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News for 06 November 2016

All the news for Sunday 6 November 2016


Indian women at last wins an Asian tourney

s2h team



Perennial under-performer Indian women for once shed the tag, and gave the nation and themselves a thumps up with a heartwarming but hard-earned win over never-say-die Chinese --who beat them yesterday in the last pool match -- in the final of the fourth Asian Champions Trophy.

Yesterday, it was China who struck a stunner against India in the dying moments to graduate to the Singapore final. China's goal came just 2.27 sec left in the play for a 3-2 win.

Today, India went a step further, with its livewire performer Deepika striking a lightening goal just 17 seconds left in the clock after both sides shared two goals till then.

But, this match was a final and it counts, as the winner lifts the Asia's premier event.

Deep Grace Ekka, the deep defender, tapped in India's penalty corner to give the lead in the 13th minutes, and India turned up for lemon time, riding on the comfort.

India, once again played a bad third quarter.

Defensive Indian ladies were taught a lesson, when a counter from right ending Mengline Zhoung connecting a feed getting past Indian goalie E. Rajani. The equaliser came just few seconds left for the completion og third quarter.

Both teams fought hard in the fourth quarter, India having upper hand, but the wont of finishing poor rendered them remaining scoreless.

In a spurt of moment, winger Poonam and Vandana, together with Navjot helped agile Deepika to enter the circle, where she was stickchecked.

Hardly, 25 seconds left for the play

Rani took the shot in the penalty corner drill, but China goalie came up from her line to block the push. The ball bounced back to right of D, where Deepkia bent down a bit and whacked a forehand to see the ball crashing top inside of the net.

The celebrations started.

Japan today won the bronze, striking the winner in the last minute. Till then it shared two goals with Korea.

Special Awards:
Top goal Scorer: Deepika of India
Best goalkeeper: (Malaysia)
Best Player of the tournament: Japan
Young player of the tournament: China

Stick2Hockey.com



Women's Hockey Team Makes India Proud, Beats China To Be Crowned Asian Champions

Joshua Arpit Nath



Indian women's hockey team made the country proud by becoming the Asian Champions by beating China 2-1 in a nail-biting final of the fourth edition in Singapore tonight.

It is for the first time that an Indian women's team went on to clinch the Champions Trophy. They had made the summit clash previously in the 2013 edition when the tournament was last held in Japan, the eventual winners.

The star of the match was Deepika who scored the clinching goal in the final minute with 32 seconds on the clock. It was some excellent stickwork from Deepika, who worked on a rebound from a penalty corner and slotted one home, beating the Chinese goalkeeper.


Asian Champions Trophy

Earlier, Deep Grace Ekka gave India the lead in the 13th minute which was nullified by Zhong Mengling of China in the 44th minute.

Indian men's team had last week beaten Pakistan to be crowned the Asian Champions and now it's time for the women's win to be celebrated.

The Times of India



India beat China 2-1 to win Women's Asian Champions Trophy

SINGAPORE: The Indian women's hockey team lifted its maiden Asian Champions Trophy after Deepika Thakur struck in the final minute to give her team a thrilling 2-1 win over China in the final on Saturday.

Deepika slotted the rebound in from a penalty corner in the 60th minute of the game to give her team a memorable victory.

Earlier, Deep Grace Ekka converted a penalty corner to take India into the lead in the 13th minute before China equalised in the 44th minute through a field goal from Zhong Mengling.

The welcome result for the Indian women's team comes days after men beat Pakistan to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia.

India's best finish in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy came in the last edition in 2013 when it finished runner-up to Japan. It had finished third in the inaugural edition in 2010.

Having learnt from their group stage encounter, India refused to let China take early control of the ball, closing them down high up the pitch, often intercepting their passes and constantly putting pressure by hunting in packs.

When in possession, the Indian eves held their nerve and passed the ball around neatly to penetrate China's circle.

This slightly different approach to their game compared to Friday helped them earn India's first PC of the game in the 13th minute.

An innovative set-piece saw Deep perfectly send the ball past the Chinese keeper for the early lead.

Going into the second quarter, India kept up the pressure by playing disciplined hockey, keeping their calm only to deny the Chinese a chance to equalise.

However, the third quarter saw China's Mengling Zhong penetrate the Indian circle to score a quick field goal. But the Indian eves were unrelenting and were playing the kind of hockey that had China on the backfoot.

China managed to earn their first PC of the match in the third quarter but failed to convert, sending the ball way off the baseline.

Though fortunes changed hands by the minute, neither team dropped the intensity going into the fourth quarter. For India, it was Rani who was acting like a lynchpin, attempting to penetrate the Chinese D to earn a PC and she found a chance with just minutes left before the final hooter went off.

It was a do-or-die situation for India and it was their best chance to score. Deepika, the highest goal scorer of the tournament took the onus on to herself to convert a sensational goal with just 30 seconds to go for the final hooter, sending the Indian supports into bursts of cheers.

For the team's triumph, Hockey India on Saturday also announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each for the players and chief coach Neil Hawgood.

Besides this, the federation also announced Rs 1 lakh for the other support staff of the team. A cash award for Rs 1 lakh was announced for Deepika, the highest scorer of the tournament.

The Times of India



Indian coach: No one can underestimate us four years on

s2h team



Since taking over four years ago, Australian import coach Neil Hawgood did not get a kid of hockey moment that that he got today in Sengkong, Singapore, where Deepika Thakur led India turned a Champagne stuff to stun higher ranked China to win their maiden Asian Champions Trophy.

Explaining his moment of joy, the coach said: "We progressed at Rio Olympics. We today showed a different game compared to the previous one (against same China). Its good we got finish the way we did."

He went on to explain the game that will leave an indelible mark on the scene: "First two quarters were really good, we went well. But were shaky in the third. We were good again in the fourth, which mattered".

"We got the result, we need to just move on".

