrington and Chris Proctor both scored to clinch the win.

England trailed 1-2 at half time with Chris Proctor their scorer. But two goals from Luke Taylor after the break helped push the game to penalty strokes, and England held their nerve to win the Tournament for the first time since 2004.

England Under-16 boys battled to a thrilling 6-5 victory over Germany to secure third spot in their Four Nations Tournament in the Netherlands.

1-5 down early in the second half, they managed to mount a fightback, which was all the more remarkable given that they received two yellow cards and played for ten minutes a man short.

Guy Mills scored on 43 minutes when he drilled the ball low into the bottom corner from a drag flick, and Harry Roberts added a third goal on 46 minutes when he blasted it past the keeper from a narrow angle on the right.

Oliver Nail made it 4-5 with a 58th minute flick after finding space in the D. And Roberts bagged his second – and pulled England level at 5-5 – with a diving deflection after Conor Caplan had crossed in on 61 minutes.

And the crucial last goal came on 63 minutes, Nail scoring with a deflection at a penalty corner.

England Under-18 girls also won their bronze medal match, beating Spain 3-3 on penalty strokes in thrilling style.

The match was tied at 3-3 after 70 minutes and went straight to penalty strokes.

Tied again at 3-3 after the first round, the second round of penalty strokes were sudden death and it proved decisive, with Spain missing their first while Kate Holmes scored for England to secure the win.

But England Under-16 girls didn’t have such luck, losing out 0-10 to hosts Germany after suffering from injuries through the second half which depleted their options for replacements.

England Hockey Board Media release

U16 boys punch above their weight in Holland

SCOTLAND UNDER 16 BOYS AT HDM TOURNAMENT IN DEN HAAG (NED) OVER EASTER WEEKEND.

It was hardly a level playing field for Scotland boy`s under 16 squad at the HDM tournament in Den Haag, most of the other teams on view were under 18, but the Scots youngsters punched above their weight to finish a very creditable sixth on the final day.

After narrowly losing their opening games against the Irish side Ipswich College (4-3) and Gouda from Netherlands (2-1) the day before, on Saturday Scotland opened their account against English side Kent.  Rob Harwood (Douglas Academy) scored in only three minutes, but the English notched two late strikes to take the game 2-1.

The under 16s finally recorded their first victory with a 2-1 win over Switzerland`s under 18s.   The Scots were a goal up at the interval through Gordon Amour (Bellahouston Academy).   The Swiss equalised after the interval, but in a strong finish Patrick Christie (Edinburgh Academy) hammered the ball home from the top of the circle for the winner.

In the final game of the day against crack Dutch side Ring Pass the Scots again took an early lead through John Reid (Jordanhill School), but then lost out to a penalty corner and a late Dutch strike.

It was a different story on the Sunday, the Scots youngsters won all three play-off games to finish sixth.  Firstly they saw off Dutch side Almere 3-1, the goals came from Andrew Duff (Bellahouston), Joe McConnell (Douglas Academy) and Hamish Imrie (Fettes College).   Scotland then completed the double over the Swiss, this time 3-0 with strikes from Andrew Duff, Patrick Christie and Lewis Fraser (George Watson`s College).   The tournament was finished off in style with a 6-0 win over fellow Scots Aberdeen GSFPs under 18s.   Strikes from Adam Lloyd (Stewart`s Melville College), Callum Boag (Baldragon Academy) from a penalty corner, Murray Collins (Bellahouston Academy) and Hamish Imrie gave the under 16s a four goal lead at the interval.   Two further goals were added by Alex Morrison (Aberdeen Grammar School) and Connor Bain (Bellahouston Academy).

"Coaches Allan Law and Adam Bain were delighted with the progression made by the squad, they performed better each day of the tournament," said Steve Bain, Scotland`s manager.

The Scots youngsters did come away from Den Haag with a trophy, they won the Fair Play award.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Pakistan juniors win series against Malaysia 2-1

Staff Report

LAHORE: Hosts Malaysia put up an impressive show by outplaying the Pakistan junior hockey team 5-3 in the last tie of the three-match series on Monday in Kuala Lumpur. According to a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the green shirts, who carved out comfortable victories in the first two matches, failed to rise to the occasion in the third game and went gown 5-3. The hosts were leading the first half 5-0. From Pakistan, Muhammad Dilber, Muhammad Suleman and Muhammad Umair scored one goal each. Pakistan won the series 2-1. Pakistan will next play two matches against South Korea on April 12 and 13. The green shirts are on the tour of Malaysia for the build up for next month’s Junior Asia Cup to be played in Malaysia. The Junior Asia Cup is the qualifying round for the Junior World Cup.

