News for 15 November 2015
All the news for Sunday 15 November 2015
Malaysia beats China in Group A match of Junior Asia Cup
By Jugjet Singh
Najmi Jazlan's drive in the 14th minute almost tore the netting, and Shahril Saabah's powerful flick in the 21st minute gave Malaysia some breathing space. Pix by Zulkepli Osman
MALAYSIA beat China 4-0 in Group A of the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan Saturday.
Three penalty corner goals and one off a field attempt was enough for coach Arul Selvaraj's boys to claim their first three points in the curtain raiser.
The Juniors, after failing to score off their first penalty corner, Malaysia took a 2-0 lead off their next two penalty corners. Najmi Jazlan's drive in the 14th minute almost tore the netting, and Shahril Saabah's powerful flick in the 21st minute gave Malaysia some breathing space.
Malaysia came out looking for more from the match after the breather, and finally scored a field goal off Haziq Samsul in the 42nd minute.
Najmi nailed a brace with a 70th minute penalty corner and now Malaysia must give their best against India Sunday to keep the Junior World Cup qualifier fire burning in Kuantan.
RESULTS:
Group A: Malaysia 4 China 0.
Group B: Pakistan 3 Bangladesh 1, South Korea 5 Oman 2.
SUNDAY: Group A: China v Japan (6pm, Pitch I), Malaysia v India (8.15pm, Pitch I). Group B: Pakistan v South Korea (4pm, Pitch I), Oman v Bangladesh (4.30pm, Pitch II).
New Straits Times
Malaysia thrash China 4-0 in Asia Junior Cup hockey tournament
by S. Ramaguru
KUANTAN: Defending champions Malaysia got off to a winning start in Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament – beating China 4-0 at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.
And National Juniors coach A. Arulselvaraj was left beaming after watching his charges win.
“I must say that there was an overall improvement in their game (compared to last month’s Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Baru) and the players showed good team work,” he said.
“We knew that the opening match could go wrong if we had taken it easy. I’m pleased with the efforts put in by the boys ... we must now look at improving with each match.”
Mohd Najmi Jazlan gave Malaysia the lead in the 14th minute with a direct flick off only their second penalty corner before Shahril Saabah made it 2-0 off their third penalty corner attempt in the 21st minute.
Malaysia had two more penalty corners but failed to find the target to go into the break with a 2-0 lead.
They came back from the breather and made it 3-0 through a Mohd Haziq Shamsul field goal.
That goal will surely lift a huge burden off Haziq’s shoulder.
Haziq, a member of the senior team, failed to score a single goal in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
Najmi then got his second and the team’s fourth goal from a penalty corner set piece in the 70th minute to give Malaysia a comfortable victory.
Malaysia will play fancied India today and Arulselvaraj has described it “as a big test for the players”.
“This is the cruncher. We know what India are capable of,” he said.
“They have a matured side and we can expect a very tough outing.”
Malaysia skipper Mohd Najib Hassan agreed that India would prove to be a handful.
“We are not going to let them have it easy. We are playing well and the win over China has boosted our confidence,” said Najib.
The last time these two teams met – in the Sultan of Johor Cup – India won 2-1.
The Star of Malaysia
Jnr Asia Cup: Malaysia 4 China 0
By Jugjet Singh
THE National Juniors started on an impressive note when they beat China 4-0 in Group A of the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan Saturday.
However, their true strength will be known today when they square off against tournament favourites India.
India had beaten Malaysia 2-1 in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
"Im vey happy not only with the score line, but also the way my boys played today. They knew when to press and when to hold the match and this is one reason why we could beat China with such a margin," said Malaysian juniors coach Arul Selvaraj.
As for India: "I believe India is a matured side, as they don't play like Under-21 players and this will be our toughest game in Group A. We will be playing them for the second time in three weeks, and I believe our penalty corner battery will be ready to do more damage this time around," said Arul.
Malaysia started on a nervous note, and even gave away the first penalty corner in the fifth minute to China but the post saved the blushes.
And after failing to score off their first penalty corner, Malaysia took a 2-0 lead off their next two penalty corners.
Najmi Jazlan's drive in the 14th minute almost tore the netting, and Shahril Saabah's powerful flick in the 21st minute gave Malaysia some breathing space.
