News 17 February 2014
All the news for Monday 17 February 2014
France in, SA out of Champions Challenge
By S. Ramaguru
Filepic shows the South Africa hockey team playing against Malaysia in the World League tourney in JB. The Africans have withdrawn from the Champions Challenge I to be held in Kuantan in April.
KUALA LUMPUR: South Africa have withdrawn from the FIH Champions Challenge I tournament, which will be held in Kuantan in April.
They will, instead, play in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from March 13-23.
The decision is seen as more of a financial move because they lack funding for their World Cup campaign.
Teams to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup only need to pay their airfares as everything else is taken care of by the host. For the Champions Challenge, the teams have to bear the entire cost of participation.
World No. 17 France have accepted the invitation to replace South Africa in the Champions Challenge I tournament.
The French have, in turn, withdrawn from the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretary general Datuk Johari Abdul Aziz confirmed South Africa’s withdrawal from the Kuantan meet on Sunday.
“China will replace France in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and it will remain a seven-team affair. The other teams taking part are Australia, Canada, Pakistan, South Korea and South Africa.
“France, who have replaced South Africa in the Champions Challenge, will have New Zealand, South Korea, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, Poland, Japan and Spain for company.
“The Kuantan tournament is the last big meet before the World Cup begins in Holland,” said Johari.
For Malaysia, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is the start of their World Cup preparations.
They have a new coach in K. Dharmaraj who will be handling the senior team in his first major tournament.
Former National Juniors coach Dharmaraj took over from South African Paul Revington, who quit as chief coach last month.
The other teams in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup who will be featuring in the World Cup are Australia, South Africa and South Korea.
For the record, the Ipoh tournament is an invitational meet while the Champions Challenge I offers world ranking points and a pathway to the Champions Trophy tournament.
The Star of Malaysia
Impressive Investec SA hockey girls clinch series against Scotland
JONATHAN COOK in Pretoria
GO TEAM! Investec SA hockey girls ahead of 4-0 third Test win. Photo: LUCAS JANSEN VAN VUUREN
A 1-0 half-time lead turned into a 4-0 victory for the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team in the third Test against Scotland at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria Sunday.
After 5-3 and 4-2 wins in the opening Tests, Sunday’s victory means South Africa have won the series with two Tests still to play.
SA’s goals came from on-song striker Celia Evans (33rd and 52nd minutes), confident debutant Toni Marks of Eastern Province (50th) and double Olympian Kathleen Taylor (69th).
For Durban’s Kelly Madsen it was a special day, her 100th Test match, as well as yet another milestone in the remarkable hockey story of her family, which boasts national players going into double figures.
While it could be argued that the fourth Test (6.30pm Tuesday) and the fifth and final Test match (1.30pm Wednesday) are now devoid of intensity, nothing is further from the truth.
World number 11 South Africa fly to Buenos Aires Wednesday night for a five-Test series against world number two Argentina and the latter two Test matches against Scotland are not insignificant cogs in head coach Giles Bonnet’s greater preparations for the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
For their part, the Scots are working very hard ahead of the Champions Challenge and Commonwealth Games tournaments that are set to be held in their very own Glasgow and they will be determined to give a good account of themselves with this bigger picture in mind.
Scotland certainly had their moments Sunday but the SA defence were generally up to the task of containing the threat - and while the penalty corner count was shared four apiece, it was South Africa’s confident finishing, especially from open play, that impressed.
The assuredness and self-belief of the SA strikers – and indeed across all three lines, from defenders to the engine room to those upfront – has been a feature of this series.
It is unfair to single out just one player in what was an impressive display by a host of South Africans but it would be remiss not to mention the superb Nicolene Terblanche, the Pretorian whose sheer energy and all-round contribution was a tonic – and contagious only to her team-mates.
Scotland were disappointing, yet there are positives enough to give mentor Gordon Shepherd and his girls heart.
