News for 11 August 2015
All the news for Tuesday 11 August 2015
Spain thrash India 4-1 in hockey series opener
NEW DELHI: Indian team failed to keep their winning momentum in the European Tour as they suffered a crushing 1-4 defeat at the hands of Spain in their opening match of the three-game series at Sant Cugat del Valles in Spain on Monday.
Spain struck in the 10th minute of the first quarter to take an early 1-0 lead over India. India soon restored the parity in the very next minute to make it 1-1 through SV Sunil, who scored a brilliant goal.
Both the teams were 1-1 after the end of the first quarter. India are ranked eighth in the FIH Rankings while Spain 10th. India and Spain tried their hard to score a goal but all their efforts went in vain as they locked 1-1 at half-time after a goalless second quarter.
Spanish team regrouped themselves in the third quarter and once again went into 2-1 lead after scoring a fine goal through penalty corner. Spain kept good control of the proceedings and led 2-1 after the end of the third quarter.
Spanish players were in no mood to show mercy to their rivals in the fourth and final quarter as they slotted two more goals to read the final scoreline 4-1.
India started their European Tour in emphatic fashion as they convincingly won the two-match series 2-0 against France.
Both India and Spain put up a challenging performance in The Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup where they settled for a 1-1 draw. They had also met in the 2013 World League Semi-Finals where India had gone down 2-4 against the men from Spain in a position match.
India will now play Spain in the second match on Wednesday (August 12) at 14:30 IST in Sant Cugat del Valles .
The Times of India
India lose to Spain by 1-4
Indian Men Hockey Team went down to Spain by 1-4 in their first match of series with Spain and third match of the Europe Tour, played at Sant Cugat del Valles on 10th August 2015. India’s forward player SV Sunil scored the lone goal for his team.
In the 1st quarter, both the teams started with an aggressive game plan and attacked on each other's sides to try to take the early lead. In the 9th minute, Spain opened their account with a stunning field goal and took the score-line to 1-0. However, India reacted quickly and attacked fiercely. In the next minute (10th), VR Raghunath gave a long pass to SV Sunil, who received the pass in the circle. He dribbled-past one defender and hit the ball hard to score the first goal for his team. With this equaliser, Indians took the score-card to 1-1 and maintained it till the end of the 1st quarter.
In the 2nd quarter, both sides stepped-in with more aggression and fought harder to score the next goal. The Indians attacked continuously but failed to finish the passes. On the other hand, Spain faced a stiff defence-line, which thwarted all their attacks. After a series of attacks and counter-attacks, the 2nd quarter finished at the 1-1 score-line.
In the 3rd quarter, both the teams entered the ground with better strategies. However, it was Spain who managed to earn a penalty corner in the 31st minute and Pau Quemada converted it perfectly to take the lead again. The Indians counter-attacked with their aggressive game-plans and kept the ball in the Spanish half. With their continuous efforts, India could not materialise their passes and the score-line remained 2-1 in favour of Spain at the end of the 3rd quarter.
In the 4th quarter, Spain earned another penalty corner but it was saved by Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. In the 53rd minute, Spain managed to earn another penalty corner and this time Jordi Carrera converted it effectively for their third goal in the match. Spain made a surprise attack from the right flank and Roc Oliva scored the fourth goal for his team in the 56th minute and taking the game from India by winning the game 4-1.
India will play their next match against Spain on 12th August 2015 at 14:30 IST at Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain.
Stick2Hockey.com
India go down 1-4 to Spain in Europe Hockey Tour
Sant Cugat del Valles (Spain): Failing to sustain an aggressive start, the Indian men's hockey team went down to Spain 1-4 in its third match of the ongoing Europe Tour here.
In a come-from-behind move, Indian forward SV Sunil scored the only goal for his team to level matters in the first quarter, but it was only downhill for the visitors from there.
In the first quarter, both the teams started with an aggressive game plan and attacked on each other's sides to try to take the early lead.
Spain opened their account in the ninth minute with a stunning field goal to make it 1-0. However, India reacted quickly and attacked fiercely.
In the next minute (10th), VR Raghunath gave a long pass to Sunil, who received the pass in the circle. He dribbled past a defender and hit the ball hard to score the first goal for his team. The Indians then did well to maintain the 1-1 score till end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, both sides stepped-in with more aggression and fought harder. The Indians attacked continuously but failed to finish the passes. After a series of attacks and counter-attacks, the quarter ended goalless with the scoreline reading 1-1.
