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News 18 February 2014

All the news for Tuesday 18 February 2014


Milestones broken during three nation series for Womens National Team

CHULA VISTA, Cali. – The U.S. Women’s National Team closed out a two-week three nation series at the Olympic Training Center in California. Team USA contended against World Ranked Number 5 international squad New Zealand. Another beautiful day on the West Coast set the scene for a buzzer-beater match naming New Zealand as the victors 2-1.

The score remained in a gridlock until the 29th minute of play when New Zealand’s Olivia Merry netted a goal for the Black Sticks. The flow of the match continued with high intensity throughout the first portion leading into halftime with New Zealand controlling the scoreboard. In the second half, nice passing combinations down the left hand sideline of the field navigated the ball to Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) in the middle of the circle where she was able to slam a rocket into the right post for Team USA’s first goal in the 63rd minute. New Zealand was quick to respond in 70th minute off of penalty corner scored by Anita Punt. As emotion and energy ran high, players from both squads were tested mentally and physically. USA athletes Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg, Pa.) received a green card in the 22nd minute of play and Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) was given a yellow card in the 48th minute of the game. New Zealand athlete Gemma Flynn received a green card in the 61st minute. The USA applied ample pressure in the middle of the second half resulting in numerous New Zealand turnovers. The red, white and blue created play in their attack circle but they were near-miss opportunities. Today’s game also marked U.S. Women’s athlete Caroline Nichols' (Virginia Beach, Va.) prized 150th cap.

"Although today's result is disappointing the growth during the past two weeks has been very pleasing,” said Head Coach Craig Parnham. “This series of games was about providing players an opportunity in light of upcoming tournaments. It was great to see a number of players reach milestones this week, Michelle Kasold on Saturday and Caroline Nichols today reached 150 caps, and Ali McEvoy earned her first cap earlier in the week. We now look forward to Canada in March.”

The capped matches in Chula Vista, Cali. proved for fierce international competition for the United States. On Monday, February 10 the USA played Great Britain knotting a tie of 2-2. The next capped match for Team USA resulted in a 3-3 draw against opponent New Zealand. Again on Saturday, the USA met a similar outcome against the Black Sticks with a 2-2 finish.

USFHA media release



Thriller gives Black Sticks Women series win


Goalscorer Anita Punt in action

The Black Sticks Women have won today’s final game against the USA 2-1 giving them a series win against the host nation in San Diego.

The game which was described as ‘frantic’ by the Kiwi coaches, came down to the final whistle when the Black Sticks were awarded a penalty corner and Capital’s Anita Punt knocked it home to secure the series win after full time.

“It was the last test today, so it was always going to be a high tempo and very competitive match,” said head coach Mark Hager.

The Black Sticks were 1-0 up at half time thanks to Canterbury’s Olivia Merry converting a penalty corner. The USA were rewarded for their hard pressing 20 minutes into the second half, levelling the game through a field goal.

It was a very intense last ten minutes with opportunities at both ends of the field. The Black Sticks were fortunate to earn a penalty corner on the final whistle and it took a calm and composed Punt to drag flick it home and win the game.

“It has been a very hard fought series. We have to give the USA a lot of respect, they have certainly improved their game in the last twelve months. We knew from the start that the USA would be very challenging, so it is very pleasing to have a series win,” said Hager.

Captain Kayla Whitelock and newcomer Jordan Grant were stand out players today.

The Black Sticks Women now return home and will start preparing for the Hawke’s Bay Festival in Hastings from 5-13 April. For more information on the Hawke’s Bay Festival click here. As part of the Black Sticks Women’s build-up to the Festival, they will also play two official test matches in Taupo against China. For more information on these games, click here.

The Black Sticks Men’s next tournament is the summer series in Tauranga against Japan from 12-15 March. Click here to buy tickets.

RESULTS
Full time: 2-1 to Black Sticks
Half time: 1-0 to Black Sticks
New Zealand goal scorers: Olivia Merry, Anita Punt

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Punjab Warriors turn it around in final quarter

Uthra Ganesan


Punjab Warriors players celebrate a last quarter goal over Ranchi Rhinos during their Hockey India League match at the International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar   

Jaypee Punjab Warriors scripted a 4-2 win over defending champion Ranchi Rhinos and ended its home engagements on a high at the International Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

With the teams even in all departments, the host managed to turn it around in the last quarter in front of the biggest crowd seen here this season, converting two of the three penalty corners it earned. Warriors moved to 35 points and continued to be in the second spot while Rhinos remained fourth.

The regular attacks made it a contest of goalkeepers. While Sushant Tirkey did his best for the Rhinos, Jaap Stockmann came out winner, bringing out a series of saves to once again prove that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Warriors went ahead at the stroke of the first quarter when an unmarked S.V. Sunil got the ball at the 25-yard line and shot home from the top of the striking circle.

However, it was only in the second quarter that the contest came alive. In the 22nd minute, Rhinos earned the first penalty corner of the match and this was converted by Amit Rohidas to make it 1-1.

