News for 25 August 2009
Tuesday, 25 August 2009 09:37 | 
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All the news for Tuesday 25 August 2009
Rabo EuroNations Championship 2009
Tuesday 25 August 2009
All times local (GMT +2)
Women
13:30 IRE v ESP
15:30 GER v ECO
17:30 AZE v ENG
19:30 NED V RUS
Results Monday 24 August 2009
Women
BEL 3 AUT 0
GER 4 ENG 4
Men
POL 2 FRA 3
NED 0 ESP 3
Full Tables
| Men Pool A | Match | Wo | Dr | Lo | Gls s | Gls a | Pnt | Men Pool B | Match | Wo | Dr | Lo | Gls s | Gls a | Pnt | |
| England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 4 | Spanje | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | |
| Germany | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 4 | Nederland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 3 | |
| Belgium | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | |
| Austria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | Poland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| Women Pool A | Match | Wo | Dr | Lo | Gls s | Gls a | Pnt | Women Pool B | Match | Wo | Dr | Lo | Gls s | Gls a | Pnt | |
| Netherlands | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 6 | Germany | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 6 | |
| England | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | Spain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Russia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Scotland | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Azerbaijan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 | Ireland | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
Spain surprises Netherlands at EuroHockey Nations Championships
The Men’s team of Spain upset defending European Champion Netherlands on day three of the EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The Olympic silver medalist defeated the host 3-0. This is enough for Spain to reach the semifinals and qualification for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010.
In other Monday action, England surprised Germany with a 4-4 draw. This result opens up Pool A, as Germany, England and Belgium will compete for two places in the semifinals and direct qualification for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010.
Results Monday 25 August 2009
Men, Pool A:
Belgium-Austria 3:0
Germany-England 4:4
Men, Pool B:
Poland-France 2:3
Netherlands-Spain 0:3
WorldHockey
England held to a draw against Germany
England’s Rob Moore might have thought he’d scored the winning goal on his 100th England appearance against the World’s number one side today but Germany responded to secure a 4-4 draw in what was a thrilling hockey spectacle at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. Despite letting slip a two goal lead in the dying moments of the game the draw keeps England top of the Pool A table going into their final pool match against Belgium on Wednesday.
Ashley Jackson gave England the perfect start against the reigning World and Olympic Champions when he smashed an effort low to the German goalkeeper’s right hand side just four minutes in, although England would lose him to injury later in the half.
Throughout the half both teams played exciting, fast paced hockey and it was Germany who scored next through the clinical Christopher Zeller three minutes before half time.
If that setback was disappointing to England what happened one minute into the second half was twice as disappointing when they went behind to a Mortiz Fuerste penalty stroke. A move into the England circle had found a German player in front of goal but as he made a challenge Beeston defender Ali Wilson was adjudged to have fouled his opponent and Fuerste stepped up to fire home the resultant penalty.
Captain Barry Middleton, who scored twice against Austria on Sunday, netted another brace against Germany in some style, scoring twice in two minutes to turn the game again. After scoring from open play in the 40th minute, he was then quickest to react to the rebounding ball at a 42nd minute penalty corner, knocking home to make it 3-2 to England.
The game was still being played at an exhilarating pace and Rob Moore, playing in his 100th international match for England, got his fairytale moment as he scored to put England 4-2 up.
After going off injured in the first half Ashley Jackson returned in the second period but he could do nothing about Zeller’s goal with 12 minutes remaining, which put Germany right back in contention.
Into the final ten minutes and England were desperate to hold on for the victory. They were dealt a blow with just three minutes remaining when Moore was shown a yellow card, forcing him to watch what remained of the match from the sidelines, and a minute later Christopher Wesley equalised for Germany; 4-4 the final score after a breath-taking 70 minutes.
After the match, Manager Peter Nicholson was upbeat about the result, despite losing the two goals late on. “It was a great match – a superb advert for hockey. We’re obviously a bit disappointed not to see the game out but it was actually still a good result for us, especially with Belgium only scoring three against Austria earlier.”
