News for 09 January 2017
All the news for Monday 9 January 2017
International Rohrmax Cup Concludes with U.S. Women's National Indoor Team USA Red Winning the Title
VIENNA, Austria - The final day of the International Rohrmax Cup in Vienna, Austria started with five of the six teams vying for a chance to take the title. USA Blue won their first match by a comfortable margin but after a devastating goal to even the score just seconds before the final buzzer tied the second game, the title chances were gone. This draw put USA Blue out of contention but opened the door for USA Red to claim first place if they could beat Switzerland's U-21 Team. In a high-caliber and competitive match, USA Red prevailed and took the title by a score of 4-1.
USA Red started the day at a fast pace against unbeaten, tournament leaders, Austria's U-21 Team. Quickly putting the Austrians on their heels, the team opened the scoring following a sharp interchange between Paityn Wirth (Nook Hockey, Thompsontown, Pa.) and Meredith Sholder (Firestyx, Alburtis, Pa.), with Wirth receiving the ball back and flicking it into the top corner. Sarah Johnson (WC Eagles, Lincoln University, Pa.) added the second by taking a quick free hit, she cut through the Austrian defense and shot past the advancing goalkeeper. With Johnson taking control of the midfield, Riley Donnelly (FSC, Doylestown, Pa.) hit the post with a strong flick and Johnson pounced on the rebound to give the USA Red a 3-0 lead. Austria U-21 Team fought back hard and cut the lead off a penalty stroke before half time.
Team USA maintained their rhythm and moved the ball with confidence and speed as the second half began. Johnson completed her second hat trick of the tournament, converting on a pass from Sholder. Donnelly added a fifth goal from a goalmouth scramble, and rounded out the scoring, answering Austria's U-21 Team field goal with her own individual effort, to give the USA Red a 6-2 win.
Next, USA Blue played Switzerland's U-21 Team. Riley Fulmer (Saints, Virginia Beach, Va.) finished off a good passing combination, which included all five players, to put her team one up. Abby Pitcairn (WC Eagles, Aspinwall, Pa.) found Sammy Popper (Princeton, Blue Bell, Pa.) on the right of the circle who rifled off a shot into the far corner of the net. The next goal came when Mary Beth Barham (Yale, Fairfax, Va.) intercepted an errant pass and made no mistake with her one-on-one skills with the goalkeeper to round out the first half.
With the tight USA Blue defense thwarting the Swiss forwards, Team USA maintained the majority of the second half possession with crisp passing around the court. Midway through the half Popper swept a long pass from Maddie Orobono (WC Eagles, Macungie, Pa.) into the net and three minutes later Barham finished off a defense splitting pass to Corinne Zanolli (WC Eagles, Newton Square, Pa.) who rounded out the scoring. USA Blue found their scoring touch to take the 5-0 win.
With Switzerland Champions Rot-Weiss Wettingen defeating hosts SV Arminen 6-2 and SV Arminen coming back to beat the tiring Austria's U-21 Team 4-1 earlier in the day, USA Blue, with the tournaments best goal difference, took on Rot-Weiss Wettingen with both teams knowing that a win for either side would give them the Rohrmax Cup.
USA Blue got off to strong start. Zanolli dispossessed a Rot-Weiss defender and found Barham who converted the easiest of chances. With the play swinging from end to end, both teams came close, and it was not until the 16th minute that Zanolli converted on a penalty corner to put USA up by two. At the stroke of half time, Rot-Weiss added a goal back from the penalty spot. The second half was a tight affair with both teams probing each other's defenses. Some good goalkeeping by the Rot-Weiss goalkeeper held the USA attempts at bay, but with the clock ticking down, the cup looked to be heading home with USA Blue. However, it was not to be. With three seconds left, Rot-Weiss was awarded a penalty corner which they converted on after time had expired to tie the game a 2-2, to the devastation of the young USA Blue squad.
The draw put both teams out of contention but opened the door for USA Red to leap into first place if they could beat Switzerland's U-21 Team in the last game of the tournament. USA started tentatively but, with their press creating turnovers, scoring opportunities started to come. Off one turnover, Donnelly gave Johnson the opportunity to open the scoring which she took with a strong low shot. An outstanding passing move found Donnelly open on the right of the circle and she gave the USA Red a 2-0 halftime lead.
Early in the second half, Swiss' U-21 Team pulled one back off a penalty corner, but Claire Webb (Syracuse, Exton, Pa.) answered with her own penalty corner shot two minutes later to regain the two goal margin. With victory in sight, USA Red stepped up the pressure on the Swiss defense and from a resulting penalty corner Hannah Prince (UMass, Gorham, Maine) put the game out of reach, scoring off the rebound in typically determined fashion, to capture the 2017 Rohrmax Cup.
"This tournament has been a good opportunity for our young players to compete against strong technical teams, who move the ball at spee, and play a variety of presses" said Jun Kentwell, U.S. Women's National Indoor Team Head Coach "I was very pleased how our individual and team defense improved significantly over the duration of the tournament. The players grew in confidence and proved to themselves that they can play against quality, experienced teams and can break down and penetrate strong presses. Our goalkeepers had an outstanding tournament. We must work on our poise taking penalty corners and lift our convention rate"
"Our players need more international experience to build on the development they made here," added Kentwell. We are at a different level than this time last year, but we still have a lot of work to do as we prepare for the Pan American Indoor Cup."
2017 Rohrmax Cup Final Standings:
1st USA Red 10 points
2nd SV Arminen 9 points
3rd Austria's U-21 Team 9 points
4th Rot-Weiss Wettingen 8 points
5th USA Blue 7 points
6th Switzerland's U-21 Team 0 points
Continue to follow the U.S. Women's National Indoor Team as they prepare for the 2017 Pan American Indoor Cup in Toronto, Canada by continually checking usafieldhockey.com.
