News 25 August 2014
All the news for Monday 25 August 2014
Nanjing women’s final pits hosts China against reigning champions Netherlands
Argentina and Japan set to battle for bronze
Maxime Kerstholt scored twice in the Netherlands' semi-final win. Photo: Xinhua/Guo Cheng (yqq) )
Two top class semi-finals in the women’s competition today designated the Netherlands and China the 2014 Youth Olympic Games finalists.
In a semi-final that was another instance of the defining women’s rivalry in the last few years, the Netherlands took on Argentina. The Leoncitas scored first, but saw the tables turned midway through the match, and while Argentina succeeded in levelling the scores again, another Dutch double hit eventually finalized the ticket into the final for the Oranje ladies.
Hosts China and Japan locked horns over the other place in the big final, in a match that kept spectators in the packed stadium on the edge of their seats. The game seesawed back and forth, and neither team was ever able to build a comfortable lead. A pair of goals from Zhang Jinrong midway through the match gave China the lead for the first time, and turned out to be the decider at the end of the day despite the Japanese women’s best efforts.
The crossovers for fifth to eighth place saw Uruguay defeat Germany and New Zealand subdue South Africa.
In the match for 9th place, Zambia was stronger than Fiji today, claiming victory in the two teams’ last appearance on the fields of the Olympic Sports Park.
Results
Women
9/10th place: Fiji – Zambia 1:6 (0:2; 1:2)
5-8th place: Germany – Uruguay 0:2 (0:1; 0:2)
5-8th place: South Africa – New Zealand 3:4 (0:2; 0:3)
Semi-final: Netherlands – Argentina 4:2 (0:1; 2:1)
Semi-final: China – Japan 4:3 (2:3; 4:3)
FIH site
NZ Women’s Hockey5’s to play for fifth at Nanjing
The New Zealand Women’s Hockey 5’s have held off a strong comeback from South Africa to secure a 4-3 win and will now play Uruguay in the 5th/6th play-off game at 9.30pm tomorrow (NZT).
In the game overnight, North Harbour’s Ella Hyatt-Brown scored early on followed by Midlands Amy Robinson, Casey-Mae Waddell and Frances Davies who made it 4-0 by the 24th minute. South Africa dominated the final third, scoring three in ten minutes but the Kiwis held on and took the win.
Head coach Caryn Paewai was pleased with her side’s performance and is hoping the win will restore confidence ahead of their Uruguay match-up tomorrow.
“We had a much better start in today’s game, but we just needed a bit more discipline as the game went on. I think if we can maintain that first third performance for the duration of the Uruguay game, and we have the faith then we have every chance,” said Paewai.
Paewai said that Auckland’s goalkeeper Isla Bint was once again outstanding in the South Africa game and Catherine Tinning and Davies have also been stand-outs throughout the tournament.
“It’s good to have a day off today, the girls will spend some time supporting the other Kiwi athletes and watching sports which will be good and then we will focus properly ahead of the game tomorrow night,” said Paewai.
There are ten nations competing in the Hockey5’s at the Youth Olympics, with two pools of five nations in each.
The NZ Men play Mexico tonight in their classification game at 9.30pm (NZT). In the women’s finals, Argentina will play Japan in the bronze medal game while China will face the Netherlands in the gold-medal match tomorrow.
The men’s team is David Brydon, Canterbury (17); Robbie Capizzi, North Harbour (17); Fynn Edwards, (GK) North Harbour (18); Richmond Lum, Auckland (18); Dominic Newman, Canterbury (17); Hayden Phillips, Central (16); Aidan Sarikaya, Midlands (17); Dylan Thomas, Central (18); Mackenzie Wilcox, Central (17). The team is coached by Dave Kosoof.
The women’s team is Isla Bint, Auckland (16); Frances Davies, Midlands (17); Su Arn Kwek, Auckland (18); Bridget Kiddle, Capital (17); Tayla White, Auckland (17); Ella Hyatt-Brown, North Harbour (16); Catherine Tinning, Canterbury (18); Casey-Mae Waddell, Central (17); Amy Robinson, Midlands (18). The team is coached by Caryn Paewai.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Top Class Performance gives Ireland victory over Spain
Ireland finished the final series against Spain with a comprehensive victory by 5-2. Ireland were the hungier of the sides right from the start and within 2m had taken the lead after good work by Chloe Brown down the left baseline set up Emma Smyth for a tidy finish. Ireland extended their lead in the 11m with a lovely team goal when a steal by Frazer set up Mullan and it left a diving Duke to tap in at the far post for a 2-0 lead. Minutes O’Flanagan shot from the top of the circle was narrowly wide. Frazer drive resulted in Irelands first PC of the game in the 22m but her strike was saved and a minute later Ireland were three up a great goal by Nikki Daly from the base line scoring from an acute angle. It was all Ireland and good work by Mullan forced their 2nd pc and whilst the initial shot from Sargent was saved O Flanagan was first to react to the rebound to finish and give Ireland a 4-0 cushion. A minute later Spain got their first goal when Beatriz Perez finished in the 26m and within 5 minutes were right back in the game when Lola Riera scored from a PC.
