News for 08 January 2015
All the news for Thursday 8 January 2015
Unforced errors makes Beng Hai one angry coach
by Aftar Singh
Malaysia's Mohd Fitri Saari (left) shielding the ball from two Polish players in a friendly match recently.
KUALA LUMPUR: Two friendlies. One draw and one loss.
No wonder national hockey coach Tai Beng Hai is unhappy.
World No. 13 Malaysia played two friendlies against Poland – on Sunday and Tuesday – at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil and drew the first 4-4 and lost the other 4-3.
Malaysia and Poland are preparing for the World League Second Round in Singapore from Jan 17-25. Malaysia are the top seeds for the tournament.
Beng Hai is particularly irked by the number of unforced errors committed by his team.
“The players made a lot of unforced errors ... especially the defenders. We conceded first and then had to chase the match,” said the former international.
“The players were also unable to give 100% in the friendlies as they’ve not played together since the Incheon Asian Games last October.
“We will watch the videos of the two friendlies and study the mistakes we made.
“We cannot afford to make the same mistakes in the tournament in Singapore. I have a week to rectify the shortcomings.”
There are 25 players in the training squad and the final 18 will be named on Friday.
Beng Hai also said that midfielder Mohd Shahrun Nabil, who did not play against Poland due to a hamstring injury, would be tested in a friendly among the 25 players before he names the squad.
Eight teams will feature in the World League Round Two in Singapore and Malaysia are in Group A with Oman, Ukraine and Fiji.
Poland are in Group B with world No. 16 Japan, Bangladesh and Singapore.
The top three teams from Singapore will qualify for the two World League semi-finals in Belgium and Argentina in June.
The World League is the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The Star of Malaysia
Shahril pulls out of hockey team citing injury
By Aftar Singh
Shahril (right) is still recovering from a right shoulder injury sustained during the Malaysia Hockey League last month.
KUALA LUMPUR: Forward Mohd Shahril Saabah has pulled out from the national hockey squad citing injury.
And that has riled national coach Tai Beng Hai, who is preparing the team for the World League Second Round in Singapore from Jan 17-25.
“I don’t know how bad his injury is. But I have decided to name the final squad of 18 players on Friday,” said Beng Hai.
The 21-year-old Tenaga Nasional player said that he has not fully recovered from the right shoulder injury he suffered in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) last month.
“My shoulder still hurts. I won’t be able to execute the penalty corner flicks well. Besides, I don’t want to risk aggravating the injury.
“I want to be fully recovered before returning to the national team,” said Shahril, who played in all five major tournaments last year.
Last year, he featured in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh (March), Champions Challenge I in Kuantan (April), World Cup in The Hague (June), Glasgow Commonwealth Games (July) and the Incheon Asian Games (September).
He also played in the six-nation Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 tournament last October.
Shahril, who has been capped 30 times, hopes to make a comeback at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in March.
“I’m also looking forward to playing in the two World League semi-finals in Belgium and Argentina in June.
“I also want to help Malaysia finish among the top three in the Junior Asia Cup (in Kuantan in November) and qualify for next year’s Junior World Cup in New Delhi,” said Shahril.
Unfortunately, Shahril is not eligible to play in the Junior World Cup due to his age.
The Star of Malaysia
Korper hails Austria spirit to defeat South Africa 4-3
Michael Korper hailed Austria’s spirit after Julius Heimanns struck with four minutes remaining in their second test match against South Africa in Queensmead to win 4-3.
It gives the European side a 1-0 lead after two games of their four-match series. Speaking after the win, Harvestehuder man Korper said of the series so far: “They were very tough games but very good ones and will prepare us for the World League round two.
“South Africa is a good opponent and we were really happy with how we played against them. We took our chances but when they go back to 3-3, it’s a sign that we never give up and scored that fourth goal.”
South Africa had taken an early lead via Matt Guise-Brown but a penalty stroke from Korper, one from SV Arminen hero Alexander Bele and a third from another HTHC man, Benjamin Stanzl, made it 3-1 by the 23rd minute.
Guise-Brown and Richard Pautz got the new look South Africans level but Heimanns nabbed the win late on.
The hosts captain Jonty Robinson said his side learned a lot from the tie: “We knew they would come out firing and change some of their tactics which worked for them.
“We were bit slow coming out in periods one and two but definitely after half-time, we turned it around. We played with good intensity and it was a nice game to learn from and we are really looking forward to tests three and four.”