USFHA media release
Iranian indoor field hockey team thrashes host in Croatia Indoor Cup 2017
The Iranian men’s national indoor field hockey team (file photo)
The Iranian men’s national indoor field hockey team has preserved its winning streak in the Croatia Indoor Cup 2017 and registered a resounding victory against a squad of players from the host nation’s top-ranked clubs.
On Saturday, the Iranian indoor hockey players trounced the Croatian team 15-3 in a match held in the town of Sveti Ivan Zelina, which lies northeast of Croatia’s capital, Zagreb.
The Iranian indoor field hockey had edged past Croatia’s national squad 5-2 earlier in the day.
The Iranian outfit defeated the national Belarusian team 8-2 on Friday. The Persians routed Slovenes 20-0 in their opening match on the same day.
The Croatia Indoor Cup 2017 started in Sveti Ivan Zelina on January 6 and will conclude on January 8. The tournament has attracted national indoor field hockey teams from Belarus, Croatia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran in addition to the squad of players from the host nation’s top-ranked clubs.
The Iranian men’s national indoor field hockey team considers the Croatian tournament as a preparatory stage for the 7th edition of the Asian Cup to convene in Qatar in May.
The Iranian squad comprises Behdad Biranvand, Mohammad Asnaashari, Amir Aruei, Hamid Nouraniyan, Mohsen Bohlouli, Sasan Hataminejad, Seyed Mohammad Ghorayshi, Alireza Chezani Sharahi, Abbas Aruei, Behnam Sa’di, Vahid Fathi, and Sajjad Mamizadeh.
The team is led by Esfandiar Safaei as the head couch. Masoud Bohlouli and Abolfazl Yousefi assist Safaei as coaches.
Press TV
Butali Sugar Warriors seek to save campaign in must-win tie
By BRIAN YONGA
Kenyan men's side Butali Sugar Warriors take on Ghana Police on Monday in a must-win match as the Africa Cup of Club Championship enters its third at the City Park Stadium.
Butali launched their continental title quest on a losing note when they fell 2-0 to 23-time champions Sharkia of Egypt on Saturday.The Kisumu-based side paid the price of failing to convert the chances as Sharkia picked them out with two classy goals.
Butali stand-in coach Meshack Senge is confident his charges can bounce back from the defeat and get their campaign up and running.
"There is no room for error because a defeat eliminates us from the competition.We have worked on the mistskes that cost us against Sharkia and I think we will get a good result,'' he said.
"We need to turn the many chances we created into goals.The lads are ready to show what they can do."
In the other men's pool B, match former champions Sharkia face off with last yearbronze medalists Niger Flickers of Nigeria. Sharkia will be seeking a second victory which will see them book their place in the semi-finals.
In Group A, Exchequers of Ghana will be out for a maximum points against Wananchi of Uganda. The Ugandans will be wary of the Ghanaians who thrashed their counterparts Weatherhead 6-2 in their event opener.
In the women's affair, champions Telkom Orange lock horns with Sharkia in pool A while the second Kenyan side Sliders tackle Kada Queens of Nigeria. Orange will be hoping to extend their dominance over the North Africans. Orange beat Sharkia 3-1 in a friendly match prior to the tournament.
In Group B, on-song Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) take on Dar Ladies of Tanzania. The Ghanaian ladies will be going for another resounding victory while the Tanzanians will seeking their first win after losing their opener 2-0 to Heartland of Nigeria.
MONDAY'S FIXTURES
Women- GRAv Dar ladies(8.15am), Sliders v Kada Queens( 12.45pm), Sharkia v Orange( 5.15pm)
Men- Butali v Ghana Police( 10.30am), Exchequers v Wananchi ( 3pm), Niger Flickers v Sharkia (7.30pm)
Daily Nation
Telkom Orange just too good for Nigerian Queens
By BRIAN YONGA
Loveth Mooglate (left) of Kadu Queens of Nigeria vies for the ball with Telkom Orange's Audrey Omaido during their Afirca Cup of Club Championship match at the City Park Stadium on January 8, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Telkom Orange got their title defence underway with an emphatic 5-2 win over Kada Queens of Nigeria on Sunday as the Africa Cup of Club Championship entered its second day at the City Park Stadium.
Orange coach Jos Openda was pleased with the result but noted they are yet to hit top gear.
"The first game is usually a learning curve and we need to work on our defence because the goals we conceded were too soft, " Openda said.
" The fans have not seen the real Orange and I think we should be judged after our third match but I can promise you we will be better."
Rachel Ousa gave the eight-time champions a deserved lead in the 23rd minute with a well taken goal that beat Queens keeper Mercy Orobosa at her near post. Orange had dominated proceedings with internationals Maureen Okumu striker Jackline Mwangi and Lilian Aura linking up well infront.
However, the West Africans hit back three minutes later after a swift counter attack saw the Orange defence breached and Roseline Ovoh shot past Orange keeper Cynthia Onyango as the teams headed to the break tied at one-all.
Orange continued to press in the second half with Maureen Okumu a thorn in the Queens' defence with her marauding runs. She was involved in her team's second goal, beating her maker at the touch line before squaring the ball to Irene Ofula, who buried the ball home in the 41st minute.
Orange, who had former skipper Betsy Ommala back in the team after a seven month absence, continued to press for more goals. Ommala set up Barabara Simiyu for the third goal two minutes later.