In the third quarter, both the teams entered the ground with better strategies. However, it was Spain who managed to earn a penalty corner in the 31st minute and Pau Quemada converted it perfectly to take the lead again.
The Indians counter-attacked with their aggressive game-plans and kept the ball in the Spanish half. With their continuous efforts, India could not materialise their passes and the score-line remained 2-1 in favour of Spain at the end of the quarter.
In the final quarter, both sides locked-horns again and looked for opportunities to score goals. Spain earned another penalty corner but it was saved by Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
In the 53rd minute, Spain managed to earn another penalty corner and this time Jordi Carrera converted it effectively for their third goal of the match. Conceding two unfortunate goals, the Indians counter-attacked with more passion and kept the pressure on their opponents.
However, Spain made a surprise attack from the right flank and Roc Oliva scored the fourth goal for his team in the 56th minute and maintained their 4-1 winning scoreline till time.
India will play their second match against Spain on August 12 here.
The Tribune
Germany men and women looking for consecutive double at EuroHockey Championships 2015
Germany aiming to repeat triumph of 2013 with double men’s and women’s European titles
Germany's hockey hero Moritz Fürste returns to the squad for the EuroHockey Championships
Germany men and women head into this year’s Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London with the aim of making it a consecutive double after their men’s and women’s teams won the European titles in Boom, Belgium, two years ago.
Coach Markus Weise has named three changes to the men’s team who successfully secured Rio 2016 qualification at the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final in Buenos Aires.
Injured Christopher Zeller (medial meniscus tear) drops out of the squad heading to London and is replaced by club team-mate Marco Miltkau.
In midfield Timur Oruz misses out to Club an der Alster’s Constantin Staib who gets his chance to prove himself at a major international tournament.
Goalkeeper Tobias Walter is replaced by Mannheim’s Andreas Späck as back up to Nicolas Jacobi who remains the number one in the German goal.
Double Olympic champion and co-captain of the team, Moritz Fürste returns to the squad. The German hockey hero had missed the ERGO Hamburg Masters as he had just become a father.
The reigning European champions, ranked third in the world, are heading to London following some excellent form at the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Finals. There, they made their mark in the pool stages, scoring 21 goals in four games, including a 9-0 win against Canada.
The women’s team meanwhile will be looking to improve upon their third place finish at the HWL Semi-Final in Valencia, Spain.
Germany women, ranked fifth in the world, secured Olympic Qualification thanks to that result, however they needed two shoot-outs to take third spot, the second of these seeing off world number three ranked Argentina.
Their coach, Jamilon Mülders, has named his squad for the EuroHockey Championship, with two changes to the team that competed in Valencia.
Anissa Korth and Nina Hasselmann have been left out of the team for London with Katharina Otte and Selin Oruz replacing them.
Speaking of this change, Mülders said: “Katharina Otte and Selin Oruz have both earned their places by their achievements and individual qualities. I am certain of their potential and their combination of athletic and technical quality. ”
Julia Müller and Lisa Marie Schütze have not yet overcome injury and so were not considered for the squad.
While in Valencia, Kristina Reynolds was the first choice goalkeeper, Yvonne Frank is set to take over goalkeeping responsibility at the Unibet EuroHockey Championships, with Reynolds being used as a substitute goalkeeper.
Germany men:
Jacobi, Nicolas – UHC Hamburg; Späck, Andreas – Mannheimer HC; Butt, Linus – Crefelder HTC; Deecke, Oskar – Crefelder HTC; Fuchs, Florian – UHC Hamburg; Fürk, Benedikt – Uhlenhorst Mülheim; Fürste, Moritz – UHC Hamburg; Grambusch, Mats – Rot-Weiss Köln; Häner, Martin – Berliner HC; Hauke, Tobias – Harvestehuder THC; Miltkau, Marco – Rot-Weiss Köln; Müller, Mathias – Rot-Weiss Köln; Rühr, Christopher – Rot-Weiss Köln; Staib, Constantin – Club an der Alster; Wellen, Niklas – Crefelder HTC; Wesley, Christopher – Nürnberger HTC; Windfeder, Lukas – Uhlenhorst Mülheim; Zwicker, Martin – Berliner HC.