The point won keeps England top of Pool A, ahead of Germany on goal difference and a point ahead of their opponents on Wednesday, Belgium. For their part, Austria remain at the foot of the group after their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Belgium. England play Belgium at 13:30 local time (12:30BST) on Wednesday.
GERMANY 4 (1)
Christopher Zeller 32, 58 (F, F)
Moritz Fuerste 36 (PS)
Christopher Wesley 68 (F)
ENGLAND 4 (1)
Ashley Jackson 4 (F)
Barry Middleton 40, 42 (F, PC)
Rob Moore 52 (F)
ENGLAND SQUAD v GERMANY
Started
James Fair (Cannock) Goalkeeper
Ben Hawes (Surbiton) Defender
Richard Mantell (Reading) Defender
Richard Smith (Loughborough Students) Defender
Ali Wilson (Beeston) Defender
Ashley Jackson (HGC) Midfielder
Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead) Midfielder
Iain Mackay (Reading) Midfielder
Barry Middleton (c) (HGC) Midfielder/Forward
Rob Moore (Surbiton) Midfielder/Forward
James Tindall (Surbiton) Forward
Substitutes Used
Richard Alexander (Surbiton) Defender/Midfielder/Forward
Adam Dixon (Beeston) Defender/Midfielder
Alistair Brogdon (Bowdon) Forward
Matt Daly (Surbiton) Forward
Simon Mantell (HGC) Forward
Did Not Play
Nick Brothers (Reading) Goalkeeper
Jonty Clarke (Reading) Forward
England Hockey Media release
Late goals deny England victory over Germany
By Patrick Rowley in Amsterdam
Two late goals cost England the chance to beat Germany and secure early qualification for the semi-finals of the European Cup.
Germany, the Olympic men's champions, were on the rack with England leading 4-2 but rallied to draw the game 4-4.
England, who had been outstanding until the final few minutes, now need to draw against Belgium on Wednesday to qualify for the semi-finals and gain automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Ashley Jackson, excellent in England's midfield, seized an early half chance to put England ahead after five minutes.
They continued to dominate but the defence went absent just before half-time and Christopher Zeller scored the first of two goals for Germany.
Another England error in the first 30 seconds of the second half saw Germany win a penalty which Fuerste converted.
Then England took over, Simon Mantell squared for Barry Middleton and Middleton scored his second in three minutes, following up a Jackson corner shot. It was 4-2 ten minutes later as Matt Daly and Richard Alexander engineered a tip in for goal number four, by Iain Mackay.
An unfortunate deflection brought Germany their third goal and, when England were reduced to 10 men, Wesley snatched the German equaliser with less than two minutes remaining.
Jackson failed to finish the game after suffering a suspected broken rib.
England's women's team also need a draw from their last pool match, against Azerbaijan today, to gain World Cup qualification.
The Telegraph
Samoa stem the flow in second half
After going into half-time 12 goals down against the Hockeyroos, Samoa managed to stem the flow in the second spell, conceding only four more in the second Oceania Cup match, in Invercargill today .
The Samoans defended the first 12 minutes without conceding a goal.
Samoa put 11 players back on defence and managed to save a number of shots.
However they struggled to clear effectively resulting in long passages of play inside their defensive 25.
For Australia, Ashleigh Nelson was the top goal scorer with five. Claire Messent picked up a hat trick.
Australia 16 Samoa 0
Half time score: 12 - 0
Goal scorers: Ashleigh Nelson 5, Claire Messent 3 Madonna Blyth 2, Nicole Arrold 2, Kate Hollywood 2, Hope Munro, Casey Eastham.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Hockeyroos Blitz Samoa at Oceania Cup
The Hockeyroos have continued their good recent form from the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy, defeating Samoa 16-0 today at the Oceania Cup.
Held in Invercargill, New Zealand the match began perfectly for the Hockeyroos, with Kate Hollywood scoring the first goal of the match within the first minute.
