News 18 April 2014
All the news for Friday 18 April 2014
Orchard, Whetton double up
Two goals each from Orchard & Whetton help Kookaburra to 4-1 win over Kiwis
Photo: Daniel Carson, DC Images
Double strikes from Simon Orchard and Jake Whetton earned the Kookaburras a resounding 4-1 win over rivals the New Zealand Black Sticks in Perth on Thursday night.
A late brace from Whetton was no less than he or the Kookaburras deserved after first half goals from New South Wales’ Orchard, whose terrific solo effort just before half time gave the Kookaburras valuable breathing space at 2-0. Whetton’s first was a superb tomahawk strike from the narrowest of angles after rounding the Kiwi goalkeeper Hamish McGregor while his second was a simple finish at the back post after excellent set-up play by Russell Ford on his 150th appearance.
Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth was pleased with the result but felt his side might have been further ahead had they capitalised on more of their chances. Speaking afterwards, he said, “It was a tough encounter and a pretty competitive one. New Zealand are on their way to the Champions Challenge in Malaysia and have what I think is their strongest team here. There was a spell at the start of the second half when we were quite dominant but we didn’t put them away.”
Despite a dominant opening spell, the Kookaburras came close to falling behind early on when goalkeeper Andrew Charter had to look smart to save in front of his goalmouth. Having survived the scare, the Kookaburras’ attacking strength came to the fore minutes later as Rob Hammond found Simon Orchard on the cut-back and Orchard fired home through the legs of the goalkeeper Devon Manchester.
The Kookaburras’ advantage was doubled on the stroke of half time through Orchard’s second as he latched on to Whetton’s redirection of Joel Carroll’s long pass. Rounding the goalkeeper, the 27 year old from Maitland still had plenty to do as he withstood last ditch challenges to flick the ball home.
Trent Mitton, Whetton, Orchard and Hammond all had opportunities to extend the Australian lead early in the second half but the visitors halved the deficit with just under 20 minutes remaining. Experienced Black Sticks man Shea McAleese finished off a flowing passing move to pull the score back to 2-1.
With ten minutes remaining and New Zealand pushing for an equaliser a lightning quick Kookaburras break was finished emphatically by Queenslander Whetton to put the result beyond doubt. Three minutes later Whetton had his second – the Kookaburras’ fourth – after Russell Ford’s pass across goal found him with pinpoint accuracy leaving Whetton with a simple finish for his 23rd international goal.
The Kookaburras and New Zealand Black Sticks meet again in the second and final Test in Perth on Saturday evening, 7pm AWST / 9pm AEST. The match will be live streamed via the Hockey Australia website at hockey.org.au.
Test Series
Match 1 of 2
Perth Hockey Stadium
KOOKABURRAS 4 (2)
Simon Orchard 14, 35 (F, F)
Jacob Whetton 61, 64 (F, F)
NEW ZEALAND BLACKSTICKS 1 (0)
Shea McAleese 51 (F)
Kookaburras team v New Zealand
Started
Joel Carroll (Darwin, NT) 97/2
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT) 61/0
Matt Gohdes (Rockhampton, QLD) 86/25
Kieran Govers (Wollongong, NSW) 84/40
Rob Hammond (Townsville, QLD) 246/28
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 7/3
Mark Knowles (Rockhampton, QLD) 231/19
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA) 55/17
Simon Orchard (Maitland, NSW) 141/46
Glenn Simpson (Melbourne, VIC) 106/20
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW) 28/2
Used Substitutes
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD) 27/7
Kiel Brown (Toowoomba, QLD) 145/4
Russell Ford (Melbourne, VIC) 150/72
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA) 21/0
Matthew Swann (Mackay, QLD) 98/5
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD) 53/23
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA) 27/3
Hockey Australia media release
Black Sticks outgunned late by Australia
Photo: Daniel Carson, DC Images
Two goals in two minutes has seen the Black Sticks go down 1-4 against Australia in the first of two tests at the Perth Hockey Centre.
Behind 2-0 at halftime, the Black Sticks played a much improved second half and were threatening to level the score before back-to-back goals from Jacob Whetton in the final minutes snatched the game out of reach.
It was a trans-Tasman clash much closer than the scoreline suggested with experienced midfielder Shea McAleese scoring the lone goal of the night for New Zealand.
Head coach Colin Batch said he was pleased with many parts of his side’s performance against the world’s number one ranked team.
“We’re not happy with the result but there were certainly a lot of positives to come out of tonight’s game,” Batch said.
“I was very pleased with how we stood tough and defended early in the first half under pressure. Australia is a high quality side and they play at a very high intensity which we matched for large parts of the game.
“It was frustrating to concede a goal right on halftime which put us on the back foot, but we played some good hockey in the second half and created opportunities and scored an excellent field goal.”
Australia opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Simon Orchard pounced on a loose ball in front of goal and slipped a shot past Manchester’s left foot.
