News for 27 March 2016
All the news for Sunday 27 March 2016
Steely Black Sticks cruise past Canada
Photo: www.photosport.nz
The Black Sticks Women put on a show with a 6-0 rout over Canada at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton this afternoon.
In the first of two test matches, New Zealand overcame a slow first quarter to dominate the game with two goals in the second quarter and a further four in the second half.
Strikers Olivia Merry and Charlotte Harrison both scored doubles while Liz Thompson and Kayla Whitelock also found the back of the net.
Captain Sam Charlton said it was great to recover from a scrappy opening quarter with six goals and a clean sheet.
“It was really good to get the win first up, we were a bit messy at the start but it’s pleasing to get away at the end,” she said.
“Canada came out hard and were more intense, it took us a bit too long to adjust but once we got our structure going and the ball moving quicker it started to work for us.
“We need to start a lot better tomorrow and come out with some fire, make sure we make those simple traps and passes and as we saw today the opportunities will come.”
Following a hard fought opening quarter, Merry opened the scoring in the 24th minute after a great pass from Kirsten Pearce allowed a shot which bounced off a defender and into goal.
Two minutes out from halftime the Black Sticks extended their lead from a penalty corner, with Whitelock hammering the ball at the right post for Harrison to ease in the deflection.
Following the break, the hosts lifted the intensity with Whitelock going on a nice run into the circle before being taken down from behind by Karli Johansen, leading to a stroke and 10 minute yellow card. Thompson made no mistake from the spot to push her side out to a 3-0 buffer.
Late in the third quarter Rose Keddell found a wide open Whitelock in the circle who smashed the ball past Canadian goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams.
Harrison got a feather on a baseline cross for a 50th minute field goal before Merry ended the game in style with a booming shot from the top of the circle which soared over the keeper’s helmet.
The Black Sticks are back in action against Canada at 3pm tomorrow, with presale tickets still available through www.dashtickets.co.nz. Game two will also be broadcast LIVE on SKY Sport 2.
The two test series against Canada is part of the Black Sticks’ build-up for the Hawke’s Bay Cup from 2-10 April in Hastings.
BLACK STICKS 6: (Olivia Merry 2, Charlotte Harrison 2, Liz Thompson, Kayla Whitelock)
CANADA 0
Halftime: Black Sticks 2-0
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Black Sticks women thrash Canada
Charlotte Harrison scored a double for the Black Sticks. Photo / Getty
The Black Sticks women have continued their dominance over Canada with a 6-0 thrashing in Hamilton today.
The two sides have clashed on six occasions over the last two years, with the Black Sticks winning by three goals or more on every occasion.
It was more of the same in the first of a two-test series in Hamilton, with the hosts overcoming a scrappy start to run away with the clash in the second half.
It took 24 minutes to open the scoring, and even that required some good fortune, with Olivia Merry's shot deflecting off a defender past stranded Canadian goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams.
The Black Sticks were creating opportunities but lacking some clinical finishing in open play, but a penalty corner to Charlotte Harrison made it 2-0 at the half.
Canada couldn't keep up their performance in the second stanza, as the gulf in class between the world number four Black Sticks and 19th-ranked Canadians shone through.
A Liz Thompson penalty and Kayla Whitelock strike sealed the contest, before Harrison and Merry claimed doubles to finish the rout.
Black Sticks captain Sam Charlton said her side will be looking to put in a more fluent first quarter in the second match of the series.
"Canada came out hard and were more intense, it took us a bit too long to adjust but once we got our structure going and the ball moving quicker it started to work for us.
"We need to start a lot better tomorrow and come out with some fire, make sure we make those simple traps and passes and as we saw today the opportunities will come," said Charlton.
The two sides face off again at 3.00pm tomorrow, before taking part in the eight-team Hawke's Bay Cup, a tournament featuring five of the world's top ten sides.
The New Zealand Herald
Black Sticks women score six goals to none in thrashing of Canada
ANDREW VOERMAN
The Black Sticks women celebrate scoring their second goal during their 6-0 win over Canada on Sunday. PHOTOSPORT
The Black Sticks women have thrashed Canada 6-0 in the first test in Hamilton.
The Black Sticks women have eased to a 6-0 win over Canada in the first of two tests in Hamilton on Sunday.
They opened up a 2-0 lead in the second quarter and added four more goals in the second half at the Gallagher Hockey Centre, a margin that reflected their control of the encounter.
Canada began brightly, creating the first chance a couple of minutes into the game, but Brienne Stairs' couldn't find a teammate with her cross from the byline.
The Black Sticks then began to find their feet, pressing Canada high up the field and forcing plenty of turnovers.
Their first real chance came in the 12th minute, when Kayla Whitelock began a move in midfield, then sprinted into the circle, only to meet Charlotte Harrison's cross with her foot rather than her stick.
Canada began the second quarter strong, earning the first penalty corner of the match halfway through the period, but the resulting shot was wide of the target.
The Black Sticks were then able to break out and put the visitors under some sustained pressure, which eventually led to their opening goal, when an Olivia Merry cross hit a defender then rolled under the foot of Canadian goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams.
The hosts' aggression only ramped up from there, and they earned two penalty corners in quick succession.
The first was saved, but the second was as textbook as they come, with Whitelock's shot from the top of the circle finding Harrison just outside the right post, from where she was able to easily deflect the ball into the goal.
Canada had another penalty corner of their own in the dying seconds of the half, after a strong counterattack, and came close to finding a response, only for Karli Johansen's shot to hit the post and deflect away - as close as they came to scoring all game.
The Black Sticks extended their lead a little over a minute into the third quarter, when Liz Thompson converted a penalty stroke won when Whitelock was brought down as she charged into the circle, an offence for which Johansen received a 10-minute yellow card.
With the result seemingly decided, the game opened up a little, but it was still the hosts who looked more dangerous, with Whitelock getting on board herself, scoring the team's fourth just before the end of the quarter, having been found open in the middle of the circle by Rose Keddell.
In the final spell, Harrison netted the Black Sticks' fifth, getting a faint touch on a cross, before Merry scored her second, and the team's sixth, with a powerful shot from just inside the right edge of the circle.
Captain Sam Charlton said she was pleased the team's performance had picked up after a scoreless opening quarter.
"Canada came out hard and were more intense, it took us a bit too long to adjust but once we got our structure going and the ball moving quicker it started to work for us.
"We need to start a lot better (on Monday) and come out with some fire, make sure we make those simple traps and passes and as we saw today the opportunities will come."
The second test on Monday is at the same venue at 3pm, a final hit out as both sides prepare for the eight-team Hawke's Bay Cup, which begins in Hastings on Saturday.
New Zealand 6 (Merry 2, Harrison 2, Thompson, Whitelock) beat Canada 0.
