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All the news for Friday 10 October 2014

The 2014/15 EHL season starts here!

EHL 2014/15 - Round 1, Pau Negre Stadium, Barcelona, 10th-12th October 2014



12 teams, 4 KO16 tickets, one goal!

The Euro Hockey League’s 2014/15 season tips off tomorrow in the stunning Pau Negre stadium in Barcelona, Spain with 12 teams battling for four tickets to the KO16 over the course of the weekend.

Under the new format of the competition, just one side will advance from each group in Round One, meaning every game counts in the world’s premier club competition, all of which will be streamed live via www.ehlhockey.tv.

With world-renowned players like Ashley Jackson, Robbert Kemperman, Tanguy Cosyns, Christoper Zeller, Manu Brunet, Marc Salles and Carlos Nevado all lining out, it promises to be yet another enthralling instalation of the EHL

Pool A, for many neutrals, looks like the most attractive group with East Grinstead and SV Kampong one of the games of the weekend, capping a classy Saturday schedule when the pair meet at 5.30pm.

Before that, EG meet Dinamo Stroitel on Friday evening at 5.30pm while Sunday sees the Dutch club take on the Russians.

For full background on each team, click here: http://www.ehlhockey.tv/news/all-set-for-battle-royale-in-pool-a

Pool B has been nicknamed the Debutants Ball as it features three newcomers to the EHL, all looking to make their mark in the competition. Monkstown have been the stars of Irish hockey for the last two years, winning almost everything in sight.

They tip off against French runners-up Racing Club de France on Friday at 3pm before lining out against Belgian stars Daring on Saturday at the same time. The group comes to an exciting end on Sunday when Racing play Daring at 2.30pm

For full background on each team, click here: http://www.ehlhockey.tv/news/pool-b-the-debutants-ball

Pool C raises the curtain each day with WKS Grunwald Poznan, Germany’s Rot Weiss Köln and Italy’s HC Bra in the mix.

Bra meet Grunwald on Friday at 10am before Rot Weiss make their entry at the same time against the Polish side. Sunday sees Bra back in action against the German representatives at 9.30am.

For full background on each team, click here: http://www.ehlhockey.tv/news/rot-weiss-the-pool-c-favourites

And, finally, Pool D in Barcelona is the battle between Scotland’s Bromac Kelburne and Austria’s SV Arminen looking to get one over on local club Atlètic Terrassa who will be cheered on loudly by the yellow-ultras of the Corner Groc.

On day one it is the battle of the Scots and the Austrians (12.30pm) before Atlètic enter the fray on Saturday to play Arminen (12.30pm) and Kelburne on Sunday (12pm).

For full background on each team, click here: http://www.ehlhockey.tv/news/atletic-terrassa-the-pool-d-host-to-kelburne-and-arminen

** Throughout the weekend, we will have live streaming on http://www.ehlhockey.tv/live/ while there will be twitter updates on https://twitter.com/EHLHockeyTV.

To buy tickets, please click here.

Match Schedule Pau Negre Stadium, Barcelona, 10th-12th October 2014

Friday 10 October 2014 (all times local)

10am, Pool C, HC Bra v WKS Grunwald Poznan
12.30pm, Pool D, Kelburne v SV Arminen
3pm, Pool B, Monkstown v Racing Club de France
5.30pm, Pool A, East Grinstead v Dinamo-Stroitel

Saturday 11 October 2014

10am, Pool C, KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln v WKS Grunwald Poznan
12.30pm, Pool D, Atletic Terrassa v SV Arminen
3pm, Pool B, Royal Daring v Monkstown
5.30pm, Pool A, SV Kampong v East Grinstead

Sunday 12 October 2014

9.30am, Pool C, KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln v HC Bra
12pm, Pool D, Atletic Terrassa v Kelburne
2.30pm, Pool B, Royal Daring v Racing Club de France
5pm, Pool A, SV Kampong v Dinamo-Stroitel

Euro Hockey League media release

All set for battle royale in Pool A



For many neutrals, the Pool A clash between East Grinstead and SV Kampong looks like one of the games of the weekend in Barcelona and it caps a classy Saturday schedule when the pair meet at 5.30pm. Before that, EG meet Dinamo Stroitel on Friday evening at 5.30pm while Sunday sees the Dutch club take on the Russians. Here's the lowdown on this group's teams

East Grinstead

Back after a  year's absence, East Grinstead are back for a sixth EuroHockey League appearance in seven years but face potentially the toughest of all the first round groups against Dutch and Russian opposition.

