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All the news for Wednesday 28 August 2024
Pakistan, China play 4-4 draw

LAHORE: In a warm-up match ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy, Pakistan and China played to a 4-4 draw on Tuesday.

3 key players of Pak national hockey team seek political asylum in Malta

The team’s goalkeeper, Akmal, declined to be part of the squad selected for the 2024 Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, opting instead to play in an Australian league; Another key player, drag-flicker Abu Bakar, is also playing in an Australian league and did not attend the training camp; Alternate drag flicker Arbaz has declined to join the team, despite attending the camp; team’s physio goes missing in Poland

Ansar M Bhatti



ISLAMABAD: In a troubling turn of events for Pakistan’s national hockey team, three key players have reportedly sought political asylum in Malta, while the team’s physio has allegedly gone missing in Poland. Adding to the team’s difficulties, two other prominent players—goalkeeper Akmal and drag flicker Arbaz—have refused to continue playing for Pakistan.

Hockey India names 18-member Indian Men's Hockey Team for Asian Champions Trophy in China

Ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead the challenge along with experienced midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad as the Vice Captain. The defending Champions will take on hosts China in their campaign opener



New Delhi: Hockey India named 18-member Indian Men's Hockey Team for the prestigious Asian Champions Trophy scheduled to begin in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia in China from 8th September to 17th September 2024. The tournament will see Asia's top hockey playing nations India, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and hosts China vie for honours.

Family man Manpreet Singh relishes hockey’s return to prominence after Paris Olympics

He was a member of the squad which finished last at the 2012 London Olympics. In 2024, he is a two-time Olympic medallist. His family has been the driving force through this journey, Manpreet tells Sportstar.

Nihit Sachdeva


Manpreet Singh with his family at the Indira Gandhi International Airport after returning from Paris Olympics. | Photo Credit: PTI

At a recent felicitation function in Bhubaneswar for the Indian men’s hockey team, a boy, inspired by the Men in Blue’s second straight Olympic bronze medal, told midfielder Manpreet Singh that he will fight for gold in the future.

Shane O' Donoghue announced his retirement from international hockey

By Tariq Ali

Ireland's top goal scorer Shane O' Donoghue announced his retirement from international hockey during the EuroHockey Championship Qualifiers B in Dublin, Ireland,  where the Irish men's hockey team secured the bronze medal.

Shane O' Donoghue was born in Dublin on 24 November, 1992, he is now 31, made his debut in the senior international hockey in 2011.

Shane O' Donoghue appeared in the following international events

Olympic Games
2016 Rio de Janeiro
2024 Paris

FIH World Cup
2018 Bhubaneswar

FIH World League
2013 Round 2 New Delhi
2013 Semi Finals Rotterdam
2014 Round 2 San Diego
2015 Semi Finals Antwerp
2017 Round 2 Belfast
2017 Semi Finals Johannesburg

FIH Hockey Series
2019 Finals La Touquet

FIH Nations Cup
2022 Potchefstroom

EuroHockey Championship
2013 Boom
2015 London
2017 Amsterdam

EuroHockey Championship II
2013 Dublin

EuroHockey Championship Qualifiers B
2024 Dublin

Shane O' Donoghue appeared in 242 internationals and he scored 124 goals in his career

The following is the list of the Ireland players who scored 50+ goals in international hockey
Goals - Players - Career span
124 - Shane O' Donoghue 2011-2024
  93 - John Jermyn 2002-2018
  79 - Stephen Butler 1999-2010
  74 - Alan Sothern 2006-2018
  54 - Michael Watt 2006-2016
  51 - Michael Darling 2006-2018
  50 - Eugene Magee 2005-2019
  50 - Harte Conor 2006-2023