Q1: 0-0 Q2: 2-0 Q3: 4-0
Stuff
Black Sticks women mentally ready to fulfill potential at major tournaments
CLAY WISON
Key midfielder Kayla Whitelock is preparing for her fourth Olympic Games with the Black Stick women. MICHAEL BRADLEY
Fear is no longer a factor for the Black Sticks women, says vastly experienced midfielder Kayla Whitelock.
The 235-test veteran returned to the world No 4 Kiwi team for their tour of Argentina in late February and early March, following an 18-month absence to have her first child.
Ahead of warm-up tests against 19th-ranked Canada in Hamilton on Sunday and Monday, before six other international sides arrive for the Hawke's Bay Cup next week, the former captain said there had been a noticeable mental shift within the group.
"Just that belief and drive to do better each game, we are not really satisfied with losing," Whitelock said.
"It's about not being scared, just going out there and doing the best we can in those tough matches.
"It's those pressure situations, talking through them and not being afraid to make mistakes and try things and not go into our shells. In the past we have probably been afraid in certain situations and not played to how we want to."
Big matches at big tournaments have not always been the national women's team's strong point.
New Zealand lost a shootout to the Netherlands in the semifinals at the 2012 Olympics, before losing 3-1 to Great Britain in the bronze-medal playoff. They were bettered in shootouts by Australia in the last two Oceania Cup finals.
With the Rio Olympics looming in August, Black Sticks coach Mark Hager has not shied away from the fact his team need to start winning when it matters most.
The team responded by reaching the gold-medal match at the World League Final in Argentina in December before heading back there and claiming a win on goal differential in a six-test series.
Being only "reasonably happy" with a series win against the world's second-best team on their home turf is, perhaps, the best indication of the head-space the Kiwi women are in.
"We would have liked to have tied up the series earlier, but overall we took some good learnings out of that tour," Whitelock said. "It was good to play some consistent hockey against a top team."
"We now have a lot of players who have been around a while and played over 100 tests. The standard has definitely lifted.
"Every game we are just looking to improve and fine tune things getting closer to Rio."
New Zealand open their Hawke's Bay Cup campaign on Saturday against 13th-ranked India and also face China (5) and Ireland (15) in pool play.
Canada are joined by Australia (3), Korea (9) and Japan (10) in the other pool, with all teams involved in quarterfinals on April 7.
The Black Sticks' final tournament before the Olympics is the prestigious Champions Trophy in June, with the world's top three teams, the Netherlands, Argentina and Australia, all in attendance.
Black Sticks women vs Canada
Sunday, March 27, 3pm (Live on Sky Sport 2)
Monday, March 28, 3pm (Live on Sky Sport 2)
Hawke's Bay Cup - Black Sticks matches
Saturday, April 2 vs India, 3pm
Sunday, April 3 vs China, 3pm
Tuesday, April 5 vs Ireland, 6pm
Thursday, April 7 - quarterfinals
Saturday, April 9 - semifinals
Sunday, April 10 - finals
Stuff
Canadian women drop first test with Blacksticks
Play second of two Sunday at at 4pm ET/7pm PT
Shaheed Devji
Kate Gillis, Women’s National Team. February 2015 vs New Zealand (Courtesy: Jason Milich/Flickr)
The fourth best team in the world was in top form on Sunday in New Zealand as the Blacksticks women handed Canada a 6-0 loss in the opening game of a two-game test series between the two nations.
The Canadians are facing the New Zealand women as a tune up for the Hawke’s Bay Cup, which features a group of the world’s top female field hockey nations and begins on April 2nd.
In the first of two test matches with the Blacksticks, Canada got off to a good start with a strong first quarter with Kate Gillis and Thea Culley linking up early but not able to find the back of the net.
The first quarter ended scoreless, but after a quiet start, the Kiwis picked up their play in the second scoring twice.
Olivia Merry and Charlotte Harrison scored in the 23rd and 29th minutes respectively to give the Blacksticks a 2-0 lead at half.
Canada’s best chance to get on the board came off the stick of Karli Johansen on a penalty corner. The defender released a quick flick and beat New Zealand keeper Amelia Gibson but couldn’t put it past the post.
The Blacksticks added four second half goals – two in each remaining quarer – to go on to a 6-0 win.
The second game of the series will be played at 3:00pm local time on Monday in New Zealand (4:00pm ET/7:00pm PT on Saturday in Canada).
The game is being broadcast on New Zealand’s Sky Sport. Live updates are available on the Blacksticks Twitter page.
Field Hockey Canada media release
China Tour: Malaysia 2 China Juniors 2
By Jugjet Singh
THE Malaysian women's hockey team progressed another step when they held the China national juniors 2-2 in a fourth friendly at Changzhou Saturday.
This came at the back of 4-0, 2-1 and 2-1 defeats, as coach K. Dharmaraj prepares his charges for the World League Round Two which Malaysia will host at the end of the year.
China took the lead off a third minute penalty corner but Siti Shahida equalsied a minute later off a field attempt.
China again took the lead in the 10th minute, and this time Siti Noor Amarina scored a penalty corner attempt in the 19th minute and the score stool until the end.
Malaysia will play their fifth and final friendly today.
"This was our best game of the series, and we missed out on a win when a beautifully crafted Siti Rahmah goal was disallowed by the match umpire.
"We were very competitive in this match and in my opinion, we played a really good game and controlled the pitch for large spells of the match.
"The players are beginning to believe in their abilities, shoulder-to-shoulder against what was, a only few days ago, a much superior team.
"We had one goal disallowed, which probably would have given us the win. More importantly, the goal (a well-timed deflection) came off a brilliant reverse stick pass. We are improving, but there is still much to be done," said Dharmaraj.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Packed Wagener Stadium sees KO8 line-up completed
EHL KO16 Day two round-up
Amsterdam, Oranje Zwart, Real Club de Polo and Harvestehuder THC booked their tickets to the EHL KO16 from a series of high quality ties on day two at the Wagener Stadium.
In front of a packed house, Amsterdam delighted the home crowd as they came from a goal down in the fourth minute to beat Wimbledon 3-1 thanks to a Mirco Pruyser hat trick.
Phil Roper has given the newcomers Wimbledon an early advantage from the penalty spot after Phil Ball was felled on the baseline. Their lead only lasted a few minutes as Billy Bakker’s interchange with Pruyser saw the latter slam home.
He added another from another lovely move, Klaas Vermeulen laying into the path of Valentin Verga whose delicate lift found Pruyser free to shoot in his second. And he completed his hat trick in the second half with a mid-circle push.
Wimbledon had their moments with four corners not going to plan but, with Laurens Goedegebuure in strong form, they lacked composure from their big chances.
They will play Real Club de Polo de Barcelona in the KO8 on Monday afternoon at 2.30pm (CET) after they won the Catalan battle with Club Egara 3-0. David Alegre applied a delicate touch to Lucas Vila’s pass to open the scoring and it stayed at 1-0 for a long time before Xavi Lleonart sealed the deal.
