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All the news for Tuesday 12 April 2016

Malaysia could ill afford mistakes to move forward

by S. Ramaguru


Malaysia's captain Razie (right) said the team should stop making the same mistakes to move forward in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.

IPOH: Stay focused and do not make the same mistakes.

That’s the message national hockey skipper Mohd Razie Rahim has for his team-mates as they prepare to take on Canada in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Tuesday.

“It’s a match we need to win if we want to keep forging ahead in the tournament. We need to stay focused ... every mistake we make creates a problem for us,” he said.

Malaysia are fifth in the seven-team tournament with four points. Canada also have four points but are in fourth spot due to a better goal difference.

So, winning the match will allow one of the teams to stay in touch with the leaders and on course for a top-four finish.

Razie, who is clearly aware of that, admitted that one of the team’s weaknesses is “the inability to finish off our moves”.

“The players have all shown improvement and, at times, we’ve played good hockey. But there is a tendency to slow down when we’re in the lead. This has proven costly for us,” he said.

“The need to stay within the structure and according to the instructions given is crucial.”

Canadian skipper Scott Tupper is looking forward to the game, which will definitely be played in front of a capacity crowd at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium here.

“This is the kind of game we want to play in. Playing Malaysia in their own backyard is an experience in itself ... I’m sure they will be fired up to win, just like us,” he said.

“Like Malaysia, the next two matches will define our position in the tournament as well. We have a final match against Australia, the world number one.”

Both skippers agreed that matches between these Malaysia and Canada have always been close and competitive.

But Razie prefers not to look at the past.

“Yes, we’ve had some good matches against Canada and our relationship with them goes a long way. But this is here and now and we need to worry about the points to move forward in this tournament,” said Razie, who is the tournament’s joint top scorer with Pakistan’s Mohd Arslan Qadir and New Zealand’s Nic Woods with four goals each.

“We want to play a consistent game and also step up our performance level.”

The Star of Malaysia

A clash of eternal rivals to spice up Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

by S. Ramaguru


Pakistan won the South Asian Games gold medal in February after defeating India 1-0. - AFP

IPOH: Any time India take on Pakistan in any sporting event, you can bet it’ll be a fiery clash.

Although the coaches of both teams are trying their best to play down Tuesday’s clash in the 25th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament, everyone knows that this is one game where there will be no quarter asked or given.

The coaches – India’s Roelant Oltmans and Pakistan’s K.M. Junaid – are saying that “this is just another game in the tournament, albeit an important one”.

Five-time winners India, who finished third last year, are third in the seven-team standings with six points. Australia lead with nine points, followed by defending champions New Zealand on eight. Pakistan are sixth with three points.

So, India will be hoping to get the better of Pakistan and stay in the medal contention.

Pakistan have won the title twice but their game has dropped drastically in recent years and they have failed to qualify for several big events.

“The whole of India is waiting for this game ... but I keep telling the boys that this is just another game,” said India’s Dutch coach Oltmans.

“We must focus on our game just like in any other game. We have a tough programme, starting with the match against Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s Junaid, a former international, wants his players to display their skills and keep their emotions in check when they play against India.

“The match against India will be a turnover game. The team who control the game will have the edge,” he said.

“We are trying to rebuild our squad. What’s important is that the players follow the game strategy, keep the structure and show unity on the field.”

Junaid said that Pakistan have roped in eight youngsters from the squad who recently won the South Asian Games gold medal after defeating India in the final.

But he knows that it won’t be easy to repeat that feat here.

The last time India and Pakistan met in a top-notch event was in the World Hockey League Semi-finals in Antwerp, Belgium, last year. That time, the teams drew 2-2.

Although India went on to advance to the knockout round of that tournament, Pakistan’s hopes of securing qualification for the Olympic Games were dashed after they lost to Ireland.

So, in many ways, Tuesday’s game is also about pride.

But then, that’s what it has always been about when these two sides clash.