They built-up to the competition with a resounding 4-0 win over Surbiton last weekend with Ashley Jackson firing a hat trick but coach Karl Stagno says there is still more to come from his side.

"I was pleased with the result but not the performance," he told the East Grinstead Courier. “Individually, we were quite poor and there were so many sloppy turnovers which we have to learn from and cut out. But we showed a lot of character defensively and I was pleased with the desire and application. We need to perform better, especially next week in Europe."

Apart from Jackson, they have a number of stars including Scotland’s Niall Stott and English internationals David Condon, Mark Gleghorne and Andy Bull who can make this a fascinating pool.

SV Kampong

The Utrecht side announced themselves on the EuroHockey League scene last season with a thumping 14-0 win over Stroitel Brest in the first round a year ago. But they could not carry that momentum into the knock-out stages, bowing out to Dragons in a shoot-out in their debut season.

In the Hoofdklasse this season, though, they have been in breathtaking form, beating Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Bloemendaal. Their run did come to an end last time out when they drew with Oranje Zwart 2-2, letting a 2-0 lead slip, but the form of Constantijn Jonker has been immaculate.

Goalkeeper David Harte is relishing the challenge ahead: “As in every year of the EHL, there is no such thing as an easy draw so I would expect two tough matches. EG have a very talented side and it should make for a great game between us but, at this stage, we are ready to take on any team that comes our way!”

Dinamo Stroitel

Dinamo Stroitel, from Ekaterinburg, will make their debut following a dramatic qualification process. They initially missed out on a place in the Russian championship final to Izmailovo Moscow after a tight run league campaign with the top three covered by just three points.

The “Builders” come into the competition with two wins under their belt this week, beating HC Tana twice, 5-3 and 5-2, respectively, with Sergiy Spishkovskiy and Linar Fattakhov both scoring a couple of goals a piece.

This season, they have brought back Russian international Konstantin Nikitin into the fold after a couple of seasons with Izmailovo to bolster the panel and Dmitry Volkov is looking forward to the challenge.

“In my opinion, Kampong is the stongest team of all teams at this stage. East Grinstead is a very strong team also. I think that it will be very difficult to qualify to next round, but nothing is impossible in case we will be more fortunate then our opponents.”

Euro Hockey League media release

Hardship makes Ridzwan strive for excellence in hockey and studies

by Aftar Singh


Project 2016 squad goalkeeper Mohd Ridzwan Azmi.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hardship only serves to make one stronger.

And Project 2016 hockey squad goalkeeper Mohd Ridzwan Azmi is a testimony to that.

The 19-year-old Malacca-born player comes from a poor family. His dad, Azmi Abdul Majid, works as a labourer in a steel factory and earns about RM1,200 a month. His mother, Azlina Saleh, is a housewife.

Despite their limited resources, Ridzwan made his family proud by doing well in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination to secure a place in the Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan in Pasir Gudang last year.

Ridzwan is the eldest among three siblings, is pursuing a diploma in mechanical engineering.

For someone so young, hardship has made him understand the importance of education.

“My dad earns just enough for us to survive ... and he always encourages me to study hard to secure a better life,” said the teenager.

“As the eldest in the family, he also wants me to be a positive influence to my younger brothers by obtaining paper qualification ... and by being good in sports.

“Despite his limited income, my dad pays for my studies. Sometimes, I will use whatever incentives I get from playing hockey for teams to pay for my studies also.”

Ridzwan clearly wants to do well in whatever he does – be it studies or hockey.

Besides doing well in his studies, he has also shone as a hockey goalkeeper.

