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All the news for Saturday 17 April 2010

China win second test

Great Britain’s women put in a commanding performance in the second of two tests against the Olympic silver medallists China at Bisham Abbey on Friday but despite outplaying their Asian opponents for long spells it was China who came out on top, winning 3-1.

Before the match there was a presentation made to Leicester defender Crista Cullen who was making her 50th appearance in a Great Britain shirt, while there was a Great Britain debut for Slough’s Ashleigh Ball.

Bowdon Hightown goalkeeper Kirsty Mackay was called on early in the match and she began well with a powerful clearance from a Chinese cross.

Head Coach Danny Kerry said after Wednesday’s opening match that he wanted to see more penetrative play from his team and it was clear early on that Great Britain were looking to act on those words as a couple of early through balls just failed to reach their intended recipients.

Like Wednesday however it was China who broke the deadlock and again it was from a penalty corner.  With eight minutes on the clock, from the first corner of the match, Ye Ren pulled the ball out to the top of the circle and Sinan Sun flicked a low effort under the body of Mackay for 1-0.

Two minutes after the goal Great Britain saw their first sight of goal as Slough’s Nicola White squared a pass to Reading midfielder Helen Richardson whose flick just missed the left post with Chinese goalkeeper Yimeng Zhang struggling to get across her goal.

Looking to hit Great Britain on the break, China held their ground before countering against a GB defence short on numbers at the back but Canterbury’s Natalie Seymour did well to make two blocks inside the British circle.

Four minutes after going behind Great Britain were level after a quick passing move down the right hand side high in Chinese territory.  Bowdon Hightown’s Sam Quek found Charlotte Craddock on the baseline inside the right of the circle and her pass to the centre was met by the England Hockey League’s top goal scorer Alex Danson.  Looking for her 30th goal at international level Danson was unlucky to see the goalkeeper block her shot but it rebounded Danson’s clubmate Jo Ellis who fired the ball home to make it 1-1.

Unfortunately for Great Britain, the score was not level for long as Yudiao Zhao finished well to net the game’s third goal in the space of seven minutes.  Picking up on a loose pass out of the British defence Yudiao Zhao broke through the 23m line before entering the circle and firing home a reverse stick effort that Mackay could only get a pad on but could not keep out.

In the 20th minute Danson’s shot on the reverse came up off the goalkeeper but Clifton’s Craddock was unable to control the volley as the ball flew towards her and the chance was gone.

China’s Zhen Sun received the first of her team’s six cards in the 26th minute and with the visitors down to ten players for two minutes Great Britain pressed up the field.  For what remained of the first half China were content to allow Great Britain to control possession, which they did comfortably following two more cards; a green to Hongxia Li and a yellow to Sinan Sun, the scorer of the opening goal.

In the opening exchanges of the second half University of Birmingham midfielder Susie Gilbert showed good skill to win two free hits in quick succession on the edge of the Chinese circle but the Chinese defence held firm.

Five minutes after the break China won their second penalty corner which Mengyu Wang flicked onto the right post from the top of the circle and Great Britain survived.

At the other end, on a quick breakaway, Alex Danson’s deflected pass reached Katie Long in the inside left channel from where she played a delightfully weighted pass to the back post.  Unfortunately for Long the pass was not met by Rachel Walker, who had broken forward in support and it was China’s turn to breathe a sigh of relief.

Enjoying the better of the possession, Great Britain were showing much of the patience that Danny Kerry had talked about on Wednesday and they increased that command further when Zhen Sun saw yellow for failing to retreat at a free hit.

With the Chinese number 13 off the pitch Great Britain thought they were set to equalise midway through the half.  Helen Richardson found Katie Long in front of the goalkeeper and the Leicester forward drew Yimeng Zhang out of position before pulling the ball back to Danson just behind the penalty spot.  Her looping reverse stick effort looked destined to dip under the bar into the top right corner before the last minute intervention of a Chinese defender’s stick hooked the ball away from danger, maintaining China’s one goal advantage.

GB won their first penalty corner shortly afterwards but Kate Walsh’s effort was blocked and China scrambled clear.  Soon after, Bowdon Hightown’s Sally Walton combined with Long to cause more disarray inside the China circle.

Incredibly, against the run of play and with 54 minutes on the clock, China snatched a breakaway goal.  Hongxia Li won the ball in midfield and passed inside to Yudiao Zhao who drove through the British half and squared to the top of the circle to the waiting Baorong Fu who slipped it home beyond the onrushing Mackay for 3-1.

Despite the setback Great Britain stuck to their game plan, upping the tempo and the pressure.  The hosts were left appealing for a penalty corner when Jo Ellis’ cross was deflected off the ground and flew past Alex Danson but no decision was forthcoming.