The Daily Times

Pak jr hockey team win series

LAHORE – Pakistan junior hockey team won the three-match series against Malaysia by 2-1 at Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

In the series, Pakistan scored 12 goals against Malaysia out of which 10 scored on field attempts while two were scored through penalty corners. Malaysia scored 11 goals out of which eight were PC, two were FG and one was PS.

The last match of the series was played on Monday which Pakistan lost 5-3. The next two-match series against Korean junior hockey team will be played from April 12 to 13.

The Nation

Slowly but surely

Dharma’s boys getting better but still a long way to go

by Vijhay Vick


FOILED: Mohd Azrul (centre) attempts a shot at the Pakistani goal during their final friendly at Bukit Jalil yesterday

BUKIT JALIL: The Project 2013 boys finally beat Pakistan in a three-game series at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

They lost 5-3 and 4-3 last Friday and Saturday. But yesterday, the Malaysians took the game to Pakistan.

“The tactics worked today. We used the matches not only to try out players but also a variety of tactics,” said team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.

Not only did the Project boys dominate the game but also raced to a 5-0 lead in the second half, having taken a 1-0 lead at halftime.

However, the team appeared to collapse in the final 10 minutes as Pakistan hit three past Azrul Faiz to end the match at 5-3.

“There is no reason to panic. These friendlies can’t determine our strength. But we can assess players individually,” added Mirnawan.

“Plus, we have yet to slow down on training. Despite having matches to play, we still hold our daily morning training sessions.”

Mirnawan added Pakistan did not send all their firstchoice players. They have some players in the senior team who will be eligible to play at the AJC in Malacca next month.

However, the former national captain stressed that the Project 2013 boys must work on their finishing as most of their goals during the matches came from penalty corners.

“Short corners are our strength but we cannot just rely on that alone. The players have good moves but they need to make good use of those moves,” he added.

Also present at the game were Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) lifetime honorary president Sultan Azlan Shah and president Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah Shah.

Malay Mail

Is there an end to it at all?

S. Thyagarajan

Leandro Negre embarks this week on another mission impossible. What the FIH boss hopes to do to seal off the factional fight in Indian hockey administration here is hard to visualise.

The deadline set last time is over. Neither Hockey India nor the Indian Hockey Federation showed any urgency for a solution. It was total inertia.

The endorsement by the Sports Minister, Ajay Maken, to the efficacy of the World Series of Hockey (WSH) both at the start and after the conclusion will add weight to IHF's claim for a major role.

How much is FIH pleased with the success of the WSH cannot be ascertained. The FIH at best will remain non-committal.

The FIH Executive Board is said to have debated the India related issues at its recent meeting in Barcelona. The nitty-gritty of these remains unclear. Whether Leandro comes up with any fresh proposals for the HI and IHF officials can be known only when he meets them.

Why the FIH is going out of its way to end this impasse intrigues many. A retired FIH administrator raises his hands in despair. He informs that opinion within the FIH is divided on the handling of the HI-IHF differences.

Can there be a meeting point? Both HI and IHF feel it is possible. But so far it has been like a mirage. Primarily, there are four agencies — FIH, IHF, HI and IOA — leaving aside the major player, Sports Ministry.

The objective is to bring hockey under one umbrella. But each agency has agenda totally in conflict with the other.

The IHF is unprepared to accept its disaffiliation by IOA in 2008. It won a legal battle too.

The IHF argues that if an alleged aberration of an official captured in a sting operation by a TV network is reason enough to dismiss a federation then what about the IOA whose top officials were jailed in cases related to CWG. Even the IOC has expressed its displeasure over the ramifications of the CWG.

A working arrangement emerging out of Leandro's visit appears remote. The best solution is status quo.

Since the Sports Ministry is behind all the hockey ventures, be it funding of camps, tours, payment to the coaches and what not, the parties claiming to seek control of the administration can stay put as they are till the Olympic Games.

Any controversy or debate now will divert the attention from the preparation. Mr. Ajay Maken, has come off as one who understands the sentiments and sensibilities of the sportspersons in the Olympic year. So, there need be no knee-jerk reaction.

What is of interest is the attitude of HI towards the 150-odd players who participated in the WSH. True, several were past their prime.

But there were quite a few national level material like Gurjinder Singh, the first hockey player scooping around Rs. 1 crore from a competition.

Taking shelter under the FIH eligibility rules may be one option. But will that escape legal scrutiny?

Surely, HI does not want another legal battle should there be a PIL on this issue.

The Hindu

FIH president Negre's India visit postponed

NEW DELHI: International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre's proposed visit to India this week has been postponed for the time being due to personal problems.

