News 09 February 2014
All the news for Sunday 9 February 2014
Punjab Warriors tastes victory
Delhi Waveriders celebrates during a HIL match. File photo: Sandeep Saxena
Chasing a victory after six matches into the Hero Hockey India League, Dabur Mumbai Magicians ended up chasing the ball and shadows at the Mahindra stadium.
Jaypee Punjab Warriors controlled the flow of play after hitting early field goals to run away deserving winner at 4-1. This was the Warriors’ fourth win in six games.Jamie Dwyer showed the way with tireless off-the-ball tackling, his teammates policed all routes to the goalmouth efficiently. Drag flicker Sandeep Singh had a quiet game at the back, converted a stroke and watched speedy S.V. Sunil, stocky Dharmvir Singh and nippy Affan get into the act with field goals. Down by four goals, the home side converted ball possession into a goal.
Glenn Turner went off on a long run down the right, pulled the ball back for Vinaya, following up on his left to scoop home the rebound.
Special Correspondent reports from Lucknow
Waveriders post win
Delhi Waveriders rode on Simon Child’s brace to record a 4-3 win over Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
Waveriders has 29 points from five wins in eight matches, and remains at the top. With one point from its second loss, Wizards was static at fourth place with 16.
The tourists raced to a 4-0 lead in 20 minutes. Talwinder Singh opened the scoring in the eighth minute, and drag-flicker Rupinderpal Singh extended the lead six minutes later.
Wizards then paid the price for poor defence as Child took advantage of an unmanned home circle to put Jason Wilson’s 19th-minute cross into the goal. Then, the Rupinder-Child combine outwitted the Wizards a minute later.
The host staged a tremendous fight-back after that.
Dutch legend Tuen de Nooijer dribbled past five Waveriders players to feed V.R. Raghunath, and the home captain directed it to an unmarked Nikkin Thimmaiah who shot home five minutes before half-time. Raghunath converted a penalty corner early in the third quarter, and de Nooijer scored off Pardeep Mor’s cross to make it 4-3.
The results: Jaypee Punjab Warriors 4 (S.V. Sunil 3, Dharamvir Singh 16, Affan Yousuf 24, Sandeep Singh 25) bt Dabur Mumbai Magicians 1 (V.S. Vinay 30).
Delhi Waveriders 4 (Talwinder Singh 8, Rupinderpal Singh 14, Simon Child 19, 20) bt Uttar Pradesh Wizards 3 (Nikkin Thimmaiah 30, V.R. Raghunath 38, Teun de Nooijer 58).
The Hindu
Mumbai fail to create magic
They desperately needed to win. They were even playing in their own backyard. But what they managed in the 70-minute drama was two green cards, one yellow card and a solitary goal. And Mumbai Magicians lost 4-1 to Punjab Warriors at the MHAL stadium here on Saturday.
SV Sunil drew first blood for Punjab Warriors three minutes after the whistle and the visitors. Dharmavir Singh scored the second in the 17th minute and Affan Yousuf deflected a diagonal from Robert Hammond in the 25th minute, the scoreline reading 3-0.
Despite having 63 per cent of ball possession in the first quarter, Mumbai could not convert their chances. A major setback for the Magicians was the injury to Prabhajot Singh who went off after landing on his wrist.
Mumbai's consolation goal came in the 30th minute when Warriors' goalkeeper deflected a Glen Turner pass which was picked up by VS Vinaya who artistically pushed the ball into the net.
It remains to be seen whether the magicians can shine at the same venue on Sunday when they play defending champions Ranchi Rhinos.
DNA
On-fire Warriors thrash Mumbai Magicians 4-1
Mumbai - Punjab Warriors thrashed the beleaguered Mumbai Magicians 4-1 in the Hockey India League at the Mumbai Hockey Association Stadium. The Warriors started the match as clear favourites and didn't waste much time as they drew first blood in the third minute through a fine field goal by SV Sunil.
The visitors were aggressive in the first half which led to the second goal, when Dharamvir Singh scored in the 17th minute.
Affan Yousuf scored the third goal in the 25th minute, through a deflection. Things went bad to worse for the hosts when goalkeeper PR Sreejesh tackled Affan Yousuf on the edge of the D, a minute later, to award the visitors a penalty stroke, which Sandeep Singh converted with ease.
