News 11 February 2014
All the news for Tuesday 11 February 2014
McEvoy earns first international cap during three nations event in California
CHULA VISTA, Cali. – A competitive back and forth ball flow between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Great Britain emerged during the teams’ first capped match of an international series hosted at the Chula Vista Training Center in California ending in a 2 – 2 draw.
“It was a solid performance today,” said Head Coach Craig Parnham. “It is important for us to continue to grow as a team. The new players are progressing nicely. We are looking forward to the upcoming games and the chance to further develop the group.”
Great Britain scored early in the match with a field goal solicited by Alex Danson in the opening minutes of play.
Finding their tempo, the U.S. answered back in short order with a goal from Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) when she entered the circle on the top right-hand side with a gorgeous backhand shot across the cage bottom left. Team USA continued to build a strong forward attack and was able to put another goal in before half-time with Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) pouncing on an opportunity presented to her by Great Britain’s defense. It was in the second half that Great Britain’s Suzy Petty found the back of the cage and created an even match. Representing the red, white and blue, U.S. Women’s National Team athlete Ali McEvoy (Gilbertsville, Pa) also earned her first-ever international cap in today’s game.
Receive more match updates from Team USA’s Twitter account by following @usafieldhockey
USFHA media release
Investec SA women's hockey team set to face Scotland at TUT in Pretoria
JONATHAN COOK
Phume Mbande and Hanli Hattingh in Investec SA squad in Pretoria. Photo: GAVIN WITHERS (ACTION PIX)
Hot on the heels of their 2-1 series victory over Belgium in Cape Town, the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team take on Scotland in five Test matches from Friday to next Wednesday at Tshwane University of Technology hockey stadium in Pretoria.
With the need to strengthen the player base, several of South Africa’s most seasoned players have been left out of this leg of head coach Giles Bonnet’s 2014 campaign that has as its highlights the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
“This stage is to be in two parts,” said Bonnet. “The first four days, and two unofficial matches, are a selection for the five-Test series that follows. In turn, the players who perform in the five Test matches against Scotland will give themselves a good chance of being selected for the Argentina tour that follows Scotland.”
Directly after the fifth Test against the Scots next Wednesday, February 19, the South Africans fly out to Argentina to play a five-Test series against the world’s second-ranked team in Mar del Plata before returning home on March 2.
Meanwhile, Scotland head coach Gordon Shepherd will be without Ali Bell, Amy Gibson, Nikki Kidd, Emily Maguire and Morag McLellan, who are unavailable due to commitments with the Great Britain squad.
This should offset SA being without triple Olympians in captain Marsha Cox and world record Test match goalscorer Pietie Coetzee, as well as the likes of double Olympians Tarryn Bright, Shelley Russell and Lenise Marais.
Shepherd said he is looking forward to seeing his side, “tested against a top world nation. However, I have no doubt we will test them in equal measure and I’m looking forward to the matches.”
SQUADS
Investec South Africa: Phume Mbande, Anelle van Deventer, Hanli Hattingh, Nicolene Terblanche, Erin Hunter (subject to medical clearance), Kaila Flemming, Christine Roos, Kelly Madsen, Illse Davids, Jade Mayne, Toni Marks, Tarryn Glasby, (subject to medical clearance), Candice Manuel, Sam Prost, Tanya Britz, Izelle Lategan, Lisa Deetlefs, Sulette Damons, Lilian du Plessis, Celia Evans, Kathleen Taylor and Marcelle Manson (both only the last 4 Test matches), Carmen Smith (awaiting clearance from university).
Scotland: Jennifer Eadie, Nicola Cochrane, Vikki Bunce, Becky Ward, Amy Brodie, Catriona Ralph, Samantha Judge, Sarah Robertson, Holly Cram, Linda Clement, Ailsa Wyllie, Kareena Marshall, Leigh Fawcett, Rebecca Merchant, Susan McGilveray, Nicola Lloyd, Maisie Morris, Alison Howie, Nicola Skrastin, Aileen Davis, Kirsten McIntosh, Robyn Collins, Heather Elder.
FIXTURES
Unofficial test matches (both at HPC, Pretoria) -
match 1: Tuesday, 11 Feb (7pm);
match 2: Wednesday, 12 Feb (3pm).
Official Test matches (all at TUT, Pretoria) -
1st Test: Friday, 14 Feb (6.30pm);
2nd Test: Saturday, 15 Feb (3pm);
3rd Test: Sunday 16 Feb (3pm);
4th Test: Tuesday, 18 Feb (6.30pm);
5th Test: Wednesday, 19 Feb (1.30pm).
