News for 09 March 2017
All the news for Thursday 9 March 2017
England men earn cracking 5-2 win over Germany
England's men in South Africa
England's men earned a very pleasing 5-2 win against Germany to end their trip to South Africa in fine style.
It has been a very positive experience for Bobby Crutchley's side, with eleven players making their England debuts, three wins in four games, Chris Griffiths back after long term injury and some very important work on the training pitch for the new squad.
With World Cup qualification on the line at the Hockey World League in London this summer, it was a perfect building block for the men's team.
With a number of players missing through injury, and the likes of Barry Middleton and Adam Dixon unavailable following the Hockey India League, the three wins in six days - including this result against a German side who finished third in Rio - were especially pleasing.
The game exploded into life and Germany went 1-0 up inside two minutes, but England had the perfect response, Sam Ward equalising three minutes later. Captain Ian Sloan made it 2-0 with 10 minutes on the clock, and new recruit David Goodfield then scored twice to give England a 4-1 lead at half time.
Both teams scored in quick succession early in the second half, with Chris Griffiths on target for England, and a pulsating game ended 5-2.
England head coach Bobby Crutchley said, "It was a great way to finish the trip. I thought we really learned a lot from the performance and how we pitted ourselves against the German side.
"It was a highly competitive performance from the players and excellent to end the trip on a high note."
England: Gibson, Creed, Sanford, J Griffiths, Willars, Weir, Sloan (c), Turner, Ward, C Griffiths, Ansell
Subs used: Pinner, Hoare, Albery, Gall, Carson, Scott, Goodfield
Debutants
During this trip there have been England debuts for Brendan Creed, Harry Gibson, Liam Sanford, Ed Horler, David Goodfield, James Turner, Jonty Griffiths, James Albery, Liam Ansell, James Gall and Peter Scott.
Captains
George Pinner and Ian Sloan have each worn the captain's armband twice during this trip
Injuries
David Ames was unable to make the trip through injury, while Phil Roper picked up an injury in training and did not play in any of the matches. Chris Griffiths though did make his comeback after long term absence which forced him to miss last summer's Olympics.
Goalscorers
3: David Goodfield
2: Chris Griffiths, Sam Ward
1: Liam Ansell, Michael Hoare, Ed Horler, Ian Sloan
Results:
England 5-2 South Africa
England 0-3 Germany
England 1-0 South Africa
England 5-2 Germany
England Hockey Board Media release
India beat Belarus 3-1 to clinch women's hockey series 5-0
BHOPAL: Indian women's hockey team dished out a disciplined performance to notch up a 3-1 win over a fighting Belarus and register the five-match Test series 5-0, on Wednesday.
Vandana Katariya (6th min), Gurjit Kaur (15th) and Rani (55th) sounded the board for India, while Yuliya Mikheichyk (52nd) scored the solitary goal for Belarus.
Captained by striker Rani, the Indian women were quick to get off the blocks as Vandana scored a stunning field goal in the 6th minute of the match.
The first quarter went on to be an eventful one for the Indian team, as Gurjit Kaur successfully converted a PC in the 15th minute to take her side 2-0 up against Belarus.
Though the two teams showcased good defensive structure in the following two quarters, the visitors found a breakthrough in the 52nd minute when Yuliya successfully converted a penalty corner.
However, the Indian defence held strong thereafter, and even converted a PC through skipper Rani in the 55th minute to eventually seal the match in favour of India.
The Times of India
Indian eves keep the clean slate
By B.G.Joshi (Sehore-Bhopal, India)
Always win is only possible if you play with weaker teams. This essence occurred in India-Belarus hockey test series. World number 12 India outplayed number 20 Belarus by winning all 5 test matches played in SAI sports complex Bhopal. Both teams have prepared themselves for forthcoming HWL-Round 2 in Vancouver (Canada) from April 1. Top 2 teams from Vancouver will qualify for HWL-Round 3 (World Cup Qualifier). Here are statistical highlights:
*Till date Indian eves had played 51 test series against 23 countries, won-20, lost-26 and drew-5.
*On home soil India won 9 test series out of 12 played.
*Indian ladies have played 700 international matches since inception in 1953, won-277, lost-308 and drew-115.
* Rani Rampal- a prolific scorer has scored 108 goals in 185 internationals played by her since debut in 2008.
* So far India-Belarus head to head: Played -6, India wins-6, Goals for India-20, Goals for Belarus-6.
Fieldhockey.com
Shahril wants to score more in World League
by Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s hard not to be angry with yourself for not scoring more goals against weaker opponents.
