News for 12 July 2012
Thursday, 12 July 2012 09:45 | 
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All the news for Thursday 12 July 2012
Black Sticks Men level series with Belgium
The Black Sticks Men have beaten Belgium 3-1 in the second of a series of Olympic warm-up matches in Brussels, Belgium last night.
After a travel weary team went down 2-1 in the opening game, the Black Sticks returned to the level expected from the seventh ranked side to comfortably beat the Belgians - ranked 11 in the world.
Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod said the team made a much better start today.
“We were a lot more patient and balanced, and in the second half we were controlling possession and running all over the Belgians.”
The home side opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the fifth minute and the Kiwis took until the 31st minute to reply with a Andy Hayward drag flick.
The Black Sticks dominated the second spell, and goals to Richard Petherick from a penalty corner and to Simon Child with a field goal put the result beyond doubt.
Reserve goalkeeper Hamish McGregor played the first half of the match and made a couple of fine saves.
The Black Sticks now head to the Netherlands for two unofficial tests against the Dutch in Utrecht on 13 and 15 July.
Hawke’s Bay is the Principal Partner of the Black Sticks Men and Women
RESULT
New Zealand 3 (Andy Hayward, Richard Petherick, Simon Child) Belgium 1. HT:1-1.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Black Sticks level series with Belgium
The Black Sticks men have beaten Belgium 3-1 in the second of a series of Olympic warm-up matches in Brussels, Belgium this morning. (thurs, NZT)
After a travel weary team went down 2-1 in the opening game, the Black Sticks returned to the level expected from the seventh-ranked side to comfortably beat the Belgians - ranked 11th in the world.
Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod said the team made a much better start today.
"We were a lot more patience and balanced, and in the second half we were controlling possession and running all over the Belgians."
The home side opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the fifth minute and the Kiwis took until the 31st minute to reply with a Andy Hayward drag flick.
The Black Sticks dominated the second spell, and goals to Richard Petherick from a penalty corner and to Simon Child with a field goal put the result beyond doubt.
Reserve goalkeeper Hamish McGregor played the first half of the match and made a couple of fine saves.
The Black Sticks now head to the Netherlands for two unofficial tests against the Dutch in Utrecht on July 13 and 15.
Result: New Zealand 3 (Andy Hayward, Richard Petherick, Simon Child) Belgium 1 HT:1-1.
The New Zealand Herald
Black Sticks beat Belgium to square series
New Zealand men's hockey coach Shane McLeod praised his team's patience as they bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Belgium in the second of two unofficial test matches in Belgium.
Following a 2-1 defeat to the world's 11th-ranked team in Lier yesterday, the seventh-ranked Black Sticks made a much better start in Brussels today, despite conceding an early goal through a penalty corner and taking till the 31st minute to score themselves, via an Andy Hayward drag flick.
The second half was a step up again, goals to Richard Petherick from a penalty corner and to Simon Child from the field putting the result beyond doubt.
"We were a lot more patience and balanced, and in the second half we were controlling possession and running all over the Belgians," McLeod said.
The Black Sticks now make the short trip to the Netherlands for two unofficial tests against the world No 3 in Utrecht on July 13 and 15, before heading to London for the Olympic Games.
Stuff
SA hockey men end tour on a high
PJ VAN ROOYEN in Santander, Spain
The South African men's hockey team earned a hard fought 4-3 victory over India in Santander, Spain, on Wednesday to end their European tour on a high.
A tense last quarter of the game concluded with the South Africans successfully defending a last minute penalty corner, which would have levelled scores, but India blazed wide to hand them victory.
The South Africans enjoyed plenty of possession and looked a determined outfit as they attempted to iron out any final concerns ahead of the London Olympic Games.
South Africa turned their possession into a valuable lead nine minutes into the game, with defender Rhett Halkett finding Lloyd Norris-Jones with a superb ball. Norris-Jones beat his marker and found Clinton Panther, who created a clear run into the area where he scored for the tourists, beating goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.
With the majority of possession throughout the half, the South Africans maintained their authority, doubling their lead through striker Thornton McDade, who received the ball from Tim Drummond after good work and a solid build-up from the back.
India hit back after a penalty corner chance was saved by the SA defensive runners, only to fall to Danish Mujtaba, who slotted home past keeper Jacques le Roux from close range.
Le Roux enjoyed a strong first period, making vital saves as South Africa went into the break leading 2-1.
They came out in the second half looking to continue their impressive display in the first, but were made to defend early on, as India earned their second penalty corner five minutes into the half.
Sandeep Singh made no mistake as he shot into the bottom corner to level the game at 2-2.
South Africa seemed certain to be awarded their first penalty corner of the match after 46 minutes, but a dubious decision by the Spanish referee left them aggrieved.
They nonetheless regained the lead just four minutes later as Julian Hykes found Norris-Jones from a turn-over in his own area, with Norris-Jones making a sublime run over the halfway line.
He beat three markers and drilled home past Chetri, who was beaten at his near-post.
Le Roux continued his fine form and enjoyed another solid half, making a diving save to his right from an Indian penalty corner to keep the visitors ahead with 17 minutes to play.
Norris-Jones was back into the action 10 minutes later as he made yet another piercing run into the Indian area and earned South Africa's only penalty corner of the match, courtesy of a swinging India stick, which drag-flick specialist Justin Reid-Ross dispatched in typical fashion to hand the South Africans a two-goal cushion.
India managed to have the last say, as SK Uthappa scored four minutes from time after receiving a cross-ball which popped up and was put away, though the Indians were left trailing by one.
