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All the news for Saturday 2 August 2014

’Roos reach Final

Australian women defeat South Africa to earn place in Commonwealth Games final


Emily Smith celebrates scoring Australia's first goal

The Australian women’s hockey team is through to the Commonwealth Games final in Glasgow after a comprehensive 7-1 victory over South Africa in Friday’s semi-final.

Saturday’s final against New Zealand or England will be the Australian women’s third consecutive Commonwealth Games final and their sixth consecutive major final since October 2012.

While much of the focus has been on Australia’s penalty corner prowess to date, all seven Australian goals came from open play with a devastating ten minute period in the second half bringing the girls in green and gold four goals.

Crookwell duo Emily Smith and Kellie White put the Aussies into a 2-0 half time lead with Smith striking first before White knocked home at the back post. And the pair combined for 3-0 as White finished from Smith’s pass early in the second half.

The move sparked a goal fest as Georgie Parker and Jane Claxton extended Australia’s advantage to 5-0 before Celia Evans pulled one back for South Africa, the first goal that the Australian women have conceded all tournament. Parker doubled her tally soon after before Georgia Nanscawen put Australia in seventh heaven three minutes from time.

Australia played the match with 15 players after Kate Jenner was ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained in training on Thursday.

Afterwards, Australian national coach Adam Commens expressed his pleasure with the manner of the victory calling the result “really pleasing”.

He said, “I was very satisfied with today’s performance. I thought we were a little bit scrappy in the first half and South Africa really played a high quality game. I thought in the second half, after we were able to regroup after half time, we were outstanding; the way we moved the ball and linked together, the team played with confidence and they showed what they’re capable of. That was the pleasing thing.”

With the final coming just 32 hours later, Commens explained that the focus was on ensuring an appropriate recovery.

“Recovery is very important. We will go through our routine as we do for every match. It is important but being with one less player at present with Kate Jenner not available does make it a little tricky. But I was pleased with how we ran the game out today. I’m confident we can back up the performance tomorrow.”

Reorganising in Jenner's absence, Australia found the opening period hard going before Smith broke the deadlock midway through the first half. Collecting Brooke Peris’ nicely clipped through pass inside the circle, the 22 year-old placed her shot perfectly into the bottom left corner. Four minutes later it was 2-0. Showing great strength to hold off the attentions of two South African defenders, Georgia Nanscawen created enough space at the top of the circle to get off a pass to the back post which Kellie White re-directed into the goal.

At the other end, Australia survived two South African penalty corners to retain their tournament clean sheet at the break.

A lightning quick start to the second half saw Smith and White combine to devastating effect as the latter chipped her second goal over the diving goalkeeper after Smith’s through pass.

Four minutes later it was 4-0 as Georgie Parker lashed home after good work from Georgia Nanscawen along the back line and less than 60 seconds after that Australia notched number five. Perfectly positioned at the back post, 21 year-old Jane Claxton diverted home from close range.

With Australia in control, Celia Evans and her South African teammates then did what Malaysia, Wales, Scotland and England have all failed to do and breached the Australian defence. Launching a quick attack down the right hand side, Evans found herself in space in the circle and after receiving a cross from the right she slid home for 5-1.

In response, Australia went again. Parker doubled her tally for 6-1 with a ferocious shot that flew inside the near post before Nanscawen was rewarded for her hard work with a goal of her own, her third of the tournament making it 7-1.

Australia will compete in the women’s final at 20:15 BST on Saturday (05:15 AEST / 03:15 AWST Sunday).

Australia (women) v South Africa
Women's semi-final
Glasgow, Scotland

AUSTRALIA 7 (2)
Emily Smith 17 (FG)
Kellie White 21, 47 (FG, FG)
Georgie Parker 50, 57 (FG, FG)
Jane Claxton 50 (FG)
Georgia Nanscawen 67 (FG)

SOUTH AFRICA 1 (0)
Celia Evans 53 (FG)

Hockey Australia media release

Aussie women outplay tired SA in semis

JONATHAN COOK

Defending champions and world number two Australia outplayed 11th-ranked South Africa 7-1 after leading 2-0 at half-time in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games women’s hockey tournament in Glasgow Friday.

SA’s key players had spent far more time on the pitch than the Hockeyroos during the teams’ four Pool matches apiece in the preceding eight days, which cost the African champs dearly after half-time. Unforced errors also played a big part in the lion’s share of Australia’s goals.

SA now need to wipe the slate clean and focus on the bronze medal match which is at 7pm SA time Saturday (live on SS7 and SHD7 from 6.50pm).

The ’Roos went immediately on the attack and a second penalty corner inside two minutes was again bravely blocked by first wave defender Bernie Coston.

Left-side defender Lenise Marais made a key tackle as Australia poured forward once again, the defending champs making a great start and SA under huge pressure.

In the 12th minute a promising move might have brought SA’s first PC. With Jade Mayne and Dirkie Chamberlain looking good up front, an exciting move down the right two minutes later saw captain Marsha Cox’s side come very close to opening the scoring.

However the alert Aussies went 1-0 up through Emily Smith in the 16th minute following a slick move so characteristic of the 2014 World Cup finalists.

The underdogs were unfortunate not to equalise from the re-start, before Tarryn Bright, playing an influential role in the SA midfield, was instrumental in winning a PC in the 20th but Lisa Deetlefs' slap shot was well defended.

Against the run of play in the 22nd, Georgia Nanscawen did well to drive into the strike zone and get a shot away, Kellie White connecting with a tip-in at the far post for 2-0.

SA suffered disappointment when Chamberlain’s effort after Illse Davids’ initial shot was cleared off the goalline by Ana Flanagan. Chamberlain then appealed in vain for what looked to be a legitimate PC decision. Soon after, SA had a PC award overturned and the rub of the green was not going their way.

In the 26th Marais stopped an Aussie PC effort at the far post in fine fashion and made another vital intervention in field play soon after.

Towards the end of the half, Nicolene Terblanche was superb in winning a PC for SA but the Hockeyroos repelled Deetlefs’ slap shot and the Australians continued to defend very well in the face of a number of promising attacking movements by the South Africans.

SA’s Celia Evans made a superb tackle soon after but in the 47th White made use of an excellent piece of play from Smith to stretch the Aussie lead to 3-0.

And two minutes later (49th) Georgie Parker made no mistake from Nanscawen’s pass. In the same minute Brooke Peris ran superbly before Jane Claxton tipped in at the far post for 5-0 with 19 minutes left.

Australia at this point had converted five from 11 goalshots while SA had recorded nought from five attempts.

But the fighting spirit of the SA side knows no bounds and in the 53rd a driving run by Sulette Damons down the right saw her accurate pass off the right foot reach Evans at the far post, whose tap-in resulted in the ’Roos conceding their first goal in the event after a remarkable four shutouts in the Pool matches (5-1).

At four goals down with 15 minutes left SA kept pushing to reduce the margin but Parker collected Ashleigh Nelson’s pass to put the ’Roos 6-1 up in the 57th.

Three minutes from the end (67th) Nanscawen drilled in her side’s seventh goal and the razor-sharp Roos had nailed down a remarkable 50% of the 14 goalshots they had created.

The second semi-final sees New Zealand face England, which is on SuperSport 7 and SHD7  from 3.20pm SA time.

***

Please note, the organisers have changed the time of the SA men’s playoff for fifth place with Canada, which will now be at 3:30 SA time Saturday.

Australia men's semi-final against England will now be played at 11am SA time and the second semi-final between New Zealand and India will follow at 1.15pm SA time.

SA Hockey Association media release

Aussie women ease into hockey final

GLASGOW: Australia cruised into the gold medal match of the women's hockey at the Commonwealth Games on Friday with a 7-1 mauling of South Africa.

The hockeyroos will face New Zealand or England in the final on Saturday.

Winners of the gold medal in three of the four competitions since hockey was introduced to the Commonwealth programme, Australia have now scored 32 goals in winning their five games in Glasgow so far.

After a tight start, Emily Smith put the Aussies in front and Kellie White quickly doubled their lead to send the regining champions in 2-0 ahead at half-time.

White, Georgina Parker and Jane Claxton made it 5-0 after the break before Australia conceded for the first time in the tournament when Celtia Evans turned home a consolation for South Africa.