SA Hockey Association media release
South Africa clinch test series against Scotland
Scotland's Aileen Davis fires the ball into the dangerzone. Photo Credit: Reg Caledcott
Scotland Senior Women find themselves 3-0 down, and South Africa in an unassailable position, in the five-test series after a 4-0 defeat at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria today.
Two goals for Celia Evans, and strikes from debutant Toni Marks and Kathleen Taylor gave the South Africans their third victory on the trot, although the final scoreline did not tell the entire story of the match, as Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd outlined,
“To be one nil down at half-time was a harsh reward for an excellent first period with some nice passing passages of play and good solid, organised defending, particularly at two penalty corners.
“The players put in an amazing effort today, where the heat took its toll in the end. It was one of those games where the score doesn’t tell the full story.”
A solid opening period by the Scots saw Nicki Cochrane called into action only once in the first twenty minutes, making a save low down at her right hand post and responding immediately to rush out and kick clear the danger.
In the 23rd minute, midfielder Amy Brodie had a half chance saved, before a series of three penalty corners for the away side ended with Aileen Davis’ effort being turned around the post.
Frustration continued for the Scots in the 31st minute as Sam Judge crossed to Ali Howie, whose attempt on goal was just out of reach of a diving Ailsa Wylie.
Sam Judge competes for the ball against South Africa's Kelly Madsen. Photo Credit: Reg Caledcott
It was therefore a sucker punch for Scotland when, a minute before half-time, they failed to clear their lines on the left and the ball was quickly moved to the far post where Celia Evans stroked the ball into the left hand corner to give South Africa a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes after the interval, Sarah Robertson was afforded a gilt-edged opportunity to secure an equalising goal but the Edinburgh University midfielder missed the target.
South Africa were then correctly denied a goal in the 39th minute after the two umpires overturned the initial decision to chalk off the strike, while Cochrane kept her side the in the contest with a full-length diving save to prevent a reverse stick shot finding the top right hand corner.
Vikki Bunce produced a mazy run towards goal in the 47th minute but the final shot did not match the excellent build-up play as the ball was driven wide of the goal.
Vikki Bunce strikes at attempt on goal. Photo Credit: Reg Caledcott
Controversy ensued four minutes later when the umpire awarded a long corner to the home side when it did not cross the baseline. This resulted in a penalty corner being awarded, which was drilled towards the left post for the on-rushing Toni Marks to deflect the ball past Cochrane to double her side’s advantage.
The game was put beyond Shepherd’s charges in the 55rd minute as the national side failed to clear their lines, and Evans was on hand once again to fire the ball past Cochrane to make it 3-0.
With heat taking its toll, Scotland continued to fight hard and their collective spirit was demonstrated by two block challenges by both Kareena Marshall and Cat Ralph to deny South Africa.
However, South Africa clinched the match, and the series, two minutes from time when Kathleen Turner was on hand to turn home a fourth goal after Cochrane had parried a shot from the top of the circle.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Argentina; Pan-American Youth Champion
Both, Argentina and Uruguay qualified for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing
Josefina Chavez Diaz
Semi finals were played in the morning. Argentina gained their ticket to Naijing by beating Mexico 12-1.
Later, Uruguay would fight a spot in the Olympics with USA. After two loses against the Americans, the host came out to win, with an outstanding performance and two early goals that made Tamara Durante’s team lose concentration. USA would not recover, and fought a concentrated, strong team that had decided to qualify.
Uruguay won 3 - 1 and a ticket to the Olympic Games.
In the afternoon, USA won the Bronze by beating Mexico 9-1.
In the final match Uruguay was able to stop Argentina, during the first period. But, Santiago Capurro’s team showed their supremacy and physical power when they opened the score in the second period. The game ended 4-0 in favor of Argentina closing the Hockey 5s competition at the Pan American Youth Championship held at the Carrasco Polo Club, in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The Awards were for Julianna Tornetta (USA), the Player of the Tournament. Michelle Ugalde (MEX), GK of the Tournament and Austin Cuneo (USA) Top Scorer.