The Star of Malaysia

Bhubneswar and Guwahati takes centre stage as Ipoh

K. Arumugam



Bhubneswar and Guwahati take centre stage as Ipoh set for India-Pak clash today

The outcome of India-Pakistan contests at hockey counts enormous significance in the socio-milieu context of both countries despite its questionable sporting merit. The two neighbours have to live with this reality even though their standing amidst the comity of hockey nations vary widely, sports a chequered course.

A recent event corroborates it.

Last January, Pakistan’s senior team won the South Asian Federation Games in Guwahati in which the hosts did not field its best 33 players. The bulk of Indian elite were instead seen in action the Hockey India League that started before the SAF Games.

undefined Pakistan team, as usual with a new coach and new management, brought its best of talents. The visiting outfit won both the league and the final, with slender margin.

Pakistan have won the SAF Games titles in Sri Lanka and Dhaka editions before without much celebration back home.

But this time, the Pakistan victory elicited wide celebration in Pakistan. The team met the Prime Minister, got good rewards, was written about, even many considered it as a sign of revival of Pakistan hockey which is undoubtedly at its worst phase right now.

The Guwahati victory had no sporting merit. Yet, hockey management highlighted it for a variety of reasons. The reason obviously is each other seeks survival in each other’s win or loss. At this juncture, it fits more to Pakistan.

For the players it is very important and emotional to win India-Pak match. The winning team always take a victory round despite it is a pool match or low ranking one, enters into wide celebration off the court surely.

As an exception, a section of Pakistan team even went on to showcase middle fingers after winning in Bhubneswar two winters ago!

The teams engage themselves today at Ipoh in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament. Both teams have lined up their best of players. Some injuries always take away some good players so also this time.

In a way, this contest comes after India lost the semis of Champions Trophy in Bhubneswar. Hockey India is particular that Pakistan Federation did not tender any apology to it for the players’ Bhubneswar.

Indian captain Sardar Singh, while justifying exclusion of Pakistan players from the Hockey India League, said that he toed Hockey India’s line that Pak should tender apology for Bhubneswar.

The off the cuff remark was received angrily across the border. For, players don’t comment on such things which is normally the domain of administrators.

Except the existing somewhat cold environ, today’s contest doesn’t evoke much interest.

This writer has seen enormous time India-Pak tie not bringing much crowd, far less than matches involving the home team.

Despite reasonable media focus in both countries, Ipoh turf is not set on fire with India-Pak contest which is a cold fact.

Unless and until both countries are able to lift their international standing, its difficult to bring back the aura of India-Pak matches.

Both teams struggle here in Ipoh though India has more points in its kitty than Pak’s.

Pak will try to change it with today’s victory.

While Bhubneswar beckons India for seeking sporting revenge, Pakistan would like to relive Guwahati.

Stick2Hockey.com

Neighbors will lock horns in Ipoh on Tuesday

By B.G.Joshi (India) and John Sanders (Australia)

Inaugural match of Azlan Shah Cup was played way back on August 21, 1983 between traditional rivals India-Pakistan. Pakistani right winger Kalimullah scored for Pakistan, while left in striker Mohd Shahid have equalized for India.

Silver Jubilee edition of Azlan Shah Cup is in progress at Ipoh. On first day (April 6, 2016) Kiwi captain Simon Child wrote his name in Azlan Shah Cup history by netting 2000 th goals of the championship in New Zealand-Malaysia match, which ended 3-3 drawn.

Championship is in midway, World number 1 Australia have won all 3 matches played so far by 4 goals margin.

On Tuesday neighbors will lock horns, first Kookaburras will play against Black sticks (1:35 pm IST).

In second match arch rivals India-Pakistan will meet at 3:35 pm (IST). Statistics of the match are as under:

Head to head: Australia versus New Zealand

 *New Zealand won the 2015 edition’s final in shootout by 3-1; full time score 2-2.

Head to head: India versus Pakistan

 Fieldhockey.com

India-Pak clash to light up Ipoh

Ipoh (Malaysia): With medal hopes at stake, a scrappy India will have to lift their game when they take on sub-continental rivals Pakistan in the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here tomorrow.
Five-time winners India were bronze medallists last year and are eager to stay in medal contention.

But the Sardar Singh-led side, which features several youngsters, will have to improve after surviving a torrid time against Canada yesterday.