Half time score Ireland 4-2 Spain.
The second half saw both Goalkeepers Gray & Ruiz called into action on several occasions but no further goals until a 70 metre pass from Sargent in the 62m found Katie Mullan all alone in the circle and the young UCD forward showed composure to round the keeper and fire home to give Ireland a 5-2 victory
After the game Irish Coach Darren Smith thanked both France & Spain for an excellent series of matches ‘France got better as the Tournament progressed and Spain are a quality side showing consistency throughout. We enjoyed the two weeks and it was great to be able to play 8 matches and build on our systems and structures developed over the year. I thought today in the first 20m we were excellent and created a number of opportunities and I was also happy the way we closed out the second half. We now look forward to more test matches towards end of 2014’
IRELAND 5 (Emma Smyth 3m; Deirdre Duke 11m; Nicola Daly 23m; Anna O Flanagan 25m; Katie Mullan 62m)
SPAIN 2 (Beatriz Perez 26m; Lola Riera 30m)
Starting XI: Ayeisha McFerran GK; Cliodhna Sargent; Chloe Brown; Megan Frazer; Nicci Daly; Anna O’Flanagan; Emma Smyth; Nikki Evans; Shirley McCay; Gillian Pinder; Yvonne O’Byrne;
Reserves: Emma Gray (GK); Katie Mullan; Deirdre Duke; Kate Dillon; Ali Meeke; Hannah Matthews; Chloe Watkins
Irish Hockey Association media release
Team USA Battles through Second Match with Argentina
CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Another tightly contested match between the U.S. Men’s National Team and Argentina was played earlier today at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., with a number of home fans entertained by top level hockey. Team USA fought valiantly to generate scoring opportunities, but fell 4-1 to a tough Argentina squad.
“Our team has made positive steps in both of these matches against a very good opponent,” said Head Coach Chris Clements. “With the process we have developed in our program, it is pleasing to see the players play the way they are. We are encouraged by our ability to compete and create opportunities and are looking for further ways to close the gap. Our ability to remain on task and execute a game plan is providing our players great experience that will help us in the long term, as well as in our immediate performances.”
The match started with Team USA managing to secure two penalty corners in the opening minutes thanks to composed ball possession resulting in clinical attacks. Argentina, however, was first to find the backboard through a penalty corner drag flick in the ninth minute. Undiscouraged, the U.S. managed to notch an equalizer from Michael Barminski (Ventura, Calif.) off of a well worked variation in the 15th minute.
Both teams created opportunities throughout the first half and solid defending by the red, white and blue was broken only by clever play in the midfield by Argentina, who tallied a field goal four minutes later. The halftime score was a fair reflection at 2-1 in favor of Argentina.
Argentina came out strong in the second half and scored in the 39th minute. Both teams maintained possession throughout all areas of the field for the remainder of the game with Argentina netting another field goal with 23 minutes left in the match. The final score stood 4-1 in favor of Argentina.
After a rest day tomorrow, Team USA will face Argentina again on Tuesday, August 26 at 10:45 a.m. PST. In their first match against Argentina yesterday, the U.S. gave a strong performance, but was unable to totally shut down the Argentina offense and walked away with a 1-4 loss. For more information and live match updates, stay tuned to usafiedhockey.com and follow @USAFieldHockey on Twitter.
USFHA media release
One win each in Japanese leg
Women's development tour squad win opener but lose follow-up
In their seventh match on the 11 game Asian tour, Australia's women's development squad failed to reach the heights of the previous day as they went down 1-0 to the hosts in Hiroshima.
A gruelling couple of days' travel, coupled with hot and humid conditions, played their part. As a result, the Aussie women were unable to produce the energy and intensity required against a quality opponent and Japan took advantage.
Too often, Australia's skills weren't up to those of their opponents' while too many 'pause moments' when pressing thwarted the chance to keep Japan under pressure.
Whilst they did create enough opportunities to win the match, the girls in green and gold will be looking to return to earlier form in their remaining matches.
