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All the news for Saturday 26 November 2016

Goals galore on day 2 of Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup 2016



Goals continued to rain in on day two of the women’s Hockey Junior World Cup 2016 in Chile as Friday’s play provided fast-paced, action packed hockey at the Estadio Manaquehue in Santiago, Chile.

Germany, Argentina, Spain, Korea and Netherlands all picked up important wins whilst China drew once again, this time with New Zealand.

Pool B got the day off to an exciting start before teams from Pools A and D returned to the field for their second games in two days as Pool C teams enjoyed their rest day.

Here’s a summary of all the day’s action:

Pool A:
Korea bounced back from a heavy opening day defeat against Netherlands to defeat Zimbabwe 6-0. The team from Africa were much improved after their opening day loss to USA but struggled with Korea’s pace and endurance during this match. Minji Kim and Soyun Moon grabbed two goals each as Seoyeong Kim and captain Hyejin Cho also got on the scoresheet.

USA and Netherlands played out an exciting end to the day. The Americans took an early lead through a clever penalty corner combination, slotted home by Catherine Caro after only three minutes. It took a while for Netherlands to get into their stride but when they did three goals arrived as they went into the half-time break with a comfortable lead. A further two goals from penalty corners in the second half earned Netherlands a 5-1 victory as they finish day two at the top of Pool A.

Pool B:
Germany and France were the first teams to grace the field this morning and it was the travelling German support who left happier of the two. A clinical performance saw Germany score 10 goals against their European neighbours who replied with a single consolation goal. Speaking after the game, Germany captain Elisa Gräve said: “We were very nervous, but we became better and better as the game went on. We had an aim of scoring many goals, we achieved that so that’s great. It’s very important to win your opening game, but we take each game step by step. When you have a win in your bag it’s pretty good for your confidence which will be crucial for our next game against Argentina.”

Pan American junior champions Argentina, runners up at this event in 2013, got their campaign off to a positive start with a 3-1 win. It wasn’t easy however against a well-disciplined Japanese team who were making their debut at this level. A penalty corner from captain Agustina Gorzelany and two field goals, one from Lucina von der Heyde and one from Maria Ortiz, were enough to better one goal scored by Japan’s Motomi Kawamura from a penalty corner. After their win, Argentinian Olympian Maria Granatto said: “This was a really tough game to play – Japan are a very good team. Of course the first matches are always difficult but the most important thing was to win today.”

Pool D:
Spain took a lot of positives from their opening day last minute draw against China and went one better against European rivals Belgium. Mariona Serrahima had a stand-out game for the Spanish, opening the scoring from a penalty corner in the 23rd minute before grabbing her second from open play after 61 minutes as her team went on to win 4-0.

A late double from Megan Hull earned New Zealand a 2-2 draw with China. The Asian junior champions raced to a 2-0 lead before half-time with Jinrong Zhang netting in the 25th minute before Mengling Zhong doubled their lead 11 minutes later. New Zealand fought hard in the second half and stayed in the game when Hull smashed home from a penalty corner variation in the 58th minute. Four minutes later New Zealand earned another penalty corner and it was Hull again who delivered the equaliser in similar fashion to her first goal.

Play continues tomorrow at 12:00 (local) with Pool B and C teams back on the field as Pool A and D teams enjoy a rest day.

Tickets for the event, which is taking place from 24 November until 4 December, are on sale and can be purchased by clicking here. Those who cannot attend can watch the livestream of all games provided by the hosts by clicking here.

Fans can find scores, standings, photos, videos and more via the official event website on FIH.ch as well as through FIH Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtags #HJWC2016 and #RockTheJuniors.

RESULTS
Pool A: Korea 6, Zimbabwe 0; USA 1, Netherlands 5.
Pool B: Germany 10, France 1; Argentina 3, Japan 1.
Pool D: Belgium 0, Spain 4; China 2, New Zealand 2.

FIH site

NZ Under 21s snatch draw with China


Photo: FIH/World Sport Pics

A late double from Megan Hull has lifted the New Zealand Under 21 Women to a 2-2 draw with China at the Junior World Cup in Chile.

China were first to score with Jinrong Zhang netting in the 25th minute before they doubled their lead straight after halftime through Mengling Zhong.

The Kiwis fought hard in the second half and stayed in the game when Hull smashed home from a penalty corner variation in the 58th minute.

Four minutes later New Zealand earned another penalty corner and it was Hull again who delivered the equaliser in similar fashion to her first goal.

The Kiwis searched for a winning goal over the final eight minutes but were unable to beat China’s defence.

Head coach Sean Dancer said it was a tough game but pleasing that his side could fight back.

“China dominated the first half and we were fortunate that our goalkeeper Brooke Roberts was up to the challenge," he said.

