News for 10 March 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009 07:58 | 
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All the news for Tuesday 10 March 2009
T&T hockey men hunt first win
T&T’s Dwain Quan Chan, right, shoots through the legs of USA’s Andrew Sheridan to score during their Pool A opener of the Third Pan American Men’s Hockey Cup in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, at the Prince of Wales Country Club, Las Aranas, La Reina. USA won 4–3.
T&T men’s hockey team will be hoping to avoid cellar-spot in their four-team group when Pool A play in the Third Pan-American Men’s Hockey Cup in Santiago, Chile. In their two matches to date at the Prince of Wales Country Club, Las Aranas, La Reina, the “Calypso Stick-men” suffered a 4–3 loss to USA after leading 3–1 with nine minutes left, followed by a 7–0 pounding from Argentina.
Uruguay has not fared any better and were hammered 18–0 by the Argentines and 9–0 by USA. Both Argentina and USA, with six points after two matches have already qualified for the main draw semifinals as the top two teams in the group, while Canada and Chile with four points each are the likely qualifiers from Pool B ahead of Thursday’s semifinal matches.
In the other matches on Sunday, in Pool B, Mexico blasted Brazil 9–0 to rebound from its 10–1 drubbing from Canada, while Canada and Chile played to a 3–3 draw. Chile defeated Mexico 7–2 in its opener. Win or lose, T&T will be involved in the fifth to eight place semifinal matches on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s final day of competition.
The Trinidad Guardian
Canada rallies against Chile for draw
Team Canada rallied from a deficit twice to draw the host Chileans 3-3 Sunday afternoon at the Men’s Pan American Cup in Santiago. Connor Grimes, Wayne Fernandes, and Rob Short scored the Canadian goals.
Chile got off to a quick start in the match featuring the two favourites from Pool B. Esteban Krainz and Gabriel Thiermann each scored within the first four minutes of the match on Canadian goalkeeper David Carter to take an early lead.
Grimes scored his first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute to cut the lead in half. Fernandes then netted the equalizer on a penalty corner seven minutes later. It was his third goal of the tournament.
With the Chileans leading 3-2 late in the game veteran Rob Short scored on a well-executed penalty corner to earn the tie. The goal also ensured the Canadians will remain on top of the Pool B standings via goal differential heading into their final round robin game against Mexico on Tuesday.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Pakistan Jrs thrash Malaysia 7-1
From our correspondent
JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia: The Pakistan Juniors hockey team beat Malaysia by 7-1 in the second hockey Test match here on Monday. According to the information received from Malaysia, at the end of the first half the score was 5-0.
Muhammad Atiq scored two goals, while Wasif, Muhammad Taufeeq, skipper Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Rizwan and Shahbaz scored one goal each. Earlier, the Pakistan team played a 3-3 draw in the first Test match against Malaysia on Saturday.
The Pakistan Juniors will now take part in the four-nation junior hockey tournament from March 11 to 15, also at Johor Bahru. Hosts Malaysia, Pakistan, India and Singapore are the participating teams in the tournament.
According to the schedule, on March 11 Pakistan will face Singapore and India will play against Malaysia. On March 12, India will face Singapore and Pakistan will play against Malaysia. On March 13, Pakistan will face India and Malaysia will play against Singapore. After one day’s rest the position matches will be played on March 15.
The News International
Revington Announces Irish Squad for French Double Header
Paul Revington has today revealed his squad to take on France in the upcoming double header scheduled for the 24th & 25th of this month in Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club. Ireland will take on the 17th ranked team in the world (Ireland are ranked 18th) as part of their preparation as they continue to build towards a busy summer which will see them compete in the Champions Challenge II; Celtic Cup and the Europeans.
Revington has selected a total of twenty one athletes to compete over the two games; however both John Jermyn and Michael Watt were unavailable for selection due to exam commitments. Commenting on the impending games Revington said, "The games against France come at a good time in the club calendar after which our Senior Squad players will have enjoyed a series of tough games at league, ISC, IHL and Interprovincial level. All senior squad players will take this form into the games versus France. The squad will also enjoy their third training day together on Sunday 22nd March in Banbridge in preparation for these games."
France are often considered Ireland's "bogey" team, they contributed to Ireland's relegation at the Europeans in 2007 (Ireland lost 1-0) but Ireland regained their confidence in their subsequent meetings, beating Les Bleu 4-0 in the pool stages of the most recent Olympic Qualifiers and then 5-0 in the Celtic Cup last July. With a long history between these two teams one thing is guaranteed when they do battle, that is fast, skilful and competitive hockey.
Squad: Joe Brennan (Glenanne); Karl Burns (Cork C of I); Stephen Butler (Glenanne); Peter Caruth (Annadale); Timmy Cockram (Lisnagarvey); Mitch Darling (Three Rock Rovers); Ronan Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers); David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers); David Hobbs (Cork C of I); John Jackson (Loughborough); Gareth Lennox (Banbridge); Tim Lewis (Pembroke Wanderers); Phelie Maguire (Three Rock Rovers); Andy McConnell (Three Rock Rovers); Eugene Magee (Banbridge); Graham Shaw (Glenanne); Alan Sothern (Pembroke Wanderers); Keith Black (Cookstown); David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers); Geoff McCabe (Banbridge); Gareth Watkins (Monkstown).
Match Schedule:
Ireland v France 7pm; Tuesday 24th March, Pembroke Wanderers
Ireland v France 7pm; Wednesday 25th March, Pembroke Wanderers
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland 'A' Squad
Coach Guy Garrett, has made a selection of 17 athletes for the Ireland A series against Germany U21 women at the end of March.
"We travel to Germany having performed very well against Canada in January. Although there are some new faces in the squad, the majority remain together. The aim is to build upon our recent development and strengthen he experience of our future senior players." Commented coach Garrett.