India’s 3-1 victory over Canada has placed them third in the round-robin league standings with six points from three outings, while Pakistan have three points from as many matches. Pakistan’s lone win came against Canada.

World champions Australia are leading the standings with a maximum nine points from three consecutive victories, while defending champions New Zealand are on eight points from four matches.

The intense hockey rivalry between the two teams has always attracted immense interest.

The silver jubilee edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will see the spotlight focused on the sub-continental encounter even as world No. 1 Australia take on title holders New Zealand tomorrow.

“The whole of India is waiting for the next game, but I keep telling the boys that this is just another game,” said India’s chief coach Roelant Oltmans. “We should maintain focus on our game just like in any other match. We have a tough schedule starting with the match against Pakistan.”

Pakistan coach Khwaja Junaid, a former international, wants his players to display their skills and control the emotions.

“The team that manages to defend the counter-attacks better will have the edge. We are now trying to rebuild our squad. What is important is that we follow our game-strategy, play in a structure and show unity in the field,” Junaid said.

Junaid said Pakistan had brought eight young players from the squad that recently won the South Asian Games gold medal after defeating India in the final.

The last match in a top-notch event featuring full-strength Indian and Pakistani sides was in the Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp last year, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

India went on to advance to the knock-out round of that tournament, while Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the Olympics were dashed after they lost to Ireland.

Azlan Shah Cup

Today’s matches

Australia vs NZ (1.35pm)
India vs Pakistan (3.35pm)
Canada vs Malaysia (6.05pm)

The Tribune

Pakistan seek Azlan Shah Cup turnaround against India

IPOH: Pakistan could do a massive favour to their hopes of a medal at the Azlan Shan Cup with victory over arch-rivals India in a high-voltage clash here on Tuesday.

With just one win in three matches and heavy losses against defending champions New Zealand and world champions Australia, Pakistan have just three points.

But win against third-placed India and they will draw level on six points with their biggest rivals.

Australia (nine points) lead the round-robin league with a perfect record of three wins out of three and lead New Zealand, who have played a game more, by a point.

The Trans-Tasman rivals also face-off on Tuesday and if New Zealand were to lose, victory for either Pakistan or India will put them right back in contention.

The top two teams at the end of the round-robin league advance to the final. There is also a medal on offer for teams finishing third and fourth in the bronze medal playoff.

“We will try our best to win our remaining three matches,” Pakistan coach K.M. Junaid said after Sunday’s 4-0 hammering by Australia.

“The game against India is just another game in the tournament, albeit an important one,” he added, deflecting the hype that surrounds any sporting encounter between Pakistan and India.

Having beaten Canada 3-1 in their opening match, Pakistan’s campaign was hit by a 5-3 loss to New Zealand but they remain optimistic about their chances with matches against hosts Malaysia and winless Japan to follow after the India clash.

And Junaid wants his players to rise to the occasion against India.

“The match against India will be a turnover game,” said Junaid. “The team that manages to defend the counter-attacks better will have an edge. “We are now trying to rebuild our squad. What is important is that we follow our game-strategy, play in a structure and show unity in the field.”

Pakistan failed to qualify for the Olympics in Rio this year, but are high on motivation to edge past their sub-continental rivals.

The two teams last faced each other at the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Finals in Antwerp, with the game ending 2-2. India went on to the semi-finals of the event, while Pakistan’s hopes of Olympic qualification were dashed by a loss to Ireland.

Pakistan will be missing from the quadrennial extravaganza for the first time since their maiden appearance in 1948 as the team’s rebuilding continues from their debilitating failure to qualify for the 2014 FIH World Cup.

Pakistan have brought eight young players from the squad that recently won the South Asian Games gold medal defeating India in the final.

India did not field its main squad in the South Asian Games and the top players were then playing in the cash-rich Hockey India League and were allowed to skip the tournament.

India finished with a bronze in last year’s Azlan Shah Cup but their performances this year have been scrappy and scratchy.

Having opened with a 2-1 win over Japan, they were hammered 5-1 by Australia before they got themselves back on track with a 3-1 win over Canada on Sunday.

