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Japan announced their squad for the World Cup earlier today Photo: FIH/Getty Images

Japan have announced their squad who will compete for the Vitality Hockey World Cup London 2018 title.

The third of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Series Open events takes place from 25-30 June at the Sports Park Mladost in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

By Jugjet Singh


Kirandeep Kaur (left) playing against boys at the recent Matador HC tournament at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian women's coach K.Dharmaraj wants nothing but gold in the Hockey Series Open starting in Singapore today.

By Richard Bright


UNSW student Tim Brand, right, made his senior debut for Australia at the weekend

Mixing off-field activities alongside elite sport is not an uncommon sight for hockey players. In 2014, England’s Nick Catlin sat a three-hour legal exam before taking on Australia in the afternoon for a crucial World Cup encounter.

By Nabil Tahir


Skipper Rizwan has insisted Pakistan will be taking their game against India as just another game. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI  : The 37th and last edition of the Hockey Champions Trophy will kick off in grand manner as Pakistan take on arch-rivals India on Saturday at the BH & BC Breda in Breda, Netherlands.

File image of Indian hockey team. AFP

India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening match of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Saturday at Breda, Netherlands. Asian champions India have never won the Champions Trophy in its last 36 editions but will be hoping to claim the feat in the tournament's last edition.

Breda [Netherlands]: With solid ground work after two back-to-back national training camps at the Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru, the Indian men's hockey team look upbeat and well-prepared for this week's Champions Trophy.

Hockey Indian men's hockey team coach Harendra Singh during a training session ahead of their match against Pakistan in the opening match at Rabobank Mens Hockey Champions Trophy, in Breda, Netherlands on Friday. , PTI

The Indian hockey team would be aiming for a fresh start, putting behind the disappointment of a poor Commonwealth Games campaign, when it begins its pursuit of a maiden Champions Trophy title, taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening clash in Breda on Saturday.

Sundeep Misra


India and Pakistan last met at this year's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, where they played a 2-2 draw. FILE/ AFP

Amidst the dark clouds rolling in from the East, trucks driving in with hospitality equipment, beer and food stalls being set up — such an integral part of Dutch hockey — the main and second pitch are also seeing signs of frenetic activity. On the main pitch, Pakistan assistant coach Rehan Butt is screaming at someone: “Roelant bula raha hai” (Roelant is calling for you). The concerned team support staff is seen hurrying down the stadium steps. Just for the record, Rehan Butt was the main tormentor at the 2002 Champions Trophy bronze medal match where India seemed to be cruising at 3-1 in the end half before Rehan created magic with an equaliser and then the stunning match-winner.

Sundeep Misra


India finished a disappointing fourth at the Gold Coast CWG 2018. AFP/File

Getting off the block for the Champions Trophy, the 37th edition and India’s 16th, the team and its newly-appointed hockey coach Harendra Singh would be hoping the display is not akin to a lit matchstick thrown across a dark room. Rather at the Hockey Club BH & BC, India would be wishing to light up the Champions Trophy — in its last edition — with some exemplary display that not only brings back the verve and confidence, but also clearly defines the path for the remaining two big-ticket tournaments — Asian Games and the 2018 World Cup.

Alexie Beovich



The Kookaburras’ bid to claim a record 15th Champions Trophy in the final-ever edition of the tournament begins this weekend in the Netherlands.

Pakistan take on archrivals India in opener at Breda

Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: The 37th and last edition of the elite FIH Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament will kick off when Pakistan take on arch-rivals India in their opener in Breda, Netherlands on Saturday (today). Led by the experienced Muhammad Rizwan, the team members have been in the Netherlands for the past three weeks in order to get used to the conditions and are confident of a podium finish as the participating teams look to bid farewell to the prestigious tournament, which ends on July 1, in style. The competition in Breda is notable for many reasons, not least for the fact that it will be the last ever men’s edition of an event with an illustrious history. This heritage is reflected in the opening match which features one of the biggest rivalries in the sport: Pakistan vs India. It is the fixture that is sure to draw thousands of spectators to the venue as well as millions of fans tuning in from across the world, eagerly anticipating the latest episode of this long-running battle between two of the sport’s most successful nations.