The Magicians could go past the goalie only once, four minutes later through a field goal from V S Vinaya.
Delhi Waveriders beat UP Wizards 4-3
Lucknow: Delhi Waveriders continued their impressive run as they beat Uttar Pradesh Wizards 4-3. The match was expected to a be an exciting affair, especially after the two teams had played a 1-1 draw in their previous encounter.
The Waveriders pumped four goals in the opening 20 minutes to stun the home team. Talwinder Singh opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Rupinderpal Singh converted a penalty corner six minutes later to take a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.
Simon Child scored two goals in quick succession to rattle the Wizards at the start for the second quarter. The Wizards, however, did not give up hope and produced a spirited fightback to find the opposition net thrice in the last two quarters.
The Tribune
Struggling Magicians go down yet again
Shailendra Awasthi
MUMBAI: Inconsistent they indeed are. Mumbai Magicians again failed to regain the confidence they had earned during their last two encounters against fancied teams and went down tamely to dashing Punjab Warriors 4-1 in a clash of the Hockey India League at the Mahindra Stadium on Saturday.
Towards the end of the second quarter Mumbai was already down 4-0. Even a fantastic goal from medio VS Vinaya in the dying minutes of the second quarter on a good pass from Aussie Glen Turner failed to wake up Mumbai outfit.
Warriors picked up from where they had left off during their last encounter against Mumbai in Mohali last month and were on a rampage from the word go. In the second minute itself, forward SV Sunil hammered one that deflected off a Mumbai defender's stick and sailed into the net after brushing off the goal keeper David Harte's hand.
Dharamveer Singh consolidated Punjab's lead 14 minutes later and after nine minutes more, upcoming forward Affan Yousuf made it 3-0 for visitors.
Affan was again in thick of action next minute when new Mumbai goalkeeper P R Sreejesh sat over the ball on Affan's attempt. Sandeep Singh made no mistake on the resultant penalty to make it 4-0.
The Times of India
Delhi Waveriders ride past UP Wizards
Asheem Mukerji
LUCKNOW: It was yet another home disappointment for UP Wizards as they went down 3-4 to Delhi Waveriders in their Hockey India League (HIL) match on Saturday.
This was their third match on the home turf at Dhyanchand stadium, out of which they have lost two and drawn one.
The opening 20 minutes proved disastrous for the Wizards as they were swept off their feet by a Waveriders storm conceding four goals in that period.
Though they came back strongly in the second half to dominate the game and pull back three goals, it was always a catch-up game for them from there.
The home side must be upset with the umpiring in the match. First, a deflected goal by Ramandeep Singh was denied by umpire Diego Barbas of Argentina, and then in the second half Raghu Prasad didn't award a penalty stroke after Teun de Nooijer was blocked deliberately inside the circle.
But there can be no excuse for the way they began. Starting off like a bunch of schoolboys, the Wizards left too many openings for the rival forwards to capitalise on.
The decision to rest their No. 1 goalkeeper George Bazeley and play Kumar Subramaniam proved costly. Subramaniam looked out of sorts as the Waveriders mounted pressure early on to bamboozle the rival defence.
After the four strikes, the Malaysian goalkeeper was replaced by Srinivas Katharu who steadied things for the Wizards.
Talwinder Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Simon Childs (2) scored for the winners. Nikkin Thimmaiah, V Raghunath and Teun de Nooijer scored for the Wizards.
The Times of India
Canada Qualifies for Youth Olympics!
Continental Championship still on the line for Youth Men
2014 Pan American Youth Championship - USA vs. Canada (5-6)
San Juan, Puerto Rico – With an 8-5 defeat of the USA in the semi-final of the Pan American Youth Championships (Men), Canada has secured a spot at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China this coming August 2014.
The victory also sets up a final with Canada’s Continental rival, Argentina. Both nations were dominant in pool play earlier this week and produced the closest match of the tournament when Argentina narrowly defeated Canada by a score of 6-5 on Wednesday. The champion of the Americas will be crowned tomorrow (Saturday) at 4:30PM EST.
The young men representing Field Hockey Canada needed to finish first or second at the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Continental qualifier to book their ticket to the Youth Olympics.