“I was proud of the way the girls were able to get back into the match and in the end we created an opportunity to take the game.

“Spain had a good win today against Belgium so we will need to be better again for our next must win match against them."

New Zealand play Spain in their final pool match on Monday at 10:00am (NZ time).

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Tested Defensively, U-21 USWNT Falls to The Netherlands in Second JWC Game



SANTIAGO, Chile - Under the lights of Club Deportivo Manquhue in Santiago, Chile, the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team took on The Netherlands in the second pool game of the women's Hockey Junior World Cup. Scoring first and being defensive strong throughout the match, Team USA could not withstand The Netherlands’ offensive penalty corner unit where they converted on four of their five goals.

"Defensively it was tough," said Julia Young (Yorktown, Va.), U-21 USWNT Captain. "You kind of have to change your mindset to handle their speed and skill."

Earning possession off the push back, Team USA threatened forward quickly. In the 3rd minute of play after passing the ball around the back, USA earned its first penalty corner. Off a sweep from Young, Cat Caro (Bridgewater, N.J.) deflected the ball high into the net to give USA an early 1-0 lead.

Wasting no time, The Netherlands worked the ball into its attacking circle and ripped a shot from the top that Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas) got a touch on with her glove. The Netherlands continued to put high pressure on USA’s defense getting multiple circle penetrations in a row. Bing was tested again in the 10th minute when an attempt crossed the cage forcing her to extend her reach and lay out.

A close chance came for USA in the 16th minute after Erin Matson (Chadds Ford, Pa.) dribbled with space in the midfield, passed it out wide and found a player on the baseline. The ball was crossed in front of The Netherlands’ goalmouth but no one was there to finish. The Netherlands quickly transitioned down field, found Imme van der Hoek in the circle who beat Bing and put it in the goal to tie it at 1-1.

The Netherlands applied pressure to USA’s defense when outletting, gained possession and earned its first penalty corner in the 20th minute. The straight shot opportunity went just wide of the goal. Continuing to be a constant battle, USA turned over play in the middle of the field that led to a numbers up situation for The Netherlands. Quick passing got the ball into the circle where Bing made two saves to keep the score locked.

Possession went back and forth for a period before Julianna Tornetta (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) grabbed a Dutch foot inside the circle and earned USA its second penalty corner in the 29th minute. The initial corner was intentionally defended over the baseline and another was granted. On the second opportunity, the drag went just wide of the goal.

The Netherlands quickly transitioned down field and grabbed a penalty corner of its own in the 32nd minute and at the same time, Laura Hurff (Newark, Del.) was awarded a green card. The straight shot from Ilse Kappelle tipped Bing’s pads and went in to make it USA 1, NED 2. Less than a minute later, The Netherlands earned another penalty corner and the give and go off the top found Yenti Leemans on the right post who tipped it in to give The Netherlands a two goal lead. There was no let up for The Netherlands in the remaining two minutes as the halftime score stood at USA 1, NED 3.

Less than a minute into the second half, The Netherlands Frederique Matla was awarded a green card giving USA a player up advantage. This did not dull the momentum The Netherlands had from the first half and they quickly worked the ball forward. A backhand shot was ripped from the right but it was defended well by Young. Still with the player advantage, USA put a high press on The Netherlands outlet and earned a turnover at the top of the circle. Nicole Woods (Beverly, Mass.) had room and struck a hard shot that went high and wide of the goal.

"At halftime we didn't change anything but wanted to come out a bit more confident," said Young. "I think we got a little scared at times because of their speed and skill. We just said don't be afraid and just go for it cause at that point we had nothing to lose."

For a period of time advantages went between both teams as the center of the field was gridlocked forcing movement on the outsides. The Netherlands grabbed a penalty corner in the 46th minute but as the fly Hurff got a stick on the straight shot. The Dutch kept possession deep in its offensive end testing USA’s defense. In the 54th minute, The Netherlands earned a penalty corner. After the straight shot was stopped by Bing, Pien Sanders from The Netherlands got on the rebound and put it in to make it USA 1, NED 4.

Just 5 minutes later, The Netherlands notched another penalty corner goal as Kappelle put in her second straight shot of the game to make it USA 1, NED 5. The red, white and blue didn’t stop working hard as quick ball movement led to open space where Margaux Paolino (Villanova, Pa.) backhand crossed it but no one was home to finish. The game would end with the final score being USA 1, NED 5.

"We started off really well," added Young. "They came out fast and we had to get used to it. Overall as a team it was a good learning experience."