USA was awarded for their Fair Play.
Pan American Hockey Federation
East Grinstead claim 5th spot
By Mike Haymonds
EAST GRINSTEAD men beat the French club Valenciennes 5-4 in their final game to clinch fifth place at the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup at the K2 Arena in Crawley.
They had already retained their place in the top flight overnight after beating Kolos-Sekvoya from the Ukraine 4-3 in their penultimate match.
They narrowly missed a semi-final spot after earlier defeats by the Russians Dinamo Ekaterinburg (3-2) and Racing Club of Brussels (6-5) and a 6-2 win over the Swedes Partille.
EG were always in control against the French after Mark Pearn gave them a 2-0 half time lead. Pearn completed his hat-trick and further strikes by Simon Faulkner and David Condon clinched victory before Valenciennes scored three late goals.
EG's manager Matt Jones said: "Our first aim was to stay up and we focused on delivering our best possible performance.
"The secondary aim was to win a medal as we believed we could be competitive.
"But the margin between wins and defeat at European level are small and we fell short against the Russians and Belgians
In the final the Germans Harvestehuder beat the Russians Dinamo Ekaterinburg 10-4 to clinch the 21st title for German clubs in 25 appearances.
Daily Express
Grove Menzieshill finish third in Euro competition
Grove Menzieshill narrowly missed out on second place in the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy after losing 8-6 against Swiss outfit HC Rotweiss Wettingen.
The Dundonians need a sizeable win against HC Rotweiss Wettigen to finish second in the competition after eventual winners SV Arminen defeated HAHK Mladost 10-5 earlier in the day.
Despite a fantastic second half comeback from Chris Anderson’s side, coming from 6-2 behind to level the scores at 6-6 on one stage, their Swiss opponents pulled away toward the end of the second half to run out 8-6 winners in the end.
The Dundonians need a sizeable win against the Swiss champions to finish runners-up in the competition after eventual winners SV Arminen defeated HAHK Mladost 10-5 earlier in the day.
The Taysiders were on level terms at 2-2 at half-time, following goals from Ross McPherson and Chris Wilson.
However, a quick-fire hat-trick from Nicolas Steffen and a Manuel Keller strike put Rotweiss Wettingen in commanding 6-2 lead.
Despite a fantastic comeback from Chris Anderson’s side, including a double from Josh Cairns, and further goals for McPherson and Wilson, to level the scores at 6-6, Christian Angst and Keller scored another two for the Austrian champions in the last five minutes to ensure it was they who secured second place and promotion to next season's Champions Cup.
Please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy website for results and final standings.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Mumbai Magicians conjure up a win
Nandakumar Marar
Mumbai Magicians got its act together in its ninth and penultimate game in the Hero Hockey India League resulting in a 3-2 win over Kalinga Lancers on Sunday.
Captain Glenn Turner was inspirational upfront as usual, and his teammates respondend. Turner’s pace and physical play, and his drive to chase down passes and confidence to forage alone with control and quick change of direction which troubled the Kalinga defence earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.
The Aussie set the tone with a 17th minute field goal. After the ball rebounded off the custodian from his first attempt, he trapped again, made space and shot home.
Mumbai kept creating chances in the second quarter but could not make the final pass. Penalty corners were created, but Harjot Singh stood firm under the bar.
Finally, Mark Gleghorne converted the side’s fourth corner in the 33rd minute, dragging the ball high into the net.
Mumbai forwards put pressure on the Kalinga defence by closing in on the man with the ball. The visitors struggled to knit together enough passes and frequently lost possession.
Then, in the 43rd minute Devinder Walmiki got space and time on the left flank to relay the ball across to the right for Mohd Nizamuddin, who took advantage of a shifting defence and finish off the move with a sideways flick to open the account for the visitors.