SA Press Association (SAPA)
SA Hockey Association media release
South Africa have the last laugh against India in hockey Test
BANGALORE: After a close 6-5 win on Sunday, when South Africa ran India close in the dying moments of the game, the Indian hockey team lost 3-4 to the same opposition on Wednesday. This was their last friendly in the run-up to the tri-nation tournament at La Albericia in Santander.
The goal scorers for India were Danish Mujtaba, Sandeep Singh and SK Uthappa while Clinton Panther, Thoton McDade, Llyod Norris-Jones and Justin Reid Ross were on target for South Africa.
South Africa went 2-0 up by the 17th minute thanks to Clinton Panther (9th minute) and Thoton McDade before India reduced the margin four minutes later through a field goal by Danish Mujtaba.
The Indians looked a lot more cohesive in the second half, coming up with pleasing moves and penetrating the circle often. It was only a matter of time before Sandeep Singh converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute.
Lloyd Norris-Jones put SA ahead yet again in the 50th minute but in what was turning out to be a seesaw battle, SK Uthappa restored parity in the 57th minute.
Then came the final blow, Justin Reid converting a penalty corner for the South Africans in the 61st minute with a crisp shot.
This was India's second loss in the Santander friendlies. They had drawn with Spain 3-3 before losing the second Test 1-2. They beat South Africa 6-5 on Sunday.
India now take on Great Britain on July 14 in the inaugural match of the tri-nation series in Santander.
The Times of India
India lose to South Africa 3-4
LA ALBERICIA (SPAIN): The Indian hockey team went down fighting to South Africa in its last friendly in the run-up to the Tri-Nation tournament, on Wednesday.
India lost the keenly-fought encounter 3-4. The scorers for India were Danish Mujtaba, Sandeep Singh and SK Uthappa while Clinton Panther, Thoton McDade, Llyod Norris-Jones and Justin Reid Ross were on target for South Africa.
Panther put South Africa ahead in the ninth minute, scoring a field goal.
McDade scored another for his team in the 17th minute. India reduced the margin four minutes later with a field goal scored by forward Mujtaba.
Going into the second half India created good moves penetrating in the circle and levelled 2-2 in the 47th minute through a penalty corner converted by Sandeep.
However, three minutes later, Norris-Jones put South Africa ahead.
India fought back strongly and equalised seven minutes later through a field goal by Uthappa.
South Africa scored the winning goal in the 61st minute through a penalty corner by Justin Reid.
In the run-up to the Tri-Nation, India drew Spain 3-3, before losing the second test 1-2, and beat South Africa 6-5 in the first friendly. The four matches helped the Indian players adjust to the blue turf.
India will play against Great Britain on Saturday in the inaugural match of Tri-Nation series in Santander, Spain.
The Times of India
Sardara, Sandeep key to India's Olympic success: Nobbs
Placed in a tough pool, India's hockey coach Michael Nobbs says vice-captain Sardara Singh and ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh's form would be crucial to the team's chances in the upcoming London Olympics.
"I think we have the harder pool by long way and it would be foolhardy for any of these teams to say where they will finish. We are all trying to do the best we can," Nobbs told PTI in an interview from La Albericia, the capital city of Cantabria in Spain.
"I expect the team to do its best and to try and finish as well as it can. Everyone forgets there are 11 other teams there as well.
"Not just in my opinion, but Sardara at this point in time probably is one of the two or three best players in the world. If he plays well we will do well. On the other hand, if Sandeep scores a bagful of Penalty Corner goals that will also be the key (to our success)," he added.
Back in the Olympics after missing out the Beijing Games, eight-time champions India have been placed in a tough Pool B alongside reigning champions Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Korea and Belgium.
Nobbs feels Indian hockey is still in the rebuilding phase and it would need some more time to produce results on a consistent basis.
"Not at this stage, but you never know (about India's chances in the Olympics). I am certain that we are well along the right track to start to produce consistent good results and that's going to happen," Nobbs said.
The Australian is satisfied with India's build-up to the Olympics but said his team still needs to fix a few weak links.
DNA
I try to improve my skills as per changing trends: Sandeep Singh
If the underdog Indian hockey team wants to put up a decent fight at the London Olympics, ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh would have to be in prime form and he knows it more than anyone else.
The hero of India's Olympic qualifiers is confident of a good show and says that he has been working hard to improve his drag-flicking skills.
"I always try to give my best and improve my skills as per the changing trends of the game. I have a feeling that India will be one of the better teams to compete in the London Olympics," Sandeep told PTI in an interview from La Albercia in Spain.
Asked about the team's preparations, the senior player sounded pretty confident.
"We have been doing well for the past six months in the run-up to the Olympics. We have put in a lot of hard work and hopefully, it would pay off when it matters the most."
He didn't seem to agree that the Indians would be under immense pressure at the quadrennial extravaganza.
"There is no pressure on us as we are much more confident of doing better this time around."
While the team's Australian coach Michael Nobbs is eyeing a top-six finish, his key player feels that the "primary target should always be a podium finish."
"The idea will be to take one match at a time rather than thinking too far ahead. We are planning proper strategies for each of our opponents."
DNA
‘We are under no pressure’
- We have put in a lot of hard work, says Sandeep
Sandeep Singh
New Delhi: If the Indian hockey team wants to put up a decent fight at the London Olympics, ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh would have to be in prime form and he knows it more than anyone else. The hero of India’s Olympic qualifiers is confident of a good show and says that he has been working hard to improve his drag-flicking skills.