The Black Sticks showed some flashes of brilliance late in the first half and Stephen Jenness almost scored one for the highlight reel, popping up a ball for a mid-air spin and hit which went narrowly wide of goal.
Just 30 seconds out from halftime though, it was Orchard in the action again with a skilful run splitting defenders Dean Couzins and Andy Hayward which created an open shot to put the Kookaburras up 2-0.
The Black Sticks lifted the intensity coming out of the break and looked far more dangerous and composed on the ball.
Midway through the half McAleese pulled one back for the Kiwis with a quick one-two pass on the run beating the goalkeeper to set up a straightforward tap into goal.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock Whetton pulled the game out of reach by scoring two goals in two minutes to seal the result for Australia.
The Black Sticks play the Kookaburras again on Saturday night at 11pm (NZ time) before travelling to Kuantan, Malaysia for the Champions Challenge from 26 April - 4 May.
The second test against Australia will be live streamed on the Hockey Australia website
CLICK HERE for more information on the Champions Challenge
BLACK STICKS 1: (Shea McAleese)
AUSTRALIA 4: (Simon Orchard 2, Jacob Whetton 2)
HALFTIME: Australia 2-0
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Dean Couzins set to join exclusive 300 club
Black Sticks Men’s captain Dean Couzins will play his 300th test in tomorrow’s rematch against Australia in Perth.
He will become just the second New Zealander in history to reach the milestone, with team-mate Phil Burrows the only other player over 300 tests.
Following his debut in 2001, Couzins has become a pillar of the Black Sticks’ defence and is the on-field general for the current squad.
Couzins said it is a huge honour to make it to 300 tests for New Zealand, and the achievement will be extra special against old rivals Australia.
“I’m really looking forward to the occasion, as well as an improved performance after last night’s loss,” he said.
“It’s a real honour to join Phil on 300, and pretty appropriate that it will come against Australia. They’re a tough opponent but always play in the right spirit.”
Couzins’ 300th test will come against the Kookaburras tomorrow night at 11pm (NZ time).
The team will then travel to Kuantan, Malaysia for the Champions Challenge from 26 April - 4 May.
Tomorrow’s second test against Australia will be live streamed on the Hockey Australia website
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Black Sticks men fall to Australia 4-1 in Perth
Two goals inside the final 10 minutes lifted world No 1 Australia to a comfortable 4-1 victory in the first of two Trans-Tasman men's hockey tests in Perth last night.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the Black Sticks produced a much improved second half but a double by Jacob Whetton snuffed out any chance of a comeback by the Kiwis.
Veteran midfielder Shea McAleese pulled a goal back midway through the spell to give the Black Sticks hope at the Perth Hockey Centre after Simon Orchard struck twice in a dominant opening half for the Kookaburras.
Orchard scored in the 15th minute and 30 seconds before the break while crucially the Black Sticks were unable to capitalise on their few scoring opportunities.
Despite the margin blowing out late in the contest, Black Sticks coach Colin Batch was upbeat ahead of Saturday's second test.
"We're not happy with the result but there were certainly a lot of positives to come out of tonight's game," he said.
"I was very pleased with how we stood tough and defended early in the first half under pressure. Australia is a high quality side and they play at a very high intensity which we matched for large parts of the game.
"It was frustrating to concede a goal right on halftime which put us on the back foot, but we played some good hockey in the second half and created opportunities and scored an excellent field goal."
After the second test the Black Sticks travel to Malaysia for the Champions Challenge which takes places in Kuantan between April 26 to May 4.
Australia 4 (Simon Orchard 2, Jacob Whetton 2) New Zealand 1 (Shea McAleese)
Stuff
Ahmad Kazamirul converts two penalties in 5-2 win
By Aftar Singh
Malaysia's Izwan Firdaus fights for the ball with China's Du Talake during their friendly match at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil, on April 17, 2014. – Glenn Guan / THE STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia twice came back from a goal down to outplay the hard-hitting Chinese team 5-2 in their fourth friendly match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
It was Malaysia’s third win in the six-match series. They won the first match (2-1) last Sunday, drew their second match (4-4) on Monday and registered an impressive 6-1 win in the third match on Wednesday.
Former German defender Kevin Lim played his first match against China on Thursday.
He did well to marshal the defence along with Faiz Helmi Jali, Mohd Izad Hakimi and G. Kavin Kartik.
Malaysia scored through Ahmad Kazamirul Nasrudduin (18th, 46th), Mohd Shahril Saabah (58th, 60th) and Mohd Firhan Ashaari (67th) while China got their goals through Du Chen (ninth) and Du Talake (33rd).
The 26-year-old Ahmad Kazamirul was satisfied with his penalty corner conversion rate in the friendlies.
“I played in three of the four friendlies and did well to score three goals from seven penalty corners.