They play again on Thursday and Friday. Austria play round two of the World League in late February in Chula Vista, USA.
Euro Hockey League media release
SA men/Austria hockey series finely balanced
JONATHAN COOK at Queensmead
The South Africa men's hockey team cannot afford to lose to Austria in the 6pm third Test match at Queensmead in Durban Thursday if they hope to keep the series alive.
A nail-biting 4-3 win in the second Test Tuesday night gave the Europeans a 1-0 lead in the series after Monday’s first encounter was drawn 1-1.
Friday’s scheduled 2pm fourth and final Test of the series at Queensmead has been moved forward to 1pm in order to accommodate flight changes and the men in green and gold would dearly love to go into that clash knowing that they could still at least leave the series tied or at best clinch the rubber.
So nothing less than a draw or win will suffice Thursday night and the do-or-die nature of this third Test match – where the Austrians will be going all-out to kill off SA’s hopes with another victory – makes it likely that a crowd even bigger than the excellent support already provided by the fans will be in attendance.
SA, full of exciting new, untried players alongside a sprinkling of the tried and test, have been absolutely superb in patches but the wily, more experienced Austrians have too often managed to soak up the pressure and missed opportunities from the lads in green and gold before punishing them against the run of play.
It has been both exhilarating and at times frustrating for SA supporters but the emergence of the new faces wearing South African colours at Test match level is surely the most memorable aspect of this series and there is no doubt that each and every player in head coach Fabian Gregory’s team will be giving it their all to level the series Thursday.
RESULTS
1st Test: SA 1 Austria 1
2nd Test: SA 3 Austria 4
REMAINING TESTS
3rd Test: Thurs, 8 Jan (6pm)
4th and final Test: Fri, 9 Jan (1pm)
SA Hockey Association media release
SA teams named for Indoor Hockey World Cup
JONATHAN COOK
There is a strong KZN flavour to the South African national men’s and women’s indoor hockey teams that have been named for the 2015 Indoor Hockey World Cup, which takes place in Leipzig, Germany from February 4 to 8.
Indoor hockey has many features of the outdoor game, and these SA indoor players have all distinguished themselves at national and provincial level in the outdoor format of the game. Indeed, a number still do, or recently have, represented the senior national team in outdoor hockey.
KZN has for some time been a dominant force in SA indoor hockey at interprovincial level.
The Spar-sponsored SA women’s team of 11 have five players from KZN Coastal Raiders including captain Cindy Hack, five from KZN Inland, plus former Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School (GHS) star Celia Evans, who is at North West University in Potchefstroom.
The Nolands-sponsored SA men’s team that have opted to have five players from KZN Coastal Raiders, three from KZN Inland, two from Western Province - Craig Haley and the captain, Maritzburg College product Dale Isaac - plus Southern Gauteng’s PG Geldenhuys and Keegan Kieck. Haley and Geldenhuys are UKZN Pietermaritzburg graduates.
Both SA Indoor World Cup teams have a series of build-up matches in Europe prior to the four-yearly showdown.
SA INDOOR HOCKEY WORLD CUP TEAMS
Women: Amy Greaves, Taryn de Winnaar (vice-capt), Tracy Martens, Eloise Walters, Faye Cooper (all KZN Inland); Cindy Hack (capt), Jessica O’Connor, Kara Stella, Kelly Madsen, Shelley Freyer (all KZN Coastal), Celia Evans (North West). Coach: Lennie Botha. Manager: Emma Bray. Video analyst: TJ Smith. Physio: tba.
Men: Richard Curtis, Mohamed Mea, Matt Fairweather, Geoff Abbott, Jarryd Jones (all KZN Coastal Raiders); Chris McCathie, Ayden Shrives, Justin Domleo (all KZN Inland); Dale Isaac (capt), Craig Haley (both WP); PG Geldenhuys, Keegan Kieck (both Southern Gauteng). Coach: Ryan Hack. Assistant coach: Pierre le Roux. Manager: Reggie Smith. Physio: Nicholas Pereira.
SA Hockey Association media release
PHF seeks help from businessmen
LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appealed to the business community of the country to come forward to help Pakistan hockey in order to bring back its lost glory.
PHF secretary Rana Mujahid made the appeal at a function held by Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries on Wednesday in honour of the Pakistan team for winning back-to-back silver medals, first in the Asian Games and then in Champions Trophy in 2014.
