News 17 August 2014
All the news for Sunday 17 August 2014
Women’s development team defeated
Australian development squad goes down 3-1 to China in Dalian
Two early goals from hosts China helped them level the series 1-1 against Australia's women's development squad as they ran out 3-1 winners despite Gabby Nance's goal before half time.
Despite the end result, there were plenty of positive signs for Australia as they demonstrated an improved structural performance. However, a lack precision with basic skill execution made it difficult to compete with the disciplined Chinese style.
Goals from Zhang Xiaoxue and Liang Meiyu inside the opening five minutes put Australia on the back foot but Gabby Nance halved the deficit with a penalty corner rebound shortly before half time. But Liang Meiyu's second early in the second half ensured a Chinese victory.
With three more matches in the Chinese leg of the tour, Australia's women will aim to refine their counter control concepts to contain the breakaway, which is an integral part of China’s attack.
Australian Women's Development Squad - Tour to China and Japan
Match 2 v China
Dalian, CHN
Australia 1 (1)
Gabby Nance 25 (PC)
China 3 (2)
Zhang Xiaoxue 3 (FG)
Liang Meiyu 5, 38 (FG, FG)
Started: Murphy Allendorf (Mount Gravatt, QLD), Jacqui Day (Mountain Creek, QLD), Kate Denning (South Perth, WA), Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD), Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, QLD),
Jordyn Holzberger (Ipswich, QLD), Kazzia Lammon (Brisbane, QLD), Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW), Gabrielle Nance (Adelaide, SA), Kathryn Slattery (Como, WA), Audrey Smith (Wynnum, QLD)
Used Sub: Tamsin Bunt (Aylmerton, NSW), Kyra Flynn (Hillarys, WA), Stephanie Kershaw (Townsville, QLD), Samantha Snow (Blackburn, VIC), Penny Squibb (Tambellup, WA), Katy Symons (Attadale, WA)
Did Not Play: Elizabeth Duguid (Darwin, NT), Ashlea Fey (Sunshine Coast, QLD), Mariah Williams (Teralba, NSW)
Hockey Australia media release
Bankers dethrone PIA to lift hockey cup
LAHORE: Two-goal Ayub helped National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) dethrone PIA and lifted the All-Pakistan NBP Hockey Tournament trophy at the Johar Stadium here on Saturday.
Both the teams were tied at 1-1 in the first quarter of the match as PIA earned the lead first when Imran Khan struck a field goal in the 6th minute.
Akhtar Ali restored the parity in the 11th minute cashing in on a short-corner.
The bankers then scored five goals in a row while conceding one to get a commanding 6-2 lead.
First Sabtain added a field goal in the 18th minute for 2-1 lead. Ayub made it 3-1 scoring his first in the 20th minute.
PIA reduced the lead 3-2 in the 29th minute when Waqas Akbar, two goal scorer, fired his first.
NBP then showed no mercy for the national carrier, as Ayub compounded their miseries netting his second goal in the 47th minute and Bilal Qadir making it 5-2 in the same minute.
Attique sounded the board in the 52nd minute to increase NBP lead to 6-2.
Waqas found the cage in the 54th minute to score PIA’s third goal.
Pakistan Hockey Federation president Akhtar Rasool, who was the chief guest, gave away the cash prize of Rs50,000 and trophy to the winners and Rs35, 000 to the runners-up.
Dawn
Exhibition hockey match today
LAHORE: Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Whites will play an exhibition hockey match on Sunday to commemorate the Independence Day.
The match which is being organised by the Pakistan Hockey Federation will commence at 7pm at the Johar Town Hockey Stadium.
Pakistan head coach Shahnaz Sheikh will act as manager and head coach of the Greens team while Whites’ manager and head coach is national junior team coach Manzoor-ul-Hassan.
Dawn
Relentless Terengganu
By Jugjet Singh
TERENGGANU continued their dominating run in Division Two of the Razak Cup when they whipped Armed Forces 7-1 at the Kuantan Stadium yesterday.
The win came at the back of a 4-1 whipping of Police on Friday, and Terengganu look set to keep the momentum when they meet Perlis tomorrow.
Yesterday, the Terengganu goals were scored by Sufi Ismat (sixth, 33rd), Faizal Saari (37th, 65th), Baljit Singh (49th), Ahmad Afiq (58th) and Syazuwan Firdaus (69th).
Today, the Division One teams begin their battles with defending champions Perak opening accounts against Pahang.
RESULTS — Division Two: Terengganu 7 Armed Forces 1; Kelantan 1 Kedah 1; Perlis 4 Police 2.
TODAY — Division One B: Penang v Kuala Lumpur (6pm, Pitch I); Malacca v Johor (6pm, Pitch II).
Division One A: Perak v Pahang (8pm, Pitch I); Selangor v Negri Sembilan (8pm, Pitch II).
New Straits Times
Perak begin Razak Cup defence against KL
By S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Perak and Kuala Lumpur will kick off the Division One action in the Razak Cup at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Perak, who have won the title seven times, will play hosts Pahang in Group A while KL face Penang.
