News for 09 September 2016
All the news for Friday 9 September 2016
HWL R1 Glasgow (M): Scotland and Switzerland claim wins on day 2
Photo: Scottish Hockey
Scotland and Switzerland both won their second games of the Hockey World League Round 1 event in Glasgow, and did so in a flurry of goals.
Scotland continued their campaign with a fine 11-0 win over Slovakia at the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow. The Scots have scored 16 goals in their opening two games and currently top the group on six points.
The Scots got off to a great start when Kenny Bain scored Scotland’s first goal of the match with a delightful lob only six mins into the game. The second goal came soon after when Russell Anderson shot into the bottom left corner of the net from a tight angle to make it 2-0.
Scotland were in complete control. It was 26 minutes into the match when Nicky Parkes set up a second goal for Kenny Bain to make it 3-0 for Scotland. Scotland maintained good possession of the ball in the first half; Slovakia never really threatened to score so at half time the score remained at 3-0 to Scotland.
Scotland got the second half off to a great start with a few goals. Next on the scoresheet was Hamish Imrie and he opened his account for the evening when he smashed the ball into the net to give Scotland 4-0 lead. Shortly after the fourth Scotland scored a fifth through Alan Forsyth to make it 5-0. First Hamish Imrie struck Scotland’s sixth goal with a hard hit to the net a few minutes later.
Scotland’s continued dominance was rewarded when Dan Coultas scored his first goal of the match making it 7-0 to Scotland from a penalty corner.
Then Alan Forsyth scored again by smashing the ball into the net for his second goal, making it 8-0 to Scotland. Willie Marshall then followed this up to bring Scotland up to 9-0, through a penalty corner routine. 69 minutes into the game Fraser Cameron took Scotland to 10-0 with Alan Forsyth finishing his hat-trick at the end of the match to give Scotland an 11-0 win.
Scotland’s next game is against Portugal on Saturday at 14.15 (GMT/UTC +1).
Switzerland bounced back from their opening day defeat to Scotland with a great 4-1 win over Portugal.
The Swiss got off to a great start when Jan Hödle had a near miss – his attempt on goal was saved by the keeper.
The first goal wasn’t long in coming - Nick Schwehr finished when he struck the ball hard and fast into the net. A few minutes later and Switzerland scored their second goal. Fredrick Hillmann scored with less than twenty mins left in the first half.
Switzerland were clearly dominating the first half with Portugal failing to keep up with them and not having much ball possession.
The Swiss went three up when Sebastian Schneider smashed the ball into the net.
Portugal began to up their game towards the end of the first half. They had a penalty corner but the effort missed the goal.
Portugal pulled one back early in the second half when José Santos shot into the left corner in 43 minute.
They continued to battle and came close with a penalty corner but the effort was a near miss.
It was the Swiss who struck next however. Jan Hödle setup the goal for Florian Feller who smashed the ball into the left corner of the net.
Portugal certainly upped their game in the second half of the match and had a few missed opportunities. William Rogerson had the pick of the bunch, but it was all in vain as the game ended with a comfortable Swiss victory.
Report provided by Scottish Hockey
FIH site
Scotland score eleven in incredible World League win
Scotland continued their World League campaign with a sensational 11-0 win over Slovakia at the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow. The Scots have scored 16 goals in their opening two games and top the group on six points.
The Scots got off to a great start when Kenny Bain scored Scotland’s first goal of the match - a delightful lob only six mins into the game. The second goal came soon after when Russell Anderson shot into the bottom left corner of the net from a tight angle to make it 2-0.
Scotland were in complete control. It was 26 minutes into the match when Nicky Parkes set up a second goal for Kenny Bain to make it 3-0 for Scotland. Scotland maintained good possession of the ball in the first half; Slovakia never really threatened to score and at half time the score remained at 3-0 to Scotland.