Again, Alegre was the inspiration with a surging run through the middle before offloading to his partner in crime who finished well. Alex Casasayas completed the victory in the last ten seconds.
Harvestehuder THC and Oranje Zwart were the other teams to qualify for the KO8 thanks to their wins over Dinamo Kazan and Royal Leopold respectively, setting up a meeting between the last two champions.
HTHC’s four-goal early blitz underpinned a 5-1 win over the Russian champions. Michael Körper’s ninth minute corner started the run. Jan Heuer scored the next off the back of lovely David Goodfield skills and Leon Willemsen’s cross; Goodfield completed the third goal.
Körper slammed in his second for a 4-0 lead on the 17minute mark to all but kill off the game. Nikolay Yankun got one back but Tim Linsmeier’s behind-the-back deflection completed the win.
For OZ, Rob van der Horst scored a stunning inidividual goal with only a couple of minutes in a 2-1 win over Royal Leopold
In a close-knit first half, Mink van der Weerden’s drag-flick was all that separated the teams with chances few and far between. He slung home a low corner into the backboard.
But a moment of inspiration from Arthur Verdussen, tearing along the left endline got the game back on terms in the second half at 1-1.
From there, the game swung from end to end before the world player of the year made his mark. Van der Horst picked up the ball 30 metres out from goal and ran at pace around three potential tacklers before lifting the ball up and over Romain Henet for a memorable goal with three minutes to go.
Sunday sees the first series of KO8 games with Atlètic Terrassa playing KHC Leuven at 12.15pm (CET) before SV Kampong take on Rot Weiss Köln at 2.30pm (CET).
On Monday, Harvestehuder THC play Oranje Zwart at 12.15pm and Amsterdam face Real Club de Polo at 2.30pm.
Euro Hockey League media release
Van der Horst stunner sees off Leopold
KO16 Oranje Zwart 2 (M van der Weerden, R van der Horst) Royal Leopold 1 (A Verdussen)
Cometh the hour, cometh Rob van der Horst. He scored a stunning inidividual goal with only a couple of minutes remaining to earn Oranje Zwart a KO8 date with Harvestehuder THC on Monday.
In a close-knit first half, Mink van der Weerden’s drag-flick was all that separated the teams with chances few and far between. He slung home a low corner into the backboard.
Bob de Voogd went close to a second but drew a spectacular save from Romain Henet instead while Dorian Thiery charged down a Rob Reckers shot to keep the gap at the minimum.
And then they got back into the game with a moment of inspiration from Arthur Verdussen, tearing along the left endline, beating van der Weerden for pace, and then picking a brilliant line past Vincent Vanasch and in off the far post into the goal.
From there, the game swung from end to end before the world player of the year made his mark. Van der Horst picked up the ball 30 metres out from goal and ran at pace around three potential tacklers before lifting the ball up and over Henet for a memorable goal with three minutes to go.
It came too late for Leopold to affect a comeback and the reigning champions were through.
Euro Hockey League media release
Pruyser hat trick shoots down Wimbledon
KO16 Wimbledon 1 (P Roper) AH&BC Amsterdam 3 (M Pruyser 3)
Mirco Pruyser’s hat trick saw Amsterdam come back from an early deficit to reach Monday’s KO8 where they will meet Real Club de Polo in front of a packed Wagener Stadium.
In so doing, the Dutch star striker moved him up to 20 EHL goals, level with Guillermo Schickendantz in fifth place on the all-time goalscorers list.
It came during an impressive, high octane match. Just four minutes into their debut in the EHL, Wimbledon got on the score sheet with Ian Sloan’s lovely pass picking out Phil Ball on the right baseline and he drew a bad foul from Johannes Mooij. It led to a stroke that Phil Roper converted for 1-0.
The lead, however, was short-lived with Billy Bakker, as so often, unlocking the door for Mirco Pruyser to slam home a backhand shot through the legs of James Bailey.
And it became 2-1 in the 23rd minute with Pruyser getting on the end of a lovely move. Klaas Vermeulen was the creative force with a piece of control to cut a long ball into the path of Valentin Verga who lifted the ball gently into Pruyser’s path and he did the rest.
Wimbledon battled hard and had their moments, not least when Ball was found alone in the circle but Laurens Goedegebuure got out brilliantly to slide into the path of the ball and deflect it away.
The English side kept out two corners from Justin Reid-Ross but Amsterdam finally got breathing room after an interchange on the right baseline via Verga and Jan-Willem Buissant to set up Pruyser to push home his hat trick.
Wimbledon rallied, coming close from a pair of corners while John Kinder and Ian Sloan were unable to mop up the pieces from a big chance with six minutes to go.
Goedegebuure saved another clever corner switch move, as well as the follow-up. Steven Ebbers late sweep shot flashed wide as Amsterdam got over a tricky hurdle.
Euro Hockey League media release
Polo win the battle of Catalunya
KO16 Real Club de Polo 3 (D Alegre, X Lleonart, A Casasayas) Club Egara 0
David Alegre inspired Real Club de Polo to victory in their Catalan tussle with Club Egara, advancing them to the KO8 for the third time in their history.
In truth, it could have been more comfortable but for some superb Quico Cortes saves as Polo’s quality shone at times against a hard-working Ratllat opponent.
Xavi Lleonart tested the goalkeeper’s reflexes early on with a backhand shot before Lucas Vila’s baseline cross was expertly picked up by Alegre at the near post, beautifully flicked behind Cortes for 1-0.
Alvaro Turull Bataller drew an amazing save from Cortes moments later as Polo made the best of an entertaining opening. But they could not build on the lead in the second quarter and were denied on the line by Josep Romeu from a corner.
Egara’s chances were fleeting with Mario Fernandez not unduly troubled and the game was killed off in the 49th minute in superb fashion. Alegre drove at the heart of the Egara defence before laying off to Lleonart who wrong-footed Cortes to slip the ball home.
There was plenty of tetchiness thereafter. Egara did finally draw some late fire in the last minute when Eduardo Arbos stung the boot of Fernandez while an Edi Tubau push was deflected just wide but Polo were secure in their victory and they added an extra gloss with eight seconds to go via Alex Casasayas.
Euro Hockey League media release
HTHC's early blitz does for Kazan
KO16 Dinamo Kazan 1 (N Yankun) Harvestehuder THC 5 (M Körper 2, J Heuer, Goodfield, T Linsmeier)
2014 champions Harvestehuder THC proved too good for Dinamo Kazan as they swept into the KO8 courtesy of four goals in the first 17 minutes.
It killed off the tie as a contest as the Russians rallied but were never able to get back in any sort of range. Michael Körper – with his fourth corner goal of the season having scored three in Round 1 – fired home a low bullet to start the run.