Ireland ‘A’ Squad
Anna O'Flanagan, Hermes
Audrey O'Flynn, UCC
Dora Gorman, Greenfields HC
Emma Smyth, Railway Union
Grace Watters, Randlestown
Helen Stevenson, Railway Union
Katherine Steenson, Armagh
Lauren Barr, Ballymoney
Liz McInerney, UCD
Lizzie Colvin, Loreto
Megan Frazer, Ballymoney
Mel Ryan, Cork C of I
Michelle Harvey, Pegasus
Miriam Crowley, UCC
Nicola Evans, Hermes
Victoria Green
Zara Delaney, Loreto HC
Unavailable for selection: Kate McConnell (Playing in Australia)
Coach: Guy Garett
Asst Coach: Phil Oakley
Manager: Ciara Harte
Physio: Petra Grehan
23 March, 19.30 (18.30 local time), Ruesselsheimer HC, Germany U21 Women
24 March, 17.30 (16.30 local time), Ruesselsheimer HC, Germany U21 Women
25 March, 10.30 (09.30 local time), Ruesselsheimer HC, Germany U21 Women
Irish Hockey Association media release
EH Men's knock-out semi final draws made
The draw has been made for the semi finals of the England Hockey Men’s Cup, Trophy and Vase following yesterday’s Quarter Final matches.
The Men’s Cup quarter final saw two big shocks as last season’s finalists Bowdon lost at home to Slazenger Conference East side Canterbury, with Fareham defeating Brooklands MU in what was their first defeat this season.
Fareham will now travel to six time winners of the competition Reading in hunt of their third Slazenger EHL scalp in this season’s competition. Reading made it to this stage after receiving a walkover against Old Loughtonians.
The other semi final tie will see Canterbury host holders Beeston. Canterbury’s Michael Farrer sent their tie against Bowdon into extra time with a goal in the dying seconds before Lloyd Norris-Jones completed his hat trick from the penalty spot to win the game on Golden Goal. It was a fantastic match at Bowdon which saw the hosts take the lead three times only to surrender it on each occasion and fail to reach the semi final for first time in three years. Beeston got the better of Cannock in their Midlands derby with all goals coming in the second half in a 2-1 victory for the hosts. Beeston will now travel to Kent in hope of reaching successive finals.
The Harrod UK Men’s Trophy involved two matches that were settled on penalty strokes. Didbury Northern’s Chris Hay thought he had won the tie with a goal in the last minute of their home match against Jersey before Tom Miller snatched an equaliser just seconds later for the Channel Islanders.
However, this did not affect the outcome as the hosts kept their nerve to win the match on strokes. Didsbury Northern will now travel to Oxfordshire to face Henley, who also won on strokes against South Nottingham. Ed Foster had put Henley 3-1 up with just nine minutes remaining but two late goals from the visitors sent the game to strokes, with no more goals scored in extra time. It was the hosts that again held their nerve as they booked their place in the semi final for the second time in as many seasons.
The other tie of the round was a lot more convincing as Guernsey defeated Worthing by seven goals to one. Ben Allberry scored a first half hat-trick and then added a fourth in the second half to make the win safe for Guernsey who will now single handily represent the Channel Islands after Jersey’s defeat. Bristol UWE will play host to Guernsey in the last four after they received a walkover against Gateshead in their match.
In the Men’s Vase, Gainsborough Rose’s Nick White scored all four goals as his team secured a comfortable 4-1 victory against GSK South Lakes. They will now travel Loughborough Town who they pulled off a remarkable comeback in their match at South Cheshire. The hosts had taken a two goal lead at half time but three second half goals in 13 minutes secured the win for the visitors.
Sunbury’s reward for defeating fellow MBBO Division One side Newbury & Thatcham is a trip to Witney. Sunbury put their previous league encounters against Newbury & Thatcham behind them as they went on to secure a comfortable 4-0 win. Witney’s Tom Hardy was their hero as he scored his second of the match from a penalty corner to defeat Addiscombe 4-3 on Golden Goal.
Full details on the Men’s Cup, Trophy and Vase Semi Final Draw can be seen below.
Men’s Cup Semi Final Draw – ties to be played Sunday 5 April
Canterbury v Beeston
Reading v Fareham
Harrod UK Men’s Trophy Semi Final Draw – ties to be played Sunday 5 April
Bristol UWE v Guernsey
Henley v Didsbury Northern
Men’s Vase Semi Final Draw - ties to be played Sunday 5 April
Loughborough Town v Gainsborough Rose
Witney v Sunbury
England Hockey Media release
Results from final-4 in Denmark
This weekend the Indoor final-4 was played in Denmark, Lyngby. For the ninth time in a row Orient Lyngby HC won the championship in the men's section whil Slagelse won the womens title. This means that Orient Lyngby will participate in next years European Cup in the A-division while Slagelse will play in the women's b-division.
The results were as follows:
07-03-09 10:00 Semi 1: Copenhagen - Gentofte - women: 5-6
07-03-09 11:00 Semi 1: Sørbymagle - København - men: 8-5
07-03-09 12:00 Semi 2: Slagelse - Odin - womens: 17-2
07-03-09 13:00 Semi 2: Orient Lyngby - Slagelse - herrer: 8-3
07-03-09 14:00 Bronzematch - women København - Odin: 8-3
07-03-09 15:00 Bronzematch - men København - Slagelse: 5-3
07-03-09 16:00 FINAL - women Slagelse - Gentofte: 10-1
07-03-09 17:00 FINAL - men Orient Lyngby - Sørbymagle: 8-5
Final stand:
WOMEN
1. Slagelse HC
2. Gentofte HC
3. Copenhagen HC
4. Odin HC
MEN
1. Orient Lyngby HC
2. Sorbymagle HC
3. Copenhagen HC
4. Slagelse HC
Danish Hockey Union Media release
Coach targets final
By Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysian Junior World Cup team will be involved in a Four-Nation in Johor Baru starting tomorrow, with a target of making the final.
Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Singapore make up the cast which is also being held to test facilities at the newly built Taman Daya stadium.
Twenty teams, of which 10 will be based in Singapore and 10 in Malaysia, will see action in the Junior World Cup on June 7-21.
The National Juniors played a friendly against Pakistan on Saturday in the run-up to the tournament and held the visitors 3-3.
"My boys were leading 2-0, but Pakistan equalised and then took the lead before a point was saved late in the match," said National Juniors coach K. Rajan (pic).
"Size-wise, the Pakistan players won the contest, but Malaysia troubled them with speed and stamina."
The match was played at night to test the floodlights. "The lighting is good and the pitch has also been laid well, so no complaints in those departments," added Rajan.
The Malaysian Four-Nation team will be named today.
FIXTURES -- Tomorrow: Singapore v Pakistan (5pm), India v Malaysia (7pm).
Thursday: India v Singapore (5pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (7pm).
Friday: India v Pakistan (5pm), Malaysia v Singapore (7pm).
Sunday: Placing match (5pm), Final (7.30pm).
New Straits Times
Rajan delays naming team until the last minute
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have decided to name their final 18 for a four-nation international junior invitational tournament, which begins tomorrow at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru, just before the team manager’s meeting today.
Three key players are injured and they will not be considered for selection. They are defender Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin, goalkeeper Hairi Abdul Rahman and forward Mohd Noor Azrain.
However, National Juniors coach K. Rajan said that the trio would still be part of the training squad.
“We have 23 players available for selection and we have already picked the core of the team. But we are still undecided on a few positions. We will give the players some more time to prove their worth before we name the final squad at the team managers’ meeting,” he said.
The National Juniors will be up against their counterparts from India, Pakistan and Singapore in the five-day tournament. All matches will be staged at the venue for the Junior World Cup Finals, which Malaysia will co-host with Singapore from June 7-21.
The team played a friendly match against Pakistan there last Saturday which ended in a 3-3 draw.
Rajan said that the new pitch was a little bumpy.
“The players need some time to get used to it. The matches offer a good chance to gauge our standard. I would also like to use the matches to fine tune our set-piece moves,” he said.
The fixtures Tomorrow: Singapore vs Pakistan (5pm), India vs Malaysia (7pm).
Thursday: India vs Singapore (5pm), Malaysia vs Pakistan (7pm).
Friday: Pakistan vs India (5pm), Malaysia vs Singapore (7pm).
Sunday: Third placing (5pm), final (7.30pm).
The Star of Malaysia
BPSS remain hopeful
By Jugjet Singh
BANDAR Penawar Sports School (BPSS) are still ruing their 1-1 draw in the curtain raiser of Malaysia Hockey League which has placed them in a tight spot in their Division Two title challenge.
BPSS drew 1-1 with Malacca, but lead the standings by default because favourites Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) have a rain-interrupted match against Anderson in hand.
But the southern sports school have shown some mettle in Division Two, as they came back from two goals down to beat a stubborn Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 3-2.
BPSS coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman said it was too early to celebrate their position as they still have tough matches to complete.
"We know the score, and are sitting at the top because BJSS have played one match less. However, I feel we have a strong team this year as we have included seven players who are waiting for their SPM results and they have managed to give the team good shape," said Wan Roslan.
For numerous years BPSS have been forced to use only Form Four boys while their seniors ply their trade with other clubs.
"But this year, six Form Five boys and one pre-university student decided that they want to represent the school and not other clubs, and I am thankful to them," added Wan Roslan.
"With the experienced seven in the fold the others are also now playing with confidence, and our results show a marked improvement.
"The opening match against Malacca (1-1 draw) is a hiccup, and we hope to continue our winning ways in the remaining matches."
And their most crucial match will be against BJSS, at the tailend of the league fixtures.
"We play BJSS in our second last match, and if we can keep up our momentum, it might just be the title decider."
New Straits Times
Anderson down MSN Malacca to claim fourth spot
KUALA LUMPUR: Perak’s Anderson moved up fourth place in Division Two (Under-19) of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) standings with a 3-1 win over MSN Malacca at the Malacca Hockey Stadium yesterday morning.
The match was scheduled for Sunday but it had to be postponed because there was no water supply at the stadium.
The Malacca side took the lead in the 46th minute with a penalty corner conversion by Mohamed Hanif Rahim. Anderson hit back a minute later with a field goal by Mohamed Zainul Akhma. The other two goals for Anderson came from penalty corner flicks by Mohamed Firdaus Sidek in the 49th and 62nd minutes.
The second and third divisions of the MHL will take a break for players to feature in the national Under-16 tournament in Seremban from March 14-22. The leagues will resume on March 27.
The Star of Malaysia
PHF announces hockey trials for 7 academies
Staff Report
LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday announced the schedule of trials for seven regional hockey academies in Punjab.
According to the schedule, the trials will be held in Multan on March 21, Vehari March 22, Rawalpindi March 25, Gujranwala March 28, Sargodha March 29, Sheikhupura March 30 and Lahore March 31.
“In the first phase the PHF has already established eleven hockey academies across the country.
There will also be trials to select players for the PHF hockey academy Quetta. The trials will be held from March 20 to 22 in Quetta. Coaches of Quetta academy Ghulam Jillani, Mujahid Butt and Ahmad Ali will observe the trials,” said a spokesman for the PHF.
The Daily Times
I left India because of security reasons: Charlesworth
SYDNEY: Hockey legend Ric Charlesworth says the attack in Lahore has vindicated Australian hockey's decision not to tour Pakistan for most of the past decade.
Charlesworth also said that the only reason Cricket Australia kept sending lower tier cricket teams, such as Australia A, was to satisfy the International Cricket Council (ICC).
"We've now got to be concerned about the whole subcontinent. Pakistan is a rogue state, I understand, but there was the attack in Mumbai and, when I was in India, bombs were going off in Delhi, in Hyderabad," Charlesworth was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Charlesworth, who is also a former first-class cricketer, now hockey team's coach, lived in India last year as a technical adviser to Indian hockey, and said he ended his stint in the north Indian city of Chandigarh mainly because of the deteriorating security situation.