“I always try to give my best and improve my skills as per the changing trends of the game. I have a feeling that India will be one of the better teams to compete in the London Olympics,” Sandeep said from La Albercia in Spain.
Asked about the team’s preparations, the senior player sounded pretty confident.
“We have been doing well for the past six months in the run-up to the Olympics. We have put in a lot of hard work and hopefully, it would pay off when it matters the most.”
He didn’t seem to agree that the Indians would be under immense pressure.
“There is no pressure on us as we are much more confident of doing better this time around.”
While the team’s Australian coach Michael Nobbs is eyeing a top-six finish, his key player feels that the “primary target should always be a podium finish.”
“The idea will be to take one match at a time rather than thinking too far ahead. We are planning proper strategies for each of our opponents.”
Meanwhile, the Indians went down fighting to South Africa in its last friendly in the run-up to the tri-nation tournament, on Wednesday. India lost the keenly-fought encounter 3-4.
The scorers for India were Danish Mujtaba, Sandeep and SK Uthappa while Clinton Panther, Thoton McDade, Llyod Norris-Jones and Justin Reid Ross were on target for South Africa.
Panther put South Africa ahead in the ninth minute, scoring a field goal.
McDade scored another for his team in the 17th minute. India reduced the margin four minutes later with a field goal scored by forward Mujtaba.
Going into the second half India created good moves penetrating in the circle and levelled 2-2 in the 47th minute through a penalty corner converted by Sandeep.
However, three minutes later, Norris-Jones put South Africa ahead.
India fought back strongly and equalised seven minutes later through a field goal by Uthappa.
South Africa scored the winning goal in the 61st minute through a penalty corner by Justin Reid.
In the run-up to the Tri-Nation, India drew Spain 3-3, before losing the second test 1-2, and beat South Africa 6-5 in the first friendly. The four matches helped the Indian players adjust to the blue turf.
India will play against Great Britain on Saturday in the inaugural match of Tri-Nation series in Santander.
The Telegraph, India
Let me entertain you
By Graham Wilson
JASON LEE will entertain you. The Great Britain men's coach is promising his medal-seeking squad is going to wow the fans with their attacking style of play.
“If we want the home crowd to support us, we have to give them some things to really cheer about,” he said.
“I will guarantee there will be goals in our games and they will be going in our goal as well as the opposition’s. There will be “oohs and aahhs” all through the tournament.”
So Lee is committed to attack but therein lies the danger. “If you get opened up and you don’t deliver when you get the chances then almost anybody can beat you," he said.
"We can keep it tight and just try to cling on to games but that does not beat enough of the top teams. We might get one or two results but that’s not going to take you all the way.”
But Lee said: “We will win a medal or the gold by being aggressive, having the ball hitting our post occasionally and coming out and the ball hitting the inside of their post and going in. There will be some fine moments.
"Australia and Germany are by far the best teams in the world but we will play a game that gives us chances. Hopefully luck will be on our side, form will be on our side and the crowd behind us.”
The home advantage in a superb 16,000 stadium, with a total of 76 matches played on a bright blue and pink pitch will be a big factor. Lee added: “The pitch is a little skippy. There will be moments when you miss the ball because it takes an unusual bounce. Part of the luck will be that it happens to you when it does not make a difference and, when it happens to the opposition, it does. It is not going to mean we come first instead of sixth. It might take a medal from somebody, that is for sure. But we are on that edge and we are prepared to step up to that point."
Lee’s selection, in particular, sees the surprise omission of Reading’s penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell who has been chosen as a reserve in case of injury, and Surbiton’s midfielder Richard Alexander. His Beijing Olympian clubmate Matt Daly is one penalty corner specialist returned from injury while Old Loughtonian midfielder Harry Martin, the youngest in the squad at 19, also takes the honour of stepping out for hockey’s greatest show. The squad contains 12 members of the England team which won European gold for first time in 2009 beating Germany in the final. For seven players London 2012 will be their first taste of Olympic competition.
Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt has no doubts. He said: "Jason Lee's men will their have the sights firmly on reaching the medal matches in the Olympic Park. Under his leadership the squad have developed a fast, exciting style of hockey which has thrilled crowds and earned plaudits around the world in the last few years."
Men: Group A: Argentina, Australia, Spain, GB, Pakistan, S Africa.
Group B: Belgium, Germany, India, Rep of Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand.
Daily Express
Ian Lewers confident GB can win gold
IAIN Lewers believes the Team GB Hockey men's squad are capable of winning a medal at "the world's greatest show."
The 28-year-old East Grinstead defender is in the 16-man squad for the Olympic Games, alongside three of his club team-mates, and he feels the squad is capable of doing well at their home games.
He said: "We are ranked fourth in the world and so to get a medal, we will have to exceed world rankings.
"But I have every confidence in the squad and I am confident we can do well.
"Of course with sport, it is so unpredictable, but as long as we manage all of those things that we can control, we can do well in the Olympics."
And the Northern Irishman, who has 29 GB caps to his name, is looking forward to participating in an Olympics on home turf.
"It is the world's greatest show and it is called that for a reason," he said.
"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and to do well would be another unique experience.
"There aren't too many people who can say in their sporting life that they have competed at an Olympic Games in their home country."
Lewers, who was born in Belfast, came into hockey late after playing several different sports at school, but he says his first coach at Annadale Hockey Club, Ronnie Smyth, was one of the biggest influences on his hockey career.
He said: "I was certainly involved in a lot of sports when I was younger, including football, rugby, hockey and tennis.
"Obviously hockey came to the fore and my parents and first coach, Ronnie Smyth, have been the biggest influences and shaped me."
