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News 20 January 2014

All the news for Monday 20 January 2014


Revington quits

By JUGJET SINGH

STUNNER: South African coach cites health reasons, Dharmaraj to guide the senior squad


K. Dharmaraj (right) will replace Paul Revington as the national seniors chief coach.

SOUTH African Paul Revington has quit as national seniors chief coach, again, and this time it is final as Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has accepted his resignation.

And K. Dharmaraj will fill his shoes as the national seniors coach, while Revington's assistant Arul Selvaraj will helm the juniors side.

This decision was taken at a hush-hush meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, with the official announcement only due to be made by MHC today.

Revington sent in his quit letter last week, and on Thursday was present to name the 35 trainees for the senior World Cup, as well as the Azlan Shah Cup, the Champions Challenge, the Commonwalth Games and the Asian Games -- all of which will be held this year.

Revington never gave any indication that he had sent in his quit letter, and was his jovial self when asked about his wife's pregnancy after the press conference to name the trainees.

"My wife is due in the first week of March, and the delivery will be in Malaysia. After 13 years, we will finally have twins. One boy and one girl," said Revington, without a hint of the drama to unfold.

But before the press conference to name the trainees, Dharmaraj had told this scribe that there is going to be a major reshuffle next week, but decline to give further details when pressed further.

Dharmaraj did not return calls or text messages, but Revington did reply to an sms: "I have resigned, that is correct, I can talk but I don't want to give any official quotes yet."

This is the second time the South African has sent in a quit letter, the first being in on June 15, 2013.

Then, the MHC coaching committee met at Bukit Jalil, with its 16 members proposing that Junior World Cup coach K. Dharmaraj and 1Mas project director Lim Chiow Chuan be removed from their duties.

Apparently, both Dharmaraj and Chiow Chuan had a hand in Revington's sudden decision even though the World League was to be held in Johor Baru on June 29-July 7.

But an intervention by MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah saw Revington withdraw his resignation letter, and helmed Malaysia to finish fifth in the World League and qualify for the World Cup at the Hague, Netherlands on May 31 to June 15.

And when Revington named the training squad, he was asked if he could work with Dharmaraj who was promoted to the senior side after Malaysia finished fourth in the Junior World Cup.

Revington answered: "I have had problems in the past with the coach (Dharmaraj) but now that we will be preparing a team for the World Cup and Asian Games, there are no problems. He (Dharmaraj) will be given tasks to prepare the team."

Apparently, Revington quit due to health reasons.

New Straits Times



National hockey coach, Revington quits

By S. Ramaguru


Paul Revington of South Africa, who became the national men's hockey coach in Oct 2012, tendered his resignation letter on Friday. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey coach Paul Revington has resigned.

With the World Cup just five months away, the national team now face a tough task in their preparations for the Finals.

South African Revington, who took charge of the team in October 2012 and managed to lead them to the World Cup, is believed to have handed in his resignation letter on Friday.

He did not attend Sunday’s meeting called by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah to discuss the issue.

Team manager George Koshy, assistant coach A. Arulselvaraj and NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong were present at the meeting.

The MHC have called for a press conference on Monday to provide the official reason for Revington’s resignation and to confirm the official appointment of the coaches for the national team.

When contacted, Revington said he would only reveal his reasons for quitting after the official announcement by the MHC.

“I can confirm that I have resigned. But I will wait before giving my side of the story,” he said.

It is believed that Revington quit because of his health. There is, however, no confirmation on the matter.

The South African’s last task was picking the 35 players to join the training squad for the World Cup.

Revington’s term as national coach has not been smooth sailing. He was hired to lead the team to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

He had quit last June, citing interference by local coaches in team matters as the main reason.

But the matter was resolved and he took charge of the team at the World Hockey League semi-final in Johor Baru. He successfully led the team to qualify for the World Cup.

He then agreed to stay on and fulfil his contractual obligations. His contract only expires in August.

The national junior (Project 2013) coaching set-up of chief coach K. Dharmaraj, Azlan Bakar and K. Gobinathan are now tasked with the job of coaching the team for the World Cup.