Germany women:
Frank, Yvonne (TW) – UHC Hamburg; Reynolds, Kristina (TW) – Hamburger Polo Club; Altenburg, Lisa – UHC Hamburg; Haase, Lydia – Mannheimer HC; Hauke, Franzisca – Rot-Weiss Köln; Hillmann, Kristina – UHC Hamburg; Hoffmann, Eileen – UHC Hamburg; Krüger, Hannah – Münchner SC; Lorenz, Nike – Mannheimer HC; Mävers, Marie – UHC Hamburg; Müller-Wieland, Janne – UHC Hamburg; Oruz, Selin – Düsseldorfer HC; Otte, Katharina – UHC Hamburg; Schröder, Anne – Club an der Alster; Stapenhorst, Charlotte – UHC Hamburg; Steindor, Luisa – Düsseldorfer HC; Stöckel, Lea – Rot-Weiss Köln; Teschke, Jana – UHC Hamburg.
FIH site
Whitelock will negotiate NHL before making decision about Olympics
GEORGE HEAGNEY
Manawatu Black Stick Kayla Whitelock will return to the hockey turf with the Central Mysticks after a year off for the birth of her first child. Francois Nel
Any decision about the 2016 Rio Olympics is still a long way off for former Black Sticks captain and Manawatu woman Kayla Whitelock.
Whitelock has had about a year off from the sport after the birth of daughter Addison, who is nearly four months old, and has only just started working out again.
Whitelock started light hockey training at the end of June and has built it up in the past few weeks to play a couple of pre-season games for the Central Mysticks ahead of the National Hockey League (NHL) at the end of the month.
Capped 229 times for New Zealand, she will see how the NHL goes before deciding whether she will make herself available for Black Sticks selection.
"The toughest thing is going to be back-to-back performances," she said. "There's three games in a row up at tournament week; that will be tough
"It's just managing my body as well and getting my knee sorted."
The big question is whether she will go to Rio in what would be her fourth Olympics. Her first was Athens in 2004.
"Potentially. I'll see how the body is, just really the how programme is and obviously with Addison."
She said it has always been in the back of her mind.
"It's only a year away isn't it? It's come around pretty quickly. I'll just have to see how it goes."
The 29-year-old said she is still a long way off where she wants to be and is getting used to the speed of the game, agility and foot work.
New Zealand's most capped player Emily Naylor with 256 tests, also of Manawatu, is in a similar position to Whitelock and will see how she fares in the NHL before deciding what to do after that.
Whitelock has battled a knee injury throughout her career, and while it isn't too bad now, that is another factor in her decision.
"A good year off has probably been good for it. As the intensity gets up with back-to-back games, that's where it will be tested really.
"I've still got a lot of strength work to do on it."
She said if the knee starts troubling her, it will make everything else harder.
Black Sticks coach Mark Hager has been in touch with her just to catch up and he will watch Whitelock in action in the first round of the NHL.
The last competitive game Whitelock played was the bronze-medal match at the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow last year.
She didn't play for Central last season and was partially involved the year before when she was having problems with her niggly knee.
She said there is good young talent in Central, as well as England international Rebecca Herbert coming back for her second year.
Another former Black Stick, Cathryn Pollock, is playing for Central this season, having had not played internationals since 2012.
Originally from Levin, Pollock has previously played for Midlands. She has been playing in the Manawatu club competition and missed the NHL with Central last year through injury.
Greg Nicol is coaching the Central women this year, having taken the men and women last year, while Dean Hulls, who coached the women two seasons ago, will coach the Central Mavericks men this year.
With Whitelock, Naylor and Pollock in the side, Central will be a stronger team and Sharland said their goal is to reach the top four. They finished fifth last season with a young team.
The Central women had a pre-season game against Capital at Carterton at the weekend, which Capital won 4-3.
Stuff
Gurbaj Singh cops 9-month ban for misbehaviour
Biswajyoti Brahma
NEW DELHI: Sending a clear message that it will not tolerate indiscipline, a Hockey India (HI) panel on Monday banned senior player Gurbaj Singh for nine months for his alleged misbehaviour with coaches and support staff. The Hockey India League Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee took the decision after a two-hour meeting in the Capital, where it heard the player as well as coach Jude Felix, who had reported Gurbaj for misbehaviour during the World Hockey League Semi-Final in Antwerp last month. India had finished fourth.
"We went through the report and discussed it in the presence of Gurbaj and Felix," committee chief and former Olympian Harbinder Singh told TOI. "We unanimously decided to ban him for nine months from all activities of Hockey India, Asian Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation."