The Australian also raised questions on India's ability to host next year's Hockey World Cup and Commonwealth Games in such a volatile security situation.
Charlesworth said the hockey fraternity's refusal to send its players to Pakistan had now been justified. He also said that any security assurances given by authorities could no longer be counted upon.
"We decided not to go to the Champions Trophy in 2004 because of security concerns and we were criticised for it," he said.
"Cricket has still held 'A' tours there, but they did that because they had to keep cosy with the ICC. We were invited to a tournament in the north of India in January this year. We didn't go for various reasons, including (the attack) in Mumbai. This event in Pakistan will now justify why we stopped going to the region at all.
"One of the reasons I left India was because I believed the security situation had deteriorated. My kids were going to school with armed escorts. That was a fact of life in Chandigarh."
The Times of India
Sports czars must quit after 8 years, says HC
Dhananjay Mahapatra & Abhinav Garg, TNN
NEW DELHI: Most of them do not believe in handing over the baton. Perched securely as heads of various sporting federations, sports bosses have been virtually unmovable. But maybe not for long. The Delhi High Court has now ruled that the Centre's guidelines on restricting the tenure of office-bearers in sports bodies to two terms should be strictly enforced.
Many sporting chiefs, includes several politicians, may have to rework their plans as the HC ruling means that the government funds to these organizations may dry up if they cling to office for more than eight years. The ruling could lead to changes in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as well as other sports bodies.
Disposing a writ petition filed by Narinder Batra challenging the long stint of K P S Gill as president of Indian Hockey Federation, Justice Gita Mittal, in her 157-page judgment, ordered the Centre to look into fund utilization by IHF. Gill was removed as IHF chief almost a year back by IOA which formed an ad hoc body to run the sport in the country.
Though the petition focussed on IHF's functioning, the HC did not forget to look into similar stories in other sports bodies including the apex IOA, which the court said were quite aware of central government guidelines.
Justice Mittal said the associations could not term guidelines as interference in their autonomous functioning. She clarified that guidelines laid down criteria to give wide representation to states in sports administration panels.
"It will therefore be apparent that the sports bodies have accepted the authority and competence of the government to lay down conditions and guidelines for eligibility, recognition of a federation or an association as a national level body as well as the manner in which dispensation of funds and state largesse would be effected," she said.
Ruling against a single individual staying as president or secretary of a sports body for years, Justice Mittal said there was every possibility that vested regional biases and interests could influence decision-making, especially selection of teams.
"If such a tenure clause is not enforced, office-bearers could be repeatedly elected from a particular region and continue to dominate the affairs of the association/federation after having created a monopoly over the sport," the HC said.
Justice Mittal added, "Vesting the control (of sports bodies) in authorities from a particular region may result in diversion of funds, selection of players from and development of a sport from only a particular region. The national federation would not then remain representative of the hopes and aspirations of sportspersons of the entire nation."
The only panacea for this was a limited tenure of two terms as prescribed in the government guidelines. "A limited office tenure will have the impact of minimizing, if not eliminating, allegations, criticism and elements of nepotism, favouritism and bias of any kind," Justice Mittal said.
The Times of India
Paragon clips Parkites hockey men 2-1
Cogie Butler and Kiel Murray were both on target as Paragon stunned Queen’s Park 2-1 in its opening match of the 2009 T&T Hockey Board Men’s Championship Division last Sunday at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua. The clash between Paragon and the Parkites was not without controversy as Murray, who was picked on the national team which left for Chile last Monday, was informed minutes before the league match that he was barred from playing by national team administrator Garth Baptiste.
However, Murray opted to quit his position on the T&T team for the Third Pan American Hockey Cup and decided to play for his club and in the end netted the decisive goal. After a 0-0 first 35 minutes the match sparked into life midway through the second half with Butler and Murray scoring for Paragon before Gary Griffith pulled one back for the Parkites, runner-up in the Championship Division to Notre Dame last season after winning in 2007.
The top scorer on the day was Kristin Abreu with a beaver-trick, as she led Ventures Under-19 women to a 10-1 mauling of Raiders. Emerald Piper chipped in with a hat-trick for the winners, while captain Arielle Cowie, Tamia Roach and Amanda George added one each. Arielle Du Quesnay netted Raiders’ consolation item.
Sunday’s Results:
Girls’ U-19:
Ventures 10 (Kristin Abreu 4, Emerald Piper 3, Arielle Cowie, Tamia Roach, Amanda George) vs Raiders 1 (Ariesa Du Quesnay
Boys’ U-19:
Fatima 3 (Quinn Clarke, Nicolai Daly) vs SHAPE 1 (Shakeel Edwards).
Paragon 3 vs Petrotrin 0 - By Default.
Trinity Women:
Paragon 3 vs Petrotrin 0 - By Default.
Men’s Championship Division:
Paragon 2 (Cogie Butler, Kiel Murray) vs QPCC 1 (Gary Griffith).
The Trinidad Guardian
Pangani joint leaders in Nairobi as Kaplong get walkover
By ERIC ODANGA
National girls’ hockey champions Pangani Girls and Hillcrest Secondary are the joint leaders of the Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association hockey league after the opening two rounds.
They each have 18 points and remain the only unbeaten sides in the league which returns to Jamhuri High School on Saturday.
St. George’s is third with 15 points and a resurgent State House Girls has 13 points.
The four schools lead the charge for a place in the provincial finals and an eventual representation in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term One Games in Embu next month.
Pangani’s good form has been reflected in the top scorer’s chart where Regina Mwangi leads with 16 goals ahead of Ivy Wamuyu (St. George’s) who has 11.