The forward line rarely took shots at goal, and with 10minutes to the half-time break, China were doing most of the attacking and only penalty corners separated both the sides at the half time hooter.
Malaysia came out looking for more from the match, and finally nailed a field goal off Haziq Samsul in th 42nd minute.
The goal not only assured Malaysia three points, but was also a moral boost for Haziq, who has played at the senior level, because he did not score a single goal in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
And with seconds remaining in the match, Najmi again scored off a penalty corner and Malaysia earned a well deserved win.
RESULTS:
Group A: Malaysia 4 China 0, India 2 Japan 1.
Group B: Pakistan 3 Bangladesh 1, South Korea 5 Oman 2.
SUNDAY: Group A: China v Japan (6pm, Pitch I), Malaysia v India (8.15pm, Pitch I).
Group B: Pakistan v South Korea (4pm, Pitch I), Oman v Bangladesh (4.30pm, Pitch II).
Nov 16: REST DAY
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
MALAYSIA 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
INDIA 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
CHINA 1 0 0 1 0 4 0
JAPAN 1 0 0 1 1 2 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
S KOREA 1 1 0 0 5 2 3
PAKISTAN 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
OMAN 1 0 0 1 2 5 0
BANGLADESH 1 0 0 1 1 3 0
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Consistency helps Pakistan overcome Bangladesh
by S. Ramaguru
KUANTAN: Former champions Pakistan had to rely on more consistent second-half performance to eke out a 3-1 win over Bangladesh in their opening Group B hockey match in the Junior Asia Cup at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.
It took Pakistan 29 minutes to open the scoring – via a penalty corner direct flick by Mubashah Ali. Just three minutes later Bangladesh hit back through a Shabbir Hussain close range effort.
Thankfully for Pakistan, they showed greater consistency after the break to score two more goals through a field goal by Mohd Bilal Qadir in the 39th minute and Rana Riaz in the 70th minute.
Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman was disappointed with the performance but happy with the full points.
“We cannot be happy with our finishing. We created quite a number of chances, but struggled to score,” he said.
“The good thing from the match is that we managed to take all three points.
Pakistan will play South Korea today and the winner will have the chance to top the group.
In another Group B match, South Korea had no problems outplaying Oman 5-2.
The Koreans led 2-0 at half time, thanks to goals by Suk Yu-seong (10th minute) and Seo Woo-cheon (12th).
Mohamed Al Lawati reduced the deficit in the 39th minute but Yu-Seong (44th) and Kim Seong-je (53rd) made it 4-1 for South Korea.
Kim Sung-yeob added the fifth goal for South Korea in the 68th minute before Salmeen Al Nofali added a second goal for Oman in the 62nd minute.
The Star of Malaysia
Junior Men’s Asia Cup: Pakistan down Bangladesh 3-1 in opener
By Nabil Tahir
KARACHI: Pakistan won their opening match 3-1 against Bangladesh in the 8th Junior Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament — which is also serving as the 2016 Junior World Cup qualifiers — at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan, Malaysia on Saturday.
Mubashir Ali opened Pakistan’s account with a successfully converted penalty corner in the 28th minute of the match.
However, Bangladesh’s Sabbir Hossain found the back of the net to equalise just two minutes later, ending the first half at 1-1.
The second half saw Muhammad Bilal Qadir score a field goal in the 39th minute to lift Pakistan 2-1, with Rana Riaz wrapping up the match with a 70th-minute field goal to end the match 3-1 in the Greenshirts’ favour.
“This win has increased the confidence of the whole team,” head coach Tahir Zaman told The Express Tribune. “They played well and retained all the lessons taught a night before the match.”
The coach revealed that Bangladesh’s team included 10 senior players. “It’s a proud achievement for our youngsters to beat a side like that,” he said.
Meanwhile, captain Ammad Butt said the team’s victory was down to playing as a unit. “Our passes were well-synced, which enabled us to implement the game plan provided by our coach,” said Ammad, adding that it was too early to celebrate as they have to face other tough teams in the coming days.
Pakistan play against Korea on Sunday, with the Koreans beating Oman 5-2 in their opening match while Malaysia defeated China 4-0.