Scotland men v Slovakia
Scotland got the second half off to a great start with a few goals. Next on the scoresheet was Hamish Imrie and he opened his account for the evening when he smashed the ball into the net to give Scotland 4-0 lead. Shortly after the fourth Scotland scored a fifth through Alan Forsyth to make it 5-0. Hamish Imrie struck Scotland’s sixth goal with a hard hit to the net a few minutes later.
Scotland’s continued dominance was rewarded when Dan Coultas scored his first goal of the match making it 7-0 to Scotland from a penalty corner.
Then Alan Forsyth scored again by smashing the ball into the net for his second goal, making it 8-0 to Scotland. Willie Marshall then followed this up to bring Scotland up to 9-0 through a penalty corner routine. 69 minutes into the game Fraser Cameron took Scotland to an even 10-0 before Alan Forsyth set about finishing his hat-trick at the end of the match to give Scotland an exceptional 11-0 win.
Scotland’s next game is against Portugal on Saturday at 14.15.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
World League 1 Glasgow live stream
World League 1, held at the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow, will be streamed live on the internet for the duration of the tournament. Every game will be streamed on the Scottish Hockey YouTube channel and on Facebook and Twitter. Goal clips, highlights and interviews will also be posted online.
Match schedule
Tuesday 6 September 2016
17:00 - Portugal v Wales
19:15 – Scotland v Switzerland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cyhRhWvbgs
Wednesday 7 September 2016
17:00 – Portugal v Switzerland
19:15 – Scotland v Slovakia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKdxadiAs3k&feature=youtu.be
Thursday 8 September 2016
17:00 – Switzerland v Wales
19:15 – Portugal v Slovakia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkkzKsuKgXk
Friday 9 September 2016
Rest day
Saturday 10 September 2016
12:00 – Slovakia v Wales
14:15 – Portugal v Scotland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwH0KVGiGmc
Sunday 11 September 2016
12:00 - Slovakia v Switzerland
14:15 – Scotland v Wales
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV7D5yCTgsg
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Kenya take on Nigeria in World Series opener
By BRIAN YONGA
National team hockey players during a training session at City Park Hockey Stadium on August 27, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The national men’s hockey team tackle Nigeria in their opening match of the World League One Series Friday night at the Theodocia Okoe National Hockey Pitch in Accra, Ghana.
The match, which kicks off at 8.30pm Kenyan time, will be preceded by a women’s tie between the hosts and their Nigerian counterparts.
Kenya will also take on Namibia and the hosts while the women’s team will take on the same teams except Namibia with the top two teams in both categories advancing to the second round of the competition set for February 2017.
The teams are out to qualify for the 2018 Hockey World Cup.
The men’s team of 18 players together with head coach Meshack Senge and team manager Godfrey Bila jetted out of the country on Thursday morning.
The women’s team, which will also take part in the competition, is set to leave Friday morning and is scheduled to play Nigeria on Saturday in their opener.
Kenya start as favourites against the Western Africans courtesy of their higher ranking and previous meeting records between the two sides.
Kenya, ranked 38th globally and third in Africa, beat Nigeria 3-1 in last year’s Africa Cup of Nations-cum-Olympic qualifier held at the Randburg Stadium in Johannesburg last year.
We have to forget about our last win against them and approach the match differently. It is a round robin competition and we cannot afford to drop any points,” Senge told Daily Nation Sport.
Skipper George Mutira, who is one of the six players in the current squad that played against Nigeria, is expected to lead Kenya’s attack alongside Strathmore Gladiators striker Festus Onyango - who has impressed for the university side in the league this season.
“We know the Nigerians play a physical game and we therefore need to match them in all departments and ensure we are alert at all times. We have game good players in the squad and I’m confident we can win all our matches,” Mutira said.
Nigerian Coach Tunde Odedokun is looking to avenge last year’s loss.
The last game of the day will see Kenya’s rivals Ghana take on Namibia.
Daily Nation
Kenya face Nigeria in World League hockey
By Elizabeth Mburugu
National Hockey player Brian Saina when he played the World League at Citypark, Nairobi. ON 13/09/14 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE
National men’s hockey team will face Nigeria as International Hockey Federation World League One tournament begins today at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra, Ghana.
