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News 17 May 2014

All the news for Saturday 17 May 2014


Ireland 2 - 4 Spain - Men 4 Nations Barcelona

Ireland played in the final test of their 4 Nations in Spain losing 4-2 to hosts Spain, after two earlier wins against Wales & Russia during the week.

The match started off with even pressure, Ireland’s defence team saving a penalty corner before Spain were forced to thwart off two good Mikie Watt efforts.

The home side took the lead with a penalty stroke award before doubling their lead before  half time after Keeper David Harte saved an initial shot only for the follow up to be converted when Keeper Harte appeared to be down injured.

Spain came out attacking early in the second half with keeper David Harte called into action to make a save but Spain’s pressure paid off making it 3-0 from a great reverse stick finish. Ireland secured their first pc in the 45th minute from a weaving Mitch Darling run and Shane O’Donoghue duly converted to make it 3-1.

Spain re-established the difference two minutes later after good build up to make it 4-1. Ireland continued to apply good pressure including a well saved snap shot from Ireland's Mikie Watt, Ireland secured one more goal before the final whistle again marksman Shane O' Donoghue drag flicking home with 3 minutes to go but with time ticking the match closed out 4-2 to hosts.  After the game Coach Fulton said 'There were plenty of positives to take into tomorrow's game and was good to finish todays game stronger and score two penalty corners.  It is important we learn to take the chances we create as it will be the dfference tomorrow.'

Ireland finish with a test match tomorrow against Spain at 12noon (11am Irish Time) at RC Polo. 

IRELAND 2 (0) S O'Donoghue x2

SPAIN 4 (2) S feria; M Salles; V Ruiz; R Sanchez

Irish Hockey Association media release



All about the vibe at UJ



UJ is known for its vibe and that is exactly what you can expect at this weekend’s exciting Varsity Hockey play-offs said Naimh Faherty, the organizer of the event.

The Varsity Hockey tournament is set up nicely going into the final weekend with four teams locked at 20 points each, and there will be plenty of action off the pitch too.

“We’ve targeted and invited schools from surrounding areas, we will have a great DJ, there will be a face-paint corner for the little ones, SAB will avail beverages, Mugg & Bean will be there and you can expect a little bit of everything,” said Faherty

Faherty is confident that the home side will have the crowd right behind them in the knock-out phase of the competition.

“The semis won’t be easy, but if UJ can win with a bonus point against Wits, and Maties against Rhodes, we will see a very interesting semifinal and perhaps a UJ vs Maties final,” she said.

Maties walked away victorious in Stellenbosch in last week’s clash, so UJ will need all of the support they can get to turn that around.

“we haven’t seen the support we would like to see at these events, so I therefore encourage students, parents and families to come out in their numbers and support these beautiful events. Come on, it’s not winter yet, so I really encourage you to be there,” Faherty added.

Varsity Sports



All to play for at UJ



This season’s high intensity and nail-biting Varsity Hockey tournament is set to reach its climax at UJ stadium on Monday, after two days of exciting play-offs.

With four teams tied at the top of the standings with 20 log points each, Saturday’s final round of action before the play-offs could prove decisive in determining the semifinals.

Hosts and current USSA champions UJ will be favourites to take the title, but they will also face stiff competition from the likes of Maties who defeated them in Stellenbosch last week.

During last year’s ladies’ final, Maties managed to beat the team from NWU-Pukke by one goal, in what was a tightly contested final held at the University of Pretoria.

The men take their turn on the battlefield this year. Rest assured, winning won’t come easy. With some of the country’s finest young players coming through the university ranks and fighting hard for their teams, this will be hard-fought victory, with no quarter being given by any side.

Brothers Brendan Clinton Panther will lead the charge for UJ, with both of them representing South Africa. Brendan came from St Benedict`s College, after already displaying a keen interest in hockey, and was automatically placed on the team.

After 14 years of playing, Brendan’s ambition is to play in the 2016 Olympic Games. Fresh from playing at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, the annual international men’s field hockey tournament, which took place in Malaysia in March of this year, Brendan is set to provide tough competition for his opponents.