However, the Nigerians, who were fast on the break, hit back again as Faith Ikiriko scored from the resulting short corner to set up a tense final.
Telkom Orange players celebrate a goal. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |NATION MEDIA GROUP
They wasted two efforts to level the contest with Ovoh twice denied by Onyango, who had to be alert to keep out to deny the Nigerians.
Orange made the game safe with two more goals as Jackline Mwangi and Flavian Mutiva sounding the board to give their team the win and put them on three points in Pool A.
Queens, who drew 2-2 with Sharkia from Egypt in their first match on Saturday, are on a point.
Local side Kenya Police beat Wananchi of Uganda 4-2 in their opening men's match on Saturday night. Amos Barkibirir scored twice for the 2011 bronze medalliats while striker Moses Cheplaiti and Calvins Kanu scored once each.
" We took a two lead and then allowed them to come back at us.We need to close out matches early so as to avoid unnecessary pressure," Police coach Kenneth Kaunda said.
Captain Innocent Mbabali and Kevin Chimwani got the goals for the Ugandan side but Police were home and dry. In other results, former champions Heartland beat Dar ladies 2-0 in a Pool B women's contest, while Ghana Police beat Weatherhead 5-0 in another Pool B encounter.
Daily Nation
Champs march on
Telkom Orange begin hockey club title defence with victory
By Elizabeth Mburugu
Nigeria Kada Queens sandwitch(l) Orange Audrey Omaido when they played Africa Cup Championship at City Park yesterda, on 07/01/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE
Champions Telkom Orange began their Africa Cup for Club Championships title defence with an emphatic 5-2 win over Kada Queens of Nigeria in Pool A.
The eight-time continental titleholders were made to sweat for victory against the fluid West Africans, who refused to go down without a fight, yesterday at City Park.
Orange coach Jos Openda was impressed with the results, but quipped that they are yet to hit top gear.
“The first game is usually a learning curve and we need to work on our defence because the goals we conceded were too soft," Openda said.
Rachel Ousa gave Telkom Orange a deserved lead in the 23rd minute, beating Queens goalkeeper Mercy Orobosa, with ease.
However, the West Africans hit back three minutes later through Roseline Ovoh after a swift counter attack broke the Telkom Orange and left goalkeeper Cynthia Onyango exposed as both teams headed to the break tied at one-all.
On resumption, the Kenyans picked from where they left, with Maureen Okumu terorrising the Kadas’defence at will. She was involved in her team’s second goal, beating her marker at the touchline, before she squared the ball to Irene Ofula, who sounded the boards in the 41st minute.
Telkom Orange, who welcomed former captain Betsy Ommala to the team, continued to press deep into their opponent’s territory. Ommala proved she still has some invaluable touches as she set up Barbara Simiyu for the third goal, two minutes later.
However, the Nigerians, who were always dangerous on counter-attacks, hit back again as Faith Ikiriko scored from a short corner, which consequently set the match into near feverpitch. The Kenyans knew what was expected of them and responded with delight as Jackline Mwangi (57) and Flavian Mutiva (70) scored to put the match beyond the determined Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Kenya Police beat Wananchi of Uganda 4-2 to increase their chances of advancing to the knockout stage. Amos Barkibirir starred for the Kenyans, bagging a brace in the 29th and 67th minutes. Police hit-man Moses Cheplaiti opened the scores four minutes into the match, before youngster Calvin Kanu put his name on the score sheet in the 43rd minute.
Police captain Brian Saina said they are chasing better results.
Standard
Warriors go hunting for first victory
By Elizabeth Mburugu
Butali Zack Aura with the ball when they played Africa Cup Championship at City Park, Nairobi, Kenya. ON 06/01/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE
After faltering in their Africa Cup for Club Championships opening match, hosts Butali Sugar Warriors are hoping to regain their footing in their second tie.
The sugarmen will battle Ghana Police in their men's pool B match today at City Park.
Warriors launched their continental title quest on a losing note when they lost 2-0 to 23-time champions Sharkia of Egypt.
The Kenyan giants failed to impress hundreds of home fans, who were cheering them from the stands, as they committed several unforced, bust costly errors.
Warriors stand-in coach Meshack Senge said they will approach their second match with much resilience because his charges can't afford to drop another point.
"We are going for victory because dropping any more points will minimise our chances of progressing to the knockout stage. Their is no room for error because this is a must-win match for us," Senge said.
Senge added that despite losing to Egyptians, they did not leave empty-handed, but learnt valuable lessons that will come in handy in their next matches.
"We lost the game, but drew some positives from the encounter, which will build us, as we prepare for today's match. We also identified our weak points and I believe we still stand a chance of posting better and impressive results," Senge said.
In the other men's pool B match, former champions Sharkia will play last year's bronze medalists, Niger Flickers of Nigeria.
Sharkia will be seeking a second victory after their impressing Day One outing against Butali. In group A, Exchequers of Ghana, are also chasing their second successive win against Wananchi of Uganda. The Ghanaians thrashed their compatriots, Weatherhead, 6-2 in their first match.
In the women's battle, champions Telkom Orange lock horns with Sharkia in pool A, while the second Kenyan side, Sliders, tackle Kada Queens of Nigeria. Orange will be hoping to extend their dominance over the North Africans.
Niger's Flickers are confident that playing in the Africa Club championships in Kenya is a sure bet for them to improve their performance as they chase their maiden continental glory.
The Nigerian men, who finished third in last year's edition in Lusaka, Zambia, did not compete in the 2009 edition held in Kenya, following their late arrival.