Mumbai’s third goal came in the 57th minute thanks to Ravi Pal’s quick thinking at the left post. Sarvanjit scooped the ball sideways for the unmarked Ravi to stoop and scoop high into the net.
Kalinga fought back, and Lucas Villa caught the defence napping with a first-time deflection in the very next minute, but the fight ended there.
The result: Mumbai Magicians 3 (Glenn Turner 17, Mark Gleghorne 33, Ravi Pal 57) bt Kalinga Lancers 2 (Mohd Nizamuddin 43 Lucas Villa 58).
The Hindu
Mumbai register 1st win
Sudheendra Tripathi
MUMBAI: Mumbai Magicians' marquee player, skipper Glenn Turner, obviously has a subtle sense of humour. Asked to sum up their performance in the league, the Australian said: "We made some of the rival goalkeepers look absolutely brilliant."
Sunday was the first time this season that Magicians registered a win. They defeated Kalinga Lancers 3-2 at the Mahindra Stadium on Sunday, their penultimate match of the league. Last season they had only one win, this season they did one better, they even managed a draw!
Turner who opened the scoring for Magicians was, however, not pulling any punches when he said: "We have played well throughout but the results were eluding us. Our finishing has been a bit shaky and coupled with a few defensive lapses we are placed today where we are."
Mark Gleghorn converted a short corner to close the second half with a 2-0 cushion but after the change of ends, Mohammed Nizamudddin pulled one back for the Lancers with a crisp reverse hit. Ravipal Singh then found the target for Mumbai after being brilliantly set-up by teammate VS Vinaya. Lucas Villa scored one more for Lancers but the Magicians gingerly closed out the final minutes of the contest.
The Times of India
Finally, Mumbai work their magic
Adit Ganguly
Salman Ansari DNA
Their fate was sealed. There was no way they could make the last-four stage. All Mumbai Magicians and Kalinga Lancers were left with was pride. After seven defeats and a draw this season, Magicians rose to the occasion to register their first win of the tournament. Their 3-2 win over Lancers ended a run of 12 winless games stretching back to last season.
It was evident that Lancers would enjoy majority of the possession. Not that it bothered the Mumbai players who were happy to soak up the pressure and hit Kalinga on the counter. The fervent crowd did Mumbai's confidence a world of good and they took the lead at the fag end of the first quarter with skipper Glenn Turner quick to react to a rebound.
That strike worked wonders for Mumbai. Suddenly, they were making constant runs from the deep. It was a case of 'role-reversal: Lancers were chasing the ball now. But they kept their calm and goalkeeper David Harte provided an example of his blocking skills when he stopped one off Vikas Sharma.
Mumbai were desperate to score again and, after squandering two penalty corners, they finally converted the third to go 2-0 up. Mark Gleghorne it was who scored in the 33rd minute. It stayed like that at the halfway mark.
Mumbai's high-intensity pressing game seemed to take a toll on their players and the side lost possession on several occasions in the third quarter. Kalinga were quick to take advantage and Mohammad Nizamuddin pulled one back for his side in the 43rd minute.
But Mumbai regained their composure and restored their two-goal advantage through Ravi Pal who was at the right place at the right time to kneel and scoop the ball into the net in the 57th minute. But Mumbai's joy was short-lived with Lucas Villa scoring just a minute later. The last 12 minutes were nervy for Mumbai and their fans. But they hung in there to finish the season with a win.
Stopwatch: Mumbai Magicians 3 (G Turner 17, M Gleghorne 33, R Singh 57) beat Kalinga Lancers 2 (M Nizamuddin 43, L Villa 58)
DNA
Mumbai Magicians open account with 3-2 win in HIL
MUMBAI: Mumbai Magicians broke their winless streak by defeating Kalinga Lancers 3-2 in the second edition of the Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) at the Mumbai Hockey Association Stadium on Sunday.
It was the Magicians' maiden win this season and it came after eight matches and after 12 games in the Hockey India League.