Earlier this month, the three were named as assistant coaches to Revington.

The trio had been with the Project 2013 team since 2009. Last month, they led the Juniors to a fourth-place finish in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi.

Arulselvaraj has been taken out of the national set-up and given the job of chief coach of the Project 2016 team.

Earlier, the MHC did not name their junior coach but had picked Lim Chiow Chuan and Tai Beng Hai as selectors for the Project 2016 team.

It is understood that Tengku Abdullah had sought the views of all those present at yesterday’s meeting before making the decision to appoint the various people to the posts.

The national team’s first assignment this year is the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from March 13-23.

The Star of Malaysia



Paul Revington explains why he quit again...

FORMER Malaysian hockey chief coach Paul Revington could not cope with stress, which led to a temporarily worn-out and damaged mind, leaving him no choice but to resign in a haste.

A visibly shaken Revinton read from a prepared statement, which he hoped would clear the air on why he quit the national team for the second time in seven months.

“Although I had tried extremely hard to fight the onset of a stress-related illness since June 2013, I am still not functioning to my maximum capacity and it has been affecting the quality of my day-to-day work,” was his opening statement at a press conference yesterday.

And it was in June 15 last year that he had thrown in the towel for the first time, when he could no longer tolerate outside interfearance, allegedly from Junior World Cup coach K.  Dharmaraj and 1Mas Project Director Lim Chiow Chuan.

A threatening e-mail to Revington was the reason back then for the South African to resign, and from his statement, it looks like he never recovered from that episode even though he helped Malaysia qualify for the World Cup by finishing fifth in the World League Semi-finals in Johor Baru.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have accepted Revington’s resignation and elevated juniors coach Dharmaraj to fill his shoes.

And in a surprising move, MHC demoted Revington’s assistant Arul Selvaraj to the juniors ranks.

Revingtion, who coached South Africa then Ireland and finally Malaysia also said: “A broken or damaged mind is no different to a broken bone -- it needs time to heal. I have been working at the top end of high performance hockey for over 12 years and have been pushing myself and the teams I have been coaching to improve quickly from day one in each of these years.

“And I often faced with continual and at times expected environmental challenges. These 12 years have unfortunately led to a temporarily worn-out and damaged mind.”

Arul, a former national player, and assistant to Revington in South Africa, Ireland and was a package deal when he came back to Malaysia -- did not see his new position as the juniors coach as a demotion.

“I have a contract (until 2016) and a job to do, and if the MHC feel that I am best suited to be the juniors coach, I will train the juniors and I don’t see it as a demotion,” said Arul.

And Dharmaraj, who coached the juniors to fourth place in the New Delhi World Cup said: “The situation was such that either I be retained as the juniors coach, and Arul promoted to the seniors chief coach position or the other way around.

“This is because if the management had decided to make Arul my assistant at the senior level, it would be difficult as he was next in line.

“So its best that both of us handle different levels.”

When asked if he was willing to leave his Malaysia Hockey League coaching job with KL Hockey Club if his contract does not allow him to wear two hats: “If that’s what is stipulated in my contract, I will honour it.”

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Investec SA head coach expects improvement in Monday's second Test

JONATHAN COOK in Cape Town


Marsha Cox (left) and Lisa Deetlefs watch Phume Mbande palm away a penalty corner drag-flick shot as umpire Tanja Schafer (obscured) observes the action during the first Test against the Netherlands Saturday. Photo: PETER SEEGER

In handing out praise to three of his players, Investec South Africa women’s hockey team head coach Giles Bonnet said he was expecting a similar level of performance from the rest of the group in the second and final Test against Olympic and World League champs The Netherlands at Hartleyvale Stadium 7pm Monday.

“Shelley [Russell], with her pace and strength on the ball, Marsha’s [Cox] energy in midfield and Quanita [Bobbs] in her first game at left half, were most impressive and I would like to see the rest of the players lift themselves to that level in the second Test,” said Bonnet.

