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All the news for Sunday 12 June 2016

Kookaburras and India both victorious on Day 2



Day two at the men’s Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 saw Australia and India move marginally clear at the top of the league table thanks to important victories, while Germany were forced to fight back from two goals down for the second successive day to earn a draw at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Match 4: Germany 4, Belgium 4

Title holders and reigning Olympic champions Germany overturned a two goal deficit for the second time in two days to snatch a 4-4 draw against Belgium in a rain-affected opening match of the day.

Belgium’s Red Lions fell behind to their European rivals twice before the half time break, with Sebastian Dockier and Arthur van Doren cancelling out strikes from Germany’s Tobias Hauke and Marco Miltkau. Another four goals arrived after the half time break - which started over 30 minutes late due to a torrential rainstorm - with Belgium moving 4-2 ahead thanks to Alexandre de Paeuw and a brilliant individual effort from Florent van Aubel, who ensured his 150th international appearance was one that everyone would remember. Just when it seemed that a Red Lions victory was on the cards, Die Honamas hit back with two goals in three minutes with Miltkau grabbing his second before Oli Korn secured a second successive draw for his team.

“It was good that we got a draw in the end, coming back from two goals down is good to see and shows that we can come back”, said Germany goalkeeper Nico Jacobi, who alongside compatriot Benedikt Fürk played his 100th senior international match. “The first half was really positive ahead of our next games and in terms of our progress towards Rio. I think we are in a good way.”

Match 5: India 2, Great Britain 1

Goals from Mandeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh earned Asian champions India a 2-1 win over home favourites Great Britain in the second match of day two.

For the second match in two days, SV Sunil turned supplier for 21-year-old Mandeep, with the former bursting down the right to supply the latter with a perfect pass for a tap-in two minutes into the second quarter. The advantage was doubled early in the third quarter by another youngster, with 20-year-old Harmanpreet Singh dispatching a penalty stroke. An Ashley Jackson penalty corner rocket reduced the deficit but it was not enough to save his side from defeat.

“I’ve been in India three years now and I hope that people see that we are improving”, said a delighted India Head Coach Roelant Oltmans. “That for me is the most important thing, that the team is getting better and in the end they showed a good performance today. We didn’t start too well, and in the first quarter we were struggling but after that we took control of the game. But overall, we saw some great performances from some young players. The team are surprising me.”

It was a special day for India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was victorious in his 150th senior international appearance.

Match 6: Australia 4, Korea 2

Ninth-ranked Korea gave top-ranked Australia a stern test before eventually succumbing to the mighty Kookaburras, who claimed a 4-2 win to move top of the Hero Hockey World League 2016 league table on goal difference ahead of India.

Australian goals either side of half time from Blake Govers and Eddie Ockenden were cancelled out by strikes from Kim Juhun and Lee Jungjun, the latter effort being so close to the edge of the scoring circle that the Kookaburras lodged what proved to be an unsuccessful video umpire referral. However, the Australians stepped up their game in the final quarter to score twice through Trent Mitton and Glenn Turner to seal the win and move top of the table going into Sunday’s competition rest day.

“We didn’t get off to the best of starts but it started to open up after the first goal and we stuck to the game plan”, said Kookaburras striker Blake Govers. “They came back with their goal from the video referral, but at the end of the day we stuck to our guns and came away with the win.”

Regarding Australia’s chances of winning the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016, the 19-year-old striker said: “We’ve been playing some really good hockey but its about putting it in the net at the other end. We are going pretty well and feeling pretty confident going into our match against Germany on Monday after the rest day.”

FIH site

Kookaburras defeat Korea 4 - 2

ByHolly MacNeil


Trent Mitton slides in

The Kookaburras defeated Korea tonight in their Champions Trophy pool game at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Five minutes into the game and Australia had the first chance at a penalty corner, with a narrow miss before they reclaimed control of the ball. It was a strong quarter for the Kookaburras, however at the end of the first quarter the score remained at nil all.

With only three minutes to go in the second quarter Australia were in contention for a penalty corner. Glenn Turner injected, and Blake Govers gave a fast flick to score Australia’s first goal of the tournament.