On the overall progress his team made since he landed in India for the task of coaching Indian women, he had to say this:

"In my first press conference I told we should first be top in Asia. That was the first step".

"We almost did this here, as we hold the trophy".

But I certainly worry on the inconsistency part.

The coach almost sends a note of caution to the victorious team and joyous Indians: "We need to improve here on, a lot work need to be done".

"There were inconsistencies in seven days here".

"Now we should be awake to real world, and real challenge once we got back home".

These girls lead rest of India in Women’s hockey. No one can underestimate us in four years on.

Stick2Hockey.com



PM Modi congratulates Indian eves for lifting Asian Champions Trophy

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the Indian women's hockey team for lifting its maiden Asian Champions Trophy title with a thrilling 2-1 win over China in Singapore.

"Congrats to our women's hockey team for winning the Asian Champions Trophy 2016. It is a great moment for Indian hockey. @TheHockeyIndia," the Prime Minister wrote on his twitter handle.

The welcome result for the Indian women's team has come just days after the men's team got the better of arch-rivals Pakistan to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Before this, India's best finish in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy came in the last edition in 2013 when it finished runner-up to Japan.

It had finished third in the inaugural tournament in 2010.

The Times of India



Indian hockey on a high with a rare grand slam

s2h team



Indian hockey is on a high, at all levels in Asia. After Indian national teams of colts and Men’s team won Under-18 Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophy, women today dished out a rich fare in Senkong Sports Centre in Singapore to post a sensational win over fighting China in the Women’s Champions Trophy final to add another feather to their national game.

When the field umpire Junko Wagatsuma of Japan reversed her decision after discussion with fellow umpire Seon Yoon Kim of Korea, the full stands on one side with vocal local Indians, went in ruptures.

Deepika’s penalty corner conversion, first considered dangerous, was reversed. Deepika won the goal with just 17 seconds left in the clock.

Indian ladies for the first time in four appearance have won the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy.

India was the finalists in the last edition.

Dhaka, Kuantan and now Singapore. The story is same.



Only a week before, Men’s team defeated resurgent Pakistan in Kuantan, Malaysia 3-2 to win its second Men’s Asian Champions Trophy.

Indian goalie PR PR Sreejesh was the proud man there. A month ago, led by Xess Indians overcame tough Bangladesh 5-4 in the Dhaka Sub-Junior Asia Cup. That was the case of taming the lions in its own dungeon. The victory was a sweet because India had lost the same rival in the opener.

Today’s victory in Singapore completes the grand slam of contemporary Indian hockey: Sub-Junior Asia Cup, Men's Champions Trophy and Women's Champions Trophy.



Three victories at Asian level dawns proud moment for Indian hockey.

The victory here in Singapore is all the more sweet because India could not bring its best here due to injury of captain Sushila Chanu, and injury of Namita Toppo here. Toppo is India's first rusher in penalty corner and her absence did affect the team.

Stick2Hockey.com



Pakistan make first ever final

by  Satwant Dhaliwal

Pakistan has never made the final of the Sultan Johor Cup in their five attempts so far.
 
So making the final for the first time has given the team the much needed morale booster, never mind the fact that they will be up against Australia, a team that whipped them 8-1 only two nights ago.
 
Pakistan's best ever placing in the five editions of the tournament has been a fourth placing.
 
But Tahir Zaman has whipped a team that was considered rank outsiders before the tournament into a champion material,
 
Players like skipper Mohammad Dilber and Riaz have churned out master class performances to lead Pakistan into the final after defeated Japan 2-1 in a decider on Saturday.
 
"The final is a different day and it will be a different match ... not a bullying match," said Tahir after seeing off Japan.
 
"The first target coming here was to be on the podium and we've done that. So there will be less pressure on my players in the final. It's a pressure facing Australia because of their strength but I want to see my players enjoy their game.
 
Pakistan were organised from the very start and wasted no time in taking the lead after Abu Bakar Mahmood scored from a penalty corner in the fourth minute before doubling his personal tally in the 11th minute from open play.
 
Japan were slow to get their act together but managed to pulled one back through Kyohei Ogawa's field goal in the 21st minute. Japan had numerous chances as the match progressed - including a penalty corner just after the hooter - but could not find a crucial second goal that would have put them in the final instead of Pakistan.
 
Japan coach Kyoichi Nagaya said the Pakistanis were faster and his players only became systematic after being two goals down. Yet he was satisfied with their overall display.
 
"It's disappointing to miss out on the final after coming close but I'm satisfied with how we've done since the start of this competition and we'll be out to finish third on Sunday," said Nagaya.

Sultan of Johor Cup official site



Finally a Malaysian win

by  Satwant Dhaliwal

Even years seems to be at odds for Malaysia at the Sultan of Johor Cup.   

The Malaysian under-21s also played in the fifth-sixth placing match in 2012 and 2014, and will enter the 2016 SOJC final day in hope of avoiding the wooden spoon.

Sans 2-2 draw with Australia, Malaysia have been largely poor throughout the competition but will enter the classification tie with a psychological  advantage over New Zealand.

Wallace Tan's men play New Zealand, a side they defeated 2-1 in the final round-robin match on Saturday despite failing to really make the most of their chances. Malaysia had nine penalty corners during the match but only managed to convert one.

"There will always be room for improvement ... what's important is that we won today and can get some confidence before meeting them again on Sunday," said Wallace.

"We had our chances today and need to create more again. I've been looking at how to improve the team as we go during this tournament and we're improving, but there's more room to work things out.

"We have to convert the chances we create. We have the last game remaining to get things right."

New Zealand, who have been struggling in Johor thus far, took the lead through Brad Read's penalty corner in the ninth minute.

Malaysia looked out of ideas in the final 25 yards and squandered five penalty corners in the first-half. Nik Aiman Nik Rosemi scored from open play in the 38th minute to level the tie while Najmi Farizal Jazlan put Malaysia ahead through the seventh short corner of the night in the 48th minute.