SA played patches of good hockey in the 5-0 first Test defeat but a combination of not converting numerous chances and then conceding at least two soft goals hurt them.

The Dutch have in Roos Drost a forward with out-and-out speed and control who raced away down the left channel to set up a goal on the counter so typical of her side after SA were right on the attack, while the overall fitness of the world number one team also made a marked difference.

Bonnet said The Netherlands scored two from five penalty corners while SA had a nil from three return, so corner attack and defence was currently a focus.

“The Netherlands won the World League Final last month whereas we met two days ago for the first real training in about six months so there is no comparison,” said Bonnet.

“We are not playing the Dutch to get a result but rather to test ourselves in certain areas. We played better with the ball going forward in the first half and in the second our structure in defence was better, so we got something out of the game.

“Of the 18 players we had six in new positions as well as five new players who weren’t with us when we last played, in the Investec Cup last June,” said Bonnet.

“We also don’t have our top keeper [the injured Sanani Mangisa] here but it does present Phume Mbande and Hanli Hattingh with a great opportunity.”

The former SA men’s captain and coach said bearing all that in mind it was not a bad start to the 11-Test Hartleyvale Summer Series.

“We hope to improve in the second Test and by next Saturday the three-Test series against another world-class side, Australia, will be over and it will be interesting to see then what strides have been made.”

Bonnet said the team is now busy with a process towards the Commonwealth Games and will spend five of the next seven months together.

HARTLEYVALE SUMMER SERIES FIXTURES

JANUARY - vs The Netherlands: 1st Test Investec SA 0 The Netherlands 5; Monday 20th (7pm)

vs Australia: Wednesday 22nd (7pm); Friday 24th (7pm); Saturday 25th (4pm)

vs Belgium: Sunday 26th (4pm); Tuesday 28th (8pm); Wednesday 29th (7pm); Friday 31st (7pm)

FEBRUARY - vs Belgium: Sunday 2nd (4 pm); Monday 3rd (7 pm)

SA Hockey Association media release



England relegated in EuroHockey Indoor Champs


England Indoors-Simon Egerton. Photos by www.hockeyimages.co.uk

ENGLAND’s hopes of retaining their top-flight status – and qualifying for the World Cup – disappeared after they suffered a string of narrow defeats at the EuroHockey Men’s Indoor Championships in Vienna, Austria, last weekend.

Their bid to avoid dropping out of the top flight went right down to the wire, but a 2-3 defeat to the Czech Republic on Sunday ended their hopes, and was just the latest in a string of very close matches.

Only once did England lose by more than one goal, and secured a hard-fought and deserved draw against eventual bronze medalists Russia.

And they were leading 7-6 against eventual winners Germany with five minutes remaining before the reigning World and European champions hit back late in the game.

“Although bitterly disappointed not have achieved a better final placing, I am nevertheless proud of the effort and the progress from this squad of players,” said Head Coach Andy Halliday.

“Indoor hockey at this level is uncompromising, so I hope we are able learn from this tournament and continue to build for the future.”

ENGLAND (1) 2 - 3 (0) CZECH REPUBLIC

England
Simon Egerton 21 (FG)
Chris Griffiths 7 (FG)                   

Czech Republic
Stepan Bernatek 33 (FG)
Ondrej Vudmaska 36 (FG)
David Vacek 25 (FG)

Two late goals from the Czech Republic saw them snatch victory away from England after they had led for the majority of the match.

Victory in this match – and a win for the Netherlands in their final pool match against the Sweden – would’ve seen England avoid relegation and qualify for the World Cup.

The first part of that sequence seemed on the cards, with England having taken the lead through Chris Griffiths after seven minutes. James Bailey kept England ahead with a great penalty stroke save after 16 minutes, and Simon Egerton doubled their advantage with a 21st minute strike just after half time.

However, the Czechs halved the deficit with David Vacek scoring on 25 minutes, and they tied the match through Stepan Bernatek on 33 minutes, before Ondrej Vudmaska’s 36th minute goal ensured a win for the Czech Republic.