Five minutes into the third quarter and Trent Mitton went in for what would have been a spectacular goal sliding across the circle, but narrowly missing the net.

Eddie Ockenden was quick to pick up the pace for the Kookaburras knocking in a quick field goal only minutes later. Korea answered the goal with a field goal of their own only a minute later thanks to Kim Juhun.

Lee Jungjun backed up Korea’s first field goal with another of his own in the last minute of the third quarter, leaving the score level at two apiece going in to the final quarter.

With nine minutes of the game to go, Australia had an opportunity at penalty corner. Beale injected, and Trent Mitton came through to score on the deflection from Chris Ciriello. Sealing the victory for Australia, Glenn Turner slammed a field goal into the net in the final minute of the game.

Kookaburras Head Coach Graham Reid said: “I was happy with the four goals of course. I wasn’t happy with our finishing - we need to get much better at that.

“Our fourth quarter was better, Korea set us a good challenge. It was two all at three quarter time and then we scored two goals in that last quarter which was a really good effort. I think the boys proved to themselves that we can get out of that kind of situation and they did it well.”

Earlier in the day play was disrupted in the game between Belgium and Germany due to heavy rain, causing a slight delay. The game resumed and resulted in a four all tie between the two teams.

Great Britain and India played a fast paced game, with the visiting team better on the day, defeating the home team 2 – 1.

The Kookaburras next play Germany on Monday June 13 at 2pm BST / 9.00pm AWST / 11.00pm AEST

Results today
BEL 4 – 4 GER
GBR 1 – 2 IND
AUS 4 – 2 KOR                                                                                            

KOOKABURRAS 4 (1)
Blake Govers 27 (PC)
Eddie Ockenden 37 (FG)
Trent Mitton 51 (PC)
Glenn Turner 60 (FG)

KOREA 2 (0)
Kim Juhun 38 (FG) 
Lee Jungjun 45 (FG)

Kookaburras’ squad v Korea
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD) 77/15
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT) 111/0
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Vale, NSW) 43/7
Blake Govers (Wollongong, NSW) 28/25
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 56/17
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA) 90/34
Simon Orchard (Maitland, NSW) 199/56
Andrew Philpott (Melbourne, VIC) 25/1
Matthew Swann (Mackay, QLD) 137/6
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW) 77/3
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA) 88/10
   
Used Substitute
Josh Beltz (Hobart, TAS) 11/2
Chris Ciriello (Melbourne, VIC) 188/114
Tim Deavin (Launceston, TAS) 128/6
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS) 274/65
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW) 30/11
Glenn Turner (Goulburn, NSW) 126/91

Unused Substitute
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA) 67/0

Kookaburras’ Fixtures
Monday June 13, AUS v GER: 2pm BST / 9.00pm AWST / 11.00pm AEST
Tuesday June 14, AUS v BEL: 8pm BST / 3am AWST (Wednesday 15) / 5am AEST (Wednesday 15)
Thursday June 16, AUS v IND: 4pm BST / 11.00pm AWST / 1am AEST (Friday 17)
Friday June 17, TBC

Hockey Australia media release

Great Britain slip to India defeat in Hero Hockey Champions Trophy


Barry Middleton breaks forwards with the ball

A penalty corner goal from Ashley Jackson wasn’t enough to salvage a point as Great Britain slipped to a 2-1 defeat to India in their second Hero Hockey Champions Trophy match. A first half strike from Mandeep Singh gave India the lead, which was doubled by Harmanpreet Singh from the penalty spot in the 34th minute. Jackson struck back immediately but India could not be broken down and took the victory.

Great Britain made a lively start and won a penalty corner very early on. Jackson slipped the ball to Sam Ward whose low shot forced a save out of PR Sreejesh; Nick Catlin’s instant follow-up flashed just wide. Jackson took the shot himself from the next penalty corner moments later but his looped effort did not deceive the goalkeeper who palmed it clear.

Ward and Jackson combined well again late on in the quarter with the No7’s backhand cross just eluding the diving striker at the far post. David Ames almost broke the deadlock with a lovely run and deft finish but not for the first time, Sreejesh made the save and it was all square at quarter time.