“If I keep it up in the next two friendlies, I believe I have a chance to earn a place in the Champions Challenge I tournament in Kuantan (from April 26-May 4),” said the Kuantan-born player.
Malaysia will play their fifth friendly against China on Saturday at 8am at the same venue. Their sixth and last friendly will be played on Sunday, also at the same time and venue.
The Star of Malaysia
Ireland narrowly beaten by India in second test
Ireland played India tonight in the second of a triple header test series in UCD, in a match that finished 2-1 to India. The opening half was played at high tempo with little between the sides. India forced first PC of the game and from straight strike a deflection by Soundarya was lifted over McFerran which gave India the lead in 19m.. Two further PC's for India gave them a 2 goal lead this time Sunita Lakra finished at near post in the 21minute. Ireland almost got one backa few moments later when Pinder set up O Flanagan but her shot was just wide. Ireland got their just reward in 33m when Anna o Flanagan shot was diverted high into net by Evans. HT score Ireland 1-2 India
Ireland started the stronger in the second half with lovely play by Brown to set up Evans but her pull back with keeper beaten just evaded o Flanagan . Ireland dominated most of the half but Indian defence stood strong despite constant pressure from the green army.
Ireland’s third and final test takes place tomorrow night in UCD at 6.30 as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Champions Challenge I world ranking tournament.
Ireland (0) 1 India (2) 2
IRELAND TEAM
Emily Beatty (UCD)
Chloe Brown (Ards)
Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute)
Nicci Daly (Holcombe HC / Loreto)
Deirdre Duke (UCD)
Nikki Evans (UCD)
Megan Frazer – Captain (Holcombe HC / Ballymoney)
Emma Gray – GK (Hermes)
Michelle Harvey (Leuven / Pegasus)
Shirley McCay (Old Alex)
Ayeisha McFerran – GK (Randalstown)
Ali Meeke (Loreto)
Katie Mullan (UCD)
Anna O'Flanagan (UCD)
Audrey O'Flynn (Hermes)
Gillian Pinder (UCD)
Cliodhna Sargent - Vice Captain (Cork Harlequins)
Chloe Watkins (Club De Campo / UCD)
FINAL TEST MATCH
Friday 18th April Ireland v India 18.30 (UCD)
Irish Hockey Association media release
Mouth-watering quarter-final line-up complete
KO16, Eindhoven: At day two of the EHL four more clubs reached the K08. Real Club de Polo, Waterloo Ducks, Racing Club de Bruxelles and home favourites Oranje Zwart produced the goods on day two of the KO16 to earn their place in Friday's quarter-finals following another breath-taking day of action in Eindhoven. Yesterday, Club de Campo, Harvestehuder, Rotterdam and Dragons already advanced to the last eight of Europe's top club competition.
Polo opened up day two of the KO16 as they held Reading at bay 4-2 to progress to tomorrow's quarter-finals. Polo produced a superb first half performance to build a 3-0 lead via Roger Padros, David Alegre and Manel Terraza. Reading got a lifeline in the third quarter when Andy Watts scored and Nick Catlin made it even closer but with both sides serving suspensions and Reading withdrawing their goalkeeper, Xavi Lleonart managed to wriggle free down the left and roll home to make it 4-2 with 60 seconds to go and land victory.
Next up, Jeremy Gucasoff made a couple of brilliant saves to help Racing club de Bruxelles beat KTHC Rot Weiss Koln 3-2 on penalties after normal time had ended 2-2, pushing them through to Friday's KO8. Racing led the game twice in the first half, first via Anthony Versluys and subsequently from Thomas Vanneste to counter-act Marco Miltkau's 34th minute goal. Miltkau scored once again in the second half, though, to tie things up and send the game to penalties where the Belgian side prevailed.
The Belgian dominance continued in game three as the Waterloo Ducks became the third side from the country to reach the KO8 stage of the Euro Hockey League as they saw off Beeston 4-3 amid a stunning final quarter of four goals. Sam Ward's deflected effort had given the Bees a dream start with one of the quickest goals in EHL history after just 15 seconds.
But Nicolas Vandiest turned the tie on its head with two close range goals before Alexandre de Paeuw and Gilles Jacob made it 4-1 with five minutes to go. Beeston fought back brilliantly with Ward completing his hat-trick but they ran out of time and saw their hopes extinguished.
Oranje Zwart completed the KO8 line-up with a hard-fought victory over a well-structured and tough to break down Surbiton who made life very difficult but ultimately fought their way through 3-1. They ended the first half level at 1-1 but goals from Rob Reckers and Mink van der Weerden in the second half gave them the win.
What’s next?
Next on the agenda is the quarter-finals with some mouth-watering ties.
Club de Campo start off against Harvestehuder at 11.30am (CET), followed by the Belgian derby between Racing Bruxelles and Waterloo Ducks at 2pm. Rotterdam meet Dragons in game three and OZ face Real Club de Polo in the last game of the day.