This was just beginning for the Hockeyroos, who went on to score 11 more goals in the first half, including four to West Australian striker Ashleigh Nelson who finished with five goals overall.
Samoa stemmed the flow after half time, putting 11 players back in defence to concede only four more goals.
While they managed to save a number of shots on goal, they struggled to clear their defence which resulted in the majority of the half being played near the Hockeyroos goal.
While obviously pleased with the result, the Hockeyroos will be hoping to convert more of their penalty corner opportunities after generating 38 chances during today’s matches.
Hockeyroos 16 Samoa 0 (12-0 half time)
Goals – Hollywood 1m FG/ 47m FG, Arrold 9m PC/ 12m PC, Messent 10m FG/ 14m FG/ 25m PC, Nelson 19m FG/ 21m FG/ 30m FG/ 32m PC/ 52m PC, Blyth 21m FG/ 69m PC, Brown 26m FG, Eastham 65m FG
Hockey Australia media release
Kookaburras bury Samoa
Australia did well to maintain their goal scoring momentum against hockey minnows Samoa today in the opening match of the Oceania Cup in Invercargill, scoring 13 goals in each half.
Australia scored their first in the fifth minute after Samoa started promisingly by successfully defended four consecutive penalty corners.
The Samoans could not hold out the barrage of attack as the game progressed however.
The Kookaburras displayed a range of skills from power reverse strikes to well placed deflections, throughout the match.
Samoa’s first circle penetration resulted in what was also their first penalty corner, with 13 minutes to go, but unfortunately for the Samoans, they could not convert.
Jamie Dwyer scored five goals, Simon Orchard 4, while Luke Doerner, Grant Schubert and Desmond Abbott scored a hat trick apiece. The final score was 26 – 0 to Australia.
Australia 26 Samoa 0
Half time score: 13 - 0
Goal scorers: Jamie Dwyer 5, Simon Orchard 4, Glenn Turner 3,Luke Doerner 3, Grant Schubert 3, Desmond Abbott 3, Matthew Butturini, Mark Knowles, Fergus Kavanagh, Mark Paterson, Edward Ockenden,
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Five Dwyer goals delivers 26-0 victory over Samoa
The Kookaburras have commenced their Oceania Cup campaign with a resounding 26-0 victory over Samoa today in Invercargill, New Zealand.
The match went as expected, with the Kookaburras having 11 individual goal scorers.
It took the Kookaburras only four minutes to score their first goal after Samoa showed some promising signs early, defending four consecutive penalty corners.
However as the match progressed the Kookaburras managed to work their way around the Samoan defence with precision, and the goals soon followed.
Five goals to two time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer was a highlight of the match, while young up and comer Simon Orchard also contributed with four goals.
Samoa were able to generate one penalty corner late in the second half, however they were unable to convert.
Kiel Brown, Brent Livermore and Jamie Dwyer were amongst the best players for the Kookaburras, with coach Ric Charlesworth looking forward to tomorrows clash with New Zealand.
“It was a comfortable win over an inexperienced opponent. However the team gained valuable playing time on a newly laid surface. The encounter against New Zealand tomorrow will be a much better indicator of our true form,” said Charlesworth.
Kookaburras 26 Samoa 0 (13-0 half time)
Goals – Dwyer 4m FG/ 31m FG/ 33m FG/ 35m FG/ 44m FG, Orchard 7m FG/ 19m FG/ 52m FG/ 66m FG, Turner 8m FG/ 16m PC/ 32m FG, Butturini 12m PC, Knowles 15m PC, Schubert 21m FG/ 54m PS/ 55m FG, Abbott 30m FG/ 46m PC/ 69m FG, Luke Doerner 49m PC/ 51m PC/ 70m PC, Fergus Kavanagh 54m FG, Eddie Ockenden 61m FG, Mark Paterson 63m FG
Hockey Australia media release
Strong Southerns team to face KZN Inland in opener
Pretoria - The KwaZulu-Natal Inland team at the SPAR Women's Hockey Interprovincial Tournament face a tough debut on day one of the A Section at the Tshwane University of Technology hockey stadium in Pretoria Tuesday.