Mujahid said the business community could sponsor uniform of the national team.
In response, president of the Chamber Fazal Jillani promised that the PHF request would be catered in future.
Later, Fazal distributed cash prizes among the entire Pakistan team and its management.
The PHF is short of money as the government has failed to issue it grant for almost two years.
The PHF had made a request to the government to allocate Rs500 million for it annually but the request is still pending with the prime minister, who is also patron-in-chief of the PHF.
The business community of Karachi had sponsored the PHF to send Pakistan team for the last Champions Trophy which was held in India.
Dawn
Wapda into semis with 7-1 win
Wapda steers into the semi-finals of of the 61st PSO National Hockey Championship as they defeated HEC 7-1 in the first quarter-final. PHOTO: APP
KARACHI: Aleem Bilal successfully converted four penalty corners to steer Wapda into the semi-finals of of the 61st PSO National Hockey Championship, as they defeated HEC 7-1 in the first quarter-final at the Sialkot Hockey Stadium yesterday.
Muhammad Imran scored two field goals, while Tasawar Abbas added one to complete the 7-1 rout of HEC. Ashar Ali scored the consolation goal for HEC.
Meanwhile in the second quarter-final, Muhammad Tousiq and Syed Kashif Shah scored one each for NBP to book their berth in the semi-final as they defeated Navy 2-1, with Akbar Ali being the only player to score for Navy.
In Thursday’s quarter-final fixtures, PIA will take on SSGC, while Army will face Punjab.
The Express Tribune
Division One of Hockey 5s set for action
Hockey 5s arena in all its glory
The Hockey 5s Championships, Men’s Division One gets under way this weekend at the University of West England. Teams play each other over two weekends with week two taking place on 17-18 January at the same venue. The two teams top of the league after week two will be promoted to the Premier Division in 2015/16 with the bottom two being relegated to Division Two North/South.
New to Division One this season are Loughborough Students & Doncaster who were relegated from the Premier Division following a two year stint. Loughborough will be hoping to bounce straight back as they did when they were last relegated from the Premier back in 2010/11. Harleston Magpies return to this division following a year in Division Two and they are joined by Wimbledon, who are one of four teams competing this weekend that play their outdoor hockey in the NOW: Pensions Men’s Premier Division (Brooklands MU, Cannock and Southgate the others).
Southgate narrowly missed out on promotion last year and in a bid to go one better they have registered ex-Havant and Guildford player Andrew Pett from local team Teddington.
Pett’s Teddington team mate Carl Sitch has gone back to familiar territory and will join up with his old club Harleston Magpies, as well as coming up against an old club in Loughborough Students. Magpies also welcome back Stuart Leate from Battersea Wanderers as they look for a return to the top flight having been absent since 2012.
There are a number of other players returning to their former club for the Indoor Season. Jerome Goudie makes the usual indoor appearance for Students from local club Loughborough Town, Matt Smith will turn out for Brooklands MU from Preston, with Jon Appleton returning to Doncaster from Grimsby and Tom Watson playing for Old Loughtonians. Old Loughts have also signed James Alberry from Cambridge City as they look for a return to the glory days which saw them reach the Indoor Finals back in 2008, 2009 & 2011.
Khalsa’s Stuart Gooderham will come up against former club Cannock as he signs for Bournville. Cannock and Wimbledon are the only clubs not to bring in players from elsewhere as they look to make the top division to replicate their outdoor status.
England Hockey Board Media release
Will play an attacking game for Delhi Waveriders: Gurwinder Singh Chandi
NEW DELHI: Strengthening the forward line for Delhi Waveriders in the Hockey India League, seasoned striker Gurwinder Singh Chandi is all set to add dynamism and vigour to the team in the impending League that starts from 22 January 2015 at Bhubaneswar.
The 25-year-old Indian forward has played a key role in the remarkable performance of the Delhi Waveriders in the past and is ready to further shore up the side's attack in the upcoming tournament and live the defending champion's dream of retaining the title.
He was one of the scoring leaders in the inaugural League, scoring a total of 5 field goals for Delhi Waveriders, helping his side to earn a respectable second place in the League.
In the same season, Chandi was named the 'Man of the Match' in the game where Delhi Waveriders defeated the Mumbai Magicians 6-4. His name also featured thrice in 'Hero Goal of the Match' in HIL 2013. With a great amount of talent and experience, he surely is one of the players to look out for.
