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News for 26 March 2017

All the news for Sunday 26 March 2017


Men's HWL Round 2  - Tacarigua Results March 25, 2017    

Pool A     CAN - USA     4 - 2
Pool A     CHI - BAR     2 - 1
Pool B     JPN - SUI     3 - 0
Pool B     RUS - TTO     3 - 1

Official Event site



Canada, Chile, Japan hockeymen win openers

Nigel Simon

The trio of Canada, Chile and Japan all flicked off their campaign in the eight-team International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Hockey World League Round Two at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua, with contrasting wins, yesterday.

Playing in the opening match of the tournament, Canada settled quickly against North American neighbours USA in their Pool A clash and took the lead in the tenth minute through Keegan Pereira via a penalty-corner which it held until the end of the first quarter before Gabriel Ho-Garcia made it 2-0 four minutes into the second 15th-minutes quarter from field goal play.

A minutes before the end of the third period, Canada extended its advantage to 3-0 courtesy its captain and most capped player (245 matches) Scott Tupper with a well taken penalty-stroke before USA’s second mast capped player Holt Williams (107 matches) finally got his team on the scoreboard a minute into the final quarter.

Any chances of a USA comeback was thwarted in the 55th minute when Gordon Johnston made it 4-1 for the 11th world ranked Canada while USA, 29th, grabbed a second item within seconds of the restart through Ruben Van Dam, his first international goal on debut.

South Americans, Chile had a much tougher time on its hands with Barbados and came away with a hard fought, 2-1 triumph to lie second at the end of the first day in Pool A, on goal-difference.

Diego Ordonez fired 26th ranked Chile ahead in the tenth minute which it held until Akeem Rudder scored from a penalty-corner in the 42nd to get the Bajans, rated 49th in the world, level, but four minutes later, Ricardo Achondo got the decisive item for Chile.

In Pool B, 16th ranked Japan used a hat-trick from Kenta Tanaka to blank 30th ranked Switzerland 3-0, while host 33rd ranked T&T closed out the first day of competition versus Russia, ranked 22nd.

Today, matches continue from 1.15pm with USA and Barbados squaring off in a clash of first day losers followed by Chile and Canada at 3.30 pm with top spot in Pool A up for grabs.

Russia and Japan will flick off Pool B action from 5.45pm before the Darren Cowie-led “Calypso Stickmen” meet Switzerland from 8 pm.

At the end of the round-robin stage on Tuesday, the finishing positions will determine the line-up for the quarterfinals, which begin on Thursday.

On conclusion of the tournament, the top two teams will qualify to the Hockey World League Semifinals (Hockey World Cup 2018 qualifiers) which will be held in June and July this year where those coveted berths at the Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 in India are up for grabs.

So far Dhaka (Malaysia, China) and Belfast (Ireland, France) have seen four teams qualify for the Hockey World League Semifinals, being joined in the World Cup qualifier phase by the two highest ranked of the third placed finishers from those three events. Egypt finished in third in Dhaka and in Belfast, Scotland was third.

The Trinidad Guardian



Canadian men open World League 2 with win over U.S.

Shaheed Devji


Canada’s Keegan Pereira and Taylor Curran celebrate a goal vs the U.S. at World League Round 2 in Trinidad and Tobago on March 25, 2017 (Courtesy of Pan American Hockey Federation)

In its first game since the 2016 Olympics, Canada’s men’s field hockey team picked up a convincing 4-2 victory against the United States to open World League Round 2 Saturday in Trinidad and Tobago.

While the team hasn’t played a game together in more than six months, players have been in action in club hockey locally and across the world.

And despite the lengthy break, Canada’s men were dominant in their first World League match.

“It was good just to get back with the guys, have the whole team playing a game together after Rio,” says Keegan Pereira, who has been playing with HTC Uhlenhorst Mulheim in the German first division, and opened the scoring for Canada on Saturday.

Three of the four Canadian goals were scored by players who, during the break, have played overseas: Pereira, Gabriel H0-Garcia, and Scott Tupper. The fourth was scored by Gordon Johnston, who played his club hockey for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

David Carter, who played in the Malaysia Hockey League this winter, was in goal for the win.

“It’s definitely helpful,” Pereira says of the level of hockey he has been playing since the Olympics. “The competition we get there is probably a bit higher than the level of this competition. And that helps you slow down a game.”

After a feeling out process in the first five minutes, the Canadians – who are ranked 11th in the world – began to put pressure on the 29th ranked United States.