The Express Tribune
Pakistan Juniors beat BD in Asia Cup
KARACHI: Three-time former champions Pakistan carved out a 3-1 victory over Bangladesh in pool ‘B’ match of the eighth junior Asia Cup hockey tournament which commenced in Kuantan, Malaysia, on Saturday.
According to results, the greenshirts drew blood when full-back Mubashir Ali scored off penalty corner in the 29th minute.
The lead was, however, short lived as Shabbir Hossain brought the teams on even terms in 32nd minute.
Pakistan slammed two field goals during the second half through Mohammad Bilal Qadir and Rana Riaz in 39th and 70th minutes respectively.
Meanwhile, in the other matches of the day, South Korea sent Oman packing 5-2, hosts and reigning champions Malaysia outplayed China 4-0 and India overcame Japan 2-1. Pakistan are slated to meet South Korea in the second match on Sunday.
Dawn
Junior Asia Cup 2015: India win their opening match against Japan
Kuantan, 14th November 2015: Indian colts beat Japan 2-1 in their opening match of the Junior Men’s Asia Cup. The group stages being played from 14- 17 November will next see India in action against the host team Malaysia who were also victorious in their encounter against China earlier in the day.
The first half of the match began with Indian Captain Harjeet Singh being issued a yellow card in the first minute of the match which led to India being reduced to 10 men momentarily. Japan scored the first goal 8 minutes before the end of the first half converting a penalty corner to their favour.
India soon levelled the score at 1-1 through a penalty corner that saw Harmanpreet Singh scoring his first goal of the tournament at 28th minute. The end of the first half saw Japan again being awarded a penalty corner but it was saved efficiently by Suraj Karkera, Indian Goalkeeper.
The second half began with the Indian colts pressing hard on the Japanese team. Their hard work saw results through a penalty corner that was converted again to a goal by Harmanpreet Singh, giving India the much needed lead in the match 2-1 at 40th minute.
Thereafter India controlled the game rarely allowing the Japanese forwards to make way.
Coach, Harendra Singh said, “We have been working pretty hard on our attack and defence and we feel that it has really paid off. The hard work in the camp back home has helped us counter the Japanese speed and we managed to gain our first win. The boys played really well and Harmanpreet’s brace will do him a world of confidence.”
The 8th Junior Asia Cup will be played from the 14th – 22nd November 2015 at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan, Malaysia. One of the elite Asian tournaments, the 8th Junior Asia Cup will see eight Asian hockey teams- India, China, Japan and Malaysia in Pool A and Korea, Oman, Pakistan and Bangladesh in Pool B.
Stick2Hockey.com
Indian Colts stamp authority in Junior Asia Cup Hockey opener
KUANTAN (Malaysia): Indian colts staged a magnificent comeback to beat Japan 2-1 in their opening match of the Junior Men's Asia Cup Hockey.
The group stages will be played from 14-17 November and will next see India in action against the host team Malaysia who were also victorious in their encounter against China earlier in the day.
The first half began with Indian captain Harjeet Sing being issued a yellow card in the first minute of the match which led to India being reduced to 10 men momentarily.
Japan drew first blood eight minutes before the end of the first half.
India soon levelled the score at 1-1 through a penalty corner that saw Harmanpreet Singh scoring his first goal of the tournament. The end of the first half saw Japan again being awarded a penalty corner but it was saved efficiently by Suraj Karkera the Indian goalkeeper.
The second half began with the Indian colts pressing hard on the Japanese team. Their hard work saw results through a penalty corner that was converted again to a goal by Harmanpreet Singh, giving India the much needed lead in the match 2-1.
There after India controlled the game, rarely allowing the Japanese forwards to make way.
Coach Harendra Singh said, "We have been working pretty hard on our attack and defence and we feel that it has really paid off. The hard work in the camp back home has helped us counter the Japanese speed and we managed to gain our first win. The boys played really well and Harmanpreet's brace will do him a world of confidence."
India is placed in Pool A with Malaysia, Japan and China.
The Times of India
India edge past Japan 2-1
Kuantan (Malaysia): Drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace as the Indian hockey team staged a magnificent comeback to beat Japan 2-1 in its opening match of the Junior Men’s Asia Cup.