Tomorrow is a rest day for the U-21 USWNT and they will play their final pool play match against Korea on Sunday, November 27 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Click here to watch all games of the JWC. Follow Team USA on its journey at the JWC by staying tuned to usafieldhockey.com. #SQUAD #HJWC2016 #RockTheJuniors

USFHA media release

Win over Chile for U21 Women


U21 England v Chile

A single goal from Esme Burge gave England U21 women a 1-0 win over host nation Chile as they opened their Junior World Cup campaign last night.

Despite an almost capacity crowd England started strong and eager to make an impact. In the 13th minute England were awarded penalty corner which Erica Sanders drag flick was saved but a re-award was given.

A second attempt from Erica was saved again but fell into the path of Esme Burge who controlled the ball well, moving it right and hitting it into the back of the net to give England the lead. The home side put up a fight but our young England side stayed strong to keep the lead.

Head coach Craig Keegan said; “We knew there would be a big crowd here tonight, so pressurising Chile and taking away the home advantage was our first goal and for the most part I feel we achieved this. At the same time this match was also a huge occasion for us, I'm very proud of this young team as they managed their emotions under challenging conditions in a mature way. This result gives us a lot of confidence moving forward. We know we can perform better, but this tournament is about building momentum, and a winning start sets us up nice for our next match.”

They take on Australia next who beat South Africa 7-0 in their opening match. You can watch via the live stream this Saturday at 5pm GMT.

Chile (0) 0

England (1) 1
Esme Burge PC 18’

England Hockey Board Media release

Kookaburras dominate against Malaysia

Win 5 - 0

Holly MacNeil



The Kookaburras have dominated the match against Malaysia today at the International Festival of Hockey, with a 5 – nil win thanks to some fantastic goals from Jake Whetton, Scott Boyde, Aaron Kleinschmidt and Aran Zalewski.

The first quarter of the game saw some scrappy hockey as both the Kookaburras and Malaysia fought to take ownership of the play. It was Jake Whetton however who gave the Aussies an early advantage, tapping the ball from directly in front of the net sending it straight in past the Malaysian keeper.

Minutes later and Australia were looking dangerous again with some team work by Dylan Wotherspoon and Trent Mitton getting the Kookaburras close to scoring a second, but this time keeper Kumar Subramiam cleared the ball.

Australia had several chances for penalty corner conversions in the second quarter, along with a break-away goal attempt from Aran Zalewski and Kieran Govers but Malaysia were determined not to give away another goal.

It wasn’t until the 43rd minute of play that another goal was added to the tally, with Jake Whetton scoring his second field goal off a deflection attempt by Chris Bausor giving the Kookaburras a boost of confidence going into the final quarter.

In the 51st minute of play the Kookaburras were at it again with Scott Boyde scoring the third goal of the match from directly in front of the Australian net - his first goal for the Kookaburras.

Aaron Kleinschmidt was next up with a field goal from the right of the net sneaking past the Malaysian opposition. Aran Zalewski backed Kleinschmidt up only a minute later with a powerful reverse flick from the top of the circle smacking into the back of the net giving Australia a 5 – nil lead and sealing their third victory of the festival.

Kookaburras interim head coach Paul Gaudoin said: “It was a pleasing performance today, I thought we were able to create a lot of chances. We wore them down in the second half and scored some fantastic goals. Defensively we were reasonably sound and overall it was a reasonable effort.

“We’ll need to be better again tomorrow against whoever we meet, whether that’s New Zealand or India.”

The Kookaburras will play in the final of the International Festival of Hockey tomorrow at 6.30pm AEDT, and will take on the winner of the India v New Zealand game which is under way at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne. The Hockeyroos will also be back in action against the Indian Eves, with their game taking place at 2pm AEDT.

KOOKABURRAS 5 (1)
Jake Whetton 9, 43 (FG, FG)
Scott Boyde 51 (FG)
Aaron Kleinschmidt 56 (FG)
Aran Zalewski 57 (FG)

MALAYSIA 0 (0)

International Festival of Hockey Fixtures
Sunday 27 November
FINALS SESSION
Hockeyroos v India: 11am AWST / 2pm AEDT
Men's 3rd v Men's 4th: 1pm AWST / 4pm AEDT
Men's 1st v Men's 2nd: 3.30pm AWST / 6.30pm AEDT

Kookaburras squad v Malaysia
Chris Bausor (Perth, WA) 20/1
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD) 93/16
Scott Boyde (Brisbane, QLD) 5/1
Ben Craig (Lane Cove, NSW) 5/0
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Valley, NSW) 59/8
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA) 74/0
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA) 99/37
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW) 40/12
Josh Pollard (Melbourne, VIC) 6/0
Matthew Willis (Tamworth, NSW) 13/1
Dylan Wotherspoon (Murwillumbah, NSW) 29/7

Used Substitutes
Robert Bell (Brisbane, QLD) 5/0
Kieran Govers (Wollongong, NSW) 119/56
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 66/21
Aaron Kleinschmidt (Melbourne, VIC) 6/2
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD) 111/47
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA) 103/15

Unused Substitutes
Tristan Clemons (Bunbury, WA) 29/0

Hockey Australia media release

Hockeyroos defeat India 4 -1

International Festival of Hockey

Holly MacNeil


Kathryn Slattery scores the first goal against India

The Hockeyroos have dominated their second game against India at the International Festival of Hockey defeating the visitors 4 – 1 with goals from Kathryn Slattery, Georgia Nanscawen, Ashlea Fey and Edwina Bone.