Australian Women's Development Squad - Tour to China and Japan
Match 2 v Japan
Hiroshima, JPN
Australia 0
-
Japan 1
Unknown
Match 1 v Japan Hiroshima, JPN
An impressive start from Australia A in their first match against Japan. Gaining quality attacking circle entry and goal scoring opportunities generated from their high intensity efforts. A techincal improvement was also demonstrated in their pressing technique to regain the ball and counter with speed.
Australia's women's development squad began the second leg of their Asian tour - in Japan - with a 1-0 win over their hosts, the tenth ranked side in the FIH rankings.
The impressive start saw Australia generate a number of good circle entries and goal scoring opportunities thanks to some high intensity play.
The girls in green and gold also displayed some good pressing, winning back the ball and hitting Japan on the counter attack on a number of occasions.
Amongst Australia's best performers, Kathryn Slatery, Kirstin Dwyer, Georgina Morgan and goalkeeper Lizzy Duguid played key roles in the win.
Match 1 v Japan
Hiroshima, JPN
Australia 1
Gabrielle Nance
Japan 0
-
Hockey Australia media release
Hockey team to play against domestic sides to get match practice
Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan national hockey team will play matches against Army, Navy and Pakistan Junior hockey teams to get match practice before leaving for South Korea to defend their Asian Games Hockey title.
Pakistan Hockey team head coach/manager Shahnaz Sheikh while talking with The Nation on Sunday said: “I will meet DG Army and Navy Sports Directorates today (Monday) to ensure the proposed matches given a nod of approval by the respective sports directorates. I will also meet DG Pakistan Sports Board Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera and will request him to ensure proper cleanliness of Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium as the condition of the ground was not up to the mark when we were training at the venue. But at that time, things were quite different and we had a lot of time to overcome injuries to players. Now we are running fast out of time, now we can't afford even minor injuries to our players.”
Shahnaz said it was quite unfortunate that Spanish visas were not issued to hockey team. “The main reason of shifting the camp to Lahore was to get visas as soon as possible but we were told by the concerned authorities that at least one-month time period is required to go through visa process. The PHF had submitted applications some 15-day back. The boys looked a bit disappointed, as they had not played competitive hockey for the last several months.”
He said we were quite satisfied with the available facilities at the PSB in Islamabad and were just agreed to move the camp to Lahore on condition of same facilities being provided to us in Lahore as the PSB had requested the PHF they need space to accommodate visiting international teams, who are participating in the South Asian Table Tennis Championship but we were not satisfied with the facilities being provided to us in Lahore. “It is very important to kept the same momentum, which we have maintained for the last four months during the long training camp and players are in good shape. We need to carry the momentum and make sure all our hard work doesn't spoil with unwanted breaks. We can't afford to relax now. I have requested the federation to ensure our departure to Korea at least by 10th or 11th of next month. We want to play two matches against hosts Korea and one each against Bangladesh and Japan before going into the event as it would be of great beneficial to players and help them to adjust to the conditions well.”
He said the fourth and last phase of the camp at the PSB will start by 31st of this month and the matches between Army, Navy and junior teams would be held on 3, 4, 5 and 6 of September and after 4 or 5 days practice, hopefully national team would depart to Korea. “I and other coaches have put our best efforts and are quite hopeful the results would come in our favour. We have worked tirelessly and with total dedication. Now it all depends on boys how much they absolve the pressure and perform on ground,” Shahnaz concluded.
The Nation
Title number 8 for Perak
By Jugjet Singh
PERAK defended their Razak Cup Division One title when they beat hosts Pahang 4-3 in Kuantan yesterday.
And in Division Two Terengganu gained promotion to Division One when they hammered Armed Forces 5-1.
Selangor will be relegated to Division Two next season as they lost 4-3 to Johor in the Division One seventh-eighth placing match.
Perak won the other titles in 1966, 1973, 1985, 1987, 1990 (joint champions with Forces), 1992 and 2013.
RESULTS: Division One: Final: Perak 4 Pahang 3; Third-Fourth: Malacca 1 Kuala Lumpur 2; Fifth-Sixth: Negri 1 Penang 4; Seventh-Eighth: Johor 4 Selangor 3.
Division Two: Final: Terengganu 5 Armed Forces 1;Third-Fourth -- Perlis 2 Police 4.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Perak fights back to earn eighth Razak Cup title
By S. Ramaguru
A jubilant Perak team celebrates after winning their eight Razak Cup beating Pahang 4-3 in the final at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Perak won their eighth Razak Cup title when they came from behind to beat Pahang 4-3 in the Division One final at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium yesterday.
The silver state, who is also the defending champions, led 2-1 at half time but Pahang started the second half strongly to score two goals to lead 3-2.
But two goals in a space of four minutes by Mohamed Haziq gave Perak the title. His goals came in the 66th and 69th minutes from field attempts.