Sultan of Johor Cup official site



Aussies held

by  Satwant Dhaliwal

Australia has never won the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) despite making the final on two occasions.

But they will surely fancy their chances of lifting the coveted trophy at Taman Daya Stadium this time around.

Especially as they have negotiated the pool stages confidently, winning all matches convincingly, the only blemish if one was to call it, a 2-2 draw against Malaysia.

On Saturday, Australia also drew with England 2-2 but the match that had no bearing for Ben Bishop's men.

They have been a lethal force, scoring a total of 27 goals and have a proud defensive record with only six goals conceded.

In players like Blake Govers, Max Hendry and Kiran Arunasalam, they have match winners that can turn half chances into goals and the trio have been instrumental in the teams relentless march into the final.

"We are pleased to be in the final. Coming here was a good preparation of the Junior World Cup and we'll treat this final just as important as any other final," said Bishop.

"The final will be challenging and with both teams having playing each other already, I expect something different."

Australia took the lead through Blake Govers' short corner conversion in the ninth minute, a goal that was expected to open the floodgates as in the Burras' previous matches.

Yet the Australians eased their foot on the pedal, allowing England to attempt a comeback.

England, who desperately needed a win to stand a chance of competing in Sunday's final, drew level from Peter Scott's field goal in the 32nd minute. The Australians slowed the pace of the game, perhaps to conserve energy ahead of the final, and scored  through Tom Craig in the 66th minute but Jack Glee converted a penalty corner after the hooter.

"I torn between being frustrated we didn't covert our chances but at the same timr it was an in incredible performance from my boys. We'll go for the bronze medal in the placing match," said Jon Bleby.

Sultan of Johor Cup official site



Pakistan enters final after nerve wrecking 2-1 win over Japan



After a morale shattering 1-8 loss to Australia, Pakistan under 21 showed remarkable character and bounced back within 24 hours with a 2-1 win over Japan to make it to the final at Sultan of Johor Cup Hockey in Johor Bahru (Malaysia).

Both the sides entered the field looking to qualify for the final against Australia.

Pakistan had to win; for Japan even a draw could do.

It was a real cliff hanger which went to wire. Japan were awarded a penalty corner with just 10 seconds to go as  Ammad Butt committed an avoidable foul way outside the circle. After poor stopping at the top of the circle, the Japanese had another chance but the hit was well saved by Pakistani goal keeper Muneeb, and ball was cleared. All  the  Pakistanis present erupted into celebrations.

Pakistan began well and dominated the first 15 minutes with well concerted attacks. They had open chances as well as two penalty corners. Both the penalty corners yielded goals. The first arrived in  the 4th minute. An Abu Bakr's stinger went into the top left corner of the net. They had to wait for only seven more minutes. Off the second PC, the ball remained in the circle for some time. A  clever back pass from the right side was met with a fierce Abu Bakr angular hit which sounded the right corner of the board.

It seemed Pakistan would run over the Japanese but the East Asians recovered from the double jolt. After wasting  a PC, Japan manged to halve the deficit in the 21st minute. There was an unchallenged long run along the left flank and the minus from the goal line was expertly flicked in by Ogawa, who was surprisingly left unmarked.

Pakistan couldn't avail  two more penalty corners  before the hooter.

Second half was also exciting though the pace not as electrifying.  Pakistani goal had a close shave in the 11th minute. Thereafter, Greenshirts had more opportunities including two PCs. A two touch variation didnt work off the 5th penalty corner. Abu Bakr pushed the ball back to the injector whose push missed the target. On the last PC, the stoppage was poor.

The best field chance fell to Mohsin Sabir. He was given a pass at the top of the circle with all the time. From an ideal position, he shot well above the bar.
Suspense prevailed and then that Japanese penalty corner came in the last moments.

It was a well deserved victory for Pakistan who meet Australia in the final tomorrow.

SCORERS:
Pakistan: Abu Bakr 4' & 11'
Japan: Ogawa 21"

PHF Media release



Pakistan make to first-ever final at Sultan Johor Cup

LAHORE - Pakistan junior hockey team reached the final of the Sultan Johor Hockey Cup Saturday after beating Japan 2-1 Saturday being underway in in Malaysia.

Pakistan have never made the final of the Sultan Johor Cup in their five attempts so far.

So making the final for the first time has given the team the much needed morale booster, never mind the fact that they will be up against Australia, a team that whipped them 8-1 only two nights ago.

Pakistan's best ever placing in the five editions of the tournament has been a fourth placing.

But Tahir Zaman has whipped a team that was considered rank outsiders before the tournament into a champion material,

Players like skipper Mohammad Dilber and Riaz have churned out master class performances to lead Pakistan into the final after defeated Japan 2-1 in a decider.

"The final is a different day and it will be a different match not a bullying match," said Tahir after seeing off Japan.

"The first target coming here was to be on the podium and we've done that.

So there will be less pressure on my players in the final.

It's a pressure facing Australia because of their strength but I want to see my players enjoy their game.”

Pakistan were organised from the very start and wasted no time in taking the lead after Abu Bakar Mahmood scored from a penalty corner in the fourth minute before doubling his personal tally in the 11th minute from open play.

Japan were slow to get their act together but managed to pulled one back through Kyohei Ogawa's field goal in the 21st minute.

Japan had numerous chances as the match progressed - including a penalty corner just after the hooter - but could not find a crucial second goal that would have put them in the final instead of Pakistan.

Japan coach Kyoichi Nagaya said the Pakistanis were faster and his players only became systematic after being two goals down.

Yet he was satisfied with their overall display.

"It's disappointing to miss out on the final after coming close but I'm satisfied with how we've done since the start of this competition and we'll be out to finish third on Sunday," said Nagaya.

In other matches of the day, the other finalists and table topper of the round robin stage Australia were held by England 2-2 while Malaysia tasted the first victory over sorry New Zealand 2-1, who remained winless in the event.