The Australians had a solid start with a penalty corner opportunity less than a minute in to the first quarter and although the flick went high of the net they maintained control of the ball. Eight minutes in and the game improved for the Hockeyroos with Kathryn Slattery flicking in a sly one from the left-hand side of the net.

The second goal for the Hockeyroos came in the 26th minute of play, with Laura Barden making a fantastic pass down to the Australian circle, before Victorian Georgia Nanscawen managed to flick the ball straight into the net for a stunning goal.

The Indian Eves came back quickly and only a minute later scored their first goal of the game with Rani easily tapping the ball into goal from immediately left of the net.

With a minute to go the Aussies were up for a penalty corner which would give them a healthy lead going into half time. Gabi Nance injected and the drag flick from newcomer Ashlea Fey went straight into the net past keeper Rajani Etimarpu.

The Hockeyroos owned the third quarter with the ball remaining with their attacking line and although they had several penalty corner opportunities the score going into the final quarter remained at 3 – 1.

India made some unforced errors in the final quarter which resulted in the Hockeyroos getting a chance at a corner in the 51st minute of play. Defender Edwina Bone came through with a powerful drag flick, squaring the ball away with ease and in doing so scoring her third goal in her 126-game career.

With minutes to go the Indian Eves had the chance to turn the game around with a couple of penalty corner opportunities, but the Hockeyroos were determined to hang on and take out the win, which they did with the 4 – 1 score line remaining.

Hockeyroos interim head coach Jason Duff said: “I would just like to say I’m really proud of the way the girls worked yesterday to identify where the gaps were in the first game, and to come out and apply from the start. The pressure, the ball movement – they really took the game on and that’s all I can ask of them and that’s what this group is capable of.

“We’re working with them as individuals and we’re challenging them. We’ve moved some positions around, and they’ve responded really well.”

The Hockeyroos and the Indian Eves have a rest day tomorrow and will return on Sunday for the final game in the series.

HOCKEYROOS 4 (3)
Kathryn Slattery 8 (FG)
Georgia Nanscawen 26 (FG)
Ashlea Fey 29 (PC)
Edwina Bone 51 (PC)

INDIA 1 (1)
Rani 27 (FG) 

International Festival of Hockey Fixtures
Saturday 26 November
Kookaburras v Malaysia: 12pm AWST / 3pm AEDT
India v New Zealand Men: 2pm AWST / 5pm AEDT 

Sunday 27 November
FINALS SESSION
Hockeyroos v India: 11am AWST / 2pm AEDT
Men's 3rd v Men's 4th: 1pm AWST / 4pm AEDT
Men's 1st v Men's 2nd: 3.30pm AWST / 6.30pm AEDT

Hockeyroos’ squad v India
Murphy Allendorf (Mount Gravatt, QLD) 5/0
Tamsin Bunt (Aylmerton, NSW) 2/0
Mathilda Carmichael (Willoughby, NSW) 30/1
Kalindi Commerford (Canberra, ACT) 5/1
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 119/2
Ashlea Fey (Sunshine Coast, QLD) 5/2
Jordyn Holzberger (Yamanto, QLD) 38/3
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW) 56/12
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) *plays for SA 47/2
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 187/37
Ashlee Wells (Morwell, VIC) 82/0

Used Substitutes
Jocelyn Bartram 3/0 (Albury, NSW)
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC) 20/4
Edwina Bone (Orange, NSW) *plays for ACT  126/3
Jacqui Day (Mountain Creek, QLD) 6/0
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT) 171/34
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT) 105/14
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA) 67/24

Hockey Australia media release

Black Sticks fight back for thrilling win over India at International Festival of Hockey


New Zealand's Shea McAleese was one of the stand out players in New Zealand's game against India in Melbourne. PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand scored three goals in the final quarter of their International Festival of Hockey game against India in Melbourne on Saturday to record a memorable comeback.

The Black Sticks won the game 3-2 and advance to Sunday's final against Australia.

Both sides were cautious at the beginning and with two minutes left in the first quarter India were awarded a penalty corner.

However, the attacking opportunity came to nothing with Shea McAleese blocking Rupinder Pal Singh's shot off the line.