And he has enjoyed a lot of success in the sport since, making more than 80 appearances for Ireland and playing at the Euro Hockey Nations Championship and Champions Trophy in 2011.
However, it is the Olympic Games occupying his mind at the moment and the East Grinstead player is hoping his team-mates at club level can help bring success to the squad.
He said: "I don't think there's anything new we can bring, but we can bring familiarity from our game.
"There is a confidence throughout the squad and we all enjoy playing together. And when it comes to the crunch that is the good thing, we can have open and honest conversations with each other."
Lewers did reflect on the disappointment that some of his Grinstead team-mates were going through in not being selected for the 16-man squad though, with fellow Northern Irishman Mark Gleghorne, the vastly experienced Mark Pearn and Scot Niall Stott all missing out on the final selection.
He said: "It is hard to know they have missed out but it is the nature of selection. It will be a massive disappointment, but we all knew this day was coming."
However, Lewers is confident that the 16-man squad named by Team GB is good enough to compete for the ultimate prize at London.
He said: "I am sure most athletes will say that to compete in the Olympics is an ultimate goal, but most athletes don't just come to participate - they want to win and I am certainly no different."
East Grinstead Courier and Observer
This is Sussex
Pakistan hockey squad leaves for England today
Staff Report
LAHORE: An 18-member Pakistan hockey team will leave for England on Thursday for participation in the London Olympics to be held from July 27 to August 12. The players will join a training camp in Birmingham prior to start of the Olympics. Until July 22, the team will be training at the Cannock Hockey Club and will play practice matches against the host club and Scotland teams. Thereafter, the national team will leave for the Olympic Village.
Coach optimistic to utilise players in effective way: Chief coach and manager of the Pakistan hockey team Chaudhary Akhtar Rasool, a former Olympian, is optimistic to utilise the expertise and talent of the senior players in an effective way by gelling them with the junior players to lift the fortunes of the team in the Olympics. “We have chalked out a plan to utilise the services of the senior players by blending them with the juniors to form a combination that is strong against every opponent in the Olympics,” he told media here on Wednesday.
The present management is banking upon the experience captain Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi and Waseem Ahmad with a mindset that there is no substitute of experience and these players still have much hockey left in them to raise the performance of the team. “The seniors are fit enough to cope with modern day fast paced hockey requirements as they have been involved in international hockey in recent years. I hope that they will put up best performance to encourage the junior players,” said Akhtar under whose captaincy Pakistan won the 1982 World Cup.
He said the junior players were proving themselves and their recent performance in the European tour and the training camp at Abbottabad was impressive. “I am confident that if these players play with the same rhythm and momentum which they showed in the training camp, they have the ability to shatter the confidence of world’s top hockey nations.” He termed the first match of the Olympics against Spain ‘of greater significance’ to determine the Pakistan team’s path in the mega event.
The Daily Times
Akhtar hopeful of utilising senior players in most effective way
LAHORE - Former Olympian and chief coach and manager of Pakistan hockey team Chaudhary Akhtar Rasool is optimistic to utilize the expertise and talent of senior players in a most effective way by gelling them with the junior players to lift the fortune of the team in its bid to produce a better show in London Olympics.
Talking to the media on the eve of the departure of the team for England, Akhtar Rasool said: “We have chalked out a plan to utilize the services of senior players by blending them with the junior players to draw a combination which is equally against every opponent in Olympics.”
Pakistan team will be having a 10-day training camp in Birmingham to give final touch to its preparations for Olympics.
The present management is banking upon the potentialities of senior players including captain Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi and Waseem Ahmad with a mindset that there is no substitute of experience and these players still have much hockey left in them to raise the performance of the team by becoming inspiration for fellow colleagues who are lesser in experience and age.
“The junior players are proving themselves and their recent performance in the European tour and the training camp at Abbottabad was impressive and he is confident that if the team plays with the same rhythm and momentum which it struck in the camp, it has the ability to chatter the confidence of world’s top hockey nations,” he added.
“We have worked hard on improving fitness of the players and it was a pleasant surprise for us that senior players are maintaining a higher side of stamina and fitness to remain in action during 70 minutes play, no matter they are coming in the field in patches but having a higher line of stamina,” he said.
To a query, Akhtar replied: “I don’t want to make tall claims, the most important task ahead of me is to keep the players in high spirit and to develop a desire of success in them to get best out of the players even in tough matches.”
“In next 10 to 15 days, we will be playing five practice matches to gear up for Olympics in a most comprehensive manner. We are better in technique and we have worked really hard on missing chances inside the circle and utilizing the forwards in new roles assigned to them besides working on bettering the confidence of goalkeeper Imran Shah,” he said. He termed the first match of Olympics against Spain ‘a match of greater importance’ to determine Pakistan team’s path in the mega event.
The Nation
In the Spotlight....Netherlands Men
A closer look at the 24 competing Olympic teams
Dutch head coach Paul van Ass made some tough cuts for the Olympic team (Photo: FIH / Frank Uijlenbroek)
'In the Spotlight' is a series that will profile each of the 24 participating teams at the London Olympic Games. It will provide a glimpse of what to expect as each squad begins its London quest. Between now and the Olympic opening ceremony a new team will be featured every 2-3 days. Today we feature the men's national team of the Netherlands.
The Basics:
The Dutch men are currently #3 in the FIH World Ranking with 1855 points, trailing Germany and Australia. The Dutch have played in 13 Olympic Games, since making their debut in 1928, missing just three Games since then. They won back-to-back gold medals in 1996 and 2000 and have garnered three silvers and three bronzes, as well. Combined with their women’s side, they have won more hockey medals than any other nation, 14 in total. The Dutch finished fourth in Beijing and a third-place finish followed at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi; silver at the European championships and bronze once more at last December’s Champion’s Trophy in Auckland.