Five minutes later, Justin Reid Ross slotted home to make it 2-1 for Rhinos.

After Marc Salles missed a chance to widen the lead for Rhinos in the 32nd minute, Warriors struck immediately on the counter when Somanna rammed into Robert Hammond and conceded a penalty stroke.

Mark Knowles made no mistake and the teams were level 2-2 before Warriors went all out in the final quarter to emerge victorious.

The result:

Jaypee Punjab Warriors 4 (S.V. Sunil, Mark Knowles, Sandeep Singh, Kieran Govers) bt Ranchi Rhinos 2 (Amit Rohidas, Justin Reid Ross).

The Hindu



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



Wizards will have to keep Turner in check

Asheem Mukerji

Uttar Pradesh Wizards will start favourites against an out-of-form Mumbai Magicians when the two sides lock horns in their last round-robin match of the Hockey India League at the Dhyan Chand stadium on Tuesday.

The game will merely be of academic interest as the Wizards with 27 points have already qualified for the semifinals while the Mumbai side are out of the running with 13 points from nine matches.

A win here for the visitors would bring them fifth spot ahead of Kalinga Lancers in the six-team league. The MK Kaushik-coached team have had a dismal league and would be keen to add to their only win - against Kalinga Lancers in a battle between two cellar teams in Mumbai on Sunday.

The home side will also aim for a win to keep their morale high going into the knock-outs and know too well they will have to contain Glen Turner, the Australian spearhead-cum-playmaker with a penchant to convert half chances.

If Wizards keep him under control, it would be half the battle won. Another person who has proved his worth for the Magicians is Irish goalkeeper David Harte, the man to beat.

Roelant Oltmans, Wizards' coach, will want to iron out shortcomings before his team travels to Ranchi for the semifinals.

The Times of India



42 teams for Hockey India Senior Men National Championship

NEW DELHI: Forty-two teams will battle it out at the 4th edition of the Hockey India Senior Men National championship 2014, to be played in Lucknow from 27 February to 23 March.

The championship will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Lucknow.

This edition will see four new teams including Hockey Gangpur - Odisha, Vidarbha Hockey Association, Central Reserve Police Force and Food Corporation of India.

The Senior Men National Championship will be played in two phases -- Division A and B. There will be 20 teams competing in Division A, while Division B will see 22 teams. Division B of the championship will be played from 27 February to 13 March and Division A will be played from March 11 to 23.

The inaugural match of Division B will be played between Puducherry and Hockey Gangpur- Odisha in Pool C on February 27. The final match of Division B will be played on March 13.

In Division A, inaugural match will be played between Jharkhand and Bhopal on March 11 and the final will be played on March 23.

In the previous edition of the championship, Air India defeated Punjab 6-2.

Defending champions Air India are placed in Pool A along with Chandigarh, Services Sports Promotion Board, Association of Indian Universities and Andhra Pradesh under Division A, while Runners-up Punjab are placed in Pool B along with Manipur, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Sports Authority of India and Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

Considering the importance major tournaments like World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Champions Trophy, Hockey India selectors, Government observer and coaches will be watching the performance of all the players to select the probables for preparations of these tournaments.

The Times of India



David Condon shines for East Grinstead

By Mike Haymonds


David Condon was thrilled to see his side retain their top flight status David Condon was thrilled to see his side retain their top-flight status [GETTY]

DAVID CONDON had a major role in East Grinstead’s fifth place in Crawley at the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup which they hosted at the weekend.

The result ensured they retained their top-flight status.

Condon was the only member of the GB/England centralised training squad to play for East Grinstead with three of his teammates, Ashley Jackson, Iain Lewers and Mark Gleghorne, playing in the lucrative Hockey India League.

Condon, 22, was his team's second highest scorer with four goals, including a brace in a first win, 6-2, against the Partille, from Sweden, on the first day.

The centralised outdoor squad has gone through only conditioning and no stick work so far this year and, for Condon, the indoor season, which brought a sixth successive title for Grinstead at Wembley Arena at the start of the month, was a welcome activity.

Condon said: "Wembley was new for me and the tremendous atmosphere made it a great experience.

"For half of our club squad, Crawley was a first European appearance and we are not disappointed with the outcome.

"We hoped to get a medal as we believed we could be competitive. Our two reverses were by just one goal."

Canterbury's women regained top spot in the Investec League after a 2-0 win over Sutton Coldfield. Reading are second after beating Birmingham University 2-1.

Daily Express



Surbiton experience contrasting fortunes thanks to GB hockey training camp

Telegraph Sports rounds up the best hockey action from the NOW: Pensions Men's and Investec Women's Premier Divisions.

By Rod Gilmour


Tough outing: Sarah Page is challenged by Leicester's Emma Ross Photo: ADY KERRY

Surbiton 0 Leicester 2

Surbiton were knocked off top spot as Leicester retained their place in the play-off positions with a fine win on the road.

Surbiton felt the full force of Great Britain's training camp in San Diego with five regular players travelling, as opposed to Leicester’s two.