It was the clash between the bottom-placed teams of the league and both were guilty of squandering chances, despite a goal being scored in each quarter.
The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute through a field goal when captain Glenn Turner pushed the ball on the rebound.
The M K Kaushik-coached side surged ahead when Mark Gleghorne, who took the flick, found the right side of the net in the 33 minute to convert the penalty corner with ease.
The debutants however reduced the margin in the 43 minute with a field goal from Mohammed Nizammudin.
Mumbai restored the lead in the 57th minute when Ravipal Singh combined with Sarvanjit Singh to make it 3-1.
However, the Terry Walsh-coached Lancers struck back a minute later through a field goal from Lucas Vila to keep the goal deficit to one.
The win gave Magicians, who played their last home tie, five points and took their tally to 13 points from nine games, while the Lancers pocketed a point to be at the fifth position with 17 points in 10 games.
The Mumbai Magicians will next play Uttar Pradesh Wizards on February 18 in Lucknow, while this was Kalinga Lancers' last match this season.
The Times of India
Warriors bulldoze Rhinos
Punjab team just 4 points away from top-ranked Delhi Waveriders
Indervir Grewal
Mumbai Magicians finally broke their winless streak by beating Kalinga Lancers 3-2 at the Mumbai Hockey Association Stadium on Sunday. Tribune photo
Mohali - Punjab Warriors played like true title contenders as they beat Ranchi Rhinos 4-2 in the Hockey India League. SV Sunil, Mark Knowles, Sandeep Singh and Kieran Govers scored help the Warriors record a convincing win in their last home match. Amit Rohidas and Justin Reid Ross scored for the visitors.
After a few minutes of fast unsettled play, Ranchi took control dominating possession. Punjab sat back playing on the counter. Ranchi almost scored in the first five minutes but Sandeep flicked out a high deflection, off Jaap Stockmann’s pads, that looked like going in.
Punjab quickly changed tactics and started defending high with their players swarming the opponent with the ball. It resulted in a couple of chances but no goal. Jake Whetton’s try went wide and later his deflection went over the top.
The momentum shifted but only slightly. After a few half chances for both the teams, the Warriors, who were still searching for fast-breaks, were rewarded for their constant pressure.
Sunil intercepted a pass at the 25 yard line and sped into the circle. A heavy touch took the ball wide to the right, tightening the angle, but his perfect wrong-foot strike sneaked into the far corner.
For the next five to ten minutes – the end of the first quarter and start of the second – the home side dominated and should have extended the lead. Whetton and Affan Yousuf were guilty of delaying the final try.
Most of the second quarter, though, was all about the Rhinos. They dominated possession, created more chances and scored two goals — both through penalty corners. Rohidas beat Stockmann low to the right. And then Ross beat the Dutchman for pace, firing the drag-flick left into the net. Stockmann on the whole was indomitable on the day, pulling off crucial saves. Despite a minimal time on the ball, the Warriors found the equalizer, just before the halftime.
Magicians break the jinx
Mumbai Magicians broke their winless streak by defeating Kalinga Lancers 3-2.
The Tribune
Warriors beat Rhinos 4-2 to consolidate their position in HIL
MOHALI: Jaypee Punjab Warriors defeated defending champions Ranchi Rhinos 4-2 in their penultimate league match to consolidate their second position in the Hero Hockey India League, here today.
SV Sunil opened the scoring for Warriors in the 17th minute of the match with a field strike that beat Rhinos goalie Sushant Tirkey all ends up.
The hosts continued to control the proceedings in the second quarter but the Ranchi Rhinos restored parity through Amit Rohidas who converted his side's first penalty corner in the 23rd minute.
The equalizer seemed to have pumped the Rhinos as they surged ahead in the 29th minute through Justin Reid Ross, who scored from the visitor's second set piece.