And the defeat was marred by a knee injury for David Cooper in the final few minutes after he twisted awkwardly and ruptured a tendon.

England Hockey Board Media release



Senior men stay up and finish fifth in Euro Indoor

The senior Scotland men finished an overall fifth in the Euro Indoor Hockey Nations Championships II after a win today and will stay in that league, they will face England in 2015 who were relegated from the top division.

Scotland faced their final match of their European Indoor campaign this morning as they faced Slovakia who needed a win to stay up in the division.

Both teams started strong with Scotland scoring from a penalty corner after five minutes. Willie Marshall passed two players to finish with a strong strike on goal to the top left corner, giving Scotland the lead 1-0.

It was end to end play as they both had their chances but with seconds left in the first half Slovakia caught Scotland off guard and scored in an open goal to make it 1-1 at half time.

Both sides started the second half with caution, with ten minutes in Slovakia had a penalty corner that was poorly finished but a minute later took the lead with a field goal to make it 2-1.

Scotland responded quickly with Michael Ross with a leaping flick to score across goal to draw level at 2-2. At 34 minutes Kenny Bain was yellow carded, as well as a Slovakian with both teams dropping to four players.  Two minutes to go Slovakia took the lead again at 3-2 but Scotland went straight down the other end with Niall Stott striking the ball under the keeper to equalise at 3-3.

In the dying seconds Scotland’s Chris Grassick took a shot at an empty goal, scoring the winner as the final whistle went, the final score 4-3.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Senior women draw final indoor match against England

Scotland went into this match aiming for a win to level the four match series, despite playing most of the game with five outfield players the final score was 5-5.

England started the stronger side with an early goals from Owsley to take the lead 2-0. Scotland moved up a gear and soon had a penalty corner which was saved on the line by Ansley. It was end to end play as England secured a penalty corner in which Cochrane came out of her goal to make a great save to deny England another goal.

Scotland were straight on the counter attack in which a ball was played across goal for Captain Vikki Bunce to tap in making it 3-1. England soon fought back and on the 15th minute captain White scored in an open goal extending their league 3-1. Scotland were playing with five outfield players and kept pushing and were soon rewarded as Elder scored making it 3-2. This was soon followed by a penalty corner to Scotland that Brodie had took a straight strike on goal to make it level at 3-3.

England applied the pressure but the Scots held strong in defence to the whistle of half time.

The second half got underway with a full crowd cheering on the Scots, they pushed on having multiple chances on goal knocking them just wide with some great saves by England keeper Mackay. With ten minutes to go England’s Twigg went on the counter attack to take the lead, scoring in an open goal as Scotland had been playing without a keeper for majority of the second half. The Scots were awarded a penalty corner but was denied a goal with another great save by England off the line. Another penalty corner to Scotland lead to the equaliser, with Brodie scoring her second on the rebound making it 4-4.

After a time out by England White scored her second with a great ball down the line for her to drive into the D to make it 5-4. The Scots heads didn’t drop and after an unsuccessful penalty corner, they were awarded another in which they managed to convert with Bunce placing the ball top left making it all level at 5-5.

It was end to end play right up to the whistle, England won the series overall 2-1 but by only one goal. It was a great weekend with over six new Scotland caps ahead of the European Indoor Hockey Championships II in Lithuania next week.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Black Sticks fume at failure to fire

By David Leggat


Steve Edwards scored both New Zealand goals. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Bitter disappointment at failing to produce their best when it really mattered will be tempered by satisfaction at strides taken by the New Zealand Black Sticks hockey side at the World League finals in New Delhi.

New Zealand were well beaten, 7-2, by world No3 the Netherlands in the final yesterday, paying a heavy price for a poor first half.

The flipside is they were not expected to reach the final and are sure to get a rise in the world rankings, up from their seventh place going into the event.

The Black Sticks were forced into penalty shootouts in the quarter-final against Argentina and semifinal against England and won them both. Goalkeeper Devon Manchester was outstanding and penalty-takers displayed cool heads and confidence. New Zealand played their best hockey against No4 side England.