Tobias Walter did have to be alert to keep out Igor Siniagin’s clean chance soon after but HTHC soon pulled away. David Goodfield and Leon Willemsen’s trickery created the second for Jan Heuer to volley in while Goodfield snapped up the third with a smart turn and shot from mid-circle.
Körper thumped home his second for the fourth in the 17th minute for an imposing lead which they never looked like relinquishing. Nikolay Yankun got one back in the 44th minute when he went solo in from the right wing and touched past Walter.
But a Pavel Golubev yellow card stalled their progress and Tim Linsmeier’s delicious behind-the-back deflection killed off any remaining resistence at 5-1.
Euro Hockey League media release
Round-up of Scotland youth international match results
Scotland U16 Girls' 1-0 win gives them advantage going into the final match of the series. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray
Scotland's youth international squads were in action against Ireland and in the HDM tournament in the Netherlands today.
We round-up the results below.
Scotland U16 Girls v Ireland
A close, scrappy encounter between Scotland and Ireland was eventually settled by a late goal from the home side's Emily Dark.
The Dundee Wanderers' youngster transferred the ball onto the reverse and struck the ball sweetly into the bottom right hand corner in the 64th minute to give the Scots a 1-0 win.
Scotland 'keeper Iona Colquhoun had come to her team's rescue earlier in the match, diving low to save an Irish penalty flick.
Scotland go 1-0 up in the three match series following today's win and yesterday's draw.
Scotland U16 Boys v Ireland
Fraser Moran was Scotland's solitary goalscorer in a 4-1 defeat to Ireland. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray
Following yesterday's defeat to Scotland, Ireland struck back in style with a 4-1 win in today's match at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
Fraser Moran was Scotland's solitary goalscorer in a 4-1 defeat to Ireland. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray
Ben O'Grady opened the scoring in the 15th minute, his drag-flick deflected past Scottish shot-stopper Seth van Rensburg to put the visitors 1-0 up.
Three minutes before the break, Luke Adams doubled the away side's advantage, cutting inside the Scottish defence to beat Rensburg at the near post.
Two goals inside four second half minutes put Ireland out of sight; Harry Dow and Fergus Gibson's field goals making it 4-0.
The Scots managed to find a consolation three minutes before full-time, Fraser Moran scoring with an exquisite drag-flick.
The series now goes to a deciding match with both sides currently on one win apiece.
Scotland U18s v Ireland
Scotland U18 Boys were unable to break down their Irish opponents, going down to a 3-0 defeat in Belfast.
Scotland U18 Girls lost 2-0.
Scotland U16 Development HDM
Scotland U16 Girls Development lost their two matches at the HDM tournament in the Netherlands.
Catriona Roberts and Lucy Bliss goals weren't enough in a 3-2 quarter-final defeat, while they experienced a 1-0 defeat earlier in the day.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
U-21 USMNT's Second-Half Energy Facing HC Breda Closes Goal Gap
Heading into match number two against HC Breda, another highly competitive team with a mix of U-18 and senior men’s team athletes, who have been competing together since 2011, the U.S. U-21 Men's National Team was looking to rebound and build confidence as a group.
HC Breda took the lead early on in the match when they entered the right baseline at full speed where they placed a ball in front of the cage and deflected it into the cage to go up 1-0. Shortly there after, HC Breda fired a shot that smashed the back of the net. With a slow start for team USA in the first half, chances were limited and they found themselves on the defensive and wrong foot majority of this half. Heading into the second half, the score was 2-0 HC Breda.
Feeling comfortable with their lead, HC Breda found themselves on their heels as Team USA pushed harder into their attacking circle. Creating multiple entries into the circle and threatening their goal keeper, the pressure was building and the momentum was starting to swing the way of the red, white and blue.
HC Breda earned a penalty corner and on a great direct hit and a sharp save by USA goal keeper, Nate O’Lari (Orange, Mass.) the HC Breda’s inserter was able to get a tiny touch on the ball to pop it in the air and over a laid out O’Lari to go up 3-0 and stifle USA’s momentum swing for a second. When the restart whistle sounded, USA was off to the races once again and immediately found themselves on the offensive. With a quick turn over in HC Breda’s defending end, defender Ruben Van Dam (Valkenswaard, Netherlands) was able to feed a quick bounce pass to USA striker Stewart Kentwell (Spring City, Pa.), who controlled the ball and volleyed a shot off his right foot to smash the back of the net and get the first USA goal of the match.
“The energy heading into the second half truly made the difference in this match," said Van Dam. "Starting slow again is not ideal but the turn around from beginning to end was great and we are starting to establish our identity as a team. I felt like we represented Team USA well today and look forward to tomorrows double training session and getting on the pitch with these boys!”
Back and forth hockey carried the rest of of the second half where team USA worked diligently all game and earned a penalty corner at the closing seconds of the match. Striker Alex Cunningham (Bad Kreuznach, Ger.) took a drag flick and blasted the ball into the lower left corner adding a tally to finish the match on a high note. Final score report was 3-2 HC Breda's favor.
“We are learning very quickly at the moment as we are gaining great experience playing these international matches in front of our big crowd," said Rutger Wiese, U-21 USMNT Head Coach. "Our boys played very well today in the second half resulting in two goals. We have a solid foundation heading into day five as we finish up our first training block before we head into Tuesday's match.”
Team USA will compete again Tuesday, March 29 against Naarden H1 at 8:30 p.m. local time.
USFHA media release
Butali Sugar Warriors slay Greensharks
Maxwell Fuchaka of Butali Sugar Warriors (right) dribbles past Victor Chidi of Western Jaguars on May 3, 2015 during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Champions Butali Sugar Warriors beat Greensharks 1-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s premier league match played at the City Park Stadium on Saturday.
A first half strike by former Kenya International Zack Aura gave the champions the vital three points in a game of two halves. Warriors coach Cliffe Okello bemoaned his side’s missed chances, noting that it almost cost them victory.
“We weren’t clinical and we ended up hanging onto one goal. We were lucky to walk away with the three points,” Okello said.
Warriors, who won the first leg fixture 3-0, completed the double over the Nairobi-based team.
Aura missed a host of chances to add to his first tally as the lake side team dominated the first half. Warriors came into the match on the back of 12 straight wins in the league.
In the men’s national league, Chase Sailors beat Impala 6-0 to enhance their chances of securing promotion to the top flight. Two goals apiece from skipper George Mutira, Titus Ngolia and one each from Sylvester Muiruri and Jacktone Masibo gave Sailors the emphatic win.
In another match, Parkroad Tigers and Karate Axiom drew 0-0. Vikings were handed a walkover after MKU failed to show up for the women’s national league encounter.
Daily Nation
Double injury blow for hockey team after Australia tour
by S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: The men’s national hockey team have suffered a double injury blow.
First choice goalkeeper S. Kumar and defender Mohamed Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin are injured.
Kumar sustained a leg injury during Malaysia’s third and final match against Australia in Perth on Thursday. He only played for five minutes and was replaced by youngster Mohamed Hafizuddin Othman. Malaysia lost 0-4.
