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News for 14 June 2016

All the news for Tuesday 14 June 2016


World champions Australia take control on Day 3



World champions Australia bounced back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Olympic champions and Champions Trophy holders Germany in one of three high quality clashes on day three at the men's Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 in London.

The result put the Kookaburras firmly in control of their own destiny, moving them three points clear at the top of the league table with all six competing teams having played three matches each.

It was also a good day for Great Britain and Belgium, sides that recorded their first victories of the competition against Korea and India respectively. Great Britain, Belgium and India all sit on four points, with GB currently holding that crucial second place position courtesy of a superior goal difference over their rivals.

More information on today’s matches can be found below. The action continues on Tuesday (14 June) with India taking on Korea at 1600 (UTC/GMT +1), Korea versus Germany at 1800 and Great Britain playing Belgium at 2000.

Match 7: Korea 1, Great Britain 4

Great Britain delighted the home fans by scoring a goal in each quarter to overpower Korea in the opening match of day three. David Condon scored twice for GB to breathe new life into their title challenge, moving them onto four points maintain hopes of a place in the competition final.

It was a milestone match for Great Britain’s Henry Weir, who was victorious in his 100th senior international match. “It feels weird, to be honest. It doesn’t feel like I’ve started that many games”, said Weir after the match. “Now I feel a lot more confident in my ability and to get 100, it only seems like yesterday since I started playing for Great Britain so it really is weird!”

Match 8: Germany 3, Australia 4

World champions Australia bounced back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Olympic champions and Champions Trophy holders Germany in a pulsating second match. The result means that Australia - who took victory thanks to a winning goal from Aran Zelewski - move onto seven points and remain unbeaten after three matches, giving them an excellent chance of reaching Friday’s competition final. Germany remain on two points and will need a strong finish to the round-robin phase if they are to successfully defend their Champions Trophy title.

“I’m really happy with the performance”, said Australia’s Simon Orchard, who was playing his 200th senior international for the Kookaburras. "We showed a bit of grit, determination and character, which sometimes with a younger group of players can be in question. It was really pleasing to go down 2-0 early with things not going exactly our way and fight back. Its just reward for a really good effort in the rain.”

Match 9: Belgium 2, India 1

Jerome Truyens scored the winner as Belgium claimed their first victory of the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016, edging past India. The result moved Belgium onto four points, reigniting their own title ambitions at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre Olympic legacy facility.

“It feels good to win”, said Belgian captain John-John Dohmen after the match. It came a little bit later in the tournament than we wanted but now we have it. It was not our best game, but we did it with a lot of fight and that is a good feeling. When you fight all game in a really close match in difficult conditions with the rain it is a good feeling to win.”

FIH site



Condon double helps Great Britain to Korea win


David Condon helped himself to two goals today. Credit Ravi Ghowry

A double strike from Great Britain’s David Condon handed the hosts their first win of the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy as they saw off Korea 4-1. Condon struck in each half adding to strikes from Ashley Jackson and Alastair Brogdon with Sengju You bagging a consolation for the Koreans.

With a draw and a defeat in their opening two games, the pressure was on Bobby Crutchley’s side to produce a result and they didn’t disappoint in front of a noisy home crowd at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.   

Great Britain’s intent was clear from the first whistle. Within six minutes they had won a penalty corner after a foul by Sengju You, who also picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Jackson stepped up and fired a fierce drag flick in but it was well saved by Doopyo Hong. Great Britain had the Koreans on the back foot and after 12 minutes the pressure paid off. Barry Middleton was felled by the goalkeeper, winning a penalty stroke. Jackson stepped up and fired it into the top corner to give his side the lead.

Bobby Crutchley’s side picked up where they left off in the second quarter. A flowing move down the left freed David Ames and his sumptuous backhand cross was diverted in by a sliding Condon to make it 2-0. Korea had some pressure and forced a series of penalty corners. George Pinner continued his good form to deny Sengju You with a splendid low save. However with a sequence of re-awarded corners in quick succession, eventually Korea broke the home side’s resistance with You finding the top corner via a deflection. Clear chances were scarce at the end of the quarter and it remained 2-1 at half time.