The other members of the committee were former India players RP Singh, AB Subbaiah and Jasjeet Kaur. Harbinder said Gurbaj was earlier dropped for his "misbehaviour" during the London Olympics, where India finished last. The then coach Michael Nobbs had submitted a report against Gurbaj. "After the London Olympics, he had assured that such incidents would not happen again. But according to the coaches' report, there's no change in his attitude.
"We had to act. We had to give a signal to other players that discipline is of paramount importance. We have gone through all the reports since the London Olympics and found Gurbaz to be arrogant. He disobeys all the coaches except the foreign chief coach. He's not ready to change his position in the field as per the requirement of the team." Though the committee gave Gurbaj 30 days to appeal the ban before the HI executive board, the decision, which comes into effect from Monday, has put a question mark over the player's hopes of playing in the Rio Olympics in August 2015. He will also miss the lucrative Hockey India League where he played for Delhi Waveriders at a salary of Rs 23 lakh/season.
Gurbaj said he was surprised by the decision. "I never expected the ban," a disappointed Gurbaj told TOI. "I haven't thought about the appeal yet." Gurbaj, though, was not keen on going into details regarding the merit of the ban and said he hasn't lost hope of wearing the India jersey again. "I am not going to quit the game because of the ban. I will keep fighting and keep myself involved with the game. I will make a comeback."
The committee's decision came even though HI's high performance director and chief coach Roelant Oltmans and fellow players had reportedly backed Gurbaj while giving him a clean chit. "Those are individual views. The committee took this decision because it found his behaviour to be inappropriate," Harbinder said.
The Times of India
Gurbaj gets nine-month suspension for indiscipline
Sabi Hussain
New Delhi: Dealing a severe blow to Gurbaj Singh’s chances of representing India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Hockey India (HI) today suspended the Punjab midfielder for nine months for “indulging in groupism and creating disharmony within the team”.
The charges against Gurbaj were levelled by Jude Felix, an assistant India coach who quit a few weeks back. Felix submitted an incriminatory report on Gurbaj’s conduct in the last three tournaments -- FIH Hockey World League (HWL) Semifinals in Belgium, India-Japan Test series in Bhubaneswar and Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.
Felix documented instances where Gurbaj had shown scant respect to the support staff by not following their instructions and argued over his positions. Felix alleged that Gurbaj listened only to the chief coach and created groups in the squad. He further said that Gurbaj was not a “good ambassador” of Indian hockey and that he needed to be reprimanded for his “non-cooperative” behaviour so as to set an example for others.
After listening to both Gurbaj and Felix, the special committee, led by Olympian Harbinder Singh, found the midfielder guilty and decided to suspend him till May 9, 2016. Gurbaj, however, has the option to lodge an appeal with the HI's Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee within a month's time.
Gurbaj, who has played over 200 internationals, can’t play in any HI, Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and International Hockey Federation (FIH) sanctioned tournaments during this period.
“Most of the members felt Gurbaj needed to be reprimanded in the larger interests of the game. There has not been any change in his attitude since the London Olympics; he continues to show disregard to the support staff, except the chief coach. The report submitted by Felix indicated that Gurbaj indulged in groupism, refused to play in a certain position and tried to create disharmony within the team. Gurbaj has lost respect for coaches; by punishing him we are setting an example for other players,” Harbinder told The Tribune.
Gurbaj said the decision has come as a “big setback” to his Rio Games preparations and he will challenge the verdict of the committee.
“Why (Roelant) Oltmans and Sandeep Sangwan didn’t report against me? Why they haven’t mentioned anything negative about my behaviour? The committee believed one person and banned me. Also, I fail to understand why they brought up the London Olympics report? That is a closed chapter and has nothing to do with the latest incident. I have been wronged and I won’t take it lying down,” Gurbaj told The Tribune.
Why would Felix file such a damning report against him? “Just because I wouldn’t greet him doesn’t mean I’ve behavioural issues. Following the orders of chief coaches doesn’t amount to indiscipline! If I gel well with some of the seniors, it doesn’t mean I am creating disharmony in the team. Oltmans has termed me a ‘vital cog’ in the team’s preparation for the Rio Games; Terry Walsh (a former chief coach) called me an ‘outstanding player’ and ‘among the best in the world’. What more do you need to earn the respect of the coaches?” questioned Gurbaj.