Head coach Roelant Oltmans has a young team that hasn’t been consistent so far but he’s aware of what victory against Pakistan could do to the team’s morale.

“The whole of India is waiting for the next game, but I keep telling the boys that this is just another game,” said the Dutchman.

“We should maintain focus on our game just like in any other match. We have a tough schedule starting with the match against Pakistan.”

Dawn

Greenshirts brace for India challenge in Malaysia

By Nabil Tahir


Pakistan hockey team trains ahead of their crunch encounter against arch-rivals India. PHOTO COURTESY: MALAYSIAN HOCKEY CONFEDERATION

KARACHI: With their hopes of bagging gold all but over, Pakistan take on arch-rivals India in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia today vying to make the top four and contest for a bronze medal.

The Pakistan-India rivalry, be it in cricket, hockey or any other sport, always attracts huge interest. And despite both teams failing to live up to the standards expected of them in the past few years, a Pakistan-India encounter never fails to be a head-turner at any tournament.

Three-time winners Pakistan missed the last two editions of the tournament, while India, champions on five occasions, finished with a bronze medal last year.

Pakistan have won only one out of three matches in the tournament — defeating Canada 3-1; losing to New Zealand and Australia 5-3 and 4-0 respectively. India, meanwhile, have won two out of their three matches — defeating Canada 3-1 and Japan 2-1; losing to Australia 5-1.

Pakistan are currently sixth in the tournament rankings and must win their next three games — against India, Japan and Malaysia — to finish third. India, on the other hand, are third in the tournament and will boost their chances of making the top-two if they defeat Pakistan in today’s encounter.

While both sides are featuring young players, Pakistan have an advantage as eight players in their current squad are those who recently won gold at the South Asian Games, defeating India 1-0 in the final en route to the prize.

Pakistan head coach Mohammad Khawaja Junaid, meanwhile, wants his players to let their hockey sticks do the talking when they face India.

“The match against India will be an exciting game. The team that manages to defend the counter-attacks will have an edge,” Junaid told The Express Tribune.  “Our squad is in a rebuilding phase and what is important is that we follow our game plan to the letter.”

Meanwhile, in other matches of the day, Australia will face New Zealand in a match which decides who finishes on top, while Canada will be up against hosts Malaysia.

The Express Tribune

India face Pakistan in Sultan Azlan Cup today

KAULA LUMPUR: With medal hopes hanging in balance, India take on Pakistan on Tuesday (today), in an intense encounter in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament.

Five-time winners India finished with the bronze last year and have won two out of their three encounters in the tournament, beating Japan (2-1) and Canada (3-1).

Pakistan have won just one game, beating Canada 3-1 before losing to New Zealand and Australia. They are currently sixth in the standings.

Pakistan have not qualified for the Olympics in Rio this year, but are high on motivation to edge past their subcontinent rivals in Malaysia. The two teams last faced each other at the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi Finals in Antwerp, with the game ending 2-2. India went on to reach the semifinals of the event, while Pakistan’s hopes of Olympic qualification were dashed by a loss to Ireland.

India’s strength lies in their penalty corner conversion, with youngster Harmanpreet Singh grabbing his debut chance for the senior team with both hands. The drag flicker already has two goals in the tournament.

A win for India will see them make a strong case to enter the medal rounds, while a loss for Pakistan will more or less knock them out of contention.

The Daily Times

Saqlain says green shirts have psychological edge

Azhar Khan

LAHORE - Olympian M Saqlain has said that Pakistan hockey team has psychological edge over India due to their recent triumph over the arch-rivals in the Asian Games and also has a better head-to-head record against them.

The green shirts had beaten India 1-0 to clinch the gold medal in the Asian Games in February this year.

“Pakistan-India clash is always a pressure game and if green shirts handle the pressure and utilize their skills accordingly, they will manage to outclass India,” said Saqlain while talking to this scribe from Ipoh, Malaysia.

He said that Pakistan team had also been leading with big margin in the head-to-head record (82-52).

“The things are in favour of Pakistan team, so if the men in green play out their heart and deliver in the ground, no one can stop them from scoring an impressive victory against Indian team.”