Great Britain increased their lead shortly after the interval. Brogdon found space inside the circle and what initially appeared to be a cross found its way past the goalkeeper via a deflection from a defender to make it 3-1. Korea soon won another penalty corner but Middleton was on hand on the goal line to make a superb clearance to preserve the lead.

Great Britain struck again early in the final quarter. Again it was Condon who found the net, slotting home a precise finish from just inside the circle to make it 4-1 to the delight of the home crowd. Korea hit back, and won another penalty corner. Jihun Yang flicked for goal but Mark Gleghorne bravely charged it down. Middleton almost made it 5-1 in the dying moments but once again the goalkeeper made the save and it stayed 4-1 at the end of the match.

Great Britain now face Germany tomorrow at 8pm, live on BT Sport.

In the other games in the Hero Hockey Champion Trophy, Australia and Germany are in action now with India and Belgium due to start at 4pm.

Ashley Jackson said afterwards:

“Obviously we’re relieved to get the points. It was a pretty good performance but it’s a stepping stone for us. We have a long way to go to get to where we want to be.”

“Scoring four was the difference today. I don’t think the game was too different to how we played against India. The main difference is we grabbed the ball and put it in the goal today. We still have work to do and we didn’t take as many chances as we should but we’re heading the right way.”

“We’re pleased we’ve moved forwards but we need to beat the two teams we’ve got left to play. We’re confident of doing that, so we’ll come back and hopefully play well tomorrow.”

Great Britain 4 (2)
Ashley Jackson 12 (PS)
David Condon 18, 46 (FG, FG)
Alastair Brogdon 33 (FG)

Korea 1 (1)
Sengju You 22 (PC)

Great Britain Hockey media release



Great Britain keep Champions Trophy hopes alive with 4-1 victory over South Korea

By Mike Haymonds


Ashley Jackson scores the first goal of England's 4-1 Champions Trophy win over South Korea. Getty

GREAT BRITAIN won their first match at the Hero Champions Trophy with a  4-1 victory over South Korea to keep alive their final hopes.

After a draw and a defeat at the Lee Valley Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London the hosts had to win all their remaining games to stand a chance of contesting the gold medal match on Friday.

Ashley Jackson gave GB the lead after 12 minutes from the penalty spot after Barry Middleton had been upended in the circle and David Condon doubled their lead six minutes later, sliding onto David Ames' backhand cross.

The second period was then dominated by eight penalty corners for India, the last of which was converted by Seungju You after 22 minutes.

Alastair Brogdon added a third three minutes into the third period before Condon scored his second in the 46th minute.

GB must win their remaining round robin games, today against Germany and on Thursday against Belgium.

GB coach Bobby Crutchley said: "It was pleasing to deliver a result and show elements which have been missing from our previous two games.

"The Rio Olympics are our prime focus this year. But we've never won this event so are keen to do well here, particularly on our home turf.

Daily Express



Kookaburras defeat Germany 4 - 3

Simon Orchard celebrates 200 games

By Holly MacNeil


Double centurion Simon Orchard takes to the turf

The Kookaburras took on Germany tonight in a clash between the World Champions and the Olympic Champions at the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Simon Orchard captained the game for the Kookaburras in his 200th match for Australia.

The game started with Australia getting a quick chance on penalty corner just as the rain began.  Australia had another chance on penalty corner with five minutes to go in the first quarter. Daniel Beale injected, Tristan White trapped, and Blake Govers went for the flick, but it was a great save from German goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi that stopped the ball from flying into the net.

The ball flew down to the German circle and a tackle from Jeremy Hayward saw the Germans get their own penalty corner opportunity. The first penalty corner missed the mark, but Florian Fuchs flicked the second into the goal following a struggle near the net.

The German team followed up quickly with a field goal from Tobias Hauke, giving the Germans a 2 nil lead going in to the quarter time break.

Australia fought back immediately in the second quarter with Flynn Ogilvie racing the ball down to Australia’s circle before passing to Glenn Turner who lightly tapped the ball past the German goalkeeper and into the net.

The ball was quickly down in Australia’s circle again, and after a pass from Daniel Beale, Tristan White smashed the ball into the net to equalise the score between Australia and Germany.

Right on the half time buzzer and Florian Fuchs found himself with room to move, scoring a field goal for Germany and giving them the lead going into half time.