SA Hockey Association media release
Punjab Warriors wary of Kalinga, complacency
Indervir Grewal
Chandigarh - The Hockey India League doesn’t really have any major surprises in-store as the semifinals line-up is all but confirmed.
Barring a miraculous turnaround from the fifth-placed Kalinga Lancers, the top four teams will be feeling pretty comfortable as the league stage reaches the final stretch.
But Punjab Warriors, who boast of the best record this season, have no intentions of easing off as they take on the Lancers at their home ground tomorrow.
With 23 points from six matches, the Warriors are currently in second place, behind Delhi Waveriders who have 29 points from eight matches. “We are in a good position after a good away run and would like to keep up the intensity at this stage,” said Barry Dancer, head coach of Punjab Warriors. “We want to win against Kalinga and confirm our place in the semifinals.”
Though the Warriors have not lost since their defeat against Delhi Waveriders in the opener, Dancer said that the team was far from perfect. “We have not played consistently for 70 minutes. Also our defence has not been up to the mark.”
Jamie Dwyer, captain of the Warriors, reiterated his coach’s point: “We have not had a clean sheet in any match. And we haven’t been very consistent. We are still improving and hopefully can peak at the right time. I believe that at our best we can beat any team.”
The home team will need that level of confidence against the Lancers, who have been consistently improving. “They have shown a lot of grit even in their losses. They are deadly with the penalty corners so we can’t get complacent.”
The Lancers, who need to win all of their four remaining matches for a shot at the semifinals, will be hoping for a big scalp to get their confidence up. And they will need their drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat (currently second highest scorer with five goals) to fire.
Though the fans will be hoping for the minnows to shake things up, the Lancers know the challenge before them. “This will be a big test for us. We will need to score early,” said Terry Walsh, coach of the Lancers.
TODAY’S MATCH
PUNJAB vs KALINGA (8 PM)
STREAMED LIVE ON STAR SPORTS
The Tribune
Grove Menzieshill in indoor European action
Grove Menzieshill squad to take part in EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy. Photo Credit: Jim Shepherd
Grove Menzieshill travel to Belarus this week to compete in the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy being hosted by HC Minsk.
Taking place from the 14-16 February, Chris Anderson's side will face S.V. Kampong (NED), HANK Mladost (CRO) and Sorbymagle Hockey Club (DEN) in Pool A.
Pool B features HC Rotweirr Wettingen (SUI), SV Arminen (AUT), HC Minsk (BLR) and CUS Bologna (ITA).
The Scottish indoor specialists' first aim is to finish in the top two positions of their pool to give them a chance of targeting a place for Scotland in next season's Champions Cup in the subsequent promotion pool.
The EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy website does intimate that there will be live coverage from Minsk; Grove Menzieshill's first match is on Friday against Sorbymagle Hockey Club at 10.40am GMT.
Scottish official Ian Diamond will also travel as an umpire.
Please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy website for more information, including mactch schedule and results.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
International indoor stars at East Grinstead
David Condon for East Grinstead at the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s 2014
From 14-16 February, see the pinnacle of men's European indoor hockey – the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup – at East Grinstead Hockey Club.
There will be a plethora of European talent on offer over the weekend: for example, FIH World Player of the Year – Tobias Hauke – will be representing his club side, Harvestehuder. Tobias has two Olympic Gold Medals and was also FIH World Young Player of the Year, and he’s far from the only Olympian medallist who’ll be playing.
Victor Sojo, Olympic Silver Medalist from Beijing, will be competing for his Spanish club – Complutense. Victor’s side also boasts the former Spain Olympic Coach and so should be an exciting prospect.
There’s also Tom Boon of Belgium, playing with his club side Racing Club de Bruxelles. Tom is one of the most dynamic players in world hockey and has made the FIH “World Team” recently following his performances at the EuroNations in August at the World League in January. Tom’s club boasts 11 Belgian internationals in their squad of 12, and is a good relocation on the massive rise in Belgian hockey.
Last but by no means least is World League Bronze Medalist David Condon making his European debut for East Grinstead having scored in the final of the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s.
With all these fantastic players out on the field, it can be easy to forget about the goalkeepers, even though this could be a tournament of goalkeeping greats; Sweden’s Niclas Franzen is highly rated indoors, as is Belgium’s Jeremy Gucassoff.