He was named best goalkeeper twice in a row in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) – with Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt last year and Politeknik-KPT this year.

Ridzwan, who also featured in the four-nation Under-16 tournament in Mannheim, Germany, in 2010 and 2011, is expected to make his debut in the Under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup, which will be held at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru from Sunday.

“My ambition is to do well in studies and also sports ... I’m looking forward to featuring in the Sultan of Johor Cup,” said Ridzwan.

“I want to become a national player ... and winning a spot in the Sultan of Johor Cup squad will be the first step towards that.”

Six teams will feature in the fourth edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup – defending champions India, Australia, Britain, New Zealand, Pakistan and Malaysia.

The Star of Malaysia

India geared up to retain Sultan of Johor Cup title

NEW DELHI: With the sole objective of retaining its Sultan of Johor Cup junior men's hockey title, defending champions India will depart for Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Thursday night, leaving aside any burden of previous achievements.

The Indian colts will approach the tournament as favourites and coach Harendra Singh is confident about his wards' impressive performance in the tournament to be held from October 12 to 19.

"The team is geared up for the fourth Sultan of Johor Cup and the boys are confident to retain the title," Harendra said before their departure.

"This is a new team and they have developed themselves as a single unit in the preparation camp. Without carrying any burden of previous achievements, we will focus on playing high-level and technically sound hockey," he said.

Apart from India, the other participating teams in the prestigious under-21 tournament are Australia, Great Britain, Pakistan, New Zealand and host Malaysia.

The 18-member Indian team to be led by Harjeet Singh will take on New Zealand in their opening match on October 12 followed by games against Great Britain (October 13), Pakistan (October 15) and Australia (October 18).

"We are a new team but we have the same old dream of retaining the Sultan of Johor Cup title. We have been practicing together as a single unit for the last few weeks and are confident of achieving the goal," Harjeet said.

"Our first match against New Zealand is crucial as starting a tournament on a winning note will boost the morale of the team," the skipper added.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Abhinav Kumar Pandey, Subodh Tirkey. Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Dipsan Tirkey, Anand Lakra, Varun Kumar, Gurinder Singh.

Midfielders: Santa Singh, Sumit, Harjeet Singh (captain), Nilkantha Sharma, Simranjeet Singh.

Forwards: Imran Khan (vice-captain), Parvinder Singh, Pawan Kumar, Aarman Qureshi, Sumit Kumar.

The Times of India

Pakistan Junior team off to Malaysia for U-21 Hockey

Mohsin Ali

ISLAMABAD - The 18-member Pakistan junior hockey team along with head coach/manager Manzoor-ul-Hasan left for Malaysia Thursday through Thai Airways flight to participate in the 4th Sultan of Johor Bahru Junior International U-21 Men’s Hockey Tournament commencing from October 12 in Malaysia.

Assistant coaches Olympian Qamar Ibrahim, Irfan Senior, Kamran Ashraf and Rehan Butt along with video analyst Nadeem and Dr Adnan were also with the team.

Talking to The Nation before the departure, Manzoor said: “We had two training sessions first at Karachi and second at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad. The facilities we enjoyed were up to the mark but the pathetic condition of Naseer Bunda Stadium was a big question mark. If I was aware of the astro-turf condition prior to establishing the training camp, I would have immediately declined to shift the camp. The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) must pay attention towards the apathy of the stadium.”

He added: “I strongly suggest Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool to take up the issue with the PSB and Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada. I am surprised our national senior team performed exceptionally well despite training on the same venue, so they deserve all the credit.”

“I have set my sights on the Junior World Cup 2016. The team will go through different shapes before the final group of players will be selected for the world cup. The boys have now a golden opportunity to show their potential as with exceptional performance at this level, they can get berth in the national side.

“The other hockey playing nations have fielded their U-21 teams, but we have picked U-19 squad, which will be beneficial for us in the years to come. I have picked very talented players and I hope they will not disappoint us,” Manzoor concluded.