India took the lead two minutes into the second quarter, somewhat against the run of play. Mandeep Singh was alive to a loose ball in the circle and stabbed home from close range. Great Britain reasserted control of the game and pushed India onto the back foot. Catlin rattled the outside of the backboard with a fierce reverse-stick shot, but still the home side could not find a way through. At the other end India were dangerous on the counter attack and Pinner did well to block from close range to frustrate Talwinder Singh. It remained 1-0 at the half time interval.

India had the first real chance of the second half. Pinner got down well to save from a penalty corner but another was awarded immediately. From the next corner the drag flick hit Barry Middleton on the line and after some deliberation and a video referral a penalty stroke was awarded. Harmanpreet Singh converted to make it 2-0. 

Jackson halved the arrears with a missile of a drag flick into the roof of the net just a minute later, bringing GB back into the contest. Ward continued his crusade to find a goal, turning and shooting but only finding the outside of the post.

Great Britain threw everything at India in the final quarter in an attempt to salvage a draw. They won a penalty corner with three minutes left on the clock. Jackson’s shot was charged down and Ames was unable to convert the rebound. Coach Crutchley withdrew the goalkeeper and for the dying seconds India’s defence was put under incredible pressure, but they stood firm to take the win.  

Midfielder David Ames said afterwards:

“We were a bit hit and miss, really. We played our best hockey very late on in the game and didn’t play as well as we wanted to before that. It’s a tough loss coming off the back of a decent result last night. It was frustrating not to be able to get a second goal; overall we’re not satisfied with how we’ve done today.”

“We’ll have to look at the video and see what we can put right. We had enough circle entries and should’ve capitalised to score more goals. We’ve got make sure we improve over the coming games. All teams will play games in quick succession; we take it as it comes. We’re prepared just like all the other teams so we’ll debrief and come back strong on Monday.”

“Korea will be a tough challenge but there are no easy teams in this competition. We’ll prepare well and hopefully get a result.”

Captain Barry Middleton:

“We had our chances and we had the play but we didn’t quite put them away. We pride ourselves on our defence but we were a bit slack today. We were better today in terms of what we did on the ball and the energy around the play felt good up to a certain point. We just need to be a bit calmer and a bit smarter when we are in and around the goal.”

“We’re looking forward to a day off and some recovery. We have to go out and win the next game, now. We believe we have the ability to go out and do that.”

Great Britain 1 (0)
Ashley Jackson 35 (PC)

India 2 (1)
Mandeep Singh 17 (FG)
Harmanpreet Singh 34 (PS)

In the earlier game, title holders and reigning Olympic champions Germany overturned a two goal deficit for the second time in two days to snatch a 4-4 draw against Belgium in a rain-affected match. Goals from Tobias Hauke, Marco Miltkau (2) and Oli Korn salvaged a point after Sebastian Dockier, Arthur van Doren, Alexandre de Paeuw and Florent Van Aubel’s strikes had seemed set to give Belgium the win.

Great Britain Hockey media release

India posts impressive victory over home team Britain

s2h Team

Resolute India overcame both the crowd and the marauding forwards to register a memorable victory over Great Britain on day Two of London Champions Trophy.

On a rainy day, which delayed start of the match by 20 minutes, opportunistic Mandeep Singh set the tune and tenor early, bending low to roll the ball across the goaline from close range, after Sunil, as usual set up the move (1-0).

Barry Middleton misjudged Harmanpreet's flick and took it on the body before warding off high from danger, but alert coach Roelant Oltmans signalled Raghunath to go for the referral demanding stroke, which materialised after the process.

Harmanpreet Singh had no difficulty to put the ball post goalie (2-0.

Exactly five minutes after lemon time, Ashley Jackson showed his prowess in penalty corner, when he placed the pushed ball close on the top bar to narrow down the score (2-1).

Hard times followed for the Indians, falling apart in clipping the wings of past moving GB forwards. Even as Condon, Lewers and Catlin missed out on many chances to move the scoreboard up, Sreejesh came out with some electric saves, rooting under the cage, showing calm and hawkish eyes.

Mandeep Singh got another chance to strike, when he was served on platter by Manpreet in a spilit move, but he, being alone near circle, and had all time to strike, instead carried.