While East Grinstead are England's representatives in this tournament, there's nothing stopping you from supporting some of the other teams in the tournament - you could even adopt a team over the weekend and cheer them on!
There are seats for 700 people up and close to the action, so spectators will be even closer to the action than at the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s: get down there and support the teams! This is the second time in successive seasons that EGHC has hosted EuroHockey of some form, and it’s a great opportunity to see incredible talent on display.
Pool A
Harvestehuder THC (GER)
Hockey Club Valenciennes (FRA)
C.H. Complutense (ESP)
Kolos-Sekvoya Vinnitsa (UKR)
Pool B
Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles (BEL)
Dinamo Yekateringburg (RUS)
Partille SC (SWE)
England Hockey Board Media release
Hockey's growth is boost to World Cup hopes, says former England cricketer Susie Rowe
Susie Rowe believes England has chance to capture nation with World Cup success after seeing growth following two seasons away from field hockey
By Rod Gilmour
New lease of life: Susie Rowe (right) hopes to reach Europe with Canterbury Photo: ADY KERRY
The multi-talented Susie Rowe is back playing domestic hockey for Canterbury after the former England cricketer admitted to “losing love for the game”.
Last week, Rowe signed a contract for the second-half of the season with the Kent outfit, a club she played for two seasons before choosing to focus on her cricket career.
“I haven’t officially retired or quit from cricket, I am just taking a break and wanted to play hockey again,” said the 26 year-old, who saw Canterbury drop crucial points at home in their bid to stay top of the Investec premier division.
“It was always my goal to win the league and qualify for Europe. Now I’m back at Polo Farm, I’m really excited about the prospect of getting there, especially as Canterbury are in a great position.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board changed the ruling over players involved in duel sports, meaning that Rowe had to focus on cricket. But Rowe believes that hockey has grown in the intervening years.
“It has been really pleasing to see the growth over the years,” said the right half. “There was no choice but for hockey to start taking itself seriously with the Olympic catalyst and being more professional about its appearance.
“England and GB keep medalling in major events and a gold medal is well within their capabilities at the World Cup. It would do amazing things for hockey in this country.”
Rowe, who has played 22 Twenty20's for England, is not the last Kent hockey player to play two sports at top level. Natasha Brennan left hockey to focus on rugby and played for England in the IRB Sevens World Series in November.
It begs the question over whether hockey is losing players to the bigger sports, but Rowe believes there is no long-term damage being harnessed.
She said: “It’s all dependent on the individual. I wouldn’t call it a financial decision either as hockey has a centralised system.
“The reason why hockey is losing out is that there is such a huge pool of players to choose from. Arguably, in rugby and cricket, those sports have previously been male dominated but haven’t had a greater female participation.
“But that pool of talent is smaller and easier to get noticed and make your break. That’s what happened with me and Natasha, who has come quite late to rugby and done really well.”
Rowe will play some domestic cricket this summer but she has reached a cross roads where she is also thinking of a teaching career.
“I feel like I have given it my all in the last few years,” she added. “I kind of lost that energy you need to succeed at that level so I’m enjoying taking a break for the moment.”
The Telegraph
Malaysian hockey team now down to 30 men
By S. Ramaguru
Mohamed Razie Rahim (left) in a file photo. He will not be playing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after sustaining an injury while playing in the Hockey India League.
KUALA LUMPUR: The national hockey team’s preparations for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hit another snag with a fourth player pulling out and the unavailability of penalty corner specialist Mohamed Razie Rahim due to an injury.
National junior Mohamed Syamin Yusof, who played in the Delhi Junior World Cup in December, is the latest player to withdraw from the squad of 35 players.
He cited personal reasons for pulling out. His withdrawal follows that of Harvinder Singh, Azreen Rizal and Engku Abdul Malek.
Razie was a shoo-in for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and his absence will be a big blow to the team as the tournament effectively kicks off their World Cup challenge. He is one of the two penalty corner specialists in the team. The other is Faizal Saari.
Razie dislocated his shoulder while playing for the Dabur Mumbai Magicians in the Hockey India League (HIL) earlier this month.
As the team did not make the second round of the competition, the national team management are hoping that Razie will come back earlier and start his rehab programme here.
Razie is one of three players who had signed up to play in the HIL this year. Faizal Saari was his team-mate in the Mumbai team while goalkeeper S. Kumar plays for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
Razie and Faizal are expected to return on Feb 18 while Kumar will only return after the league ends on Feb 28.