Great Britain were awarded their second penalty corner minutes later and Yimeng Zhang was called upon to produce two saves from the set piece; the first from Crista Cullen and the follow up from Kate Walsh.

With the Chinese visibly tiring Great Britain surged on with further chances falling to Danson and Richardson as GB piled on the pressure.  Their reward was two more corners in quick succession.  At first of the two, Cullen’s flick deflected off the stick of the number one running defender before Walsh saw her flick from the next saved again by the goalkeeper.

In the final five minutes of the match good work from Ellis set up one last chance for Katie Long on an acute angle but her shot was saved by Yimeng Zhang and China held on for the victory.

Head Coach Danny Kerry told the story afterwards when he said, “we were by far the better side by a country mile today.  We generated ample opportunities but we were poor at times in the D.

“There were some encouraging signs.  We took them apart.  It sounds ridiculous as a coach to say this after losing but we played well today.  It’s hugely encouraging how much we limited their opportunities and how many opportunities of our own we created.”

Great Britain’s next matches will be in May with full details yet to be confirmed and announced.  China will leave the UK on Saturday to travel to the Netherlands for matches beginning on Sunday.

Date - Time - Fixture - Score

Wednesday 14 April 2010 - 1400 hrs - Great Britain (w) v China - 1-2
Friday 16 April 2010 - 1100 hrs - Great Britain (w) v China  - 1-3

GREAT BRITAIN (women) 1 (1)

Jo Ellis 12 (F)                

CHINA 3 (2)

Sinan Sun 8 (PC)           
Yudiao Zhao 15 (F)                    
Baorong Fu 54 (F)                      

England Hockey Board Media release

Great Britain lose two-match series against Olympic silver medallists China

By Emily Benammar

Going down: China's Sinan Sun hits the floor after being tackled by Great Britain's Jo Ellis Photo: PA

Great Britain suffered their second defeat at the hands of China losing 3-1 at Bisham Abbey and 2-0 overall in the two-match series.

Much improved from their midweek loss, Great Britain head coach Danny Kerry said that despite the scoreline he was pleased with his squad's performance against the 2008 Olympic silver medallists.

"We were the better side by far but I'm mystified as to how we weren't putting the goals away," he said.

"I was hugely encouraged with how we broke China down because a lot of teams normally struggle to do so. But it's is a huge frustration because it was such a good performance from us.

"We generated ample opportunities but we were poor at time in the D."

China's Sinan Su opened the scoring from a penalty corner flicking the ball low under Kirsty Mackay, but the visitors' lead was cancelled out minutes later when Alex Danson's strike rebounded off Jo Ellis.

Yudiao Zhao reclaimed China's lead to give them a 2-1 half-time advantage before Baorong Fu scored the breakaway goal 16 minutes before the final whistle.

After Wednesday's defeat Kerry had urged his team to to play a more penetrative game, and their response to this was evident.

The scoreline did not reflect the increased number of threats Great Britain made on China's goal with Alex Danson, Helen Richardson, Susie Gilbert and Rachel Walker all coming agonisingly close to scoring.

Kerry added: "It sounds ridiculous as a coach to say this after losing but we played well today. It's hugely encouraging how much we limited their opportunities and how many of our own we created."

The match marked a milestone for Crista Cullen who was making her 50th appearance for Great Britain while Ashleigh Ball was handed her debut.

Next up for Great Britain is a test series against Germany in May with full details yet to be announced.

The Telegraph

China complete series win over Great Britain's women


Craddock could not convert Great Britain's pressure into goals

China clinched a series win over Great Britain as a clinical display of finishing secured a 3-1 win in the second and final Test at Bisham Abbey.

Sinan Sun fired low under the body of goalkeeper Kirsty Mackay to open the scoring for the visitors.

Great Britain pulled level four minutes later as Jo Ellis pounced on a loose ball inside the circle.

But Yudiao Zhao restored the lead with a reverse-stick effort before setting up Fu Baorong's second-half goal.

Danny Kerry's side needed victory to level the series after China's 2-1 win in Wednesday's first Test, and the head coach insisted his side were unfortunate not to end all square.

"We were by far the better side by a country mile today," he said.

"We took them apart. It sounds ridiculous as a coach to say this after losing but we played well today."

Leicester defender Crista Cullen, who made her 50th appearance for Great Britain shirt, agrees that her side could easily have upset a China team ranked third in the world.

"We are still in the learning phase but to have those kind of opportunities that regularly, it is a really exciting future," she said.

