News 05 January 2014
All then news for Sunday 5 January 2014.
U.S. Women’s Indoor Anticipates a Strong Finish for Final Tournament Day
Women's Indoor looks ahead to last day of pool play and finals in Germany
The Women's U.S. National Indoor Team began competition yesterday at the Der Pokal der Messestadt in Leipzig, Germany. After three games, the team is 0-1-2 in pool play.
On Friday, Team USA took on ATV Leipzig 1845 in their first match. Team USA got on the board early with a score from Susan Ciufo (Bangor, Pa.) in the third minute. ATV Leipzig 1845 quickly retaliated with a score of its own a minute later.
Ciufo and Margaux Paolino (Villanova, Pa.) scored for Team USA in the sixth and ninth minutes respectively, only to be answered by ATV Leipzig 1845 with a goal in the 19th minute. Paolino struck again nine minutes later, with ATV Leipzig earning its final goal of the match in the 30th minute. Ciufo had the final score of the match at the 31st minute mark. After back-and-forth play for the entire game, the teams tied at six-a-piece.
Team USA’s first match on Saturday was against SC Charlottenburg. SC Charlottenburg lit up the scoreboard with a goal off a penalty corner in the fourth minute. Ali McEvoy (Gilbertsville, Pa.) evened the score for Team USA in the eleventh minute. SC Charlottenburg struck two quick goals again in the 19th and 21st minutes, only to be answered by a goal from McEvoy two minutes later.
Team USA was unable to hold off the offensive attack of SC Charlottensburg as it scored two more goals prior to the end of the match, resulting in a 2-6 loss for Team USA.
In its third game of the tournament and second game of the day, Team USA battled against Osternienburger HC. Team USA struck early with a goal by Kim Tunnel (Wilmington, Del.) in field play. Osternienburger HC evened the score in the fourth minute, only to be answered by goals by Erin Matson (Chadds Ford, Pa.) and McEvoy in the ninth and thirteenth minutes.
After a goal by Osternienburger HC at minute 22, Margaux Paolino scored Team USA’s final goal of the game at the 28th minute. Down 2-4, Osternienburger HC fought back to tally two more goals before the end of the match, resulting in a 4-4 tie.
After a successful two days of competition, Team USA has one more game of pool play remaining against UHC Hamburg tomorrow prior to playoff games.
To cheer on Team USA and receive tournament updates checkout usafieldhockey.com and visit the event site: http://www.messepokal.de
USFHA media release
Free-scoring East Grinstead top Premier Division
EAST Grinstead fired home another 20 goals on day three of the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s at St George’s Park in Burton on Saturday as they continued to dominate top spot in the Men’s Premier Division.
They opened the day with an 8-4 beating of Sevenoaks, and followed it up with a 12-3 victory over strugglers Doncaster. Mark Pearn ended the day with five goals, while Simon Faulkner and captain Niall Stott bagged four each.
Reading are hot on the heels of East Grinstead, and they also registered two wins on Saturday – beating Bowdon 5-1 and Sevenoaks 10-6, with Darren Cheesman scoring five against Sevenoaks, while Jonty Clark scored a hat-trick in that game to add to his two from their earlier win.
Canterbury lay third in the table, but lost ground on the top two following their hard-fought 5-5 draw against Holcombe. Hardeep Jawanda scored a hat-trick for Canterbury, with Mickel Pierre and Ben Allberry scoring the others.
Allberry was in great form in their second match, scoring six times to help his side to a 12-4 win over Bowdon. David Egerton scored a hat-trick for Bowdon, but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat as they ended the day with two losses following their earlier 5-1 beating at the hands of Reading.
Beeston are fourth following a superb day of action, having beaten Loughborough Students 7-5 and hammered Doncaster 16-4 in the final match.
Sam Ward was the star of the show for them, scoring a hat-trick in their first match but then slotting home another nine goals against Doncaster to end the day with 12 goals. Ben Arnold was also in good form, scoring six against Doncaster and seven over the day.
Meanwhile, in Division One, Team Bath Buccaneers are top following two opening day victories – but Surbiton and Cannock are level on points after winning both their two matches on Saturday.
The Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Finals will be played on 2 February 2014 at Wembley Arena. You can get more information and buy tickets at www.englandhockey.co.uk/maxi5s
Results from Saturday, January 4 2014:
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Men’s Premier Division: East Grinstead 8, Sevenoaks 4; Reading 5, Bowdon 1; Canterbury 5, Holcombe 5; Loughborough Students 5, Beeston 7; Doncaster 3, East Grinstead 12; Sevenoaks 6, Reading 10; Bowdon 4, Canterbury 12; Holcombe 10, Loughborough Students 2; Beeston 16, Doncaster 4.