Flickers coach Yohanna Faruk said, "I still remember as if it happened yesterday. We had trained well in 2009 and were looking forward to the competition, but the worst happened and we arrived late, which led to our disqualification,'' Faruk said.
He, however, said the disappointment is now behind them and they are ready for the championships at City Park.
The Standard Online
Reading and Sevenoaks are Wembley bound
Wimbledon's James Bailey denies William Marshall of Surbiton, 8 January 2017. Photo Simon Parke
There was drama on the final day of the Men’s Premier Division in the Super 6s Indoor Championship, with Reading and Sevenoaks booking their places in the finals at the SSE Arena Wembley later this month.
Surbiton and East Grinstead secured their places in the finals on Saturday, while Reading and Sevenoaks had to play some scintillating hockey to join them in the top four.
Reading moved up to third with a 7-7 draw with Sevenoaks and a 10-8 win over East Grinstead.
Harry Jawanda scored five goals in total on Sunday, taking his total to 13 for the tournament, while his Reading team-mate Andy Watts chipped in with three on the final day.
Reading had been 7-3 ahead against Sevenoaks, before four unanswered goals saw their rivals fight back.
And as well as Reading winning against rivals East Grinstead, Sevenoaks also took the points, beating them 1-0 in a close match which was only decided by George Torry’s 32nd minute goal.
Wimbledon dropped out of the top four after losing 5-3 to Team Bath Buccaneers and 9-3 to Surbiton.
A hat-trick from Andy Pett helped Team Bath to victory, while they drew 5-5 with Surbiton with Peter Scott and Ben Mackey both scoring two, while Alan Forsyth found the net three times in that game for Surbiton.
Captain Lewis Prosser scored a hat-trick in Surbiton’s 9-3 win over Wimbledon.
Loughborough Students avoid the drop after coming from behind to beat Bowdon 7-5 and drawing with Canterbury 4-4 with Ed Horler scoring eight of their 11 goals on Sunday.
Canterbury also drew 5-5 with Bowdon, but it wasn’t enough to avoid finishing second bottom of the Premier Division table.
* For goalscorers and full competition details, including live updates click here - https://englandhockey.altiusrt.com/competitions/27
England Hockey Board Media release
Wembley beckons after thrilling action at Telford
Bowdon Hightown's Sally Walton shoots past Sutton Coldfield's Becky Batsford. Credit Garry Bowden
Slough, Canterbury and Sutton Coldfield all booked their places at the Super 6s finals day after the Women’s Premier Division came to a close on Sunday.
Slough topped the standings after registering two wins on the day, the first of which came in a 5-2 victory over Holcombe, helped by an Ashpal Bhogal hat trick.
They then cemented top spot by beating bottom placed Buckingham 7-2 in the penultimate game of the day, Laura Bailey and Harriet Ward both scoring braces.
Canterbury wrapped up their qualification early, playing and winning twice in the first four games of the day.
They kicked off the day’s action with a 4-3 victory over Sutton Coldfield, captain Sarah Kerly leading her team with a brace.
Kerly hit two more in a 5-3 victory over Bowdon Hightown, who had already advanced to the finals at the SSE Arena Wembley before play commenced on Sunday.
After their loss to Canterbury, Sutton Coldfield knew only a win would see them qualify, as they took on Bowdon later in the afternoon.
Charlene Mason then Sally Walton had given Bowdon a first half lead, Walton with her 13th of the tournament. But Sutton Coldfield hit back with Sarah Parkinson-Mills, Sophie Manning, Julie Stowe and Vicky Woolford all on target to give Sutton the final place at Wembley.
Two wins on the day was not enough for East Grinstead to continue the defence of their title, as they missed out on qualification by just two points, despite a 5-1 win over the University of Birmingham, and a 4-1 win over Reading.
Reading also missed out on finals day, but Georgina Bathurst has had a superb tournament. The leading scorer took her tally to 16 goals, including another hat trick in a 4-2 win over the University of Birmingham.
Holcombe were outsiders to qualify after their early loss to Slough, but they did sign off their campaign with a 7-1 win over Buckingham, Steph Elliott, Eleanor Watton and Harriet Pittard all scoring twice.
* For goalscorers and full competition details, including live updates click here - https://englandhockey.altiusrt.com/competitions/26
England Hockey Board Media release
Irish Mens EY Hockey League Weekend Round Up
Just two points separate the top five sides in the men’s EY Hockey League after a stunning start to the New Year with the top two both losing. Indeed, the five games produced a massive 26 goals with four fixtures going down to the wire.
Leaders Banbridge fell to their first defeat of the campaign, losing 2-1 at Grange Road as first half efforts from Jody Hosking and Ben Walker gave Three Rock Rovers a big early advantage. Bann had their chances to get back into the tie with a series of penalty corners but missed the services of injured captain and top scorer Matthew Bell – as well as Drew Carlisle, Owen Magee and Fraser Mills.
Jonny McKee got one back with ten minutes to go but it was all they could muster. It means they stay top but only on goal difference from Lisnagarvey who beat UCD – shy eight regular first team players – 2-0 at Belfield with Ryan Getty and James Lorimer on the mark.
Monkstown missed their chance to go back to the top following a 4-3 loss to Cork C of I. The hosts led 1-0 through Andrew Power’s deflected cross and then 2-1 thanks to a John Jermyn corner goal. Town replied through Richard Sykes and Davy Carson before the Garryduff hosts made a break for a 4-2 lead with Simon Wolfe scoring a cracking solo goal before Jermyn nailed his 14th goal of the campaign.
Sykes’ second of the day got Town back within range with 15 minutes to go but CI held on for victory. Monkstown drop to third as a result after a rare two losses in succession while CI are fourth with a game in hand.