Florence Maritim (Moi Nairobi Girls) ha scored nine goals while Laura Gichau (Pangani) has scored eight, one ahead of team-mate Naomi Kyalo. Kandeel Butt from Hillcrest Secondary has scored six goals.
Daily Nation
T&T hockey men hunt first win
T&T men’s hockey team will be hoping to avoid cellar-spot in their four-team group when Pool A play in the Third Pan-American Men’s Hockey Cup in Santiago, Chile. In their two matches to date at the Prince of Wales Country Club, Las Aranas, La Reina, the “Calypso Stick-men” suffered a 4–3 loss to USA after leading 3–1 with nine minutes left, followed by a 7–0 pounding from Argentina.
Uruguay has not fared any better and were hammered 18–0 by the Argentines and 9–0 by USA. Both Argentina and USA, with six points after two matches have already qualified for the main draw semifinals as the top two teams in the group, while Canada and Chile with four points each are the likely qualifiers from Pool B ahead of Thursday’s semifinal matches.
In the other matches on Sunday, in Pool B, Mexico blasted Brazil 9–0 to rebound from its 10–1 drubbing from Canada, while Canada and Chile played to a 3–3 draw. Chile defeated Mexico 7–2 in its opener. Win or lose, T&T will be involved in the fifth to eight place semifinal matches on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s final day of competition.
The Trinidad Guardian
Canada rallies against Chile for draw
Team Canada rallied from a deficit twice to draw the host Chileans 3-3 Sunday afternoon at the Men’s Pan American Cup in Santiago. Connor Grimes, Wayne Fernandes, and Rob Short scored the Canadian goals.
Chile got off to a quick start in the match featuring the two favourites from Pool B. Esteban Krainz and Gabriel Thiermann each scored within the first four minutes of the match on Canadian goalkeeper David Carter to take an early lead.
Grimes scored his first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute to cut the lead in half. Fernandes then netted the equalizer on a penalty corner seven minutes later. It was his third goal of the tournament.
With the Chileans leading 3-2 late in the game veteran Rob Short scored on a well-executed penalty corner to earn the tie. The goal also ensured the Canadians will remain on top of the Pool B standings via goal differential heading into their final round robin game against Mexico on Tuesday.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Pakistan Jrs thrash Malaysia 7-1
From our correspondent
JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia: The Pakistan Juniors hockey team beat Malaysia by 7-1 in the second hockey Test match here on Monday. According to the information received from Malaysia, at the end of the first half the score was 5-0.
Muhammad Atiq scored two goals, while Wasif, Muhammad Taufeeq, skipper Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Rizwan and Shahbaz scored one goal each. Earlier, the Pakistan team played a 3-3 draw in the first Test match against Malaysia on Saturday.
The Pakistan Juniors will now take part in the four-nation junior hockey tournament from March 11 to 15, also at Johor Bahru. Hosts Malaysia, Pakistan, India and Singapore are the participating teams in the tournament.
According to the schedule, on March 11 Pakistan will face Singapore and India will play against Malaysia. On March 12, India will face Singapore and Pakistan will play against Malaysia. On March 13, Pakistan will face India and Malaysia will play against Singapore. After one day’s rest the position matches will be played on March 15.
The News International
Revington Announces Irish Squad for French Double Header
Paul Revington has today revealed his squad to take on France in the upcoming double header scheduled for the 24th & 25th of this month in Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club. Ireland will take on the 17th ranked team in the world (Ireland are ranked 18th) as part of their preparation as they continue to build towards a busy summer which will see them compete in the Champions Challenge II; Celtic Cup and the Europeans.
Revington has selected a total of twenty one athletes to compete over the two games; however both John Jermyn and Michael Watt were unavailable for selection due to exam commitments. Commenting on the impending games Revington said, "The games against France come at a good time in the club calendar after which our Senior Squad players will have enjoyed a series of tough games at league, ISC, IHL and Interprovincial level. All senior squad players will take this form into the games versus France. The squad will also enjoy their third training day together on Sunday 22nd March in Banbridge in preparation for these games."
France are often considered Ireland's "bogey" team, they contributed to Ireland's relegation at the Europeans in 2007 (Ireland lost 1-0) but Ireland regained their confidence in their subsequent meetings, beating Les Bleu 4-0 in the pool stages of the most recent Olympic Qualifiers and then 5-0 in the Celtic Cup last July. With a long history between these two teams one thing is guaranteed when they do battle, that is fast, skilful and competitive hockey.
Squad: Joe Brennan (Glenanne); Karl Burns (Cork C of I); Stephen Butler (Glenanne); Peter Caruth (Annadale); Timmy Cockram (Lisnagarvey); Mitch Darling (Three Rock Rovers); Ronan Gormley (Pembroke Wanderers); David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers); David Hobbs (Cork C of I); John Jackson (Loughborough); Gareth Lennox (Banbridge); Tim Lewis (Pembroke Wanderers); Phelie Maguire (Three Rock Rovers); Andy McConnell (Three Rock Rovers); Eugene Magee (Banbridge); Graham Shaw (Glenanne); Alan Sothern (Pembroke Wanderers); Keith Black (Cookstown); David Harte (Pembroke Wanderers); Geoff McCabe (Banbridge); Gareth Watkins (Monkstown).
Match Schedule:
Ireland v France 7pm; Tuesday 24th March, Pembroke Wanderers
Ireland v France 7pm; Wednesday 25th March, Pembroke Wanderers
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland 'A' Squad
Coach Guy Garrett, has made a selection of 17 athletes for the Ireland A series against Germany U21 women at the end of March.
"We travel to Germany having performed very well against Canada in January. Although there are some new faces in the squad, the majority remain together. The aim is to build upon our recent development and strengthen he experience of our future senior players." Commented coach Garrett.