Kenyans will be seeking a ticket to the next round of the World League Series. Victory in the Ghana tournament will also guarantee them a ticket to the 2018 World Cup in India.
Kenya finished second behind Egypt during the 2014 World League One and are favourites to grab the ticket in this year's contest. They will play hosts Ghana and Namibia.
Kenyans will be keen to pick up from where they left against Nigeria when the two sides meet. Kenya won 3-1 in last year’s Africa Cup of Nations-cum-Olympics qualifiers in South Africa.
Nonetheless, Kenya’s past exploits against the West Africans will count for nothing, according to the team's coach.
“We have to forget about our last win against them (Nigeria) because this is a totally different day and competition," head coach Meshack Senge said. "Of course, we want a repeat performance and we will go full throttle because we can’t afford to take chances.”
Newly appointed national team captain George Mutira is leading the Kenyan side that has been overhauled and now has new players, with most of them making their international debut. Mutira is one of the six players in the entire squad of 18, who featured for in last year's Kenya-Nigeria match.
According to Mutira, they will try to match the Nigerians in all aspects of the game because they are familiar with their style of play.
“Nigerians usually play a physical game, therefore we need to be at our best, as we seek continue with our winning streak against them. A win in our opening tie is crucial and more so, when we are playing in a round-robin format, which makes every point count,” Mutira said.
Mutira, who is a Chase Sailors forward, will spear-head the attack and will be assisted by Strathmore Gladiator’s Festus Onyango. Nevile Mulupi, together with Willis Okeyo, is expected to call shots in the midfield, while Sammy Oungo and Maxwell Fuchaka will seek to be stoic in defence.
Kenya's women's team, winners of the 2014 challenge, will have a rest day and will play tomorrow against Nigeria, before winding up their business against hosts, Ghana, whom they beat 1-0 in the previous contest.
The Standard Online
Thrilling win for ONGC one Army XI
BPCL edges out Tamil Nadu
By S Thyagarajan
A tense moment near the Army goal against ONGC
Some exciting stuff preceded the conclusion of phase one of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday.
That moment was provided Bikas Toppo who slotted the much awaited match winner for Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) against the runner up Army XI 3-2 to move into the semi-final where it comes to grips with the defending champion Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
All that the Army XI required was a draw to make its tally to seven and move up into the elite semifinal zone. But the ONGC outfit, a former champion, was unwilling to take defeat lying down. It made a valiant bid to outscore its rival from the four points it had collected.
So a win was mandatory on Thursday and it achieved it in a manner that sent a wave of thrill among every one present at the venue.
ONGC was off the mark early enough to gain confidence. Manu Machamaim struck in the 9th minute making capital of a penalty corner scrimmage and ONGC went for the breather at 1-0.
Shortly after resumption ONGC enlarged lead with a perfect penalty corner shot by the former international Diwakar Ram.
It was a now or never moment for the Army XI to make good the 0-2 deficit. Mustering all its resources, the Army XI made desperate efforts to restore parity that would confirm its semifinal berth.
The chances looked bright when Ansham Hemrom struck to reduce the margin. Sensing an opportunity to pick one more the Army XI put all the 11 players in to the attack, replacing goalkeeper Arpit Chowdhry with Johnny Jasrotia.
The move became successful when AP Siraju converted a penalty corner. Delighted that a draw was in the offing with only three minutes from the hooter, the Army XI hardly was aware of the danger lurking in the shape of Bikash Toppo.
The goalkeeper had returned to the post in these minutes. A last minute penalty corner for ONGC looked botched up by Harpal Singh but the ball rolled to the unmarked Bikash Toppo who flicked in the match winner amidst spontaneous cheers.
Earlier, the local outfit Tamil Nadu frittered away a few good opportunities to push out Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and went down 1-2 to give the latter the second place in Pool A. IOC led the table with 10 points and better goal difference with BPCL.