 Final Standings

  Team P W D L G-A +/- Pts
1 Australia 5 3 2 0 27 - 6 21 11
2 Pakistan 5 3 1 1 14 - 14 0 10
3 Japan 5 3 0 2 9 - 11 -2 9
4 England 5 2 2 1 12 - 9 3 8
5 Malaysia 5 1 1 3 7 - 12 -5 4
6 New Zealand 5 0 0 5 7 - 24 -17 0

Results

England  2:2 Australia
Pakistan 2:1 Japan
Malaysia 2:1 New Zealand

The Nation



Abu Bakar excels as Pakistan make history

KARACHI: Promising midfielder Abu Bakar Mahmood scored a brace as Pakistan reached the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Japan in Johor Bahru, Malaysia yesterday.

Led by Mohammad Dilber, the Pakistan U21 team will meet pre-tournament favourites Australia in the final today.

They will go into the game as decided underdogs, however, having lost by a whopping 8-1 scoreline against Australia in the group stages.

That defeat meant the Colts had to defeat Japan in their final group game to qualify for the final and they seemed up for it right from the get-go.

The Greenshirts got themselves a deserved early lead as Abu Bakar converted a fourth-minute penalty corner.

Seven minutes later, he doubled Pakistan’s lead from open play.

Japan were sluggish to begin with but slowly came into the game and Kyohei Ogawa’s field goal in the 21st minute meant they had enough time to draw level. However, they couldn’t find the all-important second despite being offered several presentable opportunities.

Coach Tahir Zaman was happy with the team’s first final in their fifth attempt in the tournament.

“We had never reached the podium of this event and our initial target has been achieved by qualifying for the final,” he said after the match.

Zaman felt the 8-1 thrashing will have no bearing come the final today and feels his side can perform better in the final since they go into the game as underdogs.

“The final is a different day and it will be a different match,” said Zaman. “Since we have met our initial target, there will be less pressure on my players in the final. Australia are a tough side but I want to see my players enjoy their game.”

Pakistan will have to do what no other team has managed so far if they are to claim the title — defeat an unbeaten and rampant Australian side.

Japan coach Kyoichi Nagaya said the Pakistanis were faster and his players only started following their system after going two goals down, by which time it was too late.

“It’s disappointing to miss out on the final after coming so close but I’m satisfied with how we’ve done since the start of this competition,” he added.

The Express Tribune



Malaysia beat NZ 2-1 in Sultan of Johor Cup

by Mohd Farhaan Shah


Malaysia's Luqman Ahmad Shukran (left) dribbles the ball against New Zealand's Mitchell Ottow during the Sultann of Johor Cup match at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium. - ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG / The Star

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia finally recorded their first win in the Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament after beating New Zealand 2-1.

But it came too late to salvage their pride in the six-team Under-21 tournament as they finished fifth in the standings with four points. The Kiwis were placed last without a single point.

On Saturday, it was New Zealand who grabbed the lead after just 10 minutes when captain Badley Read converted a penalty corner at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.

Malaysia only managed to equalise through a field goal by Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozemi in the 38th minute.

Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan was the hero, converting a penalty corner in the 49th minute to give Malaysia the win.

Said Malaysia coach Wallace Tan: “There are still some areas that we must improve on. We had about eight penalty corners but only managed to convert one.”

Both the teams will meet again in the classification match for fifth place on Sunday.

Earlier, Pakistan reached the final against already-qualified Australia after a 2-1 win over Japan.

Abu Bakar Mahmood starred for Pakistan, scoring in the fourth and 11th minutes. Japan replied through a 21st minute field goal by Kyohei Ogawa.

Japan will meet England in Sunday’s third placing playoff. Holders England failed to reach the final after being held to 2-2 draw by Australia.

Australia scored through Blake Govers (ninth) and Tom Craig (66th) while Peter Scott (32nd) and Jack Clee (70th) netted for England.

The Star of Malaysia



Burras through to final of Sultan of Johor

Draw 2 -2 with England

Holly MacNeil



Australia has made the final of the 2016 Sultan of Johor Cup, after drawing 2 -2 with England in their final pool match. Blake Govers and Tom Craig added to their goals for the tournament with a penalty corner and field goal respectively.

It was a hard fought match, with the teams going goal for goal. Blake Govers was the first to score for the Burras, with a penalty corner converting just nine minutes into the game. Peter Scott answered for England, with a field goal at 32 minutes leveling the score going into the half time break.

The Aussies almost had the game with Tom Craig scoring a fantastic field goal at 66 minutes, but Jack Clee came through to give England the draw with a penalty corner at the 70th minute.

It was enough for Australia to maintain their lead in the standings and make the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup.

"We are pleased to be in the final. Coming here was a good preparation of the Junior World Cup," said Burras head coach Ben Bishop. "The final will be challenging and with both teams having played each other already."

The squad’s participation in the tournament, a key element of the preparation for the Junior World Cup, has been made possible thanks to the support of one of Hockey Australia’s key partners, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, through its NextGEN AUSComGames program.

Australia next play Pakistan in the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup on Sunday evening.

BURRAS 2 (1)
Blake Govers 9 (PC)
Tom Craig 66 (FG)

ENGLAND 2 (1)
Peter Scott 32 (FG)
Jack Clee 70 (PC)

Full results from Day 5:

MAS 2 – 1 NZL
PAK 2 -1 JPN
AUS 2 -2 ENG

League Standings
1. Australia
2. Pakistan
3. Japan
4. England
5. Malaysia
6. New Zealand

Hockey Australia media release



Mixed emotions for Bleby as England miss final


Jack Clee celebrates scoring for England U21

England’s hopes of reaching the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup were dashed as they were forced to settle for a draw with Australia. Needing a win to give themselves a chance of competing in the gold medal match, Jon Bleby’s side could not have asked for a tougher assignment, facing the tournament’s form team who had scored 24 times in four games. However they stepped up to the challenge and could easily have won the match.