That’s why 23-year-old forward Muhd Shahril Saabah (pic) is far from pleased with himself despite having netted five goals – four field and one penalty corner – in two matches of the ongoing World Hockey League Round Two in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Top seeds and world No. 13 Malaysia defeated hosts Bangladesh 3-0, Oman 6-1 and Fiji 11-1 in their three Group A matches.
And Shahril, who has represented Malaysia 60 times, believes he should have done way better.
“I failed to get my name on the score sheet in the opening match against Bangladesh,” said Shahril, who made his national team debut in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in 2012.
“It wasn’t a good start as I missed a few sitters.
“My penalty corner conversion rate is not good either ... I only managed to score once from the five I took in the three matches.
“I should have scored more goals against our weaker opponents in the group matches.”
But he won’t have to wait too long to add to his tally as Malaysia will be up against minnows Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium today.
World No. 41 Sri Lanka finished last in Group B with three defeats – scoring seven goals and conceding 16.
“I watched Sri Lanka play against China on Tuesday ... they played well and created a few chances. They have a balanced team, so it would be foolish to take them lightly in the quarter-finals.
“I want to continue scoring goals and help Malaysia win the tournament ... and also become the top scorer,” said Shahril, who is the joint top scorer with Ghana’s Johnny Botsio.
The Star of Malaysia
Lawrence to hockey players: Be history makers
WALTER ALIBEY
National football coach Dennis Lawrence.
Dennis Lawrence, the new T&T football coach, has challenged young hockey players to go out and be history makers, as he and the Soca Warriors did back in Bahrain 2005 when they qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, which was the first time the country ever played in the tournament.
The hockey men will contest Round Two of the World Hockey League at the end of the month at the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua. They will play in Pool B of the tournament which comprises Russia, Japan and Switzerland while Pool A consists of Barbados, Chile, Malaysia and USA.
The local stickmen will open their campaign against the Russians on March 25, and will look to attain one of the top three qualifying spots that would enable them to move on to the FIH World League Semi-Finals (Hockey World Cup 2018 qualifiers) carded for June and July this year.
Lawrence, who accepted an invitation to speak to the young players from his close friends Glen “Fido” Francis, who is national coach and his manager Kirth Davis, said that God used him to take the T&T team to the World Cup but the young hockeymen must now look at being the next group of people to make history for T&T.
“We need to now start thinking right. I want to be the group to create the next bit of history. And the next bit of history will be what you have set out to achieve, the target that the coaches and managers have left for you since September. You’ve worked hard for it and you deserve it. You have given up the time and you have given up the service. Go out now and deliver,” Lawrence said to an attentive group of youngsters at the National Hockey Centre on Monday night.
He told them being selected for a national team means they are among a special group with the opportunity to give back to the country, noting that it is important that they are committed to the task at hand, if they are to achieve this.
According to Lawrence, “Commitment is coming and giving your and understanding that you are in a position that so many others would love to be in.”
He described commitment as a critical factor, saying it is staying firm to what the coaching and managerial staff wants to do and how they intend to go about doping it.
He urged them that players tend to lose commitment when the game gets tough by pulling away from the game plan, however he reminded them it is when the pressure builds that you need to stick to the game plan, saying.
The players later went through their paces in an intense session under Davis and Francis, who later said his troops are 80 percent ready, despite comprising of eight newcomers.
According to Francis the team will be strengthened by the return of veteran Kwandwayne Brown, Tarique Marcano, who plays professionally in England and Shaquille Daniel who is undergoing intense military training in Chaguaramas, on March 19.
The team will also play two international friendly matches against regional neighbours Barbados on March 20 and Chile on March 23, ahead of the tournament.
Francis, an ex hockey standout in his hey days, believes his team will advance to the next phase of the tournament despite facing difficult oppositions.
The Trinidad Guardian
Shaw Reveals Upcoming Fixtures For Green Army
Ireland's Green Army re-emerged onto the world stage of international hockey in emphatic fashion in January as they stormed to victory in Kuala Lumpur. The side racked up no less than 39 goals throughout their 6 matches and never looked troubled by the opposition. World League 2 in Malaysia marked the first major international tournament the young side had participated in for over 16 months; the last being the Eurohockey Championships II in Prague in July 2015.
But this team have been working away tirelessly behind the scenes waiting for this World Cup campaign to begin. Head Coach Graham Shaw has moulded a disciplined, creative side with a strong core set of values that encompass life on and off the pitch. “Over the course of the last two years we have expanded the squad to 32 players. We have a very strong culture within the team that is very much led by the leadership group and the players”.