"We really need to start making them count in small games like this so that when it comes to the real pressure tournaments it is habit and they just go in.

"Hopefully that is where we will get to in a couple of years time."

The series has given Great Britain a rare chance to play together, rather than for England, Scotland and Wales, as they prepare for the Champions Trophy in Nottingham in July.

The hosts will hope to develop the kind of cutting edge shown by China as the visitors followed two successful penalty corners in the first Test by converting another in the eighth minute of the second.

After Sun's polished finish from Ye Ren's pull-back, Reading midfielder Helen Richardson came close with a flick just wide of the post.

But the equaliser soon arrived with a slick passing move creating space for Charlotte Craddock to cross for Alex Danson.

China goalkeeper Yimeng Zhang could only parry her shot and Danson's Slough teammate Ellis duly found the net.

Parity lasted only three minutes though as Zhao picked up a stray pass out of the Great Britain defence and capped a surging run into the circle by squeezing a shot past Mackay.

Great Britain controlled possession for much of the rest of the half, but struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances with Craddock's volley wide the closest they came.

China hit the post from another penalty corner early in the second half, but after Zhen Sun saw yellow for failing to retreat at a free hit, one of six cards shown to the visitors, Great Britain pressed forward.

Only a goal-line clearance kept out a looping effort from Danson before Kate Walsh's effort from Great Britain first penalty corner was scrambled clear.

But a breakaway goal doubled China's lead as Zhao drove into the Great Britain half and squared to the top of the circle to the waiting Fu to finish.

Walsh and Crista Cullen both stretched Zhang late on, but could not find a way through some stubborn resistance.

China travel to the Netherlands while Great Britain are set to continue their preparations with more matches to announced for May.

BBC Sport

Ireland ready for Chile job

By MARY HANNIGAN

AFTER THEIR final training camp at Belfield tomorrow the Ireland squad sets off for Chile on Sunday, six days ahead of their opening game against Scotland in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Santiago.

Any notion that over-confidence might see Australia, who are firm favourites to win the event, send a largely youthful squad to Chile was quashed when their coach, Frank Murray, opted for “experience and strength”, insisting that the world’s fifth-ranked team would take no chances in the tournament.

Only one of the five teams in Chile will qualify for August’s World Cup finals in Argentina, with Ireland likely to be vying with Scotland for a place in Sunday week’s final against, most probably, the Australians. Malaysia and the hosts complete the line-up.

Back home, Cork Harlequins should take a giant stride towards winning their 15th successive Munster title when they play bottom club University of Limerick tomorrow in their penultimate league fixture.

Harlequins took four points from their double-header against leaders UCC last weekend, lifting them to within two points of the students but with a game in hand. Two points further back are Catholic Institute, who play UCC tomorrow before meeting Harlequins on Saturday week in what could be the title decider.

Leinster League – Division One – Tomorrow: Pembroke Wanderers v Old Alexandra, Serpentine Avenue, 12.45; Loreto v Glenanne, Beaufort, 2pm.

Munster League – Division One – Tomorrow: Ashton v Church of Ireland, Ashton, 12.30; Catholic Institute v UCC, Rosbrien, 12.30; Univ of Limerick v Cork Harlequins, Univ of Limerick, 1.30.

The Irish Times

Discarded Adeel, Azlan give HBL win over formidable PIA

By Shazad Ali

KARACHI:  Discarded but precocious forwards Azlan Khan and Adeel Hussain grabbed one goal apiece to help Habib Bank (HBL) edge past formidable PIA 2-1 in the national hockey championship on Friday.

By winning against PIA, the bankers also dashed the national airlines’ hopes of clinching the title. PIA, who have 16 points, had a chance of winning the championship in case of Wapda’s loss against SSGC and if PIA had won the match against HBL today and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Sunday.

However, after losing against HBL, PIA have a chance for the second place, while NBP will also be in contention for the second place. If leaders Wapda, now having 21 points, lose their match against SSGC, having 18 points NBP might be fighting for the top place on goal average which doesn’t seem to be possibility as Wapda are expected to easily win against SSGC.

PIA, having no less than 10 current or former Pakistan players in their ranks, broke the ice in the 22nd minute when Mahmood Ali found the target on a deflection.

HBL put the game on an even keel when Adeel, who is being overlooked by the selectors since last year’s Junior World Cup, slammed home on a splendid deflection five minutes before going for the break.

The bankers started making dangerous inroads as they rattled PIA with some good attacks. It was in the 42nd minute that PIA’s Eshanullah and Umar Bhutta of HBL were green carded for a clash after a decision by umpire.