The Warriors levelled the scores a minute before the half time when they were awarded a penalty stroke for Pradhan Somanna's obstruction inside the circle, which was perfectly executed by captain Mark Knowles (34th minute).
The hosts earned their first penalty corner in the 49th minute but ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh's flick was kept away by an alert Tirkey in Rhinos' goal.
Punjab Warriors secured two penalty corners in succession at the start of the fourth and final quarter but Jake Whetton's first attempt was saved by Tirkey before Sandeep (55th minute) steeped forward to convert the next set piece.
Six minutes later, Australian Kieran Govers (61st minute) made the scoreline 4-2 by converting another penalty corner to seal the match in his side's favour.
Punjab Warriors and the Rhinos will face each other once again in Ranchi on February 19 to round off their league campaign.
The win gave Jaypee Punjab Warriors five points and took their tally to 35 points from nine game.
Ranchi Rhinos suffered their fourth defeat in the tournament and continued to occupy the fourth position in the standings with 24 points from nine matches.
The Times of India
Daly brace sinks Beeston
Surbiton celebrate
Matt Daly scored twice as Surbiton inflicted a second loss of the season on NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division leaders Beeston on Sunday.
Michael Watt gave Surbiton the lead six minutes in, and Daly added his two goals just before the break to make it 3-0 at the end of the first half.
Beeston hit back through Sam Ward early in the second half and Richard Lawrence scored on 50 minutes, but Surbiton held on to take victory.
Wimbledon also pulled off a big win in their quest to secure a top four spot. Phil Ball scored in the first minute as they beat second-placed Reading 2-1. Phil Roper got the other Wimbledon goal and it was Jonty Clarke with the consolation for hosts Reading.
The game between Canterbury and Cannock began tamely enough with goals from David Beckett and Kwan Browne making the score 1-1 at the break.
But the second half exploded into life with goals flying in for both teams. When the dust had settled, it was Cannock who emerged victorious with Nick Bandurak’s 66th minute strike tipping a 6-5 score line in their favour.
In the other Premier Division tie, Sheffield Hallam secured only the second win of their campaign with a 4-3 victory over Loughborough Students.
David Goodfield’s late goal proved to be the winner and although they are bottom of the table on goal difference, Hallam are now level on points with both Loughborough Students and Cannock.
Brooklands Manchester University came through a fiery contest to take a 3-1 win over Belper and stay top of the NOW: Pensions Conference North. Both sides had a penalty stroke saved in a thrilling game.
Holcombe hold their lead at the top of the NOW: Pensions Conference East after beating Teddington 3-2 although Southgate are still level on points.
In the NOW: Pensions Conference West, Indian Gymkhana manage to stay top after beating Team Bath Buccaneers last week. Their latest victory was a 3-1 beating of Havant. Jagdeep Gill led the scoring with a brace.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League (Sunday, February 16 2014):
NOW: Pensions Premier Division: Canterbury 6, Cannock 5; Sheffield Hallam 4, Loughborough Students 3; Surbiton 3, Beeston 2; Reading 1, Wimbledon 2.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference East: Oxted 3, Cambridge City 2; Bromley and Beckenham 2, Old Loughtonians 3; Richmond 1, Southgate 4; St Albans 0, Brighton and Hove 2; Holcombe 3, Teddington 2.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference North: West Bridgford 1, Deeside Ramblers 5; Brooklands Manchester University 3, Belper 1; Leek 1, University of Durham 1; Wakefield 2, Olton and West Warwickshire 3; Khalsa 0, Bowdon 3.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference West: University of Birmingham 0; Cardiff and Met 2; Isca 3, Guildford 2; Team Bath Buccaneers 2, University of Exeter 1; Fareham 0, Cheltenham 2; Indian Gymkhana 3, Havant 1.
England Hockey Board Media release
Whittington gives Oilmen solid start
...Tariq scored 14 in 37-0 mauling
Atiba Whittingting netted a pair of first-half goals as four-time reigning champions Petrotrin flicked off its defence of the T&T Hockey Board Men’s Championship Division crown with a 4-2 triumph over Courts Malvern at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua on Saturday night.