In Pool B Railways tops the table followed by ONGC.
The semifinal line up for Saturday is: IOC v ONGC (4 p.m.); Railways v BPCL (6 p.m.)
FRIDAY IS A REST DAY.
The results:
Pool A: BPCL 2 (Devinder Walmiki, Amir Khan) beat Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu 1 (Hassan Basha)
Pool B: ONGC 3 ( Manu Machmaim,Diwakar Ram, Bikash Toppo) beat Army XI 2 ( Ansham Hemrom, AP Siraju).
Fieldhockey.com
A performance which holds promise
K. Keerthivasan
A young and inexperienced Tamil Nadu men’s team may be out of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament, but its performance has given a semblance of hope for a better future.
If the 2-2 draw with Air India which had several former India players was not enough, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday, stood up to BPCL, a team with three Rio Olympians and a host of Internationals, for the major part of the contest.
It finished the tournament with four points from four matches and their heads held high. The team did have its share of downsides —it didn’t have a penalty corner specialist and it showed. The team, perhaps, would have been served better had the selectors picked a handful of experienced players.
As the chief coach of team, M. Raja said: “We are happy and satisfied with our boys. There were lot of people who found fault with the selection. We have proved them wrong. Forwards Veera Thamizhan and Joshua Bendici Wesley were the pick of the lot.”
Mohd. Riaz, expert coach of the team, and the one who moulded the raw unit, exercised caution when he said: “first the structure should be in place, and we are in the process of doing it. There should be a pool of good players who should push the current lot. Nobody can take their place for granted.”
Now the onus is on the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu to give exposure to the players. And ensure TN regain its lost glory.
The Hindu
Match schedule for Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2016 released
The Asian Hockey Federation has released the match schedule for the Men's Asian Champions Trophy taking place in Kuantan, Malaysia from 20 to 30 October 2016.
The Men's Asian Champions Trophy brings together the six best teams of the continent for a battle for continental dominance less than a year ahead of the 2017 Asia Cup, the continental championship which doubles as a World Cup Qualifier.
Hosted in Kuantan, capital city of the state of Pahang, on the Eastern coast of Malaysia, the tournament sees the Malaysian hosts take on continental giants India and current title holders Pakistan as well as Korea, China and Japan, within the top class facilities of the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.
The venue was built in 2012 and features two pitches that have previously hosted the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2015 and FIH events such as a Women's Hockey World League Round 2. The impressive set-up of the main pitch provides room for 8.000 spectators.
Over the eleven days of the event, the teams will first play each other in a round robin, followed by semi-finals and placement matches. On the opening day, 20 October 2016, the Malaysian hometeam will start their tournament against Pakistan, winners of the last edition of the event, followed by India opening their campaign against Japan.
The Asian Hockey Federation is also proud to announce that the event will have full TV production, and will be the first AHF tournament to operate a video referral system.
View match schedule here
AHF media release
After a long road stint, Maryland field hockey begins its home slate
By James Crabtree-Hannigan
The Maryland field hockey team routinely begins its season on the road, doing so every year since 2000, but the Terps rarely get this deep into the schedule before playing a game at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.
After four away games during which the No. 7 Terps finished with an even record, they finally return home this weekend for the 20th Terrapin Invitational.
"Thank god," coach Missy Meharg said about coming home. "We always get away the first couple of weekends."
Meharg said she was glad the team spent their first two weekends in Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, rather than somewhere farther away from College Park.
Still, she's glad to be back at the program's home, a place where it enjoys a significant home-field advantage. The Terps are 147-17 since the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex was opened in 2003. They are 10-3 in home openers.
Their home dominance is even stronger at the Terrapin Invitational, which they've played in all but one year since 1996. The Terps have gone 36-2 in the first 19 invitationals, their only losses coming in 2008 (2-1 to Syracuse) and 2015 (2-1 to Albany).