“I’m torn with my emotions. We’re really frustrated because we had chances to win this game. Our goal was to make the final and we’re now not going to do that if we’d taken a few chances we could have done.” said a visibly disappointed Bleby after the match.

The opening quarter of an hour was played at a searing pace with both sides throwing men forwards in search of the opening goal. Australia took the lead in the ninth minute thanks to a penalty corner from Blake Govers, finding the top corner of the net with a fierce drag flick. There was no let up and the Burras high press forced England onto the back foot. Bleby’s side grew into the game and just before half time they got themselves level. Jack Clee broke into the circle from the right and the ball fell to Peter Scott whose shot on the turn beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

England controlled much of the second half with Australia now the side on the back foot, forced to hit on the break. Clee set up James Oates for a glorious chance, squaring for the No11 who had just the goalkeeper to beat. Somehow Ashleigh Thomas got a glove on the shot to tip it round the post. Australia were reeling and Jack Turner’s underarm pass freed Rhys Smith whose shot flashed past the far post.

With eight minutes remaining England almost scored one of the goals of the tournament. Oates won the ball deep in his own half and set off on a lung bursting run breaking three tackles on the way. He found Scott in space and his cross connected with a diving Clee whose deflection went inches wide.

England were made to pay moments later as Kiran Arunasalam’s driving run got the ball to Samuel Liles who in turn found Tom Craig to apply the finish. England went to a kicking back and created chances in the dying minutes. Clee’s spin and shot tested the goalkeeper and then Chris Proctor’s backhand stung Thomas’ gloves. With one last effort England won a penalty corner. The initial shot was deflected to Jack Waller who calmly squared for Clee to touch in at the far post to salvage a draw for England.

Despite his disappointment on missing the final, Bleby paid tribute to his team saying:

“I’m incredibly proud of our performance today. We have young team here and we were playing against a strong Australia side and I thought our boys did brilliantly. Individually I’m proud of them but we’re disappointed we can’t play in the final.”

“We’ll prepare quickly. This game is gone now but we’ll try to win a medal. Bronze would be a great achievement and it’ll be a tough game whoever we play but we’ll come out all guns blazing tomorrow.”

England U21 2 (1)
Peter Scott 32 (FG)
Jack Clee 70 (PC)

Australia U21 2 (1)
Blake Govers 9 (PC)
Tom Craig 66 (FG)

England Hockey Board Media release



Kiwi Under 21s edged by Malaysia


Photo: Megat Firdaus

The New Zealand Under 21 Men have been edged 2-1 by hosts Malaysia at the Sultan of Johor Cup.

New Zealand opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Brad Read sent a penalty corner into the back of the net.

Malaysia created plenty of scoring opportunities in the first half but struggled to convert against the Kiwi defence.

Nik Aiman Nik Rosemi then scored from open play in the 38th minute to level the score at 1-1 before Najmi Farizal Jazlan delivered a 48th minute winner from a penalty corner.

The two sides now face a rematch late this evening in the tournament’s the 5th/6th playoff.

Hockey New Zealand Media release



East Grinstead remain unbeaten in the Women's Premier Division


Surbiton's Giselle Ansley. Credit rskg.co.uk

East Grinstead remain unbeaten in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division after battling to a 4-1 victory at the University of Birmingham on Saturday.

Lucy Bairner scored a brace for the visitors, whilst captain Ruth Gordon and Alice Pyrgos were also on target.

The Premier Division’s leading scorer Erica Sanders’ ninth goal of the season was a consolation for the University of Birmingham, as East Grinstead leapfrogged them into third in the table.

Surbiton stayed top of the table after running out 2-0 winners away to Slough.

Giselle Ansley (pictured) converted two penalty corners in the space of seven second half minutes to give the visitors all three points and preserve their unbeaten run.

Holcombe remain just a point back in the table after winning 4-2 at home to Clifton Robinsons.

First half goals from Eleanor Watton and Quanita Bobbs were added to after the break by Rebecca Titmuss and Emily Beeney. Jess Bloom and Joanna Leigh scored from penalty corners for the visitors.

Leicester claimed all three points after a 3-1 home win over Canterbury.

Kathryn Lane, Liz George and Elizabeth Honarmand all converted penalty corners for the hosts, with Lizzie Neal on target for Canterbury.

Reading secured their first point of the season at the seventh time of asking with a 1-1 draw at home to Bowdon Hightown.

Julie Whiting had given Reading the lead on the stroke of half time, but Jane Donnelly rescued a point for the visitors, converting a 52nd minute penalty corner.

Investec Women's Conference East

Sevenoaks made it seven wins from seven games with a 3-1 victory at home to Hampstead and Westminster in the Investec Women’s Conference East.

Kirsten Greaves and Maddie Thompson scored for the hosts, and despite Fleur Horner pulling one back for Hampstead, Sophie Crosley added a third to secure victory and keep Sevenoaks top.

Wimbledon beat Northampton Saints 7-1 to stay three points behind the leaders, with Nicola Lloyd firing a brace.

Harleston Magpies moved third in the table after a 2-1 win at Chelmsford, Maria Andrews scoring twice to take her season tally to seven goals.

Elsewhere, Tess Howard scored the only goal as Cambridge City defeated St Albans 1-0, and West Herts moved off the bottom of the table after securing their first point of the campaign, 1-1 at home to Southgate.

Investec Women's Conference North

Brooklands Poynton won their fourth game in succession to stay top of the Investec Conference North, claiming a 2-0 victory at Liverpool Sefton.

Aine Curran and Jessica Berry scored either side of the break to preserve Brooklands’ two-point lead at the top of the table.

A single Rebekah Walker goal ten minutes before half time ensured Beeston kept pace, as they secured a 1-0 victory at Loughborough Students.