Breda (NED)
23 Jun - 1 Jul 2018

Fixtures 23 Jun 2018 (GMT+2)

IND v PAK (RR) 4 - 0
NED v ARG (RR) 1 - 2
AUS v BEL (RR) 3 - 3

Pool Standings

FIH Match Centre

Alan Forsyth won his 150th combined international cap against Germany

Liam Ansell scored twice as Great Britain finished off their European tour with a thrilling 5-5 draw against Germany.

By The Hockey Paper


Luke Taylor, centre, has risen through the England Hockey age ranks

Luke Taylor, who joined the centralised programme in 2017, nearly capped a superb individual end to his European tour as Great Britain drew 5-5 with Germany.

By Tristan Urry


Photo: Tristan Urry

Velbert, Germany - Led by some outstanding goal tending by Kaitlyn Williams, Canada ties the 2016 Olympic bronze medal team Germany 1-1 during a Friday afternoon game.

Penny Sidhu



Hockey Australia (HA) today confirms the appointment of Michael Johnston to the newly created role of GM, Strategy and Game Development.

By Richard Bright


Kookaburra Dylan Wotherspoon helped raise club funds PIC: Perth Pythons HC

Perth Pythons, Western Australia’s only LGBTI+ hockey club, has won prestigious awards at the Australian Pride in Sport awards.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Sports Minister

A day after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare hockey the National Game, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said no official proclamation was required to love the sport.

BHUBANESWAR: Former Indian hockey team captain Dilip Tirkey on Thursday appreciated Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's initiative to officially notify hockey as the national game of the country.

Many people seem to forget that a lot of our umpires are young and learning. They aren't World Panel umpires and will get some decisions wrong. It's not the end of the world.

Remember - NO RESPECT, NO OFFICIALS, NO GAME

Take the pledge✋ - http://ht.ly/iPHX30kAPY6

Hockey New South Wales Facebook page

Nigel Simon

Shandy Carib Magnolias and Malvern continued their impressive unbeaten starts to the T&T Hockey Board Women’s Championship Division at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua on Tuesday.

Seventeen teams and a wealth of indoor hockey fans will descend on Gormanston Park to enjoy the inaugural PSi Showdown this weekend as the event reaches its climax.

Alexie Beovich



The 2000 Sydney Olympics were a momentous occasion in Australian sporting history but with them came immense pressure and expectation on 1996 gold medallists the Hockeyroos.

Stevie Marie-Jones



With the Gold Coast now just a memory and with the Poland test series having given a number of young players a first taste of senior international competition, Wales’ senior men have completed their preparation ahead of the first round of the Open Series in Croatia.

By Richard Bright


Alex Danson will lead England at the women’s hockey World Cup

England Hockey has yet to finalise a date for the announcement of its squad for the Vitality women’s hockey World Cup with one month to go.

Japan women will be looking to build on their success ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Photo: FIH/Getty Images

In this week’s Coaches Corner, we meet a coach who is hoping to lead an Asian team to the World Cup podium for the first time since China’s third place finish in 2002.

It’s just one month to go until the biggest women’s sporting event in London this summer, the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup.

The second event in the inaugural Hockey Series Open will spring into action on Saturday as Singapore hosts six men’s and six women’s teams at the Seng Kang Sports Club between 23 June and 1 July.

Argentina's Gonzalo Peillat is one of many superstars on show at the Men's Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018. Copyright: FIH / Getty Images

On Saturday 23 June 2018, the 37th edition of the prestigious Men’s Champions Trophy will get underway in the Dutch city of Breda, with De Bredase Hockey & Bandy Club playing host to an event with a glorious past.

In the first of the five match hockey series, Canada defeated Pakistan Development squad 3-0 at Tamanawis Park, Surrey.

The hosts settled down quickly and took an early lead when Gordon Johnston converted the first penalty corner with a high flick. However, it was more or less an even play in the first quarter.
                       