At the bottom, Glenanne prevailed 5-4 against Railway Union to move up to seventh place and away from the relegation playoff place. Shane O’Donoghue and Joe Brennan both scored twice in a thriller with the Tallaght side notching their second win of the campaign.
Instonians were left frustrated once again as they lost 3-2 to a last minute David Quinn goal for Pembroke. Inst had their chances to go ahead in the closing phases but were stung on the counter-attack.
Men’s EY Hockey League results: Three Rock Rovers 2 (J Hosking, B Walker) Banbridge 1 (J McKee); Cork C of I 4 (J Jermyn 2, A Power, S Wolfe) Monkstown 3 (R Sykes 2, D Carson); Glenanne 5 (S O’Donoghue 2, J Brennan 2, D Keogh) Railway Union 4 (M English 2, P Catchpole, S McKeever); UCD 0 Lisnagarvey 2 (R Getty, J Lorimer); Instonians 2 (S Kelso, J Corry) Pembroke 3 (J Ryan, P Good, D Quinn)
Day 10 – extended reports
Three Rock Rovers 2 (J Hosking, B Walker) Banbridge 1 (J McKee)
Three Rock Rovers became the first side to beat Banbridge this season as they took advantage of an understrength visiting side to Grange Road. Crucially, Bann were without Matthew Bell who sustained an ankle injury in midweek while Fraser Mills broke a knuckle in training, too, to add to Owen Magee and Drew Carlisle’s absences.
Rovers took the lead inside three minutes when Ravin Nair's ball into the circle where Jody Hosking got a slight touch off Gareth Lennox’s pads for an early advantage. Bann, for the most part, held more of the possession and territory but found many of their attacks stymied down the flanks by a compact Rovers defence.
When they did break in, they won plenty of corners but Jamie Carr produced a fine game in goals, keeping out Eugene Magee on a number of occasions.Rovers countered to go 2-0 up by the half-time break with an excellent team goal, working the ball from right to left where Conor Empey picked out Ben Walker who beautifully lifted the ball into the goal.
From there, the hosts were in strong shape for the most part until the closing ten minutes when Garry Ringwood was shown a yellow card. Within 13 seconds, Jonny McKee punished the indiscretion with a sweet action on the top of the circle before shooting home. Ross Canning and Eugene Magee were both shown yellow while Bann pushed forward in the closing stages, winning a number of corners – including one on the final hooter – but Carr kept them all out to preserve the home side's win.
Cork C of I 4 (J Jermyn 2, A Power, S Wolfe) Monkstown 3 (R Sykes 2, D Carson)
Cork C of I and Monkstown served up an entertaining fare at Garryduff, winning 4-3 in this top table battle that brought them back into range of the table’s summit with John Jermyn netting his 13th and 14th goals of the season.
In a thrilling first quarter, the hosts took the lead when a powerful right-wing run and cross from Andrew Power was turned in by a Monkstown defender. Philip Brownlow had a second chalked off for crossing soon after before Richard Sykes got the first of his two goals from Town’s second corner in the 17th minute.
The relentless pace continued in the second quarter. C of I went back in front from their first corner – won by Simon Wolfe – with Jermyn flicking home. Monkstown hit back when they robbed possession on the 23m line and Davy Carson was on hand at the back post to knock the second equaliser.
But the hosts were in front for a third time before half-time from the stand-out moment of the game. Wolfe picked the ball up wide on the left and, thanks to a combination of great skills and even greater determination, he managed to force a shot under the on-rushing Max Maguire for a 3-2 lead.
The third quarter provided some room to take a breath with Monkstown surviving a spell down to nine players. They did fall further behind with 15 minutes to go when Jermyn making no mistake from another corner for 4-2. The tie was not dead yet, though, as former C of I man Jason Lynch won a corner which also drew a yellow card for Philip Smith.
Sykes beat Billy Lynch to reduce the deficit to the minimum and set up a big closing phase. Town had CI hemmed in their own 23 with Jermyn’s long aerials the sole release. The Dubliners had another corner on the final whistle but Sykes’ high flick was deflected away by Richard Sweetnam to safety. C of I stay in fourth while Town dropped to third after back to back defeats.
Glenanne 5 (S O’Donoghue 2, J Brennan 2, D Keogh) Railway Union 4 (M English, K Springett, P Catchpole, R Devlin)
Doubles from Shane O’Donoghue and Joe Brennan earned Glenanne what could be a vital win in their bid to avoid the relegation playoff as they beat Railway Union 5-4 in St Mark’s.
After a scoreless first quarter, the game exploded into life in the second phase. Mark English broke the deadlock, putting Railway Union in front with a powerful tomahawk from just beyond the penalty spot. Glenanne bounced back and were level thanks to a piece of O’Donoghue individual brilliance, unlocking the defence with a spectacular flick from a tight angle.
Brennan’s corner breakdown goal put the Glens 2-1 up at half-time. Kieran Springett levelled with a low drag-flick early in the second half but the hosts made the first major break after that. A corner shot hit a body on the line, giving O’Donoghue the chance to retake the lead from the flick spot. Almost instantly, a strong press on the right saw Railway turnover ball and, after some neat interplay, David Keogh popped in the circle to make it 4-2.
Peter Catchpole got Railway back into range with a fierce drive in the final quarter. Glenanne came close to killing the tie with two shots hitting the post while Stephen O’Keeffe saved a couple of corners. But, from a move that went awry, Brennan picked up the pieces and his low slap deflected into the goal for 5-3. Rob Devlin made things interesting with a late goal but Glenanne held on to move up to seventh in the table.