“For me, Pakistan team is favourite and I want it to make the day historical for the entire nation, which always keeps on praying for the national hockey team.
My prayers are also with the men in green and I hope they will make the day memorable with crucial triumph,” Saqlain added.

The Nation

Great Britain set to face Germany test


Kate Richardson-Walsh waits to take to the field

Great Britain Head Coach Danny Kerry’s first assignment since becoming full time in the position is a two-match series with Germany in Cologne this week. With capped matches on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 April, Kerry has taken an 18-strong group to compete with the hosts.

Holcombe supply five of the 18 with goalkeeper Maddie Hinch joined by club team mates Emily Maguire, Shona McCallin, Sam Quek and Nic White. Surbiton too are well represented with Giselle Ansley, Sarah Haycroft, Georgie Twigg and Hollie Webb also in the squad.

Captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, who broke her country’s appearance record in the tour to Australia, is also included and is hunting another milestone, sitting as she does on 49 international goals.

Germany coach Jamilon Mulders is expected to select a strong side, although he will be without Charlotte Stapenhorst and Lisa Altenburg, who are both expected to return to fitness in a couple of weeks. Eileen Hoffmann is also absent after picking up an injury in a Bundesliga match but as with the others her injury is not serious.

The matches are at 1400 local time (Tuesday) and 1100 (Wednesday) at SW Koln, Kuhweg 20, 50735 Köln, Germany.

Full squad details are below:

Giselle Ansley, (Surbiton)
Ashleigh Ball, (Slough)
Sophie Bray, (East Grinstead)
Crista Cullen, (No Club)
Susie Gilbert, (Reading)
Sarah Haycroft, (Surbiton)
Maddie Hinch, (Holcombe)
Emily Maguire, (Holcombe)
Shona McCallin, (Holcombe)
Kirsty Mackay, (East Grinstead)
Sam Quek, (Holcombe)
Helen Richardson-Walsh, (Reading)
Kate Richardson-Walsh, (Reading)
Susannah Townsend, (Canterbury)
Georgie Twigg, (Surbiton)
Ellie Watton, (St Albans)
Hollie Webb, (Surbiton)
Nicola White, (Holcombe)

England Hockey Board Media release

Western Australia to give Kookaburras Olympic send-off

Hockey Series to be held in WA

Holly MacNeil



Australia’s men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras, will host international rivals Great Britain in a ‘must see’ three match series in Western Australia this May as both teams undertake final preparations for the Olympic Games.

Beginning with two matches in Narrogin – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May – and concluding in Perth on Tuesday 24 May, the series offers the chance to see the world number one Kookaburras up close just over 70 days before the Games begin, and in their last game to be played in Australia prior to Rio.

Chief Executive of Hockey Australia, Cam Vale said: “To have the opportunity to play against Great Britain in Narrogin and Perth is a great coup for the local community; the games between these two Olympic medal contenders are sure to be exciting.

“We’ve said previously we’re committed to taking our national teams to regional areas. It’s fantastic to be able to play two official tests in a town like Narrogin, which has such a strong hockey history and is home to the likes of heroes from our sport such as Bevan George and Brian Glencross.

“It’s been 18 months since the Kookaburras played official test matches in Perth and we know how strong the support for the team is there, too. I have no doubt the local community will get right behind the team, their last chance to cheer them on before Rio 2016.”

The two events held in Narrogin will also host a number of exciting additions including an open hockey clinic for juniors which will be led by the Kookaburras, a ‘coach the coaches’ session led by the Kookaburras’ coaches for local coaches, and two open training sessions which the town can attend.

These events have been planned to provide a lasting legacy of hockey in the town, in the hope of encouraging more members of the local community to become engaged with an active lifestyle and to get excitement about hockey to a peak. 

“It’s fantastic to see international hockey will be played in the Wheatbelt. We are extremely excited to welcome the Kookaburras and the Great Britain squad to Narrogin,” said Leigh Ballard, Mayor of the Town of Narrogin.