The Road to London:
Second place in Monchengladbach at the European Championships was enough to claim one of three automatic places for the Games. With England reaching the semi-finals of that competition, the Dutch took one of the three other tickets to London simply by reaching the final four, their 7-4 victory over Ireland – inspired by four Taeke Taekema penalty corner goals – in the final group game ultimately confirmed their Olympic berth.
Players to Watch:
Now preparing for his fifth Olympic Games, Teun de Nooijer vies with Australia’s Jamie Dwyer for top spot in the debate of who is the modern great of the game. He won the first of his two gold medals in 1996 in Atlanta and followed up with a second in Sydney four years later. A magical touch, sublime balance and an eye for goal which has yielded over 200 international strikes, he is truly a world star. Billy Bakker is emerging as a tricky customer from play and Robert van den Horst is another one to watch further back in the field. Roderick Weusthof top-scored in the Dutch Hoofdklasse this year for Amsterdam with a massive 36 goals and will be their go-to man in that department.
Coach:
Paul van Ass took over the head coaching role from Michel van den Heuvel in June 2010. Prior to this, he had played a major role in transforming club side HGC from a relegation-threatened Hoofdklasse side to one contending for European club titles. The club reached the national club finals in 2007 and reached the EHL final in 2008. In the 2008/09 season, he became the “Jong Oranje” coach before stepping up to the senior role. Since taking on the top job, two Champions Trophy bronze medals and a European silver is the return from the major tournaments.
Strengths:
Ostensibly a young, emerging squad with a couple of experienced heads, keen to make their mark. The creative totems of Teun de Nooijer and Floris Evers provide plenty of opportunities for their forward line. The depth and competitiveness of their club game means they always have a glut of players fighting for an orange jersey and this selection has been no exception, allowing the country to be one of the most consistent medal challengers.
Weaknesses:
When coach Paul van Ass made the brave decision to leave top stars like Teun de Nooijer and Taeke Taekema out of his squad in January of this year, it caused plenty of consternation in the Dutch media. Veterans of over a combined 600 caps, the idea appeared to be forge new leaders in a young panel. De Nooijer has returned to the selection after eight weeks out injured but Taekema was surplus to requirements and whether the Dutch can fill the void of corner goals remains to be seen.
Crystal Ball:
Recent form appears to see them playing catch-up on group mates Germany, their conquerors at the European championships and more recently in the Masters tournament in Dusseldorf. Revenge of sorts was earned in the Champions Challenge in December with a 3-2 success but it suggests their margin for error in Group B is very small if they are once again to make the semi-finals. They have the confidence and the experience, though, that comes with six successive appearances in the final four, dating back to 1988, and a high quality squad to be very much classed as one of the gold contenders. Whether they will rue leaving out Taekema and, also, EHL top-scorer Jeroen Hertzberger? Time will tell.
FIH site
Indian hockey team: Past perfect, present tense
Satya Siddharth Rath
Once upon a time when the British ruled India, India ruled the world. From 1928 to 1956, a bunch of men, armed with wooden sticks curved at one end, went on a winning spree across the world, conquering everything that came their way.
An eight-year lull followed which was enough to recharge them for another shot at glory in 1964. One had to wait 16 long years before they won again. That was in 1980.
Indian hockey has gone downhill since, reaching its lowest point in 2008 when the team failed to even qualify for the Beijing Games.
It was the first time in eight decades, since their maiden appearance in 1928, that the eight-time Olympic champions were not seen in action at the quadrennial event.
In just a fortnight's time, the 30th edition of the Olympics begins in London, the third time since 1908 and 1948 that the iconic city is hosting the Games.
Thanks to a favourable draw and weak opposition in the qualifying tournament, held in New Delhi in February, India made it to the Games. The real test begins now.
The normal Indian sports fan loves to thrive on hope. And hype. The good part is, this time there is neither hope, nor hype, as far our chances in hockey are concerned.
Much of that has to do with the continuing infighting among the hockey fraternity of the country, which has only added to the fans' disappointment. But that's another story.
The facts do not paint a rosy picture. The once-mighty India are currently ranked a lowly 10th in the world. Of the 12 teams in fray, only Belgium and South Africa are behind them, at 11th and 12th respectively.
Barring the Olympic qualifying tournament, which India won to book their tickets to London, the other results have not looked very promising in the run-up to the Games.
Even at the Azlan Shah tournament in May-June, normally considered a happy hunting ground for the Indians, they finished third, despite going in with a full-strength side.
Also, India have been quite vocal about their dislike for the blue turf, which is being introduced at the 2012 Games for the first time.
They even blamed their last-place finish at the Olympic test event, held in April-May at the same Riverbank Arena where the Games' hockey competition will be played, on the "bouncy and slippery" surface.
Indian coach Michael Nobbs is candid enough to admit that he will be happy with a top-six finish. "I can only say that the boys are confident of doing well. We have worked really hard over the last few months. It's difficult to predict where we'll finish. If luck favours us, we can do wonders. But considering everything, I would be happy with a top-six finish," Nobbs said, just before the team's departure for London.
But even for the straight-talking Australian's rather realistic expectations, the task won't be easy. India are placed in a tough Pool B alongside Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Belgium and the Netherlands. Barring the Belgians, the other four teams are not just ranked higher, but are tough opponents too.