The first half began with India captain Harjeet Singh being issued a yellow card in the first minute. Japan drew first blood eight minutes before the end of the first half, converting a penalty corner.
India soon levelled the score through a penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet. Japan were again awarded a penalty corner but it was saved efficiently by goalkeeper Suraj Karkera.
The second half began with India pressing hard for a goal. Their hard work won them a penalty corner, which was converted by Harmanpreet.
India then controlled the game, rarely allowing the Japanese forwards to mount a decent attack.
“The hard work in the camp back home helped us counter the Japanese speed. The boys played really well and Harmanpreet’s brace will do him a world of confidence,” coach Harendra Singh said.
The Tribune
Chhattisgarh gives a warm welcome to the Australian team
RAIPUR: The Australian hockey team received a warm welcome after their arrival here at the Raipur International Airport for a three-match Test series against India and the Hero Hockey World League Final.
Australia, ranked number one in the FIH World Rankings, are playing a three-match Test series against India in Rajnandgaon and Raipur in Chhattisgarh from November 19.
They are also scheduled to compete in the eight-nation Hero Hockey World League Final 2015 which is also being hosted in Raipur later this month.
After their arrival, the team received a traditional welcome with a small cultural performance from locals amidst a large group of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of the much acclaimed and respected Australian men's hockey team.
"India has always been one of those places we want to come back to. The warm welcome that we have received always has been overwhelming and we are keen to display top level hockey in front of the fans here," said Graham Reid, Head Coach, Hockey Australia.
"Raipur is a new destination but we all know that we are set to play against an audience who understand and follow the sport and that's what makes the competition all the more exciting and competitive," he added.
Australia will take on India in the first Test on November 19th at Rajnandgaon, which would be followed by the last two matches being played at the newly inaugurated Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel International Stadium, Raipur on November 22nd and 23rd respectively.
The Times of India
Late strike sees Holcombe go top
Holcombe’s Gareth Andrew celebrates the first of two goals scored by him in his side’s 3-1 win over Surbiton. Credit hockeyimages.co.uk
NICK Bandurak’s last minute goal helped Holcombe take top spot in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division, overtaking Surbiton who were beaten at home by last season’s champions Wimbledon.
Goalless for much of the game, Hampstead and Westminster took the lead through Matt Botha with five minutes left, before Bandurak’s strike from open play gave Holcombe a point which was enough to put them top.
In an evening match Surbiton trailed by one goal at half time with Caspar Phijffer giving Wimbledon the lead, but despite Alan Forsyth’s equaliser the visitors retook the lead with James Jewell and Phil Ball scoring.
Andy Hayward scored with two minutes left, but it wasn’t enough for Surbiton who now trail Holcombe on goal difference.
Brooklands Manchester University moved ahead of East Grinstead after beating them 2-1 with goals from Richard Slater and Aidan Khares. They are now seventh.
Reading fired six past hosts Cannock, beating them 6-2. Tom Carson scored twice, while others came from Andy Watts, Reading Mantell, Dan Shingles and Ben Boon as Reading went six-nil ahead.
Thomas Morris and Peter Jackson scored late goals, but they were just a consolation for Cannock.
The bottom two clubs played each other with Beeston at home against Canterbury, and the hosts ended up 3-1 winners, Mark Gleghorne scoring twice and Stuart Pilgrim adding the other. Wei Adams scored a consolation goal for Canterbury.
Men’s Conference North
Bowdon moved up to second in the Men’s Conference North with a 6-1 defeat of Olton and West Warwicks. Ben White was in red hot form, scoring five of their goals including three in three minutes.
Loughborough Students are still four points clear at the top and took victory from a thrilling 5-3 win over Wakefield. Steve Hunter opened the scoring on three minutes and went on to score the final goal of the game too.
Preston moved up to seventh with a 4-1 win over Lichfield as Adam Wilson’s second half brace made sure of the points.
Sheffield Hallam chalked up their third win of the season, a single Martin Sutherland goal enough to give them a 1-0 victory over the University of Durham.
Men’s Conference East
Leading 4-1 at the break, Southgate survived a second half fightback by Cambridge City to win 4-3 in the Conference East, maintaining the pressure on leaders Richmond.