But the Dutch, historically a difficult proposition for New Zealand, were too strong and assertive.

However, assistant coach Bryce Collins doesn't subscribe to the idea that the final was one game too far for the Black Sticks.

"At the end of the day the Dutch played very well and were certainly better than us on the day," he said yesterday.

"The disappointing thing is we really didn't throw any punches until we were three or four down.

"We were very passive in the first half and that's a learning we can take out of it going forward."

Coach Colin Batch talked of the pride in the squad at winning the silver medal - this was the first time since winning Olympic gold in Montreal in 1976 that New Zealand have made a tier one final - and the development of the group as the tournament progressed.

The top five nations were in New Delhi and New Zealand are likely to climb at least one spot, to No6, through their results.

"It's very difficult to stay within the top four nations in the world and we've done that here, so that's something we're looking to make a regular thing," Batch said.

Midfielder Steve Edwards scored both New Zealand goals in the final but the squad took the manner of the defeat hard, Collins said.

"We were bitterly disappointed and took a little bit of time to sink in, but in a day or two we'll reflect back and be relatively pleased with where we got to.

"I firmly believe we're making progress. We are competing with top tier nations, but we've got to do that consistently. Collectively we are heading in the right direction."

It's a busy year for the Black Sticks, who next have the Champions Challenge tournament in Malaysia in late April, before the World Cup in The Hague, followed by the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.

The New Zealand Herald



Black Sticks aim to build on silver medal effort

BRENDON EGAN

The men's Black Sticks want to regularly compete for medals at major tournaments after a silver medal showing at the World League hockey final.

New Zealand were outclassed 7-2 by the Netherlands in the final in New Delhi, but will be heartened with how they performed against the world's top hockey nations.

The Black Sticks were expected to battle it out for the minor placings at the inaugural World League final tournament, but fought their way through to the championship game after thrilling shootout wins over Argentina and England.

It was the first time the New Zealand men had played in the gold medal game of an elite tier-one tournament since the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

They met their match in the form of the Netherlands, who claimed silver at last year's London Olympics. The classy Dutch side dominated the first half and raced out to a 3-0 halftime lead, which was always going to be too hefty an advantage for the Black Sticks to make up.

New Zealand were for more assertive in the second half and netted twice through midfielder Steve Edwards, but the damage had already been done.

Constantijn Jonker was ruthless in front of goal for the Dutch, scoring a hat-trick, while Billy Bakker also struck twice.

New Zealand coach Colin Batch said his side would have taken a silver medal at the beginning of the tournament and admitted the challenge was to now show their effort in India was no fluke.

"Overall we're extremely proud of our silver medal and we have developed a lot throughout the tournament.

"It's very difficult to stay within the top four nations in the world and we've done that here, so that's something we're looking to make a regular thing."

The Black Sticks still have Nick Wilson, Brad Shaw, Cory Bennett, Shay Neal and Andy Hayward, who missed the World League final tournament through injury, to come back into the selection mix, which they will take comfort from. Experienced midfielder Shea McAleese was also forced out of the final after suffering a fractured eye socket in the semifinal win over England.

New Zealand face a hectic next few months with the side off to the Champions Challenge in Malaysia in April, which will be followed by the pinnacle event of the year, the World Cup in the Netherlands in late May. From there it will be onto the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the Black Sticks will know they are more than capable of holding their own against the likes of Australia, England and India.

Stuff



Indian hockey team have to raise fitness level: Ashley Jackson

KOLKATA: India would have to step up their fitness level to bridge the ever-widening gap with the top hockey playing nations, feels promising British centre half Ashley Jackson.

"In terms of skills, they are second to none. But it's the physical fitness where they struggle. That's where the top teams have gone too far ahead. There's a reasonable gap to bridge," the senior member of champions Ranchi Rhinos in the upcoming Hockey India League said on Sunday.

The first Briton to win FIH's 'Young Player of the Year' award in 2009 is also impressed with the standard of hockey among the kids in Ranchi.