The third quarter saw a lot of opportunities for the Australian team with Blake Govers nailing a penalty corner with an excellent drag flick, again levelling the score between the teams.

Aran Zalewski scored a penalty corner goal in the final quarter firmly giving Australia the win over Germany with a final score of 4 – 3.

Head Coach Graham Reid said: “I thought we started well. Unfortunately they got a goal against the run of play, then we lost a player – so we were down to ten men and then they got another goal so it was two nil which put us behind the eight ball.

“I thought we came back very well. In the second quarter we came back to two all so it was great, then we had a lapse and came back again. It was a really good effort, and I think that game will provide us with a lot of things to work on between now and Rio.” 

Celebrating his 200th cap, Simon Orchard said: “It was fantastic, a great experience. There was a lot of character shown from our team; it’s a young group and sometimes that’s something which can be questioned against a top notch opponent. Going down two nil wasn’t ideal, but it showed really good qualities to come back.

“I’m really privileged to play not only one game, but 200 games for Australia and it’s great that it was against a really good opponent such as Germany as well. They have some fantastic players and no doubt we will run into them at the Olympics and it will be another crunch match so today was a really good test.”

Results today
GBR 1 – 4 KOR
AUS 4 – 3 GER
BEL 2 - 1 IND 
                                                                                           
KOOKABURRAS 4 (2)
Glenn Turner 17 (FG)
Tristan White 22  (FG)
Blake Govers 40 (PC)
Aran Zalewski 53 (PC)

GERMANY 3 (3)
Florian Fuchs 12, 30 (PC, FG) 
Tobias Hauke 14 (FG)

Kookaburras’ squad v Germany
Josh Beltz (Hobart, TAS) 12/2
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT) 112/0
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Vale, NSW) 44/7
Tim Deavin (Launceston, TAS) 129/6
Blake Govers (Wollongong, NSW) 29/26
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 57/17
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA) 91/34
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS) 275/65
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW) 31/11
Simon Orchard (Maitland, NSW) 200/56
Glenn Turner (Goulburn, NSW) 127/92
   
Used Substitute
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD) 78/15
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA) 68/0
Andrew Philpott (Melbourne, VIC) 26/1
Matthew Swann (Mackay, QLD) 138/6
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW) 78/4
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA) 89/11

Unused Substitute
Chris Ciriello (Melbourne, VIC) 188/114

Kookaburras’ Fixtures
Tuesday June 14, AUS v BEL: 6pm BST / 1am AWST (Wednesday 15) / 3am 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



Lacklustre India gives life to Belgium

Speedy Sunil subdued, precise goalie Sreejesh flawed, erratic defence punished, as India went down 1-2 to struggling Belgium, throwing knock-out doors open for every team. Hyped up India was brought down to reality at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre today by the Red Lions.

Lacklustre India breathed life into struggling Belgium on their third encounter in London Champions Trophy. Despite a freak but entertaining equalizer goal from Devinder Walmiki coming seconds before half time, India conceded the initiative thereafter to the rival, who went on to accumulate penalty corner after penalty corner, the victory for them was coming anytime.

Belgium obtained its breakthrough goal with a penalty corner conversion in the 25th minute through Hendricks. The ball went in after getting deflected from Sreejesh's pads. This goal spurred the Red Lions of their immediate agenda of posting first win in three matches. It came true with an immaculate low angle, acute goal from Truyens in the 43rd minute.

Tentative India conceded four penalty corners to Belgium in the first half. They showed better aptitude in attack. Hendricks' feat came after Belgium missed many sure shot goals to good goalkeeping, and once due to quicksilver blocking by Kothajit.

Seconds before half time, Sunil sprinted past from right flank, before he was dead tripped there. The ball was picked up, and a shot at goal made. Goalie blocked and the ball travelled top of D where lurking Devinder Walmiki bent as much as he could and effected s push for the equalizer (1-1)

India, despite error prone, returned to pavilion with a 1-1. goaline

After lemon time, India conceded two quick penalty corners before getting a couple for them. Raghu tried both times, but his flicks lacked patented venom.