Giulio Ferrini, Matt Guise Brown, Timmy Smyth and Simeon Bird were Southgate’s scorers, while Scott Gilmour (2) and Eugene Malthouse were on target for Cambridge City.
Richmond had to settle for a point from a 3-3 draw with Sevenoaks, while Teddington were confident 6-3 winners at Oxted with Chris Seddon scoring a hat-trick and Fergus Dunn adding two.
Elsewhere, there were away wins for both Bromley and Beckenham and Brighton and Hove, Bromley winning 3-2 at Harleston Magpies while Brighton won 5-3 at West Herts.
Men’s Conference West
Leaders Cardiff and Met had to settle for a draw in their home match against Cheltenham. James Astley gave the visitors the lead in the 39th minute, only for Rhys Gowman to cancel it out a minute later.
The University of Birmingham narrowed the gap on the leaders with a 2-0 win over Indian Gymkhana, while Team Bath Buccaneers remain third after a 4-1 win at Isca.
In other action, Fareham were 2-1 winners over Guildford, while Chichester Priory Park lost out 2-3 to the University of Exeter, for whom Edward Matts scored with a minute remaining.
Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, November 14 2015):
Men's Premier Division: Beeston 3, Canterbury 1; Holcombe 1, Hampstead and Westminster 1; East Grinstead 1, Brooklands Manchester University 2; Surbiton 2, Wimbledon 3; Cannock 2, Reading 6.
Men's Conference West: University of Birmingham 2, Indian Gymkhana 0; Isca 1, Team Bath Buccaneers 4; Chichester Priory Park 2, University of Exeter 3; Fareham 2, Guildford 1; Cardiff and Met 1, Cheltenham 1.
Men's Conference North: Bowdon 6, Olton and West Warwicks 1; University of Durham 0, Sheffield Hallam 1; Lichfield 1, Preston 4; Loughborough Students 5, Wakefield 3.
Men's Conference East: West Herts 3, Brighton and Hove 5; Southgate 4, Cambridge City 3; Harleston Magpies 2, Bromley and Beckenham 3; Oxted 3, Teddington 6; Richmond 3, Sevenoaks 3.
England Hockey Board Media release
KU hold USIU in varsities battle
By BRIAN YONGA
Prudence Wasilwa (left) of Kenyatta University and Pauline Wangui of USIU-A fight for the ball during their national women's hockey league match at City Park Stadium on November 14, 2015. They drew 1-1. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) Spartans played out a thrilling 1-1 draw with Kenyatta University (KU) Titans in Kenya Hockey Union women’s national league clash at City Park Stadium, Nairobi, on Saturday.
Rahab Nyuthe had given Titans the lead in the 43rd minute before Kenyan international Sandra Vodoti cancelled out the goal as both teams walked out with a point.
Coaches from both sides were satisfied with the result, noting that neither side wanted to lose the match.
“This is a derby and both teams don’t want to lose, that is why I think one point was a fair result,” Spartans coach James Mwangi told Sunday Nation Sport. “We are disappointed that we did not get the three points. I felt we created enough chances.”
His Titans counterpart Domnic Mutwoi praised his team for earning the point against a ‘formidable opponent’.
“We became complacent after taking the lead. We should have sealed the game afyter going ahead,” Mutwoi said.
Titans came into the match on the back of last weekend’s 4-0 loss to champions Telkom Orange and looked dangerous from the onset with skipper Prudence Wasilwa troubling the Spartans defence alongside Nyuthe.
The duo combined to carve out the team’s first chance in the quarter hour mark but Spartans keeper Laurette Osaso did brilliant to keep out the shot from Nyuthe.
The duo continued to torment their opponents’ defence but Spartans defence stood firm, thwarting the attacks. The teams went into the break goalless with Titans the dominant side. Their pressure paid off in the second half when Nyuthe finally got the breakthrough through a field goal past Kenya’s second-choice keeper Osaso.
The goal sprung Spartans to life and they were level with their first chance of the match when Lorraine Nondi’ penalty corner was finished off by Vodoti past Titans keeper Selina Awuor.
Both teams tried to find the winner but both defences were stood firm.
Daily Nation