KZN Inland tackle a Southern Gauteng team that is packed with international experience. Player for player, the unheralded KZN Inland combination under coach Kegan Walters are on a hiding to nothing against Southerns, who have SPAR South Africa Captain Marsha Marescia at the helm alongside her current national team-mates Lisa Deetlefs, Roxanne Turner and Julia Cass.
Coach Ryan Millela can also call on the former top striker in world hockey, Pietie Coetzee, as well as recent national players Fiona Butler, Sharne Bailey and Tsoanelo Pholo, not to mention a host of experienced provincial players.
SPAR SA national Coach Jenny King said in Pretoria Monday that this could well be Southerns' year.
King said Coetzee, who retired at a relatively young age from top international hockey, is not contemplating returning to the national fold but is enjoying being back in the provincial set-up. Coetzee has maintained her close links with the game as the University of Johannesburg hockey coach, and made a number of explosive appearances as an impact player at the recent University Sport SA tournament in Bloemfontein.
"Pietie is still capable of scoring amazing goals and will probably be most effective in short bursts, while I think we might see her in more of a midfield role than as an out-and-out striker," said King.
The South African Coach said that Bailey, who took time out to start a family, was putting in a lot of work to get back into the national side.
The Inland squad is extremely young and includes promising St Anne's and KZN Inland U18 striker Rachel Froneman, yet there are a host of players with SPAR IPT experience, including Michelle Henwood, Kara Stella, Taryn Miskey, Sade Simons, Annie Smith and Sian Eustice, so a tournament of this stature is not something with which they are unfamiliar.
However, without an Intercity League between the leading clubs in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, the modest nature of KZN Inland Premier League hockey matches does not easily lend itself to PMB Collegians and PMB Varsity players facing tried and tested international players with confidence a week or two later.
SA Hockey Association media release
KZN teams face baptism of fire from Southerns and Northerns
JONATHAN COOK at the SPAR IPT in Pretoria
THE two KwaZulu-Natal teams at the SPAR Women's Hockey Interprovincial Tournament face tough outings on day one of the SPAR Trophy A Section at the Tshwane University of Technology hockey stadium in Pretoria Tuesday.
KZN Inland tackle a Southern Gauteng team that is packed with international experience, while Durban's revamped KZN Coastals Raiders meet hosts Northern Gauteng Blues in the evening match.
Player for player, the unheralded KZN Inland combination under coach Kegan Walters are on a hiding to nothing against Southerns, who have SPAR South Africa captain Marsha Marescia at the helm alongside her current national team-mates Lisa Deetlefs, Roxanne Turner and Julia Cass.
Coach Ryan Millela can also call on the former top striker in world hockey, Pietie Coetzee, as well recent national players Fiona Butler, Sharne Bailey and Tsoanelo Pholo, not to mention a host of experienced provincial players.
SPAR SA national coach Jenny King told SA Hockey World Monday that this could well be Southerns' year. King said Coetzee, who retired at a relatively young age from top international hockey, is not contemplating returning to the national fold but is enjoying being back in the provincial set-up.
Coetzee has maintained her close links with the game as the University of Johannesburg hockey coach, and made a number of explosive appearances as an impact player at the University Sport SA tournament in Bloemfontein recently.
"Pietie is still capable of scoring amazing goals and will probably be most effective in short bursts, while I think we might see her in more of a midfield role than as an out-and-out striker," said King.
The SPAR SA coach said that Bailey, who took time out to start a family, was putting in a lot of work to get back into the national side.
The Inland squad is extremely young and includes promising St Anne's and KZN Inland U18 striker Rachel Froneman, yet there are a host of players with Spar IPT experience, including Michelle Henwood, Kara Stella, Taryn Miskey, Sade Simons, Annie Smith and Sian Eustice, so a tournament of this stature is not something with which they are unfamiliar.