Clinton,  younger brother and no stranger to the hockey field, is following in his brother’s footsteps, has already achieved no fewer than 69 National Men’s Caps to date.

Varsity Sports



No fear for Tuks



UP-Tuks star Stephen Cant says his team does not mind which side they face in the Varsity Hockey semifinals at UJ this weekend.

There is one round of matches remaining before the knock-out clashes are confirmed, and with four teams deadlocked at 20 points at the top of the standings there are a number of possibilites.

UP-Tuks are currently in third position and Cant, who has represented South Africa at U16, U17 and U18 level, says that they are not too fussed about who they meet.

Cant is positive that anything can happen in the knock-out stages. If UP-Tuks wins or loses the last round robin match, they will either face Maties or UJ, and, at this moment, these two are the favorites to win this competition.

But the UP-Tuks players said that his side are keeping the focus on their own game in the build-up to the deciding weekend.

“Both games will be a good contest and I can’t wait to play it. I don’t mind who we are playing, but we will do our utmost best and hope the result shows the result we want for the work we put in,” he said.

Cant added that the Varsity Hockey tournament has been a massive positive for his side because it has been so competitive.

“We love good competition because you always improve your game and the Varsity Hockey competition provides the playground for this,” he said.

Varsity Sports



Speaking a common language

With 15 nations across five continents represented at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, there could be some language barriers to cross



Five continents are represented at The Rabobank Hockey World Cup and, while sport is often said to be a universal language, there can be misinterpretations. For example, players relaxing after the game might be wearing their flip-flops if they are from England or the USA, but Australians will be in thongs, the Black Sticks will be wearing jandals, the South Africa team will be sporting slops and the Japanese will be in Zoris – and that's just one item of clothing. With 15 nations represented at The Hague in the men's and women's competition, there is likely to be the occasional language barrier, so listed below are 10 words commonly used in hockey across the globe, that can sometimes have subtle differences in their meaning.

A is for… Attacker(s):

This can either be the player or team in possession of the ball and trying to score a goal, or the collective name for the group of players that are usually positioned at the offensive end of the field for their team. Also known as forwards or strikers.

B is for… Backhand:

The use of the stick on the non-preferred (left) side to perform any skill e.g. a dribble, hit, tackle etc. Also known as the reverse or reverse stick.

C is for… Carpet:

The playing surface of hockey playing fields that are constructed of man-made products. Surfaces can be sand-based, water-based or a hybrid combination, and are also known as artificial or synthetic grounds/turf.

D is for… Drill or drilling:

This can either be the action of propelling the ball into an opponent’s foot in an attempt to gain a free hit (often associated with indoor hockey) or it can be a hard hit into the circle.

E is for… Eliminate/elimination:

The action of the attacking team beating a defending player by either dribbling or passing the ball past them.

F is for…Feint:

An elimination skill where a body movement and a feint to pass are used to move a defender one way before dragging the ball the other way and dribbling past them on that other side. Also known as a dummy.

I is for… Inside forward/inner:

The playing positions, usually one on the left and on the right side of the field, located between the half backs and the high, or strike, forwards.

J is for… Jab/jab tackle:

Usually refers to a type of tackle made by a lunging motion at the ball with one hand on the stick. Also know as a poke or stab tackle.

L is for… Lead/leading:

The movement of an attacking player who is not in possession of the ball to create an opportunity to receive a pass from the ball carrier, create space for the ball carrier to move into and/or create confusion amongst defenders.

M is for… Mark/marking:

The movement of a defender to cover, track and/or follow an opponent in an attempt to prevent him/her from receiving the ball. Techniques include one-on-one marking, zone marking, front marking, back marking and side marking.

With thanks to the Australian Hockey Association for some of the terminology.

FIH site



Bartel well equipped and on board to assist SA hockey men

JONATHAN COOK


Assistant coach and HP advisor Bartel Berkhout working with the SA men's hockey team in Malaysia last year. Photo: FRANK UIJLENBROEK

In the armoury of South Africa men’s hockey team head coach Fabian Gregory going into, and during, Hockey World Cup 2014, now just a fortnight away, is Dutch mentor Bartel Berkhout who has extensive experience in the game as well as in leadership training.