HBL eventually went 2-1 up when Azlan was first tackled by PIA defender before he fired home through a reverse flick after a slapdash work by PIA defenders in the 52nd minute. Like Adeel, Azlan has also been sidelined by the selectors after the Junior World Cup last year, despite being called up for Pakistan junior and whites training camps.

PIA players once again argued when umpire Zulfiqar Hussain signaled for a penalty corner in HBL favour. As Zulfiqar asked for his colleague Haider Rasool’s advice, the latter suggested against changing the decision following which PIA goalkeeper Nasir Ahmad left his line and argued with Haider that he had wrongly advised umpire.

HBL, who had now penned PIA in their own half under a battery of attacks, wasted a chance a minute before the end when Nasir Shahzad failed to score on a loose ball.

Shahbaz’s equaliser helped PAF hold Pakistan Navy 2-2.

Muhammad Sabir put the sailors ahead with a fourth-minute goal, while Muhammad Imran doubled the lead in the 20th minute.

The airmen reduced the margin through Imran Hafeez penalty stroke in the 60th minute before Shahbaz grabbed the equaliser four minute later.

Three-goal Muhammad Rizwan guided Pakistan Army to a convincing 8-0 win over KESC.

Apart from Rizwan, Waqas Zafar, Shahid Saleem, Waqas Jr, M. Safeer and Khalil Ahmad scored for Army.

Saturday’s fixtures:

SSGC v PQA at 1.30pm; PAF v KESC at 3.00pm; Pakistan Navy v HBL at 4.45pm.

Dawn

Rizwan scores hat-trick as Army trample KESC

KARACHI: Mohammad Rizwan knocked a brilliant hat-trick and played a pivotal role in Army’s impressive 8-0 win over KESC in the 57th National Hockey Championship here on Friday at the Hockey Club of Pakistan stadium.

Rizwan scored his hat-trick goals in the 4th, 62nd and 65th minutes. Waqas Zafar, Shahid Saleem, Khalil Ahmed, Mohammad Safeer and Waqas (Junior) contributed a goal each in Army’s triumph.

Meanwhile, HBL came from behind to record a thrilling 2-1 win over PIA.

PIA took the lead with Mahmood Ali scoring in the 22nd minute. However, HBL skipper Adeel Hussain equalised the score in the 30th minute.

The match was locked at 1-1 at the end of the first half.

HBL’s Ali Azlan produced the decisive goal of the match in the 51st minute.

With the win HBL has accumulated 16 points to join PIA in the points table.

Wapda heads the points table with 21 points followed by NBP with 18 points.

In another match, Air Force made a strong come-back in the last ten minutes to level the score-line after being 2-0 down and eventually draw their match against Navy.

The News International

HBL outplay defending champions PIA 2-1

PAF-Navy play 2-2 draw, Army crush KESC 7-2

Staff Report

KARACHI: Habib Bank Limited (HBL) defeated Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) 2-1 in the 57th National Hockey Championship at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium here on Friday. With this defeat, defending champions are out of race for the final. HBL showed fighting qualities in both sessions to emerge victorious. PIA opened their account after a sluggish start in the 22nd minute through Mahmood Ali with a brilliant field effort. However, PIA delight was short-lived when HBL captain Adeel Hussain levelled the score five minutes before lemon break. The second session saw interesting tussle between the two sides. It was forward Ali Azlan who slammed the match winner in 51st minute. Both teams earned three penalty corners each but failed to convert any.

Earlier, in the opening match of the day, bottom placed Pakistan Air Force (PAF) came from two goals down to hold Pakistan Navy to 2-2 draw in an exciting contest. Mohammad Sabir (4th minute) and Mohammad Imran (20th minute) scored two goals for Navy in the first session. PAF, in a remarkable comeback, scored two goals in the last ten minutes of the game to pull off a dramatic draw. Imran Hafeez converted a penalty stroke in 60th minute while Shahbaz scored a field goal six minutes before the final whistle.

In the second contest of the day, Pakistan Army crushed Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) 7-0 after leading 2-0 at half time. The scorers for the winners were Mohammad Rizwan (4th minute), Waqas Zafar (8th minute), Shahid Saleem (45th minute), Waqas Junior (47th minute), Muhammad Safeer (49th minute) , Khalil Ahmad (52nd minute) and Mohammad Rizwan (62nd minute).

Today’s fixtures:

SSGC vs Port Qasim Authority
PAF vs KESC
HBL vs Navy.

The Daily Times

Khwaja Junaid named new hockey coach

By Mohammad Yaqoob

LAHORE: Former Olympian and coach Khwaja Junaid has been appointed as head coach of Pakistan team for the forthcoming Azlan Shah Cup in place of Shahid Ali Khan.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Executive Board has taken the decision in this connection when they met here today.