In other Division One matches, Negri Sembilan take on Selangor in Group A while former champions Malacca and Johor have an opening date in Group B.
Perak coach K. Yogesweran said that the opening tie will be tough considering the team are without any top players.
“We do not have any national stars unlike last year. But I believe the players will rise to the occasion since they have played together for the last two years,” he said.
“The target will be to retain the title but I believe making the final will be an achievement in itself,” he said.
Negri Sembilan, who have made the semi-final for the last two years, aim to do better this year.
They last won the Razak Cup in 1977 and made the final in 2008 where they lost to KL.
Coach S. Chandran said they have a rather young side with a mix of experienced players to guide them.
“Our initial target is to qualify for the semi-final and then aim for the final. I think the competition will be more open this year with the national players barred from playing.”
Meanwhile, Terengganu continue to set the pace in Division Two when they chalked up their second win in as many matches.
The 2012 Division One champions defeated Armed Forces 7-1. Mohamed Sufi Ismat (6th, 33rd) and Faizal Saari (37th, 65th) scored a brace each. The other goals were scored by S. Baljit Singh (49), Ahmad Afiq Naquiddin (58) and Mohamed Syazuwan Firdaus in the 69th minute.
In another Division Two match, Kelantan and Kedah drew 1-1.
The Star of Malaysia
Tengku Abdullah urges hockey boys to bring back Asiad medal
New national hockey coach Arul Selvaraj has been tasked to bring home a medal from the Asian Games in Incheon next month. - Filepic
KUANTAN: Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has urged the national team to return home with a medal in next month’s Incheon Asian Games.
He wants the Glasgow Commonwealth Games debacle put to rest and wants all quarters to join hands in rebuilding the national team ahead of the Asiad.
“In any game, we want to win. We do our best. However, if our players fail to live up to expectations ... the coaches are responsible, then. Our job is to get the best players available to get the job done and those who will not fail us.
“And it will all depend on the coach who will decide on who are the players to be fielded for the Asiad. We will try our level best to bring home a medal from the Asian Games,” Tengku Abdullah said after attending the wedding ceremony of the daughter of former football international Yunus Alif in Kuantan on Saturday.
Tengku Abdullah said he was upset with the current state of affairs with regards to the national team since Paul Revington left the team and was replaced by K. Dharmaraj. Project 2016 coach Arul Selvaraj has now been put in charge of the national team to Incheon.
“You can bring the world’s best coach but it makes no difference if the players show no commitment to win. “We admit our weaknesses. Now the newly appointed interim coaches have named their players and we hope they can come up with a strong game plan and will be able to show results,” he said.
Meanwhile, national forward Faizal Saari, who scored a hat-trick to help his state team Terengganu beat Police 4-1 in the 52nd Razak Cup Division Two opening match at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium on Friday is in hot soup.
The 23-year-old, who turned down the national call-up for the Asian Games training squad, will be issued a show cause letter.
“He is free to play in the tournament until he is called by MHC. Faizal will be issued a show-cause letter for not honouring the national team call-up and will wait (one week) for him to reply. The disciplinary board will decide on any further action,” he said.
On Friday, MHC slapped Faizal, who last month voiced his desire to quit the national team, with another show cause letter for his disparaging statements against the association in the media.
On the hiring of new foreign coach, Tengku Abdullah said MHC will not make any drastic move but instead screen for suitable candidates, including potential local coaches.
“We will have to consider a few options ... the priority is a coach who can bring changes and manage the team. As for now, let Arul (Selvaraj) handle the team and we will see how he performs in the Asian Games,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Players challenged
By T.N.Alagesh
MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has challenged the national team to silence their critics by bringing home an Asian Games medal.
Upset by a series of events which have seen hockey’s reputation taking a bashing in the country, Tengku Abdullah said the players must respond positively.
While Malaysia’s 4-2 defeat to Trinidad & Tobago in the Commonwealth Games was the ‘highlight’, it has been a terrible year for the team with a poor World Cup campaign and losing two coaches.
Paul Revington quit earlier this year while K. Dharmaraj was ‘rested’ after the Commonwealth Games.
“Frankly, I am a little disappointed... upset. The national team did not meet my expectations in the tournaments. Now, it is up to the players to prove their worthiness in upcoming assignments,” said Tengku Abdullah in Kuantan yesterday.
“For me, it boils down to the players as they need to change their attitude, lift their spirits, be physically tough, mentally strong and stay hungry for success.
“It is now in the players hands and I hope they will prove they are title contenders during the Asian Games.
“You can bring the world’s best coach to manage the team but it makes no difference if the players are not fired up to win medals. If the players want to play well, there is no better platform than the Asian Games.”
Arul Selvaraj is the coach for the Asian Games, and the squad must make the semi-finals after they were downgraded to category B by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
MHC, which has appealed, will only be reimbursed by OCM if the squad make the semi-finals in Incheon but Tengku Abdullah wants them to aim for the final.