Three minutes into the second quarter India were given a penalty stroke, with Pal Singh shooting to the left, which New Zealand goalkeeper George Enersen couldn't keep out.

India kept piling on the pressure for the remainder of the quarter, with the Black Sticks unable to mount any serious attacks, other than a shot from Stephen Jennes, which was pushed away.    

Two minutes into the final quarter Nick Ross lunged with his stick low to slot the ball into the goal to level the game.

Then within a minute the Black Sticks were in front as Jacob Smith finished off a goalmouth scramble and with five minutes to go New Zealand stretched their lead with Hugo Inglis getting his name on the scoresheet.

Pal Singh got his second of the day from a penalty corner a minute later and India thought they'd got the equaliser in the final minute, but the goal was ruled out for the ball being too high when it hit McAleese in front of the Black Sticks' goal.

Stuff

Kookaburras thrash Malaysia in hockey

Australia's men's hockey team have won their third match at the International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne, this time thumping Malaysia 5-0.

Australia's men's hockey team beat Malaysia 5-0 at the International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne on Saturday, with the goals coming from Jake Whetton, Scott Boyde, Aaron Kleinschmidt and Aran Zalewski.

The hockey was scrappy in the first quarter before Whetton gave the Kookaburras the advantage, tapping the ball from directly in front of the net to send it straight past Malaysia's goalkeeper Kumar Subramiam.

Australia were unable to capitalise on multiple chances, but their second goal came in the 43rd minute when Whetton doubled his tally.

Boyde scored a field goal in the 51st minute, Kleinschmidt did the same in the 56th and Zalewski finished the rout with Australia's fifth, also a field goal, in the 57th minute.

Kookaburras interim head coach Paul Gaudoin said he was pleased with Australia's performance as they brought up their third win of the tournament.

"I thought we were able to create a lot of chances. We wore them down in the second half and scored some fantastic goals," Gaudoin said.

"Defensively we were reasonably sound and overall it was a reasonable effort.

"We'll need to be better again tomorrow against whoever we meet, whether that's New Zealand or India."

SBS

Ammad to lead 18-member Pakistan squad in Junior Hockey World Cup

LAHORE: An 18-member hockey squad for the Junior World Cup, to be held from December 8 to 18 in Lucknow, India, has been selected. Ammad Shakeel Butt has been named as captain while Mohammad Dilber has been appointed his deputy.

The national selection committee picked up the squad after holding one-day trials at the Johar Town Stadium with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Khalid Sajjad Khokar giving approval to the squad selection.

Head coach Tahir Zaman said Friday that the team was well-balanced and comprised almost the same players who had been in the team for the last one year. He claimed that players were upbeat about their participation in the mega event while holding out hope that Pakistan would win the title.

“It is the best time for players to emerge as heroes of the nation by winning the title on the Indian soil,” he added.

“Players were only focusing on their preparations,” maintained Tahir while setting aside any security fear in India. He said the players had been advised to play the role of country’s true ambassadors in India, adding that the selected team would continue to train in the camp until their departure for India in the first week of December.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ali Raza, Mune eb-ur-Rehman.

Full-backs: Mohammad Atif Mushtaq, Hassan Anwar, Mubashar Ali.

Halves: Ammad Shakeel Butt (captain), Abu Bakar Mahmood, Faizan, Mohammad Junaid Kamal, Taze em-ul-Hassan.

Forwards: Shan Irshad, Mohammad Azfar Yaqoob, Mohammad Dilber (vice-captain), Mohammad Atiq, Mohammad Bila1Qadir, Mohsin Sabir, Rana Suhail Riaz, Samiullah.

Stand-byes:

Hafiz Mohammad Ali Umair (goalkeeper), Zahidullah (full-back), Mohammad Usman (half-back), Muhammad Adnan (half-back), Mohammad Rizwan (forward), Mohammad Naveed (forward), Fahadullah (forward) and Mohammad Umar Hamdi (forward).

Officials:

Khalid Mukhtar Farani (manager), Tahir Zaman (chief coach), Mohammad Irfan, Zeeshan Ashraf (assistant coaches), Ghazanfar Ali (nutritionist), Zahid Ali (analyst), Muhammad Adnan (physiotherapist).

The Daily Times

Final games of National League before winter shutdown


Wildcats v Grange m 2016

Bromac Kelburne have taken up position at the top of men’s National league 1 courtesy of a 5-1 win over Edinburgh University, and Grange`s fixture against Western Wildcats falling foul of the frost. The champions are two points ahead of a Grange side that remain the only unbeaten outfit in the division, but have played a game more.

Victory away at Hillhead in the final game before the winter shutdown would bring to a climax Grange`s successful campaign during the first half of the season.