Instonians 2 (S Kelso, J Corry) Pembroke 3 (J Ryan, P Good, D Quinn)
David Quinn’s last minute goal gave a Pembroke side shy the services of Alan Sothern, Maurice Elliott and Kirk Shimmins all three points in a tie that could easily have swung the other way.
Indeed, it was a game for goalkeepers as both Sam Brown and Mark Ingram excelled in a scrappy, wide open tie. Within two minutes, Stephen Kelso gave Inst the lead following great work from Joel Cathcart. Spencer Pinion, Kelso and Mark Irwin went close to doubling the lead.
Pembroke sat deep and played an effective counter-attack game to test Brown and they swapped the lead in the second quarter. A long overhead out of defence was missed by an Inst defender and Jack Ryan stole in to lob over the goalkeeper on the half hour.
Four minutes later, Pembroke won a corner which, following four saves from brown, fell to Patrick Good who squeezed over the line. Inst replied well in the third quarter and, following a Cathcart run, won a corner which William Robinson dragged goalward. It was stopped by a leg on the line but James Corry popped home from the penalty spot.
The final quarter was frantic with the hosts winning corners but they could not breakthrough. And when they were reduced to 10 men for the last two minutes, Pembroke persevered. With the last strike of the ball, in a goal mouth scramble, Quinn forced the ball home to give Pembroke all three points.
UCD 0 Lisnagarvey 2 (R Getty, J Lorimer)
A goal in each half saw Lisnagarvey do the double over UCD, edging out a rejigged student side shy eight of their front-line players who were away on a college skiing trip.
They were without their captain and talisman Jeremy Duncan as well as Jazze Henry, Ben McCrea, Greg Chambers, Stephen Dawson, Gavin Browne, Robert Browne and Andrew Keane.
Nonetheless, they gave a decent account of themselves in defence against the reigning national champions. Garvey started the better but found Ziggy Agnew and Ben Campbell holding firm at the back.
Ryan Getty, however, broke the deadlock from a counter-attack in the second quarter with Neal Glassey finding Ryan Getty unmarked at the back post. Garvey continued to hold most of the play in the second half with decent chances going a begging.
They did, however, move 2-0 up when James Lorimer dragged home down Conor Quinn’s right-hand side. Numerous corners came and went in the closing quarter as Garvey were content to hold possession to close out a win that lifts them back level with Banbridge on 20 points, sitting second only on goal difference.
Irish Hockey Association media release
Irish EHL sides Garvey and Bann locked at the top
Ireland’s two remaining EHL entrants Lisnagarvey and Banbridge are level at the top of the Irish Hockey League following contrasting fortunes to start 2017.
Garvey scored a goal in each half to beat UCD 2-0 with Ryan Getty netting before the break before James Lorimer added a second after the interval from a corner.
It lifted them to 20 points with ten games played, level with Bann who have played a game less at this stage. They lost 2-1 to Three Rock Rovers, falling two behind at half-time to goals from Jody Hosking and Ben Walker before Jonny McKee got one back in the closing ten minutes.
Bann had plenty of corners but missed their injured top scorer and captain Matthew Bell from the set piece while Drew Carlisle, Owen Magee and Fraser Mills all unavailable.
Those results mean there are five teams all within two points of each other at the head of the table. Monkstown lost to Cork C of I 4-3 to see the two sides level on 19 points while Three Rock Rovers are on 18 points in fifth but have a game in hand against bottom of the table Instonians.
Round 11 of the competition takes place next Saturday while Banbridge meet Cork on the Sunday in refixed game.
Euro Hockey League media release
Hosts take Open indoor titles
NSW are Open Indoor Aus Championship winners
Lawrence West
It turned out to be a double celebration for the home players and fans as New South Wales took out both gold medals in the Indoor Australian Championships’ Open competitions at the Illawarra Hockey Centre in Wollongong on Sunday.
In the women’s competition, a goal in either half from local Emma McLeish, plus strikes by Clare Rieck, Nicole King and Rachel Divall saw off rivals Western Australia in a 5-0 win. Earlier in the competition, WA had handed NSW what would be their only defeat – 3-4 – in a late come-from-behind smash and grab, but NSW tightened things up for the gold medal match.
Despite scoring five, it was NSW’s resolute defence that laid the foundations for the victory. WA breached the NSW circle 30 times in the match – 12 more than NSW managed at the other end – but NSW held firm while showing clinical finishing of their own opportunities.
While WA settled for silver, there was further consolation with Karri Somerville picking up the top scorer award for 11 goals and the overall player of the tournament title.
2016 champions Queensland took out the bronze medal, finishing ahead of ACT. An 8-0 win for Queensland over the ACT was underpinned by a hat-trick from Natalie Crick. Lindsey Howard, Amy Swann, Eden Jackat, Ashlea Fey and Lauren Richards also found the net. 
There were seven different goal scorers in NSW’s men’s 5-2 gold medal victory over ACT, a re-run of the 2016 final. And just as 12 months ago at the same venue, the hosts came out on top. It was a case of missed opportunities for ACT, whose stats for shots, circle entries and penalty corners were superior to those of their NSW rivals. But where it matted, on the scoreboard, the team in light blue came out on top. Scott Govers, Simon Beaton and Flynn Ogilvie put NSW into a 3-0 half-time lead before Nigel Croke and ACT’s Lewis Shepherd traded goals. Blake Govers rounded out the goals for the hosts before Troy Sutherland’s last minute consolation for ACT.