Though the PHF was struggling to find a foreign coach for the national team due to security problems in the region, it has decided to appoint Junaid for the time being since the Azlan Shah Cup is just round the corner.

The Executive Board has also decided on the other members of the national team management and on the management of national women’s team.

Shahid, in whose tenure Pakistan reached three finals of international tournaments in one year including the one played in France through which Pakistan qualified for the World Cup, was relieved from his post after Zeeshan Ashraf’s men finished last in the mega event in New Delhi.

The entire national team also resigned from the international hockey following the World Cup debacle. However, later they withdrew their resignations on the advise of PHF President Qasim Zia.

Captain Zeeshan Ashraf, however, is still sticking to his decision of retirement from international hockey but sources said that PHF secretary Asif Bajwa will try to convince Zeeshan to change his mind in a meeting in Karachi during the ongoing National Championship.

Dawn

Junaid named Pakistan’s new hockey coach

Former Olympian terms Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh as a tough challenge

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Khawaja Junaid on Friday received the news that he has been appointed as Pakistan’s hockey coach for next month’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and then quickly declared that his will be a huge task.

“It’s a very tough challenge,” the former Olympian told ‘The News’. “Our last performance (in the World Cup) was pretty disappointing and to lift the team from what happened in New Delhi will take a gigantic effort,” added Junaid, who has been picked to spearhead Pakistan’s campaign in the May 6-16 tournament in Ipoh (Malaysia) because of his good performance as the national junior team coach.

Pakistan crashed to a humiliating last-place finish in the World Cup last month. The debacle led to sweeping changes in the national hockey set-up with a new pack of selectors and coaches replacing the officials, who were at the helm of Pakistan’s dismal World Cup campaign.

With Junaid as coach, the colts have won three of the four international events in recent times but he has warned that the seniors’ circuit is a different ball game. “The Azlan Shah Cup is a top tournament this year because of teams like Australia, Korea and India,” said Junaid, who will have ex-Olympian Ahmad Alam and International Ajmal Khan as assistant coaches.

Junaid was referring to the inclusion of the Aussies, the reigning world champions, in the Ipoh event and made it clear that he can’t promise good results.

“We don’t have much time. We don’t have much choice either. We have to focus on the existing lot of players,” he stressed.

But Junaid was quick to add that he was positive that there will be improvement.

“I’m still optimistic. My emphasis will be on performance. I want my team to perform as a unit.

“In the World Cup we played in patches. I want consistency and team work. But I can’t predict the results.”

Junaid said that he would have a detailed meeting with chief selector Hanif Khan on the sidelines of the National Hockey Championship here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) Stadium on Saturday (today).

“I would like to have a mix of youth and experience. But its up to the selectors. I will discuss the players with the chief selector. What I’m looking for are talented and hard working players.

Junaid’s appointment was made at the Pakistan Hockey federation (PHF) Executive Board meeting in Lahore on Monday.

Qasim Zia, the PHF president, hoped that the new coach will do a good job. “Junaid is an experienced coach now. I hope that he will do a good job,” he told ‘The News’.

“Junaid has won a few titles for us at the junior level. But we will closely be monitoring our team’s performance in the Azlan Shah Cup.”

Qasim, also a former Olympian, made it clear that it’s only an interim arrangement.

“The thing is that we are still looking for a foreign coach,” he said. “We have till the end of May to find one because we believe that a foreign coach can be really useful. But we need to get one within the next six weeks before after that our team will begin preparations for the Asian Games,” he said.

Pakistan see Asian Games — to be held in China this November — as their major assignment in 2010 believe that their team has the potential to bounce back from the World Cup debacle and regain the coveted title.

Meanwhile, former international Jan Mohammad has been named as the national women’s coach by the PHF. His assignment will be the Asian Games Women’s Qualifiers that will be held in Bangkok from May 22-30. Other teams featuring in the event are Hong Kong, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.

The News International

Security concern forces foreign coaches not to take coveted job

Former Olympian Junaid is new coach of Pakistan hockey. Jan Mohammad to train women’s hockey team

By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Friday named former Olympian Khawaja Mohammad Junaid new coach of Pakistan hockey after foreign coaches baulked at taking the job over concerns for their personal safety. Junaid, who also served as the national junior team’s coach, has replaced former Olympian Shahid Ali Khan who was sacked after Pakistan’s dismal last-place finish at the World Cup in New Delhi last month. The entire national team also resigned from international hockey following the debacle. However, later they withdrew their resignations. Captain Zeeshan Ashraf, however, is still sticking to his decision of retirement.