Euro Hockey League media release
English bow out at the last-16 stage of the EuroHockey League
ALL three English men's teams crashed out at the last-16 stage of the EuroHockey League in Eindhoven, Holland, yesterday.
Beeston, the English champions, looked on course for an easy victory against Waterloo Ducks when Sam Ward scored after just 15 seconds.
But the Belgian side hit back with four unanswered goals, before Ward completed his hat-trick in the last five minutes to set up a nervy finale. Beeston, though, could not force an equaliser as they were edged out 4-3.
Reading found themselves 3-0 down at half-time against Real Club de Polo but rallied after the break with goals by Andy Watts and Nick Catlin. It was not enough, however, as the Spaniards advanced to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 win.
Surbiton were not expected to trouble home favourites Oranje Zwart but, after falling behind in the second minute, they shocked the hosts by levelling matters through Rob Moore.
Surbiton played superbly to keep it so close but the Dutchmen ended up prevailing 3-1.
England's sole representative in the women's EuroHockey Club Champions Cup, Reading, face German club Uhlenhorster in Den Bosch today.
Daily Express
‘It is important to expose India to more women’s hockey’
By Uthra Ganesan.
Neil Hawgood…“I would like to see more games at home because that's the big thing we are missing."
“It’s not really a matter where the players come from. If certain states or regions are producing them, it’s good. What is important is to have a deeper pool of players, not wider,” says Neil Hawgood, the Chief Coach of the Indian women’s hockey team.
The Indian women’s hockey team will be participating in the Champions Challenge I by the end of April in Glasgow, hoping to qualify for its maiden Champions Trophy in 2016. The Chief Coach, Neil Hawgood, though, says that improving the players’ game would be more important than the result itself. This will be India’s second outing in the tournament under Hawgood, having finished seventh from a field of eight teams in 2012. With the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games scheduled later this year, the coach speaks about his players, the new format and the level of domestic hockey in India.
Excerpts:
Question: The Champions Challenge will be the first big tournament for the team since the Asian Champions Trophy in November last. What are your expectations?
Answer: My hopes are that we actually play well because we haven’t played an international game in six months. The Asian Games will be the big-ticket event. That’s where we will see where we are in Asia. Actually, we are not that far from the top teams in the continent; we saw that at the Asia Cup and the Asian Champions Trophy last year. Fitness-wise, the girls are pretty good and getting better.
The last edition of the tournament was also your first in charge of the Indian team. How much and what has changed?
I think we have seen a lot of difference in the level of the athletes, a lot of improvement. We finished among the medals in three tournaments last year. We will now be playing a Test series with Ireland before the Champions Challenge. So yes, there have been developments but there is still a lot more to do.
What are your views on the new four quarters rule in international hockey?
Well, I am not too sure that the reason they came up with this rule is actually going to make hockey any more exciting. This format was first experimented in the early 1990s, when I was still playing. I have played this four quarters thing. I think the game at the international level is a little bit more tactical than it is at the Hockey India League or the European League, where it is more entertainment. I hope something does happen because hockey needs something to entertain people.
Were you surprised by the FIH decision to change the format?
Well, it would have been nicer to know the changes weeks ago, you could have tried it at more tournaments including at the domestic level. I read that New Zealand isn’t happy that it found out through the media and I think that’s wrong — the media telling associations about rule changes. The real adaptation has to be done by the coaches and it would have been nicer if we had been gradually eased into it.
A new direction… action from a match between Railways and Uttar Pradesh in the Hockey India Women’s National Championship in Bhopal recently. India’s Chief Coach is of the view that breaking the Nationals into two divisions is the right thing.
Do you think it will be a disadvantage given that it will be tested for the first time at an important event like the Asian Games?
Not really. See, with the kind of rotations we do and everything, some of the girls do end up playing quarter hockey format in the end — 12-15 minutes of play then a break. So technically, we are already doing it within the 70 minutes anyway. It’s just a matter of playing for 15 minutes and then you can talk about it. Tactically, yes, the game could end up being different in every quarter.
You have said that the National Championships are important for farming new talent. Did you see any at this year’s event?
I think breaking it into two divisions is the right thing. I have seen noticeable improvement in a lot of girls at the junior level. I think I have seen about 10 fresh faces, which is actually not a small number because you don’t really have that big a turnout in these squads at the Nationals.
The thing now is for the academies and states to catch up with those at the National level. I think there are about 60-70 athletes right now who are a lot better than the rest.
Will there be changes in the team based on what you have seen?
Yes, there will be a few changes, but they won’t be made now because it’s too late. I am not sure when, maybe after the CWG. If I get about 10 new faces in the camp, I will be happy because it’s a squad of 30 we are actually interested in. But that will be in the next 6-12 months. We will see how everyone goes in the next two tournaments.
What about the girls in the National team? How much have they improved?