With an aim to resolve the long-standing dispute between Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation, the FIH president was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday on a three-day visit.

But according to sources in HI, Negre has deferred his visit till the end of this month.

"Leandro Negre has postponed his tour to India. We don't know the exact reason but it seems he has some personal problems. He is now expected to come here by the end of this month or early May," a source in HI said.

Negre, along with FIH vice-president Antonio von Ondarza and chief executive officer Kelly Fairweather, were scheduled to arrive on Tuesday and hold meetings with all the concerned parties to sort out the differences between HI and IHF before leaving the country on April 13.

Earlier this year during the London Olympic qualifiers, Negre had promised to visit India soon to help both HI and IHF in sorting out their differences.

During Olympic qualifiers in February this year, the FIH president had given both HI and IHF a month's time to resolve their problems.

But more than a month has passed and the two warring federations have so far failed to find out a solution.

The Times of India

Butt confident of making Olympics squad despite WSH stint


“Looking at the strength of our team I believe that it needs experienced players like Shakeel Abbasi and myself.” -File photo

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Rehan Butt has termed his experience playing in the World Series Hockey (WSH) as the ideal preparation ahead of this year’s Olympics in London and has expressed confidence that he will be considered by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

The cash-rich event which failed to get the official sanction of International Hockey Federation and as such all Pakistani players that took part in it face the risk of suspensions by the PHF.

Butt and another top player, Shakeel Abbasi, joined the WSH despite being named in the Olympics probables and full-knowing the risks of their action. went ahead despite part of the Olmypics probables and led the Chandigarh Comets to the semi-finals of the inaugural event.

“I have been playing hockey for years but it was a great learning experience for me. The standard of the tournament was high and it was an exciting opportunity which was great for us. It was a good opportunity for us to earn some extra money. Secondly, there wasn’t any international assignment and we only missed the training camp. In fact the WSH gave us ideal training ahead of the Olympics,” Butt said, adding that he will face PHF’s disciplinary committee with full confidence.

“I will try to convince them. I’m fit, in good form and confident that I’ll perform well in the Olympics if given the chance.”

The Pakistani squad, according to Butt, lacked the experience that could serve the team well at such big event.

“I have represented by country in two Olympics games in Athens and Beijing and hope to play in London.

“Looking at the strength of our team I believe that it needs experienced players like Shakeel Abbasi and myself.”

Meanwhile, a training camp for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia, is set to begin on April 18 in Islambad.

“The team will now be selected in the first half of next month. Till then all the probables selected earlier will appear in the training camp,” coach Khwaja Junaid said, without getting into the issue of the ‘rebel’ players

Dawn

Wanangwe shines bright as Simba add to Police woes

By AYUMBA AYODI


Davis Wanangwe , Africa's best player centre celebrates after scoring against Kenya Police during their Kenyan Hockey Union premier league match at the City Park Stadium on April 8 2012. With him are Castro Kaluna (18) and Ashok Rai. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN.

The 22-year-old former Strathmore University striker scores hat trick to sink the champions in scintillating Premier League match

Nothing is more inspiring for Davis Wanangwe than playing alongside Kenya’s hockey greats in the likes of former Olympian Inderjit “Coolly” Matharu.

Well, that is the drive the 22-year-old former Strathmore University striker required to score a hat trick that enabled Nairobi Simba sink champions Kenya Police 3-2 in a scintillating Premier League match played Sunday at City Park.

The ageless Matharu, who played for Kenya for over 10 years with the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games being one of his highlights, is Nairobi Simba’s coach-cum-player.

Nairobi Simba’s victory that came a week after crushing Greensharks 4-0 in season opening tie, put them top of the league with six points. Wazalendo and Strathmore who spanked Kenya College of Accountancy University 4-1 yesterday, are also on six points apiece but on inferior better.

Great honour

“It’s a great honour playing alongside Matharu, who has been such an inspiration not only to me but other upcoming players as a coach and player,” Wanangwe said in a post-match interview.

“There is no better way to learn from the former Olympian is join him in his den and I have no regrets.”

However, Wanangwe, who left Strathmore alongside George Mutira and Haggai Pepela for Nairobi Simba reckons that its a great challenge.

Matharu said he is happy that the youngsters are committed and working towards achieving their set goals: “These players need inspiration and it’s good for them.”

After winning the national hockey title for Strathmore in 2009 and 2010, Wanangwe, Mutira and Haggai, the players are after the obvious. “We want to win the national title for Simba and then focus on the Continental title,” said Wanangwe. It’s almost over a decade since Nairobi Simba were crowned national champions.