The Tribune
Hockey India imposes a 9 month ban on Gurbaj Singh
The meeting of the Hockey India / Hockey India League Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee was held today (10 August 2015) to review the behaviour and conduct of the Senior Men Core Probable, Gurbaj Singh.
The committee which included Harbinder Singh, Chairman (Athlete), R.P Singh (Athlete, Member) A B Subbaiah (Athlete, Member) and Jasjeet Kaur (Athlete, Member) was conducted in the presence of Jude Felix, former Assistant Coach and Gurbaj Singh, experienced Indian midfielder. Post a detailed meeting,the Committee came to the unanimous conclusion that Gurbaj Singh stands guilty of indiscipline and misbehaviour and a ban of 9 months has been imposed on him effective 10 August 2015 and will stay till 9 May 2016. With the ban, Gurbaj will be unable to play in any Hockey India, AHF and FIH sanctioned tournaments during this period.
Jude Felix, Former Assistant Coach had submitted a report post the conclusion of the FIH Hockey World League Semi-Finals 2015 providing feedback on Gurbaj Singh’s conduct and behaviour during the last three tournaments, including the World League Semi-Finals 2015, India vs Japan Series 2015 and Sultan of Azlan Shah 2015. The report mentioned that "Gurbaj Singh showed a lack of respect to Coaches and other Support Staff attached to the National Program. He only listened to the Chief Coach and didn’t behave in a professional way and also created groupism amongst the squad. He also shows discontent by refusing to play in any position other than the right midfield position."
During the meeting the Committee also reviewed the reports and documents submitted by Coaches, Support Staff and athletes at the conclusion of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Mr. Gurbaj Singh will have an opportunity to appeal against the decision of the Hockey India / Hockey India League Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee within 30 days to the Hockey India Executive Board.
Stick2Hockey.com
Gurbaj suspended for nine months
With less than a year to go for the Rio Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team suffered a blow in its preparations on Monday when experienced midfielder and key player Gurbaj Singh was suspended for nine months on disciplinary grounds.
The disciplinary committee of Hockey India, chaired by Olympian Harbinder Singh, decided to recommend the suspension after meeting both Gurbaj and former assistant coach Jude Felix, who had reported him for misbehaviour and creating rifts in the team after the Hockey World league Semifinals in Belgium last month. Gurbaj had been dropped from the ongoing Europe tour for the same reasons.
“We spoke to Jude and Gurbaj and also discussed the reports submitted by former coach Michael Nobbs after the London Olympics.
“The committee decided there had been no change in his behaviour. He was accused of arrogance and misbehaviour with the team staff and junior players.
“There has to be discipline in the team, irrespective of the seniority of a player. Bad behaviour will not be tolerated.
“However, his suspension will end in May 2016 and the Olympics is in August. So, he can still come back if he improves.
“He can also appeal against the decision within 30 days,” Harbinder told The Hindu.
Other committee members present at the hearing included R.P. Singh, A.B. Subbaiah and Jasjit Kaur Handa. The decision also means Gurbaj will not be eligible for the fourth season of the Hockey India League next year.
The decision is surprising given the complete support he received from both present coach Roelant Oltmans and the entire team after the issue came to the fore. “Any player not in the team for Europe is not because of any disciplinary issue,” Oltmans had categorically stated before departure.
Every player, from captain Sardar Singh to the junior-most member of the side, had vouched for Gurbaj’s discipline and contribution to the team.
“I don’t know what to do next; I haven’t decided on an appeal yet,” Gurbaj said. “I tried to explain that I had not done anything to weaken the team. Let’s see what happens next; I need some time to think it over,” he added.
Interestingly, the committee did not consult other players on the issue. Gurbaj had been dropped from the national side for more than a year after the London Olympics in 2012 for indiscipline, but returned on the back of consistently strong domestic performances. Since then, the players have praised not only his changed behaviour, but also work ethic. He is also the fittest player in the side by a margin.
The Hindu
'Indisciplined' Gurbaj suspended for 9 months by Hockey India
NEW DELHI: Senior India hockey player Gurbaj Singh was suspended for nine months for indulging in groupism and creating disharmony within the team, a decision which might shatter the experienced midfielder's dream of playing in next year's Rio Olympics.
The decision to suspend Gurbaj was taken after a meeting of Hockey India's disciplinary committee headed by Harbinder Singh on Monday with the midfielder and former India coach Jude Felix, who levelled the charges against him in his report after last month's Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium.