Well, they have definitely improved in terms of fitness. But yes, I was disappointed in some of the decisions the girls made in recent games, considering we have spent two years working on them. It doesn’t matter what style of hockey you play, the team or its structure does change with different staff in domestic tournaments, but more in the girls themselves.
Can you give an example?
Individual problems — holding on too long, not letting go, avoiding one-touch passing — disappointed me. Some of the things they did, they can get away with in domestic competitions. If you do that in international competition, you are in big trouble.
Do you think it has to do with the mental aptitude that they are unable to switch between styles?
Not really. I think it has more to do with the coaching. Through the Nationals, I saw a lot of games with maybe one, two substitutions, in over 30 degrees heat. That doesn’t make sense to me. You got the bench and you got 70 minutes of hockey to play, so use your bench to play your best when you want it. I think we need a little more coach education than changing the girls.
One of your agenda was to expand the talent base, but we are still seeing a majority of players in the National team from traditional pockets only. What needs to be done?
It is always good to have a larger field to pluck players from. Having said that, it’s not really a matter where the players come from. If certain states or regions are producing them, it’s good. What is important is to have a deeper pool of players, not wider.
See, Australia has the same issue, but no one complains about it. Australia is one of the better teams in the world and most of its players have come from two states for years now, but that hasn’t affected the team’s performance.
What do you think needs to be done to promote women’s hockey in India?
Things are gradually changing. Maybe we will get about 35-40 international games in the next cycle. What I would like to see is more games at home because that’s the big thing we are missing. We are travelling all the time; we would like to invite teams to come and play here. It is important to expose the girls to more media and India to more women’s hockey.
Sportstar
‘Hockey is a sensible game’
“Talent is a must. Most of the teams do not have the talent. According to me, a talented player is one who has the ideas, one who thinks before receiving the ball. But now, the players think only after receiving the ball, thereby wasting much time,” says Ashok Kumar, the former India player and 1975 World Cup gold medal winner, in a chat with K. Keerthivasan.
The very mention of The Hindu brings a huge smile from Ashok Kumar. Lowering his spectacles, the 63-year-old former India hockey player who was part of the team that won the World Cup in 1975, says, “ The Goal, the autobiography of my father, Dhyan Chand, was serialised by Sport and Pastime (a sister publication of The Hindu ) in 1952. Who can forget it?”
While Dhyan Chand continues to be a great inspiration for even the current generation of players, his son, Ashok Kumar, is not far behind. Seeing him in the stands of the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, from where he was watching the action in the Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship, one realises that the superstar of the 1970s is still a revered figure. At regular intervals, a young player, or a coach, or an official goes over and touches Ashok Kumar’s feet to get his blessings.
As one who has watched a lot of matches, Ashok Kumar is not entirely happy with the juniors; he is of the view that they are not thinking hard enough about the game.
“Talent is a must,” he says. “Most of the teams do not have the talent. According to me, a talented player is one who has the ideas, one who thinks before receiving the ball. But now, the players think only after receiving the ball, thereby wasting much time.
“Hockey is a sensible game. Before receiving (a pass), one should know what to do. That is why preparation is important. Haryana and Punjab are talented sides, no doubt, but I am not sure about their players’ correct age.”
Ashok Kumar, who is the Technical Director and Advisor of the Madhya Pradesh State Hockey Academy, stresses that there should be a mandatory age verification process and surprise checks need to be made. “Hockey India should devise a foolproof method to stop the age fraud which has been going on for many years,” he says.
The Olympian is also annoyed by the poor quality of the pitch. “How can you play here? It is quite slippery and water logs here. This is not the right pitch for the Nationals,” Ashok Kumar rues.
All the negative emotions vanish the moment the talk veers round to his father, the iconic Dhyan Chand. “He was a reserved person. Since he was working with the Army, his way of showing affection was different. In fact, he didn’t show it. We were seven sons. He worked hard throughout his life and since he was away from the family throughout, we could hardly spend time with him. Only in the last two-three years, he was in Delhi. He was a very simple person,” Ashok Kumar says.
Was it a pleasure playing in Dhyan Chand’s giant shadow or did it entail pressure?
“In my days, he (Dhyan Chand) was the Chairman of the Selection Committee. That time, I had the feeling that my father was watching me and I have to prove my worth. I had some sense. I was fortunate to play with star players,” says Ashok Kumar, whose inspiration was Inam-ur-Rehman, a former India great.
Indian hockey has always been affected by politics and according to Ashok Kumar, he has seen first-hand how wrong selection has ruined players’ morale and affected the team as a whole. “(In) the Indian team of the 1960s, there was a lot of politics. I was young at that time, but could understand. Influential people got the nod to represent the country,” he says.
Recalling the Indian team bound for the 1968 Olympics, Ashok Kumar says, “Two captains were named for the 1968 Mexico Olympics — Gurbux Singh and Prithipal Singh. You can understand one set of players was with Gurbux and the other with Prithipal. We destroyed our quality by keeping talented players out of the team for no reason and bringing in bad players.