However, without an Intercity League between the leading clubs in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, the modest nature of KZN Inland Premier League hockey matches does not easily lend itself to PMB Collegians and PMB Varsity players facing tried and tested international players with confidence a week or two later.
The KZN Coastal Raiders under experienced coach Lennie Botha and captain Brenda Bartlett have in one of their personnel that special X factor that can win tournaments.
Crista Cullen is 24, the two-time member of a World All Stars team, the top goalscorer for Great Britain in Beijing, the England Hockey Athlete of the Year, World Junior Hockey Player of the Year finalist, and according to SPAR SA coach Jenny King is the kind of dynamic central defender that can lift a side to great heights.
"Crista is very tough, a general on the field who marshals her fellow defenders with great skill and vision. She has a wonderful ability to read the game and should bring out the best in those around her," King said.
Add Cullen to the expertise of national players Cindy Botha, Kelly Madsen and the vastly experienced Jen Wilson; ally it with the talent and experience of the likes of Terri-Lee Chelin, Bartlett, Catherine Morris, Kerry Pearton, Marlise Joubert and Wanri Venter, and you have the quality that can win this SPAR IPT.
Northerns Blues, though, are no slouches themselves. Recent national goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa, the highly experienced co-number one Inke van Wyk, Jenni-Lee Donald, SA Junior World Cup player Nicolene Terblanche, SA cap Dirkie Chamberlain, current SPAR SA defender Kim Hubach, Chrizelle Andries and Alex Fenwick make a formidable combination who will be going all out to win this SPAR IPT on their home soil.
Northerns coach Gregg Hesom, assistant to Fabian Gregory with the SA U21s at Junior World Cup, has long expressed his frustration at the dominance of Western Province and Southerns at SPAR IPT and how they attract all the attention from the media. This is his chance, along with those of his players who have been around for some time, to usurp the favourites.
WP under captain Kate Woods and coach Wayne Denne are probably seen as likely winners if only because of their three consecutive SPAR IPT titles – won each time at the expense of finalists Southerns. Yet they will miss the likes of Katherine Taylor and Tarryn Bright, among others, and face arguably the strongest Southerns and KZN Coastals teams in a number of years.
Province need a solid start against Wits, while North West will be looking for the same against WP Peninsula.
DAY 1 RESULTS
B Section President's Cup: Mpumalanga 3 (Claudine Calitz, Ayanda Ndubane, Janine Stephen) Free State 0; Border 2 (Marcelle Keet 2) Northern Cape 1 (Charne Hartzenburg); Boland 1 (Kim Abrahams) SA Country Districts 1 (Mariska Roberts); Northerns B 1 (Cerese Halgreen) Southern Cape 0.
DAY 2 FIXTURES
A Section SPAR Trophy: WP vs Wits (12.20 pm); North West vs WP Peninsula (2 pm); Southern Gauteng vs KZN Inland (3.40 pm); KZN Coastal Raiders vs Northern Gauteng (5.20 pm).
B Section President's Cup: EP vs SACD (9 am); S Cape vs Boland (Tukkies 9 am); Namibia vs Free State (10.40 am); N Cape vs Mpumalanga (Tuks 10.40 am).
SA Hockey World
Coach Lennie Botha's KZN Raiders have a NEW matchwinner
JONATHAN COOK
THERE is no doubt that KZN Coastals have been given a massive boost to their chances of winning this year's SPAR Women's Hockey IPT with the signing of one of the world's top hockey players.
England's Crista Cullen, a no-nonsense penalty corner specialist who was the top goalscorer at the Beijing Olympics for Great Britain, joins KZN Coastals Raiders captain Brenda Bartlett's squad alongside another top international, SPAR South Africa forward Jen Wilson.
Crista Cullen
Crista turned 24 last Thursday and found the net in half of the GB team's Olympic Games matches in Beijing, China, taking her tally in a GB shirt to ten at the time. She's also got BMT: After scoring Britain's only goal in the opening match defeat to Germany, Crista netted the winner against New Zealand in game three and the heart-stopping last-minute winner against Japan in game four.