Ireland ‘A’ Squad
Anna O'Flanagan, Hermes
Audrey O'Flynn, UCC
Dora Gorman, Greenfields HC
Emma Smyth, Railway Union
Grace Watters, Randlestown
Helen Stevenson, Railway Union
Katherine Steenson, Armagh
Lauren Barr, Ballymoney
Liz McInerney, UCD
Lizzie Colvin, Loreto
Megan Frazer, Ballymoney
Mel Ryan, Cork C of I
Michelle Harvey, Pegasus
Miriam Crowley, UCC
Nicola Evans, Hermes
Victoria Green
Zara Delaney, Loreto HC
Unavailable for selection: Kate McConnell (Playing in Australia)
Coach: Guy Garett
Asst Coach: Phil Oakley
Manager: Ciara Harte
Physio: Petra Grehan
23 March, 19.30 (18.30 local time), Ruesselsheimer HC, Germany U21 Women
24 March, 17.30 (16.30 local time), Ruesselsheimer HC, Germany U21 Women
25 March, 10.30 (09.30 local time), Ruesselsheimer HC, Germany U21 Women
Irish Hockey Association media release
EH Men's knock-out semi final draws made
The draw has been made for the semi finals of the England Hockey Men’s Cup, Trophy and Vase following yesterday’s Quarter Final matches.
The Men’s Cup quarter final saw two big shocks as last season’s finalists Bowdon lost at home to Slazenger Conference East side Canterbury, with Fareham defeating Brooklands MU in what was their first defeat this season.
Fareham will now travel to six time winners of the competition Reading in hunt of their third Slazenger EHL scalp in this season’s competition. Reading made it to this stage after receiving a walkover against Old Loughtonians.
The other semi final tie will see Canterbury host holders Beeston. Canterbury’s Michael Farrer sent their tie against Bowdon into extra time with a goal in the dying seconds before Lloyd Norris-Jones completed his hat trick from the penalty spot to win the game on Golden Goal. It was a fantastic match at Bowdon which saw the hosts take the lead three times only to surrender it on each occasion and fail to reach the semi final for first time in three years. Beeston got the better of Cannock in their Midlands derby with all goals coming in the second half in a 2-1 victory for the hosts. Beeston will now travel to Kent in hope of reaching successive finals.
The Harrod UK Men’s Trophy involved two matches that were settled on penalty strokes. Didbury Northern’s Chris Hay thought he had won the tie with a goal in the last minute of their home match against Jersey before Tom Miller snatched an equaliser just seconds later for the Channel Islanders.
However, this did not affect the outcome as the hosts kept their nerve to win the match on strokes. Didsbury Northern will now travel to Oxfordshire to face Henley, who also won on strokes against South Nottingham. Ed Foster had put Henley 3-1 up with just nine minutes remaining but two late goals from the visitors sent the game to strokes, with no more goals scored in extra time. It was the hosts that again held their nerve as they booked their place in the semi final for the second time in as many seasons.
The other tie of the round was a lot more convincing as Guernsey defeated Worthing by seven goals to one. Ben Allberry scored a first half hat-trick and then added a fourth in the second half to make the win safe for Guernsey who will now single handily represent the Channel Islands after Jersey’s defeat. Bristol UWE will play host to Guernsey in the last four after they received a walkover against Gateshead in their match.
In the Men’s Vase, Gainsborough Rose’s Nick White scored all four goals as his team secured a comfortable 4-1 victory against GSK South Lakes. They will now travel Loughborough Town who they pulled off a remarkable comeback in their match at South Cheshire. The hosts had taken a two goal lead at half time but three second half goals in 13 minutes secured the win for the visitors.
Sunbury’s reward for defeating fellow MBBO Division One side Newbury & Thatcham is a trip to Witney. Sunbury put their previous league encounters against Newbury & Thatcham behind them as they went on to secure a comfortable 4-0 win. Witney’s Tom Hardy was their hero as he scored his second of the match from a penalty corner to defeat Addiscombe 4-3 on Golden Goal.
Full details on the Men’s Cup, Trophy and Vase Semi Final Draw can be seen below.
Men’s Cup Semi Final Draw – ties to be played Sunday 5 April
Canterbury v Beeston
Reading v Fareham
Harrod UK Men’s Trophy Semi Final Draw – ties to be played Sunday 5 April
Bristol UWE v Guernsey
Henley v Didsbury Northern
Men’s Vase Semi Final Draw - ties to be played Sunday 5 April
Loughborough Town v Gainsborough Rose
Witney v Sunbury
England Hockey Media release
Results from final-4 in Denmark
This weekend the Indoor final-4 was played in Denmark, Lyngby. For the ninth time in a row Orient Lyngby HC won the championship in the men's section whil Slagelse won the womens title. This means that Orient Lyngby will participate in next years European Cup in the A-division while Slagelse will play in the women's b-division.
The results were as follows:
07-03-09 10:00 Semi 1: Copenhagen - Gentofte - women: 5-6
07-03-09 11:00 Semi 1: Sørbymagle - København - men: 8-5
07-03-09 12:00 Semi 2: Slagelse - Odin - womens: 17-2
07-03-09 13:00 Semi 2: Orient Lyngby - Slagelse - herrer: 8-3
07-03-09 14:00 Bronzematch - women København - Odin: 8-3
07-03-09 15:00 Bronzematch - men København - Slagelse: 5-3
07-03-09 16:00 FINAL - women Slagelse - Gentofte: 10-1
07-03-09 17:00 FINAL - men Orient Lyngby - Sørbymagle: 8-5
Final stand:
WOMEN
1. Slagelse HC
2. Gentofte HC
3. Copenhagen HC
4. Odin HC
MEN
1. Orient Lyngby HC
2. Sorbymagle HC
3. Copenhagen HC
4. Slagelse HC
Danish Hockey Union Media release
Coach targets final
By Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysian Junior World Cup team will be involved in a Four-Nation in Johor Baru starting tomorrow, with a target of making the final.
Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Singapore make up the cast which is also being held to test facilities at the newly built Taman Daya stadium.
Twenty teams, of which 10 will be based in Singapore and 10 in Malaysia, will see action in the Junior World Cup on June 7-21.