As for Izad, he has been complaining of abdominal pain. He only played a cameo role in Malaysia’s recent playing tour of New Zealand and Australia.
Both players will go undergo check-ups at the National Sports Institute (NSI) on Monday.
National coach Stephen van Huizen is keeping his fingers crossed that Kumar and Izad will recover in time for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from April 6-16.
“We didn’t have a medical doctor with us during the tour. We will consult the ISN doctors to determine the extent of their injuries,” said Stephen, who will be naming his final 18-man team next week.
Kumar is also hoping that there’s nothing serious with his leg injury.
“Usually a muscle pull takes two to three weeks to heal. I hope it’s not serious as I want to play in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. We will be playing some good teams and it’s a great chance to test ourselves against the best,” said Kumar, who at 37 is the most senior member of the team.
The 24-year-old Izad has been a regular feature in defence since making his debut in the World Cup in The Hague, Holland, in 2014.
Like Kumar, Izad is a shoo-in to make the final 18-man squad.
To help him select the final squad, Stephen has lined up a friendly against the national development squad in Ipoh on April 2. He is also trying to arrange friendlies against the other six teams – Australia, India, New Zealand, Canada, Pakistan and Japan – competing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The Star of Malaysia
HI Annual Awards 2015
Bengaluru: It was a day to remember as the best hockey players in India and former greats of the game came together for the Hockey India 2nd Annual Awards here in the Garden City.
The Awards:
Best Player(Women)- Deepika(Rs.25 lac & Trophy)
Best Player(Men)- PR Sreejesh(Rs.25 lac & Trophy)
Lifetime Achievement Award:Late Shri Shankar Laxman (Rs.30 lac & Trophy)
Savita - Best Goalkeeper of the year Award
Kothajit Singh - Best Defender of the year award
Ritu Rani - Best Midfielder award
Rani Rampal - Best Forward award
Harjeet Singh, Junior India captain - Best upcoming U-21 player award
Preeti Dubey - Upcoming player U-21 of the year
Baldev Singh - Invaluable Contribution by Coaches and Support Staff Award
Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy - HI President's Outstanding Achievement Award
The Late. Capt. Shankar Laxman won the coverted Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award while P.R Sreejesh andDeepika won the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award for Men and Women respectively, at the Hockey India 2nd Annual Awards. This year, the total prize money was in excess Rs. 2.00 Crore.
The first set of awards marking important milestone in the careers of players began the proceedings. The Milestone Awards were presented to Dharamvir Singh, Kothajit Singh, Birendra Lakra and Sushila Chanu for making 100th appearance for India and were presented with a cheque of Rs. 50,000/- and a trophy. Gurbaj Singh and V R Raghunath were awarded for turning out in Team India colours for the 200th time and were presented with a cheque of Rs. 1.00 Lakh each and a trophy.
The second set of awards were given in recognition of Individual Achievements to players . The winners of the Individual Achievement Award for goal on debut were Devindar Sunil Walmiki, Harjeet Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Mohammad Umar, Gaganpreet Singh and Preeti Dubey. Besides, Raghuprasad RV, was also felicitated for making his 100th appearance as an umpire in an international match at the World Hockey League Semi Final that was held in Antwerp, Belgium in 2015. The winners of the Individual Achievement Award received cash prize of Rs. 1.00 lakh each.
To celebrate the historic occasion of the Indian women’s team qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics after a gap of 36 years since the Moscow Games, the entire team and the support staff was felicitated. The members of the team were given a cash reward of Rs. 1.00 Lakh each. Similarly, members of the Junior Men’s team and the support staff that won gold in the 8th Junior Asia Cup were also awarded a cash prize of Rs. 1.00 Lakh each. Apart from that, high performing players in the tournament such as Vikas Dahiya who was awarded in the 8th Junior Asia Cup the Goalkeeper of the Tournament Award and Harmanpreet Singh for being awarded the Highest Goal Scorer of the Tournament, earning them each a cash prize of Rs. 1.00 Lakh.
A loud cheer went up when the members of the Senior Indian Men’s team walked up to dias to collect their award from winning the Bronze medal in the FIH Men’s Hero World Hockey League Final that was held in Raipur in December 2015. P.R Sreejeesh, who played a crucial role under the bar was also awarded for receiving the Fans’ Choice Award during the same tournament.
In the second part of the Hockey India Awards, outstanding individual performances in 2015 were recognised. The winners of the 11 Annual Awards were: President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement to Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution to Baldev Singh, Baljit Singh Goalkeeper of the Year Award to Savita, Pargat Singh Defender of the Year Award to Kothajit Singh, Ajit Pal Singh Midfielder of the Year Award to Ritu Rani, Dhanraj Pillay Forward of the Year Award to Rani. Each of these individual awards carried a cash prize of Rs. 5.00 Lakhs besides a glittering trophy.
Apart from this the Asunta Lakra Upcoming Player of the Year Award (Women under 21) was presented to Preeti Dubey, and the Jugraj Singh Upcoming Player of the Year Award (Men – under 21) was presented to Harjeet Singh. Each of the players received a cash prize of Rs. 10.00 Lakhs and a trophy.
The day came to a climactic finish with the presentation of the most eagerly-awaited Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Awards for Men and Women and the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.
P.R Sreejesh and Deepika walked up to a thunderous applause to collect the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award for Men and Women respectively. The winners of the most prestigious players award for 2015 walked off the stage with a glittering trophy and prize cheque of Rs. 25.00 lakh each.
The final award for the day, the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award carrying a cash prize of Rs. 30.00 lakh and a trophy was awarded to the Late. Capt. Shankar Laxman in recognition of his accomplishments and contritbution to our national sport.
“I am extremely happy and humbled to be receiving an award on behalf of my father whom I am sure would be honoured by an award that carries Major Dhyan Chand’s name. I am thankful to Hockey India for this recognition of my father,” said Mr.Manohar Singh Shekhawat, who accepted the Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Late. Capt. Shankar Laxman.
“It’s a great honour for me to be chosen as the Hockey India Dhruv Batra Player of the Year award. I dedicate this award to all my coaches, family members and friends who have encouraged me and pushed me to give my best to hockey. I hope this award will encourage youngsters to play the national game in right earnest,” said P.R Sreejesh, Player of the Year (Men).
“I am overjoyed to be selected for the most coveted Hockey India awards in recognition of my efforts. I have always strived to give my best playing the Indian team. Without doubt, this recognition will continue to spur me to do even better in the years to come,” said Deepika, Player of the Year (Women).
The glittering award ceremony was conducted in Bangalore, Karnataka by Sophie Choudhary.