“Field Hockey Canada’s Olympic moment could not have come at a more relevant time”, said Jeff Sauvé, Chief Executive Officer, Field Hockey Canada. “On the same day our Canadian stars in Sochi paraded into Fisht Olympic Stadium to open the XXII Olympic Winter Games, our young men in Puerto Rico secured
#, Name, POsition, Home town, Age
1, Liam MANNING (GK), Goalkeeper, Ottawa, ON, 17
7, Jodhveer SINGH, Forward / Midfield, Brampton, ON, 17
8, Floyd MASCARENHAS, Forward / Midfield, Mississauga, ON, 16
9, Vikramjeet SANDHU, Forward, Vancouver, BC, 18
11, Ganga SINGH, Defender / Midfield, Toronto, ON, 17
12, Arshjit SIDHU, Forward, Abbotsford, BC, 17
13, Jugraj KALKAT, Defender, Mississauga, ON, 17
14, Rohan CHOPRA, Forward, Ottawa, ON, 16
18, Brandon PEREIRA, Midfield, Surrey, BC, 17
19, Balraj PANESAR, Midfield, Surrey, BC, 17
Coach: Inderpal SEHMBI
Assistant: Paul BUNDY
Manager: Erin MAIA
The Continental Championship features the exciting Hockey5s version of the game. Canada will be part of sporting history when Hockey 5s will make its major international debut at the IOC’s Summer Youth Olympics in Nanjing China. For more on the development of Hockey5s and Canada’s lead up to the Youth Olympics, please follow www.fieldhockey.ca.
FIELD HOCKEY CANADA: Working in collaboration with a variety of partners, Field Hockey Canada is the national sport governing body responsible for the development, growth and promotion of field hockey in Canada. Through the Women's and Men's National programs, Field Hockey Canada selects, prepares and promotes Canada’s teams for international competitions including Continental Championships, World Championships, and major multi-sport games such as the Olympic Games, Pan American Games andCommonwealth Games. Approximately 15,000 Canadians participate in field hockey, which is currently played in more than 600 schools and 400 clubs across the country. For more information, please visit www.fieldhockey.ca.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Wanderers and Inverleith celebrate indoor title winning success
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
Dundee Wanderers and Inverleith were victorious in the Women's and Men's Grand Finals at the National Indoor League Gala Day in Perth today.
In the Men's National Indoor League Grand Final, Inverleith triumphed 5-3 over close rivals Grove Menzieshill to take the Division 1 title.
Penalty corner strikes from Stephen Dick (4') and Adam MacKenzie (7') put Inverleith 2-0 up early on and the Purple Robes maintained their lead until the half-time break.
Gavin Tomlinson brought Grove Menzieshill right back into the contest in the 28th minute, before Dick restored the two goal advantage for Inverleith iat 3-1 in the 31st minute.
However, goals from Chris Wilson (32') and another for Tomlinson (33') put Grove Menzieshill back on level terms at 3-3.
It looked like the match may go to running penalties, but Dick completed his hat-trick in the 38th minute from a penalty corner to make it 4-3, before a wonderful solo effort from Derek Salmond rounded off the scoring at 5-3 and gave Stuart Neave's side a title-winning result.
In the Women's National Indoor League Grand Final, Dundee Wanderers retained their Women's National Indoor League Division 1 title, and qualified for Europe, with a 2-0 win over Milne Craig Clydesdale Western.
Charlotte Watson opened the scoring for Wanderers in the 9th minute, slotting home from close range after excellent build-up play from captain Vikki Bunce.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
On the stroke of half-time, the Taysiders were awarded a penalty corner and Bunce doubled the lead to 2-0 at the second time of asking after Nicki Cochrane had parried her initial attempt.
A second half stalemate ensued, with goalscoring opportunities few and far between, leaving the final score at 2-0 to Dundee Wanderers.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
PSL Team Sport Clydesdale were crowned winners of Men's National Indoor League Division 2 after they ran out 6-4 winners in a hotly contested match against Uddingston in the Men's National Indoor League Division 2 play-off.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
Murray Collins was the hero for John McKnight's side, collecting a personal haul of four goals in addition to strikes from Michaeal McKenzie and captain Fraser Hirst. Steven Percy claimed a hat-trick for Uddingston, Thomas Hyndman got the other goal for the Lanarkshire side.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
Falkirk GHG were relegated to Men's National Indoor League Division 2 after losing the Men's National Indoor League Division 1 relegation play-off 10-3 to Hillhead.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
Hat-tricks for Graeme Campbell and Callum Duke, a double for Alan Meikle and strikes from Ian Hilton and Andrew Black ensured Keith Joss' side progressed to the Men's National League Division 1/2 play-off contest.