Speaking on the forthcoming League, Gurwinder Singh Chandi said, "I have been working on my game for long and hard and will be using it to my team's benefit in the approaching League. Under the captaincy of Sardar Singh - I, along with Akashdeep, Danish Mujtaba and Yuvraj Walmiki, will be looking forward to playing an attacking game and create maximum scoring opportunities for our side. I have picked up many tips from both Simon and Jason and am waiting to play again alongside them this season. The main motive is nonetheless to play the best and retain our title."
The third edition of the Hockey India League will start from 22 January 2015. The opening day of the League will witness Kalinga Lancers taking on Ranchi Rays in Bhubaneswar.
Hockey India League will be telecasted LIVE on Star Sports.
The Times of India
My team is my strength: Mandeep Singh
NEW DELHI: With the Hero Hockey India League just around the corner, Ranchi Rays star player Mandeep Singh on Wednesday said that he's gearing up for yet another strong show in the tournament.
With all eyes on him in since the first edition, Mandeep is keen to continue his dream run this season too and ensure that expectation from him are delivered this year.
The 19-year-old Jalandhar boy had his breakthrough season with the Ranchi-based franchisee during the inaugural HIL, in which he achieved the second highest goal scoring record with 10 strikes in 13 matches.
His name also rolled thrice in the list of players who scored the Goal of the Match in the first season and additionally earned the Man of the Match title playing a key role in ensuring his team clinched the title.
"Our team is in superb form and after a significant performance in the previous editions of HIL, we are more confident of doing well in this tournament. Playing for Ranchi consecutively for the third time, I am awaiting my turn to display my proficiency and abilities alongside an experienced bunch of players," Mandeep said.
"My team is my strength and with an advantage of a good forward line, I am hoping to a successful tournament for my team and aiming to finish it on a winning note. Our first match is slated against Kalinga Lancers on the inaugural day and I am looking forward to a clash against the likes of Gurjinder Singh, Gonzalo Peillat and Ramon Alegre," he said.
The 3rd edition of the Hero Hockey India League will start from January 22. The opening day of the League will witness Kalinga Lancers taking on Ranchi Rays in Bhubaneswar.
The Times of India
Emmanuel, Amie Olton voted Ventures ‘MVP’s’
Nigel Simon
Shandy Carib Magnolias’ Shaniah De Freitas, left, tackles Shanice Cudjoe of Paragon in their Women’s Under-21 Division final of second annual Invitational junior indoor tournament hosted by Ventures Hockey Club at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilton-Holder Street, Woodbrook, on Sunday night. Magnolias won 3-1. Photo: Anthony Harris
Courts Malvern’s Kristien Eammnuel and Amie Olton of Shandy Carib Magnolias were voted as the “Most Valuable Players” in the men’s and women ‘s Under-21 Division after leading their respective clubs to the title in the second annual Ventures Invitational Junior Indoor Hockey Tournament.
The two-day Under-21 segment, sponsored in part by First Citizens Bank and Bankers Insurance Company of T&T, concluded at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilton-Holder Street, Woodbrook, on Sunday night.
Emmanuel, who was part of the men’s senior national team at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mexico last November, had a five-goal outing to end as the tournament’s top scorer as well with 17 in leading Malvern over Queen’s Park CC 8-5 in the men’s decider.
Teague Marcano added a pair of goals and Emmnuel’s brother, Kwasi, who also played goalkeeper, scored the other for Malvern. Otis O’Connor had two and Zachary Clarke, Jordan Reynos and Marcus Pascal one each for the Parkites in the loss.
In the semifinals, Malvern also scored freely, beating Fatima 7-1 led by a hat-trick from Emmanuel (Kristien) and fellow national player Tariq Marcano who scored two of his 14 goals overall.
Queen’s Park outlasted Notre Dame 6-4 paced by a pair of goals each from Jordan Reynos and Jarryon Paul.
Fatima got some reprieve when it edged past the Dames 2-1 in the penalty stroke shoot-out after an entertaining 4-4 regulation time deadlock.
...Olton sisters secure Magnolias’ crown
Olton sisters, Amie and Saarah combined for three goals as Shandy Carib Magnolias outplayed Paragon 3-1 in the Women’s final.
Aime got a brace and Saarah the other for the winners, while Gabrielle Thompson netted Paragon’s lone reply.