However, normal service was quickly resumed as Parker slammed home her second of the game before Georgia Nanscawen rounded off the scoring.

The Times of India

England will play for gold at Glasgow 2014


Lily Owsley scores England's opening goal against New Zealand in the SEmi Final at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - photo by Ady Kerry

England are through to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Final following a thrilling contest against world number four side New Zealand which went to a shoot out after full-time finished 1-1. England goalkeeper Maddie Hinch became the hero, pulling off three saves in the shoot out to take her side through to the gold medal match against Australia tomorrow evening.

Holcombe's Sam Quek and Canterbury's Susannah Townsend were presented with flowers before the game as they both made their 50th appearance for England.

Lily Owsley gave England a 27th minute lead but Katie Glynn equalised for the Black Sticks with just two minutes remaining to take the game into a shoot out.

But Hinch kept her nerve, only conceding once from New Zealand’s four attempts. England dominated in attack as well taking the shoot out 3-1 thanks to goals from Georgie Twigg, Alex Danson and Susie Gilbert.

England now face three-time gold medallists Australia in the final on Saturday evening at 2015. The Hockeyroos have been totally dominant in Glasgow and were 7-1 winners in their semi-final against South Africa, taking their goal tally to 32 from just five matches. But their 'worst' result was a 3-0 win over England in the group stages.

NEW ZEALAND 1 (0)

Katie Glynn 68 (FG)

ENGLAND 1 (1)

Lily Owsley 27 (FG)

England win 3-1 in Shoot Out

England scorers: Georgie Twigg, Alex Danson and Susie Gilbert.

New Zealand scorer: Kayla Whitelock


England's Maddie Hinch saves from New Zealand's Katie Glynn during the shoot out of their Commonwealth Games Semi Final

Kate Richardson-Walsh, Reading, Defender,

On facing Australia in the Gold Medal match:

"I thought we played well against Australia in the pool stages, we just need to capitalise on any errors they make."

"I think it will be a race between our midfielders and forwards against their back line players. We have to be brave and take them on. We need to go at them but all games against Australia are good games and I'm looking forward to it."

Maddie Hinch, Holcombe, Goalkeeper

On the shoot out:

"I'm renowned for being a bit of a geek when it comes to studying players and I'd done my homework on what to expect from them. I knew what they might do under pressure and I felt ready.”

On facing Australia in the final:

"We can't wait for Australia now. They are defiantly favourites but we are going in with the mindset that we can win."

Alex Danson, Reading, Forward

On getting to the final:

"We are just delighted to get into that final; a silver is nice – a gold is better.”

On facing Australia in the final:

"We've done our homework on them already and we are a very professional outfit, it's going to be a tight game with lots of counter attacks and we'll have to grab the opportunities when they do come. It's going to be a great showcase of hockey, it's going to be fast, athletic, skilful and they'll be lots of shots and hopefully the result will go our way. I'm just very proud of this group and how they've responded to a tough few weeks, they've showed a lot of character and if we show that character again in the final then we've got every chance."

Danny Kerry, England Head Coach

On beating New Zealand:

"It was always going to be a game about concentration and detail. New Zealand have most of their London 2012 team but we've got some very young players out there and I'm delighted.”

On facing Australia in the final:

"When we played Australia we had more shots against them than they had against us but they converted their chances and we didn't. We debriefed that game for a very long time and we've done most of our homework already."

England Hockey Board Media release

England women hockey team reach Glasgow final after shoot-out win over New Zealand

A dramatic shoot-out win over New Zealand Black Sticks sets up a gold-medal game against Australia

By Rod Gilmour, Glasgow


Going for gold: England women celebrate their shoot out win against New Zealand and will be guaranteed at least a silver medal Photo: GETTY IMAGES

How the tables have turned for England women’s hockey. Harangued in The Hague six weeks ago, there was pure glee in Glasgow on Friday for Danny Kerry’s side as they advanced to this evening’s Commonwealth Games final against Australia after a dramatic encounter ended in a shoot-out win over New Zealand.

Maddie Hinch, the England goalkeeper, proved a revelation. The 25-year-old memorised entries from the ‘playbook’ she keeps to document opposition players as she stifled two Black Sticks attempts to herald a remarkable 3-1 victory. This after Katie Glynn had scored with a brilliant, instinctive strike with two minutes to go in normal time to take the semi-final to a shoot-out.

It was not all about Hinch though. Georgie Twigg, Alex Danson and Susie Gilbert also played their part. Their runs from the 23-metre line all ended successfully before Stacey Michelson, sensing another surging run from goal by Hinch, slapped wide of the post.

“I’ve stood there myself and, in my eyes, just to take one means you are hero,” said Kate Richardson-Walsh, the captain. “The silence that descends in the stadium is epic. Your legs are starting to shake and you’re like ‘come on umpire, blow the whistle’. But they all still do it.”

New Zealand had breezed into the semi-finals having garnered 25 goals. So the fact that the opening 30 minutes had few clear chances was testament to England, who looked a shadow of the lacklustre XI that featured in their Hague debacle, where they finished the World Cup in 11th place.

As the hooter loomed, England twice breached New Zealand’s lines. First, Lucy Wood broke free only to put too strong a pass through to Lily Owsley.

Then Michelson was given a green card for an illegal tackle and England made full use of the space lacking in New Zealand’s midfield, one of the best in world hockey.

Sam Quek and Danson combined on the right before 19-year-old Owsley managed to find enough reverse stick to strike home from close range. It was the only goal of the half.

Danson, proving a menace down the left flank, was at the centre of England’s attacks, along with Owsley and Sophie Bray, but it was New Zealand who were creating more penalty corner chances. They had three in the second half, either side of England’s only offering which saw Twigg’s shot loop agonisingly off the bar.

The Black Sticks’ possession finally paid off when Glynn’s outstretched stick diverted past a rooted Hinch late on. Still there was time to see another shot angled off Hinch’s post.

With the last move of the game, England were then offered a final corner of their own, which was cleared off the line.

Twigg set the battle-hardened tone in the shoot-out. She offered her services first before her shot squeezed inside the post. Danson followed it up – just – as she struck home while grounded by Sally Rutherford, the New Zealand goalkeeper.

When Gilbert scored at the second attempt, Hinch was soon bearing down on Glynn. Bray proved to be England’s only failure before Michelson’s miss.

Now for the hard part. England face an Australian side in the final with a boxer’s record: 32 goals scored, one conceded, in a one-paced passage to the final. Yesterday, they trounced South Africa 7-1 and the gold-medal match will be the second of an England v Australia double bill, with the men’s side taking on the world champions in a semi-final showdown this morning.

The Telegraph

New Zealand Women play for bronze medal in Glasgow


Lily Owsley scores England's goal

New Zealand have narrowly missed out playing for a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, after England won 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out in what was an enthralling semi-final where all the action happened in the final minutes of the game.

Disappointed after today’s performance, the New Zealand Women’s hockey team will now regroup and play in the bronze medal game against South Africa at 5am (NZT) tomorrow.

“We can still walk away with a medal - just not the colour we wanted, so we will refocus and come back and play for that. Today, we were a bit timid, we didn’t come out and play our aggressive style," said captain Kayla Whitelock.

Lily Owsley had given England the lead at 27 minutes with a deflection at the far post and they held on to the lead for the next 41 minutes as the game really started to heat up as it entered the final moments.

With eight minutes left, there was confusion as to whether Petrea Webster or Anita Punt had been suspended and New Zealand had already gone ahead and substituted Stacey Michelsen onto the field, meaning that there were 11 on the field rather than 10. As a consequence, Whitelock was issued a five-minute suspension and New Zealand was then reduced to nine players.

So with 11 players to New Zealand's nine it looked as though England might hold on for the win, but a foul from England with under five minutes left resulted in a suspension that would see them one player down for the rest of the match.

With Webster back on, the teams evened up and Katie Glynn then added a touch of brilliance to divert a Krystal Forgesson pass to take the game to penalties.

“We were very poor entering the attacking third, very uninventive hitting the ball in and England were making intercepts – we don’t ever play like that,” said coach Mark Hager.

New Zealand lost on penalty shoot-outs 3-1 and Hager said although it is hard to simulate the same level of pressure in training, it is something they practice all the time.