Besides Harbinder, the HI disciplinary panel also include former players R P Singh, A B Subbaiah and Jasjeet Handa.
Gurbaj, however, has the option to lodge an appeal with HI's appellate tribunal within a month's time.
Talking to PTI, Harbinder later said it was time to teach a lesson to Gurbaj, dubbed as problem child in Indian hockey, for his repeated misdemeanours.
"We have suspended Gurbaj for nine months starting today, which means he will be unable to play for India till May 9, 2016. The step was taken after Jude Felix in his (HWL) report had brought up disciplinary issues against Gurbaj," Harbinder said.
"Both Gurbaj and Jude were present in the meeting and the committee gave Gurbaj a chance to tell his version.
"But obviously, he (Gurbaj) can appeal against the suspension," he said.
Felix in his report, also alleged that Gurbaj did not co-operate with the coaches and was not a good ambassador for the national team.
A talented midfielder and considered as a workhorse, Gurbaj has been in news for wrong reasons in the past as well.
He was suspended for a brief period after the London Olympics following similar accusations from the then chief coach Michael Nobbs and his support staff.
Harbinder hailed Gurbaj as a key player for India but said discipline is something which cannot be compromised upon.
"He is a very good player but discipline is a must. Such charges were levelled against him after the London Olympics by Nobbs and other coaches. That time he was let off after he promised he will improve his behaviour," he said.
The suspension if not revoked means Gurbaj's chances of playing in the Rio Olympics is bleak but Harbinder begs to differ.
"The ban will end in May and if his appeal is upheld then he can return to the squad immediately. He is a very talented player and I don't think his Olympic dreams are over."
Gurbaj, on his part, had termed the punishment "harsh" and said irrespective of the suspension, he will keep his focus solely on the game.
He also said that he will appeal against the suspension after talking to his family members, fellow players and well wishers.
"I don't know why such a report was given against me. I didn't do anything. During today's meeting, I cleared my position. But the punishment is little harsh," Gurbaj told PTI.
"I have 30 days time to lodge my appeal and I will do that after discussing with concerned people. I am hopeful the suspension will be revoked," he said.
Asked if not revoked, the suspension marks end of his dream of playing in Rio Olympics, Gurbaj said: "I don't think so. My focus has always been playing hockey and I will keep that going."
The Times of India
THT bounce back after hammering
By Jugjet Singh
TERENGGANU Hockey Team (THT) and their Argentines look like they have recovered from early jitters, and jet-lag, after they were hammered 6-2 by Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) 6-2 in the Premier Division Charity Shield.
Double champions THT came charging back to win their next two matches convincingly, by hammering Maybank 5-1 and Tenaga Nasional 5-0 to stay in the hunt to defend their titles.
THT, who hired four Argentina and One Pakistan player, showed better understanding after a turbulent opening match.
"The Charity Shield is best forgotten, because almost all my players played well below par and lost 2-6. To be frank, my guest players had just arrived in Malaysia three days before we played KLHC, and they were still getting adjusted to the weather and also the time difference then," said THT coach Sarjit Singh.
The four Argies took a total of 52 hours to arrive, with two stop overs and 16 hours in transit.
"When my Argentine players arrived they were really tired as it nearly took them three days of travelling to finally reach their destination.
"But now, they are used to the new time zone, as well as slowly getting adjusted to the weather," said Sarjit.
Jose Leandro Tolin scored three penalty corner goals, one each against KLHC, Maybank and Tenaga. THT's top scorer is Faizal Saari with five goals to his name, three field, one penalty corner and one penalty stroke.
KLHC and Sapura are leading the charge on seven points each, but they THT are snapping at their heels and its going to be another exciting MHL weekend when THT play Sapura on Friday -- as it could make or break both teams.
PREMIER DIVISION
P W D L F A Pts
KL HOCKEY CLUB 3 2 1 0 10 5 7
SAPURA 3 2 1 0 7 5 7
T'GGANU HT 3 2 0 1 12 7 6
TENAGA 3 2 0 1 5 8 6
UniKL 3 0 0 3 3 6 0
MAYBANK 3 0 0 3 3 9 0
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Maybank suffer third defeat
By Jugjet Singh
MAYBANK turned out to be the early casualty in Premier One of the Malaysia Hockey Legue (MHL) as they fell to their third defeat when they were edged 2-1 by Sapura yesterday.