Stats: Before this match, India played against Belgium only twice in the annals of Champions Trophy, both were quarterfinals. India defeated Belgium at Bhubneswar. Rupinder Pal Singh, Dharmvir Singh and Akashdeep Singh and SK Utthappa struck a goal apiece.

Stick2Hockey.com



India lose 1-2 to Belgium in Hockey Champions Trophy


India's Manpreet Singh (left) and Belgium's Alexander Hendrickx battle for the ball during their FIH Men's Champions Trophy match at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, on June 13. AP/PTI photo

London: Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh put up a disappointing performance as they lost to Belgium 1-2 in a round-robin game of the Hockey Champions Trophy Belgium at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre here on Monday.

Belgian players — Alexander Hendrickx (25th minute) and Jerome Truyens (44th minute) — both scored through captain Sreejesh's legs. Devindar Walmiki scored the lone Indian goal in the 30th minute.

With this loss, India dropped to the third spot in the points table with four points from three games. Britain, who earlier in the day thumped South Korea 4-1, also have four points but are ahead on goal difference.

Belgium rose to the fifth spot with the win, while South Korea (three points) and Germany (two points) are fifth and sixth respectively.

India will face South Korea on Tuesday. In other matches, Australia meet Belgium, while Germany will be up against the hosts.

At the start of the match between India and Belgium, the latter looked menacing from the push-back and in the first quarter they got a penalty corner but the Indian defence managed to keep it away.

The European outfit continued to push ahead the Indian failed to muster up serious attacks initially. Meanwhile, midfielder Simon Gougnard put himself in a strong position to tap in a pass from Thomas Briels but he fired over, much to the relief of the Indian camp.

Later in the second half, a soft push from saw goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh going forward but missed the ball before Kothajit Singh came to India's rescue with a fine save near the goal-line.

Belgium got another penalty corner in the 19th minute but Sreejesh did well to stop the flick from Hendrickx.

However, Belgium scored in their fourth penalty corner in the 25th minute as Hendrickx's hit went through the legs of Sreejesh in a big error from the Indian custodian.

India equalised five minutes later when Devindar swept home after a half-hearted clearance from goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch fell in front of the Indian midfielder, who launched a powerful shot to the right side of the roof.

After the break, the first minutes saw India earning two penalty corners but V.R. Raghunath's hits were not up to mark. While the first one was slow and got cleared at the goal-line by Florent van Aubel, the second one was palmed away by goalkeeper Vanasch. Belgium also got a penalty corner but India denied them with the first runner.

Both the teams tried hard to take the lead and it was the Belgians who regained the lead in the 44th minute in another mistake from Sreejesh. Gougnard's pass from the right corner was met at the near post by veteran Truyens, whose drive went through the legs of captain Sreejesh, resulting in a 2-1 lead for Belgium.

Afterwards, Gougnard continued to dominate the right side of the midfield as he once helped Tanguy Cosyns earn a penalty corner but Hendrickx's flick went wide. Gougnard crossed for Sebastian Dockier but the latter, with only goalkeeper Sreejesh to beat, fired it over.

In the first match of the day, Britain delighted the home crowd by scoring a goal in each quarter to overpower South Korea 4-1.

Ashley Jackson opened the scoring for the home side with a clinically dispatched penalty stroke after South Korea goalkeeper Hong Doopyo brought down rival captain Barry Middleton, before David Condon scored the first of two goals when he dived in to finish a wonderful team move.

You Seungju pulled a goal back for South Korea when he fired into the roof of the net from a smart penalty corner routine to make the score 1-2 going into half time. But strikes from Alastair Brogdon and a second for Condon sealed a deserved triumph for the well-supported Brits.

In the second match, world champions Australia bounced back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Olympic champions and Champions Trophy holders Germany 4-3.

Goals from Germany captain Florian Fuchs and Tobias Hauke put them into a commanding lead at the end of the first quarter. But the Australians hit back in the second quarter thanks to strikes from Glenn Turner and Tristan White before Fuchs struck again to give Germany a 3-2 lead at half time.

Blake Govers restored parity with a blistering third quarter penalty corner, with Aran Zelewski scoring the winner seven minutes from full time.