The good news is a further boost to the national men's side's fortunes after SuperSport announced Friday morning that they will be the SA team's event sponsor for the World Cup.

Berkhout will serve as one of the SA team's assistant coaches and also fulfils the position of specialist High Performance consultant to Gregory.

“It is a privilege to work with an ambitious coach in Fabian and to continue building on the role I played previously with the SA men's team in 2013 including, to name a few, the World League Round 3 Tournament in Malaysia and the Africa Cup World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya," says Berkhout.

The LLM (Master in Law) graduate from his hometown University of Amsterdam was recently an advisor to Investec South Africa women’s hockey team head coach Giles Bonnét.

Gregory was assistant coach of the national women's side at the time and developed a productive working relationship with Berkhout.

One of the Dutchman's most recent successes was in playing an integral role as assistant coach in the Delhi Waveriders’ winning the 2014 Hockey India League (HIL) title earlier this year.

Allied to his coaching prowess, Berkhout is a specialist in High Performance training and talent-development methodologies. Described as unconventional, creative and attentive to the “big picture”, the Dutchman is not afraid to make sharp interventions.

With a mind not only confined to the restrictions of the playing field, training pitch and team tactical room, Berkhout’s own company, ngenious, conducts Masterclasses in performance improvement, change management and leadership development.

“It is a challenge to create a competitive ‘dark horse’ team with the limited resources we have but I am confident we will surprise sooner or later during the World Cup,” Berkhout added.

Berkhout - who will turn 37 during the World Cup - has been guiding sides at an elite level since 1998 and is an International Hockey Federation (FIH) accredited coach.

SA Hockey Association media release



SA’s Swanepoel a man on a mission

Jonathan Cook


Dylan Swanepoel. Picture: Rodrigo Jaramillo.

One of the South Africa men’s hockey team players to watch at Hockey World Cup 2014 in the Netherlands, now just a fortnight away, is young University of Stellenbosch student Dylan Swanepoel.

Ask South African women’s hockey team assistant coach Kurt Cerfontyne, who coached the Maties student for two years.

“He is a technically gifted player and a fierce competitor who leaves nothing out there on the pitch. Dylan’s commitment is second to none, which is evident in his work ethic during training and matches. He is a natural leader, which accounts for his organisational ability in central defence. He is composed under pressure and possesses the ability to break the gainline from a defensive position and I have no doubt he will develop into a world-class player.”

For Swanepoel, news of his selection was sweet. “I was relaxing with my girlfriend Isabel when I received an e-mail from SA head coach Fabian Gregory telling me I was included in the team.”

His mission is simple. “I want to leave the World Cup saying I contributed in every game and training session. I do not want to be a young player just going for the experience. I aim to make a big contribution to the team.”

Swanepoel is not allowing the fact that SA, due to funding constraints, will have spent less time together by far than any other side, get him down.

The B.Comm management science student, now just three years out of school is, along with his team-mates, on a conditioning programme “that we all have to be doing until we get to camp”.

With 16 Tests under his belt since his debut at the Africa Cup in Nairobi, Kenya late last year, Swanepoel has fulfilled one dream. “I am still excited and grateful. It had been my goal to make this team, even though it seemed so far away at the time I set my mind to achieving it.”

The hunger is palpable, despite the sport’s amateur status, which cripples so many promising careers due to the demands of needing to earn an income – most employers are not happy with long months away from work, but there is some money to be had for elite players.

“I want to play in Europe once my studies are complete, so I would like to be playing professionally in Europe while representing South Africa,” he said.

The Commonwealth Games in Scotland in July; and the Rio 2016 Olympics; there is much to play for and much to look forward to. Is he up for the challenge?

“Yes. Although this year has already been so busy, I am still feeling fresh and motivated. I am in good condition physically so everything is in place at the moment and I am ready.”

The SA team gather for two days in Johannesburg from tomorrow before leaving for 10 days’ intensive training in the Netherlands on Tuesday.