The National Juniors played a friendly against Pakistan on Saturday in the run-up to the tournament and held the visitors 3-3.
"My boys were leading 2-0, but Pakistan equalised and then took the lead before a point was saved late in the match," said National Juniors coach K. Rajan (pic).
"Size-wise, the Pakistan players won the contest, but Malaysia troubled them with speed and stamina."
The match was played at night to test the floodlights. "The lighting is good and the pitch has also been laid well, so no complaints in those departments," added Rajan.
The Malaysian Four-Nation team will be named today.
FIXTURES -- Tomorrow: Singapore v Pakistan (5pm), India v Malaysia (7pm).
Thursday: India v Singapore (5pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (7pm).
Friday: India v Pakistan (5pm), Malaysia v Singapore (7pm).
Sunday: Placing match (5pm), Final (7.30pm).
New Straits Times
Rajan delays naming team until the last minute
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have decided to name their final 18 for a four-nation international junior invitational tournament, which begins tomorrow at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru, just before the team manager’s meeting today.
Three key players are injured and they will not be considered for selection. They are defender Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin, goalkeeper Hairi Abdul Rahman and forward Mohd Noor Azrain.
However, National Juniors coach K. Rajan said that the trio would still be part of the training squad.
“We have 23 players available for selection and we have already picked the core of the team. But we are still undecided on a few positions. We will give the players some more time to prove their worth before we name the final squad at the team managers’ meeting,” he said.
The National Juniors will be up against their counterparts from India, Pakistan and Singapore in the five-day tournament. All matches will be staged at the venue for the Junior World Cup Finals, which Malaysia will co-host with Singapore from June 7-21.
The team played a friendly match against Pakistan there last Saturday which ended in a 3-3 draw.
Rajan said that the new pitch was a little bumpy.
“The players need some time to get used to it. The matches offer a good chance to gauge our standard. I would also like to use the matches to fine tune our set-piece moves,” he said.
The fixtures Tomorrow: Singapore vs Pakistan (5pm), India vs Malaysia (7pm).
Thursday: India vs Singapore (5pm), Malaysia vs Pakistan (7pm).
Friday: Pakistan vs India (5pm), Malaysia vs Singapore (7pm).
Sunday: Third placing (5pm), final (7.30pm).
The Star of Malaysia
BPSS remain hopeful
By Jugjet Singh
BANDAR Penawar Sports School (BPSS) are still ruing their 1-1 draw in the curtain raiser of Malaysia Hockey League which has placed them in a tight spot in their Division Two title challenge.
BPSS drew 1-1 with Malacca, but lead the standings by default because favourites Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) have a rain-interrupted match against Anderson in hand.
But the southern sports school have shown some mettle in Division Two, as they came back from two goals down to beat a stubborn Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 3-2.
BPSS coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman said it was too early to celebrate their position as they still have tough matches to complete.
"We know the score, and are sitting at the top because BJSS have played one match less. However, I feel we have a strong team this year as we have included seven players who are waiting for their SPM results and they have managed to give the team good shape," said Wan Roslan.
For numerous years BPSS have been forced to use only Form Four boys while their seniors ply their trade with other clubs.
"But this year, six Form Five boys and one pre-university student decided that they want to represent the school and not other clubs, and I am thankful to them," added Wan Roslan.
"With the experienced seven in the fold the others are also now playing with confidence, and our results show a marked improvement.
"The opening match against Malacca (1-1 draw) is a hiccup, and we hope to continue our winning ways in the remaining matches."
And their most crucial match will be against BJSS, at the tailend of the league fixtures.
"We play BJSS in our second last match, and if we can keep up our momentum, it might just be the title decider."
New Straits Times
Anderson down MSN Malacca to claim fourth spot
KUALA LUMPUR: Perak’s Anderson moved up fourth place in Division Two (Under-19) of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) standings with a 3-1 win over MSN Malacca at the Malacca Hockey Stadium yesterday morning.
The match was scheduled for Sunday but it had to be postponed because there was no water supply at the stadium.
The Malacca side took the lead in the 46th minute with a penalty corner conversion by Mohamed Hanif Rahim. Anderson hit back a minute later with a field goal by Mohamed Zainul Akhma. The other two goals for Anderson came from penalty corner flicks by Mohamed Firdaus Sidek in the 49th and 62nd minutes.
The second and third divisions of the MHL will take a break for players to feature in the national Under-16 tournament in Seremban from March 14-22. The leagues will resume on March 27.
The Star of Malaysia
PHF announces hockey trials for 7 academies
Staff Report
LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday announced the schedule of trials for seven regional hockey academies in Punjab.
According to the schedule, the trials will be held in Multan on March 21, Vehari March 22, Rawalpindi March 25, Gujranwala March 28, Sargodha March 29, Sheikhupura March 30 and Lahore March 31.
“In the first phase the PHF has already established eleven hockey academies across the country.
There will also be trials to select players for the PHF hockey academy Quetta. The trials will be held from March 20 to 22 in Quetta. Coaches of Quetta academy Ghulam Jillani, Mujahid Butt and Ahmad Ali will observe the trials,” said a spokesman for the PHF.
The Daily Times
I left India because of security reasons: Charlesworth
SYDNEY: Hockey legend Ric Charlesworth says the attack in Lahore has vindicated Australian hockey's decision not to tour Pakistan for most of the past decade.
Charlesworth also said that the only reason Cricket Australia kept sending lower tier cricket teams, such as Australia A, was to satisfy the International Cricket Council (ICC).
"We've now got to be concerned about the whole subcontinent. Pakistan is a rogue state, I understand, but there was the attack in Mumbai and, when I was in India, bombs were going off in Delhi, in Hyderabad," Charlesworth was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Charlesworth, who is also a former first-class cricketer, now hockey team's coach, lived in India last year as a technical adviser to Indian hockey, and said he ended his stint in the north Indian city of Chandigarh mainly because of the deteriorating security situation.