“We tried to raise our level in the 1970s, but again, the selection of the players was unfair and it affected the team’s performance.”
For Ashok Kumar, however, his dream was fulfilled when India won the gold medal at the 1975 World Cup.
The obsession for foreign coaches confounds him. “This sort of thing (foreign coaches are the solution for Indian hockey’s problems) I am hearing since 1994. For the last 5-6 years, foreign coaches have been there and it is not a short time. At this stage (the senior level) 1-2 years is sufficient to train the top players who have played nearly 100 internationals. It is for the players to perform; coaches must give the right advice as to what the players should do at the right time.
“Indian coaches are not inferior to foreign coaches. With the help of technology, Indian coaches, who are sensible, should make the difference. There are plenty of coaches who have lots of knowledge though they might not have the relevant certificates.”
If Indian hockey is to regain the spark it once had, a medal, either in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games (Glasgow), the Asian Games (Incheon, South Korea) or the World Cup (The Hague, Netherlands) is essential, says Ashok Kumar.
Sportstar
Taking control
Lisa Roach and John Wright will be centre stage at the Rabobank World Cup, but they'd rather no-one noticed them
They are the people who keep the game flowing; the men and women without whom there would be total chaos on the pitch. If they do a good job they are unobtrusive; if they make a mistake then all eyes are on them. Umpiring hockey at any level can be stressful, at an event that attracts a global audience such as the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, such pressure is at its most intense.
John Wright from South Africa and Australia's Lisa Roach are top international umpires. They agree the main qualities needed to become an international umpire are an in-depth knowledge of the rules, a high level of fitness, mental strength, consistency and a good understanding for what the game and teams are trying to achieve. Smiling wryly, John adds, "thick skinned!" to the list.
Lisa also points to the importance of developing a good relationship with the players. "I always try to understand what the players are trying to do on the field and work with my colleague to get best from the game and myself. Most would call me a player's umpire; someone who is empathetic towards players."
Both umpires have seen numerous changes to the rules and the way the game is now played. This can have an impact on umpires as much as it does players. The physical demand on an umpire's fitness has been made greater by the increasingly non-stop nature of the game. "The first major change was the removal of the off-side rule. That made the game quicker and the self pass has added another element of continuity and flow to the game," said John.
For John, being an umpire is all about making the game a great spectacle. He says: "It may sound odd, but we are all working together to take the game to the spectators and to make it the best experience for everyone, whether they are spectators, players or coaches."
Both umpires have experienced highs and lows in the their international careers. Lisa, who is one of the most experienced female umpires in the world, says: "I enjoy coaching fast, free flowing teams that really test you, but in terms of my career highs to date, hands down it is two special highlights – the last World Cup Final in Argentina and the Gold Medal match at the London Olympics." For John, the World Cup finals in Moenchengladbach and Delhi, and the Olympic final in Athens rank among his favourite events.
And when it comes to moments the umpires would most like to forget Lisa's worst moment was a ungraceful landing on her backside during the World League Finals in Tucaman, while John is quick to hold up his hands and admit his moment horribilus came during the the London Olympics when Spain met Great Britain in the quarter finals. A series of controversial decisions during the match meant he was surrounded by angry Spanish players when the whistle went.
For players who think a move into umpiring might be for them, John had this advice: "If you want something easy then you shouldn't choose umpiring. If you want to challenge yourself and make a valuable contribution to the game then umpiring will give you much satisfaction." Lisa added: "Listen to your umpire coaches. They can be your greatest support and can keep you motivated to keep achieving your goals. There can be an exciting pathway and umpiring career if you are prepared to take the journey."
FIH site
World Cup comes to London
by Dil Bahra
Umpires at the London World Cup 1986 Photo: Jean Danet (France)
In our series of the impact Sikhs have had at men’s hockey World Cups, we look at the fifth World Cup held in London in 1986.
The sixth Men’s Hockey World Cup was held at Willesden Stadium, London, England from 4 – 19 October 1986.
Twelve nations competed and were divided into two pools of six as follows:
Pool A: Netherlands, Pakistan, England, USSR, Argentina, New Zealand
Pool B: Australia, West Germany, Spain, India, Canada, Poland
Hardial Singh Kular of Kenya was appointed Assistant Technical Delegate for the London World Cup. He was also an Assistant Technical Delegate at Bombay World Cup in 1982 and a Judge at the Buenos Aires World Cup in 1978. Hardial was on the FIH Council since 1966 and a member of Hockey Rules Board since 1972. He was Kenya’s Coach at the Tokyo 1964 and Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.
Surjit Singh Bhullar of India was a Judge at the London World Cup.