National team manager George Koshy on Monday confirmed that Razie is likely to miss the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup which will be held in Ipoh from March 13-23.
“He is not likely to recover in time. Even then, we will not take the risk as he is an important player and we will need him fully fit for the World Cup in May.
“We want him to get as much rest as possible and come back into the team fully fit. We will assess his fitness and will only field him in April’s Champions Challenge I if we are convinced that he has recovered fully,” he said.
George added that Syamin cited personal reasons for his withdrawal and that they have accepted it.
He said that they have no plans to replace the four players who have pulled out of the team.
“At this stage, we have no plans to call up replacements. We will stick with 31 players in the training squad. There is no reason to bring in new players unless we are sure they can play in the coming tournaments. We have a blend of junior and senior players and it is now a matter of finding the right mix to play in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the Champions Chellenge 1,” he added.
The Star of Malaysia
Thunderbolts on course for fifth title
By Jugjet Singh
TUNKU Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts will renew their love affair with hockey when they play for their fifth consecutive Junior Hockey League title on Valentine's Day.
The school, formerly known as Bandar Penawar Sports School, found the right tonic for success when they tied the knot with sponsor Tenaga Nasional.
Thunderbolts, unbeaten in five matches and scoring a whopping 30 goals in Division One, are expected to have an easy time against Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) who only have one win to show after four matches.
"We are fortunate that we have an ally in Tenaga Nasional and that has helped us a lot in monetary as well as technical aspects of the game. We are grateful to them and it is a collective effort that has seen the school become strong in the sport," said coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
The match against KLHC will be a mere formality to complete the fixtures.
"My players knew from the start of the season that we must beat UniKL (Young Guns) to retain our title and they gave their all in the 4-1 win," the coach added.
For UniKL it is back to the drawing board after their humiliating defeat.
Coach Rodhanizam Radzi had some of the most talented juniors in the country at his disposal but their inability to convert penalty corners saw their downfall.
"We lost to a better team and that we have to accept. We will now try to win the runner-up spot and focus on the knockout stages but we need the players to start believing in their ability first," said Rodhanizam.
The battle for spots into the play-offs from the three Division Two tiers has also turned out to be an interesting affair.
Only Nur Insafi from Penang have assured themselves of a place in the six-team playoff for the four spots in the quarter-final of the knockout stage.
The two top teams in each of the Division Two groups will play in a play-off to determine which four move into the quarters.
Olak-PKT are expected to make the playoff despite going down to their first defeat, 2-1 to MSP Juniors in Kuantan.
"It was one of those days when everything went wrong for us," said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.
"We deserved to lose as we lost our focus and the defeat is a timely wake-up call for us."
New Straits Times
No surprises in Junior Hockey League Div 1
By S. Ramaguru
SSTMI-Thunderbolt players in a file photo. Thunderbolt will wrap up the Division One title on Feb 14, 2014, when they face KLSS-KLHC at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Division One title race is over – bar the shouting.
The MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) ends this weekend and interest will turn to the knockout stage qualifiers and the battle for the Division Two title.
SSTMI-Thunderbolt look set to wrap up the Division One title on Friday when they face KLSS-KLHC at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
They are already through to the knockout stage, along with Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) from Division One.
Three teams – Malacca High School, KLSS and Anderson – are in the running for the fourth and final spot from Division One.
Malacca High School are in fourth spot with five points but have completed their fixtures.
KLSS are fifth with four points and two matches to play, while Anderson are sixth with two points and a match in hand.
KLSS are almost certain to lose their next match as they face champions-elect Thunderbolt. Their last match is against SSTMI Juniors on Saturday – and it is this game that will decide their fate.
If they lose, then Anderson, who play on Sunday, will have a chance to pip Malacca High School if they beat UniKL.
The top four teams from Division One and top four from the Division Two second round playoffs will qualify for the knockout stage.
So, there is a lot at stake this weekend.
The fight in the lower division for places in the second-round playoffs is just as intense and intriguing as well.
So far, only Nur Insafi of Penang have confirmed their place in the two-group playoffs. The two top teams from each group will then qualify for the knockout stage.
The three other Division Two teams likely to join Nur Insafi and the four other Division One sides in the quarter-finals are SMK Syed Hassan, Olak-PKT, MSS Pahang Juniors and Politeknik Johor.
The Star of Malaysia