After her performances in Beijing, she was shortlisted by the FIH for its World Young Player of the Year award, although she ultimately lost out to the Netherlands' Maartje Paumen. Crista was the England Performance Player of 2009. Twice selected amongst the World Hockey All Star Team after consistently good performances on the international stage, Cullen scored two penalty corners as England overcame Spain 3-2 at the EuroHockey Nations Championships to qualify for the Olympics.
Born in Boston, Lincolnshire, Cullen spent the first 12 years of her life in Kenya before returning to the UK to attend boarding school at Oakham in Rutland. An athletic and totally committed defender, Cullen plays her club hockey for Leicester, where she recently won the EH Cup.
Crista has twice been named the Hockey Writers Club UK Player of the Year, in 2005 and 2007. In 2006 she was named Great Britain Hockey Athlete of the Year.
Crista Cullen has 61 caps for England and 43 for Great Britain, is 1,80 metres tall, weighs 75,6 kg and her coach is Chris Mayer.
SA Hockey World
Beng Hai still keen on centralised training
Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) should, by now, know that almost year-long centralised training has not produced any results at the international level.
In fact, the pampering of players has led to Malaysia free-falling to 16th in the world.
"There are different views on this matter, and it has been discussed many times, but personally, I feel the Malaysian players are still not ready for de-centralised training," said national coach Tai Beng Hai.
The main reason, according to Beng Hai, in keeping the players in camp for long periods is fitness.
"We have tried giving individual players training programmes when there is a long break. But they return with extra kilos, and it only shows that they do not follow the fitness regime when away from camp.
"It will defeat the purpose if I have to conduct fitness training all over again to prepare for a tournament like, say, the World Cup qualifier in November," said Beng Hai.
The evidence of a huge gap between European teams and Malaysia came to light again when Champions Challenge II winners Poland were hammered 9-0 by Netherlands and 3-0 by Spain in the ongoing EuroNationas Championships which is also a qualifier for the 2010 New Delhi World Cup.
And from Australia, an e-mail from former national coach Paul Lissek advised Malaysia to do away with centralised training.
Lissek, a consultant with Australia now, said: "In Australia players like Brent Livermore can still play in the national team despite not training with them.
"Their main advantage is that players are very liberal and independent, which means they have a lot of self-discipline. The Australian players come for individual training-sessions and follow their different plans.
"They train with different coaches and they also come for individual video sessions, and sit with a coach to discuss. The methodical principal 'players as partners' not 'players as schoolboys' makes the difference.
"Sometimes players work in groups on their particular issues and solve it themselves," said Lissek.
Beng Hai, however, feels the time is not right yet for de-centralised training: "Malaysian players are not ready for de-centralised training as they do not have the discipline to work on their own when given a break.
"However, there is a possibility that the de-centralised system could be implemented in the near future," said Beng Hai.
Centralised training has produced mediocre players, while de-centralised training has produced Olympic champions and the MHF should have another look at its training programme for next year.
New Straits Times
Long-term injuries force Zulkifli, Soffian to quit national team
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: Long-term injuries have forced defenders Zulkifli Rejab and Mohamed Soffian Mohamed to quit the national hockey team.
Zulkifli has been bugged by a knee injury since 2007 while Soffian came down with a thigh injury last year and they have been unable to resume training.
Manager George Koshy said yesterday that they still had 30 players in the training squad.
“We have called up four players from the national junior squad to join training,” he said.
“There is no plan at the moment to trim the squad. We have several players on short-term injuries and having a bigger pool of player gives us more option in the selection of the final 18 for assignments.”
Those from the national junior squad who are now with the seniors are Abdul Hakim Adnan, Faizal Saari, Khairul Annuar Azrain and Mohamed Marhan Jalil.