“It must be a nerve thing, but you talk to the girls and they are all confident going up, it is just decision making under pressure. If it was a one-on-one during field play, I bet you we would score it 90% of the time. We had done our homework, but the goalkeeper just smothered us,” said Hager.

A presentation was made before the match to Stacey Michelsen on reaching her 150th international test cap.

The NZ Men play India in their semi-final at 11.15pm on Saturday night with the men’s bronze medal match scheduled for 9pm Sunday and the gold medal game at 11.15pm (NZT).

Vote for your favourite New Zealand hockey player from the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Click here to vote for the Gatorade People’s Choice Award and go in the draw to WIN!

RESULT
Full time: 1-1 at full time, England won penalty shoot out 3-1
Half time: 0-1 to England
New Zealand’s goal scorers: Katie Glynn
England’s goal scorers: Lily Owsley

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks lose semi in penalty shootout

By David Leggat in Glasgow


New Zealand's Rose Keddell comforts Emily Naylor after the semifinal loss to England. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand are out of the gold/silver match at the Commonwealth Games after losing another shootout.

The Black Sticks were beaten 3-1 in the shootout by England, after scoring late to draw 1-1 in normal time.

In New Delhi four years ago New Zealand lost on penalty strokes to Australia in the gold medal match. At the London Olympics in 2012, New Zealand lost to the Dutch in a shootout in their semifinal, then produced a flat performance against Britain - which was effectively England.

The same opponents did for them at the national hockey centre today and New Zealand could have no quibble on the run of play.

They began well but soon fell off the pace. They looked out of sorts and England, perhaps sensing an opportunity, worked hard, bustled and won many of the 50-50 situations.

"We were skittish and standoffish," a bitterly disappointed coach Mark Hager said.

"England upped the tempo and were more physical than us and we tended to go into our shell a bit.

"When you've only got three or four players playing well out of the 16 it doesn't help. We made silly decisions and were very poor entering the attacking third.

"Whether the players got overawed by the occasion, I'm not sure."

Some players were holding back tears as they left the ground.

Only captain Kayla Whitelock managed to score in the shootout, as Anita Punt, Katie Glynn and Stacey Michelson all lost possession as England's goalkeeper Maddie Hinch confronted them. They failed to even get a shot away on target.

By contrast, England scored their first three goals to be sitting pretty, and Michelson's miss sealed the result.

The Black Sticks now play South Africa for the bronze medal tomorrow, after top seeds Australia belted them 7-1 in the first semifinal.

When New Zealand played the South Africans earlier in the tournament, they won 2-1.

England went ahead through a close range goal by Lily Owsley eight minutes before halftime.

England had other chances too as New Zealand managed to squander theirs, including five penalty corner opportunities.

Just when it seemed the game was up for New Zealand, Glynn deflected a Krystal Forgesson drive into the England goal with less than two minutes left.

New Zealand could have stolen it at the death, Michelson having a shot blocked and a fifth and final penalty corner was botched.

Whitelock, who had a commanding game in the middle of the park, said her players had practiced shootouts in some details, but admitted "you can't simulate going into it".

"I just said to the girls be confident. We know she's a good goalie but we couldn't quite get there," Whitelock said.

The challenge now is to pick themselves up for the bronze match. In London they saved their worst until last, being beaten 3-0 by Britain for the bronze.

"I think we're all pretty gutted and there's a few tears going around. But we need to group back together and do the things we've been doing all week.

"That's the most frustrating part; we didn't put our game out there. That's disappointing."

The New Zealand Herald

Black Sticks lose heartbreaker in shootout

MATT RICHENS IN GLASGOW


Dejected Black Sticks players walk from the turf as England huddle in celebration.

Meek performances right when it counts is now more than coincidence for the New Zealand women's hockey team, it's a nasty and a hard to break habit.

After being shocked by England overnight, the Black Sticks are today mourning the loss of a chance to play for Commonwealth Games gold and preparing for a face-saving bronze medal game against South Africa.

New Zealand and England finished regulation time locked at 1-1 though that flattered the Kiwis.

As meek as they were in the first 70 minutes, they were worse in the shootout as nerves clearly took over.

Captain Kayla Whitelock scored first before Anita Punt, Katie Glynn then Stacey Michelsen all missed their shots with uncharacteristic poor attempts.

Kiwi goalie Sally Rutherford saved one of the English shots, but that wasn't enough to save her side.

Coach Mark Hager was at a loss to explain what he called a "skittish and standoffish" performance against an English side that in June finished a lowly 11th at the World Cup.

Whitelock and Glynn both echoed his sentiments as their crestfallen team-mates left the Glasgow National Hockey Centre turf.

"I'm pretty gutted to be honest, we all are," said Glynn whose clever 69th minute deflection forced the shootout.

"We dominated that game. We let ourselves down. The ball movement wasn't great and we held on to it too long."

As the Kiwis trudged off the turf with disbelief and heartbreak pasted over their faces, Whitelock was livid her side had let the occasion get to them. Again.

"Gutted. Disappointed," she said bluntly.

"We didn't come out and play like we normally do and that's the most frustrating part. We were timid."

Hager was equally disappointed and was lost for an explanation.

"When you've only got three or four players who played well out of the 16, that doesn't help."

Even from early on the match it wasn't the Kiwis' day.

They dominated most of the first half and had a generous helping of possession, but couldn't score.

Then England scored against the run of play through Lily Owsley. The Kiwi heads dropped as thoughts of recent costly slip-ups would have surely come flooding back.

They then tried to do to much individually and were guilty of trying to chase the game rather than continuing what had been working throughout the tournament.

"Apart from the last five minutes when we decided to move the ball quickly and combined," Hager said.

"We made silly decisions and were very poor entering the attacking third. Whether the players got overawed by the occasion, I'm not sure."

This is far from the first time the women's team have slipped-up when the pressure is on.

They lost the final of the last Commonwealth Games - to Australia - on strokes and were beaten in the bronze medal match by a Great Britain side featuring most of the current England team. After setting high goals for June's World Cup, they also cost themselves spot in the semifinals when they were poor and were upset against Korea.

New Zealand now meet South Africa in the bronze medal match after they were thumped 7-1 by Australia.

England 1 (Lily Owsley) New Zealand 1 (Katie Glynn). HT: 1-0. England win 3-1 in shootout

Stuff

India sign off on a winning note

by Dil Bahra in Glasgow


India's Navjot Kaur in action against Scotland

India finished in 5th position at the XX Commonwealth Games by beating hosts Scotland 2 – 1 at Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Hosts Scotland, encouraged by their roaring fans started the match forcing a penalty corner which was saved.  The exchanges were even, with Scotland earning another penalty corner in the 34th minute which was saved by the runner out forcing another corner. The shot went wide of the goal. A minute from the interval India came close to taking the lead after a good move on the right but the final shot went wide of the goal. Scotland attacked the Indian goal towards the end of the first half which ended scoreless.

India raised their level of play in the second half. Five minutes after the restart, Poonam Rani missed a good opportunity to score but her shot at goal was weak. Deepika Thakur made a good move on the left but her cross into the circle was not picked up. The constant Indian pressure earned India their first penalty corner in the 43rd minute. Jaspreet Kaur’s shot was saved by Scotland keeper Amy Gibson. Two minutes later, India were awarded another penalty corner but Jaspreet Kaur’s  shot went wide of the post.  Namita Toppo made an attacking move on the left flank but no one picked up her cross in the circle. This was India’s purple patch and they should have scored at least three goals in this period.

Against run of play, in the 47th minute, Scotland were awarded a penalty corner for  a deliberate foul on the edge of the 25. The poor Scotland shot was saved by Indian keeper Savita Punia.  India’s purple patch continued and in the 53rd minute Anupa Barla picked up a loose ball in the circle to give India the lead. The lead did not, however, last long. Two minutes later, a weak clearance by India led to a Scotland penalty corner which was well struck by Nikki Kidd to bring the scores level at one all.

Two minutes later, Poonam Rani scored a brilliant goal, to give India the lead again.  Poonam Rani missed a golden opportunity in the 62nd minute to increase the lead. Roared by the home crowd, Scotland tried everything but India had the game well in control. With three minutes remaining, Scotland, in a final effort, replaced their goal keeper with a kicking back but to no avail.

“A good performance in the second half” said Indian Coach, Neil Hawgood. He added “the players took responsibility and made decisions on the pitch.”