The Australian also raised questions on India's ability to host next year's Hockey World Cup and Commonwealth Games in such a volatile security situation.
Charlesworth said the hockey fraternity's refusal to send its players to Pakistan had now been justified. He also said that any security assurances given by authorities could no longer be counted upon.
"We decided not to go to the Champions Trophy in 2004 because of security concerns and we were criticised for it," he said.
"Cricket has still held 'A' tours there, but they did that because they had to keep cosy with the ICC. We were invited to a tournament in the north of India in January this year. We didn't go for various reasons, including (the attack) in Mumbai. This event in Pakistan will now justify why we stopped going to the region at all.
"One of the reasons I left India was because I believed the security situation had deteriorated. My kids were going to school with armed escorts. That was a fact of life in Chandigarh."
The Times of India
Sports czars must quit after 8 years, says HC
Dhananjay Mahapatra & Abhinav Garg, TNN
NEW DELHI: Most of them do not believe in handing over the baton. Perched securely as heads of various sporting federations, sports bosses have been virtually unmovable. But maybe not for long. The Delhi High Court has now ruled that the Centre's guidelines on restricting the tenure of office-bearers in sports bodies to two terms should be strictly enforced.
Many sporting chiefs, includes several politicians, may have to rework their plans as the HC ruling means that the government funds to these organizations may dry up if they cling to office for more than eight years. The ruling could lead to changes in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as well as other sports bodies.
Disposing a writ petition filed by Narinder Batra challenging the long stint of K P S Gill as president of Indian Hockey Federation, Justice Gita Mittal, in her 157-page judgment, ordered the Centre to look into fund utilization by IHF. Gill was removed as IHF chief almost a year back by IOA which formed an ad hoc body to run the sport in the country.
Though the petition focussed on IHF's functioning, the HC did not forget to look into similar stories in other sports bodies including the apex IOA, which the court said were quite aware of central government guidelines.
Justice Mittal said the associations could not term guidelines as interference in their autonomous functioning. She clarified that guidelines laid down criteria to give wide representation to states in sports administration panels.
"It will therefore be apparent that the sports bodies have accepted the authority and competence of the government to lay down conditions and guidelines for eligibility, recognition of a federation or an association as a national level body as well as the manner in which dispensation of funds and state largesse would be effected," she said.
Ruling against a single individual staying as president or secretary of a sports body for years, Justice Mittal said there was every possibility that vested regional biases and interests could influence decision-making, especially selection of teams.
"If such a tenure clause is not enforced, office-bearers could be repeatedly elected from a particular region and continue to dominate the affairs of the association/federation after having created a monopoly over the sport," the HC said.
Justice Mittal added, "Vesting the control (of sports bodies) in authorities from a particular region may result in diversion of funds, selection of players from and development of a sport from only a particular region. The national federation would not then remain representative of the hopes and aspirations of sportspersons of the entire nation."
The only panacea for this was a limited tenure of two terms as prescribed in the government guidelines. "A limited office tenure will have the impact of minimizing, if not eliminating, allegations, criticism and elements of nepotism, favouritism and bias of any kind," Justice Mittal said.
The Times of India
Paragon clips Parkites hockey men 2-1
Cogie Butler and Kiel Murray were both on target as Paragon stunned Queen’s Park 2-1 in its opening match of the 2009 T&T Hockey Board Men’s Championship Division last Sunday at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua. The clash between Paragon and the Parkites was not without controversy as Murray, who was picked on the national team which left for Chile last Monday, was informed minutes before the league match that he was barred from playing by national team administrator Garth Baptiste.
However, Murray opted to quit his position on the T&T team for the Third Pan American Hockey Cup and decided to play for his club and in the end netted the decisive goal. After a 0-0 first 35 minutes the match sparked into life midway through the second half with Butler and Murray scoring for Paragon before Gary Griffith pulled one back for the Parkites, runner-up in the Championship Division to Notre Dame last season after winning in 2007.
The top scorer on the day was Kristin Abreu with a beaver-trick, as she led Ventures Under-19 women to a 10-1 mauling of Raiders. Emerald Piper chipped in with a hat-trick for the winners, while captain Arielle Cowie, Tamia Roach and Amanda George added one each. Arielle Du Quesnay netted Raiders’ consolation item.
Sunday’s Results:
Girls’ U-19:
Ventures 10 (Kristin Abreu 4, Emerald Piper 3, Arielle Cowie, Tamia Roach, Amanda George) vs Raiders 1 (Ariesa Du Quesnay
Boys’ U-19:
Fatima 3 (Quinn Clarke, Nicolai Daly) vs SHAPE 1 (Shakeel Edwards).
Paragon 3 vs Petrotrin 0 - By Default.
Trinity Women:
Paragon 3 vs Petrotrin 0 - By Default.
Men’s Championship Division:
Paragon 2 (Cogie Butler, Kiel Murray) vs QPCC 1 (Gary Griffith).
The Trinidad Guardian
Pangani joint leaders in Nairobi as Kaplong get walkover
By ERIC ODANGA
National girls’ hockey champions Pangani Girls and Hillcrest Secondary are the joint leaders of the Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association hockey league after the opening two rounds.
They each have 18 points and remain the only unbeaten sides in the league which returns to Jamhuri High School on Saturday.
St. George’s is third with 15 points and a resurgent State House Girls has 13 points.
The four schools lead the charge for a place in the provincial finals and an eventual representation in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term One Games in Embu next month.
Pangani’s good form has been reflected in the top scorer’s chart where Regina Mwangi leads with 16 goals ahead of Ivy Wamuyu (St. George’s) who has 11.
Florence Maritim (Moi Nairobi Girls) ha scored nine goals while Laura Gichau (Pangani) has scored eight, one ahead of team-mate Naomi Kyalo. Kandeel Butt from Hillcrest Secondary has scored six goals.
Daily Nation