"We were coaching small kids in Ranchi and they were all phenomenal. India have some bright young talents who are better than what we have back home," the 26-year-old said.

Having made his debut for England during the U-21 Junior World Cup at an age of 17, Jackson has not looked back even as the sport has little to offer in terms of money in United Kingdom.

"We train like professionals, but we get paid as amateurs. Only two per cent get paid 'very small amount' from their clubs," Jackson, who plays for East Grinstead in Sussex, said.

This is one reason why players like him like to play in HIL even if that means missing out on a few matches in their league season.

"It's good to spend a few weeks here and get some money. Many even do odd jobs to support themselves. HIL has been quite good, hope it keeps growing," he said.

The Times of India



England's Jackson has no regrets choosing hockey over cricket



Kolkata: While he has no regrets choosing hockey over the more lucrative cricket, England hockey star Ashley Jackson called for more tournaments like the Hockey India League (HIL) which help players like him to earn a decent living.

“I followed my heart and did not think about money. I wanted to do something which is fun and enjoyable, especially when it was an opportunity to represent the country. I love everything I have done so far and cherish to do a lot more in hockey,” said Jackson about choosing hockey over cricket.

Jackson, who played county cricket through the age-groups as a left-handed batsman for Kent, was selected for England under-21 hockey when 18, and went to the World Cup in 2005.

He made his debut for the senior English national hockey team in 2007.

The forward and a drag flick specialist who turns out for Ranchi Rhinos in the HIL, wants more such tournaments as it increases earnings for players like him from Europe where the game is more of an amateur sport.

“Had I not been playing in the league, then what I earn from playing for my national team won’t be enough for a living. So such leagues afford you money to earn a living and allow playing for the England team. So, it is good for players like us as well as for others,” said Jackson.

The Ranchi based Rhinos are in the city to play an exhibition match to commemorate the first death anniversary of legendary hockey player and Olympian Leslie Claudius.

Jackson said the lack of money in the game was preventing youngsters from taking up hockey in England.

“There are many players who opted for other jobs, including coaching, to earn their living because the game being an amateur sports back home it gets difficult with what you earn."

“This surely is leading to losing out on younger players, especially the intelligent ones who play hockey during their university days but after finishing studies they opt for successful jobs than preferring the game,” said Jackson.

Jackson though is determined to continue playing hockey.

“I am lucky enough to play as a professional hockey player and hope to continue as long as I can. I am happy doing what I am doing, living each day and not worry about the future,” he said.

Jackson also admitted that game has become too physical and fast for the spectators but as a player he enjoyed the pace.

“The game has changed drastically. You always have to be stronger, faster and quicker to keep pace with the game. But for spectators I feel it has become too fast. If there are not enough cameras to cover all the angles, it doesn’t come across very well and look terrible at times,” he said.

The two-time Olympian was also effusive in praising young Indian talents.

“When it comes to skill, Indians are phenomenal. I have seen Indian kids practicing and what they did was incredible. Compared to youngsters back home, what the Indian players do skillwise is phenomenal,” added Jackson.

Zee News



African Cup of Club Championships (ACCC) Kampala, 2014

MATCHES     Jan. 19, 2014

Teams     Scores     Teams
GRA     ( 7 )     ( 2 )     Weatherhead
Kenya Police     ( 1 )     ( 2 )     Golden Sticks

FINALS
Orange     ( 2 )     ( 0 )     Strathmore
Sharkia     ( 1 )     ( 2 )     Egypt Police

African Hockey Federation media release



Telkom floor Strathmore to claim ninth Africa cup

By Ayumba Ayodi

Kenya’s Telkom Orange on Sunday clinched their ninth continental title when they beat local rivals Strathmore University 2-0 in the women’s final of the Africa Cup Clubs Championships at Lugogo Stadium, Kampala.

Egypt Police ended fellow countrymen’s Sharkia dominance in the men’s final with a 2-1 victory.

It marked another poor run for Kenyan men’s teams as Police Service, the 2012 bronze medallists,  failed in their battle for bronze, losing to Golden Sticks from Ghana 1-2 in the play-off for third and fourth place.