The Citizen



Black Stick Michelsen begins road to recovery

MATT RICHENS


PLENTY LEFT TO DO: Black Stick Stacey Michelsen. LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax NZ

It's been a tough journey back to the top for Black Sticks women's hockey player Stacey Michelsen, but her coach believes that journey has only just begun and she could become one of the best players in the world.

In April last year, in her home town of Whangarei, Michelsen and a Korean player collided causing a rare type of meniscal tear in her right knee.

Not fully aware of the damage caused, Michelsen played the rest of that four-nations tournament and the next one on her damaged limb.

Luckily for the 23-year-old, she did no further damage, but her 11-month trek back to full fitness was an extremely tough one, physically and mentally.

The 2011 FIH Young Hockey Player of the Year completed the four-hour round trip between Whangarei and Auckland more times than she cares to remember for treatment while also seeing a trainer in the far north.

She returned to the Black Sticks for last month's Festival of Hockey in the Hawke's Bay and on Monday heads to the Netherlands for the World Cup as part of New Zealand's strong 18-player squad.

There's no pain, no fear or caution and plenty more enjoyment for Michelsen now - 11 months on the sideline forced to watch will do that to a player.

"It's so good to be back," she said this week.

"I always enjoyed playing hockey, especially for New Zealand, but you don't realise how much until it's gone.

"It's been a pretty tough time, but hopefully that's all behind me now. What I've been through, I guess it makes it more special to me."

Michelsen's recovery was hindered by the fact she had favoured her left knee which caused a slight tendon problem, but that too is right and she's raring to cement her place back in the Black Sticks side and to contribute as she has in her previous 127 tests.

"The World Cup is going to be exciting and I'm so glad to be part of it."

Coach Mark Hager is glad she is too.

There's a joke going around the women's national team that praise is so hard to earn from Hager that when it does come the players need to make the most of it.

In that case, Michelsen should make the most of the following.

"She's a matchwinner," he said. "She has the ability to eliminate three or four players and score or set up someone else. She's invaluable for us. We're a better attacking team with her and a better defending team with her, so, yes, it's great to have her back," he said.

Michelsen's ability to take on defenders and beat them draws more opposition defenders out of position which allows the Black Sticks' strikers more room and time.

Hager went on to compare Michelsen with Argentina's eight-time FIH women's player of the year Luciana Aymar.

"Aymar is 36 and has been doing it for years, Stacey's only 23. She hasn't even reached her prime yet, but I know oppositions see her as a real threat.

"Stacey's not far off Aymar's ability on the field. She's proven it for years, Stacey just need to do it more and more now and I believe she can."

Stuff



Transtasman rivals sticking together

By David Leggat

New Zealand want more interaction with their transtasman hockey rivals, and the feeling seems to be mutual.

Among the initiatives in train at Hockey New Zealand is a desire to have more games against Australia.

HNZ chief executive Malcolm Harris says it is time they saw more of each other.

Talks have been taking place for some time and a memorandum of understanding is being put together.

"It's about getting the game more tribal. Transtasman clashes would be really good in doing that but it's more than just internationals," Harris said.

"It's about increasing capability in the game and co-operation on a whole host of areas."

Harris believes opportunities have been squandered in the past to tighten the ties between New Zealand and Australia, who are among the leaders in the game.

Australia are ranked No 1 in the men, No 5 in the women, while New Zealand sit sixth and fifth respectively.

They already see each other regularly at international tournaments; Harris is keen for more bilateral arrangements and that extends to areas such as club competitions, possibly enlarging the national hockey league, and double header internationals.

"My understanding is the Aussies have been nervous about giving New Zealand hockey a leg up. I think they're understanding now that where rugby used to be, in reverse, years ago, for hockey to grow in the region we need to cooperate."

Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale is supportive, according to Harris, who favours starting with small steps and working up.

He cites rugby's Bledisloe Cup, netball and its ANZ championship as examples where the countries have made competition beneficial for both countries. In the cases of basketball, soccer and rugby league, where New Zealand have one team entries in Australian competitions there are also lessons to be learned.

"Let's put it all in and see what's going to work for hockey because nothing is surer than we're going to do something."