Three senior players were injured during the Champions Challenge II in July. They were Kelvinder Singh, Engku Abdul Malek and Mohamed Shahrun Nabil. The trio did not go on the tour to Australia and New Zealand and they also did not get clearance to play in the recent Razak Cup tournament.
There are two players more on the crock list as the team prepare to resume training on Aug 31. They are Nabil Fiqri Mohamed Nor and Ismail Abu. Nabil has a groin problem while Ismail is carrying a knee injury. They suffered the injuries during the Test series against New Zealand.
Koshy said that they would get a clearer picture on the condition of the players when they returned to camp.
“We are also in touch with the team doctor. Hopefully, all of them will be able to resume full training soon. Whether they will be considered for selection for a China tour will depend on the doctors’ advice,” said George.
The team, who are preparing for the World Cup qualifying tournament in November, will go on a six-match tour to China starting on Sept 28.
The Star of Malaysia
Argentina step in to host World Cup qualifying meet
KUALA LUMPUR: Argentina have replaced the United Arab Emirates as hosts of one of the three World Cup hockey qualifying tournaments.
And they will stage the tournament in Quilmes from Nov 14-22. The other two tournaments are slated to be held in Lille, France (Oct 31-Nov 8) and Invercargill, New Zealand (Nov 7-15).
Six teams will be involved in each of the three tournaments and the winners will qualify for the Finals in New Delhi next year.
The composition of teams for the tournaments will be finalised next month after the completion of all the continental championships.
Teams who have confirmed places in the qualifying tournaments are Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, China, Japan, Argentina, Chile and the United States. Europe will have nine teams and the other will come from Oceania.
The European Championship will end on Sunday while the Oceania Cup begins today in New Zealand.
The top four European teams and the Oceania champions gain automatic berths to the World Cup Finals.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) have confirmed that if France and New Zealand gain direct entry from their continental championships, they will not host the World Cup qualifying tournaments.
Teams who have secured places in the Finals are India, Canada, South Korea and South Africa.
The Star of Malaysia
Hockey Australia Announce Australian Country Squads
Hockey Australia wishes to announce the following squad selections for the men’s and women’s Australian country teams and the Australian Country Hockey Pacific Cup teams.
Australian Country Men’s Team:
Adam Williamson, WA (Captain)
Cameron Baker, QLD (Vice Captain)
Tristan Hunt, Australian Defence Force
Mark Ross, ADF
Daniel Edge, NSW
John Fernance, NSW
Ben Kelly, NSW
Ben Hawkens, NSW
Jaden Ekert, QLD
Mitchell Smith, QLD
Lachlan Brownhalls, QLD
Adam Catalano, QLD
John Flanagan, QLD
Stuart Raffen, VIC
Sam McIntosh, VIC
Ian Beath, VIC
Lance Wiggers, WA
Paul Morrissey, WA
Australian Country Women’s Team:
Renae Aldridge, NSW (Captain)
Jade Hooper, QLD (Vice Captain)
Karen Miles, QLD
Tara Picker, NSW
Ashley Allen, NSW
Kirsten Howard, NSW
Mel Greer, NSW
Belinda Morrison, QLD
Kate LeBroq, NSW
Kim Hill, NSW
Kathryn Hehir, VIC
Sarah Watson, NSW
Ellen Paskin, QLD
Amanda Saladine, NSW
Kathleen Messer, QLD
Janessa Leggatt, VIC
Kristy Conroy, NSW
Shelley Stevenson, NSW
These two teams will tour Hong Kong and Singapore in April 2010.