“It will be great to see the teams playing in the home town of Bevan George, the Kookaburras’ only Olympic gold medal captain. To additionally see such tremendous support from local businesses investing in the economic development within their own town is terrific."

Upper Great Southern Hockey Association President, Mark Regan commented: “The Upper Great Southern Hockey Association has worked hard to develop a facility of the standard that Hockey Australia deems suitable to host international matches, and we are so proud and excited that Hockey Australia has acknowledged that with this series being held here in regional WA. It is a great day for our great sport and a great day for the town of Narrogin and the surrounding Upper Great Southern district.”

Hockey Australia acknowledges the support of the Town of Narrogin, the Upper Great Southern Hockey Association, the Western Australian government through the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Commercial sponsorship opportunities still exist to support the series, for more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hockey Australia media release

Kookaburras to bring international hockey to Narrogin ahead of Rio Olympics

By Kendall O'Connor


Photo: Kookaburras striker Glenn Turner (white shirt) said the Narrogin series would be crucial in deciding the Olympic squad. (AFP/ANP: Sander Koning)

The West Australian Wheatbelt town of Narrogin will host the Australian men's hockey team in its final home warm-up games before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The Kookaburras will play Great Britain in a three-match series in late May, with two of the games to be held in the grain hub, about 200 kilometres south of Perth.

Perth itself will host the third match of the series.

The Kookaburras would then head to London for the Champions Trophy, with the final squad for Rio to be determined after that tournament.

Striker Glenn Turner said the Narrogin matches would play a key role in determining who makes the cut for the Games.

"The series in Narrogin is a huge selection trial, I think everyone will be at their best to get a plane ticket to Rio," he said.

"It's great for us, I'm from a small town of Goulbourn in New South Wales and I know how big it is for the town when sporting events come."

Turner said the matches were likely to be well contested.

"You never know what you're going to get. [Great Britain] are serious with their campaign," he said.

Coup for town with hockey history

Australia won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, defeating Great Britain 3-1.

That victory continued an impressive streak for the Kookaburras, who had claimed medals in the past six Olympic competitions.

Narrogin Mayor Leigh Ballard said the announcement of the series was a coup for the town, which was home to former national representatives Brian Glencross and Bevan George.

"It's huge, the best team in the world are coming here to prepare for the Olympics," he said.

"From my perspective the kids can go and watch these boys play and six weeks later watch them on TV and hopefully win a gold medal."

Up to 4,000 people were expected to attend the two matches in Narrogin on May 21 and 22.

The final match of the series would take place on May 24 in Perth.

ABC News

Crefelder up to second with big win over HTHC



Crefelder HTC produced a surprisingly comfortable 5-1 win over Harvestehuder THC in the German league to make a big move into second place in the table after 15 rounds of competition.

Matthias Mahn’s outfit got the best of an injury-hit Hamburg side, saying afterwards that his side “played perfectly”.

Florian Pelzner opened the scoring in the 15th minute; Max van Laak’s corner doubled the lead two minutes later and it was 3-0 by the 19th minute via Patrick Schmidt. Niklas Wellen and Felix Klein closed out the win before Tobias Hauke got a consolation goal.

Speaking afterwards, Mahn added: “It was a nice win but only a snapshot. We will enjoy the day.”

HTHC are in third place while Mannheimer retained their four point lead at the top, beating Nürnberger 2-1 with Danny Nguyen Luong scoring the winning goal.

UHC Hamburg and Rot Weiss Köln were both inactive, allowing Club an der Alster to close the gap on the playoff places with a 3-1 win over Berliner HC.

Euro Hockey League media release

Warriors edge USIU in league match

Fuchaka’s late strike steers Butali to victory, Gladiators stop Kenya College of Accountancy University.


Butali Warriors' Maxwell Fuchaka (right) dribbles past Western Jaquars' Victor Chidi during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match played at City Park Stadium on May 3, 2015. Fuchaka's late strike steered Warriors to a 3-2 win over United States International University of Africa on Sunday. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

Two goals in the last two minutes steered champions Butali Sugar Warriors to a 3-2 victory over United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) in pulsating Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League match played at City Park Stadium, Nairobi, at the weekend.