The sides drew 1-1 earlier in the season, but Leicester proved too strong this time as Vanessa Hawkins and Katie Long both struck for the visitors in the second-half on Saturday.

Twenty four hours later Surbiton atoned for league disappointment when they advanced to the semi-finals of the Investec Women’s Cup thanks to a 5-2 away win at Beeston.

Player of the week

Tina Cullen. The 43 year-old struck only goal for Bowdon Hightown against Beeston to keep play-off hopes alive

***

Men's round-up

Drama as Surbiton hold on to play-off spot

Surbiton 3 Beeston 2

Beeston might well look back on this defeat if they somehow fail to make April’s play-offs.

The Bees thought they had scored at the death before the umpire disallowed the goal and awarded a penalty corner, which Beeston missed.

The visitors were 3-0 down at half-time, thanks to Michael Watt’s sixth-minute opener and Matt Daly’s brace for Surbiton. Sam Ward and Richard Lawrence hit back but Surbiton held on for the last 20 minutes.

Quote of the day

"Not finishing the game off caused some tense moments but three points hots things up.”
Todd Williams, Surbiton coach

Elsewhere in the division…

Sheffield Hallam secured only the second win of the season with their 4-3 win. Dave Goodfield’s late winner left them bottom but on goal difference with Loughborough Students and Cannock. There were nine second-half goals as Canterbury just held off Cannock 6-5. Meanwhile, Phil Roper scored Wimbledon’s decisive goal in their 2-1 win over Reading.

The Telegraph



Razie blow for national side

By Jugjet Singh   

MALAYSIA'S No 1 penalty corner flicker Razie Rahim might be out for nine months, putting a huge dent in coach K. Dharmaraj's plans for the World Cup and the Asian Games.

Razie, a defender, dislocated his shoulder while playing in the Hockey India League and is back home for either rehabilitation or surgery.

"I will be meeting (National Sports Institute CEO) Datuk Dr Ramlan (Aziz) for a clearer picture on Razie's injury. He might have to go for surgery, and I am worried if that happens, he will not be available for the World Cup," said Dharmaraj yesterday.

According to Dharmaraj, Dr Ramlan has assured him that Razie will be under his personal care, and if surgery is needed he will recommend stem-cell treatment which will result in speedier recovery.

The World Cup will be held at in the Netherlands from May 31-June 15.

It is certain, however, that Razie will not feature in the Azlan Shah Cup on March 13-23, as well as the Champions Challenge I in Kuantan on April 26-May 4.

"Razie is the best flicker Malaysia have now, and with his help there is hope of winning the Champions Challenge and qualifying for the Champions Trophy but it looks like I will have to rely on other flickers," said Dharmaraj.

It would be wise to start concentrating on Shahril Saabah and Faizal Saari to replace Razie, but the good news is that Razie should be back for the Asian Games, in Incheon, South Korea in the middle of September.

"I spoke to Baljit (Singh) who had gone for a similar shoulder surgery, and he told me it normally takes nine months to recover fully. Razie, being a flicker who uses the power of his shoulders to score, might need more time before he can get back to his old self.

"Anyway, George Koshy (team manager) and I will be meeting Dr Ramlan and if Razie needs surgery more than rehabilitation, I will start work on other flickers for direct as well as set-pieces," said Dharmaraj.

Malaysia are not expected to make waves at the World Cup, where they are the lowest ranked team at No 13. However, the country will need Razie for the Asian Games, which is a qualifier for the Olympics.

New Straits Times



Dhyan Chand deserves Bharat Ratna: Nana Patekar

GURGAON: Hockey legend Dhyan Chand should have been the first to get Bharat Ratna if it was to be given to a sportsman, Bollywood actor Nana Patekar said on Monday.

Nana Patekar was here to take part in the GV Mavlankar Open National Shooting Championship at the Central Reserve Police Force Academy at Kadarpur.

Sachin Tendulkar is the first Indian sportsman to be honoured with the country's highest civil award.

"Awards like Bharat Ranta should be given to those who have done a lot for the country but got nothing much in return. Major Dhyan Chand deserves it," Patekar said.

Players of modern times are playing more for money rather than for their county, he said.

Asked about "Padma Shri" awarded to him, the actor said: "I don't know and do not understand why it was given to me. I perform in Bollywood and get money for my work."

The Times of India



Indian hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay joins Aam Aadmi Party

Dhanraj Pillay became the third Indian hockey player to take a plunge into politics.



Former India skipper and hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay joined the political bandwagon of the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday, and is set to campaign for them across India.

Pillay now becomes the third Indian hockey player after Dilip Tirkey and Pargat Singh to enter politics. While Tirkey was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha in 2012, Pargat Singh was fielded by the Shiromani Akali Dal from the Jalandhar Cantt in the same year.

With a career spanning across three decades and the country's highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 1999-2000, Pillay is one of the biggest hockey icon in India. He went on to win the Padma Shri award in 2000 and was also the skipper of the side that won the Asian Games in 2002. In the same year, Pillay also won the player-of-the-tournament in the Champions Trophy in Germany.

NDTV Sports

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