The future for this team is bright and it was pleasing to see the smiles back on the players after their disappointment in the match against South Africa.

www.sikhsinhockey.com

India women hockey team finishes fifth

India finished fifth for a second time running, defeating Scotland 2-1 in the women’s hockey classification match here on Friday.

All the goals came in the second half. The match began with Scotland dominating possession, but turned dull with both teams unable to create goal-scoring opportunities.

The start of the second half saw India more on the move, but Jaspreet Kaur was denied by Scottish custodian Amy Gibson who pulled off a stunning stick save off a penalty corner.

Moments later Kaur and Gibson came face to face again, but the Scottish goalkeeper was able to palm away the Indian’s effort.

A simple close-range strike by Anupa Barla finally helped India go 1-0 up in the 53rd-minute. But Scotland hit back straightaway when Nikki Kidd stepped up with a drag-flick beyond goalkeeper Savita Kumari’s reach.

In the 57th minute Poonam Rani hit the roof of the net for the match-winner.

India coach Neil Hawgood later admitted that it was a game of two halves.

India breezed past South Africa 5-2 and qualified for the men’s semifinals on Thursday. India will now take on New Zealand in the last four while Australia will meet England.

V.R. Raghunath and Rupinderpal Singh were on target in the fourth and eighth minutes. Ramandeep Singh made it 3-0 in the 22nd and S.V. Sunil’s goal in the 26th made it 4-0. Manpreet Singh rounded off the tally in the 58th minute.

Taine Patton deflected one in the 42nd minute while Austin Smith was on target in the 46th for South Africa.

The Hindu

Scotland finish sixth after India loss


Nikki Kidd celebrates her goal against India. Photo Credit: Ian Steele

Scotland Senior Women finished sixth in the Women’s Hockey competition following a 2-1 defeat to India at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Nikki Kidd had equalised for the Scots midway through the second-half after Anupa Barla had given India the lead shortly beforehand, but a well taken strike by Poonam Rani sealed the win, leaving the Scots in sixth position.


Nikki Kidd had given Scotland hope with an equalising goal against India. Photo Credit: Ian Steele

A dejected Scotland Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “Totally gutted. Sad for the players, we prepared well this summer for the target of the top four, which we believe was a realistic target we thought we could achieve. We know playing at this high international level that it’s small margins that make the difference, but sadly they went against us.

“The last two games were hard to take, the players against England were amazing and today they ran their hearts out, to just be on the wrong side of the one goal in the last two games was pretty tough.

“The players ran, they created plenty of opportunities but at this level the half chances are the ones that win your games and we didn't take them even though we had plenty of them.”


Scotland captain Linda Clement battles for possession. Photo Credit: Ian Steele

Scotland captain Linda Clement, who announced her international retirement after the match, summarised, “I feel quite flat after that, we were disappointed with our result against England the other day and after that game we needed to bounce back and finish on a high but we didn't take our chances so it is a disappointing to end like this.”

The first half contained few chances for either side; Nicki Skrastin’s deflected shot sailed over the bar in the sixth minute, before Ali Bell was given a half-chance midway through the half, but the ball ran away from the attacker after she has rounded India goalkeeper Savita Punia.

In the 23rd minute, Sarah Robertson won a penalty corner off an Indian foot but Kidd’s subsequent attempt came off a defender’s foot. Cat Ralph struck the next penalty corner but the shot was penalised by the umpire for being dangerously high.

Vikki Bunce’s reverse stick effort was saved by Punia shortly before the interval before Anuradha Thokchom wasted a golden opportunity to steal a half-time lead, shooting wide of the left hand post.

The second half was a far livelier affair, with Scotland starting with attacking intent when Linda Clement’s cross to Skrastin ended in the Clydesdale Western midfielder’s shot being blocked by Punia.

In the 38th minute, Scotland failed to take advantage of two penalty corner chances. The first attempt was too intricate to trouble their opponents’ goal, Ralph’s attempt at the second corner being blocked by a defender’s stick.

India then dominated the next ten minutes, fashioning a number of chances. Poonam Rani shot wide when the goal was at her mercy, Scotland goalkeeper Amy Gibson was alert to divert Deepika Thakur’s dangerous cross to safety, before Gibson pulled off marvellous saves to deny two successive Jaspreet Kaur penalty corner drag-flicks. Barla shot wide of the target with a reverse stick effort in the 46th minute.


Scotland goalkeeper Amy Gibson shows her class with a tremendous save. Photo Credit: Ian Steele

Further penalty corner chances fell for the Scots, Aileen Davis having her shot saved before Kidd’s drag-flick was well stopped by Punia.

It was therefore to the home side’s frustration that India took the lead in the 53rd minute; Barla collected the ball inside the scoring circle, dispatching the ball past Gibson low to her right.

Scotland were back on level terms two minutes later, Clement and Bell creating a penalty corner opportunity that Kidd rattled low into the right corner.

However, good play from Barla to find Poonam Rani in space on the left of the circle resulted in the midfielder’s shot giving Gibson no chance as it flew into the top right hand corner of the net to give India a 2-1 lead.

Chances fell to Nikki Lloyd and Robertson to register a second Scottish equaliser before full-time but it wasn’t to be.

For the Scots, playing in front of a home crowd in a Commonwealth Games has been a fantastic experience, as Clement concluded, “It is very special to play at a home games, when I reflect on it will be a very special experience playing in front of a home crowd, Glasgow have done a fantastic job but right now I feel disappointed but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Coach Shepherd had the final word, stating, “We have all loved Glasgow 2014, the village has been tremendous and Scottish hockey home ground filled to capacity with screaming fans has been unbelievable. Better than what we expected. Only disappointment is to finish in 6th but everything else has been fantastic.”

Team Scotland: Amy Gibson, Vikki Bunce, Morag McLellan, Ali Bell, Becky Ward, Cat Ralph, Sarah Robertson, Linda Clement (c), Ailsa Wyllie, Leigh Fawcett, Nikki Kidd, Susan McGilveray, Nikki Llloyd, Nicki Skrastin, Emily Maguire, Aileen Davis.


(Photo Credit: Ian Steele)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Scotland captain Linda Clement announces retirement from international hockey


Linda Clement v Australia. Photo: Andy Laing

Scotland Women’s Hockey captain Linda Clement has announced her retirement from international hockey following today’s 5th/6th classification match against India.

An emotional Clement said, “That was my last Scotland game, it was always going to be that way, it would have been great to finish on a high, we came into the competition and wanted to do something Scotland had never done before but that wasn't to be.

“I have had a long and very enjoyable career, all good things have to come to an end, time to hang up the boots.

“I am proud of my achievements and it has always been an honour to put on a Scotland top and play for my country but playing at a home games has made it extra special.

"Great way to end but just wish we could have met our target.”

Scotland Head Coach Gordon Shepherd praised his captain for her enormous contribution over the years, adding, “I don't think I could sum up what Linda has given to Scotland over the years, she is the most inspirational player I have ever had to work with both on and off the pitch, and she has been incredible.

“An absolute legend and will be missed in the squad but hopefully she can be involved in some capacity in the future as she is just an inspirational player for players now and players coming through. On behalf of Scottish Hockey I want to say thank you very much for what has been a tremendous career and wish her all the best.”



The 34 year-old finishes with a record 241 Scotland caps, having competed for Scotland in four Commonwealth Games (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) and netting 61 international goals for her country. She has also captained Scotland on well over 100 occasions, a testament to her strong leadership skills and a true role model for the sport in Scotland.

Scottish Hockey Chief Executive David Sweetman said, “I’d like to thank Linda for her huge contribution to international hockey and she has been a brilliant leader for the Scotland Women’s team since taking over the captaincy.

“She has been a wonderful role model, both to her peers and young hockey players in Scotland. I wish her well on her retirement and hope that she continues her involvement in hockey in the years to come.”


 
Scottish Hockey Union media release

Malaysian girls finish seventh after shootout win

GLASGOW: The Malaysian women’s hockey team finished seventh in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games when they beat Canada 3-0 in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied at 2-2 in regulation time at the National Hockey Stadium.

On Friday, Canada took the lead in the 15th minute off a penalty corner goal by Abigail Raye but Malaysia fought back to equalise through Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri in the 48th minute.