The Tribune



Sreejesh concedes soft goals as India lose 1-2 to Belgium in Hockey Champions Trophy

LONDON: India captain PR Sreejesh's lacklustre show under the bar saw the team succumb to a 1-2 defeat against Belgium in the 36th Hero Champions Trophy at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre here on Monday.

Sreejesh would be disappointed to concede two goals through his pads against the dominant Belgians, resulting in India's first loss in three outings of the ongoing Champions Trophy.

Alexander Hendrickx converted a penalty corner in the 25th minute and India equalised through Devender Walmiki five minutes later, but Jerome Truyens won the day for the Belgians through his field goal in the 44th.

This loss leaves India on four points from three outings. They next play South Korea on Tuesday.

This was the first win for Belgium in three outings. They join India and hosts Great Britain on four points each from three matches. Britain on Monday outplayed South Korea 4-1 for their first win in the tournament, while world champions Australia consolidated their position atop the standings with a 4-3 victory over Germany.

Australia are now on seven points, while Germany are at the bottom of the standings with just two points. South Korea have logged three points in as many games.

The India-Belgium match began with the Red Lions forcing a penalty corner in the very first minute, but Manpreet Singh saved a soaring shot to avert danger.

Belgium gave India a score in the 10th minute when Sebastian got into the lead in the 10th minute when Sebastien Dockier's cross from the right found Simon Gougnard in the goalmouth, but his defection from close range went over the cross-bar.

In the very next minute, Indian strikers made their way into the rival circle for the first time when Akashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh moved in exchanging passes, but Mandeep then lost control of the ball.

Belgium came close to scoring in the 17th minute but Indian defender Kothajit Singh moved to his right to intercept a goal-bearing shot after goalkeeper Sreejesh had left his charge to rush out and block the Belgian striker.

Indians conceded a number of soft penalty corners and Belgium took the lead on their third penalty corner through Alexander Hendrickx, whose low shot went into the goal off goalkeeper Sreejesh's pads in the 25th minute.

The ball trickled over the goalline between Sreejesh's pads. Trailing for first time in this tournament, India got an equalizer in the30th minute when Devender Walmiki capitalized on a rebound from goalkeeper Vincent Vanash.

Walmiki sent a stinging flash shot from top of the circle that soared into the roof of the net, leaving the custodian a mere spectator.

Belgium shooters had featured in five penalty corners before India earned one in the 32nd minute due to Sunil being obstructed by Hendrickx from going into the circle. V.R. Raghunath's penalty corner flick was saved on the goalline by Florent van Aubel.

Raghunath's second penalty corner shot, two minutes later, was deflected out by the goalkeeper. Belgium then had an extended period of domination, during which they earned three penalty corners in the space of four minutes.

Belgium regained the lead through Jerome Truyens's 44th minute strike in open play. Picking up a ball from Simon Gougnard inside the circle, Truyens beat Indian custodian Sreejesh with a deft flick.

Sreejesh was dejected at having allowed the ball to go through his pads from a narrow angle. India's few efforts to secure an equaliser did not possess the thrust to break past the sound Belgian defence.

India took off their goalkeeper in the 69th minute to push an extra striker into the field, but it was already too late.

The Times of India



Australia rally from two-goal deficit to down Germany

LONDON: World champions Australia rallied from a two-goal deficit to prevail 4-3 over Olympic gold medallists Germany to bolster their position in the 36th Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre on Monday.

Posting their second victory in three outings, Australia now head the standings with seven points from three outings, followed by India and Great Britain on four points each.

Britain outplayed South Korea 4-1 for their first win in three matches, while Asian Games champions India have four points from two outings.

Goals from German captain Florian Fuchs in the 12th minute and Tobias Hauke in the 14th gave Germany a two-goal lead in the first quarter before Australia's strikers got into action.

Glenn Turner (17tth) and Tristian White (22nd) made flash strikes for Australia in the space of five minutes to draw parity, but an open play goal by Fuchs put the Germans ahead in the 30th minute.

In the fast-paced encounter, a part of which was played in rain, Australia gradually seized the initiative. Blake Govers restored parity at 3-3 with a penalty corner conversion in the 40th minute, and the match-winner came through a field goal by Aran Zalewski in the 51st minute.

German's desperate attempts to equalise failed to produce results as the Australian compact defence did not give anything away.