Under Junaid’s command, the juniors won three of the four events they featured on the international circuit since early last year. Junaid’s first assignment will be next month’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from May 6-16. World champions Australia, China, Egypt, South Korea, India and hosts Malaysia will compete in the tournament. Junaid will also be the manager of the team because the PHF has not yet finalised anyone for that role. Former Olympian Ahmad Alam and international player Mohammad Ajmal will assist Junaid.

“The PHF contacted a number of foreign coaches – including Germany’s Paul Lissek – but due to security concerns foreign coaches showed their reluctance to come to Pakistan at this stage,” PHF president Qasim Zia told reporters after the PHF executive board meeting at National Hockey Stadium here yesterday. Also present on the occasion was PHF secretary general Muhammad Asif Bajwa.

“Under these circumstances Junaid was the best choice,” he added. Qasim, also a former Olympian, said he would continue making efforts to get best possible people to train the national team in the hope that the greens shirts would do well in future international events: this year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and the Asian Games in China.

To a question, Qasim said the team management had been appointed initially for one tournament and their tenure could be extended on a long term basis provided the national federation does not come across a suitable foreign coach. “Appointing a foreign coach is our top priority. We have not closed our doors for foreign coaches,” he maintained.

When asked why Junaid was appointed coach and manager as it was against the PHF policy that an official couldn’t hold two positions at the same time, he said Junaid was not the office bearer of the national federation. “He is a coach and can be given dual role. Only PHF employees have been barred from performing two duties at the same time.” Qasim said the executive board had named former international Jan Mohammad as coach of the Pakistan women’s team for the Asian Games Qualifying Tournament. Qasim also informed that former Olympian Mansoor Ahmad had submitted a review application regarding life ban on him and had apologised. “The executive board has decided to call Mansoor in next meeting to review his case.” He said the PHF events committee would submit the annual calendar of events within ten days.

The Daily Times

National Junior Hockey Championship from May 5

Staff Report

LAHORE: The 29th National Junior Hockey Championship will be held from May 5-20 here at National Hockey Stadium. “The Punjab Hockey Association (PHA) will organise the event,” said a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Friday. Four teams from Punjab, two teams from Sindh and NWFP each, Balochistan, Islamabad, AJK, FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Army, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Customs, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Pakistan Boards, Pakistan Police, Pakistan WAPDA, Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF), Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and PTV will take part in the event. “The PHF Inter Academies Hockey Tournament will be held in the last week of May in Faisalabad,” added the spokesman.

The Daily Times

Farcical final

It was no match: Jamil

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh's crippling hockey saw an unprecedented incident yesterday, centring on fielding an unregistered foreign player in the final of the Dhaka Bank Club Cup Hockey tournament at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

The final between Moham- medan Sporting Club and Usha Krira Chakra started nearly 80 minutes late and ended in a way that defied the rules and regulation of the game as the umpires blew the whistle 20 minutes into the second half, 15 minutes before the scheduled end with Mohammedan leading Usha 4-2 at that stage.

Usha at the point refused to play on citing the rapidly declining light. Moham- medan was awarded the trophy but Usha declined to receive the runners-up trophy.

Questions about the status of the game was raised after the ridiculous ending with Bangladesh Hockey Federation general secretary Khondoker Jamil Uddin calling it 'unfinished' and 'an injustice'.

"It was no match and an injustice to Usha Krira Chakra. It was an unfinished game and the only reason the match went ahead was because the chief guest (Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith) was present," said Jamil.

"In the true sense, Moham medan are not the champions. I thank Usha for their cooperation and spirit," said the general secretary.

The match was only the tip of the iceberg as the events preceding it only added to the sense of farce surrounding it.

The chaos started when Mohammedan brought Malaysian forward Chua Boon for the Club Cup final.

He arrived in the capital early on Friday morning, though the Black and Whites' team management did not officially inform the tournament committee. Usha officials verbally let the tournament committee know that they had serious objections if Mohammedan fielded an unregistered foreign player in the final.

It all boiled over half-an-hour before the start of the scheduled match at 4:00pm when Mohammedan attemp-ted to play the Malaysian inthe final citing the tournament committee's verbal assurance. They claimed that the committee had no problem to allow their foreign recruit to play the game.

But, tournament and league committee secretary Anvir Adel had declined to let Mohammedan's foreign player play as the Usha officials asked the committee to follow the by-laws which states that each team will be able to field five foreign players in a match but they must be registered by 8:00pm the day before the match along with Tk 500 as registration fee.

The Motijheel giants then argued that they were not given the by-laws, which was not even approved by the tournament committee, and they looked determined to play with their Malaysian recruit.