Canada regained the lead with a field goal by skipper Catherine Gills in the 55th minute but Malaysia again hit back, this time through Nurul Nabihah Mansur’s field goal in the 66th minute.

Both teams tried but failed to find the winning goal, forcing the game to be decided on penalties.

In the shootout Malaysia’s Juliani Mohd Din, Siti Noor Amarina and Silin Fazilla converted the first three attempts while Canada’s players fluffed their lines.

The Star of Malaysia

Malaysia defeat ensures Scots finish in eighth place



Team Scotland rounded off their participation in the Men’s Hockey competition against Malaysia tonight, losing 2-1 in their classification match to finish 8th overall.

Scotland captain Chris Grassick has given the home side a twelfth minute lead, only to be 2-1 down at the half-time interval thanks to goals from Malaysia’s Muhammad Shahril Saabah and Kazamirul Ahmad Nasruddin.

Despite a valiant second half performance, the Scots couldn’t quite find the back of the net.

Scotland Head Coach Derek Forsyth summarised, "I am really disappointed today, the boys put a lot into it but just couldn't get the ball.

"On another day we could take these chances and win the game but unfortunately didn't win the game.

"It's not what we wanted, we definitely could have been higher, I think yesterday took its toll on us  playing with 14 men and today we played with a man down. Can't fault boys for the effort they put in fantastic.

"A Home games in Glasgow, you can never beat it. The boys have a had a fantastic time, you will never get a crowd like that for a long time absolutely brilliant, the support has been tremendous. We have learnt a lot from this experience and looking to move forward from this."

Scotland captain Chris Grassick added, "Disappointed with the result, proud of how we played today and our last four games. We couldn't have put in any more effort and couldn't have tried harder, just disappointed where we have finished.

"We're happy with the progress we have made, we had a respectable score line against Australia, we ran South Africa very close just losing 2-0 in the last seconds, we competed with India and beat Wales in that crunch game and delivered when it mattered. We have played to our ranking but we believe we can do better than that, disappointed with the result but as I say proud of the effort we put in today.

"The Games have been incredible I just don't want it to end, for all of us it's been the best week of our lives to play in front of a home crowd."

After an uneventful opening period to the match, a good interchange between Michael Bremner and Chris Nelson on the left flank led to a penalty corner award in the 13th minute for an illegal challenge on the Kelburne midfielder.

Dan Coultas’ drag-flick effort was saved by Malaysia goalkeeper Muhammed Hafizuddin Othman but captain Chris Grassick was on hand to collect the rebound and turn the ball home to give Scotland a 1-0 lead.

Malaysia almost replied a minute later but Muhammad Shahril Saabah couldn’t connect with a dangerous cross into the scoring circle.

Nelson was the hero for the home side after Malaysia were awarded two penalty corners in quick succession, clearing the ball off the goal-line twice with his stick from Saabah’s goal-bound efforts.

In the 24th minute, Scotland were awarded a penalty corner for a stick tackle on Ian Moodie, Grassick just failing to divert Coultas’ drag-flick on target.

A video referral was called by the national side only sixty seconds later, successfully appealing for a Malaysian foot, but Coultas was denied again, this time by a timely intervention from a defender’s stick that deflected the ball over the bar.

The missed chances were to prove costly in the 26th minute when Saabah cleverly diverted Faiz Helmi Jali’s fizzer of a cross past Scotland goalkeeper Jamie Cachia to claim the equalising goal and restore parity to the contest at 1-1.

Cachia made an excellent block from a Razie Muhammad Bin Abd Rahim penalty corner attempt, only to be penalised for making the ball dangerous.  Sadly, the Scottish shot-stopper couldn’t do anything about by Kazamirul Ahmad Nasruddin’s brutal low drag-flick into the left hand corner of the goal, giving Malaysia a 2-1 advantage that they took in to the half-time interval.

Scotland were almost back on level terms straight after the re-start but Kenny Bain couldn’t turn the ball past Othman from a position at the back post

Muhammad Rashid Baharom then had an opportunity to extend Malaysia’s lead, but his weak reverse stick attempt was easily saved by Cachia.

In the 48th minute, an excellent through pass from Niall Stott found the Malaysian scoring circle but Nelson couldn’t get a stick on the ball to make an attempt on goal.

Good play by Bain won a penalty corner in the 52nd minute but Coultas’ subsequent effort was saved.

Bain was again the danger man for Scotland, executing a reverse stick cross but Moodie couldn’t finish off the opportunity in front of goal.

Ten minutes from full-time, Malaysia were awarded a penalty corner for obstruction but Alan Forsyth was able to clear the ball off the goal-line from the drag-flick shot.

Agony three minutes from time as Forsyth couldn’t quite connect with a pass with the goal begging, before Coultas had a last ditch penalty corner saved. Alas it wasn’t to be Scotland’s night.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Preview: men’s semi-final

Australian men prepare to take on England Saturday night



After taking top spot in Pool A with a 100% record of four wins from four, Australia’s world champion men will line up against rivals England in Saturday’s semi-final at the Commonwealth Games.

England, the world number five, qualified for the final four from second place in Pool B, three points behind table toppers New Zealand, to whom they lost 2-1 earlier in the week.

The match has been brought forward by a couple of hours and will now be played at 10am local time to allow for a longer recovery period between the semi-finals and the medal matches with the two unusually being played on consecutive days.

England narrowly missed out on bronze at the World Cup but with playmaker Ashley Jackson looking like he’s back to his most dangerous following injury worries in The Hague they will likely provide Australia with their sternest test yet.

It may well be a game that relies much on the penalty corner specialisms of the key protagonists. England’s Jackson is the tournament’s top scorer having netted seven times in the opening four matches, six from the penalty corner. Hot on his heels in the goal scoring charts, Chris Ciriello is tied with Jake Whetton and India’s Rupinder Singh with five goals – three from corners. In all, nine of England’s 18 goals have come from corners with seven of Australia’s 22 coming from the set piece.

Australia’s route to the semi-finals came courtesy of wins over Wales (7-1), South Africa (6-0), India (4-2) and Scotland (5-0) while England’s path saw wins over Trinidad & Tobago (6-1), Malaysia (8-1) and Canada (3-1), as well as defeat to New Zealand (2-1).

The two teams last met at the World Cup where Kieran Govers’ extraordinary aerial goal in the dying seconds of the first half lit up a 5-0 Aussie win. They met twice in the build-up to the World Cup with Australia coming out narrowly on top but it was England who enjoyed success in January at the World League Finals, winning the bronze medal playoff 2-1.

Speaking after the match against Scotland, Australian forward Matt Gohdes said of England: “I think they’re playing very well. The team’s not too dissimilar to the one that was at the World Cup so they obviously know themselves very well, so we’ll go and watch as much video as we can in the next couple of days and we’ll give them a red-hot crack in two days’ time.”

For the winner come the guarantee of a Commonwealth Games medal while the loser will need to quickly pick themselves up for a bronze medal playoff against the defeated team in the second semi-final, between New Zealand and India. India will be missing their renowned captain Sardar Singh for that match after he was banned for one game for an offence in India’s final pool match against South Africa.

The Australia v England match will be shown on Ten in Australia with five-times World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer joining the commentary team.

Hockey Australia media release

Hockey men forget medals, put focus on mettle

MATT RICHENS IN GLASGOW


COMMITTED: Steve Edwards and the Black Sticks men are fully focussed on their semifinal against India at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Photosport

The mark of a successful Commonwealth Games is a medal - preferably a gold - but the trick, says the New Zealand men's hockey team, is to forget about the silverware.

And it's tough; for some athletes and teams, a Games gold has been in the back of their minds for four years and, for others, longer.

For the world No 6-ranked hockey players, they've at least been distracted by last month's World Cup in the Netherlands, with the Glasgow Games becoming focus No 1 only recently.

They play world No 9 India tonight in the Games semifinal after thumping Malaysia 6-1 yesterday morning at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

They're unbeaten, tipped up England with a late winner which means they avoid powerhouses Australia in the semifinal, and their confidence is high.

But the senior players know not to get ahead of themselves, success at big tournaments has come few and far between for New Zealand.

A Commonwealth Gold doesn't match the Olympic triumph of 1976, but it would put this team on the map.

They know that too and, like the medals, need to keep it out of their minds.

"It's not easy, but it's something you learn along the way," the experienced Simon Child said.