Declared best player

Besides guiding Strathmore for silver victory at the Africa Cup Clubs Championships in Zambia in December, Wanangwe was also declared the best player and top scorer with seven goals.

Wanangwe put Simba ahead in the second minute to lead 1-0 at the break. He would finish off his two-touch with Wilson Odhiambo for his brace in the 47th minute only for Moses Cheplaiti to equalise in the 49th and 52nd minutes.

Wanangwe rifled in the winner in the 63rd minute to hand Police their second consecutive defeat, having fallen to Wazalendo 0-1.

Meanwhile, Terry Juma sunk a brace as Blue Eaglets rallied from behind twice to force a 3-3 draw against Strathmore University in the women’s league.

Daily Nation

Sports school playing hard-to-get

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur may do without the KL Sports Schools (KLSS) boys for the national U-16 tournament later this month.

KL Hockey Association (KLHA) are finding is hard to get the school, formerly known as SMK Titiwangsa, to release players because of red tape.

“KLSS insist we have go through the KL Schools Sports Council (MSSKL) but they have moved out of their complex in Cochrane and have yet to inform us of their contact details,” said KLHA secretary V. Rajamanickam.

However, Rajamanickam is puzzled why KLSS need a directive from MSSKL as the association had no problem getting players from Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar.

The other two sports schools are also under MSSKL.

The U-16 tournament is from April 26-May 6 in Alor Star. KL have already started centralised training.

“Several boys from KLSS attended last week. Even that was because they were sent by their parents and not the school,” he added.

According to Rajamanickam, the school reasoned they had transport problems but KLHA were ready to make travel arrangements and even bear the cost.

“Now we may have to make do without 13 of their players. But we can still comfortably put up a team, comprising players from other schools,” said Rajamanickam.

KL are expected to play about 10 friendlies before the U-16 tournament, including eight KL League matches and two matches against a visiting New Zealand team.

Rajamanickam said they were having similar problems with the girls from KLSS.

KLHA passed letters to the girls to hand over to the school, which in turn asked the girls to get permission from their parents.

“They (sports schools) are there to provide players for the State and country. Why are they making it difficult?” he added.

Malay Mail

MHC focus shifts to juniors and women

By Jugjet Singh

THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) will hold its first council meeting since the merger with the women's body today, and top of the agenda is the appointment of a new secretary general and also the future of coach Tai Beng Hai.

Former MHC secretary general Maninderjit Singh resigned shortly after  the national team failed in the Dublin Olympic Qualifier, and Johari Aziz is expected to be officially appointed today.

Johari, who retired from Tenaga Nasional, is the Kuala Lumpur HA vice president as well as president of Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club.

He was also the team manager for the national juniors in 2009.

Yesterday, MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president Sultan Azlan Shah watched Project 2013 beat Pakistan 5-3 in a run-up to the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca on May 3-13.

When asked about the appointment of the secretary: "I have my list of candidates and will forward and discuss it at the council meeting. We will also discuss about the coaching set up, as it is time that we moved on," said Tengku Abdullah.

Tengku Abdullah also met the  women's team, who are preparing for the Olympic Qualifier in Kakamigahara, Japan, on April 25-May 6.

"I hope the women qualify, after the men failed in Dublin. Their biggest hurdle there will be Japan, and hopefully, they overcome it.

"And as for the Project 2013 team, I have big hopes on them to do well in the Junior Asia Cup and qualify for the World Cup, as we need to keep playing at the highest level, be it juniors or seniors," said Tengku Abdullah.

New Straits Times

Johari likely to replace Maninderjit as MHC secretary general

By AFTAR SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur HA vice president Johari Aziz is tipped to be the new Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretary general in place of Maninderjit Singh, who resigned last month.

Former international Maninderjit sent in his quit letter after the team failed in the Dublin Olympic qualifier.

Johari has been proposed because he has a strong background in the game, having served as team manager of Tenaga Nasional for many years in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL).

He was also team manager of the national juniors in 2009.

MHC will hold their first council meeting after their merger with the women’s body today, and the other matter on the agenda is the fate of national coach Tai Beng Hai.

MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president Sultan Azlan Shah watched the Project 2013 team beat Pakistan 5-3 in a friendly match in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Pakistan won the first two friendlies 5-3 and 4-3 over the weekend. The matches are part of the Project 2013 team’s preparations for the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca from May 3-13.

The team will play another four matches against South Korea starting on Thursday.

Asked about the appointment of the MHC secretary general, Tengku Abdullah said: “I have my list of candidates and will discuss it at the council meeting tomorrow.