Sharing his views, Olympian Rehan Butt said: “We have assembled at Johar Town Hockey Stadium for one practice session on Thursday, which was around two hours. The boys were looking in shape and relaxed.”

To a query regarding break in the preparations, Rehan replied: “No, in fact, it was much-needed break for the youngsters after long training camp, as they deserved rest and now they are looking more composed and focused on the task ahead.”

When asked about two days are enough for training in Malaysia before the event commences, Rehan said: “No, we will get only one training session. We should have been there much earlier and must have at least three or four sessions before the real action starts, but due to Eid holidays, it was not possible. I am confident, although the team is first timer, yet they will perform well and try to win the event,” Rehan concluded.

The Nation

Schedule released for the men and women’s Indoor Hockey World Cup 2015, Leipzig, Germany


(Photo: Frank Uijlenbroek)

FIH have released the pools and match schedule for the men and women’s Indoor Hockey World Cup 2015, Leipzig, Germany. The tournament will start on 4 February 2015 and conclude with the Finals and playoffs on 8 February 2015.

Returning to Leipzig, who hosted the first Indoor World Cup in 2003, this tournament promises to be fascinating and potentially un-predictable, posing many questions – will the German teams continue to dominate? Can Canada bring their indoor form to Europe? Will three time men’s runners up Poland take the title this time?

The opening day of the tournament (Wednesday 4 February) will feature all 24 teams from the men and women’s events, taking to the stage in the Arena Leipzig across the two competition halls.  Starting early and finishing late, all teams will play twice on the Wednesday and Thursday.

FIH President, Leandro Negre said:  “We expect the five days of competition to be fast-paced and action packed across the two halls.  The pools contain an exciting mixture of established teams and the two newcomers to the Indoor World Cup, Sweden and Belgium. The German fans are passionate about hockey and will be providing amazing support to their teams at this top-class venue.”

President of the German hockey federation (DHB), Stephan Abel said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the world’s best indoor hockey teams for the second time in Leipzig. We are giving our best to make this World Cup an unforgettable event for all participants and hockey fans.”

Participating Teams

Men

Women

To see the complete tournament schedule, please click here.

To buy tickets and further ticketing information, please click here.

FIH site

Barry Dancer, National Selector

Former Kookaburras coach succeeds Bob Haigh as Senior Men's Selector



Hockey Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Barry Dancer to the position of National Men’s Senior Selector. After an expression of interest process which attracted a strong field of candidates, the Hockey Australia Board has approved the appointment of Dancer through to the end of 2016.

Dancer was Head Coach of the Australian men’s hockey program from 2001 until 2008 and led Australia’s men to the Olympic gold medal in Athens in 2004, and to bronze in Beijing four years later. Prior to his time with the Kookaburras, Dancer also led the England and Great Britain hockey programs between 1998 and 2000. For the last two years he has been Head Coach of the Punjab Warriors in the Hockey India League. He replaces Bob Haigh as senior selector. Haigh has fulfilled the role since 2009.

Hockey Australia Chief Executive Cam Vale said, “Barry has vast experience in athlete identification, assessment, monitoring and selection – all of which are key to the role of a selector. It is great to be able to welcome him back to the fold with Hockey Australia. I know he will contribute to our selection processes in a way that reflects our values of leadership, excellence, integrity and inclusion.

"I'd like to thank Bob Haigh for his five years of committed service to the men's program,"

The primary role of this important position is to work with the men’s Head Coach and assistant coaches to identify and select senior and development national squads, and teams, for international development and benchmark competition, including the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympic Games. Additionally, the senior selector also consults and works cooperatively with two national youth selectors, thus ensuring coordinated whole-of-pathway athlete assessment and high integrity selection processes.

Along with the High Performance Director, the senior selector ensures that the HA National Selection Policy is applied and adhered to, and that processes and actions in all matters pertaining to selection are carried out with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

The first squads Dancer will be involved with the selection of are those pertaining to the Kookaburras’ four match test series against India in Perth and the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.