The loss seems to have dashed Germany's hopes of making the final as they now have just two points from three games. David Condon scored two goals for Great Britain, who opened the scoring through a seventh minute penalty stroke conversion by Ashley Johnson. The stroke was awarded because of an obstruction committed on captain Barry Middleton in the goalmouth by goalkeeper Hong Doo-pyo.

Condon leaned forward to deflect a cross from left for Britain's second goal in the 18th minute, but the Koreans shot back with a penalty corner conversion by You Seung-ju four minutes later.

Alistair Brogdon got into goal-scoring action in the 33rd minute on a penalty corner and Condon rounded off the scoring with another field goal in the 46th.

The victory revived Britain's chances of making the final after Saturday's loss to India.

After their loss, South Korea have three points from three outings.

The Times of India



Battle for Asian supremacy in London today

s2h Team

Asian Champions India locks horns with continent's powerhouse South Korea today in the league match match of the Champions Trophy, with a lot at stake.

Having slipped against Belgium yesterday, the Indians are in a precarious position now. The draw against Germany and win over Great Britain created a hope for India to be in the medal contention, but lacklustre show against Belgium prove to be a dampener in their dream.

The tournament is midway through, exactly at it, all teams have completed three matches and three more to go.

South Korea which has a single victory is a substitute team, filling the gap created by qualified Pakistan, the finalist of the last Bhubneswar edition.

By defeating Belgium, the Asian team proved they are not pushover, and how the World Rankings are unkind to them. undefined

India, on the other hand, seems to a flash in the pan kind of stuff. A few individuals like SV Sunil and Captain Sreejesh stood out to count so far, but when the both failed the results was there for everyone to see.

Simply put, India lose to Belgium, which was beaten by Korea. Therefore, on plain facts, Korea has a psychological advantage.

Old fox Seun Song Tae, centre-forwards of yore, trains the team while his peer Hyo Sik, despite being the oldest in London, is going strong.

The Koreans are young, energetic but inexperienced. They always surprise top teams, and it is their habit to do so.

Due to various other factors, the peninsular giant lacks the bite it used to have so far, but they are up and coming as a team.

German Paul Lisseks, who needs no introduction, is a veteran in Asian hockey. He is the Performance Manager of the Korean team, tasked with reshape and rebuild Korea.

Lissek too knows Indian psyche thoroughy.

India need to minimize its unforced error, need to be more determined, and don't go for all out kind of attack all the times.

Indians cannot match the Koreans on energy and speed. This they can counter with patience and character game.

In short, India need to play European style against emerging Koreans to contain them, and produce a respectable scoreline.

Raghunath proved his faultlines against Belgium. Up and coming Surender too was tentative yesterday. Usual brilliance of Manpreet Singh was conspicuous for its absence.

Relying too much on SV Sunil and PR Sreejesh to shoulder all the burden in all the game will prove counter productive.

India is a team, everyone need to produce their best to prove why they are reigning Continental Champions.

For the fans, a cracker of an encounter is waiting to happen tonight at London.

Stick2Hockey.com



Black Sticks run over Belgium in warm up


Brooke Neal scored a hat-trick Photo: www.photosport.nz

The Black Sticks Women have begun their build up for the Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy with an 8-0 win over Belgium in a non-official practice game.

Brooke Neal scored a hat-trick and Olivia Merry a double in a match that allowed both sides to try out new tactics and set piece moves, with the result not going on official records.

It was a timely shake-up for New Zealand ahead of tomorrow’s one-off test against world number one Netherlands, which will be a much bigger challenge.

BLACK STICKS 8: (Brooke Neal 3, Olivia Merry 2, Anita McLaren, Kelsey Smith, Kirsten Pearce)
BELGIUM 0

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Black Sticks women thump Belgium in lead-in to Champions Trophy in London


NZ defender Brooke Neal scored a hat-trick in a Champions Trophy warm-up match against Belgium. WARWICK SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ

The New Zealand women's hockey team have continued their good form after touching down in London for the Champions Trophy.

Coming off their second straight tournament triumph at the International Hockey Open in Darwin this month, the world No 4 Black Sticks thumped 12th-ranked Belgium 8-0 in a non-official practice game on Monday (Tuesday NZ time).