Its worthwhile to mention that India defeated England 3-1 at Melbourne Champions Trophy too.

Indians today adopted to the heavy turf conditions, with a measured slow pace game, packing defence instead of going excited on getting upfront chances.

Indian midfield, where Pardeep Mor, Manpreet Singh shone, showed enormous maturity in containing the BRitish, who were seen relying on relentless attack.

Coach Bobby Crutchley even took out goalie in the last three minutes, and had a player more on the field to attack, yet the Indians measured up to the last minute challenges, to emerge unscathed. The British used their last weapon, unspent Referral, which did not survive neutral umpire's decision.

Britian has so far played two matches, drawing against Australia and losing to India.

Stick2Hockey.com

India hold ground to clinch 2-1 victory over Great Britain



LONDON: India's defence held its ground against desperate Great Britain as they clinched a 2-1 victory in the 36th Champions Trophy on Saturday, putting them at the top of the league standings with four points.

Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh stood his ground against a number of shots at the goal, four of them on penalty corners, as India made use of a breakaway opportunity created by right winger SV Sunil and their defenders covered the angles well to emerge victorious.

Playing deep inside their own territory in the first quarter against early British raids, India scored through Mandeep Singh on their first raid by Sunil in the 17th minute.

Harmanpreet Singh then converted a penalty stroke in the 33rd minute, while Britain pulled one back through a penalty corner conversion by Ashley Jackson in the 35th minute.

Allowing Olympic champions Germany to come back to draw 3-3 on Friday, India now have four points from two matches.

Britain have just one point from a draw in their opening match. Earlier, Olympic champions Germany rallied from a two-goal deficit to secure a 4-4 draw with Belgium in the earlier game, which was disrupted by heavy showers that left the field water-logged.

Play was stopped for half an hour midway through the Germany-Belgium match, until the water on the turf was swept away.

Forcing two penalty corners in the initial three minutes, Great Britain were denied by goalkeeper Sreejesh as the Indian custodian blocked shots from Sam Ward and Jackson. Indians continued to stay in their own half crowd as Britain strikers repeatedly broke into the scoring zone, but were not able to take a good crack at the goal.

Ward did not succeed in his diving attempt to reach a Jackson cross from left in the 12th minute and David Condon's shot from top of the circle in the 15th minute went wide to the right.

India took the lead in the 17th minute on their first good move when right winger Sunil's fine run on the flank saw him break into the circle. Sunil's cross into the goalmouth scraped past a defender's stick and went to Mandeep in the goalmouth. Mandeep capitalized on the chance by pushing it into the goal.

A few minutes later, Mandeep could have again featured in a goal-bearing move when he picked up a through ball deep in the British half. He was in a one-on-one situation with the only defender in front and could have burst forward, but instead misdirected a back-pass.

British striker Nick Catlin caused some anxious moments in the Indian camp, but sent his reverse shot into the side of the goal in the 24th minute.

Sunil again broke into the circle from the right flank in the 29th minute. Finding no support in the scoring zone, he failed in an attempt to beat the goalkeeper from a narrow angle.

India earned their first penalty corner when Mandeep put the ball on to a defender's foot. VR Raghunath's low drag-flick was blocked by goalkeeper George Pinner, but Danish Mujtaba continued the attack on the rebound and it resulted in the second penalty corner.

This time Raghunath's rising drag-flick struck captain Barry Middleton on the shoulder and the umpire blew for another penalty corner, which was upgraded to a penalty stroke on review sought by India.

Harmanpreet duly converted the penalty stroke with a stinging flick into the top left corner of the goal despite custodian Pinner making a good judgement to dive in the correct direction.

Trailing 0-2, Britain pulled a goal back within two minutes when a defensive error conceded a soft penalty corner. Jackson's rasping drag-flick converted the third penalty corner into a goal by placing the ball just under the cross-bar.

The Indian goal came under threat once again in the 46th minute, but Sreejesh managed to deflect Simon Ward's shot just wide of the right post.

Mandeep could have scored another goal in the last minute when Britain had taken off their goalkeeper. Mandeep got a long ball from Harmanpreet, but carried the ball as he stepped into the circle with an open goal in front.