Australian Country Hockey Pacific Cup Men’s Team:
Paul Blenkiron, SA (Captain)
Derek Bunt, ADF (Vice Captain)
Terry Raffen, VIC
Jordan Thornycroft, VIC
Chris Rawlings, NSW
Simon Massey, NSW
Ryan Holding, NSW
Todd Harmsworth, QLD
Dean Jeffrey, QLD
Donald Miller, QLD
Heath Sampson, QLD
Lincoln Parkinson, SA
Jacob Daumiller, SA
Gareth Hoddinott, ADF
Nathan Doherty, QLD
Lachlan Cameron, VIC
Rhys Henswood, NSW
Kyle Reeves, SA
Australian Country Hockey Pacific Cup Women’s Team:
Deb Dolan, QLD (Captain)
Emily Hegney, NSW (Vice Captain)
Erin McKenzie, NSW
Tahryn Matthews, VIC
Jamie Hartley, NSW
Fleur O’Neill, WA
Kate Hearn, QLD
Kirsten Howard, NSW
Kim Hill, NSW
Emma Knagge, VIC
Mersina Valamios, VIC
Carolyn Margetts, NSW
Kathryn McInerney, VIC
Alison Nicholson, VIC
Allyce Bachos, WA
Jess Martin-Browne, SA
Shelley Stevenson, NSW
Courtney Kelly, QLD
These two teams will compete in the Pacific Cup in Fiji in December 2009.
Hockey Australia media release
Bangladesh to focus on hockey
Nineteen Bangladesh hockey players have proceeded to Germany to hone their skills as part of their preparation for next year’s South Asian Games.
The move comes close to the twin victory Bangladeshi cricketers scored against the West Indies and Zimbabwe, to win nationwide applause and be hailed as ‘tigers’ and ‘golden boys’ by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
However, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) has been unable to work out a domestic hockey competition for over a year, forcing the national level players to take jobs, engage in business and slacken on training and practice, The Daily Star reported.
Bangladesh finished last in the seven-team Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur where they conceded 32 goals in four games.
“I must appreciate the initiatives of the federation for sending the national team players abroad for training, but one thing they should not forget is that our hockey is not about nourishing only 20 players,” said midfielder Shahidullah Titu, who donned the national jersey in this year’s Asia Cup.
The Hindu
National Stadium to become world's best: Gill
NEW DELHI: Sports Minister MS Gill on Monday expressed satisfaction at the renovation work being carried out at the National Stadium, saying state-of-the-art facilities and ultra security would be in place to make it the best hockey stadium in the world.
Gill specially praised the engineers for their good job and the pace of work at the stadium, which will host the World Cup and Commonwealth Games next year.
"Last year, I had visited National Stadium, at that time the basement was done. This year plenty of renovation work is being done," Gill said.
"I am happy with the work of the engineers and all the workers who have put in all their effort. It is definitely going to be elegant.
"I have made sure that there is ultra security in the stadium. It would become the best hockey stadium in the world," the minister said during his 15-minute visit to the stadium.
The Times of India
FIH President Leandro Negre new EHF Member of Honour
FIH President Leandro Negre was awarded the EHF Member of Honour on the occasion of the General Assembly of the European Hockey Federation (EHF) in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
36 Member Associations of the EHF attended the General Assembly, which included elections for the EHF Board of Administration. Martin Gotheridge (ENG) was elected as President, while Marijke Fleuren and Jorge Alcover were elected as Vice-Presidents.
The following were elected:
* Martin Gotheridge, (ENG), President (*)
* Marijke Fleuren, (NED), Vice-president
* Jorge Alcover, (ESP), Vice-president
* R.David Balbirnie, (IRL), Hon. General Secretary
* Jean Christoph Capelle, (BEL), Member
* Serguei Chechenkov, (RUS), Member (*)
* Ludmila Pastrova, (SVK), Member
* Jerzy Smorawinski, (POL), Member
* Jan Vymazal, (CZE), Member
(*) Two-year term, all other members are for a four-year term
Joe Crookham, Principal owner Musco Lighting, was awarded the President’s Award.
In addition, the GA approved the accounts for the period 2007 and 2008.
In the afternoon Open Forum, the delegates had the opportunity to discuss and debate hockey values. The Forum, planned around the GA theme “Inspired by Values” split the delegates into small working groups and each group, following their discussions, made recommendations to the EHF about their ideas on values for the Federation.
European Hockey Federation media release