Ireland hockey players with most international matches
Caps - Players - Career
295 - Eugene Magee 2005-2019
264 - John Jackson 2006-2019
259 - Harte Conor 2006-2023
256 - Ronan Gomley  2005-2019
247 - David Harte 2006-2024
242 - Shane O' Donoghue 2011-2024
238 - Paul Gleghorne 2009-2019
229 - Stephen Martin 1980-1992 (135 for Ireland and 94 for Great Britain)
201 - Michael Watt 2006-2016
195 - Christopher Corgo 2009-2019
192 - Timothy Cockram 2012-2022
187 - Alan Sothern 2006-2018
183 - Michael Darling 2006-2018
181 - Bell Jonathan 2012-2019
178 - John Jermyn 2002-2018
170 - Michael Robson 2014-2024
163 - Stephen Butler 1999-2010
155 - Martin Sloan 1982-1995
151 - Graham Shaw 2002-2010

Transfers in the Belgian league

Some big signings for both Gantoise and Braxgata

Ernst Baart and Studio Hockey


Pirmin Blaak - credits worldsportpics

The Belgian Honour Division has become on of the top 3 domestic leagues in Europe alongside the rise of the national men’s team. So far only Waterloo Ducks, with a big thank you to their goalie Vincent Vanasch back then, were able to take the European crown in the EHL But few will dispute the quality of the Belgian league.

Maryland field hockey wins pair of exhibition games

By Colin McNamara

Maryland played two exhibition games last weekend, defeating VCU, 3-0, on Friday and William & Maryland, 13-1, on Sunday.

Iowa field hockey will feature a younger roster in 2024-25

14 of the team’s 25 players are underclassmen.

Jake Olson


Iowa midfield Dionne van Aalsum attempts a goal up the field during a field hockey match between No. 1 Iowa and Michigan State at Grand Field in Iowa City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. The Hawkeyes will face Miami University at Grant Field on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Grace Smith

Following an NCAA Tournament berth a season ago, the Iowa field hockey team is poised for another successful season under the leadership of Lisa Cellucci, who is entering her 11th year as head coach.

Spider Field Hockey Picked to Finish Fourth; Larripa Named Preseason All-Atlantic 10



RICHMOND, Va. – Sophomore Clara Larripa has been named to the Preseason All-Atlantic 10 Conference team, the league announced Tuesday. First-year head coach Martu Loncarica's program was projected to finish fourth in 2024, as voted on by league coaches.

Bryant Field Hockey Season Preview



SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The 26th season of Bryant field hockey begins Friday afternoon as the Bulldogs welcome Fairfield to Jeffrey '69 and Lily Cowen Field.

Dar Hockey Academy wins the series against the POF Wah Hockey Academy

By Ijaz Chaudhry


Dar Hockey Academy's manager Irfan Butt (left) receiving momento from hosts

Lahore-based Dar Hockey Academy which scouts talent from all over the country is Pakistan's finest hockey nursery.

Recently, a Dar HA team comprising under 18 boys visited Wah Cantonment to play

a three-match series against the POF Wah Hockey Academy.

A four-hour train journey took them to Rawalpindi. After another half an hour of road travel, they reached Wah Cantonment.

The POF Sports Complex Wah is a wonderful arena housing a hockey ground with synthetic turf, a soccer field, a swimming pool and a gymnasium.

The first match was a hotly contested encounter with the visitors edging out the local side 3-2.

The hosts turned the tables in the second game with a big 3-0 win. Dar HA were han,dicapped as they had to replace their first-choice goalkeeper midway into the second half who fell ill with the scoreboard reading 1-0.

Hence, the third match became a virtual final.

The Wah side included several experienced boys who have appeared for the departmental sides such as the army and Mari Petroleum in the domestic competitions.

But the youngsters of the Dar Academy completely outplayed the POF Wah Hockey Academy in the third tie by six goals to two and thus won the series 2-1.
Forward Abdullah emerged as their top scorer with five goals while full-back Rizwan was outstanding in the defence.

The Dar HA squad's manager Irfan Zia and the coaches Ejaz and Salim Nazim expressed their gratitude to the hosts, "we greatly enjoyed the hospitality; excellent accommodation and food. The boys had great fun in the pool".
The hosts also arranged a coaster to take the guests from Wah to Rawalpindi railway station.

Importantly, the Dar HA Colts gained invaluable match experience playing against strong and experienced opponents in alien surroundings.

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

All the news for Thursday 29 August 2024

All the news for Tuesday 27 August 2024