News for 18 January 2023
All the news for Wednesday 18 January 2023
FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar - Rourkela - 18 January
Bhubaneswar - Rourkela, India
All times GMT +5:30
Bhubaneswar
17 Jan 2023 17:00 KOR v JPN (Pool B) 2 - 1
17 Jan 2023 19:00 GER v BEL (Pool B) 2 - 2
18 Jan 2023 is a rest day
Bhubaneswar
19 Jan 2023 13:00 MAS v NZL (Pool C)
19 Jan 2023 15:00 NED v CHI (Pool C)
19 Jan 2023 17:00 ESP v ENG (Pool D)
19 Jan 2023 19:00 IND v WAL (Pool D)
Pool Standings
FIH Match Centre
No separating Belgium and Germany as Korea earn big win against rivals Japan
Day 5 of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup action continued from Bhubaneswar as teams from Pool B played their second round of matches. 
12 Japanese players on the pitch during Korea vs Japan match
FIH on Tuesday took note of the fact there were 12 Japanese players, instead of a maximum of 11, on the pitch during the closing stages of their Hockey World Cup Pool-B match against South Korea.
Japan’s Ken Nagayoshi celebrates after scoring goal against Korea during the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 match at Kalinga Hockey stadium in Bhubaneswar. | Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday took note of the fact there were 12 Japanese players, instead of a maximum of 11, on the pitch during the closing stages of their Hockey World Cup Pool-B match against South Korea.
Defending champions Belgium set for FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup quarter-finals Germany draw
By Mike Rowbottom
Belgium, the defending and Olympic champions, drew 2-2 with Germany to maintain their place at the top of Pool B in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Men's Hockey World Cup in India ©Getty Images
Belgium, the defending and Olympic champions, drew 2-2 with Germany to maintain their place at the top of Pool B in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Men's Hockey World Cup in India.
Germany, Belgium settle for draw in high-octane Hockey World Cup clash
Belgium and Germany players in action during their Pool B clash in the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
BHUBANESWAR: High-flying and formidable Belgium and Germany played out a 2-2 draw in a high-octane Pool B clash in the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. It was a high-intensity start with both teams vying for the possession. But Belgium had slight upper hand with their all-out attacking instinct as they got their first penalty corner in the fifth minute. However, they missed the chance by a whisker. The Red Lions got another chance just after a minute, but thanks to a brilliant save by Germany custodian Alexander Stadler, the goal was thwarted. Germany pressed hard, but missed a straight forward chance in the eighth minute due to an acrobatic effort by Belgium goalkeeper Van Doren Loic. Finally Belgium, the defending champions, were rewarded due to their relentless attack with Charlier Cédric sounding the board from the right flank in the ninth minute. Belgium were 1-0 ahead after the end of the first quarter.
Defending champions Belgium play out 2-2 draw against Germany
Cedric Charlier gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a field goal but Germany came back strongly and struck two goals through Wellen Niklas (22nd minute) and Tom Grambusch (52nd, penalty stroke).
Twitter @TheHockeyIndia
Bhubaneshwar: Defending champions Belgium found the equaliser with six minutes left in the match to play out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Germany and keep themselves in the hunt for a direct quarter-final qualification in the FIH Men’s World Cup here on Tuesday.
‘Dad’ Niklas Wellen’s best World Cup moment
Germany’s Niklas Wellen was blessed with a son on Tuesday. PTI
When Germany’s Niklas Wellen took the field here today, his mind would have been back home in Germany. However, the professional that he is, it was impossible to tell if he was distracted.
Battle with Kiwis for World No 9
By Jugjet Singh
Malaysian team players celebrate a goal during the FIH Men's Field Hockey World Cup match between Malaysia and Chile in Rourkela, India. - EPA pic
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian hockey team reclaimed their 10th spot in the world after beating Chile 3-2 in the World Cup in Rourkela, India yesterday.
Speedy Tigers lose Shahril to injury
By Jugjet Singh
BHUBANESWAR: Malaysia were hit with unpleasant news ahead of their clash against New Zealand in Group C of the World Cup on Thursday.