Kiwi defender Brooke Neal scored a hat-trick and striker Olivia Merry netted a double in a match that allowed both sides to try out new tactics and set-piece moves, with the result not going on official records.

New Zealand will face a much sterner challenge in a one-off test against the world No 1 Netherlands on Wednesday, before they meet again in their Champions Trophy opener on Sunday (3am NZ time).

The eight-team tournament also features second-ranked Argentina, third-ranked Australia, 2012 Olympic bronze medallists Great Britain and seventh-ranked USA, in what is the last major event ahead of the Rio Olympic Games in August.

The squad has been bolstered by the return of four vastly experienced figures in the form of Kayla Whitelock (235 caps), Gemma Flynn (231), Stacey Michelsen (201) and goalkeeper Sally Rutherford (111).

Key players Emily Gaddum and Samantha Charlton have both missed the trip with injury, with Kelsey Smith and Julia King called-up as cover.

Coach Mark Hager will name his Olympics squad soon after the team returns from London.

New Zealand 8 (Brooke Neal 3, Olivia Merry 2, Anita McLaren, Kelsey Smith, Kirsten Pearce) Belgium 0.

Stuff



Two more likely for Premier Division

By Jugjet Singh

THE MALAYSIA Hockey League (MHL) entries close on July 1, and the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHF) are looking at eight teams in the Premier Division.

Last season there were six teams and Terengganu Hockey Team, coached by Sarjit Singh, were crowned as the double champions.

And there were 13 teams in Division One, while the women's league had 11 teams.

The MHL is scheduled from Aug 5 to Sept 25.

"We hope teams will adhere to the deadline with regards to the closing of entries and registration of players," said Competitions Committee chairman George Koshy.

"Ample notice has been given to the teams and I hope there will not be cases of teams appealing after the closing date."

The Premier Division will see a significant change in the fielding of national players.

"A team can register any number of national players but only eight can take the field at any given time. And the definition of national players also includes foreign players, of which, each team can register a maximum of six.

"And the early indications are that two more teams might register for the Premier Division making it an eight-team event," said Koshy.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



CALA prove victorious in U16 Girls National Competition



Glasgow National Hockey Centre played host to the U16 Girls National Competition on Saturday 11th June. This competition saw teams from throughout the country, Inverleith, Western Wildcats, CALA, Kelso, Granite City Wanderers and Watsonians.

CALA got off to a bright start with a tremendous 9-0 victory over Western Wildcats with the captain Susan Rome scoring a hat-trick and Emma Spencer netting a brace. Elsewhere in Pool A, Inverleith claimed a 3-0 victory over East rivals Watsonians with Katie Swanson, Aimee Gray and Isla Jackson claiming the goals.



It was now the team from North, Granite City Wanderers to impress and they defeated a hard working Western Wildcats side by 2-0. Both goals coming from number 8 Ellie Lewis. On pitch 2 Inverleith were looking to continue their winning but were held by a determined Kelso side with the match finishing 1-1.

In the final games of the group stages Granite City Wanderers and CALA were battling for 1st position in the pool. Neither side could claim the goal that would make them out right winners of the group.  CALAs 9-0 triumph early in the day claimed top spot on goal difference with Granite City Wanderers taking second place and Western Wildcats in 3rd.

Watsonians defeated Kelso 5-0 with Nisha Haydock scoring a brace with further goals from Hope McCallum, Heidi Floydd and Lucy Watt claiming the other 3 goals. This result meant that Inverleith topped the group with 4 points with Watsonians in second place and Kelso in 3rd.

The placing games were next up and in the 5th v 6th playoff, Kelso were up against Western Wildcats. In what was a close contested match Kelso proved the stronger of the two teams coming out 3-1 winners.

In the 3rd v 4th playoff match Watsonians took on Granite City Wanderers. It was the team from the East who took an early lead after 3 minutes with the goal coming from Lucy Kidd. This proved to be the vital goal of the game as the score remained 1-0. Therefore Watsonians clinched 3rd place with Granite City Wanderers finishing 4th.