Resham Singh Bains of Kenya was on the Umpires panel. Resham, a former Kenyan international was born in Bains village in Nawanshahr district in Punjab, India and emigrated to Kenya in 1955 at the age of 10. He played for Railway Gymkhana Nairobi and Sikh Union Nairobi. He earned his first international cap when he represented Kenya against Malawi in Dar-es-Salaam at the East African Championships in 1969. He played at the first World Cup in Barcelona in 1971 where Kenya finished fourth and also at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games. After retiring from playing he took up umpiring and earned his FIH Grade 1 badge in 1981.
India, who finished fifth at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, included four Sikhs in their team which was also coached by a Sikh. All four players were making their first appearance at a World Cup.
Pargat Singh Powar, a full back from Punjab was making his first appearance at a World Cup in London. Born in Mithapur, Punjab, Pargat studied and played for Lyallpur Khalsa College in Jalandhar. He earned his first senior international cap, before his Junior cap, when he was selected to play at the 10 Nations Golden Jubilee Tournament in Hong Kong in 1983. He played at the Vancouver Junior World Cup in 1985 and in the Champions Trophy in Perth, Australia in 1985.
Hardeep Singh from Ludhiana, Punjab played at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. He played for Indian Airlines.
Mohinder Pal Singh, a full back and a penalty corner striker from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, was also making his first World Cup appearance. He was the Captain of the Junior World Cup team held in Kuala Lumpur in 1982 and had played at the Champions Trophy in Perth, Australia in 1985.
Balwinder Singh Shammi, a forward from Amritsar, Punjab earned his first international cap in December 1983. A student at Khalsa Senior Secondary School in Amritsar, he played for Railways.
India’s Captain at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, where India won the Bronze Medal, Harmik Singh, who was the coach at Bombay World Cup, was again India’s coach at the London World Cup. Harmik had also played at the 1st World Cup in Barcelona in 1971 where India won the Bronze medal and at Amstelveen in 1973 where India won the Silver medal.
Balwinder Singh Shammi scored a field goal in their 2 – 0 win against Canada in their pool match.
Mohinder Pal Singh scored a penalty corner goal and converted a penalty stroke in their 2 – 3 loss to Pakistan in the 11th – 12th classification match.
India Team: 1. Rajinder Singh Rawat; 2. Pargat Singh; 3. Vineet Kumar Sharma; 4. Somaya Maney Panda; 5. Hardeep Singh; 6. Abdul Aziz; 7. Tikken Singh; 8. Marcelo Gomes; 9. Joaquim Carvalho; 10. Mohammed Shahid Capt.; 11. Thoiba Singh; 12. Mohinder Pal Singh; 13. Subramani Balada Kalaiash; 14. Balwinder Singh; 15. Ram Prakash Singh; 16. Neel Komal Singh
Manager: D.S. Murthy; Coach: Harmik Singh
England had one Sikh in their team - Kulbir Singh Bhaura.
Kulbir, born in Jalandhar, Punjab, India came to settle in the UK in 1968 at the age of thirteen. He studied at Khalsa School, Jalandhar and at Featherstone School, Southall and Isleworth Poly in London, England. He played for Indian Gymkhana Hockey Club and Hounslow Hockey Club in London. He earned his first England cap in 1979 when he was selected to play against Belgium at Lords, London. He played at the Bombay World Cup in 1982 and since then has represented Great Britain, earning his first Great Britain cap against Pakistan at the 10 Nations Golden Jubilee Tournament in Hong Kong in December 1983. He represented Great Britain at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games where the team won the Bronze Medal.
England Team: 1. Ian Taylor (East Grinstead); 2. John Hurst (St. Albans); 3. Paul Barber (Slough); 4. Richard Dodds Capt. (Southgate); 5. Paul Bolland (York); 6. Jon Potter (Hounslow); 7. David Faulkner (Havant); 8. Stephen Batchelor (Southgate); 9. Kulbir S Bhaura (Indian Gymkhana); 10. Martyn Grimley (Brooklands); 11. Robert Clift (Hounslow); 12. John Shaw (Southgate); 13. Sean Kerly (Southgate); 14. Norman Hughes (Wakefield); 15. Imran Sherwani (Stone); 16. Richard Leman (East Grinstead).
Manager: Colin Whalley; Coach: David Whitaker
The Canadian team had two Sikhs in their side - Satinder (Bubli) Singh Chohan and Hargurnek Singh Sandhu. The Team coach was also a Sikh, Shiv Sharan Singh Jagday.
Bubli Chohan was born in Ludhiana and moved with his family to Canada in 1962 at the age of five. Bubli, who earned his first international cap when he represented Canada against Pakistan in New Zealand in 1974, had played at the Montreal 1976 and Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. This was his second Word Cup appearance, his first being at the Buenos Aires World Cup in 1978.