Speedy Tigers in need of keepers
By Jugjet Singh 
Malaysia’s No 1 goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman has made some good saves against the Netherlands and Chile in the ongoing World Cup, but after him, there is a dearth of talent. - NSTP file pic
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's No 1 goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman has made some good saves against the Netherlands and Chile in the ongoing World Cup, but after him, there is a dearth of talent.
MHC to bring in foreign expert to resolve penalty corner conversion issue
By Aftar Singh
Malaysian team players celebrate a goal during the FIH Men's Field Hockey World Cup match between Malaysia and Chile in Rourkela, India. - EPA PIC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are concerned by the national squad's low penalty corner conversion rate at the ongoing Hockey World Cup in India.
India seek big win against Wales to qualify directly for World Cup quarter-finals
The winning team in each of four pools qualifies directly for WC quarter-finals
Indian players during a practice session ahead of the match against Wales at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023, at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 17, 2023. PTI
An unbeaten India will seek to address their penalty-corner woes to post a big win against bottom-placed debutants Wales in their final pool match and qualify directly for the quarter-finals of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup here on Thursday.
We’ll try to execute penalty corners against Wales, says India captain Manpreet
Against England in its previous match,India had got four penalty corners but failed to convert any as the match ended as a goalless draw.
Bhubaneswar: Indian captain Manpreet Singh also said the match against Wales will be important as a big win will put India on top of Pool D. | Photo Credit: PTI
India was found wanting in penalty corner conversions in its first two matches in the FIH Men’s World Cup, but midfielder Manpreet Singh is hoping that the home side will hit the target against Wales here on Thursday.
Hardik recovering well, may have to miss a game
Hardik Singh sustained the injury against England during India’s Pool D match of the Hockey World Cup 2023 on January 15.
Uthra Ganesan
India midfielder Hardik Singh walking around during a training session. | Photo Credit: Uthra Ganesan
The Indian hockey team was in for some good news on the injury front with Hardik Singh walking around with no visible pain. After spending some time on the sidelines watching his teammates practice, the youngster left to work on his strengthening and conditioning.
Hardik Singh set to be available for quarter-finals
The midfielder was seen walking around and kicking a football during the team's practice session on Tuesday evening in Bhubaneswar. 
Hardik Singh
India midfielder Hardik Singh's medical report does not show any serious injury to his hamstring and though he is doubtful for the game against Wales on Thursday, he should be available for selection if the hosts qualify for the quarter-finals of the hockey World Cup.
How India can deal with Hardik Singh's injury
India were dealt a big blow when midfielder Hardik Singh had to go off with a hamstring injury in the match vs England. 
Manpreet Singh could be asked to play an advanced role in case Hardik Singh is not available for the next few matches at the Hockey World Cup. (HI)
India have made a good start to their Hockey World Cup campaign - beating Spain and drawing against England - but are now in danger of losing the services of one of their best players.
Krishan Pathak ready to replace Sreejesh when time comes: Goalkeeping coach
Pathak, 25, was standby to Sreejesh, 34, in the Tokyo Olympics, but has since then come into his own. 
PR Sreejesh (right) is in the twilight of his career as India play the 2023 Hockey World Cup. (HI)
Indian hockey team's goalkeeping coach Dennis van de Pol strongly feels that young custodian Krishan Pathak has matured enough and is ready to replace the peerless PR Sreejesh as and when the veteran decides to call time on his glorious career.
Olympic miss now a distant memory, India’s Akashdeep has eyes set for a WC medal
Making his national team debut as an 18-year-old in 2012 and quickly cementing his place, Akashdeep was India’s top-scorer at the 2014 World Cup.
Uthra Ganesan
Still relatively young but with a decade-long career and multiple medals at the Asian and Commonwealth Games, Akashdeep is among the seniormost players in the current side. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Akashdeep Singh has a genuinely warm smile, the kind that assures everything is well with the world. He doesn’t give it too often, though, which makes his current relaxed demeanour, exchanging laughs with his teammates during practice so much more special.
Rupert Shipperley: What I’ve learnt as an attacking midfielder
Master Class: The GB and Hockey Wales player on Chaos Games and securing the ball better
Rupert Shipperley and GB team-mate Zach Wallace in action PIC: WORLDSPORTPICS
I suppose one of the biggest areas for me is being close around the circle and keeping the stick on the ball inside the D.