HNZ have a range of initiatives under way. There is a five-year strategic plan, five high performance managers are in place and three more are being sought under new high performance boss Terry Evans.

At last count there are 69,000 registered players, coaching development programmes under way and plans to beef up a regional high performance environment so players are not necessarily obliged to travel to get quality coaching.

Plans are in train to enhance the Rosedale Park complex in Albany with the aim of hosting a World Cup in 2022, having missed out for 2018.

The women's world league finals are already confirmed for 2017.

The New Zealand Herald



Dharmaraj contract: No delays on our part, say NSC

By S. Ramaguru

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Council (NSC) have clarified that there was no unnecessary delay in awarding national hockey coach K. Dharmaraj his contract.

NSC director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong said on Friday that a contract was offered to Dharmaraj last month but he did not accept it.

“Then the MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) made a request for additional funding and we had to take time to sort it out. The salary discussions are between the MHC and the coach. We are not the main paymasters. The MHC are expected to top up whatever sum they agree on after we have confirmed what we can offer,” he explained.

Under the NSC’s coaches scheme the pay scale is between RM4,500 and RM10,000.

“The NSC have a scheme for coaches and whatever we offer is based on that structure. I do not know what was promised to Dharmaraj but a final decision on his contract was only made after the joint consultative committee meeting in March. There was no delay on our part as we needed time to look at the new request made by the MHC,” he explained.

Dharmaraj had almost quit on Wednesday, claiming he had not received his salary for the last four months and no contract was offered to him. He said the only money he received was the RM4,000 from the MHC as an “allowance”.

The issue was resolved on Thursday with the MHC agreeing to his terms and confirming that all monies would be paid soon. Dharmaraj signed the contract with the NSC on Friday morning.

Zolkples chided Dharamaraj for missing the morning training on Thursday.

“I understand that he did not attend the training on Thursday morning. This is not good considering that the team have an important assignment in two weeks’ time. Now that the matter has been settled I hope he will focus on the job and the training sessions are not interupted,” he added.

The Malaysians are preparing for the World Cup which will take place in The Hague, Holland, from May 31-June 15.

The Star of Malaysia



Past forward

The members of the 1975 hockey world cup winning squad feel the current team can match their feat

PRIYANSH


The members of the 1975 Hockey World Cup winning team (from Left to Right) Onkar Singh, Ashok Kumar, Michael Kindo, Brig. H.J.S.Chimni, P.E.Kaliah, B.P.Govinda, Ajit Pal Singh (Captain), Aslam Sher Khan, Brig.Harcharan Singh, Varinder Singh, V.J.Philips, Ashok Diwan and Leslie Fernandez. Photo: S. Subramanium   

“We went to the World Cup to win the tournament. We didn’t set ourselves any targets of finishing in the top three or four,” remarked Ashok Diwan, the custodian of India’s goal at the 1975 hockey World Cup.

Hockey India general secretary Narendra Batra may take note of this statement. On the occasion of felicitating Diwan and the rest of his teammates 39 years after India’s only World Cup success, Batra had an “instruction” for the national men’s team that leaves in a week’s time for the latest edition of the competition in the Netherlands.

Batra will be content if the team finishes seventh. Whether this helps the team to exceed or match expectations is a moot point.

Another World Cup winner had his say.

“We shouldn’t say so. Why shouldn’t we say we’ll win? Are our players so bad? We need to be positive. The team contains top players,” opined Ashok Kumar, scorer of the winning goal in the final against Pakistan.

“What’s the point of calling us here? We haven’t come here to inspire them to finish in the top eight. We have to make them believe they can do it,” he added, with a hint of exasperation.

The 1975 team certainly did not have to deal with such low expectations. Back then, hockey was still played on grass and India was counted among the ones to be feared. As VJ Phillips, who grabbed a brace in the opener against England, claimed, “India hasn’t had such a good side since the one that played from 1973-76.”

It’s tough to dispute his view. Yet, the successful campaign was not without its moments of agony as India realised before and during the final.