The Terrapin Invitational is a four-team event during which each team plays two games. California, Fairfield and American join the Terps on the field this season. Maryland starts against Cal on Saturday.
Playing the tournament each year is one of a number of traditions Meharg has built in College Park during her 29 years as the head of the program.
"When you're someplace for 29 years, you create relationships that go just past friends," Meharg said. "There are people that are in my life forever here."
Though those people may know Meharg, they're less familiar with the players. That's why for the past seven years, the Terps have held a golf tournament and dinner at the university golf course.
This year's event will take place Friday, the day before their home opener, and will allow the new players to meet alumni and other Terps supporters.
"We feature the women, they're kind of showcased and introduced to the community that support us emotionally, physically and also financially," Meharg said. "We're very fortunate to have a very strong booster group."
That support continues in the stands, and the Terps routinely rank at or near the top of the NCAA in attendance.
"[The attendance] says that Maryland field hockey has a reputation, and a successful one," midfielder Lexi Silver said. "But I guess [attendance] can vary every year, we'll have to see what it's like this year. Hopefully it's the same."
Meharg is hoping her program can take back the top spot in attendance after finishing fifth last year. She's also looking forward to playing on what she considers "the best playing surface in the country" and letting her team show what they've learned from their first two weekends on the road.
"You can represent yourself somewhere else, but [it's different] to have people come here that already know what you're about and you get to showcase it," Silver said. "There's certainly an energy about playing at home."
The Diamondback
Following Strong Opening Weekend, Cornell Field Hockey to Play Ohio, Rutgers
By Sarah Peters
Senior midfielder Elizabeth Horak and the Red will travel to New Jersey in hopes of continuing the team's hot start. Karly Krasnow | Sun Staff Photographer
Coming off of a pair of victories this past weekend, the Cornell field hockey team is preparing to face off against Ohio University and Rutgers this weekend. Both games will take place in Piscataway, N.J.
Ohio and Rutgers have never faced the women on Cornell’s current team. However, this is not a worry for the Red, according to head coach Donna Hornibrook, who said “college rosters change continuously … they are just another set of opponents.”
The Bobcats emerged victorious from their season opener against Saint Francis, but since then have cooled off, losing three consecutive games to Indiana, UC Davis and Ohio State. Cornell hopes to capitalize on this streak and maintain its own winning one.
The Bobcats are currently ranked 64th in the Division I NCAA standings, whereas Cornell is ranked 19th. However, the women are not letting their leading position go to their heads.
“I think they are a solid team — well organized,” Hornibrook said, “I believe on any given day it all comes down to your performance so for us it is all about playing our game of team-oriented hockey.”
Senior co-captain Sam McILwrick mentioned that “anything can happen in the game of hockey, and standings aren’t always accurate of the game outcome.”
Leaderboard 2
Rutgers’ season is currently tied up with two wins and two loses. The Scarlet Knights came out victorious against VCU and William and Mary but fell short to Bucknell and Virginia.
Rutgers will bring strong competition to Cornell’s defense, according to Hornibrook.
“They have some key kids we are going to have to be aware of,” Hornibrook said. “But we have a confidence in how we play and we try to play a game in which we are aware of the other team’s strengths and tendencies.”
So far this season, Cornell has seen great promise from both freshmen and returning players. The Red will look to rely on its depth to outlast opponents.
Hornibrook said she has confidence in everyone coming off the bench, as demonstrated in Cornell’s most recent game when every player got on the field.
“I have been quite happy,” Hornibrook said. “[The team] did a good job in the preseason and, with a little tweaking, we are further ahead than we were last year.”
Sophomore forward Kate Fitzpatrick “showed a lot of promise as a freshman,” according to Hornibrook. This past weekend, Fitzpatrick continued where she left off last year by scoring three goals.
Junior goalkeeper Kelly Johnson will look to continue her hot start to the season, building off of a strong weekend, in which she shut out both of the Red’s opponents. In the 2015 season, Johnson led the Ivy League in shutouts.