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Men’s Division One: Bournville 8, Hampstead & Westminster 7; Surbiton 8, Southgate 5; Team Bath Buccaneers 9, Havant 1; Brooklands 7, Old Loughtonians 8; Cannock 6, Bournville 3; Hampstead & Westminster 6, Surbiton 9; Southgate 4, Team Bath Buccaneers 11; Havant 2, Brooklands 7; Old Loughtonians 3, Cannock 5.
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Men’s Division Two (North): Preston 4, Barford Tigers 6; Cheltenham 6, Harleston magpies 8; Havering 4, Sheffield Hallam 7; Cheltenham 9, Preston 2; Barford Tigers 3, Havering 10; Harleston Magpies 10, Sheffield Hallam 3.
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Men’s Division Two (South): Wimbledon 6, Chelmsford 4; Indian Gymkhana 6, Ashmoor 5; St Albans 1, West Herts 9; Indian Gymkhana 6, Wimbledon 6; Chelmsford 2, St Albans 8; Ashmoor 3, West Herts.
England Hockey Board Media release
Scott goals help Slough to the top
Alex Scott in action for Slough in the Maxi5s indoor hockey
SLOUGH remain unbeaten in the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championships Premier Division after five Alex Scott goals helped see off Reading and Leicester on Saturday.
Slough fell behind to an Alex Danson goal in the opening match of the day against Reading but Scott drew her side level from a penalty corner.
Mel Ball put Slough in the lead and Scott made sure of their fifth win of the campaign with her second to make it 3-1.
Slough were also trailing to Leicester until Scott once again came to the rescue, cancelling out Nic White’s strike a minute later. Leicester went into the break 3-2 ahead but Slough upped the ante in the second half as Scott completed her hat-trick.
Reading lost further ground on the leaders and lie third after drawing 4-4 with Canterbury. They looked to be cruising at half time, as goals from Becky Halle, Alex Danson, Sam Quek and Leah Wilkinson in the opening nine minutes gave them a 4-1 lead at the break.
But three second-half goals for Canterbury, including a Nikki Kidd brace, saw them steal a vital point.
Bowdon Hightown are in second spot after winning 4-2 against Sutton Coldfield and 9-5 against Canterbury. Sally Walton was their biggest goal threat, scoring four times over the two games.
East Grinstead are up to fourth after an 8-1 win over Harleston Magpies and a 7-2 victory over Sutton Coldfield. Sophie Bray hit eight goals over the two fixtures.
The Magpies bounced back from their loss to record the biggest win of the day, beating Olton and West Warwickshire 11-2. Katrina Sitch and Alex Smith got a hat-trick each.
In Division One, University of Birmingham and Bristol Firebrands have 100 per cent records after winning both their games. Birmingham hold top spot with superior goal difference.
The Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Finals will be played on 2 February 2014 at Wembley Arena. You can get more information and buy tickets at www.englandhockey.co.uk/maxi5s
Results from Saturday, January 4 2014:
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Women’s Premier Division: Reading 1, Slough 3; Leicester 7, Olton and West Warwickshire 2; Harleston Magpies 1, East Grinstead 8; Sutton Coldfield 2, Bowdon Hightown 4; Canterbury 4, Reading 4; Slough 6, Leicester 3; Olton and West Warwickshire 2, Harleston Magpies 11; East Grinstead 7, Sutton Coldfield 2; Bowdon Hightown 9, Canterbury 5.
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Women’s Division One: University of Birmingham 3, Wakefield 1; Bristol Firebrands 6, Surbiton 5; Brooklands 4, Buckingham 4; Sevenoaks 6, Chelmsford 1; Clifton 3, University of Birmingham 6; Wakefield 2, Bristol Firebrands 3; Surbiton 6, Brooklands Poynton 3; Buckingham 8, Sevenoaks 2; Chelmsford 1, Clifton 7.
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Women’s Division Two North: Army 6, Stourport 4; Gloucester City 7, Lichfield 0; Oxford Hawks 7, Liverpool Sefton 2; Gloucester City 0, Army 6; Stourport 5, Oxford Hawks 6; Lichfield 3, Liverpool Sefton 7.
Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championship Women’s Division Two South: Holcombe 2, Horsham 2; Old Loughtonians 4, St Albans 0; Trojans 2, Ipswich 3; Old Loughtonians 4, Holcombe 3; Horsham 2, Trojans 2; St Albans 2, Ipswich 3.
England Hockey Board Media release
Kiwis eyeing top-six finish in Hockey World League
New Zealand, targeting a top-six finish in the Hockey World League (HWL) final, is trying to get acclimatised to the weather here ahead of its opening encounter against Olympic champion Germany at the National Stadium on January 10.
The Black Sticks, ranked seventh in the world, qualified for the event after ending up fourth in the HWL semifinal leg in Rotterdam and hope for a good return in Delhi.
“While the team is practising hard, the players are trying to acclimatise to the weather. It is cold at night and warm during the day. Hence, playing in such conditions can be tricky,” said New Zealand head coach Colin Batch after the team’s training session on Saturday.
“The team is trying a new composition with some new players and we aim for a top-six finish. The boys have worked on their passes and techniques of tackling the opposition which will help win matches,” said Batch, a former Australian player. New Zealand captain Dean Couzins said, “We are working very hard on our techniques and looking forward to the matches against Germany, India and England.” The Black Sticks will play India (Jan. 11) and England (Jan. 13) in their other Pool A matches.
The Netherlands coach Paul Vanass said his team, ranked third in the world and placed in Pool B, would focus on its speed. “The preparation in the run-up to the tournament is going great. The team will be playing against Argentina, Australia and Belgium and we are aware that the latter two are very strong sides. Our team has played against them in the past and we have to keep ourselves fit. We are working on our speed, which we will utilise.”
“The team composition is not different from that of the Olympics, though there are a couple of injuries which have to be taken care of,” he added.
The Hindu
New Zealand aim for top-6 finish in Hockey World League Final
NEW DELHI: New Zealand head coach Colin Batch is eyeing a top-six finish in the Hero Hockey World League Final to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here from January 10-18.
"The team is trying a new playing composition with some new players and we aim at finishing in the top 6 at the end of the tournament," said Batch.
New Zealand will open their campaign in the eight-nation tournament against Olympic champions Germany and Batch said the team was ready for the challenge.
"Our opening match is against Germany and hence the match will not be an easy one for us. The boys have worked on their passes and techniques of tackling the opposition which will help us win matches during the league," he said.
New Zealand players had a rigorous training session under the watchful eye of Batch at the National Stadium.
Batch said acclimatising to the "tricky" weather condition in the capital also remained a challenge for his wards.
"It is cold in the night and warm during the day, hence playing under such conditions can prove to be tricky."
New Zealand captain Dean Couzins said Germany, India and England are the teams to watch out for in the event.
"We are working hard to improve our technique and looking forward to matches against Germany, India and England. We have come in with some new set of players hoping this will help us improve our game during the tournament," Couzins said after a practice session.
New Zealand have been clubbed alongside Germany, England, hosts India and New Zealand in Pool A, while Pool B consists of Netherlands, Argentina, Australia and Belgium.
The Times of India
Netherlands ready for tough pool outing in HWL Final
NEW DELHI: They are placed in a tough Pool B in the Hero Hockey World League (HWL) Final, but London Olympics silver medalist Netherlands are all geared up for the tournament with head coach Paul Vanass insisting that his wards are prepared for the upcoming challenge.
Netherlands have been clubbed alongside Argentina, Australia and Belgium in Pool B in the eight-nation event to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from January 10-18, while Pool A consists of reigning Olympic champions Germany, England, hosts India and New Zealand.
"The preparation for the run up to the tournament is going great and the boys are looking forward to the challenge which starts next Friday," Vanass said after a practice session today.
"The team will be playing against Argentina, Australia and Belgium and we are aware that the latter two are very strong teams and we have to play strictly as per strategy.
"The team has played against them in the past and we have to keep ourselves fit for the clash against Australia and Belgium. We are working on our speed and which we will utilise against them during the match," he said.
"The team composition is not different from the Olympic team, though there are a couple of injuries that has to be taken care of. We are among the top 8 teams in the world and want to play good and challenging hockey and enjoy as the league progresses," Vanass added.
Netherlands are one of the favourites to win the tournament and skipper Robert vander Horst said they are looking forward to utilise their vast experience of playing on Indian soil.
"This is our fourth visit to India and we enjoy playing here. We are in the top 8 hockey playing team of the world and we will try to live up to the expectations of being a strong team. My advice to the boys is to enjoy the league and to not come under any pressure," he said.
Netherlands will open their campaign against Argentina on the first day of the tournament on January 10.