In the Men's National Indoor League Division 1/2 promotion play-off between Hillhead and Uddingston, a last minute penalty corner from Ewan Campbell ensured Keith Joss' side retained their place in the top league.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
Steven Percy opened the scoring for Uddingston, only for Graeme Campbell to provide Hillhead with an equaliser shortly after.
Callum Duke edged Hillhead in front after half-time, but two Laurie McKelvie penalty corner goals put his side back in the ascendency at 3-2. Graeme Campbell put Hillhead back on parity only moments after, before Ewan Campbell and Percy netted to see the sides level at 4-4.
With the last shot of the game, Ewan Campbell's penalty corner shot nestled in the back of the net to ensure safety for the Glasgow side following a 5-4 final score.
In the Women's National Indoor League Division 1 relegation play-off, two goals from Lorna Cruickshank ensured that Waverley Inveresk Trinity progressed to a Division 1/2 play-off with Inverleith Ladies after defeating Hillhead Ladies 2-1.
Hillhead Ladies' goal came from Carla MacNiven but it wasn't enough to stop the Glasgow side dropping down to Division 2.
Thereafter, Waverley Inveresk Trinity went on to retain their place in Women's National Indoor League Division 1 after Aimee Dugdeon's double consigned local rivals Inverleith Ladies to a 2-1 defeat in the Women's National Indoor League Division 1/2 play-off. The consolation for Inverleith came from Sarah McKay.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUNCAN GRAY
Results
Waverley Inveresk Trinity 2-1 Hillhead Ladies - Hillhead Ladies relegated to Women's National Indoor League Division 2
Waverley Inveresk Trinity 2-1 Inverleith Ladies 1 - Waverley Inveresk Trinity retain place in Women's National Indoor League Division 1
Hillhead 10-3 Falkirk GHG - Falkirk GHG are relegated to Men's National Indoor League Division 2
PSL Team Sport Clydesdale 6-4 Uddingston - PSL Team Sport Clydesdale are Men's National Indoor League Division 2 champions and promoted to Division 1
Milne Craig Clydesdale Western 0-2 Dundee Wanderers - Dundee Wanderers are Women's National Indoor League Division 1 champions and European qualifiers
Hillhead 5-4 Uddingston -Hillhead retain place in Men's National Indoor League Division 1
Grove Menzieshill 3-5 Inverleith - Inverleith are Men's National Indoor League champions and European qualifiers
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Beeston beat rivals East Grinstead
Beeston v East Grinstead, Chris Proctor. Photo by David Kissman.
Beeston scraped a thrilling 5-4 win over rivals East Grinstead as they extended their lead at the top of the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.
After Sam Ward and Luke Taylor had exchanged early goals, Richard Lawrence and Niall Stott both scored on 22 minutes to make it 2-2 half time scoreline.
Chris Proctor (pictured) and Stuart Pilgrim bagged goals on 43 minutes as Beeston went 4-2 ahead, but East Grinstead weren’t about to admit defeat.
Adam Jordan scored a 52nd minute penalty stroke, and David Condon bagged another from open play a minute later to battle back to 4-4.
But Beeston edged back in front with Chris Proctor scoring on 54 minutes, and they held on through a nervous final 15 minutes to take the points.
East Grinstead dropped to third in the table after that defeat, with Reading moving above them following a 4-3 win at Cannock.
Cannock were 3-2 ahead at half time and an upset looked on the cards. David Beckett had scored twice for the hosts and Nick Bandurak had added another, while Richard Mantell had kept Reading in the game with two first half strikes.
And further goals from Tom Carson and Chris Newman ensured Reading avoided defeat and climbed up to second, four points behind Beeston.
In the day’s other Premier Division clash, Hampstead and Westminster v Sheffield Hallam, the game was delayed and eventually called off because of poor visibility at the pitch at Paddington Rec.
In the NOW: Pensions Conference North, leaders Brooklands Manchester University were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts university of Durham after a tense match.