While the Germans and the Dutch are proven hockey powers, the Kiwis have struck a rich vein of form in recent months, and their Azlan Shah triumph shows they will be no pushovers.
The Koreans might not have looked at their best going by current form, but they have the ability to stun the best of sides on their day. India, definitely, have a tough task at hand, and Nobbs is aware of that.
"Our pool is perhaps the toughest. The boys realise the enormity of the task and know what to do. Much will depend on our first game (against the Netherlands). We must win that, as that will ease a lot of the pressure off our heads. New Zealand have looked very strong recently, they are the most-improved side of all. It won't be easy, but we are ready for the challenge," Nobbs asserts.
If past can be taken as an inspiration, India have a ready reckoner. In their last Olympic outing in London, in 1948, the hockey team won the gold, their fourth on the trot.
It was also independent India's first sporting achievement. They won four more gold after that, the last one coming 32 years back. History has an uncanny knack of repeating itself. So, who knows...
KEY PLAYERS
Sardar Singh
Coach Nobbs may have not handed the captain's armband to this playmaker, but everyone knows what this sturdy lad from Chandigarh is capable of. Besides being gifted with an impeccable craft of generating defence-splitting passes from awkward positions, Sardar has the speed and presence of mind to rush back and help in defence. These attributes easily make him the man to be heavily relied upon.
Sandeep Singh
When it comes to the art of drag-flicking, Sandeep is second to none. Recently, it was concluded that Sandeep's drag-flicks are the most powerful ones in modern hockey. With a high short-corner conversion rate, Sandeep will be the man most feared by India's opponents. The only hurdle, however, remains the consistency at which the Indian forwards earn those short-corners.
Gurbaj Singh
What Gurbaj brings to the table is his amazing knack to attack. People who follow the national sport closely, will swear by his ability to blaze past the rival defence. His speed is electrifying, and his stick work terrific. The only flaw he needs to rectify, and quickly at that, is his role as defensive midfielder. He has been found a bit shaky on that front. Despite the small chink in his armour, Gurbaj will be extremely critical for India in the midfield.
SV Sunil
After a long time, here's an Indian winger blessed with both speed and skill. His runs through the right flank during the Azlan Shah tournament, where India took the bronze, were a testimony to his abilities. Sunil not only creates passes, but is extremely swift in getting into scoring positions and converting half-chances. Nobbs will not only expect Sunil to score goals at the Olympics, but also create short corners.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
The midfield. Sardar Singh has been outstanding here. His thoughtful scheming, through passes and exemplary attacking skills will hold the key for India. The skills of Gurbaj Singh and Manpreet will come in handy too.
Weaknesses
Defence. It has been India's achilles heel for some time now. Both Sandeep Singh and VR Raghunath aren't the best of movers and fall behind in anticipation and clean tackling. Ignace Tirkey will have to shoulder a big burden here.
Opportunities
A chance to make history in a city where India won its first gold as an independent nation, and the return to Olympic fold after missing out on Beijing 2008 should spur Nobbs' boys. Three other teams of almost equal standing - Korea, New Zealand and Belgium too should make things easier.
Threats
The blue turf. India have struggled owing to lack of enough exposure, while the other teams have not.
GOLDEN ERA
The period from 1928 to 1956 is called the 'Golden Era of Indian Hockey'. During that 28-year period, India won the Olympic hockey gold six consecutive times. In all, India played 24 Olympic matches, won all 24, scored 178 goals (averaging 7.43 goals per match) and conceded only seven goals. India also won the gold at the 1964 ( Tokyo) and the 1980 ( Moscow) Olympics, for a total of eight gold medals. Fittingly enough, India and Britain clashed in the final, with India winning 4-0.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri (captain), PR Sreejesh
Defenders: VR Raghunath, Ignace Tirkey, Sandeep Singh
Midfielders: Sardar Singh (vice-captain), Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh
Forwards: SV Sunil, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Shivendra Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Tushar Khandker, Dharamvir Singh, SK Uthappa
Coach: Michael Nobbs
The Times of India
1956 Olympics: India pips Pakistan to win gold
The discerning reckon the hockey team to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, led by centre-forward Balbir Singh, was one of the best ever to leave Indian shores. The squad was brimming with experience and youth besides tremendous firepower. It was hardly a surprise then that the team came away with another gold medal, the sixth in a row.
Four of the team — Balbir Singh, Randhir Singh Gentle, Leslie Claudius and Ranganathan Francis — were playing their third Olympics, while for Govind Perumal, Udham Singh, Raghubir Lal and Amit Kumar it was their second Games. There were some young guns too in the squad that had an aura of invincibility and so it turned out to be.
The team played four warm-up games in Ambala and Bombay, winning all, but some players stayed out citing injuries. The Indian Hockey Federation ordered fitness tests and Gursevak Singh (PEPSU) was ruled unfit with a dodgy knee and was replaced by Amit Singh Bakshi of the Services on the eve of the team’s departure.
The Games were marred by boycotts as some of the nations from Middle East stayed away in the wake of the Suez Canal imbroglio while a couple of European nations, including Spain and the Netherlands, dropped out protesting the Russian handling of the Hungarian revolution.
Consequently, only 12 teams took part. The teams were split into three groups of four each. India (Group A), Great Britain (Group B), and Pakistan and Germany (Group C) advanced to the semifinals.
For India, the league phase was a relatively easy affair as they hammered Afghanistan 14-0, the United States 16-0 and Singapore 6-0, but they lost skipper Balbir Singh, who suffered a fractured finger in the first game. Balbir’s injury provided Udham Singh a great opportunity to showcase his scoring ability, which he did with seven against the U.S., two versus Singapore and then the match-winner in India’s 1-0 win against Germany in the semifinals. Gentle converted a second-half short corner for India who beat Pakistan 1-0 in the final.