Ashok Kumar suffered on a personal level. “I couldn’t sleep the night before the final. I spent my time strategising and wondering how we would fare in the match. B.P. Govinda and I decided to fall back 25-35 yards whenever Pakistan was in possession of the ball. Such was our commitment that we made our team defensively stronger too.”

“When we fell behind early, I had to utter some harsh words to the senior players in our team. I also motivated them by saying, ‘We have conceded only one goal and there are 60 minutes left. Khelo, khelo’.”

The team received support throughout the tournament from its Malaysian fans as well. “Before a match, a few fans used to put a red or yellow cloth in our pockets as good-luck charms,” revealed Ashok Kumar.

The team’s skipper Ajit Pal Singh provided a different nature of encouragement to the team.

“He was the backbone of our team. We’ve never had such a good captain. He was the big cat in our group and as little ones, we still follow him,” said Phillips.

However, the shift to Astroturf a year later ensured the team would never touch similar heights again. “We were mentally disturbed at the Montreal Olympics (in 1976). We played on a tight mat and the ball bounced like a tennis ball. The surface demanded physically strong players.”

Aslam Sher Khan, who equalised as a substitute in the semi-final against Malaysia, believes the change hurts Indian hockey to this day. “Our players are still carrying the burden of that change. It was hockey’s fault,” he said with disappointment writ large on his face, while encouraging the current side to do better than finish seventh.

The Hindu



HP eves thump Tripura 20-0

Chandigarh - Himachal Pradesh thumped Tripura 20-0 to register their second win in the with a brilliant goal score of 20-0 on Day 2 of the fourth Hockey India Sub-junior Women’s National Championship 2014 (Division B).

The Pool A match proved to be dreadful for Hockey Tripura as they failed to score a single goal in the entire match. In the first-half, captain Kanishka Rai scored in the 4th minute. Six more goals followed (16th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 29th and 33rd minute) to give a HP a comprehensive lead.

In the second-half, HP continued their attack and scored a field goal in the 40th minute through Shanaj. Soon, three goals were fired by Kanishka, Madhu and Nisha in 43rd, 44th and 45th minute, respectively.

Later, the HP girls played a very defensive game but fired in three back-to-back goals in 59th, 60th and 61st minute. The last and the winning goal of the match came through Sapna in the 65th minute giving Himachal Pradesh’s eves a remarkable win.

In another match, Hockey Bhopal defeated Gujarat 2-0. SAI beat Mumbai Hockey Association 6-0 in a Pool B.

The Tribune



Hockey camp for Asian Games progresses

Kashif Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Three more probables namely centre-half Aamad Butt, full-back Kashif Shah and Faisal Qadir have joined the ongoing six-week training camp set up by by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) here at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium for preparation of the upcoming Asian Games.

“The trio have started training,” said Shahnaz while talking to Dawn on Friday. The head coach also said that three more probables will join the camp in the next few days. “We are in touch with goalkeeper Amin Yousuf, Mohammad Amjad and Amir Shahzad. I hope they too will join us in the next couple of days.”

Also, three probables forward Mohammad Shahbaz, forward Shah Jee and Asfar Yaqoob left the training camp the other day to feature in the championship being played in Karachi.

The PHF set up the training camp for 37 probables in connection with preparation of the upcoming Asian Games scheduled to be held in Incheon, South Korea later this year. However, the PHF has so far failed to ensure attendance of all 37 players due to various reasons.

Earlier, five injured players could not attend the training camp and now three more players have left the camp to participate in the championship being played in Karachi.

“We have now 32 players in the camp and they all are focusing on their fitness and game,” the head coach said.

Greenshirts will defend the title in the upcoming Asian Games which they won four years back.

Dawn



NBP maintain winning streak at national junior hockey

Anwar Zuberi

KARACHI: Formidable PIA, Customs and Army made a flying start as National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) conjured up second straight victory in the 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Friday.

PIA, once considered a force to be reckoned with in the game, registered a magnificent 6-1 victory over Pakistan Board in pool B after leading 5-0 at half time.