Whittington opened the scoring in the eight minute while team-mate Triston Grant made it 2-0 in the 14th before Jadel Poon-Lewis pulled a goal back for Malvern three minutes later followed by a Tariq Marcano 23rd minute item to stun the Oilmen and level the contest.
However, Whittington ensured his team would go into the half-time interval ahead when he scored in the 25th minute to set up an interesting second-half.
The second-half never reached the heights of the first, with Evan Farrell scoring the lone goal, in the 69th minute to seal a 4-2 win for the Oilmen, who are chasing an unprecedented fifth straight crown.
Last year’s runner-up, Paragon stumbled in its opener, going under to Fatima 2-1 despite taking a 26th minute lead through Kiel Murray.
In the second-half it was all Fatima as Dev Lum Kit first drew his team level in the 47th before Ryan Daniel snatched the winner in the 61st minute.
In the Women’s Championship Division, Shandy Carib Magnolias signalled its intention to unseat Notre Dame as champions with a 5-0 thrashing of long-time rival, Ventures.
Results
Friday
Trinity Men:
Notre Dame 4 (Kenny Kansinay 6th, Nigel Beharrysingh 14th, Lorenzo Lodai 26th, Dillon Campbell 57th) vs Paragon 2 (Gerron Frank 42nd, Keston Paul 57th)
Saturday
Under-19 Boys:
Malvern 37 (Tariq Marcano 15th, 22nd, 23rd, 31st, 33rd, 38th, 40th, 46th, 47th, 47th, 51st, 55th, 56th, 57th, Teague Marcano 10th, 13th, 19th, 25th, 27th, 32nd, 35th, 53rd, Jadel Poon-Lewis 8th, 17th, 36th, 41st, 49th, 54th, Jovan Wren 3rd, 3rd, 18th, 40th, 44th, 59th, Aidan Marcano 2nd, 7th, Kristien Emmanuel 20th) vs Raiders 0
Trinity Men:
QPCC 5 (Raphael Govia 47th, 67th, Mark Ayen 16th, Dominic Young 58th, Gary Chin 65th) vs Shape 2 (Leroy Sookdeo 42nd, Lyndell Byer 63rd)
Championship Women:
Magnolias 5 (Brittany Hingh 10th, 29th, Brianna Govia 12th, 42nd, Mika Ella Tang 8th) vs Ventures 0
Championship Men:
Petrotrin 4 (Atiba Whittington 8th, 25th, Triston Grant 14th, Evan Farrell 69th) vs Malvern 2 (Jadel Poon-Lewis 17th, Tariq Marcano 23rd)
Fatima 2 (Dev Lum Kit 47th, Ryan Daniel 61st) vs Paragon 1 (Kiel Murray 26th)
The Trinidad Guardian
It will be a scramble for six
By Jugjet Singh
IT will be a tough battle for six teams after the draw for the playoff of the Milo Cup was made at the National Hockey Stadium following the completion of the league stages of the Milo Junior Hockey League.
The top two teams in each of the Second Division pools qualified to play in the second round where the top four teams will not only play in the overall championships but also gain promotion to Division One for next season.
In Group X is Nur Isafi, Olak-PKT and Bukit Jalil Sports School while Group Y comprises MS Pahang, Bakat-MSS Kelantan and Politeknik KPM. All matches will played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Feb 20-23.
From the look of things, Group X is tougher given the stature of the teams placed in it.
"It is a tough draw as only two teams will make the cut for the quarter-finals. We have drawn the short straw as both Olak and Nur Insafi are good teams and have shown their ability by topping their respective pools in Division Two," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
For Olak-PKT manager Joseph de Silva, there are no favourite teams in the second round.
"We need to win to qualify and that is what we intend to do. It does not matter who we play as all teams that made the cut for the second round deserve to be there. So there is no such thing as favourites and the matches are there to be won," said Joseph.