Goalless until the final two minutes, Aiden Khares put Brooklands ahead from a penalty corner, only for Matt Murphy to equalise and save the day for the home side from a 70th minute penalty corner.
And in the NOW: Pensions Conference East, Old Loughtonians moved up to third in the table following a 5-1 win against Richmond.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, February 8 2014):
NOW: Pensions Premier Division: Beeston 5, East Grinstead 4; Cannock 3, Reading 4. Hampstead & Westminster v Sheffield Hallam postponed.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference East: Old Loughtonians 5, Richmond 1; Oxted 4, Bromley & Beckenham 2.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference North: University of Durham 1, Brooklands MU 1.
England Hockey Board Media release
Reading win, Canterbury draw
Reading v Surbiton Emma Thomas
Reading narrowed the gap at the top of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division to just one point when they beat Beeston 2-0, while leaders Canterbury were held to a goalless draw by Bowdon Hightown.
The nil-nil draw at Canterbury was the first time they have dropped points at home this season, and ends a winning run in the outdoor league going back to October.
At Sonning Lane, Reading took the lead through a Leah Wilkinson penalty corner after 17 minutes, which was followed up nine minutes later by another corner routine, this time Emma Thomas (pictured) claiming the goal.
And they held on to that lead right through the second period, despite Beeston’s best efforts.
Third-placed Surbiton also strengthened their place with a 4-0 win at Olton and West Warwickshire. Jenna Woolven and Sarah Page both scored twice in the win.
And a penalty stroke a minute before half time from Isabel Palmer proved to be the only goal of the game as Clifton beat University of Birmingham.
And Leicester moved up into the top four with a 2-1 win over Sutton Coldfield, with Jess Hickman and Hannah Fair scoring their goals.
Wakefield consolidated their lead in the Investec Conference North with a 2-1 win over Loughborough Students. Cat Horn scored both their goals in the first half. Holly Brown’s second half strike wasn’t enough for Loughborough, although they remain fourth.
Second-placed Brooklands Poynton remain a point behind Wakefield after beating hosts Boots 4-1.
And in the Investec Conference West Buckingham won 2-1 at Trojans to maintain their narrow one-point lead. Jo Ellis and Jess Bloom scored the goals which gave them victory.
A goal after two minutes by Mel Ball proved to be the only score as Slough won 1-0 at Barnes.
Two goals in the last five minutes helped Holcombe battle to a late 3-1 win at Ipswich in the Investec Conference East. Goals from Megan Frazer and Chloe Hunnable had left the match level until goals on 65 and 69 minutes from Ona Lopez Crespo and Nicci Daly sealed a win for the league leaders.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, February 8 2014):
Investec Women's Premier Division: Canterbury 0, Bowdon 0; Clifton 1, University of Birmingham 0; Leicester 2, Sutton Coldfield 1; Olton & West Warwicks 0, Surbiton 4; Reading 2, Beeston 0.
Investec Women’s Conference East: Chelmsford 3, Old Loughtonians 3; Horsham 3, St. Albans 1; Ipswich 1, Holcombe 3; Sevenoaks 1, East Grinstead 3; Wimbledon 1, Harleston Magpies 0.
Investec Women's Conference North: Ben Rhydding 1, Kendal 2; Boots 1, Brooklands Poynton 4; Doncaster 3, Stourport 3; University of Durham 1, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 0; Wakefield 2, Loughborough Students 1.
Investec Women's Conference West: Barnes 0, Slough 1; Bristol Firebrands 0, Gloucester City 0; Isca 2, Swansea City 3; Oxford Hawks 3, Exe 1; Trojans 1, Buckingham 2.
England Hockey Board Media release
Farewell Revington
Some 50 friends of hockey turned up at the Olympic Hotel to honour outgoing national hockey coach Paul Revington who quit the post last month.
Amongst those who were present were Olympic Council of Malaysia Secretary Dato Sieh Kok Chi, former Malaysian Hockey Federation Secretaries Dato G. Vijaynathan, T. Paramalingam and Hashim Mohd Yusof.
Also marking their presence were former internationals Dato Ow Soon Kooi, S. kuhan, Mirnawan Nawawi and I. Vikneswaran. Also present was former national coach C. Paramalingam and a host of officials from Selangor Hockey Association Secretary P. Kuganeson.