Abu Bakar and Ilyas Ahmed banged home two goals apiece while Junaid Manzoor and Azfar Yaqoob added one each for the winners. Aamir Farooqui scored the lone goal for losers. It was first defeat of Pakistan Board in two games of the three-team group. They had won 2-1 against Punjab Whites on Wednesday.

A second half comeback enabled Customs to post 3-0 defeat against low-profile Balochistan in pool D.

Fahad Khan opened the account for winners by slamming a field goal moments after interval. Captain Dawood consolidated the lead in 47th minute while Mateen completed the rout in the next minute.

Army struck twice, once in each half, while getting the better of Punjab Yellows 2-0 in pool C.

Ghazanfar Ali drew blood in 26th minute while Karamat Ali netted the second goal two-minute before final hooter.

Fresh from their triumph in pool A opener over Sindh Colours by tennis score (6-0) on opening day, last year’s runners-up NBP breezed past Punjab Colours 3-1 after leading by lone goal at half time.

Mubbashir cashed on two penalty corners in 28th and 44th minutes while Adeel Latif added the third one in 58th minute. Mohammad Qasim reduced the deficit for losers in 40th minute.

Saturday is the rest day in the competition.

Dawn



PIA whip PEB in U18 championship

PIA slammed six goals in their match against Pakistan Education Board (PEB) to claim a 6-1 victory in the 33rd National U18 Junior Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium here on Friday, according to a press release.

Abubakar and Ilyas Ahmed scored a brace each, while Junaid Manzoor and Azfar Yaqoob contributed with one goal apiece.

In other matches, Army maintained a clean sheet against Punjab Yellow and won 2-0, while Customs struck three goals against Balochistan to clinch a 3-0 victory.

The last match of the day saw NBP open the scoring with a penalty corner in the 28th minute. Punjab levelled the score in the 40th minute but then it was NBP who exhibited great aggressive play scoring two goals to clinch a 3-1 victory.

The Express Tribune



Playgroup to University- Dar Hockey Academy's Boys Everywhere

By Ijaz Chaudhry



Dar Hockey Academy was established in 2006 with the aim to groom players for Pakistan’s national teams.

In less than three years, the academy boys had won selection for the Pakistan team, for the under 18 Asia Cup 2009. There has been no looking back. Since then, no Pakistani age group team has left the country without a Dar HA boy.

Within the three years, another goal was achieved- Khalid Bhatti made the academy proud by becoming the first pure product of the academy to win the national senior selection, in 2012. Here too, the academy’s representation is increasing all the time. The national senior team’s last international participation, in Australia and Japan (November 2013) saw four academy boys in the green shirt.
 
All this time, the conveyer belt never stopped. New generations of kids  have been picked and trained, and they have progressed.
 
Right now, the academy boys are making their presence felt at four levels- from under 14 to the national seniors- and in no uncertain terms.   
 
Under 14:

The recent camp for the selection of the Punjab team for the forthcoming national under 14 championships included three boys: Waqar Younis, Atif Gujjar and Asad. The first two have made it to the final selection.
 
Schools:

Recently, the Divisional Public School, consisting almost entirely of the Dar HA boys, won the Jaffer memorial hockey tournament, the oldest school event of the Punjab. Seven of them are currently attending the camp announced after the conclusion of the tournament. This camp comprises the cream of the school talent of Lahore and its periphery.
 
National Junior Championships:

No less than 16, representing four different sides, are in action at the ongoing national junior championships in Karachi.

National Bank of Pakistan: Adeel Latif, Sikander, Waseem Akram and Abid Bhatti

WAPDA: Bilal Mahmood, Adnan and Ahad                                                                                                                    

Punjab Teams (Colours & White): Asif, Usman, Awais, Yasir Ali, Ishtiaq, Yaqoob, Mansoori, Shanawar and Yasir Butt
 
National Senior:

Right now two are part of the preparatory camp for Pakistan’s national team in Islamabad: Asad and Khalid Bhatti.
 
This makes 28 pupils- from Play Group to University.