"Our group is lucky, we've got a lot of experienced guys and a lot of guys who have played a huge number of games, and they help the younger guys stay focused.

"If you start thinking about medals and results it can backfire because then you're not thinking about all the little things you have to do, and just doing your job properly."

Both Child and goal-scoring defender Andy Hayward had a certain confident glean about them after their win over Malaysia.

It was a team-wide feeling, they said, and one they hoped would see them get past India tonight.

"We're building nicely and starting to hit our straps now," Child said.

"It's important to build into it and peak and make sure you're playing your best hockey at the end of the tournament and I feel like that's what we're doing."

Hayward said the side's confidence came from the results at the Games. It has beaten Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, England and now Malaysia.

"Winning puts smiles on faces," he said.

"The boys were talking the other day about it, winning builds the confidence and the self-belief which is big. And, when you've won four on the trot, which we haven't done a lot of lately, that's the right place you want to be heading into the semifinals."

The "in the now" mentality won't let the New Zealand team think about what would be waiting for them should they win the semifinal and qualify for just their second Commonwealth Games final.

Juggernaut Australia will prove too fast, strong and skilful for England and be waiting for Dean Couzins and his team.

The Aussies have never lost a single match at the Games and are the current world champions. But this is a different side from the World Cup and, if there was ever a chance to tip them up, now might be it.

But first up is India tonight at 11.15 (NZ time).

Stuff

It's fine with the players when 'quiet man' turns up the volume as goalie for Black Sticks

By David Leggat


New Zealand's goalkeeper Devon Manchester. Photo / Greg Bowker

Devon Manchester has to undergo a personality change when he steps on to the field for the Black Sticks.

Hockey players like their goalkeeper to be noisy. That's not Aucklander Manchester's natural way.

"I wouldn't say generally off the field I'm a bossy, out-there kind of person," he said yesterday.

"But on the field it's definitely something that I've been developing.

"When I first came into the team as quite a young goalkeeper there were guys I'd followed when I was growing up, and you're telling them what to do," Manchester said.

It didn't quite seem his place to be doing that, but he's learning, and that suits the line of defence in front of him just fine.

"The feedback from them is that's definitely what they want."

Manchester has edged Canterbury's Hamish McGregor out in their battle for the one Commonwealth Games job. His form has been impressive and with that comes confidence, both for the player and those who rely on his instructions and his ability to fulfil the last line of defence duties.

His debut came at the 2012 Champions Trophy in Melbourne. At 24 and with the semifinal tonight against India being his 44th cap, Manchester has plenty of learning to do but there are good signs.

He's physically smaller than most glovemen so while he's watched them, studied their movements, he's been wary of following their technique too closely. Where they fill out the goal, he's got more space to cover.

"So style of play wise, I've always been careful. Guys like [former New Zealand keeper] Paul Woolford, big guys, I'm careful about copying them. I do a lot of work with Paul and feel that has benefited me. I bounce ideas off him and with him coming from the position of having done that."

Older New Zealand hands, like captain Dean Couzins and Andy Hayward, have a theory about noisy goalkeepers.

They both cited the approach of another recent Black Sticks keeper, Kyle Pontifex.

"He was annoying as hell on the field because he was yabber, yabber, yabber," Hayward said. "But part of that showed he was very confident and it's good to see Devon like that as well."

Couzins likes the increasing desire he's seen within Manchester to be the dominant player at the back.

"You can see the confidence in him. It might be through calling, or circle positioning or setting up penalty corner defence."

Manchester is an example of hockey striking it lucky, purely by chance. He was lined up for rugby at intermediate school but was a couple of kilograms too heavy.

So hockey it was and he was sent to Auckland trials soon after, made the age group rep team and "just been at it since".

How much time does he spend reconnoitring upcoming opponents and their shot-making tendencies, particularly at penalty corners? Some, but "when you're on the field that can be a really dangerous thought running through your head.

"If you go top right and he goes bottom left you're kind of stuffed. Once they pull the ball out [at a penalty corner] I just watch the ball and react to what happens."

He produced outstanding form during the World Cup and was strong and decisive against England in the Black Sticks' clutch 2-1 win this week which smoothed their passage to the semifinals.

India are waiting tonight, but Manchester is confident.

"I think we are looking good for the semifinals. We need to take a step up," he said after New Zealand's 6-1 win.

Expect "Noisy" Manchester to be calling the shots as New Zealand strive to make tomorrow night's final, almost certainly against old rivals and world No 1 Australia.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Banned Sardar Singh out of New Zealand semis

Biswajyoti Brahma

GLASGOW: India's bid to qualify for the final of the men's hockey received a serious jolt when captain Sardar Singh was banned for one match for a "dangerous slide tackle".

Sardar, one of the best midfielders in the world, will be missing from India's semifinal clash against New Zealand on Saturday.

Sardar was punished on Fri day for the tackle in the match against South Africa, which the Indians won 5-2 on Thursday to qualify for the semifinals.

Sardar received a yellow card for his foul against South Africa following which the jury decided to ban him for two matches, as this was the second "dangerous offence" by him. On appeal, the ban was reduced to one match.

The Indian captain had earlier been warned when his stick hit the face of Australia's Eddie Ockenden during a group match which his side lost 2-4.

With India seeking to win their maid en hockey Commonwealth gold, Sardar's suspension has come as a major setback for Terry Walsh's side. India have won just one medal in men's hockey since it was introduced in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur. Their only final appearance came four years ago in Delhi when they lost to Australia in the summit clash.

WOMEN'S TEAM FINISHES FIFTH

The women finished their campaign on a positive note when they beat Scotland 2-1 to finish fifth. The team, which failed to qualify for the semifinals with two losses in the group stage, did well to get past the hosts in the closely-fought match.

Anupa Barla opened the scoring for India before Nikki Kidd pulled one back for Scotland two minutes later. India got the winner through Poonam Rani in the 57th minute.

The Times of India

Ahead of semis, India loses its 'spine'

V Krishnaswamy


In captain Sardar Singh’s absence, a lot will depend on drag flickers Rupinderpal Singh (2nd from left) and VR Raghunath (3rd from left) AFP

Men's hockey team take on New Zealand for a place in final without suspended captain Sardar

Pitted against a higher ranked New Zealand, the Indian men's hockey team will be hugely impacted by the absence of its star player and captain, Sardar Singh, who has been suspended for the match.

Sardar endured a 10-minute suspension in India's last match against South Africa. But the dangerous offence against South Africa had come the back of another one against Australia in the earlier match, when he was deemed to have indulged in dangerous and inappropriate physical conduct against Eddie Ockenden. The jury thus slapped a two-match ban on him.

But following an appeal by the Indian team management, the jury reduced the suspension to one match. A two-match suspension would have ruled Sardar out of either the final or bronze medal match too.

India's manager and former international player MK Kaushik maintained that the tackle was "unintentional".

"Since he has already been reprimanded, he received a two-match suspension. But after we appealed it was reduced to one match," he added.

Sardar was disappointed with the ban but preferred to speak about the match. "Our team is now playing well," but admitted at the same time, "After four goals we got a bit lazy and took it easy. We need to focus on the whole game."

As for the semis against New Zealand, he added, "New Zealand are a good team and are ranked higher than us. But we have an even record against them and tonight and tomorrow we need to sit down and analyse what we have been doing well and where we have been making mistakes."

Seven of the 16 Kiwi players have more than 150 international caps but the young Indian team has proved to be well-balanced in this tournament.

New Zealand's penalty corner specialist Andy Hayward is the man India will need to look out for and at the same time focus on the defence in the absence of Sardar. India's answer to Hayward will be Rupinderpal Singh, who has performed consistently in the tournament to become India's leading scorer.

"The tournament starts for us now because the next match is very important. If we win against New Zealand, it's great but if we lose, then the last few days mean nothing," Rupinderpal said.

As for the two teams' record in the Commonwealth Games, India defeated New Zealand 3-1 in 1998 in the league stage and later finished fourth, while the Kiwis failed to make the last four. In 2002, India didn't play while the Kiwis were the losing finalists. In 2006, New Zealand beat India by 2-1 for the 5th position. In 2010, the two teams did not face each other but India made their way to the finals against Australia and bagged the second spot. New Zealand settled for the third position, beating England in the bronze medal match.