Incidentally, India did not concede a single goal in the entire tournament to match their 1928 Olympics record, but then there were enough indications that other teams were catching up and so it proved to be. India’s reign was to end four years hence and though they regained the gold in 1964 and again in 1980, the King had lost his crown.
Indian team: Balbir Singh Dosanjh (captain), Shankar Laxman, Ranganadhan Francis, Bakshish Singh, Randhir Singh Gentle, Leslie Walter Claudius, Amir Kumar, Charles Stephen, Govind Perumal, Gurdev Singh Kullar, Udham Singh Kullar, Raguhbir Singh Bhola, Balkrishan Singh Grewal, Haripal Kaushik, Raghbir Lall Sharma, OP Malhotra, Hardayal Singh Garchey and Amit Singh Bakshi.
Results:
League — India beat Afganistan 14-0 (Balbir Singh Dosanjh 5; Udham Singh Kullar 4; Randhir Singh Gentle 3; Gurdev Singh Kullar 2).
India beat USA 16-0 (Udham Singh Kullar 7; Hardyal Singh Garchey 5; Gurdev Singh Kullar 3; Leslie Claudius 1).
India beat Singapore 6-0 (Udham Singh Kullar 2; Charles Stephen 2; Randhir Singh Gentle 1; Hardyal Singh Garchey 1).
Semifinal: India beat East Germany 1-0 (Udham Singh Kullar 1).
Final: India beat Pakistan 1-0 (Randhir Singh Gentle 1).
Positions: India 1; Pakistan 2; Germany 3; Great Britain 4; Australia 5; New Zealand 6; Belgium 7; Singapore 8; Malaya 9; Kenya 10; USA 11; Afghanistan 12.
The Hindu
20 NZ Olympic Moments: No. 14, Goalie wins gold with smashed kneecap
By Dylan Cleaver
Look at photos and footage of the 1976 Olympic hockey tournament and there is one jarring note: the goalkeepers look hopelessly vulnerable.
These days, modern keepers look like Nasa projects. Clad from top to toe in the latest shock-resistant padding, custodians like New Zealand's Kyle Pontifex look capable of surviving a nuclear winter let alone a 130km/h drag-flick.
Not so Trevor Manning. At Montreal, the Wellingtonian was wearing nothing more than his uniform, a jaunty sunhat, "abdominal" protector and a pair of cane pads when he stopped a "100-mile-per-hour" rocket from an Australian striker.
It needed to be stopped, too. New Zealand were protecting an improbable 1-0 lead in the gold medal playoff and the 11 New Zealanders were of a mind that anything that had to be done in that final 10 to 15 minutes to protect the lead, well, it just had to be done.
They had already pushed around the edges of probability just to be in the final.
New Zealand had a hockey tradition of sorts, but it wasn't one flushed with Olympic success. Sixth was their best placing, at Melbourne and Rome. Surprising, then, that Greg Dayman should be so bold as to suggest that if New Zealand were ever to win an Olympic gold, it would be at Montreal.
Pool play did not necessarily bolster his argument, especially after they were humbled 2-5 by Pakistan. They scraped into the semifinals via a playoff against Spain that went to three periods of extra time.
New Zealand played their most confident hockey of the tournament to finish normal time at 1-1 against the Netherlands. Once more the match went to three periods of extra time before Dayman broke the deadlock.
Australia, who had beaten the classy Pakistanis in an ill-tempered semifinal, were justifiably confident ahead of the final. New Zealand had never beaten them in seven years.
When Ramesh Patel missed a penalty stroke, the worst was feared, but Tony Ineson slammed in a second-half penalty corner to seize the lead.
Then it was Manning's final.
His goal was peppered in the final quarter but he stood firm, buckling only when stopping the aforementioned rocket.
The hooter went, New Zealand had won.
Only later did the celebrating players learn that their keeper had finished the match with a shattered kneecap.
The New Zealand Herald
Scotland women to play China
Scotland Women's squad will be playing 2 games v China, at Wakefield HC on the 20th and 22nd July.
The games will be used by China in their build up to the Olympic Games. Due to this there will be high levels of security at the two games and only people who have pre booked tickets will be able to attend. There is a limit of 4 tickets per person per game.
There will be no gate admissions on the day, so make sure to pre book tickets to in sure you can support the Scotland team.
To pre book tickets please go to Wakefield HC, where you will find details on how to book tickets. The tickets are £5 per adult and £2 per child
The games push back at 19.30 on Friday 20th July and 14.00 on the 22nd July.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
PHF provides financial assistance to widow of team masseur
Staff Report
LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Qasim Zia on Wednesday presented a cheque for Rs.456,000 to the widow of Pakistan senior hockey team’s masseur Babar Qureshi here at National Hockey Stadium. Qureshi, a devoted worker and who remained associated with the team over a decade, died during a training camp of the Pakistan hockey team in Islamabad on April 26, 2012. Acknowledging his services for the cause of Pakistan hockey, Pakistan’s Olympic-bound team members also donated their daily allowances amounting to Rs.356,000 for the welfare of Qureshi’s family. “I praise this kind gesture of the team players and the management. They have contributed in a noble cause to extend financial assistance to Qureshi’s family in this need of hour,” said the PHF chief in a statement. Rs.100,000 was donated by the PHF.