A mouth-watering list of fixtures awaits the girls in green as their preparation for World League 3 goes up a notch in the coming months. The Green Army will face the current world number 2 England in a series of training matches at Bisham Abbey that are certain to be a vital learning experience. They will then face Olympic bronze medallists Germany in Dusseldorf for 2 test matches (April 12th & 13th). Germany are a young side with talent abound so again a challenge awaits the Green Army but one which Shaw says the team are relishing “Playing top ranked teams and Olympic medallists like England and Germany provides us with the perfect test after such a successful World League 2 in Malaysia”.
The players enjoy a period of domestic hockey at the business end of the season with Cup finals along with EYHL finals and EY Champions Trophy fixtures occupying the calendar. The side will then head across the Atlantic to Pennsylvania where they will face the USA in 3 test matches at Spooky Nook on May 24th, 26th and 27th. Team USA looks a slightly different side from the one Ireland traded victories with in Valencia in 2015 as they are without the now retired Lauren Crandall, and the Reinprecht sisters. However, they still have the services of Olympians Melissa Gonzalez, Jackie Briggs and the always-dangerous Kathleen Sharkey amongst others.
It is likely the final matches for the Green Army prior to Word League 3 will be a 4 Nations Tournament in Berlin (June 15th-18th). Germany will play host to Ireland, China and New Zealand; with the other three opposition all sitting within the top 8 in the world this again look’s a challenging set of fixtures for the world number 16, although they have proven time and again they are more than capable of playing above their ranking.
The next 3-4 months carved out by Shaw look set to be ideal preparation for the side, several of whom will never have previously played in a World League 3 or equivalent tournament. Shaw concluded “The contact days over the next 4 months leading up to World League 3 will be vital. Between our national camps, and particular USA and 4 Nations we have great opportunities to improve and grow our culture further. America and the 4 Nations also offer us top quality opposition with very different styles which will be invaluable to us as we look to perfect specific tactical elements in the run up to World League 3”.
Upcoming Fixtures:
13th March- Ireland vs England at Bisham Abbey (Uncapped training matches)
15th March- Ireland vs England at Bisham Abbey (Uncapped training matches)
16th March- Ireland vs England at Bisham Abbey (Uncapped training matches)
12th April- Ireland vs Germany at Dusseldorf HC
13th April- Ireland vs Germany at Dusseldorf HC
24th May- Ireland vs USA at Spooky Nook, Pennsylvania
26th May- Ireland vs USA at Spooky Nook, Pennsylvania
27th May- Ireland vs USA at Spooky Nook, Pennsylvania
15th 18th June- 4 Nations in Berlin
Irish Hockey Association media release
University of Birmingham and Clifton Robinsons face off
The University of Birmingham defend a penalty corner. Credit Andy Smith
With five teams chasing the last three play-off places, the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division is heading for a dramatic final few weeks - and this weekend sees two crucial games between teams aiming to reach the Finals Weekend.
The University of Birmingham leapfrogged Clifton Robinsons into fourth spot last weekend, and they will be aiming to hold on to that position when they host them on Saturday.
“With only three games to go there are some tight matches to come,” said University of Birmingham Head Coach Phil Gooderham. “It’s an old cliché but it’s true to say that we are taking each game one at a time.
“We’ve had a tough season with players not being available for us because of various international tournaments, but this weekend for the first time we’re picking from a full squad - apart from Olivia Paige [who aggravated a thumb injury while playing for England in South Africa].”
With just one defeat in their last five games Birmingham are a side in form, and Gooderham added: “The girls are feeling positive, they have been working hard all year and will be doing their best to reach their season-long target of making it into the play-offs.”
Elsewhere, East Grinstead are at home against Leicester in another battle between two teams targeting a place in the play-offs. The Sussex side could clinch their spot at Finals Weekend if they win, and other results go in their favour.
At the other end of the table Bowdon Hightown could climb out of the bottom two with a win this Saturday – but they face a tough trip to leaders Surbiton.
Slough are currently third-bottom, and will want to win to keep Bowdon Hightown below them. However, they face Holcombe at home in their game this weekend.
In the top flight’s other game bottom of the table Reading head to Canterbury desperate for a win to keep their hopes of avoiding the drop alive.
In the Investec Conference West, leaders Buckingham are at home against Gloucester City, while second-placed Stourport – who lost the lead following last weekend’s defeat to Buckingham – go to Isca as they bid to re-take top spot.