The picture showing a Dar Academy practice session narrates the same.

www.darhockeyacademy.com

Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey and other sports. For more about him and his work,visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info

Fieldhockey.com



Final places up for grabs in Scottish Cup and Plate last four

The last four of the Men's and Women's Scottish Cup and Plate semi-finals take place at Peffermill this Saturday, with teams battling it out for a place in the finals at Glasgow National Hockey Centre next weekend.

Men’s Scottish Cup

Inverleith progressed to tomorrow’s cup semi-final against Hillhead after winning a dramatic last eight encounter against defending cup holders Grove Menzieshill last weekend.

Adam MacKenzie’s last minute equaliser took the contest to a penalty shoot-out decider, with the Purple Robes coming out on top against Chris Anderson’s side.

Hillhead’s passage to tomorrow’s contest was equally tense, the Hornets winning an epic penalty shoot-out against local rivals PSL Team Sport Clydesdale.

Can Hillhead continue this season’s success story with a cup final appearance or will MacKenzie’s penalty corner expertise see the Robes return to Glasgow next Saturday?

Many may see Grange as the favourites for the cup based on league form, but AAM Gordonians’ strong end to the league campaign would suggest tomorrow’s last four match-up is not an easy one to call.

The capital outfit strolled to a 9-0 win over St.Andrew’s University in last week’s quarter-final, while the Aberdonians edged out Dundee Wanderers after the two sides played out a thriller at Countesswells.

Women’s Scottish Cup

Milne Craig Clydesdale Western could be on course for a league and cup double if they can overcome CALA Edinburgh in the first last four fixture to reach next Saturday’s final.

The Titwood outfit were comfortable 4-1 winners over Inverleith Ladies in last week’s quarter-final, while the Edinburgh side defeated local rivals Watsonians 3-1.

Form will favour this season’s league champions.

A closer contest to call is the second semi-final between Grove Menzieshill and Edinburgh University.

Both sides will be without several key international players with selection for the Commonwealth Games approaching so it will be interesting to see how the teams react.

The Taysiders cantered to a 7-0 win over Western Wildcats in the quarter-final, with the students in equally impressive form, downing Dundee Wanderers 6-1 away from home.

Men’s Scottish Plate

Uddingston will start as favourites in Saturday’s Scottish Plate semi-final against 2020 Renewables Greenock after a prolific season in front of goal.

Never count out an upset though, especially as this season’s National League Division 3 champions also bring a century of league goals to the party.

Uddingston squeezed into the semi-final after a 3-2 win over league rivals Falkirk GHG, while Greenock put Perthshire out the plate with a 4-2 success.

Dundee University eased into tomorrow’s second plate semi-final with a 9-2 win over local rivals FMGM Monarchs. Opponents Granite City Wanderers also cruised into the last four with a 5-0 win against Stirling Wanderers.

Will a goal-fest ensue as both sides battle it out for a final spot?

Women’s Scottish Plate

Edinburgh University II and Glasgow Accies face up to each other in a last four encounter tomorrow. The students defeated fellow scholars St.Andrew’s University 3-1 in their quarter-final, while Accies strolled to a 5-0 win over Aberdeen University.

Granite City Wanderers overcame city rivals Aberdeen Ladies with a narrow 2-1 win to set-up the second semi-final against Stirling Wanderers.

Meanwhile, the Women’s Championship side caused an upset by springing a 5-3 surprise over National League Division 1 side Grange EL.

Scottish Cup and Plate Semi-Final Schedule

All matches will be played at Peffermill, Edinburgh.

10.30 Edinburgh University II v Glasgow Accies (Women's Plate Semi-Final)
10.30 2020 Renewables Greenock v Uddingston (Men's Plate Semi-Final)
12.15 Granite City Wanderers v Stirling Wanderers (Women's Plate Semi-Final)
12.15 Milne Craig Clydesdale Western v CALA Edinburgh (Women's Cup Semi-Final)
14.15 AAM Gordonians v Grange (Men's Cup Semi-Final)
14.15 Granite City Wanderers v Dundee University (Men's Plate Semi-Final)
16.00 Grove Menzieshill v Edinburgh University (Women's Cup Semi-Final)
16.00 Inverleith v Hillhead (Men's Cup Semi-Final)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

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