Canada appeared a better side during the next 15 minutes. After wasting a penalty corner, they doubled the lead through open play.  A good attack from the right side saw a fine back pass to Sukhi, one of the two Panesar brothers, standing unmarked at the top of the circle. Sukhi found the net with a strong hit.

 Pakistani players were seen slipping on the surface quite a few times while the Canadians appeared more comfortable.

In the second half, the visitors probably got adapted to the pitch and had better of the exchanges.
 
Three penalty corners came their way but went unutilised.  In the waning minutes, Canada had their third goal against the run of play. Again, after a right side move, the ball was passed back and Mathew Sarmento put it in on the rebound.

It is worth mentioning that the hosts are fielding their national (first string) side while the development squad is Pakistan’s second string. Their national team is in Holland for the Champions Trophy.

The boys inexperience showed at times.

PHF Media release

Ali Meeke scored the winning goal as Ireland secured a fine win over Germany

Ireland's women continued their World Cup preparations with an impressive 2-1 win over Germany in Dusseldorf.

Ireland defeated Germany, ranked 10 places about them in the World Rankings, at No. 6,  in the first of the 3 nations in Dusseldorf this afternoon, Germany were first on the attack winning first PC of the gamer in the 2m, and the resulting drag clipped Irish defenders foot for another corner.  The second PC drag was saved by McFerran and Ireland countered but Germany cleared the danger. 

By B.G.Joshi (Sehore-Bhopal, India)

Asian Champions Trophy winner Indian men and women will open their campaign in Melbourne Hockey Festival on November 23 against hosts Australia. Indian men (World Ranking 6) team will face Kookaburras (World Ranking 1) in 4-nations tournament league match, while Indian women (World Ranking 12) will challenge Hockeyroos (World Ranking 4) in first test of 3-match series. Statistical highlights are:

Patrick Rowley (BEM) receives his British Empire Medal Award at the Tower of London by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.   Left to Right:  Lord-Lieutenant of London, Mr Kenneth Olisa OBE, Elizabeth Rowley (wife), Patrick Rowley BEM, Alison Heeks (nee ROWLEY his daughter)   and  Constable General Sir Nicholas Houghton GCB CBE ADC

International sports journalist Patrick Rowley received the British Empire Medal for services to Hockey at a ceremony held at The Tower of London on Friday 4 November.

Patrick Rowley, arguably the best known hockey journalist there is has been rewarded for his outstanding services to hockey with the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Pat Rowley. Photo: Hockey Writers Club

When I started Fieldhockey.com 20 years ago one of the first journalists to support and encourage my efforts was the English writer Pat Rowley, I am utterly delighted to report that Pat has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to Hockey in the Queen's Birthday Honours list released today.

By Dil Bahra


Alex Danson displaying why she won Player of the Tournament. Photo: Koen Suyk

There have been a few great action photos in our sport of hockey over the years but this photo by Dutch photographer Koen Suyk tops them all. Koen, a photographer for over 40 years has covered seven Olympic Games and states that Sports photography is his great love, with hockey, golf and tennis as his specialties.

by Dil Bahra


Kenya Hockey Team on tour of India, April 1964 Back Row (L - R): Surjeet Singh Jnr,; Saude George; Anthony Vaz; Amar Singh Mangat; Egbert Fernandes; Sang Singh; Edgar Fernandes; Jack Simonian; Jagnandan Singh. Sitting (L - R): Hardev Singh; Hilary Fernandes (V.Capt,); Hardial Singh (Coach); Anthony D'Souza (Manager); Sukdev Singh (Asst Manager); Avtar Singh (Capt.); Alu Mendonca. Ground (L – R): Santokh Singh; Arif Khan; Silu Fernandes; Leslie Pinto; Reynolds D'Souza.

Kenya’s triple hockey Olympian, Egbert Carmo Fernandes, died in Canberra, Australia on 6 November 2014.  He was aged 73.

These screen grabs are from The Official YouTube stream. Note the running time of the video in the bottom left. This covers a pan from 2:47:27 - 2:47:30. Punjab Warriors are in blue.

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Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info