Earlier on in the semifinal, Magnolias crushed Ventures 6-0 led by Samantha Olton’s hat-trick and one each from Savannah De Freitas, Elise Olton and Brianna Govia, the tournament’s top goal-getter with seven.
In the semis, Paragon’s Felicia King, Gabrielle Thompson and Kyona Sampson were on target in a 3-1 defeat of Notre Dame, which got a consolation via national player Tamia Roach.
Ventures finished third with a 3-2 win over Notre Dame thanks to a double from Amanda Tang Nian and one from Karissa Wyke. Dana-Lee De Gannes and Stephanie Whiteman, both senior national players, netted for the Dames.
The second part of the tournament, the Open Men, Open Women and Veterans Over-40 Divisions will be held this weekend at the same venue.
Petrotrin (men), Paragon (women) and Defence Force (Veterans) will putting their titles on the line in the 12th edition of the tournament.
Sunday’s Results
Women’s semifinal:
SC Magnolias 6 (Samantha Olton 3, Savannah De Freitas, Brianna Govia, Elise Olton) vs Ventures 0
Paragon 3 (Felicia King, Gabrielle Thompson, Kyona Sampson) vs Notre Dame 1 (Tamia Roach)
Third-placed playoff:
Ventures 3 (Amanda Tang Nian 2, Karissa Wyke) vs Notre Dame 2 (Dana-Lee De Gannes, Stephanie Whiteman)
Final:
SC Magnolias 3 (Amie Olton 2, Saarah Olton) vs Paragon 1 (Grabielle Thompson)
Individual awards:
Most Valuable Player: Amie Olton (SC Magnolias)
Rookie of the Tournament: Chelsea Dey (Notre Dame)
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper: Stephanie Smith (Paragon)
Most Goals: Brianna Govia (SC Magnolias 7)
Men’s semifinal
Courts Malvern 6 (Tariq Marcano 2, Kristien Emmanuel 3, Teague Marcano, Joven Wren) vs Fatima 1 (Che Modeste)
Queen’s Park 6 (Jordan Reynos 2, Jarryon Paul 2, Marcus Pascal, Ryan Daniel) vs Notre Dame 4 (Dillon Campbell 2, Shaquille Daniel, Joshua Olton))
Third:
Fatima 4 (Che Moseste 2, Jordan Vieira) vs Notre Dame 4 (Shaquille Daniel 2, Joshua Olton, Dillon Campbell)
Shoot-out: Fatima 2 (Jeremy Nieves, Jordan Vieira) vs Notre Dame 1 (Shaquille Daniel)
Final:
Courts Malvern 8 (Amie Olton 2, Saarah Olton) vs Queen’s Park 5 (Grabielle Thompson)
Individual awards:
Most Valuable Player: Kristien Emmanuel (Courts Malvern)
Rookie of the Tournament: Leumus Neptune (Shape)
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper: Kwasi Emmanuel (Courts Malvern)
Most Goals: Kristien Emmanuel (Courts Malvern 17)
The Trinidad Guardian
Vale Mr Frank Yeend
The hockey community pays tribute to an AHA Life Member
It is with great sadness that Hockey Australia announces the passing of Mr Frank Yeend, former President of the Australian Hockey Association.
Frank was a great hockey man and a true gentleman, who made an enormous contribution to the sport of hockey.
Frank served on the Executive Committee of the Australian Hockey Association from 1967 to 1976, before taking on the role of Vice President from 1976 to 1980, and President from 1981 to 1984.
Amongst many of Frank’s hockey professions, he also acted as the Victorian representative on the editorial committee of the Hockey Circle in the 1960’s.
His dedication and commitment to hockey throughout his life was acknowledged by a number of awards, including, Life Membership of the Australian Hockey Association, Membership of the Order of Australia for services to hockey and the Order of Merit from the FIH.
Our thoughts are with Frank’s family and friends during this sad time.
Hockey Australia media release
Angela Lane R.I.P.
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Angela Lane on December 28th, 2014. Angela was President of the Irish Ladies' Hockey Union between 1986 and 1987.
Hockey was always part of Angela's life. Following school she played hockey with U.C.C. and she was a very popular lifelong member of Harlequins Hockey Club. Angela was a member of the Munster Council for a number of years and became Munster President for the period 1987 – 1989 and 1997-1998. Angela was also an Honorary Life Member of the Munster Ladies Hockey Union.
Deepest sympathy to her family from all in Irish Hockey.
Irish Hockey Association media release