Also present were MHC senior Vice President S. Shamala and Vice President M. Gobinathan as well MNCF Deputy President Dato Naim Mohammad.
The farewell was initiated by a fan, Masidayau Mazlan who followed up a tweet by hockey website www.malaysianhockey.com.my.
"I am touched by this gesture and really it has touched me and my wife Sandy immensely. For that we are grateful. Some of those present here are total strangers and we appreciate their support," said Revington.
"It has been a memorable stay here and we will never forget this country as Sandy will deliver twins early next months. Hence it's truly amazing."
MalaysianHockey.com.my
It’s farewell to Paul Revington
Ex-Malaysian hockey coach, Paul Revington (third from left) and his wife, Sandy (third from right) bidding farewell to friends and officials at his sending-off party in KL on Saturday. - SS KANESAN/ The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national hockey coach Paul Revington is thankful to Malaysian hockey fans and officials for their support in the past 18 months of his tenure.
The South African, who cited personal reasons for quitting as national chief coach of the senior team recently, said that he enjoyed coaching the Malaysian team and was full of praise for the players.
He was speaking at a farewell gathering organised by some friends at a hotel here on Saturday.
“I’m touched by this gesture ... really, it has touched me and my wife Sandy immensely. For that we are grateful. Some of those present here are total strangers and we appreciate their support,” said Revington.
“It has been a memorable stay here. We’ll never forget this country ... as Sandy will deliver our twins early next month. It’s truly amazing.”
Among those present were Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) senior vice-president S. Shamala and vice-president M. Gobinathan; Olympic Council of Malaysia honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, former Malaysian Hockey Federation secretaries Datuk G. Vijayanathan, T. Paramalingam and Hashim Mohd Yusof; former internationals Datuk Ow Soon Kooi, S. Kuhan, Mirnawan Nawawi and I. Vikneswaran; former national coach C. Paramalingam; and other Selangor Hockey Association officials.
The Star of Malaysia
Gold for Um and UPM
A goal by national junior skipper Mohd Fitri Saari gave University Malaysia the gold medal in the men’s hockey competition for the Institutions of Higher Learning Games (Sukipt) at the Ministry of Education Stadium in Pantai.
University Malaya defeated Politeknik Johor Baru 1-0 in a tightly contested match.
Earlier in the match to determine the bronze, UiTM defeated UNIZA 2-0 with goals from Meor Muhammad Azuan Hassan and Ahmad Iqwan Shah Harun.
In the girl’s final, Universiti Putra Malaysia, represented by a host of national players took gold, defeating Universiti Teknoloji Malaysia 3-0 in the final.
Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani opened scoring in the fourth minute before Noo Hasliza Mohd Ali scored a brace in the 12 and 19minutes to give them the gold.
UiTM took the bronze, defeating UPSI 2-0 with goals courtesy of Nur Farah Syahira Md Yusof and Areena Abdullah.
MalaysianHockey.com.my
MHC to introduce Womens League
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation Competitions Committee is recommending the introduction of a national women's hockey league, similar to the men's version which was introduced in 1987.
This is a step in the right direction to boost women's hockey and Competitions Committee chairman M.Gobinathan will table the proposal at the MHC Executive Board meeting this Tuesday for endorsement.
Currently the men have the Premier Division, Division One at senior level as well as the Junior hockey league to cater for the Under 19's.
Some eight to ten teams are expected to participate in the tournament with institutions of higher learning such as Uitm, UPM UPNM as well as states like Malacca and Terengganu showing early interest.
"We hope there will be a good response for the inaugural league and I call upon the states and clubs to participate," said Gobinathan.
"For the first year we will have the matches in Klang Valley and may played at selected out station venues so as to cut traveling costs.
"With Sukma round the corner, this league will be a perfect platform for states to expose their squads as well."
Gobinathan said that in order to make it a level playing field, each team will only be allowed to field five national players at any one time.
"It means if they have more then five national players in the team, only five can take the field at a given time," added Gobinathan.
The women's league will be played simultaneously with the Division One of the Malaysian Hockey League, commencing from March 16 till mid May.
While teams in the women's league will be allowed to field two foreign players, that will not be the case for the men where it is confined to local players.