Brooklands Poynton could wrap up the Investec Conference North title if they beat Ben Rhydding this weekend. Elsewhere, second-placed Beeston will be hoping Brooklands lose and they win at Liverpool Sefton.
And leaders Wimbledon head to Harleston Magpies in the Investec Conference East on Saturday, while second-placed Sevenoaks are on the road at Southgate as they maintain their bid to take the title.
FIXTURES – Saturday, March 11
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Univ of Birmingham v Clifton Robinsons 12:30
Slough v Holcombe 13:30
East Grinstead v Leicester 13:30
Surbiton v Bowdon Hightown 14:00
Canterbury v Reading 16:00
Investec Conference East
Cambridge City v Hampstead & Westminster 12:30
Harleston Magpies v Wimbledon 14:00
Southgate v Sevenoaks 14:00
Chelmsford v St Albans 14:00
Northampton Saints v West Herts 14:15
Investec Conference North
Brooklands Poynton v Ben Rhydding 11:45
Loughborough Students v Belper 12:30
Liverpool Sefton v Beeston 12:30
Wakefield v Timperley 13:30
Sutton Coldfield v Univ of Durham 14:00
Investec Conference West
Oxford Hawks v Swansea City 12:00
Buckingham v Gloucester City 12:00
Trojans v Olton and West Warwicks 12:00
Isca v Stourport 12:00
Bristol Firebrands v Exe 12:30
England Hockey Board Media release
Nur Insafi and Police set for Cup showdown after easy wins
Star player: Nur Insafi’s Muhammad Bilal Qadir (right) in action during the President’s Cup semi-final, first leg match against RMAF at the Tun Razak Stadium yesterday. — GLENN GUAN / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Nur Insafi’s Muhammad Bilal Qadir and Police’s Baljit Singh Sarjab bagged a hat-trick each to virtually ensure their teams’ places in the final of the President’s Cup hockey competition.
In yesterday’s semi-final, first-leg matches at the Tun Razak Stadium, Division One champions Nur Insafi routed Royal Malaysian Air Force 6-2 while Police gunned down Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)-KPT 6-3.
The Nur Insafi-RMAF match was supposed to start at 5pm, but a downpour forced the game to be delayed for 45 minutes.
But the heavy pitch posed no problems for Nur Insafi, who scored through Bilal (13th, 36th and 52nd minutes), Nur Rahul Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi (33rd), Aamir Shahzad (44th) and Muhammad Ateeq (50th).
Mohd Zulfadli Rosley (26th) and Jamil Johari Ghazali (42nd) reduced the deficit for RMAF.
Bilal, who featured for Pakistan in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Baru last November, was happy with the win.
“We are virtually through to final as we have a four-goal cushion going into the second leg match on Friday,” said Bilal, who has scored 10 goals so far.
“This is first time I’m playing in the MHL (Malaysia Hockey League) and I’m happy to have scored my second hat-trick.”
Bilal also scored a hat-trick when Nur Insafi beat Police 5-3 in a league match.
In the other semi-final, Baljit converted two penalty corners (44th and 54th minutes) and a penalty stroke (60th).
He has 21 goals to his name in the MHL.
Dick Cheny Waili added a brace (20th and 34th) while Muhd Razali Zulkipli (14th) scored the other for Police.
Muhd Termidzi Ismail (10th and 59th) and Amir Zulkarnian Ahmad Robani (15th) replied for UPM.
The Star of Malaysia
Fourth crown in trot for Shyam Lal college boys
s2h team
New Delhi: Host Shyam Lal College, a byword for hockey in the vast Delhi college canvas, successfully defended the Padamshree Shyam Lal Memorial Hockey Cup tournament held amidst much fanfare here today.
It was the sixth edition of the much awaited annual calendar event, and successive fourth success for the hosts Shyam Lal College.
In the thrilling final, the defending Champions outshone their fighting but brittle outfit Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences (IGIPESS) in all areas of the game, while posting an impressive 6-3 victory.
And the tune and tenor, and the kind of victory it posted behooves of Shyam Lal College, as it is reigning Delhi University Inter College Hockey Champions too.
According to organizers, Praveen Munda played brilliantly, and scored three Goals for the winners while Lalit, Arun and Mansvi netted a goal apiece in the massive rout.
Despite the score, the field proceedings indicated how IGIPESS team tried hard but could not convert its chances. Naveen, Vikas and Ravi scored one goal each for them.