India's chief coach, Terry Walsh, said, "Unfortunately we will play New Zealand without Sardar Singh who is under one match suspension. New Zealand are well versed in these contests but indeed this is our challenge. Our team is growing game by game and this important match will measure how far we have developed. Our defensive structure will need to be at its best. Our confidence and self-belief will determine the outcome of this game."

In the other semifinal, four-time winners Australia, who have won the gold each time the sport has figured on the programme, will meet England.

Women finish fifth

The Indian women's team defeated hosts Scotland 2-1 to claim the fifth place in the classification matches. Though they attacked right through it was only in the second half that the Indian forwards finally scored and won the match. Anupama Barla slipped in a field goal in the 53rd minute and took the lead 1-0. It was quickly followed by a penalty corner conversion by Scotland's N Kidd in the 55th minute and that levelled the score 1-1. However, Scotland's joy was short-lived as the Indians took the lead back in the 57th with Poonam Rani striking another field goal and marking 2-1 as the final score of the match.

DNA

Sardar Singh suspended for semifinal against New Zealand

GLASGOW: In a huge jolt to Indian men's hockey team, captain Sardar Singh has been suspended for the semifinal match against New Zealand on Saturday following his yellow card for a dangerous slide tackle in pool A match against South Africa at the Commonwealth Games here.

The appeal jury held a hearing to consider Singh's latest disciplinary lapse, for which he was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

He has already been reprimanded on Wednesday over an incident during India's match against Australia on Tuesday.

Sardar was deemed to have been guilty of "inappropriate physical conduct" after Australia's Eddie Ockenden was hit in the face.

Following a review by the appeal jury after India vs South Africa match on Thursday, the jury decided to suspend Sardar for two matches. That was later reduced to one game after India submitted a protest.

The Times of India

Canadian men looking for best finish ever at Commonwealth Games

Shaheed Devji

When the Canadian Men's National Field Hockey Team takes to the pitch against the Republic of South Africa on Saturday in the fifth place match at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, they will be doing so with a chance to make history.

Since 1998, when field hockey was first introduced at the Commonwealth Games, Canada has finished no better than sixth. That result game in 2002 in Manchester, England.

At the inagural tournament, in 1998 in Kuala Lampur, the Canadians fell just short of making the medal matches after a highly competitive and emotional 2-1 loss to host Malaysia. The best they could have finished was fifth, but there were no classification matches.

On Saturday in Glasgow, the Canadians have a shot to officially claim fifth place, which would be their best finish ever.

"There has been a considerable amount to be happy with throughout this tournament," says Canadian head coach Anthony Farry. "We have been able to control possession for good periods and are creating scoring chances."

While converting on those chances likely would have resulted in Canada playing for a medal, the opportunity to post a best-ever result is, if not equally as satisfying, a close second.

"South Africa are a very good team as seen by their performance in the recent World Cup," Farry continues. "We have a great deal of respect for them."

"For us to be successful we need to execute when it counts. These types of games rarely present too many chances so we are going to need to be clinical."

No matter the result, the Canadians will have had a successful Games, having pushed top teams like England and New Zealand. This comes after a second place finish at the Champions Challenge I in Malaysia and is a great sign for the Canadians who are looking to clinch a 2016 Olympic berth at next summer's Pan American Games in Toronto.

"We've learnt a great deal about competing the multi-sport environment which is going to hold us in good stead next year."

The game between Canada and South Africa starts at 6:30amPST/9:30amEST on Saturday.

Field Hockey Canada media release

It looks like coach Dharmaraj's days are numbered

By Aftar Singh


It seems like K. Dharmaraj's days as the Malaysian hockey coach are numbered

GLASGOW: National hockey coach K. Dharmaraj is as good as a “dead man walking”.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) coaching committee chairman Manjit Singh Abdullah wants Dharmaraj sacked after the national team’s woeful performance in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The national team had, before heading for Glasgow, finished last in the 12-team World Cup in The Hague, Holland.

They began their Commonwealth Games Group B campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada but it proved to be just a temporary respite.

In their second match, the Malaysians were handed an 8-1 thrashing by England.

Then came the straw that broke the camel’s back as Malaysia suffered a humiliating 4-2 loss to minnows Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, followed by another heavy loss – 6-1 to New Zealand on Thursday.

The loss to world No. 29 Trinidad was the worst ever for world No. 13 Malaysia.

It was the tiny Caribbean nation hockey team’s first win in the Games since making their debut in Manchester in 2002.

As much as Manjit wants Dharmaraj booted out, MHC senior vice-president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad reasoned that it’s not as easy as that.

“Although Manjit wants Dharmaraj sacked, we cannot simply terminate his services,” said Azmi in a telephone interview on Friday.

“We have to study the two-year contract he signed in May just before the national team left for the World Cup in Holland.

“We will get our lawyers to study the contract and see if there’s any clause that says we can sack him without paying any compensation.

“We will have a meeting soon with MHC president Tengku Abdullah (Sultan Ahmad Shah) to discuss Dharmaraj’s future.

“During that meeting, we will also study the national team’s World Cup report.”

Nur Azmi admitted that the loss to unheralded Trinidad was unacceptable.

“We cannot stomach the humiliating defeat. It is really demoralising to MHC and the nation.

“We will meet Dharmaraj next week to find out the reasons for the team’s failure in the Games.”

Asked if there is a plot among the players to undermine Dharmaraj, Azmi said that he too had heard such talk.

“We need to talk with the players to know if they are indeed unhappy with Dharmaraj,” he said.

Dharmaraj was appointed national coach in January when South African Paul Revington resigned.

On Thursday, Dharmaraj hit out at his critics for condemning him and the team after their loss to Trinidad.

He had said: “We all tend to assume that Malaysia are a great team when, in actual fact, we are not.”

The Star of Malaysia

Jen said it then: Exciting times ahead for SA women’s hockey team

By Kevin McCallum

Jen Wilson settled in to watch the second half of South Africa’s semi-final against Australia in Glasgow yesterday with a beer made all that better tasting by the addition of international retirement.

Almost four years ago she was playing for South Africa in a semi-final in the Delhi Commonwealth Games. They lost that semi-final, against New Zealand, and then, heartbreakingly, the bronze medal match against England.

Four years ago, I watched her slumped against the wall at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, tears in her eyes as she struggled to come to terms with the loss, disappointment and the what-could have beens. I walked closer and she saw me. I asked if she minded speaking. She nodded, wiped her eyes and came over.

I’ve gone back to my piece on this four years ago, and, without being too-up-my-own-arse about it, I wrote this: “… her eyes full of tears, her face full of hurt, frustration and disappointment. She stared at the Astroturf she had left not 10 minutes before, and on which she had left her dreams of a Commonwealth Games medal.
 
“The women’s hockey team lost their bronze medal match against England 1-0 yesterday in a game they knew they really should have won. She couldn’t take it in. It took a moment of fortune for England to win when Georgie Twigg deflected in a hopeful cross on the 13th minute, which turned out to be unlucky for South Africa. They had created history in getting this far, the first time a South African women’s team had reached this stage in any major competition.

“ ‘(It hurts) Badly, really badly,’ said Wilson, at 31 the second-oldest member of a young team. ‘I think we outplayed them for long periods of the game. The goal they got was a hit and hope, they got the touch, it’s unfortunate. I think we showed the sort of hockey we can play, and the fact that we’re outplaying these teams, that’s what makes it such a bitter pill to swallow.’ ”
 
Yesterday there was less of a bitter taste in her mouth. She came to say hello. “This is a lot different from four years ago,” I said. She laughed. “You’re just jealous I have a beer and you don’t. It’s a lot easier sitting up here, I can tell you.”
 
We spoke shortly about the match, about where they had gone wrong and how they could come right. She lives in Canterbury in England now. I rushed off to speak to Marsha Cox about the thrashing they had just received and made a vague promise to meet for a drink at tonight’s bronze medal match.
 
Four years ago. It seems like a lifetime. Sitting in a fierce sun tamed by reluctant clouds at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, watching black kites being chased away by the half-time sprinklers and then hovering over the ground during the match, then dive-bombing the plumes of water at the break.

Back then we could see something special developing with the South African team. They have ebbed and flowed in their form, showing they can compete and then falling away badly, as they did yesterday.