Germany scored twice in the last quarter for their second draw on successive days. Yesterday, they held India 3-3 with the equaliser coming just three minutes from the hooter.

Marco Miltkau scored two goals for Germany (24th and 51st minutes), while Tobias Hauke (third) and Oliver Korn (54th) got one each. For Belgium, the goals came from Sebastian Dockier (17th), Arthur van Doren (30th).

Germany's second successive draw gives them two points from as many games, while this was the first point from two outings for Belgium, who yesterday were beaten 2-0 by South Korea.

The Times of India

India  beat  Britain in London after  49 years

By B.G.Joshi (India, in London)

Improving Indian team beats  the home favourite Great Britain 2-1 in their second league match. In London both teams have met 6 times, both winning 3 matchs. Details are:

India-Great Britain(includes England) head to head

Field hockey.com

Quek's ray of sunshine on rainy day


Clare Poole

The Hero Hockey Champions Trophy match between Belgium and Germany earlier today was delayed due to a torrential downpour. With the crowds scrambling for any shelter they could find, a family of hardy souls braved staying in their seats throughout the monsoon.

Keen hockey fan Clare Poole and her family caught the eye of GB player Sam Quek who was watching on TV at home. The Great Britain defender promised a free stick from her sponsors for whoever those hardcore fans from the TV were. With Quek's tweet and generous offer out there (below), naturally we went out to hunt them down!


Sam Q tweet

Clare, an Exeter University student told Great Britain Hockey:

'We are just blown away by her generosity! We used a splash guard from the World League event from Chiswick a few years back to protect us from the rain. We have enjoyed the day but disappointed with the end result for our lads. We will be back next week to cheer on the girls!'

After a fantastic gesture from Quek, we suspect one family will be cheering extra loud for the Great Britain Women.

The hockey family proves once again the bond our players have with our supporters.

England Hockey Board Media release

If not for hockey, I could have been one (addict): Sardar Singh

India hockey captain Sardar Singh is ready to help spread awareness in Punjab against drugs


Sardar Singh at the Idea Exchange in Delhi, Friday. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Expressing serious concern over the high number of drug addicts in Punjab, the captain of India’s hockey team, Sardar Singh, has said that if not for the game, he could have been “one of them”.

Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange, Sardar said he has heard stories of young players at local hockey academies being drawn to drugs. He said sports should be used as a tool to provide direction to the youth.

“Agar hockey na khelte toh hum bhi unme se hote (If not for hockey, I could have been one of them). I believe sport can be used as a tool to control it,” said Sardar, who is a DSP with Haryana Police. “If kids go to the ground and focus on training, they won’t have time to indulge in anything else. So if we introduce more sports, we can save our youth from these things.”

Sardar said the impact of drugs was visible across Punjab. “It’s been quite a while since I have travelled across the state. But Punjab had acquired a name… For instance, the physique of any normal person used to be so great. Dekhne mein maza aata tha (You felt good just looking at that). But now, these things have become less so,” the 29-year-old said.

When asked if there was any link between the rise in use of drugs and hockey’s decline in Punjab, Sardar said he “believed so”. Sansarpur and Shahbad were among hockey hotbeds in Punjab and Haryana but the talent pool emerging from these nurseries has reduced considerably, he said.

“Some time ago, I had heard that at some academies in Punjab, a few kids were involved in drugs. Small children at local academies… I haven’t seen it myself, but I heard about it two-three years ago; especially in villages. It’s a very wrong thing. People talk about government but even they should understand. But yes, this could also be a reason (for hockey’s decline),” he said.

“But if we improve facilities in these regions, promote sports and with a little more help from the government — they’re already doing well — the situation can be improved,” he said.

Sardar, who will lead the team at the Olympics in August, said he wasn’t knowledgeable enough to comment on censor board’s decision to demand a number of cuts in the movie ‘Udta Punjab’, which deals with the drugs menace.

CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani has reportedly asked the filmmakers to remove ‘Punjab’ from the title along with all the references made to the state. Sardar, however, felt otherwise.