Prolific scorer Praveen Munda of Shyam Lal College deservedly got the Man of the Match award.
Hon'ble Justice Virender Bhatt, Additional District Judge, Vichitra Vir, IPS, and ACP Delhi Police, Former International Volleyball Player K P Rana graced the occasion. Rabi Narayan Kar, Principal, Shyam Lal College, gave away the Trophy and prizes.
Yesterday, Jesus and Mary College won the women's section title. The final saw Jesus and Mary College beat Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College in sudden-death 3-2 after both teams were locked 2-2 in the regular time.
Amita of Jesus and Mary College was declared "Best Player of the Final' epithet.
Stick2Hockey.com
Jacques Jewels: Mental toughness a messy issue
s2h team
Recent research shows that one in three professional footballers has been struggling during the active career with mental problems.
Especially after a serious injury or sporting disappointment.
We can hold our heart for Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and their teammates when qualifying for the World Cup, failed.
Major causes are the big money, the huge attention and the personality cult.
Especially when soccer offers huge purse. Just see this reality. The magic of happiness and emotional quality of life can be met with an income of 70k euros per year. Most of us do in that bracket. But alas, that's a pittance against the prevailing salaries of footballers of our times, which run into millions.
A professional sports career starts from 7 to an average of 32 years and in those 25 years, it comes every day to get better. A long journey of sacrifices with peaks and valleys. Go only to stand. How do you deal with that?
Of course, an athlete responsible, although only really since his or her 18th.
Around trainers, coaches and parents is usually not in a position to make a difference for a talent and goes along with the issues of the day. Coaches focus on their own careers. Parents dream about the future of their child.
But what does this group of vulnerable, sporty children themselves? Vibrance, stress, self-confidence and focus will determine the mental fitness. To develop and improve it determines the difference between gold and silver, profit or loss, happy or unhappy.
There's a lot of hidden uncertainty among football players. Soil his youth. To guard against the harsh world of football and for fear of abuse put players at an young age dejected.
“Good speech, though I do not understand Dutch,'' said former FC Utrecht player Kristoffer Peterson about the peace conference of coach Erik ten Hag.
This statement does not stand alone.
Players are terrified of sanctions by trainers and coaches. The lease is early in there. Athletes constantly say 'yes', and there are few coaches who give their pupils a sense of security.
Unfortunately we see in football that entire families are dependent on the success or failure of their children.
The pressure is enormous at a young age. To reach the top quickly reveals a sensitive and transparent attitude you will not be appreciated. In fact, you should settle and redeem like a chess piece.
We must become aware of this process and make our own conclusion. Because the current training of top talent does not deal warm the mentally fragile players.
With hockey trying to emulate football, though a long shot, events like Leagues, like Hockey India League, provide a cauldron of emotions for players which need mental toughness to be there, and excel, and then start earning
Stick2Hockey.com
EHF introduce girls Junior EHCCC at Den Bosch in June
The European Hockey Federation has announced HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch will host the inaugural Junior EuroHockey Club Cup for Under 14 girls on Sunday, June 4.
The tournament will feature ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED), AH&BC Amsterdam (NED), Surbiton HC (ENG), Canterbury HC (ENG) and CSP Krylatskoye (RUS).
Speaking about the launch of this event, Marijke Fleuren, President of the EHF said: "The EHF is very pleased the announce that for the first time we will be hosting a Junior EHCC for girls. This will mirror the Junior EHL that is now running for four years.
“It will give our Under 14 girls from the clubs participating in the EHCC a wonderful opportunity to compete against other European teams in a competitive environment as well as enjoy the festival of EHCC in 's- Hertogenbosch from June 2-5.
“As part of our Strategic Plan 2017/24 we have committed to providing the best possible opportunities for all our athletes, as well as creating competitive and dynamic competitions. This addition to the EuroHockey calendar is one that I am especially pleased about as it gives our young girls the taste for European club hockey which is the beating heart of hockey in Europe."
President of 's-Hertogenbosh Mieke van de Akker-Lathouwers added "We are proud not only to host the 2017 EHCC at HC ’s-Hertogenbosch but also the very first Junior EHCC! Looking forward to meeting all the youngsters."
Legendary player and captain of 's -Hertogenbosch Maartje Paumen (pictured) lent her support: "Playing against the best European teams is always exciting! Fantastic that our young teams will have the opportunity to get this same great experience in the first Junior EHCC at our club HC ’s-Hertogenbosch."
Euro Hockey League media release