Kenyan international Maxwell Fuchaka beat USIU goalkeeper Linus Sang to guide Frank Wanangwe’s shot home with 20 seconds left. USIU were two minutes away from a famous win that would have added a twist to the title race.

James Mwangi rounded off Butali custodian Evanson Ngoya to give the students a 2-1 lead with nine minutes left after a brilliant second half. Wanangwe had given Butali the lead in the 13th minute before the varsity lads levelled after the break through Gabriel Telmuga.

With time running out and the champions staring at defeat, defender Saidi Okwemba levelled with two minutes left before Fuchaka’s last gasp winner settled the thrilling contest. Butali coach Cliffe Okello praised USIU for putting up a brilliant display but believes experience won it for his team.

“Their goalkeeper was brilliant, he pulled a number of saves but we dug deep and refused to give up. That was a tough match but our title ambitions are intact,” Okello told Daily Nation Sport.

In Sunday’s other fixtures, two-time champions Strathmore University Gladiators edged out Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) 3-2 at City Park Stadium.

UNIVERSITY DERBY

Festus Onyango grabbed the winner for the Gladiators with two minutes of play to settle a thrilling university derby.

Gladiators tore in to the KCAU defence in the opening 22 minutes to lead 2-0 with goals from Derrick Kuloba and Francis Kariuki. However, KCAU hit back in the second half first through skipper Arnold Marango’s well taken strike after 41 minutes before Simon Peter levelled with five minutes to play.

KCAU went in search of winner, leaving their defence exposed and Gladiators took advantage to snatch the winner with Onyango finishing off a swift counter-attacking move to break KCAU hearts.

“It was a great match, we started well scoring two goals but switched off and this allowed our opponents back. We are glad we got the three points in the end,” Gladiators coach Meshack Senge said.

In another encounter, USIU were held to a 1-1 draw with Parklands at the same venue with John Kabuu salvaging a point for the students after Allan Odongo had given Parklands the lead in the first half.

In the women’s national league, USIU settled for a 1-1 draw with Vikings at the same venue.

Daily Nation

Area field hockey players earn academic honors

Stuart Ungar


These Sacred Heart players were selected to the NFHCA National Academic Squad. They and their coaches are, from left, assistant coach Tiffany Underwood, Savannah Elpers, Kate Brewer, Caroline Brotzge, Zoey Miller, Katie Esselman and head coach Eleanor Mitchell.(Photo: provided)

It's one thing to succeed at sports. It's another to succeed at sports and achieve high honors academically.

Sixty-seven Louisville-area athletes did just that and were just recognized by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, or NFHCA. These girls, from six different high schools, are now part of the 2015 NFHCA National Academic Squad.

The National Academic Squad program recognizes seniors and juniors who reach a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0, or the equivalent, through the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year.  Furthermore, students who achieve a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.9 out of 4.0 or the equivalent are recognized as Scholars of Distinction. Thirty Louisville-area athletes earned this honor in 2015.

"I think being involved in a sport like field hockey, it forces you to be disciplined," said Lucy Miller, mom to one of the young athletes recognized and a field hockey umpire.  "The kids have to plan better for their time, especially if they are playing on a varsity team or at a high level on a travel team for clubs.  You have to focus, you have to be disciplined, you have to have good time management skills, and I think that improves their academic standing."

The area high schools are: Assumption, with 10 athletes making the National Academic Squad and seven recognized as Scholars of Distinction; Ballard, with 14 athletes making the National Academic Squad and four recognized as Scholars of Distinction; Dupont Manual, with 17 athletes making the National Academic Squad and three recognized as Scholars of Distinction; Kentucky Country Day,  with nine athletes making the National Academic Squad and six recognized as Scholars of Distinction; Louisville Collegiate, with four athletes making the National Academic Squad; and Sacred Heart Academy, with 13 athletes making the National Academic Squad and 10 recognized as Scholars of Distinction.

"People don't think about athletics creating opportunities to attend top-notch academic institutions, but in field hockey, this is common," Miller said.  "I know for my daughter, playing hockey has been a means to achieve her college dreams."

Courier Journal