“I can talk about sports and hockey. The censor board knows more than us. They know what to show. Even the way the director has made the movie… I think they are more knowledgeable about this field than me,” he said. “But as you said, if they’re showing reality, then it should be shown. What’s wrong in that? If our youngsters, our youth can learn something from the movie then what’s better than that.”

Sardar added that he and his teammates can do their bit to spread awareness by travelling to regions affected by drugs. “We really do not have much spare time. We are in camps most of the time but if there’s anything we can do, we will be happy. We can visit these places and spread awareness,” he said.

Indian Express

Meet Karan Thakur, the boy who is living his hockey dream

Swapnil Thakare


Promising goalkeeper Karan Thakur

If there was one bright, upcoming star of the recently-concluded Guru Tegh Bahadur All India Gold Cup Hockey Championship, it was 17-year-old Karan Thakur, who won the goalkeeper of the tournament award.

It's not just that the Western Railways player grabbed the attention of one and all with his exemplary goalkeeping skills in his first ever appearance in the tournament, it's also how he has fought against all odds to climb the ladder in the sport.

Just as the Mumbai lad was starting to build his career in hockey, Karan lost his mother three years ago. To add to Karan's woes, his father is a driver in Muscat. That meant the then-14-year-old Karan had to live in this city with his aunt, and juggle hockey, studies and responsibilities of taking care of his twin brother Janak at a really early age.

"I lost my mother three years ago, and that was a really difficult phase for me. I stayed at my aunt's place after that, who supported me a lot since my father also wasn't with me. It was my mother who always used to support me to play hockey. She had faith in me, and I really miss her now," Karan said.

His father, Dinesh Thakur, wanted his son to focus on cricket since his childhood days. If not for his mother, Karan probably would've given up hockey. But today, his father is a proud man, regretting asking his son to give up the sport.

"I am very proud of my son," Dinesh said. "I regret that I didn't support my son earlier. His mother supported him a lot. I wish his mother was here. She would have been the happiest after seeing his success. His commitment and his dedication has brought him this far."

This year has been quite memorable for Karan. Not only did his good show in the junior nationals earn him a place in the Western Railways team for the prestigious Gold Cup, he also passed the HSC board exams with 70 per cent. By his own admission, Karan found it tough to manage both hockey and studies, but used to stay up till 2am to catch up on studying after training hard the entire day.

"It was very difficult to manage studies, as tournaments were going on and I had to practice hard for it," Karan said.

"My family, teachers, coach and team-mates motivated me. After training, my team-mates used to tell me to concentrate on studies. When I was writing my exams, my mind kept going back to hockey, since I would have a match the next day. But I have always focussed more on hockey, since it is my first love."

Karan now aims an India cap, and is eager to become the country's best goalkeeper. Seeing his dedication and commitment, that might not be too far-fetched.

DNA

Patrick Rowley awarded British Empire Medal

Patrick Rowley, arguably the best known hockey journalist there is has been rewarded for his outstanding services to hockey with the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

A well respected and larger than life character Rowley has dedicated around 65 years of his life to hockey. He has featured as a player, coach, sports correspondent, TV & Radio Commentator, an author and an archivist and he holds the incredible distinction of covering the Olympics in London twice – in 1948 and 2012. Those are two of the 14 Games he’s worked on.

Rowley started at the very bottom, making the tea at The Guardian, a paper with whom he worked for over 50 years. He later enjoyed a stint at The Observer but spent most of his life as a freelancer travelling the globe reporting on hockey in all corners of the world. In addition to his bursting CV, Pat has been the PR and Promotions director for the International Hockey Federation for a number of years. He was the founder and Editor of the International Hockey Newsletter in 1969 and editor of World Hockey from June 1969 to April 1991. He was awarded FIH order of merit in 1987.

Pat is a past Chairman of the Hockey Writers Club, past Chairman of the AIPS Hockey Commission and a past co-opted member of the FIH Media and Communication Committee. He is a Trustee of The Hockey Museum.

He is still writing, coaching and playing. Just a few weeks ago he helped South win the Divisional Over 75 tournament.

Everyone at England Hockey would like to extend their congratulations to Pat for his achievement. 

England Hockey Board Media release