Grange coach David Knipe is not thinking of titles and silverware at the moment, but simply the task of taking three points from the tough clash with a much improved Hillhead outfit.

"We really have to be focused to play only the next game against Hillhead, they are having a strong season so we know how difficult this game is," said Knipe.

The sides have already met this season in the Scottish Cup, Grange were at home this time and emerged 4-2 winners courtesy of two goals from Irishman Frank Ryan, Todd Mills and Joe Waterston getting the others.

But the Glasgow side have made significant strides in the league since then and currently occupy third place in the table on goal difference from Grove Menzieshill.

Hillhead coach Mark Ralph is under no illusions: "Grange are going well at the moment and we need to match their intensity in everything we do.

"In the cup game we started slowly and let in an early goal but the second half was a more even contest, we need to take confidence from that and look to focus on our game."

Kelburne will be looking to continue their hold on pole position when they meet a Watsonians side stuttering after a very promising start to the season.

Grove Menzieshill will certainly be waiting in the wings for a Hillhead slip-up, the Taysiders will be hoping to pick up the points against Uddingston Riva, although the Lanarkshire side have won twice in their last three outings.

After three reversals in a row Edinburgh University coach Graham Moodie will be anxious to get back to winning ways at home to Western Wildcats and perhaps return to a top four place in the league.

The clash between Gordonians and PSL Clydesdale has a must-win look about it, both are without a league victory this season and the loser will occupy the basement position.

There is no doubting hockey’s game of the day in women`s National League 1, the long awaited clash between joint leaders Milne Craig Clydesdale Western and their great rivals Grove Menzieshill at Titwood.

Both sides have a perfect record in the league so far, Western top the division courtesy of a three point advantage having played a game more along with a vastly superior goal difference.

Western coach Derek Forsyth has reversed the Titwood-based side`s decline over the last few years and that progress is clearly evident in this season`s results, which have amassed 47 goals in seven games so far. While the goals have been spread fairly widely, Jen Eadie, Heather Lang, Millie Brown, Fiona Bruce and the Howie sisters Ali and Heather have been the main providers.

Forsyth said: "Both the girls and myself are satisfied with the way the season has gone so far but we are fully aware there are areas of our game to improve on.

"Last year`s matches against Grove Menzieshill were both close which we unfortunately lost by the odd goal. This season we have a number of players who have contributed on the goal front and I hope on Saturday they continue in that form."

Perhaps Grove Menzieshill`s results have not been what they hoped, although Sarah Jamieson, Iona Armour, Katie Robertson and Hanna McKie have been regulars on the scoresheet, but the Taysiders are still in there with an unbeaten record.

Champions Edinburgh University are waiting in the wings, assuming they can see off Watsonians, the students could move into second spot if Grove Menzieshill fail to take the three points.

This weekend Dundee Wanderers travel to Glasgow to face a Kelburne side on the same points mark, and only a win here will kickstart their progress up the table. The omens are good, the Taysiders came to the same venue on quarter-final cup business and came away with a 2-1 victory.


Western Wildcats v Aberdeen w 2016

Western Wildcats can further consolidate their top four status at Auchenhowie if they take three points from their confrontation with a Hillhead side, who have not gained any further points since winning their opening game of the season against CALA Edinburgh.

On Sunday Erskine Stewart`s Melville have the chance to clear themselves from the relegation zone if they can see off bottom side CALA Edinburgh who have yet to pick up a point in this season`s campaign.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Battle royale as hockey play-offs kick off

By BRIAN YONGA


Nakuru Hockey Club's Caleb Nyakundi vies for the ball with Zack Aura of Butali Sugar Warriors during a past Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

The 2016 Kenya Hockey Union season reaches its climax this weekend with the men’s Premier League title at stake.

Champions Butali Sugar Warriors battle Greensharks in the first play-off on Saturday at the City Park Stadium as the 2013 champions Kenya Police tackle two-time winners Strathmore University Gladiators in the second play-off.

The winners will clash in the final on Sunday to determine this season’s champions. This season’s top flight league saw teams divided into two pools and the top two from each pool advanced to the play-offs.

Butali, who are gunning for a third title in a row, are favourites in the clash after an impressive preliminary campaign that saw them top Pool A with a 100 percent record. The forward line of Zack Aura, Emmanuel Simiyu, Seth Oburu and Frank Wanagwe scored an impressive 33 goals in seven matches.

Butali coach Cliffe Okello will again bank on the quartet to ensure his side put Sharks to the sword and book their place in the final as they seek to defend their title.

“Our season comes down to this match and we have prepared well. Greensharks are a formidable team but we have been consistent this season and the players are confident of getting the job done,” Okello told Saturday Nation Sport.