Stick2Hockey.com
Hockey India Annual Awards: Sreejesh, Deepika walk away with honours
Late Capt. Shankar Laxman chosen for Lifetime Achievement Award
P.R. Sreejesh and Deepika were rewarded for their fine performances during the past year. Photo: K. Murali Kumar, The Hindu
P.R. Sreejesh and Deepika walked away with the Player of the Year honours at the second Hockey India Annual Awards ceremony for 2015 here on Saturday.
Sreejesh had a memorable time under the bar last year, notably playing a starring role in India’s shoot-out victory over Holland in the bronze-medal match at the HWL Final.
“In a team event, it’s very difficult to place a value on individual performances,” he said afterwards. “It’s only during a penalty shoot-out that a goalkeeper can shine. But we were 2-0 down against Holland and it’s only because of Rupinderpal Singh and the rest of the team that the game even went to penalties. This award belongs to the whole team.”
Sreejesh, a firm favourite with supporters as much for his enthusiasm as his heroics in goal, also picked up the Fan’s Choice Award. The 27-year-old even danced on stage, showing admirable grace and vigour, to thunderous applause from the gathering.
The veteran Deepika was recognised for her work in defence as the Indian women’s team qualified for the Olympic Games after a gap of 36 years. Both Sreejesh and she were given a cash prize of Rs. 25 lakh. “This is a big deal for us financially, because hockey players don’t make a lot,” Deepika said.
The Late Capt. Shankar Laxman was posthumously chosen for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which carried a purse of Rs. 30 lakh and was accepted by his son, Manohar Singh Shekhawat. Capt. Laxman, a goalkeeper, was part of the Olympic medal-winning teams of 1956 (Melbourne, gold), 1960 (Rome, silver), and 1964 (Tokyo, gold).
Harbinder Singh, who played alongside Laxman in Tokyo, recalled his efforts in the final against Pakistan. “We were leading 1-0 and in the dying minutes, Pakistan got a penalty corner. (Munir) Dar’s first shot was stopped; he struck one rebound and then another, both really hard. But Laxman stood like a wall,” he said.
Harjeet Singh and Preeti Dubey were declared the Upcoming Players of the Year (under-21), taking home Rs. 10 lakh. Women claimed three of the four awards for Best Goalkeeper (Savita), Defender (Kothajit Singh), Midfielder (Ritu Rani) and Forward (Rani Rampal).
Total prize money handed out was in excess of Rs. 2 crore, including a sum of Rs.1 lakh each given to members of the women’s team that qualified for Rio 2016, the junior men’s team that won the eighth Junior Asia Cup, and the senior men’s team that won a bronze at the HWL Final.
Other awards:
Invaluable Contribution: Baldev Singh;
Outstanding Achievement: Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy;
Milestone: Dharamvir Singh, Kothajit Singh, Birendra Lakra, Sushila Chanu (all 100 caps), Gurbaj Singh, and V.R. Raghunath (both 200 caps).
Individual: R.V. Raghuprasad (100 games as umpire), Devinder Walmiki, Nilam Xess, Md. Umar, Harjeet Singh, Gaganpreet Singh, and Preeti Dubey (goals on debut).
The Hindu
Sreejesh, Deepika win Hockey India Player of the Year Awards
Bengaluru: Late Captain Shankar Laxman won the coveted Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award while goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh and Deepika won the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award for Men and Women respectively at the Hockey India (HI) Annual Awards here on Saturday.
"It's a great honour for me to be chosen as the Player of the Year. I dedicate this award to all my coaches, family members and friends who have encouraged me and pushed me to give my best to hockey. I hope this award will encourage youngsters to play the national game in right earnest," said Sreejesh.
The best hockey players in India and former greats of the game came together for the awards, whose total prize money was in excess of Rs.2 crore.
The first set of awards marking important milestones in the careers of players began the proceedings. The Milestone Awards were presented to Dharamvir Singh, Kothajit Singh, Birendra Lakra and Sushila Chanu for making 100 appearances for India and were presented with a cheque of Rs.50,000.
Gurbaj Singh and V.R. Raghunath were awarded for turning out in India colours 200 times and were presented with a cheque of Rs.1 lakh each.
The second set of awards were given in recognition of individual achievements. The winners of the Individual Achievement Award for goal on debut were Devindar Walmiki, Harjeet Singh, Nilam Xess, Mohammad Umar, Gaganpreet Singh and Preeti Dubey.
Raghuprasad R.V. was also felicitated for making his 100th appearance as an umpire internationally at the 2015 Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final in Belgium. The winners of the Individual Achievement Award received a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh each.
To celebrate the historic occasion of the Indian women's team qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics after a gap of 36 years since the Moscow Games, the entire team and the support staff were felicitated. The members of the team were given a cash reward of Rs.1 lakh each.
Similarly, members of the youth men's team and the support staff that won the Junior Asia Cup were also awarded with cash prize of Rs.1 lakh each. High performing players in the tournament such as Vikas Dahiya, who was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament, and Harmanpreet Singh, for being awarded the Highest Goal-Scorer of the Tournament, earned a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh each.
Then the senior Indian men's team collected their award for winning the bronze at the HWL Final in Raipur in December 2015. Sreejeesh, who played a crucial role under the bar, was also awarded for receiving the Fans' Choice Award during the same tournament.
Outstanding individual performances in 2015 were also recognised. The winners of the 11 Annual Awards were: President's Award for Outstanding Achievement to Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution to Baldev Singh, Baljit Singh Goalkeeper of the Year Award to Savita, Pargat Singh Defender of the Year Award to Kothajit Singh, Ajit Pal Singh Midfielder of the Year Award to Ritu Rani, Dhanraj Pillay Forward of the Year Award to Rani. Each of these individual awards carried a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh.
The Asunta Lakra Upcoming Player of the Year Award (Women Under-21) was presented to Preeti Dubey and the Jugraj Singh Upcoming Player of the Year Award (Men U-21) was presented to Harjeet Singh. Each received Rs.10 lakh.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of the eagerly awaited Player of the Year Awards for Men and Women and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sreejesh and Deepika walked up to thunderous applause to collect the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award for Men and Women respectively. The winners received a glittering trophy and prize cheque of Rs.25.00 lakh each.
"I am overjoyed to be selected for the coveted award in recognition of my efforts. I have always strived to give my best playing for the Indian team. Without doubt, this recognition will continue to spur me to do even better in the years to come," said Deepika.
The final award of the day -- Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award -- carrying a cash prize of Rs.30 lakh was awarded to late Captain Shankar Laxman in recognition of his accomplishments and contribution to India's national sport.
"I am extremely happy and humbled to be receiving an award on behalf of my father whom I am sure would be honoured by an award that carries Major Dhyan Chand's name. I am thankful to HI for this recognition of my father," said Manohar Singh Shekhawat, who accepted the award on behalf of Laxman.
Times of India
Sreejesh, Deepika win HI Player of the Year Awards
Bengaluru, March 26 (IANS) Late Captain Shankar Laxman won the coveted Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award while goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh and Deepika won the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award for Men and Women respectively at the Hockey India (HI) Annual Awards here on Saturday.