The final saw a battle from the East as Inverleith took on CALA. Both teams had played extremely well throughout the day and were looking to claim the title. Chances fell to both teams in the early stages but they were unable to convert these. It was in the 19th minute when CALA took the lead through captain Susan Rome which brought her total to 4 goals for the day.U16



In the latter stages of the match Inverleith pressed for an equaliser and came close on a number of occasion only to be denied by the post 3 times in the closing 10 minutes. CALA were able to hold onto the lead and were victorious. Credit to both teams as it was a very well contested final.

Scores of the day were:

Pool A

Inverleith 3-0 Watsonains
Kelso 1-1 Inverleith
Watsonians 5-0 Kelso

Pool B

Western Wildcats 0-9 CALA
Granite City Wanderers 2-0 Western Wildcats
Granite City Wanderers 0-0 CALA

Final Placings

1st- CALA
2nd- Inverleith
3rd- Watsonians
4th- Granite City Wanderers
5th- Kelso
6th- Western Wildcats

Next Saturday 18th June sees the Boys U16 National Competition take place at Peffermill. Come along and show your support.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Local SA Women's Hockey player embarks on Youth Development initiative



SA hockey player and Cape Town local, Quanita Bobbs (22), has joined the Stellenbosch-leg of the nationwide initiative, the Investec Hockey Academy. The academy teaches school girls about the importance of playing sport while, at the same time, aiming to raise the national standard of hockey in the country.

Bobbs, along with a number of SA players and coaches, will be using their expertise to provide young players in the Western Cape with mentorship and high performance coaching on 8 and 9 July at Bloemhof Hoër Meisieskool in Stellenbosch.

The star-studded, passionate line-up of coaches participating with Bobbs in July are national players Wade Paton, Lloyd Norris-Jones and Shelley Russell. Alongside them will be national coaches Kurt Serfontein (SA women’s assistant coach) and Lindsey Wright (SA under-21 women’s coach).

Important behind-the-scenes training is also offered in the academy’s courses and experts Ruan Fourie (former Lions and Sharks physiotherapist), Lauren Penny (former national hockey player and psychologist) and Grant van Gelden (vision training expert) will be providing the young players with a better understanding of all the game’s elements.

Bobbs is looking forward to getting involved with the Investec Hockey Academy’s courses at Bloemhof Hoër Meisieskool and is passionate about the initiative.

“My teammate and the general manager of the academy, Shelley Russell, told me about the academy and its goals and I have been a keen follower ever since. When I learnt about the Stellenbosch courses, I knew that I wanted to be a part of helping identify and nurture the talent that we have in the Western Cape,” said Bobbs.

The academy offers courses for players at all levels: a Fundamental Players’ course (aged 8 to 11), an Intermediate Players’ course (aged 12 to 15), an Advanced Players’ course (aged 16 to 18) and a Coaches course (all levels).

The former Wynberg Girls’ High student acknowledges that it is not easy to find the right opportunities to get trained and noticed. She believes that when initiatives like the Investec Hockey Academy arrive, players and coaches should make the most of the experience.

“The academy offers the full hockey experience; it provides the opportunity for the academy-goers to expand their hockey ability but also gives them the necessary information to make them a complete player and coach,” says Bobbs.

The Strandfontein-local is an all-round sportswoman, having played softball and having participated in athletics and ballet at school. Bobbs attributes her love for sport to her upbringing.

“My whole family is sport inclined which allowed me to have a natural love for sport since I was little. My brother, Shaheem Bobbs, played professional soccer and represented South Africa in the national under-23 team, my mother played netball and my father is also involved in hockey,” said Bobbs.

Bobbs believes that it is important for children to play sport from a young age.

“Sport is good for a child's overall development; not only keeping them healthy, but also teaching key life skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, goal setting and how to deal with disappointment or setbacks,” says Bobbs.

Bobbs has some advice for young hockey players aspiring to be professionals.

“Find what motivates you, find your why, and let that motivation constantly drive you to success. It is also important to establish a routine and stay humble,” says a passionate Bobbs.

The Stellenbosch B Com student’s motto outlines her attitude towards life and opportunities.

“Make it happen, don't let it happen,” says Bobbs.

The Investec Hockey Academy’s next course will take place on 8 and 9 July at Bloemhof Hoër Meisieskool in Stellenbosch. For more information or to book, contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or visit www.investechockeyacademy.com

Investec Hockey Academy media release

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