Hockey Australia’s other selectors are:
Loretta Dorman (Women’s Senior Selector)
John Mackinnon and Lee Bodimeade (Men’s Youth Selectors)
Sandy Pasani and Vicki Poyser (Women’s Youth Selectors)

Hockey Australia media release

Pakistan hockey eyes spot at 2016 Rio Olympics

By Nabil Tahir

KARACHI: The national hockey team is fired up and ready to fight for a place at the 2016 Rio Olympics after returning home with silver from the Asian Games. 

“We need to work hard to book our place at the Olympics,” head coach Shahnaz Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “We’ll be facing a tough qualification round against nine other teams in March, so we will look to the Champions Trophy in December to test ourselves.”

The upcoming event is scheduled to be held in Delhi, India from December 6 to 14 this year. “We have planned to test our youngsters there in order to unveil some more talent before the qualifiers.”

Sheikh stated that they would begin preparing for the Champions Trophy next month.

“During the camp, we will be working on the weak areas mentioned in the report I submitted last week, which analysed our performance at the Asian Games,” said the coach while adding that the attacking build up and defence needed improvement.

Referring to the squad’s performance in South Korea, the official said he believes they had produced satisfactory results considering the players were under criticism prior to the event for showing signs of exhaustion in the last 10 minutes in previous competitions.

“Our players scored most of the goals in that time period at the Asiad, which shows they have improved.

“I made a record 240 substitutes in six matches, meaning I used 40 players in every match; none of the others team managed to even come close to that,” he said, adding that his approach was to use the maximum number of players to give them much-needed exposure.

According to Sheikh, seven of the players had received contracts from international leagues and he was hoping the Pakistan Hockey Federation would soon start improving on its domestic structure in order to hold league matches within the country.

The Express Tribune

India need to develop hockey from grassroots: Sreejesh

KOCHI: Architect of India's memorable hockey win against Pakistan in the Asiad final, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh today said that the quality of domestic players was low and stressed the need to develop the sport from the grassroot level to get more international medals.

"The quality of players at the domestic level is very low when they come to the Indian camp. From that level to reach the international level, they will have to do lot of hard work at the Indian camp," Sreejesh said at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press club here.

The India vice-captain, who effected brilliant saves in the shoot-out helping the team clinch an Asian Games gold after 16 years, said it would take a year to reach international standards.

Sreejesh said that Australia, who have maintained their supremacy at the top for quite sometime now, have reached the present level after a sustained programme of 20 years. "In India we want instant results. We also need to work long term," he said.

Pointing out that the Indian squad was fully confident of winning the gold in the recent Asian Games, he said they had gone with a positive approach. "We had not gone to defeat Pakistan, but to win gold for India," he said adding this positive approach helped the team.

Sreejesh rued that goalkeepers were not being given their due. "Today I am a hero because of the saves. But If I had failed in saving the goal-bound shots in the Asiad finals, I would have been called a traitor," he said.

"Even if they effect brilliant saves, their feat was not appreciated. "But if they fail to save a goal, the goalee has to shoulder all the blame for the team's loss," he added.

Sreejesh, who has been offered the post of District Sports Officer in the education department by the Kerala Government to identify sports talents, said he would accept the offer.

Presently working in IOB Chennai, the Kerala star said he was keen to return to the state and do whatever he can for hockey.

He also wants the state government to provide astro turf facility at Kochi.

The Times of India

Punjab to vie in Jalandhar hockey event

LAHORE: The Punjab hockey team will participate in the Surjeet Singh Tournament to be held in Jalandhar, India from Oct 28 to Nov 7.

President of the Punjab Hockey Association (PHA) Pervaiz Bhindara said he confirmed the entry to the organisers after Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif issued a Rs10,00,000 grant to his association for the participation.

He said the PHA had also sought the availability of eight current and former Olympians in order to field a strong team in the high-profile event containing a rich prize money.

According to Pervaiz, Punjab chief minister had also instructed Punjab Sports Department secretary to give back PHA offices, located inside the National Hockey Stadium, which were taken from the PHA by the Punjab government to organise the Youth Festival.

Dawn