"As an experienced organiser, I have brought the Malaysian player knowing the rules of the tournament and would not bring him if I was not aware of the rules," Mohammedan hockey committee secretary Sajed AA Adel said.

"By-laws of the tournament was not even approved," added Adel, also a former general secretary of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF).

Tournament committee secretary Anvir Adel having denied Sajed's demand said that the representatives of the participating clubs had signed the by-laws and later he showed it to the reporters. He also raised the question of how a tournament can go up to the final without the by-laws being approved.

Anvir also declined to give Mohammedan verbal assurance saying: "I told them that they could field the foreign players if the by-laws permitted them."

However the statement was over when BHF president Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman came down to the field to request Sajed to start the game within a few minutes as the chief guest Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith was on his way to the stadium.

The game got underway at 5:20pm with both captains taking part in the toss and moments later, Usha Krira Chakra protested fielding the Malaysian player.

Usha general secretary Abdur Rashid Shikdar convinced his boys to play under protest.

"We have already filed a complaint against Mohammedan for fielding an unregistered foreigner and the league committee will decide it," said Shikdar adding that they had played the final for the greater interest of the game and did not want to disappoint a 2000-strong crowd.

In another twist, Anvir Adel resigned from his post as tournament and league committee secretary before the delayed start of the game, and said that it was tough for him to work under the circumstances.

"It is really difficult to work with people who sign and then refuse that they have done so," said Anvir.

Daily Star

Tearful end for Shuvo

Sports Reporter

Former national striker Moududur Rahman Shuvo retired from domestic hockey through the farcical final match of the Club Cup hockey tournament at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

It could have been a good farewell game for Shuvo yesterday, but the striker of Usha Krira Chakra had to leave his favourite ground with tears after Usha lost 2-4 to Mohammedan in a game which was marred with the inclusion of Mohammedan's foreign recruit and ended 15 minutes before the regulation time.

"Before the game, I thought I would go into retirement in a good manner but nothing happened and the federation destroyed everything today (Friday)," said a tearful Shuvo, who has been with hockey for the last 15 years.

Daily Star

Pakistan appoint local hockey coach

Pakistan were forced appoint Olympian Khwaja Junaid as their hockey coach for the Azlan Shah Cup after the foreigners shortlisted for the job backed out citing security concerns.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia admitted that security issues in the country had discouraged the prospective candidates from taking up the assignment.

"They are reluctant to come to Pakistan at this stage and stay here as part of their coaching assignment," he said.

Zia said the PHF has appointed former midfielder Junaid as coach and manager of the national team for the Azlan Shah Cup being held in Malaysia from May 6.

"Junaid's appointment is for the Azlan Shah and he will be assisted by Ahmed Alam and Ajmal for the tournament," Zia said.

Junaid has coached the national junior team in the past.

The PHF had negotiated with famed German coach Paul Lissek, Australian Barry Dancer and an Argentine for the coaching job but none seemed interested.

Zia, a former Olympian himself, had sacked the team management after Pakistan finished last in the World Cup held in New Delhi this year.

The PHF had sacked Shahid Ali Khan as coach and Asif Bajwa as manager after the World Cup debacle.

Bajwa, however, continues to be the PHF secretary despite a strong movement launched by Olympians demanding his ouster.

The Olympians met sports minister Ijaz Jakhrani earlier this week to discuss the state of affairs in hockey and demanded the sacking of Bajwa.

ESPNStar.com

Pakistan names new coach for Azlan cup meet in M'sia

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation has named former Olympian Khawaja Junaid as its new coach for next month's Azlan Shah Cup after foreign coaches baulked at taking the job over concerns for their personal safety.

PHF had contacted a number of foreign coaches - including Germany's Paul Lissek - after the team finished last in the 12-team field hockey World Cup at New Delhi last month.

But PHF president Qasim Zia said in a statement on Friday that "due to security concerns foreign coaches are hesitating to come to Pakistan at this stage."

The Azlan Shah Cup will be held at Ipoh, Malaysia from May 6-16. World champion Australia, China, Egypt, Korea, India, Malaysia and Pakistan will compete in the tournament.

The Star of Malaysia

Warangal, Srikakulam post wins

Principal Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA: Warangal defeated East Godavari 4-3 while Srikakulam beat Ranga Reddy 2-1 in the league fixtures of the Andhra Pradesh senior inter-district hockey tournament at Acharya Nagarjuna University grounds here on Friday.

D. Sarath (11th & 12th), Rajendra (26th) and K. Satish (30th) were the scorers for Warangal while Md. Mastan (21 {+s} {+t}), Bujji Babu (29th) and Naga Srinivas (44th) scored for East Godavari.