Hargurnek Singh Sandhu, who was born in Jamsher Khas, in Punjab, India, was making his first appearance for Canada at a World Cup in London. He studied at Cantonment Board Higher Secondary School, Jalandhar in Punjab and emigrated to Canada in 1977 at the age of fifteen. He graduated at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver in 1988 and played for India Field Hockey Club. He earned his first senior international cap when he represented Canada against Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1980 whilst still in the Junior squad. He was Canada's Captain at the Kuala Lumpur 1982 and Vancouver 1985 Junior World Cups. He also played at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984.
Shiv Sharan Singh Jagday, Canada’s National Coach since 1982 was born in Ludhiana, Punjab. He studied at Malwa Khalsa High School, Ludhiana and Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana. He emigrated to Canada in 1977. He was appointed Coach of the Canada’s Junior team in 1981. He was the coach at 4 Pan Am Games in 1983 when Canada won the Games for the first time in their history. He was the coach at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games.
Hargurnek Singh Sandhu scored a penalty stroke goal in their 2 – 6 defeat to Australia in their pool match.
Canada defeated Pakistan, the reigning World and Olympic Champions, 2 – 1 in the 9th – 12th place classification match.
Canada Team: 1. Ken Goodwin (Edmonton Selects); 2. Ajax Dube (Ookpiks, Toronto); 3. Pat Burrows Capt. (Ookpiks, Toronto); 4. Alan Bramst (Toronto); 5. Mike Muller (Falcons Delta); 6. Kim Ewasechko (Edmonton Selects); 7. Hargurnek Sandhu (Indian Club, Vancouver); 8. Douglas Knapp (Huronia, Toronto); 9. Kip Hladky (Devils, Edmonton) ; 10. Satinder Chohan (Indian Club, Vancouver); 11. Ross Rutledge (Falcons, Delta); 12. Wayne Grimmer (Ookpiks, Toronto); 13. Pat Caruso (Edmonton Selects); 14. Guy Manwaring (Falcons Delta); 15. Cedric Vaz (Richmond); 16. Trevor Porritt (Winnipeg Selects)
Manager: Dennis Crooks; Coach: Shiv Sharan Singh Jagday
Final Classification: 1. Australia; 2. England; 3. West Germany; 4. USSR; 5. Spain; 6. Argentina; 7. Netherlands; 8. Poland; 9. New Zealand; 10. Canada; 11. Pakistan; 12. India
Next week: 7th World Cup – Lahore 1990.
Sikhs in Hockey
Samiullah terms PHF set-up illegal, vows to stand his ground
Mohammad Yaqoob
LAHORE: Former Olympian Samiullah Khan has said he and his companions still believe that Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) elections as a result of which the incumbent PHF set-up came into existence are illegal and unconstitutional and thus he won’t join the PHF.
While talking to Dawn, Samiullah also known as ‘flying horse’ in the hockey world, said that he congratulates Shahnaz Sheikh, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Shahbaz Senior and others on joining the PHF set-up but quickly added: “They (Shahnaz, Islahuddin and Shahbaz Senior) left me and my companions midway through our campaign we started together against the PHF elections but we will stand our ground.”
“I will still demand fresh PHF elections and whosoever succeeds should be given right to run the PHF,” said the former Olympian.
Samiullah said that he would like to wish the new head coach and chief selector good luck but he said he didn’t hope that the newly-announced team management and selection committee could bring back the lost glories in the current scenario.
He further said that both Shahnaz and Islah should have preferred administrative roles to the current responsibilities they have taken.
“The Asian Games would be the first target of the PHF but under the current circumstances there was no chance to defend the title as there was no world-class player in the current lot of 25 players,” claimed Samiullah.
“The time is running short for the Asian Games and it will not be possible to raise a formidable team to defend the title,” he further said.
Also, Samiullah lamented that the government was not serious in resolving the issue of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) rival bodies which could deny the country participation in the Asian Games and other big extravaganzas to be held under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter.
“Ironically, the government is not taking any serious step to resolve this important issue which could lead to Pakistan suspension from the IOC, (in July this year). In fact, this issue should have been one of the top priorities of the government,” reckoned the former Olympian.
Decision in this regard should be taken immediately so that the clouds hovering over the participation of Pakistan team in the Asian Games are cleared soon, he added.
The Asiad will be held in South Korea in September but Pakistan could only participate if the PHF sends its entry through Arif Hasan-led POA which is recognised by the IOC.
Notwithstanding, the government has been denying the PHF permission as it wants PHF to send the entry through government-backed POA of Akram Sahi which has no authority to ensure Pakistan participation in any event held under the umbrella of the IOC. And that is why Pakistan hockey team participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Games is also in the doldrums.
Samiullah further said notwithstanding that PHF secretary, Islah and Shahnaz offered him to join them for the betterment of hockey, he believed it was not possible until a new leadership emerges as a result of fresh elections.
He also criticised the decision of induction of four coaches and as many selectors to assist head coach Shahnaz and chief selector Islah, saying that no one could justify induction of four coaches to help a head coach.
“It never occurred even in the past that such a large number of coaches and selectors were inducted,” said Samiullah.
Dawn