Queensland are the 2017 men’s bronze medallists having missed out on the medals altogether in 2016. They won their thrilling final match against WA 6-5. Goals from WA’s Andrew Vaitekenas and Matthew Claxton sandwiched strikes by Adam McClelland and Aidan Campbell for Queensland as the sides went in 2-2 at half time. A second half double from Nick Tate and one from Joel Carroll of WA matched goals scored by Jared Taylor, David Spence and Aidan Campbell before, with just two minutes remaining, Taylor bagged his second of the game, and Queensland’s sixth, to secure a late victory.
With the Open men’s and women’s competitions over, attention turns to the Under 21 divisions which begin today, Monday. In the U21 women’s Indoor Australian Championships, the hosts NSW will be looking to retain their 2016 title while near neighbours ACT will harbor hopes of going one better than their silver medal 12 months ago. WA, the bronze medallists in 2016, will be hoping they can reach the gold medal game this time around.
In the U21 men’s Indoor Australian Championships, all eyes will be on defending champs Victoria, but with three 17 year olds and just two players aged 20 in their ranks they are set to field the youngest team in the competition and it might be a tough ask against their older rivals. All four of their rivals in Wollongong – 2016 silver medallists Queensland, defending bronze medallists NSW, ACT and WA will believe they can reach the gold medal match on Friday.
Supported by Destination Wollongong, Illawarra South Coast Hockey Association, the University of Wollongong and Hockey NSW, the Indoor Festival of Hockey is a three-week extravaganza of indoor hockey, showcasing the best players in the country at Open, Under 21, Under 18, Under 15 and Under 13 level.
Now in the second year of an initial two-year agreement, more than 1000 participants, spectators and volunteers will be involved over the next three weeks.
Anyone visiting Wollongong for the Indoor Festival of Hockey over the next three weeks is encouraged to visit the Visit Wollongong website for information and ideas of what to see and do.
Hockey Australia thanks all of its partners and the outstanding team of volunteers and officials for their great work at the Indoor Festival of Hockey.
Final standings – Women’s Open Indoor Australian Championships
1. New South Wales (Champions)
2. Western Australia (Silver medal)
3. Queensland (Bronze medal)
4. Australian Capital Territory
5. Victoria
6. South Australia
7. Tasmania
Award Winners - Women’s Open Indoor Australian Championships
Top scorer: Karri Somerville (WA) (11 goals)
Player of the Tournament: Karri Somerville (WA)
Player of the Final: Emma McLeish (NSW)
Final Standings – Men’s Open Indoor Australian Championships
1. New South Wales (Champions)
2. Australian Capital Territory (Silver medal)
3. Queensland (Bronze medal)
4. Western Australia
5. Victoria
Award Winners - Men's Open Indoor Australian Championships
Top scorer: Flynn Ogilvie (NSW) (13 goals)
Player of the Tournament: Flynn Ogilvie (NSW)
Player of the Final: Blake Govers (NSW)
Hockey Australia media release
Terengganu odds on to make final
KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu’s sheer attacking power should take them to the final of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Knockout Trophy.
The east coast side have scored 14 goals in two matches, beating TNB Thunderbolt 7-3 in the first round and Politeknik Malaysia 7-1 in the quarter-finals.
National forward Faizal Saari is the leading scorer with six goals while South Korean penalty corner specialist Jang Jung-hyun has three.
Ismail Abu contributed two and Mohamed Amirul Mirza Rozi, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abd Jalil (pic) and Mohamed Firhan Ashaari have a goal each.
Terengganu, the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) double champions, are the odds-on favourites against Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in today’s semi-finals.
KLHC reached the last four after a 3-2 win over last year’s runners-up Tenaga Nasional before hammering SSTMI 7-0 in the quarter-finals.
Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh, however, is not taking KLHC for granted.
“KLHC have a reasonably strong team. We have to be careful as this is a knockout tournament. I am happy that we have been scoring penalty corners and field goals.
“We just have to keep the mistakes down and not give KLHC room to attack,” said Sarjit.
Terengganu have never won the trophy. They were beaten by Tenaga Nasional in the semi-finals of the inaugural tournament last season.
The Star of Malaysia
Maybank one match away from making final after 17-year lapse
by S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank are on the verge of making a final in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) after a lapse of 17 years.
The Tigers are up against Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) in one of the semi-finals of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Knockout Trophy today.
The Tigers last played in an MHL final in 1999. They qualified for the overall final but lost to Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN).
Double champions Terengganu face Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the other semi-final.
Maybank coach Shaiful Azli Abdul Rahman believes they stand a strong chance of beating newcomers MBPJ.
“I agree we’re the favourites, but we will not take anything for granted. MBPJ may be a Division One team but they deserve respect,” said Shaiful.
Maybank made the semi-finals after beating Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) 8-1 in the first round and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Shaiful singled out two players – Canadian national goalkeeper David Carter and Australian midfielder Jeremy Edward – for their good run.
“David and Jeremy are the only two national players in our side, but there is good teamwork,” said Shaiful.
Besides Carter and Edward, the other foreign players in the Maybank side are Australian development team player Jonathan Bretherton and South Koreans Jang Yoon-Hyuk, Nam Hyun-woo and Jang Soon-chan.
“We have a better set of foreign players this season. These foreigners are combining well with the local players.
“As long as our midfield and defence can hold their own we stand a good chance of winning the match,” said Shaiful.
The Star of Malaysia
Seeking smooth transition
Many talented juniors fail to graduate to senior level, thanks to haphazard system
Indervir Grewal
Harjeet Singh, India U-21 skipper
Chandigarh: “Wait and watch, this team will bring many more trophies,” skipper Harjeet Singh had confidently announced after India won the junior hockey World Cup a couple of weeks back. The euphoria over the win has not only got the team but also the fans talking about medals at the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics. The team’s performance, winning all their matches, raises confidence.