Srikakulam, after a barren first-half, scored through S. Madhu (42nd) and T. Srinu (47th). G. Srinivas reduced the margin for Ranga Reddy in the 50th minute.

In another encounter, Nalgonda drew with Krishna 1-1. As many as 21 teams, barring Khammam and Mahaboobnagar, are taking part.

The tournament was inaugurated by ANU Vice Chancellor, Dr. Y. Haragopal Reddy.

The results: Vizag bt Karimnagar 6-0, Guntur bt Medak 6-1, Warangal bt EG 4-3, Hyderabad bt Prakasam 9-0, Nalgonda drew with Krishna 1-1, West Godavari bt Nellore 7-2, Srikakulam bt Ranga Reddy 2-1 .

The Hindu

Newcomers UniKL rout Anderson

By Jugjet Singh

JUNIOR Hockey League newcomers UniKL hammered Anderson of Ipoh 6-1 to stamp their mark in Division One at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium yesterday.

UniKL took a 2-0 lead by the sixth minute, and it looked like the Ipoh school were heading for a double digit defeat, but poor shooting kept the score at six.

Anderson, unbeaten in three matches before yesterday, were shocked in the third minute when Aminuddin Abu slotted in after three Anderson defenders failed to stop a bouncing pass.

And in the sixth minute, Manraj Singh punished Anderson again with a field attempt.

The former champions woke up from their slumber to score a penalty corner goal off Firdaus Sidek in the seventh minute, but went back to sleep after that.

UniKL had a field day with goals from Sabri Mohamed (13th, 40th), Aminuddin Abu (43rd) and Syamin Yusof (66th).

“I did expect a win, but not such a big margin as Anderson are a regular in the JHL. However, I am not happy with the poor shooting from my forwards, as we could have won with a bigger margin,” said UniKL coach I. Vickneswaran.

UniKL have nine points from three matches, and their coach feels they still have three more hurdles to go before they can breathe easy.

“We still have tough matches against Bukit Jalil, Thunderbolt and Petaling Jaya before we can start dreaming about the title,” said Vickneswaran.

The newcomers will square off against Petaling Jaya City Council tomorrow, and going by form, it will be another thumping win for them.

RESULTS: Division One — Bukit Jalil Juniors 1 Kelantan 1, UniKL 6 Anderson 1; Division Two: Penang Free School 3 Tunku Besar Secondary School 3, Ipoh City Council 4 Johor 1.

TOMORROW: Division One — Bukit Jalil v Anderson (KLHA Stadium, 3pm), Thunderbolt v Kelantan (Bandar Penawar, 5pm), UniKl v Petaling Jaya CC (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).

Division Two: Datuk Taha v Johor (Tampin, 5pm), Pahang v Matri (Kuatan, 5pm).

DIVISION ONE

P W D L F A Pt
UNIKL 3 3 0 0 16 3 9
ANDERSON 4 3 0 1 10 9 9
BP T’BOLT 2 2 0 0 9 2 6
BJSS 2 2 0 0 4 0 6
BPSS JUNIORS 2 1 0 1 4 6 3
KELANTAN 2 0 1 1 2 8 1
BJSS JUNIORS 4 0 1 3 2 9 1
MWHA 3 0 0 3 4 9 0
PJCC 2 0 0 2 1 6 0

DIVISION TWO

P W D L F A Pt
TBSS 3 2 1 0 12 3 7
IPOH CC 3 2 1 0 7 2 7
SABAH 2 2 0 0 16 0 6
PG FREES 2 0 2 0 4 4 2
MATRI 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
DATUK TAHA 2 0 0 2 0 9 0
K. SELANGOR 2 0 0 2 0 16 0
JOHOR 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
PAHANG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

New Straits Times

Laila powers SK Taman Senangan with four goals

By K. KANDIAH

LAILA Azua Zulfida was the toast of SK Taman Senangan, Butterworth when she led her team to a thumping 7-0 victory over defending champions SK Permai Indah in the girls' Under-12 final of the Penang schools hockey championships at Universiti Sains Malaysia Synthetic Turf Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Laila plundered four goals while Sofiah Nur Zahirah Zulkifli bagged a double and Izzati Jamilul Latif scored once in the demolition of a team that were the best in the competition last year.

Laila, 12, won the Player of the Tournament award while Siti Farhana Roslan of SK Sungai Ara was voted the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

RESULTS: S-finals: SK Taman Senangan 1 (1) SK Sungai Ara 1 (0); SK Permai Indah 1 SK Alma Jaya 0.

Final: SK Taman Senangan 7 SK Permai Indah 0.

New Straits Times