The University of Durham remain the division’s only unbeaten side, but they were held to their fourth draw of the season, 1-1 at Wakefield.

Elsewhere, Tanisha Janzen netted twice to help Ben Rhydding defeat Belper 4-1, and Sutton Coldfield won 2-1 at Timperley.

Investec Women's Conference West

Stourport remain top of the Investec Women’s Conference West after beating third-placed rivals Olton and West Warwicks 5-2.

Goals from Lorna Mackenzie and Sally Walton ensured the game was level at 1-1 at half time.

However, Stourport scored four unanswered goals with Lora Symonds bagging two while Kirsty Imm and Sarah Parkinson-Mills also found the net.

Katie Brough pulled back a late consolation for Olton and West Warwicks.

Buckingham kept pace at the top with a slender 1-0 victory at home to Oxford Hawks, with Kitty Higgins scoring nine minutes from time to seal the points.

Amy Burton and Natasha Marke scored after half time to give Swansea a 2-0 home victory over Trojans.

Elsewhere, a first half goal from Emily Rogers gave Gloucester City three points in a 1-0 win over Isca, while Bristol Firebrands got their first point of the season, their match at Exe finishing goalless.

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, November 5, 2016):

Investec Women's Premier Division: Holcombe 4, Clifton Robinsons 2; Leicester 3, Canterbury 1; Reading 1, Bowdon 1; Slough 0, Surbiton 2; University of Birmingham 1, East Grinstead 4.

Investec Women's Conference East: Cambridge City 1, St. Albans 0; Chelmsford 1, Harleston Magpies 2; West Herts 1, Southgate 1; Wimbledon 7, Northampton Saints 1; Sevenoaks 3, Hampstead and Westminster 1.

Investec Women's Conference North: Ben Rhydding 4, Belper 1; Liverpool Sefton 0, Brooklands Poynton 2; Loughborough Students 0, Beeston 1; Timperley 1, Sutton Coldfield 2; Wakefield 1, University of Durham 1.

Investec Women's Conference West: Buckingham 1, Oxford Hawks 0; Exe 0, Bristol Firebrands 0; Gloucester City 1, Isca 0; Swansea City 2, Trojans 0; Stourport 5, Olton & West Warwicks 2.

England Hockey Board Media release



Strathmore University Scorpions sting JKUAT to maintain hockey title bid

By BRIAN YONGA


Strathmore University Scorpions' Yvonne Wanjiku (left) tries to win the ball back from Sandra Vandoti of USIU-A Spartans during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match at City Park Stadium on August 7, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | 

Strathmore University Scorpions maintained their title ambitions after they hammered Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 6-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match played at the City Park Stadium on Saturday.

The win means the title race will go down to the wire after Scorpions cut leaders' Telkom Orange’s lead to two points. Orange are on 19 points while Scorpions are 17 points and both teams have one match left this season.

Kenya international Gilly Okumu and Scorpions skipper Yvonne Karanja scored twice each in the one-sided affair. Winnie Odongo and Ruth Odhiambo were also on target as JKUAT were put to the sword.

Scorpions coach Meshack Senge was pleased with his team's performances and called on them to fight for the title until the end.

"We are doing our bit to ensure that we win the title and we now hope that fate can be kind to us and give us a bit of luck in our last match. We were brilliant against JKUAT and the team can be proud of their achievements this season, " Senge told Sunday Nation Sport.

Okumu, who missed last weekend's 2-0 win over Kenyatta University Titans, marked her return with two brilliant goals. Her first saw her beat two JKUAT defenders before firing in between the legs of keeper Mary Njoki.

It was 4-0 at half time as the Scorpions run their Juja-based opponents rugged in the opening 35 minutes to claim bragging rights in the university derby.

In another match, Amira Sailors beat Sliders 2-0 to maintain their hopes of finishing second in the women's Premier League.

First half goals from Susan Oketch and Pauline Ochieng gave the debutantes the three points in the pulsating encounter.

The game was effectively over after four minutes when two quick field goals were enough to spur Amira to the three points. The result saw Sliders' bad run continue and last season's runners up have not won in the last six matches.

Sliders were hammered 6-0 by Telkom Orange last weekend and were again outplayed and outfought by the young and quick Amira who should have won by a bigger margin.

Amira coach Linet Onyango accused her charges of failing to convert the chances during last weekend’s 0-0 with United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans.

However, Amira turned on the style with a dominant display and went ahead in the second minute with their first chance of the game. A sweeping move saw Oketch fire in the opener past Sliders keeper Kate Opicha.

Two minutes later, Opicha was beaten again as Oketch turned provider setting up Ochieng who sounded the board stunning the Sliders defence.

Daily Nation



Amira Sailors slide Sliders to second loss this season

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Amira Sailors Vivian Akinyi(l) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Marion Tanui fight for the ball when they played Women Premier at City Park yesterday, on 13/08/2016. Sailors scored 8-0. PHOTO; JENIPHER WACHIE

Amira Sailors trampled adept Sliders 2-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league match played yesterday at City Park Stadium.

Four minutes is all Amira needed to humble former league champions Sliders and hand them their second defeat of the season.

Goals from prolific striker Susan Oketch and Pauline Ochieng were enough to give Sailors three crucial points moving them closer to making their dream of a top four finish a reality. An elated Amira coach Linnet Onyango lauded her players saying they stuck to the game plan and their efforts bore fruit.

“They were superb today, they settled in the match very fast and all our playing units were equal to task. We wanted to make the best out of the match and I am glad their hard work both in training and in this match paid off,” Onyango said.

Amira played offensively from the onset with their attacking trio of Oketch, Ochieng and Jedida Zawadi going deeper into Sliders territory. Oketch pressed on and two minutes into play she outwitted the Sliders defence before sending a hard shot that left Sliders goalkeeper Kate Opicha with no chance.