Kenya’s other side, Nairobi Simba Union, who were making a return to the continental scene for the first time since 1994 finished sixth after they lost to Trustees from Ghana 0-5 in the play-off for the fifth and sixth place.

It was a sweet victory for Egypt Police, who claimed their seventh title after halting Sharkia’s charge for their 22nd title.

Sharkia had not lost in a decade.

Orange left nothing to chance as they neutralised Strathmore’s attacks with experienced Jackline Mwangi and Betty Tioni sounding the board for the telecommunication ladies.

Orange won their first continental title in 1998 before reclaiming it in 2002. They then won back-to-back in 2004 and 2005 and 2007 and 2008.

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

They lost the title to Heartland from Nigeria in Ghana in 2010, failed to go for the next event in Zambia in 2011 but were in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 2012 where they staged a successful campaign to reclaim the diadem before their defence in Kampala on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Constantijn Jonker scored a hat-trick as the Netherlands thumped New Zealand 7-2 to win the inaugural Hockey World League in New Delhi on Saturday.

The Dutch, who stunned reigning world champions Australia in the semi-finals, outplayed the Black Sticks in a one-sided final at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in the Indian capital.

Two goals from Jonker and one from Billy Bakker helped the Netherlands race to a 3-0 lead by half-time, before Bob de Voogd struck the fourth goal soon after the resumption.

Steve Edwards reduced the margin for New Zealand in the 37th minute, but the Dutch continued their scoring spree as Rogier Hofman netted the fifth goal in the 45th.

New Zealand, who upset England in the semi-finals via a penalty shoot-out, raided the Dutch defence and were rewarded with a second goal from Edwards in the 52nd minute.

The Netherlands, who host the World Cup at the Hague in May and June, sealed their emphatic win with further goals from Bakker and Jonker.

GOOD COMPETITION

“A 7-2 scoreline in a final is so satisfying,” said man-of-the-match Jonker. “This was a good competition against strong teams and will help us prepare for the World Cup.”

The International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) newest competition opened with 54 teams in August 2012, and, after three rounds played around the world, the top seven joined hosts India for the title round in New Delhi.

England took third place with a 2-1 win over Australia earlier on Saturday.

Daily Nation



Champs Telkom stun Strathmore, secure sixth African hockey title

By ELIZABETH MBURUGU


Orange Telkom players celebrate their victory over Strathmore after the finals of the Africa Hockey Club Championships in Kampala, Uganda yesterday. [PHOTO: JENNIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

African hockey women’s champions Orange Telkom collected their sixth trophy on the continental scene when they thumped Strathmore Ladies 2-0 to retain the title.

The five time champions were determined to win their record sixth continental title and showed no hesitation to take control of the game. The African champions secured the title on a clean sheet having won all their matches and conceding just one goal.

Orange head coach Jos Openda was full of praise for his charges saying they played as champions and met his expectations.

“They played very well especially in the final match. Beating Strathmore was not an easy task as it is equally a tough side,” he said.

He attributed the success to good and early preparations.

“We began our preparations for this tournament early and it has had positive results,” he said. “Preparation for the next competition begins immediately.”

Orange came into the match attacking from the onset playing long balls and threatening the defence of the Strathmore Ladies, who are nicknamed Scorpions. Strathmore goalkeeper Truphy Oriwa was called to action in the seventh minute with Caroline Guchu’s strike headed for the goal but she cleared the danger.

The champions charged on and their efforts paid off in the 14th minute when experience played a big role through lethal striker Jacqueline Jow.

She received a long pass from Lucy Wangechi on the right, sneaked through Strathmore defence and went past goalkeeper Oriwa to put Orange in the lead.

Strathmore Scorpions intensified their search for an equaliser but failed to break Orange’s defence.

Veteran Betty Tiony punished the students in the 47th minute slotting in the winning goal. The Scorpions failed to keep an eye on her letting Tiony loose and she came one on one with goalkeeper Oriwa beating her.