The Razak Cup title proved to be elusive for the east coast side.his is the third final in four years for Pahang. In 2011 they lost to KL (0-1) and then to Terengganu (1-3) the following year.
Perak have won the titles in 1966, 1973, 1985, 1987, 1990 (joint champions with Armed Forces), 1992 and last year.
Perak walked away with RM10,000 while Pahang received RM7,000.
In the first half, Perak took the lead through Mohamed Sabri and Amir Farid in the third and 18th minutes.
Hairul Nizam Rani scored from a penalty corner set-piece in the 20th minute to keep pace with the champions.
Mohamed Sybrie put Pahang on equal terms in the 44th minute and then skipper Ismail Abu added another in the 55th minute to give them the lead.
But the east coast side did not foresee Perak’s resurgence.
Kuala Lumpur took third place when they beat Malacca 2-1 in the playoff match.
Mohamed Ramadan Rosli scored the opening goal for KL in the 15th minute while S. Selvaraju netted the winner in the 39th minute. Malacca’s goal was scored by B. Namasivayam in the 17th minute.
Meanwhile, former champions Terengganu are back in Division One next year.
The 2012 winner defeated Armed Forces 5-1 in the Division Two final.
Terengganu won the Division Two title without dropping a match.
Faizal Saari was their main goal-getter as he scored a brace to take his tally to eight goals.
He opened the scoring in the 16th minute and then followed it up with another in the 35th minute.
Syamin Aiman was on target in the 29th minute while defennder Baljit Singh and Mohamed Sufi Ismat added the others goals in the 44th and 62nd minutes respectively.
Terengganu won RM5,000 for their effort while Forces picked up RM3,000.
The Star of Malaysia
Kevinder Singh eager to don national colours
By Aftar Singh
Former international Kevinder Singh hopes to get a call-up for the upcoming Asian Games in South Korea.
KUALA LUMPUR: Kevinder Singh still harbours hopes of playing for the national hockey team despite tying the knot with Remita Kaur at the Tanjung Karang Gurdwara on Saturday.
The Kuala Lumpur-born, who can play in midfield and the forwardline, last represented Malaysia in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2012.
Kevinder, who was named the best player in the 2005 Junior World Cup in Rotterdam, has represented Malaysia 150 times since the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2006.
The 29-year-old police inspector, who is stationed at Brickfields, said although he has settled down, his passion to don national colours has not diminish.
“I am still keen to play for the country if given the chance as I believe I have the experience and skills.
“I’m fit and believe I can help improve the midfield,” said Kevinder, who was a member of the team that won the bronze in the Asia Cup in Chennai in 2006.
The KL Hockey Club (KLHC) player, who has featured in two World Cup qualifiers and two Olympics qualifiers, hopes to get a recall after next month’s Asian Games in South Korea.
The Star of Malaysia
Panchia triple threat looming for Auckland Men
They say teammates become like family, but the Panchia brothers are taking it one step further at this year’s Ford National Hockey League.
Brothers Arun, Jared and Daniel Panchia will suit up for defending champions Auckland at the 2014 NHL which runs from 30 August - 14 September.
The trio round out positions on the turf with 25-year-old midfielder Arun, 20-year-old striker Jared and 19-year-old defender Daniel.
Arun and Jared have already played plenty of representative hockey together, but this is the first time all three will come together at the top level.
“Playing alongside Arun and Jared is cool. Playing club hockey with them is pretty awesome but I think playing with both of them at a representative level is something that is a little unique,” said youngest brother Daniel.
While the brothers have grown up together around hockey, all three play the game differently.
Arun’s strengths are his ball skills on both attack and defence, Jared’s offers a threat with his speed and elimination skills while Daniel is a strong tackler with good vision.
“We used to play all kinds of sport in the backyard and sometimes things would get heated but I think PlayStation has been the most competitive thing for us. We’ve broken a lot of controllers in frustration. We still play basketball and tennis together when we can,” said Jared.
The brothers will be looking to help power Auckland to their fourth straight NHL title, as part of a strong squad including the likes of Dean Couzins, Marcus Child, Devon Manchester, Ryan Archibald and international guest player Jamie Dwyer.
The Canterbury Cavaliers also have three brothers in their NHL team with Mitchell, Willie and Cam Hayde all in action.
There are also plenty of siblings throughout the men’s and women’s squads both on the same teams or battling it out against each other.
The action gets underway this weekend with Rounds 1 & 2 taking place around the country before tournament week starts at North Harbour Hockey Stadium from 6 September.
CLICK HERE for more on the 2014 Ford NHL
Hockey New Zealand Media release