In addition those in the national men's hockey squad as of 1 March will not be allowed to play in the Division One.
The Premier Division of the MHL will be held from October to December after the national teams commitments in the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are over.
MalaysianHockey.com.my
Fifth straight title beckons
ON THE VERGE: Thunderbolts see off UniKL Young Guns to have one hand on crown
By JUGJET SINGH
SSTMI Thunderbolts shot down UniKL Young Guns 4-1 in their Division One encounter of the Junior Hockey League at the Bukit Jalil Stadium to virtually seal their fifth title in a row.
The defending champions now only have the match against Kuala Lumpur Sports School at their fort in Taman Daya on Valentine's Day to confirm their title.
Yesterday, Thunderbolts skipper Aminudin Zain scored a brace off penalty corners in the 31st and 40th minutes to give his side the early lead.
Aminuddin has scored six goals to date, equalling teammate Najmi Farizal's count.
Najmi was suspended for yesterday's match after picking up maximum demerit points while playing against Malacca High School on Friday.
Yesterday, Aminuddin was also benched for a green, and then limped out in the 52th minute after picking up an injury while attempting to score another penalty corner.
However, in the 54th minute, Thunderbolts increased their lead when Firdaus Omar's penalty corner attempt was deflected into goal by Najib Abu Hassan.
UniKL's Ikwan Ishak pulled one back in the 56th minute, but Ammar Zahari made the final score 4-1 in favour of Thunderbolts with a simple tap in the 67th minute.
"It is a nice feeling going for our fifth title, as we only have one more match to complete the fixtures unbeaten. UniKL were supposed to be our hardest hurdle, so I'm very happy that my players scored three penalty corners and one field goal to kill off their challenge," said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan Rahman.
RESULTS -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns 1 SSTMI Thunderbolts 4, Malacca High School 1 SSTMI Juniors 0.
Division Two A: Matri 1 MSSp-USM 1, STAR 3 PHKS1.
Division Two B: Felda Temerloh 12 Permatang Juniors1.
Division Two C: BJSS 4 TBSS 1.
TODAY -- Division One: KLSS v Petaling Jaya CC (5pm, Kuala Lumpur HA).
Division Two A: 1MAS Penang v PHKS (5pm, USM), Nur Insafi v Syed Hassan (5pm, Sungain Petani).
Division Two B: Padang Midin v KLSS juniors (5pm, Kuala Terengganu), MSP Pahang Juniors v Olak-PKT (5pm, Kuantan).
Division Two C: Datuk Taha v BJSS Juniors (5pm, Seremban II).
New Straits Times
Title is Thunderbolt’s to lose
By S. Ramaguru
SSTMI-Thunderbolt players celebrate after Muhammad Firdaus Omar (second from left) scored the third goal in their 4-0 win against UniKL in Bukit Jalil on Saturday. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/ The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s as good as game over!
The Division One League title is virtually SSTMI-Thunderbolt’s after a comfortable 4-1 win over Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Thunderbolt can wrap up their fifth title in a row in the MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) when they take on KLSS-KLHC next Friday.
Thunderbolt are unbeaten after five matches and have 15 points. UniKL and MBPJ have nine points each but with a game in hand.
In Saturday’s game against UniKL, Thunderbolt skipper Mohd Aminuddin Mohd Zain bagged a brace in the 31st and 40th minutes while Mohd Firdaus Omar (52nd) and Mohd Ammar Zahari (67th) scored one apiece. UniKL replied through Mohd Ikhwan Ishak in the 56th minute.
Despite the seemingly big scoreline, Thunderbolt coach Wan Mohd Roslan admitted that it was the toughest match for them, thus far.
“Now, we are confident of winning the league title. This match could have derailed us. But the players rose to the occasion and played well to get the goals,” he said.
“We still have one more match to go ... we won’t take it easy and will go all out to win the title by staying unbeaten.”
At the Bukit Serendit Hockey Stadium in Malacca, Malacca High School ended their Division One campaign by notching their first win – defeating SSTMI Juniors 1-0, courtesy of Mohd Ashraff Zuhry’s 69th-minute strike.
The win puts Malacca High School, who have two draws and one win, in fourth place with five points.
But their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage is slim as the two teams below them – KLSS-KLHC and Anderson – can still overhaul them.
The Star of Malaysia