They can win big matches. They can beat England and New Zealand, who they face in today’s bronze medal match.

Wilson saw it four years ago.

“The type of hockey (Giles)is trying to get us to play is three dimensional. It’s not the bog standard type of hockey you’ve seen in South Africa for a long time. It’s something new, it’s different sparks, it’s different ideas. If this is the face of South African hockey and of where we are going, then there are some exciting times ahead for South African hockey.”

Independent Online

U.S. Men’s National Team Begins Second Summer Series with Mexico

CHULA VISTA, Calif. – After a successful series against Chile in mid-July and an intense summer training regimen, the U.S. Men’s National Team begins a second series against Mexico tomorrow at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The series will feature six matches over the course of eight days and several U.S. players who are vying to make the final selection to the U.S. Men’s Senior Squad.

“The Chile series provided us with a benchmark to improve upon as the summer continues,” said Head Coach Chris Clements. “We developed new tactical initiatives to allow us to be more dynamic through our midfield and now need to increase our finishing in the attacking third of the field.”

The relatively young U.S. squad went undefeated against the higher-ranked Chile squad. Three new players, Tom Barrett (Greensboro, N.C.), Ajaypal Singh (Hayward, Calif.) and Sean Cicchi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) earned their first senior international caps with the national team. Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.) also notched his 50th cap with Team USA.

“The Chile series was a huge step in the right direction toward what we want to accomplish,” said U.S. Men’s National Team athlete Tyler Sundeen (Simi Valley, Calif.). “Chile has always been a tough team for us to beat, but we had confidence in each other and the mindset that we knew we would win every game if we went out there, did our job and played the way that we planned. Our preparation and mentality was better than it ever has been, and even though we didn't lose a game, we still knew we needed to improve and play more consistently. We weren't happy with just winning, we wanted to play the best we could and demanded better from each other when necessary.”

Beginning in early July, the U.S. Men’s National Team began a rigorous two-month regimen of training, practicing, lifting and competing. While the centralized training program has been in place for several months, this summer marks the first opportunity for the entire squad to be together day in and day out. The Mexico series will give Team USA the opportunity to build upon the success from Chile, work on new tactics and find more team cohesiveness.

“The development we have made so far this summer has been very encouraging,” said Sundeen. “We have a lot of guys who have never played together before or in an international match at all, but what’s really exciting to me is the dedication and effort that everyone has been putting in so we can make the most of our time together and really develop as a team both on and off the pitch. Chris Clements and some of the more experienced players have done a fantastic job of creating a whole new team culture of working really hard day in and day out and trying to make improvements every day, both on the field and in our everyday lives, so that we can become as good as we can truly be.”

While the U.S. is ranked ahead of Mexico in FIH World Rankings, the Mexican squad is full of strong athletes and brings a high-intensity style of play.

“Mexico has some quality players who are an attacking threat,” said Clements. “Our ability to contain their quick counter attacking style of play will be critical for our success in the upcoming series. They have a strong penalty corner, which in international hockey is critical for success and something that has aided them in the past. We are looking to make some key improvements from the Chile series as we continue to gain experience and develop as a program.”

“I think we are all very eager to play against Mexico and gain more experience on how they play and how we want to play against them,” said Sundeen. “We are expecting to continue our development and become more familiar with our teammates and the different styles of play we each have. Mexico will be a good test for us and we have many things we are focusing on to help us come out of the series a much better team.”

Team USA will take on Mexico August 2-9, with games falling on August 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9, and all matches beginning at 10:45 a.m. PDT. Follow @USAFieldHockey on Twitter for live match updates and stay tuned to usafieldhockey.com for more #NoOffDays videos and Men’s National Team stories.

USFHA media release

Canadian women look to impress at Junior National Camp

Shaheed Devji



A group of the best young female field hockey players in the country will be gathering in Vancouver August 12-17th for the Canadian Women’s Junior Development Squad National Camp.

Athletes at this camp will be looking to be named to the Junior Development Squad, the first point of entry to the Women’s National Program, and vy for roster spots at upcoming junior international junior events such at the 2016 Junior World Cup.

“We are looking for athletes who demonstrate a deep desire for Canada to be successful on the senior international stage,” says Women’s National Program Head Coach and Director of Performance, Ian Rutledge.

“While ability is sometimes a given for a talented group, we are looking for athletes that apply themselves to be better every single day; an attitude to want to contribute and become elite level athletes in every aspect of their performance.”

Athletes have been identified at various levels, including through their provincial teams at National Championships and at the Canadian university level.

Many, like Sophie Jones, who is in heading into her second year playing for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, were invited to the camp after national scouts took notice of their play in these arenas.

“I decided to stay in Vancouver and go to UBC mainly because the National Program is based in Vancouver,” says Jones. “To keep that option open, I wanted to stay here and be able to be looked at by the scouts and the coaches.”

The Junior Development Camp will be Jones’ third time training with the Women’s National Program.

“They’ve been really good. They’re really hard work but they teach us both the skills aspect and the team aspect of playing, along with the commitment.”

While being named to the Junior Development Saud does not mean an athlete will remain a part of the National Program throughout her career, with major international tournaments upcoming, it does carry great weight.

“It will be this age group that will represent Canada at the 2016 Junior World Cup and push the older girls for selection as we head towards both the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics,” says Rutledge.

Seventeen year-old Alex De Armond will also be attending the camp. But her path to this point has been different than Jones’.

De Armond was identified at the 2013 Under-18 National Championship, where she competed for Team British Columbia.

As Jones was, De Armond was then invited to a Women’s National Team-Junior Development Squad integrated camp in November 2013 and to a a Junior Development Camp this past March.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to play for my country,” she says. “Making Team B.C. and going to that first National Camp helped me realized my goal of being on the National Team was realistic.”

Both De Armond and Jones have shown a desire to become a part of the National Program, this combined with their talent and the path's they have chosen has gotten to this point, the National Camp, where they will have a chance to impress up-close, where it matters the most.

Field Hockey Canada media release

PHF likely to arrange international matches before Asian Games: Mujahid

ISLAMABAD: The third phase of the national training camp for the upcoming Asian Games begins here from August 5 (Tuesday) while the camp for the Youth Olympics starts in Lahore from August 4, secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Rana Mujahid Ali said on Friday. The Asian Games is going to be held in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to October 3 while the Youth Olympics are being staged in Nanjing, China from August 16. Mujahid said the players would report to head coach Shahnaz Sheikh in Islamabad on August 4 while the probables for the Youth Olympics would report to head coach Olympian Tahir Zaman on August 3. He said the PHF was also considering seriously the suggestion put forward by Shahnaz to arrange some international matches for the Pakistan team as part of their preparations for the Asiad. “Hopefully, some international matches will be organised in order to boost Pakistan team preparations, who will be defending their title at the Asian Games,” Mujahid said.

Meanwhile, Shahnaz said it would be relatively more beneficial for Pakistan to play some matches against Malaysia and India prior to the Asian Games. However, the head coach acknowledged that the Asian teams might be reluctant to face each other before the prestigious continental event. “Some matches against European teams are also preferable, and if those countries are also not free then a few games against some strong European clubs can also provide us necessary practice,” Shahnaz said, noting that several European Clubs had maintained good standard of hockey that was even better than that held by some Asian teams. “We, after the Asian Champions Trophy, have not played international hockey for the last 10 months and it is a big gap. Therefore, it is necessary to play some international matches so that we can assess strong and weak areas of the team after completion of the first two phases of national camp,” Shahnaz explained. The Incheon Games is the first assignment of Shahnaz, who has joined hands with Akhtar Rasool-led PHF after remaining in opposition throughout the tenure of last PHF president Qasim Zia.

The Daily Times

14 teams to take part in Malaysia's Razak Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: This year’s Razak Cup hockey competition in Kuantan from Aug 15-24 will again have 14 teams in the fray.

The only change is that Kelantan will return to the fold while Sabah, who took part last year, have declined to send a team.

Eight teams will play in Division One while six will feature in Division Two.

Defending champions Perak will head Group A in Division One with Negri Sembilan, Pahang and newly-promoted Selangor for company. Group B consists of former champions Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Johor and Penang.

Terengganu, who finished last in Division One last season, will play in Division Two with Armed Forces, Kedah, Perlis, Police and Kelantan.

The Star of Malaysia