Meanwhile, forward Faizal Saari, who declined an Asian Games call-up but is playing for Terengganu in the ongoing Razak Cup in Kuantan, has been issued with a show-cause letter by MHC.
New Straits Times
Malaysia whitewash Indonesia in schools hockey
KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Malaysia romped to a 15-0 win over Indonesia in the Asian Schools Under-18 hockey championships at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh on Saturday.
The Malaysians led 5-0 at half time. Mohamed Alif Syawaz scored a hat-trick while the other goalscorers were Khairul Helmy Napi, Mohamed Asyraf Hadi, Mohamed Zulhamizan, Misniwan Gusni (all two goals each), Abdul Khaliq Hamirin, Nik Mohamed Aiman, Adrian Albert and Mohamed Ramdan Ariffin.
In the opening Group B match, Singapore sprang a surprise when they defeated Sri Lanka 1-0. The Sri Lankans were runners-up in 2006.
The Singaporeans scored their solitary goal through Irfan Noor Hakim off a penalty corner set-piece in the 60th minute.
In another match, Thailand defeated Hong Kong 3-0 to put themselves in line for a semi-final berth.
The Thais will play Singapore today while Malaysia take on Macau.
The Star of Malaysia
Suzie Muirhead is bringing Hockey5s to New Zealand.
JONATHAN MILLMOW
The former Black Sticks captain is planning to run a national 5s league in November and if sponsors and administrators don't put their hands in their pockets to support it she says she will.
Hockey 5s is as it sounds. Five-a-side for two 15 minute halves on a reduced playing area, essentially hockey's response to rugby's sevens, league's nines and cricket's Twenty20 format.
She hasn't made up the rules, the game has been embraced overseas and will be played at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China, which start today. But no one in New Zealand has taken the bull by the horns till now.
Muirhead's motivation to bring the quick version of a sport she made her name in can be linked to her role as high performance coach/manager of Capital Hockey in Wellington.
Many of her young charges sit idle late in the year so she set about filling that playing void with an exciting fast paced league for men and women of national league standard.
Muirhead went public this week with expressions of interest and within 24 hours had received positive responses from Central and North Harbour.
She hopes Canterbury, Auckland, Northland and Midland will get on board and one or two Australian teams, possibly Queensland, who have an informal relationship with Wellington.
The league is set down for November 27-30 at the new Kapiti turf. Muirhead is a Wellingtonian but she feels the National Hockey Stadium could do without the added pressure of hosting such a tournament which in in stark contrast to Kapiti, which is screaming out for action and has two enthusiastic administrators in Sue Spellacey and Sonja Williams.
Muirhead took her idea to Hockey New Zealand and got a predictable response.
"They are supportive but are not putting any money in it," she said.
"I went to them and said we need more high level competition for the likes of Dane Lett and Jake Smith, who are in the Black Sticks development group.
"The Black Sticks are playing 30-50 games a year but the fringe players like Jake and Dane get eight games a year in the national league."
So Muirhead is going it alone and if it gets traction then it will be another feather in her hockey cap, after her record 238 caps for the Black Sticks before retiring in 2006.
She knows she needs buy in from the provinces, who will need to fund their involvement, and sponsors but you get the impression Muirhead thinks she can pull it off.
"It is basically creating competition for my athletes (Wellington's fringe Black Sticks) and I hope one of the other regions will continue the idea next year.
"If we can get some good partners that are keen to carry on, that would be great."
Muirhead says she would welcome the involvement of any Black Sticks but she knows better than most that the international playing calendar is a busy one and the last thing some elite players want is another commitment.
"I'm not expecting they would want to play."
Muirhead hopes to get a minimum eight teams in both the men's and women's leagues.
They would play two-three games a day and she may even throw in a penalty shootout where bonus points can be gained to help make future New Zealand players more proficient in that area.
Stuff
Marist wins U19 title
Rashneel Kumar
Sagaitu Konusi of Marist Brothers High School hits the ball past his Natabua High School opponent to win the semi-final in the men's final at the National Hockey Centre yesterday. Picture:JONE LUVENITOGA
MARIST Brothers High School won the Tuckers Ice Cream Secondary Schools Hockey Championship under-19 grade title at the National Hockey Centre in Suva yesterday.
The Flagstaff boys defeated St John's College 1-0 in a tough final to make a clean sweep in the grade.
Earlier, the Marist Brothers U16 boys defeated Saint Thomas High School 2-0 in sudden death play-playoffs.
In the girls U19 final, Adi Cakobau School reigned supreme after overcoming Levuka Public School 3-2. Both teams were tied at nil-all at fulltime.
Saint Thomas won the girls U16 title beating Swami Vivekananda College 2-1.
Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey Association president Immanuel Prasad said they witnessed a competitive tournament.
He said the level of skills and competition had gradually improved from last year.
"We want to thank the sponsors for their support and the schools for making this tournament a success," Prasad added.
The Fiji Times