"It's a great honour for me to be chosen as the Player of the Year. I dedicate this award to all my coaches, family members and friends who have encouraged me and pushed me to give my best to hockey. I hope this award will encourage youngsters to play the national game in right earnest," said Sreejesh.
The best hockey players in India and former greats of the game came together for the awards, whose total prize money was in excess of Rs.2 crore.
The first set of awards marking important milestones in the careers of players began the proceedings. The Milestone Awards were presented to Dharamvir Singh, Kothajit Singh, Birendra Lakra and Sushila Chanu for making 100 appearances for India and were presented with a cheque of Rs.50,000.
Gurbaj Singh and V.R. Raghunath were awarded for turning out in India colours 200 times and were presented with a cheque of Rs.1 lakh each.
The second set of awards were given in recognition of individual achievements. The winners of the Individual Achievement Award for goal on debut were Devindar Walmiki, Harjeet Singh, Nilam Xess, Mohammad Umar, Gaganpreet Singh and Preeti Dubey.
Raghuprasad R.V. was also felicitated for making his 100th appearance as an umpire internationally at the 2015 Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final in Belgium. The winners of the Individual Achievement Award received a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh each.
To celebrate the historic occasion of the Indian women's team qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics after a gap of 36 years since the Moscow Games, the entire team and the support staff were felicitated. The members of the team were given a cash reward of Rs.1 lakh each.
Similarly, members of the youth men's team and the support staff that won the Junior Asia Cup were also awarded with cash prize of Rs.1 lakh each. High performing players in the tournament such as Vikas Dahiya, who was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament, and Harmanpreet Singh, for being awarded the Highest Goal-Scorer of the Tournament, earned a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh each.
Then the senior Indian men's team collected their award for winning the bronze at the HWL Final in Raipur in December 2015. Sreejeesh, who played a crucial role under the bar, was also awarded for receiving the Fans' Choice Award during the same tournament.
Outstanding individual performances in 2015 were also recognised. The winners of the 11 Annual Awards were: President's Award for Outstanding Achievement to Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution to Baldev Singh, Baljit Singh Goalkeeper of the Year Award to Savita, Pargat Singh Defender of the Year Award to Kothajit Singh, Ajit Pal Singh Midfielder of the Year Award to Ritu Rani, Dhanraj Pillay Forward of the Year Award to Rani. Each of these individual awards carried a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh.
The Asunta Lakra Upcoming Player of the Year Award (Women Under-21) was presented to Preeti Dubey and the Jugraj Singh Upcoming Player of the Year Award (Men U-21) was presented to Harjeet Singh. Each received Rs.10 lakh.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of the eagerly awaited Player of the Year Awards for Men and Women and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sreejesh and Deepika walked up to thunderous applause to collect the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award for Men and Women respectively. The winners received a glittering trophy and prize cheque of Rs.25.00 lakh each.
"I am overjoyed to be selected for the coveted award in recognition of my efforts. I have always strived to give my best playing for the Indian team. Without doubt, this recognition will continue to spur me to do even better in the years to come," said Deepika.
The final award of the day -- Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award -- carrying a cash prize of Rs.30 lakh was awarded to late Captain Shankar Laxman in recognition of his accomplishments and contribution to India's national sport.
"I am extremely happy and humbled to be receiving an award on behalf of my father whom I am sure would be honoured by an award that carries Major Dhyan Chand's name. I am thankful to HI for this recognition of my father," said Manohar Singh Shekhawat, who accepted the award on behalf of Laxman.
The Times of India
Shankar Laxman: The Incomparable
K. Arumugam
Author's note: Its a gratifying day for me as forgotten hero Shankar Laxman, Olympic gold medallist, has been brought to centre-stage in the Hockey India Annual Awards, conferring him the Lifetime Achievement Award. Its a great recognition for a player who deserved everything, but got nothing in his lifetime. My article in the Great Indian Olympians, given below, gives full account of Shankar Laxman's glorious life. I consider bringing Shankar Laxman to the limelight in the 90s is my best of researches. I am also sure this article is the most plagiarised work of mine! I consider the goalie as the second most greatest Indian player after Dhyan Chand, and the reasons for this are well enumerated in the below given article.
Shankar Laxman: The Incomparable
undefined The Venue is Tokyo; the year 1964; the date 23rd October and the occasion, Olympic hockey final. Defending champions Pakistan takes on 6-time winner India. The atmosphere is tense, and is becoming increasingly thrilling with each passing minute. Initially a physical one, the match slips into classic artistry, with both sides sweating blood to score a goal or prevent it from occurring against them. As true index of the fight, half time ends with a blank score board. Five minutes into the resumption of play, India tastes a goal. A penalty corner hit leads to a stroke which Mohinder Lal flicks past the diminutive Abdul Hadi, he Pakistan keeper.
http://www.stick2hockey.com/Article/1966-Asiad-Gold-40th-Anniversary/128.html
It ignites fire in Pakistan’s belly. It’s free-flowing forwards press hard. Relentless attacks and counter attacks mark the spell. The crowd witnesses a finest exhibition of the attacking brand of hockey, the trait that led both the giants to this summit clash. Another twenty minutes lapses with the ball swinging from one circle to other. India still holds on to the slender lead. When only ten minutes remain Pakistan becomes desperate. With that emanates the Tsunami like surges from its fleet-footed forwards led by irresistible Md. Afzal. The two lions (Singhs) – Gurbux and Prithipal – in the Indian defence prevent goal from being scored against their team, but not before giving away a plethora of penalty corners. Every time the awe-evoking Munir Dar unleashes lightening shots, the Indian custodian rises to the task. He puts a leg to kick it off, or applies the stick to deflect it in the nick of time. He is always across the trajectory of the ball – unbelievable for Dar who had already gained a reputation in the tournament collecting five goals in the earlier matches and whose look and confidence can send chills down the spine of the rivals.
But his personal acumen seemed to have lost some of its effect on that day. The goalkeeper, cool and collected, blunts even the most furious of shots with an hawkish eye, immense concentration and anticipation. Dar’s drives and Afzal’s goal-bound moves were held in check by the cool authority of the goalkeeper.
As a result the equalizer eludes Pakistan and as the final whistle is blown, India’s moment of glory returns. The victors in the field, the eleven excited grey-blue-jersey wearing Indians, rush to the circle and lift the goal-keeper in a frenzy. India’s 1964 gold gained at the Komaza Park is try the goalkeeper’s game. The stocky Shankar Laxman is the hero of the day.
Hockey circle, a journal of repute, observed: ‘Pakistan fought well but veteran keeper Shankar Laxman saved brilliantly a penalty corner shot. There were other shots and other saves, for Laxman, the ball was the size of a football. It was his afternoon of glory and fame.’ Quite truly, for, in every winning goal at least three players have had a hand – one who earns the penalty corner, one who strikes it and the one who gives the finishing touches to the resultant penalty stroke. In Shankar Laxman’s achievement that day only his alertness, anticipation and courage stood in tandem.