However, making the transition from the junior to the senior team is the hardest phase for an international player. India have been strong at the junior level — runners-up in the 1997 World Cup, winners in 2001 and fourth in 2005. But that success has never been repeated at the senior level — India even failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.
Slow and steady
“The junior players need to be exposed to senior international hockey gradually — training with the seniors in national camps before getting match exposure. There’s still a long time before the World Cup. The smaller tournaments should be used to give exposure to the juniors, just as the Germans do,” said former international Hardeep Singh Grewal.
Despite being a junior sensation, Akashdeep Singh was a late bloomer in the senior squad. “The big change in level is unsettling at the beginning. It takes long to find your feet,” said Akashdeep.
The 22-year-old was thrown into the deep end at a very young age. So was Mandeep Singh, who was taken to the 2014 World Cup at 19. Along with the team's performance, his was also lambasted. “Disappointments at such a big stage invite sharp criticism. It can crush a youngster’s confidence,” Grewal added.
Falling behind
It's again a transitional time for India. Many players of the victorious junior team will get into the senior core group, out of which some will make the team sooner than later. The new lists will be announced in March, India coach Roelant Oltmans said.
But the ones who don't make it to the core group — they could just be late bloomers — will find it tough to catch up with the national campers later. The level of training at the national camps is much superior compared to what the players get in the domestic circuit, including in the departments they play for. Besides, they will never get the same kind of match practice, or even the same number of matches, as the national campers will. The domestic tournament circuit is haphazard, with only a few tournaments every year, and the competition level is low.
As the rest of the players fall behind, the gap between India's first and second string sides increases. The pool of probables shrinks, which then leads to players like Akashdeep and Mandeep being hurried into the senior team and overplayed. It can cause stress injuries; at one point, Akashdeep and Mandeep were playing in both the senior and junior teams, leading to them suffering several injuries.
Development squad
At the junior World Cup, the major European teams' coaches spoke about development squads for players who don't get into the senior team immediately; that too despite having strong league systems. Even the players who don't make it to the development squad get to train at their clubs and play highly competitive matches throughout the year. A reason why European teams don't need long national camps, unlike in India where a camp can last for months. The German and England teams had come together only about a week before the World Cup. The need for a development squad is even greater in India, and it seems the federation has realised it. “The players who won't be in the seniors, will be in the development squad,” Oltmans said.
Hockey India’s CEO Elena Norman recently said that the federation had approached the government for funding of the development squad but it's been pending for two years.
AK Patro, under secretary, Ministry of Sports, said that he was not aware of Hockey India’s proposal, and even if he was, he was not allowed to disclose any details.
The Tribune
'Pakistan hockey team won’t win anything for three years'
By Muhammad Sadaqat
ABBOTABAD: The Pakistan hockey team is incapable of winning any international in the next three years.
This sad prophecy came from Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary General Shahbaz Ahmed Senior as he spoke on Sunday at the Abbottabad Press Club at the conclusion of the Under-16 hockey championship.
“It’s not possible for our national side to win any of the upcoming international events for next three years despite the fact that I have engaged 19 coaches for the players”, he asserted.
The World-cup winner, Olympian, and national team captain succeeded Rana Mujahid after his abrupt resignation when the PM’s probe team held the team management responsible for the dismal performance of the team at the Hockey World League in 2015.
Asked about the poor performance of the national hockey team, Ahmed contended that disrespect for merit in the selection process and lack of proper government support were the key reasons for the abysmal state of affairs in Pakistan hockey.
He further added that escalating prices of hockey equipment, and government apathy to the development of hockey grounds when compared to cricket grounds has destroyed hockey in Pakistan.
“How can we make a strong team when the government itself ignores the national sport, investing nothing on its promotion and just focusing on cricket?”
He stressed that only by promoting and supporting the game at school level together and addressing unmeritorious selection of players would young players of today win laurels for the country tomorrow.
To a question, he appeared optimistic about winning the lost title of world champion if players were supported at school and club level with more investment and transparency in selection, without political meddling.
He said Hazara division had produced several hockey players in the past and the Under-16 regional championship had exposed some more talented players who would be joining the national team in the future.
The Express Tribune
Burrows, Glynn earn New Year honours
Photo: www.photosport.nz
Retired Black Sticks Phil Burrows and Katie Glynn have been recognised in the 2017 New Year honours.
Burrows and Glynn have both become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for their services to hockey.
Burrows, New Zealand’s most capped Black Sticks player of all time, announced his retirement from international hockey in November 2016.
He made his debut in 2000 and played a whopping 343 tests in a career which saw him compete at three Olympic Games (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012), four Commonwealth Games (Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006, Delhi 2010, Glasgow 2014) and four World Cups (Kuala Lumpur 2002, Monchengladbach 2006, Delhi 2010, The Hague 2014).
Burrows remains one of only three players who have ever eclipsed the 300 test mark for New Zealand, leading fellow retired legends Ryan Archibald (327) and Dean Couzins (318).
The 36-year-old is also the Black Sticks’ most prolific goal scorer of all time having found the back of the net 150 times from either the striker or midfielder positions.
Striker Katie Glynn announced her retirement from the international game in November 2015 following struggles with knee and back injuries.
Debuting in 2009, Glynn played 134 tests for New Zealand and scored 77 goals making her New Zealand’s second highest female goal scorer of all time.
Glynn had a stellar career competing at all the major global hockey events including the 2014 World Cup, 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 2012 London Olympics, 2010 World Cup and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Hockey New Zealand Media release