Hornibrook acknowledged the energetic play from junior midfielder Isabel Josephs, who “has come into her own and showed that she is a tireless worker,” according to Hornibrook.
The coach also noted that freshman defender Rose Gorski has been playing well with her senior counterpart, McILwrick.
“Gorski is tough to beat, poised and doing a great job,” Hornibrook said.
Hornibrook is not the only one who has noticed the skill within the freshman class.
“All of our freshmen have been really impressive and came ready to train in preseason,” McILwrick said.
With tougher competition approaching, Hornibrook said the Red is feeling confident.
“We are excited for the challenge,” McILwrick said. The co-captain also noted that she believes the team will maintain its momentum if the women can focus and execute on their game plan.
“There is only one route to success,” Hornibrook said. “We’ll take every game one at a time … using each successful game [as a way to lead] to another opportunity for the next game.”
Cornell takes on Ohio on Friday at 5 p.m. and Rutgers on Sunday at noon.
The Cornell Daily Sun
Khaya hockey players selected
Zila Mkonto
Ayanda Kati, Kuhle Gaga, Phumlani Zumana, Mfundo Hobongwana, Siyabulela Qongeni, Phila Malgas, Gloria Baartman and Mandla Ntlanga PHOTO: voox sonandzi
Cape Town's Khayelitsha Community Hockey Club (KCHC) head coach Gloria Baartman is smiling from ear to ear these days.
Blame this on the performance of her six young hockey players, whose brilliant performance on the field of play has been given a nod by the meticulous Western Province selectors.
“It’s their hard work and dedication that has yielded this positive result,” enthused Gloria when City Vision Sport visited them at the Khayelitsha Oval on Tuesday afternoon.
Gloria hailed her players for being selected in various Western Province teams. Ayanda Kati, Kuhle Gaga, Phumlani Zumana, Mfundo Hobongwana, Siyabulela Qongeni and Mandla Ntlanga were selected in the U/13,U/14, U/16, and U/18 teams.
Phumlani Zumani and Kuhle Gaga were also selected as regional umpires, whilst Baartman was also selected as development coach for juniors.
“Our aim is to make hockey a sport of choice for most children in our area,” said Baartman.
An excited Mfundo Hobongwana said he was thrilled to be selected in the WP team. “I am happy because the selectors see our capability and one day I hope to represent the national team,” he said.
Kuhle Gaga was grateful for the KCHC coaching staff for spending time with them, teaching important skills.
“It’s not only about hockey but life skills in general,” he said. The club is looking for more players and kind sponsors are urged to contact Phumlani Zumana on +27 (0)73 701 6911 or Gloria Baartman on. +27 (0)83 476 9086.
News24
Denying Dhyan Chand Bharat Ratna is injustice: Dhanraj Pillay
Shweta Singh
AHMEDABAD: While former India hockey captain Dilip Tirkey was at the 'Path of Protest' in Delhi on Sunday along with some other former hockey greats demanding Bharat Ratna honour for the legend Dhyan Chand posthumously, his teammate and another former skipper Dhanraj Pillay has extended his support to the demand.
A great hockey player himself, Pillay was present in the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus in Gandhinagar recently, and the 48-year-old Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee termed 'dada' Dhyan Chand as a legend and said the demand to honour him with the highest civilian award has been an old one. "He is an inspiration to not only hockey players but every sportsperson in the country. It's a grave injustice to him that he has been denied Bharat Ratna," said Pillay, who helped India win the historic gold medal in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
When asked to comment on the debate that dada should have been the first sportsperson to receive the award, ahead of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, the Padmashri awardee said Sachin is a legend and fully deserves the recognition. "But dada too stands in the same category," Pillay said, adding, "The government should have given Bharat Ratna to both of them in 2014 itself or, at least, conferred the same on dada the very next year."
Pillay, who works for Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) as hockey expert, said that after travelling across the nation, he had prepared a pool of 70 talented players (40 boys and 30 girls) of which three belonged to Gujarat.
The Times of India