At the back, captain Kennedy Nyongesa will be tasked with keeping the Sharks attack at bay. Sharks, who finished second in Pool B, will be out to end their poor run against the champions. The Nairobi-based side lost the clubs’ last two meetings by an identical 3-0 scoreline.

“This is a knockout match and if we follow our game plan, I am confident we can reach the final and hopefully dream about the title,” Sharks coach Ben Owaga said.

“They have got a lot of players who can hurt you if given space and we therefore need to be alert.”

In the second semi-final, Gladiators will be hoping to upset the law enforcers as they look to reach the final. Gladiators coach Meshack Senge is aware that many have predicted a Police versus Butali final, and hopes to upset the form book.

“We are in the play-offs based on the merit and I think we have an equal chance just as Police and we therefore cannot be written off,” he said. Senge is sweating on the fitness of striker Festus Onyango.

Police, who recovered from a poor start to reach the play-offs, will be hoping to extend their good form as they bid to win their first title since 2013.
The second team to be promoted to next season’s top flight men’s league will also be known this weekend.

FIXTURES (All matches at City Park Stadium)

Saturday:

National men: Kimathi University v JKUAT -12pm, Parkroad Tigers v Kabarak University- 2pm
Premier men (playoffs): Kenya Police v Strathmore University – 4pm, Butali Sugar v Greensharks – 6pm

Sunday:

National men: Kimathi University v Multimedia University – 9am
Premier men: third place playoff- 11am, Final – 1pm

Daily Nation

Gold Cup hockey from November 28

MUMBAI: Twelve leading teams, including last year's runners-up Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), are to take part in the 51st All India Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament MHAL-Mahindra Stadium here from November 28 to December 7.

The tournament has been robbed of some sheen by the withdrawal of last year's winners Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and would see eight other outstating teams battling it out for supremacy along with four local challengers.

Mumbai Hockey Association Limited is conducting the tournament under the auspices of Hockey India and MHAL President Mangha Singh Bakshi said that BPCL had pulled out because maximum number of their players are on national duty.

"Some are with the Indian senior team participating in a 4-Nation tournament in Melbourne, Australia and many are in the Indian junior squad that will take part in the Junior World Cup scheduled to commence early next month in Lucknow," Bakshi said.

CAG (Delhi), former champions Indian Oil, Bengaluru; Army XI (Delhi), South Central Railway (Secunderabad), Punjab and Sind Bank (Delhi), Punjab National Bank, Delhi XI and Hockey Karnataka are the eight outstation outfits in the fray.

The local challenge would be from Mumbai Super League champions Indian Navy, Western Railway, Central Railway and Bombay Republicans.

The 12 teams have been divided into four groups of three each and the top two teams from each pool will qualify for the knock-out quarter-finals.

The quarter-finals would be played on December 3 and 4 and the semi-finals on December 6, followed by the final the next day.

The Times of India

Dar HA defeated 2-3 in last league match

With their place already assured in the final of the Raja Ashman Shah Hockey Academy Invitational tournament, Dar Hockey Academy started the last match of the double league against the National Sports School of Malaysia,Johor with all the reserves in the starting line up.

In the floodlights of the Azlan Shah stadium in Ipoh, the visitors from Pakistan called the shots in the beginning. Dar HA went ahead in the 9th minute when Hammad Anjum availed a rebound after Awais Arshad's attempt from a difficult angle had been fouled by the NSS custodian.

The joy was shot lived. Very next minute, NSS equalised. The ball remained in the Dar academy circle for sometime before Aamer Saifuddin found the target. The leveller lifted the spirits of the Malaysian boys who applied relentless pressure earning three penalty corners. First two saw direct attempts well perished by goal keeper Waqar Younis. However, off the third PC, the two touch variation, very commonly seen in today's hockey, worked and Rizwan put NSS 2-1 in front.

The NSS remained the dominant side for the first 10 minutes after the interval.

Two good chances went in smoke.

Persistence paid as a high ball was badly missed by two Dar HA defenders and Amirul Hamizan standing alone in the circle easily doubled the lead. Dar academy's cause was also not helped by one yellow and two green cards.

Down by two goals, Dar HA threw caution to the wind and desperately looked for the goal. They managed to pull one back in the 47th minute of the 50 minute game. Awais Arshad hit the board after a good build up.

They had an excellent chance to put it even when a penalty corner came their way in the very last minute.

Asif's well-directed low push was superbly saved by the diving keeper's stick.