Two or more hat tricks in World Cup
By Tariq Ali
Australia defeated France by a big margin of 8-0 in FIH Hockey Men's World Cup, 2023 at Bhubaneswar. Tom Craig and Jeremy Hayward both scored a hat trick in the match.
It was the second instance when two or more players scored hat tricks in the same match in World Cup:
1 - Pakistan 12 - 3 New Zealand, Bombay, 1982
Manzurul Hasan (3 goals), Abdul Hanif Khan (3) and Hasan Sardar (4)
2 - Australia 8 - 0 France, Bhubaneswar, 2023
Tom Craig (3) and Jeremy Hayward (3).
Story behind environment-friendly pitches in Odisha
Poligras, a leading brand that laid the pitches at the two venues, threw some light on the modern technology, which enabled less use of water on the turfs.
Y. B. Sarangi
FILE PHOTO: Aerial shot of the pitch at the newly constructed Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela prior to the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. | Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
The use of playing surfaces produced by combining innovative technology and renewable raw materials in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way is one of the positives of the Hockey World Cup 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
World comes to Rourkela: City clean-up, surge in business & more
Indervir Grewal
As masses from around the world descend on the steel city, murals have been painted and statues erected to to make it attractive. PTI, File
Almost all the major hotels in Rourkela are within a 100-metre radius, along two roads near the railway station. Walk into the bylanes and one would find smaller hotels that resemble homestays. For most of these hotels, business is booming, largely because of the World Cup.
Fan park, cultural show, Bhubaneswar pulls out all stops to make 2023 event extra special
From cultural and music shows to food festivals, Odisha and Bhubaneswar are offering more than just hockey at the 2023 World Cup
Yashodhan Nakhare 
A view of the Kalinga Stadium and fan park in Bhubaneshwar. Image: Hockey India
While the world has been smitten with the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar gets ready to welcome Team India for the first time this World Cup. Bhubaneswar, which has become a second home to India’s hockey stars has already hosted eight matches so far this World Cup and is the only city on the planet to host two consecutive hockey World Cups.
Hockey World Cup diary: FIH president lists his priorities
Tayyab Ikram knows the challenges he faces as hockey fights for relevance and popularity in a changing world.
Aashin Prasad, Y. B. Sarangi and Uthra Ganesan
Tayyab Ikram...“It has been a hectic time but I am happy with the things I have seen in the last two months.” | Photo Credit: PTI
He came in as a replacement candidate and has only two years but new FIH president Tayyab Ikram has hit the ground running in the first 60 days of his tenure. With almost four decades of association with hockey in various capacities, Ikram knows the challenges he faces as the sport fights for relevance and popularity in a changing world.
FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup: A history 
Indoor hockey is a variant of hockey that originated in Germany in the mid 20th century as a way for players of hockey to practise the sport during the months of winter when it was too cold to play hockey outdoors. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) recognised indoor hockey in its constitution in the year 1968 and there have been various FIH Indoor hockey events since 1972.
2023 Test matches RSA v IND (W) - 18 January
Cape Town (RSA)
All times GMT +2
16 Jan 2023 18:00 RSA v IND 1 - 5
17 Jan 2023 17:00 RSA v IND 0 - 7
19 Jan 2023 17:00 RSA v IND
22 Jan 2023 15:00 RSA v IND
FIH Match Centre
Indian Women's Hockey team register a stunning 7-0 win
The visitors register back-to-back victories against the hosts in their Tour of South Africa
Cape Town: After a brilliant show in their opening match on Monday, the Indian Women's Hockey Team registered a stunning 7-0 victory against the home side South Africa in their second match of the South Africa Tour here in Cape Town.
Aikman set to receive salary after significant delay
He has not been paid for more than eight months
By Sohail Imran
Aikman was appointed in December 2021 — PHF
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Haider Hussain has confirmed that head coach Siegfried Aikman’s dues will be cleared soon.
Scottish officials in action in January
The New Year has brought Scottish officials to the fore in international tournaments throughout January.