After losing 2-1 to Tenaga Nasional and 5-1 to Terengganu Hockey Team, the defeat yesterday has put Maybank out of contention for a top-two finish.
And it looks like the Tigers' investment in six foreign players, five Pakistan and one from India, has made little difference to their campaign.
Sapura, with five imports, impressed when they held Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club 3-3 on Friday.
Yesterday, Maybank took the lead off Mohamad Syafiq Zain in the ninth minute, but Dangerous Lee drew level in the 38th minute, while Pakistan import Abdul Haseem Khan nailed the Sapura winner in the 54th minute.
"We have had a good start this season and hope to keep the momentum going in the remaining matches. Today (yesterday) we had to chase after being a goal down, and my players put up a good fight," said Sapura coach Tai Beng Hai who is riding the MHL on seven points after three matches.
Maybank coach S. Vellapan said in all three matches they had to chase in the final quarter and that cost them the matches.
"We were always chasing for goals and when we opened up to counter, that is when we got hit. In the remaining matches, we need to make sure this does not happen," said Vellapan.
RESULTS: Premier Division: Maybank 1 Sapura 2, UniKL 0 KL Hockey Club 1, Tenaga Nasional 0 Terengganu HT 5.
Division One Group A: BJSS 2 MBI 1, MSN-THT v TNB Thunderbolts (Match abandoned, rain).
Group B: UniKL Young Guns 1 SSTMI Thunderbolts 1, ATM Airod 4 PKS-KPM 5, UiTM 2 Politeknik 0.
Women's Group A: MSN-PHT 1 Politeknik 2; Group B: Manjung 0 UiTM Lions 3.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Chennai's Adyar field to turn hockey ground
Divya Chandrababu
CHENNAI: The city corporation will soon transform its playground on Canal Bank Road in Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, into a hockey field. Work on the new facility, the corporation's first, is expected to begin in September.
The ground is now used by public to play cricket, volleyball and football. "We measured the ground and found that we can make a rectangular hockey turf of 100 yards x 60 yards with 10 yards left as safety," a corporation official said. "There will also be a gallery with three rows. We will be install movable goal posts so that public can also use it to play five-a-side football. The aim is to create a multi-purpose sports complex with hockey as a priority as there are many talented players in the locality."
The corporation is in talks with an architectural firm to design the field. The idea for such a facility came about after several state and district-level hockey players who practice at the ground, on the banks of the Adyar, proposed the idea to the corporation. It received the nod during a corporation council meeting last year and the civic body's stadium department completed a technical feasibility study.
Several former players and coaches are thrilled at the development. "We have talented players here and it will help them improve if the corporation provides us with an astro turf or maintains the existing gravel ground," said S Thirumalvalavan, who participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and coaches students here.
Every evening, about 30 school and college students throng the ground for practice. Astroturf fields and gravel grounds suit the Indian style of hockey. "We can play on the existing gravel ground, but it needs to be maintained well. Even if it rains a little, there is a lot of slush," said Thirumalavalavan.
The corporation maintains 210 playfields, 96 gyms, four badminton indoor stadiums and one basketball indoor stadium. Of these, more than 14 can be used for games such as football, tennis, volleyball, ball badminton, and basketball.
The Times of India
Simon Hoskins Appointed USA Field Hockey Executive Director
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey’s Board of Directors have promoted Simon Hoskins to Executive Director of USA Field Hockey through September 2016. Hoskins previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the organization, a position he had held since January 2013.
“I am delighted to be appointed to the Executive Director role and I truly appreciate the Board of Director's support," commented Hoskins. “I am passionate about the success of USA Field Hockey and the sport, and I am committed to working with all the great people in field hockey to achieve our mission. While we have made significant strides over recent years there is much more to be done as together we look to develop all aspects of our sport.”
Hoskins joined USA Field Hockey in November of 2008 following roles in different sectors of the sports industry including England Rugby and the Premiership Rugby, the Vail Valley Foundation, and Major League Soccer. Hoskins is a graduate of the University of Oregon, and Loughborough University, England. Hoskins resides in Colorado with his wife and two children.
“Simon has shown great leadership, strategy and innovation as our COO and more recently as the interim leader of USA Field Hockey,” said Shawn Hindy, USA Field Hockey Board of Directors, Chair. "We have the utmost confidence in him to help USA Field Hockey be even more successful both domestically and internationally and continue improving in all aspects of our organization.”
USFHA media release