SCORERS:
Dar HA: Hammad & Awais Arshad
NSS, Johor: Aamer Saifuddin, Rizwan & Amirul Hamizan

Fieldhockey.com

Irish U16 Girls Squad announced

Irish Coach Alison McNeill has reduced her squad following the trials held on 6th & 20th November

'We would like to thank all the players for their commitment and effort.  Trials were extremely competitive. We have selected the following players and are looking forward to working with them over the next period

Irish Hockey Association media release

Dilip Tirkey bids to bring tribals back to hockey

Krishnakanta Chakraborty

CHENNAI: Former India hockey captain Dilip Tirkey led the Indian defence against top sides during his playing days. Now, the Rajya Sabha MP is spearheading an Odisha state government campaign which is urging the tribal youth to take up hockey instead of being lured by Maoist forces.

"The Maoists, in some pockets of Odisha, are very strong and they always look to increase their numbers. We have so many talented hockey players, but many of them are forced to pick up guns instead of hockey sticks. It has a lot to do with the poverty and the lack of education in the region," Tirkey told TOI on Friday.

To give the youth the flavour of competitive hockey, the Odisha government has decided to conduct the Biju Patnaik Rural Hockey Championship across 32 venues in three states - Odisha, Jhakhand and Chattisgarh - from December 10. It will involve approximately 30,000 youths and 1750 teams in which many young tribals will take part. Vice-president Hamid Ansari will inaugurate the championship. "The rural hockey tournament will attract the youth and I hope it is a step in the right direction," Tirkey said.

Sundargarh, one of the nerve centres of Indian hockey, has been badly affected by Maoist infiltration. The area has produced quite a few players who have represented India at the national level. In fact, at least a dozen from the region still play national-level hockey at the moment. Tirkey says the people should be made aware of their hockey tradition.

"We are trying to make them understand that there is another world which offers them a job, security, financial stability and a much better social life. They are naturally talented and just need proper grooming to make it big in hockey. We have several hockey academies in the state and the famous one in Panposh has produced so many world-class players. It's a Herculean task for us but we are making sincere efforts and are hoping the situation will change soon," Tirkey, who is himself a tribal from Sundargarh, said.

The former star has been a huge inspiration for budding hockey players in Sundargarh. It was chief minister Naveen Patnaik's idea to have him lead the programme. "I have achieved everything in life because of hockey and I must give it back to society. I want to make my people understand that if I could achieve so much through the sport, so can they. I'm sure our initiative will have a huge impact on the society," Tirkey said.

The Times of India

Koshy to replace Batra as HI chief

Uthra Ganesan

NEW DELHI: Mariamma Koshy seems destined to be the interim president every time there is a change of guard at the top in Hockey India. The senior vice-president from Kerala was named as the new Hockey India president on Friday and would take charge with immediate effect following Narinder Batra’s resignation from the post.

Batra had to step down following his election as the International hockey Federation (FIH) president two weeks ago. As the senior vice-president, Koshy was a logical choice to helm the affairs of the federation. The decision was taken during the 41st Hockey India Executive Board meeting and would need to be ratified by the Hockey India Congress.

Koshy had previously been named interim president when octogenarian Vidya Stokes quit in 2010, and was confirmed in the post in 2012. Batra, who had been secretary general during that four-year period, was unanimously elected as president in 2014. Fresh elections should ideally take place in 2018 after the four-year term of the existing office-bearers gets over.

Batra, meanwhile, also stepped down as chairman of the Hockey India League governing board as required by the FIH statutes. He would be replaced by HI secretary general Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad.

“It gives me a great sense of achievement to see the independent development of Hockey India. The organisation will continue to be run by professionals headed by CEO Elena Norman and with Mariamma Koshy as its new president,” Batra said after the meeting.

Batra became the first non-European president of the FIH and the first Indian to head the international body of an Olympic sport.

The Hindu

Koshy takes over from Batra as Hockey India president

NEW DELHI: Mariamma Koshy has taken charge of Hockey India (HI) as president with immediate effect, replacing Narinder Dhruv Batra who was recently elected as the first ever non-European chief of the sport's governing body FIH.

HI announced that Koshy will head the national body in the 41st Hockey India Executive Board meeting held today.

HI Secretary General, Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, has now taken over as the chairman of the Hockey India League Governing Board.

These decisions have come in the light of Batra stepping down from his position due to his historic election in the (FIH). Batra could not hold both the posts at HI and FIH, thus he stepped down.

Today's decisions will require ratification in the Hockey India Congress to be held soon.

Batra served as HI secretary general from 2010 to 2014 and was president since 2014.

He also resigned from his post as chairman of the Hockey India League.

Speaking on the development, Batra said, "it gives me a great sense of achievement to see the independent development of Hockey India as a governing body for the sport.

"The organisation has been and will continue to be run by professionals headed by CEO Elena Norman and having Mariamma Koshy as its new president, I am sure we will reach new heights of success in popularising the sport in India as I take on the mantle to do the same on a global level."

Earlier this month, Batra made history after becoming the first Indian and fifteenth president of FIH.

The Times of India