The Times of India
FIH-supported Hockey clinic on in capital
NEW DELHI: India players Mandeep Singh and Birendra Lakra interacted with over 40 youngsters on the first day of the second Hero Hockey Clinic for sub-junior players -- a two-day event being conducted with technical assistance from the FIH.
A total of 40 young players (21 boys, 19 girls) are attending the clinic, where they are being taught key drills.
The second day of the clinic will see Indian half-back Dharamvir Singh and Indian junior team captain and senior team halfback Manpreet Singh giving the attendees sessions on dribbling and penalty corner drills.
"It's been a great experience being a part of the Hero Hockey Clinic and interacting with these children. Some of them are very talented and if they keep on their training they will surely shine in the years to come," said Lakra.
The clinic has been devised by FIH and implemented by the FIH-appointed head coach, Dr Ajay Kumar Bansal, a Dronacharya award winner.
The children will be given a certificate of participation, autographed posters of the players, along with tickets for the Hero Hockey World League Final to be held in Delhi from January 10.
The Times of India
20 OTHL Boys benefit in the Second Hero Hockey Clinic
They have been invited by Nehru-NDMC academy
By K Arumugam
New Delhi - Twenty boys of One Thousand Hockey Legs project of Hockey Citizen Group are among the 40-odd participants of second Hero Hockey Clinic for Sub-junior players organized by Hero MotoCorp Ltd, in partnership with FIH, which started today at the Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi.
This is an initiative by the world's largest two wheeler motorcycle manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, with technical assistance from International Hockey Federation (FIH). The clinic was organised before the Hero Hockey Junior World Cup 2013, received an overwhelming response, and is now in its second edition.
The two-day clinic is aimed at honing the skills of budding Indian hockey players, and also allows them to interact one-on-one with elite hockey players from the Indian team. A total of 40 young players (21 boys, 19 girls) are attending the clinic, where they are being taught key drills for the first part of the clinic on each day, and then practice those drills during live match play. The clinic has received a great response and has struck a chord with the children, some of whom will have the opportunity to play on a world-class pitch for the first time.
Indian Hockey Teams forward Mandeep Singh and defender Birendra Lakra interacted with the sub junior level players with enthusiasm, and shared their knowledge via practical demonstrations.
The second day of the clinic will see Indian Half-Back Dharamvir Singh and Indian Junior team captain and senior team halfback Manpreet Singh giving the attendees sessions on dribbling and penalty corner drills.
“It’s been a great experience being a part of the Hero Hockey Clinic and interacting with these children. Some of them are very talented and if they keep on their training they will surely shine in the years to come,” said Birendra Lakra from Team India.
The 2-day Hero Hockey Clinic has been devised by FIH and implemented by the FIH-appointed head coach, Dr. Ajay Kumar Bansal, a Dronacharya award winner. Nehru Hockey Society's Kukoo Walia extended patronage to the project.
Top quality medical assistance at the clinic has been available to the children, with Rockland Hospitals providing all necessary services.
The children will be given a certificate of participation, autographed posters of the players, along with tickets for the Hero Hockey World League Final to be held in Delhi from January 10, 2014.
Vikas Paswan, Vijay Das, Deepak Paswan, Baljeet, Rupinder, Deepansu, Md. Jaseem, Pawan, Vikky, Sandeep, Ritik are among the OTHL boys who stand benefitted by this initiative.
Stick2Hockey.com
Fitness key in Malaysia’s hectic year
By S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: A three-day physical test from Jan 10 will be crucial for players aiming to make this year’s national team.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are planning to recruit 35 players to join the squad. Training is expected to start on Jan 20.
“We used to have 25 players in the team. But we need to increase it to 35 as we have to compete in an unusual high number of tournaments this year.
“By having 35 players, we can rotate the squad and the players will get a break and recover. There are almost one tournament every month starting from March,” said national team manager George Koshy.
“As for physical test, it is a normal thing whenever we start our training phase.
“It is crucial in helping us to see how good the players’ current physical conditions,” he added.
The national team will kick off their season with the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in March. The following month, they will compete in the FIH Champions Challenge I in Kuantan.
Then comes the big one – the World Cup in Holland from May 31-June 15. In July, the Malaysians will play in the Commonwealth Games followed by the Asian Games in September.
“It is a heavy work-load for the players this year. All these tournaments are important for us and we want to ensure that we have the players in good condition for each assignment,” said George.
South African Paul Revington will continue to handle the team.
The Star of Malaysia