In ‘Goal’ Dhyan Chand lays down seven attributes to a successful goal keeper, and places courage, which Laxman exemplified, at the top. Thirty years later, Harbinder Singh, the flying centre forward who played first of his three Olympics at Tokyo, reminisces vividly, “Everybody recalls the Tokyo Olympics by the goal that Mohinder Lal scored in the final. But I think the real hero was Shankar Laxman. His was simply great goalkeeping. He was just unbeatable during the last ten fifteen minutes when Pakistan had many penalty corners, and there were five to six rebounds. Mind you, there were no chest guards and helmets during those days; just the pads and the stick.” Harbinder’s words deserves mention because he knew the exact intensity of attack India had to sustain for its gold. He stood behind the Indian net for about five minutes in the first half when Shankar Laxman had to be treated for a minor injury.
http://www.stick2hockey.com/Article/Shankar-Laxman-Remembered/270.html
In fact, Laxman had a point to prove in this competition. Two years before, after the 1962 Asian Games, critics were out with knives at his throat. In Jakarta, both the undefeated teams -- India and Pakistan – reached the final which ended goalless. In the repeat game that was played the next day, Pakistan emerged winner at a score of two-nil. India had a problem in the match with its centre-half Charanjit Singh, who would lead India in the 1964 Olympics, getting injured at the very start of the match. Therefore, India had to play the vital match with only ten players as against Pakistan’s eleven. .......
‘Goal-keeping is a thankless job’. Thus wrote Dhyan Chand in a coaching manual. This proved correct in this case. The comment certainly hurt Laxman but he took it in his stride. In fact, he became even more determined to prove his critics wrong. What a way he refurbished his image at Tokyo, the same city where India had lost its supremacy to Pakistan six years earlier.
Tokyo was Laxman’s third Olympics. His feats in the two previous appearances too were no less exciting. At Melbourne in 1956, Ranganathan Francis, a refugee from Burma, settled in Chennai, was hailed as the world’s best goalkeeper, but he was rested for the final and the 23-year old Shankar Laxman, who was in his first Olympics, was preferred. At Rome four years later, younger C. Deshmuthu was the other goalkeeper with Laxman. Here too Laxman played the final, not the younger one. ...................... Laxman set up a unique record of being the only keeper in India to play three Olympic finals.
Its not just appearances but also the achievements that need eulogy. In all the three Olympic finals, all against the same rival (Pakistan), the outcome was decided by a lone goal. In the 1956 and 1964 Olympics, no Pakistan forward could send a shot past Laxman, unlike what Naseer Bunda did at Rome in 1960. With two Olympics already behind him, Shankar Laxman was the second senior player in the squad after Udham Singh in the Tokyo Olympic team. Yet, Charanjit Singh, who had only one Olympic cap till then, was made captain and Laxman his Deputy. In the hockey world, only forwards were considered ‘born’ leaders. India’s Olympic captains from 1932 to 1956 belonged to this elite echelon till midfielder Leslie Claudius broke this mindset in 1960. Secondly, the belief that goalkeepers are not leadership material was strong in the psyche of the powers that be.
History was made when Shankar Laxman was invited to lead India in the 196 Asian Games. Thus, he became the first goalkeeper in the world to lead his country.......rest in the Great Indian Olympians book
In all Shankar Laxman played three Olympics and three Asian games finals, all against Pakistan. In four of the six finals, he did not allow any goal for the rival. In the remaining two, he conceded only three goals. Six finals and three goals conceded, must rank a wonderful record for any goalkeeper. Fittingly he received the Arjuna award after the Tokyo Olympic gold and Padamshree after the Bangkok Asian Games gold, to become the first of the three non-Olympic captains and the only goal-keeper to be honored so. Shankar Laxman was born on July 4, 1933 in a big family of Mhow, a small cantonment township in Madhya Pradesh. After the sixth standard he quit studies in pursuit of the game he liked most. He first played the National Championship at Bombay in 1955. The same year, he obtained the country’s colours in the Youth Festival held at Warsaw. Laxman conceded no goals in the ..................... 12-Nation Lyons Tournament (1963), a test series against Malaysia and New Zealand (1964) and the 10-Nation Hamburg Tournament (1966) in that glorious spell.
Before the Hamburg victory, Laxman added another feather to his cap by emerging victorious in the coveted National Championship. The final of the 1966 Pune Nationals ended in a goal-less draw due to his heroism. He did an encore against the most difficult customer Mohinder Lal, who shot to national fame after his penalty stroke conversion in the 1964 Olympics. But here, Shankar Laxman dived to his left to block his bullet like strokes. Railways and Services perforce shared the Trophy that year
The Significance of Shankar Laxman’s role in India’s glorious legacy was felt in his absence too. After he hung his boots, no India goalie survived the rigours of three Olympics. The fall of India’s fortunes in the next Olympics (1968), where for the first time India failed to clear the semifinal, could be traced to absence of goal-keeper in the mould of Shankar Laxman. India lost the semifinal to Australia at Mexico in the 1968 Olympics. ............ Many say Shankar Laxman did not go for the Olympics, as he was denied leadership, which is a matter of further research.
Legendary Ranganathan Francis once portrayed the role of goalkeeper thus: ‘Like the inner fortress of a city when the outer wall has failed, a goalkeeper stand alone between his team and destruction.’ Sadly for India after Shankar Laxman not many custodians of courage stood between the team and destruction. The Great Indian Olympians can be purchased with amazon.in (http://www.amazon.in/Great-Indian-Oympians-Arumugam-Ezekiel/dp/B00VPZZAHC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443203124&sr=1-1)
Stick2Hockey.com
Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr meets MS Dhoni & co.
Balbir Singh Sr member of three Olympic gold-medal winning teams, met Dhoni and his teammates at the IS Bindra PCA stadium.
MS Dhoni, on behalf of his team, thanked Balbir Singh and asked him about his health. (Source: PTI)
Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr met the Indian cricket team members on Saturday, wishing them luck ahead of Sunday’s crucial ICC World T20 tie against Australia.
92-year-old, member of three Olympic gold-medal winning teams, met Dhoni and his teammates at the IS Bindra PCA stadium at Mohali on Saturday evening.
Balbir Singh, who was part the famous gold winning teams from 1948 to 1956 Olympics, wished the team the very best for Sunday’s game and hoped that it would lift the title.
Dhoni, on behalf of his team, thanked him and asked him about his health, to which the legend smiled and replied, “your victory contributes towards my good health”.
Talking to PTI, Balbir Singh said, “I came today to wish the team to win their third World title and complete their own golden hat-trick.”
India won the World T20 title in 2007 and 50-over World Cup in 2011.
Indian Express