The bankers were not content with a one goal lead as they intensified their hunt for a second goal and two minutes later Ochieng was on target putting her side two up in four minutes.

Both sides lost chances in the first half as Sliders struggled.

They came back in the second half more composed and created chances, but their forwards failed to complete the job.

Elsewhere, Strathmore University Scorpions thrashed Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology 6-0 to have a firm grip on second spot on the log.

The Standard Online



Punjab Police knocked out by ONGC

Ravi Dhaliwal


Haryana beat North Central Railway 5-3 in the Surjit Hockey Tournament in Jalandhar on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Sarabjit Singh

Jalandhar: ONGC delivered the knockout punch against Punjab Police, winning 2-0 to enter the league stage of the 33rd Surjit Singh Memorial hockey tournament played at the Burlton Park stadium here today.

The organisers had invited 16 teams, but only 13 teams turned up. The organisers were forced to reformat the draw, and they decided to pit ONGC against Punjab Police in a play-off, the winners to be sent to the reduced main draw of 12 teams.

Punjab Police are not the force they once were and it was a foregone conclusion that they’d lose to the much superior ONGC outfit. As expected, ONGC won, Mandeep Antil and Navjot Singh scoring the goals.

Punjab Police had, in fact, started off on a sound footing, their forwards repeatedly raiding the rival citadel. However, Mandeep Antil put ONGC ahead, against the run of play. He received a pass from the left flank and slotted the ball in after drawing out the custodian. The dust had yet to settle down when Navjot Singh dribbled his way into the striking circle, where he side-stepped his way past a fast-moving defender to score from an acute angle. After two goals in the first half, the second half was goalless as fullback Diwakar Ram stood like a rock against Punjab Police’s attacks. The cops could well have scored and even equalised in the second half, but for some robust play put on display by Diwakar Ram.

In the women’s tournament, Haryana carved out an emphatic 5-3 win against North Central Railways, captain Ritu Rani standing out with a stellar performance.

The Tribune



Harvard holds off Cornell

By Richard Morin

Behind a hat trick from Lewis Zerter-Gossage and a 4-point performance from Ryan Donato, No. 12 Harvard staved off a comeback to edge Cornell, 4-3, Saturday night at Bright-Landry Arena.

The Crimson (3-0-1, 1-0-1 ECAC) started fast, with the freshman Donato finding Zerter-Gossage, a sophomore, for the first score just 1:25 into the opening frame. As the first period wound down, Donato, the son of Crimson coach Ted Donato, again connected with his linemate for a two-goal lead after 20 minutes.

Trevor Yates cut the Harvard lead in half, but Donato, a Bruins draft pick, scored a goal of his own at 15:48 of the middle frame. Two minutes later, Donato found Zerter-Gossage to complete the hat trick and build the lead to 4-1.

Anthony Angello and Jake Weidner bookended goals for Cornell (1-4-4, 0-1-1) to end the second and begin the third, but Crimson goalie Merrick Madson held strong for the win.

Boston Globe



Before Akshay Kumar's "Gold", a look at his muse: Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr

Austin Coutinho


Balbir Singh Sr. Illustration © Austin Coutinho

This week, reports stated that Akshay Kumar's next film — Gold — would be a biopic on hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr. Singh was a member of three Olympic gold medal winning squads, and still holds the record for scoring the highest number of goals in an Olympics men's final. Before his story comes to the big screen, we take a look at the man behind the legend.

At a glittering function last year, India’s legendary hockey striker, captain and coach of yesteryear, Balbir Singh Sr., 91, was conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. He was among the first sports persons in India to be conferred with the Padma Shri in 1957, and this latest award, therefore, took a long time coming!

Unaffected by the inattention, though, the legend had revealed that the inspiration to play for the country and win Olympic gold medals had come after watching a newsreel on India’s hockey win at the 1936 Berlin Games. He had said, “I was mesmerised by the magical skills of Dada Dhyan Chand and the way he sold ‘dummies’ to the opposition defenders. Therefore, receiving the Dhyan Chand ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ is all the more an honour. I have idolised Dada all my life!”

Balbir Singh, who was born in the village of Haripur Khalsa, in Jalandhar, on 10 October 1924, now lives in Burnaby, Canada. He had retired from the post of Director of Sports, Punjab, in 1982, after an illustrious playing career and dedicated service in the Punjab Police.

The journey to his ‘life’s calling’, as he later termed it, had begun 85 years ago. His father, Dalip Singh Dosanjh, a freedom fighter had brought for his son a hockey stick as gift for his seventh birthday. The glee with which his son, Balbir had opened the gift wrapping and had run on to the ground nearby to play with his new stick had warmed his heart.

The Dosanhj family then lived in Moga, Punjab, a stone’s throw away from the Dev Samaj High School, where Balbir studied. The school’s hockey ground was in fact their backyard. Young Balbir spent his entire after-school hours playing with his mates here. Looking at him through the window of his tiny dwelling, Dalip Singh would often wonder if his gift had distracted his son from his studies. Little did he know then that his son would one day be a three-time Olympic gold-medalist and a world hockey legend!

Climbing the ladder of fame

It is said that Balbir Singh is a direct descendant of Baba Bidhi Chand, a close aide of Guru Hargobind, the sixth of the Sikh gurus. Therefore, he perhaps had inherited his fighting qualities.

After his matriculation, Dalip Singh had packed Balbir off to Lahore to join the Sikh National College there. He wanted his son to finish his studies and then look for a good, steady job. Harbail Singh, who was then the Khalsa College coach had watched Balbir’s skills and enthusiasm for the game and had wished that he join the college in Amritsar. Dalip Singh, however, would have none of it. Harbail Singh’s requests and persistence paid off only two years later when he agreed to let Balbir join Khalsa College.