“We will also look into the coaching setup as it is time that we moved on after the Dublin failure.”

Tengku Abdullah said that with the men’s team failing to qualify for the London Olympics he hopes that the women, who will be competing in the qualifier in Kakamigahara, Japan, from April 25-May 6, will make the cut for the Games.

“As for the Project 2013 team, I expect them to do well in the Junior Asia Cup and qualify for next year’s Junior World Cup.

“They need to keep improving as they can expect a tough challenge in the tournament,” said Tengku Abdullah.

After losing the first two friendlies with a mixed-team, coach K. Dharmaraj fielded his best side yesterday and his charges played well.

Sultan Azlan Shah, meanwhile, met the national women’s team at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The team will be leaving for Seoul on Sunday to play four matches — two against the Korean national team and two against club sides.

Malaysia open their campaign against Azerbaijan in Kakamigahara on April 25. The other matches are against Japan (April 27), Belarus (April 29), Chile (May 1) and Austria (May 3).

The playoff matches and final will be held on May 5. Only the winners of the tournament will qualify for the London Olympics.

The Malaysian women’s team have never featured in the Olympics.

The Star of Malaysia

Ginolfi soon to be part of USOCs Team USA Career Program

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The U.S. Olympic Committee and the Addeco Group have been providing employment opportunities to some of the top athletes in the nation for the last several years. The USOC’s Team USA Career Program gives athletes the chance to get their feet wet in the workplace while pursuing the Olympic dream. Last week, Jon Ginolfi (Moorpark, CA) was hired by Hilton Worldwide, a USOC sponsor committed and actively involved in providing career training and job placement assistance for elite athletes.

“For the Men's team to continue to develop and grow, having our athletes involved in the Team USA Career Program will only complement the work that we will be doing on the field,” said Head Coach Chris Clements. “To be an elite athlete and to have a support network that enables you to train and travel when required, yet maintain a stable employment situation is ideal. The program will have an immediate effect on the availability of a number of our athletes and only enhance their playing and professional careers.”

Ginolfi debuted his career with the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2007 against Mexico and has since competed in roughly 89 international competitions.

“I haven’t had a full-time job, just a few small jobs here and there,” said Ginolfi. As an elite athlete, it can be a challenge to find an employer that understands the training and international travel schedule. Because of that, Ginolfi has spent most of his time coaching and in various part-time roles.

Currently a student at Moorpark College studying Business, Ginolfi is eager to begin a Marketing Intern role with the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in downtown San Diego, CA in early May and start applying what he is learning in the classroom to the workplace. The USOC Adecco program is not only providing Ginolfi with means to continue his training on the National Team, but also establishing a resume that could lead to future employment opportunities after his playing career is over.

The Team USA Career Program has also provided employment opportunities to members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, including, Kayla Bashore-Smedley (Shoemakersville, Pa), Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa), Jesse Gey (Green Lane, Pa) and Rachel Dawson (Berlin, NJ) and Maren Langford (Lewes, DE), as well as numerous other elite athletes from a variety of sports.

Dawson acquired a position at TD Ameritrade as an Investor Relations Intern in late January 2012. She performs a multitude of functions that aid in the daily operation of TD Ameritrade’s branches investor consultants. Dawson says her athletic experience has parlayed nicely into the professional arena.

“The professional experience has been pivotal for my individual growth,” said Dawson. “It has aided in my development in numerous ways - athletically, personally, and professionally, and has allowed me to maintain a balanced, holistic perspective of the Olympic level sport experience - which sometimes can become too consuming. Moreover, it has given another level of maturity to our team, and sport nationally. The investment in professional development allows the athlete to maintain longevity in their hockey careers. We are developing not just as hockey players or workers, we are developing as human beings, and really that is what this life is all about.”

USFHA media release

George Croft passes away


Surbiton president George Croft presents the Venson player of the month trophy to Stefan Salinger in 2003: Photo Get Surry

The FIH was saddened to learn that long-time Honorary Secretary of the Hockey Rules Board, George Croft, passed away on March 31.

Croft was a fixture in the hockey world for many years, serving on many different levels. He worked with Hockey England, the European Hockey Federation and with the FIH as an expert and Honorary Secretary of its Hockey Rules Board. Croft had suffered from a long-term illness, which he fought bravely for 20 years before passing away last week.

He is survived by his wife  Lyn Croft, who was also active in the hockey world as the Secretary to Mark Cowlishaw, who was a Vice-President of the FIH. The FIH was informed that that the funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 15:30 (GMT) at the Randalls Park Crematorium, which is near Leatherhead in Surrey, England.  

FIH site