Meanwhile, in the final Division One match, UniKL beat Anderson 2-0 with goals from Shafirul Aqmar M. Saiful (38th minute) and Zulhaziq Hashim (68th).
The win means Malacca High School took the last available spot from Division One to move into the quarter-finals for the overall battle for the Milo Cup.
In other matches, PH Kota Star SMK crashed 5-1 to Syed Hassan while 1MAS Penang beat Matri4-3. MSSD Larut Matang Akademi were held 1-1 by Felda Temerloh while BJSS Juniors thrashed SM Sain Johor 6-0.
Play-off draw -- Group X: Nur Insafi, Olak-PKT, Bukit Jalil Sports School; Group Y: Politeknik KPM, Bakat-MSS Kelantan, MS Pahang Juniors.
Matches will be played at Bukit Jalil Stadium on Feb 20-23. The top two teams from each pool will join SSTMI Thunderbolts, UniKL Young Guns, Petaling Jaya City Council and Malacca High School in quarter-finals of Milo Cup.
ROLL OF HONOUR -- Division One, Champions: SSTMI Thunderbolts (RM15,000); Runners-up: UniKL Young Guns (RM10,000); 3rd: Petaling Jaya City Council (RM8,000); 4th: Malacca High School (RM7,000).
Division Two A, Champions: Nur Insafi (RM5,000); Runners-up: Bakat-MSS Kelanatan (RM3,000)
Division Two B, Champions: Olak-PKT (RM5,000); Runners-up: MS Pahang Juniors (RM3,000)
Division Two C, Champions: Politeknik KPM (RM5,000); Runners-up: Bukit Jalil Sports School (RM3,000).
New Straits Times
MJHL goes into the business end
By S. Ramaguru
Nor Azrul Abd Rahman (right) of UniKL and Mohd Nur Azlan Azman of Abderson battle for the ball during their Malaysian Junior Hockey League match in Bukit Jalil on Sunday. UniKL won 2-0. ROHAIZAT MT DERUS / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) ended their Division One fixtures on a winning note after beating Anderson 2-0 in a MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Sunday’s win allowed Malacca High School to sneak into the knockout stage on goal difference.
The Malacca team were level on five points with KLSS-KLHC but go through with a better goal difference.
For UniKL, the match was just a formality as they had already done enough to clinch the runner-up spot in Division One.
SSTMI-Thunderbolt had wrapped up the title on Friday while the other team to have made it to the quarter-finals are third-placed Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
In Sunday’s match, UniKL scored both goals in the second half – through Shafirul Aqmar Saiful (38th minute) and Zulhaziq Hashim (68th).
UniKL team manager Mohamed Faiz Isa said that his boys were able to beat Anderson as there was no pressure on them, having already made the cut for the last eight.
Malacca High School, meanwhile, can thank Thunderbolt for their place in the quarter-finals.
Team manager R. Manogaran said that they didn’t think they had a chance before Friday as KLSS had a better goal difference.
But all that changed when Thunderbolt hammered KLSS 11-0 on Friday.
“The big win by Thunderbolt changed the scenario ... we’re just happy to have this second chance. Of course, the aim now is to get into the semi-finals,” said Manogaran.
In the draw for the Division Two second round playoffs, two former champions – Olak-PTK and Bukit Jalil Sports School – were placed in Group X with Nur Insafi. Group Y sees high-riding Politeknik Johor having Bakat MSSK and MSS Pahang for company.
The top four finishers in the playoffs will not only make the cut for the knockout stage but also be promoted to Division One next year.
The Division Two second round playoffs will be held from Thursday to Saturday.
The draw for the knockout stage will be made on Sunday.
The top four teams from Division One will be seeded. Only the teams from Division Two will face the draw.
The quarter-finals will be held on Feb 28 and all matches will be played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The Star of Malaysia