Balbir was his coach’s favourite trainee and blue-eyed boy. After the team finished its practice, Harbail Singh would take Balbir aside and ask him to practice his dribbling skills, all alone. He then had to take top-of-the-striking-circle shots into goal for an hour. It wasn’t surprising then that he was picked to play for Punjab University, which went on to win the national varsity championships from 1943 to 1945.

The next step upward for Balbir was getting selected to the rock-solid, ‘undivided’ Punjab state squad. The team consisted of star players from Punjab, Sind, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan. The last national championship final under British rule was played in 1947 at the Bombay Hockey Association grounds in Churchgate, when Punjab-led by AIS. Dara, future Pakistan captain — got the better of a strong Bombay squad by a solitary goal.

The Games and some curious happenings

By 1948, the country had not only gained independence from British rule but had also gone through a bloody, devastating partition. Two Olympic Games had been called off because of World War II. A cash-strapped Britain, all the same, decided to play host to the 1948 Games in London.

When the Indian hockey squad for the London Games was announced, with many of its former stars turning up for Pakistan, it wasn’t a surprise that Balbir Singh had made the cut. He had done enough at the university and state nationals to merit a place in the side.

A greenhorn, as far as international hockey was concerned, Balbir wasn’t an automatic choice in the playing eleven. Gleefully accepting the chance to play against Argentina, when Bombay’s Reggie Rodrigues reported sick, he displayed brilliant stick-work to score six goals, including a hat-trick. Argentina was routed 9-1. Then benched for two matches, he came back into the side against Britain, in the finals, and scored a brace. India thus beat Britain 4-0 to win its fourth consecutive gold.

After his excellent showing against Argentina, Balbir’s name was initially included in the team list announced for both the league matches that followed. Against Austria, the lineup was changed just before the game. When the final league game against Spain came up, Balbir was asked to return to the bench by the captain - supposedly under instructions of the team manager. He was replaced even as he was preparing for the bully off!

A senior member of the team by the time the Helsinki Games (1952) came around, Balbir was made vice-captain in a strong team led by KD Singh ‘Babu’. He scored a hat-trick against Britain in the semifinals and then pumped in five goals in the final as India rode roughshod over a hapless Netherlands. That record of five goals, in a final, still stands.

At Helsinki, Balbir was India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony. After over a hundred pigeons were released by Finland’s President Paasikivi, one of them chose to ‘dirty’ his left shoe as he proudly led the march past. Embarrassed, he was looking to wipe off the dropping, when an Olympic official patted him and said, “You are going to be champs again. We believe, in Finland, that when a bird ‘dirties’ your left boot, nothing can stop you from succeeding!”

Balbir wore jersey number 13 at Helsinki. When one female fan pointed out to him that the number 13 was thought to be unlucky, he said, “In most Indian languages, the number 13 is pronounced as ‘tera’ — meaning God. I can’t be luckier!” India scored 13 goals in the tournament and won gold, its fifth in a row.

At Melbourne (1956), his final appearance at the Games, Balbir was asked to lead the side. After scoring five goals in the opening game of the tournament against Afghanistan — who were whipped 14-0, he broke a finger and had to sit out till the semifinals. Plastering his broken finger and in extreme pain, he played against Germany in the penultimate round, which India won 1-0. The final against Pakistan was hard fought but India snatched the gold medal through a penalty corner hit by RS Gentle.

Balbir describes a funny incident that took place just before the team left for the final against Pakistan in Melbourne. As players were trooping into the team bus, Ansari — a team official — sneezed. This was a bad omen, as far as Ashwini Kumar, team manager was concerned. He pulled Balbir out of the bus, took him back to his room, made him change, had him relax for five minutes and then got him back into the India colours. It was only after this ritual was completed that the bus was allowed to leave the hotel.

Balbir Singh was now a three-time Olympic gold medalist and helped India win two silvers at the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games at Tokyo and Jakarta respectively.

Top of the word as mentor

In 2006, Balbir Singh Sr. was declared the best Sikh hockey player ever. He, at first, refused to receive the award but then grudgingly accepted it saying that it could perhaps inspire youngsters to take up hockey. “When we played, it was never as a Sikh or as a Hindu, Muslim or Christian!” he said.

He was asked to manage the Indian hockey team that participated in the 1975 World Cup. “In our team hotel in Kuala Lumpur,” says Balbir, “We had a prayer room where we had placed a Granth Sahib, a Quran, a Bhagavad Gita and a cross. The entire team prayed together in that room and enjoyed playing as a team.”

On Saturday, 15 March 1975, India was to play archrivals Pakistan in the all-important final. That morning, Aslam Sher Khan, who had helped India beat hosts Malaysia in the semifinals, requested that he be allowed to go to the Mosque for prayers. While returning, Balbir and Sher Khan met the entire Pakistani team on their way to offer prayers. One of them took Sher Khan aside and said, “We have observed that the Indian team prays more than us. I think God will be on your side today!” India beat Pakistan 2-1 to win its only World Cup title till date with Surjit Singh and Ashok Kumar scoring.

Love at first sight

Balbir Singh married the girl he loved on 27 November 1946. Sushil, his wife, came from a wealthy Sandhu family in Model Town, Lahore. He first met her when he was carrying a message from one of his professors to the family. For both of them, it was love at first sight!

They met regularly after the first meeting, and kept in touch on phone and through letters. After Punjab won the national hockey championships in 1946, Balbir gave the winner’s medal for Sushil to keep as souvenir.

Balbir has four children. A daughter, Sushbir, and three sons, Kanwalbir, Karanbir and Gurbir.

Final wish!

Balbir Singh Sr. says that his final desire in life is to see India winning the Olympic gold in hockey. “The top spot is always vacant. It is meant only for the hard working and the brave,” he asserts.

He has another wish. That of finding the medals and blazer he had handed over to the Sports Authority of India for a sports museum planned by them. They have supposedly gone missing!

Here’s hoping that the Indian hockey team fulfills the legend’s final desire and that his priceless belongings are returned to him!

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