Orange suffered a big blow in the second half after their striker Yvonne Wanjiku was injured and forced off the pitch on the stretcher.

Wanjiku has been very instrumental in the Orange’s campaign scoring seven goals in the tournament for her team.

Strathmore coach Meshack Senge said they put up a hard fight but luck was not on their side. He also said they met their expectations by taking silver.

“Our aim was a podium finish and we achieved it,” he said.

In the men’s third and fourth play-offs, Kenya Police lost to Golden Sticks of Ghana to settle for the fourth position.

Francis Esikuri opened the score for the Kenyans converting a penalty corner in the 22nd minute to take the lead. Four minutes later they lost focus and the Ghanaians punished them through Lamptey Daniel.

The West Africans scored a 70th minute goal to snatch the victory. Ghana Revenue Authority routed hosts Weatherhead 7-0 to take bronze in the women’s category.

The Standard Online



OLAK-PKT keep momentum going

By Jugjet Singh

OLD La Sallians Associations of Klang (OLAK-PKT) beat Felda Temerloh 3-1 in Division Two B to keep a clean slate after three matches in the Junior Hockey League.

Playing at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium yesterday, the former double champions look good to keep their winning streak when they play their next two matches in Perak, against MSSD Larut Matang on Friday, and 1Mas Perak the next day.

Olak started their JHL campaign by trashing KL Sports School Juniors 6-0, followed by a 10-1 thumping of Permatang Juniors.

"We have a strong attacking side this season, and after three matches, I believe we should not have any problems becoming the Division Two B champions," said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.

RESULTS -- Division One: Petaling Jaya CC 3  Malacca High School 1, Anderson MBI 1  SSTMI Jnrs 1.

Division Two A: PHKS 0 MSSP-USM 3, Bakat MSSk 5 Star 0.

Division Two B: OLAK-PKT 3 Felda Temerloh 1, 1Mas Perak 1 MSP Pahang Jnrs 3.

Division Two C: Politeknik KPM 5 SMKTB 0, BJSS Jnrs 6 SMK Datuk Bentara Luar 0.

New Straits Times



MBPJ keep pace in Div 1 with Malacca win


An MBPJ player (in yellow) attempting a field goal against Malacca High School in their Malaysian Junior Hockey League Div 1 match in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. - SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) stamped their credentials as potential champions with a convincing 3-1 win over title aspirants Malacca High School in Division One of the MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) at the Education Ministry Pitch on Sunday.

The win took the PJ team to second in the standings behind champions SSTMI-Thunderbolt. Both have six points after two matches but the SSTMI team have a better goal difference.

It was Malacca High School’s first defeat in three matches.

Their earlier two matches against Anderson and KLSS-KLHC ended in draws.

At the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Anderson chalked up another draw. This time it was a 1-1 stalemate against SSTMI Juniors.

They have two points after two draws and two defeats while it was the first points for SSTMI Juniors.

The win for MBPJ was crucial as they have two tough away matches in the coming weekend against the two SSTMI schools in Johor Baru.

MBPJ took the lead in the 31st minute through a field goal by Zulaniq Adib Abdul Razak. They doubled their lead in the 44th minute through Mohamed Nor Ikhwan Nor Rahman.

Zul Pidaus Mizun then made it 3-0 in the 54th minute and a lop-sided match seemed to be in the offing.

But the Malacca side managed to pull a goal back in the 60th minute through Mohamed Asyraf Zuhry Mahat. They then held on to keep the scoreline down.

MBPJ team manager Zainal Abidin Ismail said that they played a much better game than the one against Anderson in their opening tie.

“It was a more settled performance from the players and they did not show any nerves.

“We knew this match was crucial to keep our title ambition going.

“We face two tough matches next weekend and we have to go there with a winning hand.

“I am glad to see the players making more efforts with their attempts. We need to be alert at all times and stay focused in the matches.

“With just six matches to go for the league title every game counts and a draw is as good as a defeat,” said Zainal.

The Star of Malaysia

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