The Daily Times
Selangor, Johor book semis spot
Selangor and Johor booked their spots in the semi finals of the womens competition by registring comfortable wins over their opponents in the Malaysian Games held in Kuantan.
Johor defeated Sarawak 4-0 at the Wisma Belia Stadium while Selangor got the better of Perak 4-0 at the Sukpa Stadium.
The two teams, together with Penang- thanks to their 1-0 win over Malacca, were tied with 10 points, but Johor and Selangor moved to the semis due to better goal difference.
In another match played earlier, it was heartbreak for early favourites Malacca who fell to their second consecutive defeat, this time losing by a solitary goal to Penang.
Though Penang won, they lost out on a place in the semis as Johor and Selangor had better goal difference.
Meanwhile in the mens competition, Wilayah Persekutuan eased past Kelantan with a 8-1 scoreline is a match played at the Wisma Belia Stadium.
And in another match of academic interest, Selangor edged Negri Sembilan 4-3.
RESULTS : THURSDAY
MEN
Wilayah Persekutuan 8 Kelantan 1
Selangor 4 N. Sembilan 3
1600H - Perlis v Sarawak
1700H - Malacca v Johor
1800H - Penang v Pahang
2000H - Perak v Terengganu
WOMEN
Malacca 0 Penang 1
Johor 4 Sarawak 0
Selangor v Perak
1600H - Kedah v Kelantan
1800H - N. Sembilan v W. Persekutuan
2000H - Pahang v Terengganu
MEN GROUP A
P W D L F A PTS
Wilayah Persekutuan 6 5 1 0 21 8 16
Terengganu 5 4 0 1 26 9 12
Perak 5 3 1 1 12 7 10
Selangor 6 3 1 2 14 14 10
Negri Sembilan 6 2 1 3 15 21 7
Kedah 6 0 1 5 8 21 1
Kelantan 6 0 1 5 4 31 1
MEN GROUP B
P W D L F A PTS
Penang 4 3 1 0 16 8 10
Malacca 4 2 2 0 12 4 8
Johor 4 2 1 1 12 6 7
Pahang 4 1 1 2 11 10 4
Perlis 4 0 2 2 7 15 2
Sarawak 4 0 1 3 5 20 1
WOMEN GROUP A
P W D L F A PTS
Selangor 5 3 1 1 12 5 10
Johor 5 3 1 1 10 5 10
Penang 5 3 1 1 8 8 10
Malacca 5 2 1 2 11 4 7
Perak 5 0 3 2 3 8 3
Sarawak 5 0 1 4 4 18 1
WOMEN GROUP B
P W D L F A PTS
Terengganu 4 3 0 1 18 4 9
Wilayah Persekutuan 4 2 1 1 14 3 7
Negri Sembilan 4 2 1 1 5 4 7
Pahang 4 1 2 1 7 7 5
Kedah 4 1 2 1 2 4 5
Kelantan 4 0 0 4 3 27 0
Malaysian Hockey blogspot
Champs sink Perak to reach semis
DEFENDING champions Federal Territories showed no signs of the fatigue which affected them in their last match when they breezed past Perak 3-0 in their group A encounter to seal their place in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Games hockey competition yesterday.
Malaysia GamesFT, who are unbeaten, were forced on the backfoot during the opening stages of the game but managed to open scoring against the run of play through a Mohd Syamin Mohd Yusof goal in the eighth minute.
Perak, in need of a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive, had no choice but to press forward for the rest of the match which subsequently left them vulnerable at the back.
Desperate defending from Perak saw FT clinically convert two penalty corners through Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim in the 38th and 56th minutes to seal the win.
FT coach Ahmad Bakri Marfi said his players were back to their best after drawing against Selangor on Sunday.
"We still have another game to go against Kelantan tomorrow (today) and will look to rotate our players so we can stay fresh for the semi-finals on Saturday," said Ahmad.
Perak will play Terengganu today in what will likely decide the other semi-final qualifiers from group A. Terengganu beat Negri Sembilan 2-1 yesterday.
New Straits Times
MHL exposure not needed
Mirnawan wants to look at bigger picture before competing in league
by Vijhay Vick
CHAMPIONS: Some of the Malaysian juniors celebrating their win at the Sultan of Johor Cup last year.
THE quality of the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) may be compromised if the national juniors team play in the league, says national juniors team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
Some 24 years ago, a 17-year-old Mirnawan Nawawi (below) was part of a Junior World Cup bound team that played in the MHL.
Mirnawan said: “We have to look at the bigger picture. The hockey scenario now is different than the past. At that time (1988), we had a great pool of players.”
According to Mirnawan, many factors need to be considered before such a decision is taken. Among the questions the former national skipper posed was whether we have enough players to provide a quality league and the number of teams competing?
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Shah had already expressed his concerns over the number of participating teams and that more clubs should be encouraged to compete.
“MHL have some good teams playing. Some of them rely on the junior players. What is going to happen to UniKL, which is a development team?” questioned Mirnawan.
The national juniors earned qualification to the next year’s Junior World Cup after winning the first Asian Junior Cup in Malacca in May. They have targeted to play between 60-70 matches before the World meet in India in December next year.
The Project 2013 boys will play eight matches in Europe next month before possibly having a series of friendly matches in Korea and Australia. The boys will also have a stint in India to acclimatise to the Indian winter.
“Based on that, we can achieve our target amount of matches. This will not only provide them exposure but also allow them to play enough games to gel as team.
“Plus many of our players can command a starting place with the MHL clubs. This will provide them an added advantage as sometimes they need to play alongside the senior players at their respective clubs to learn a trick or two,” Mirnawan added.
Malay Mail