After a quick transition through the midfield which resulted in a circle entry, Canada was awarded a corner in the 10th minute. The first drag-flick attempt by Canadian captain Scott Tupper hit an American foot, resulting in a second penalty corner.

Tupper’s flick was stopped but the ball came to Pereira and he made a quick move over the stick of a U.S. player and hit the ball home to give Canada the 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.

Canada carried the 1-0 lead into the second quarter, when they continued to attack.

The transition game continued to be a strength in the second quarter, when Devon Noronha-Teixeira took off before earning a corner in the 19th minute.

The injection was mishandled, but quick thinking by the Canadians sent the ball back into the circle where Johnston found Gabriel Ho-Garcia, who played in the New Zealand Hockey League in late 2016, and he gave Canada the 2-0 lead.

Tupper, who has been playing with Schaerweijde in the Netherlands, added a third on a penalty stroke late in the third quarter, before Johnston scored a perfectly placed drag flick in the 55th minute.

The U.S. scored two second half goals, making the Canadians work for the win until the final buzzer, which is something they are prepared to do in the first few games of the tournament, knowing the pressure and intensity will escalate quickly.

“They are a pretty hard team, they fight. It’s a good starting test for us,” Pereira adds. “Just with the way the tournament is set up, we start off with these two hard games and then we go quarterfinal, semi and finals. We would assume those games get harder and we need to get better.”

Canada is back on the field Sunday at 12:30pm PT/3:30pm ET against Chile. The game can be watched live here.

Field Hockey Canada media release



T&T tackle Switzerland

Trinidad and Tobago men’s senior hockey team are set to meet Switzerland tonight from 8 p.m. on the second day of the FIH Men’s World League Round 2 tournament at the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua.

While local stickmen began their campaign last night against Russia, the USA and Chile posted victories yesterday morning on the opening day.

No.33 world-ranked T&T will tackle No.30 ranked Switzerland in the last of four preliminary round-robin matches today.

Teams

Trinidad and Tobago from: Aidan de Gannes, Marcus Pascal, Kwandwane Browne, Stefan Mouttet, Daniel Byer, Keiron Emmanuel, Darren Cowie (Captain), Marcus James, Mickell Pierre, Shaquille Daniel, Jordan Reynos, Tariq Marcano, Kristien Emmanuel, Andrey Rocke (goalkeeper), Kwasi Emmanuel (goalkeeper), Jordan Vieira, Dylan Francis, Teague Marcano.
Switzerland

From:Jonas Verest (goalkeeper), Michael Kauffer (goalkeeper), Patrick Muller (Captain), Gael Wyss-Chodat, Fabio Marelli, Manuel Keller, Jan Hudle, Yves Morard, Fabio Reinhard,Oscar Luscher, Nicholas Steffen, Marco Michel, Florian Feller, Lars Horvath, Boris Stomps, Jonathan Appel, Sebastian Schneider, Martin Greder

Yesterday’s results

Canada 4 (Keegan Perreira 10th, Gabriel Ho-Garcia 19th, Scott Hupper 44th (pen. stroke), Gordon Johnston 55th) USA 2 (William Holt 46th, Ruben Van Dam 55th).
Chile 2 (Diego Ordonez 10th, Ricardo Achondo 46th) Barbados 1 (Akeem Rudder 42nd)

Today’s matches

A - USA vs Barbados, 1.15 pm
A - Chile vs Canada, 3.30 pm
B - Russia vs Japan, 5.45 pm
B - Switzerland vs T&T, 8 pm

Trinidad & Tobago Express



Black Sticks surge back to beat USA


Photo: www.photosport.nz

The Vantage Black Sticks Women have powered back from a two goal deficit to beat USA 3-2 at the Waimakariri Hockey Stadium in Rangiora.

The Kiwis found themselves down 2-0 after the opening quarter but lifted their game and responded with three unanswered goals to seal the result.

Striker Olivia Merry scored in her 150th international, while teammates Liz Thompson and Stacey Michelsen added to the score sheet.

The visitors came out strongly and opened the scoring inside the first five minutes when Kathleen Sharkey converted a penalty corner attempt.

Ten minutes later USA doubled their advantage thanks to a well worked field goal from the stick of Alyssa Parker.

New Zealand sparked to life in the second quarter and equalised following two quick fire goals in the 23rd and 24th minutes, Olivia Merry netting from the field before Liz Thompson smashed home a penalty corner shot.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Black Sticks kept the pressure on and Stacey Michelsen delivered the winning goal 12 minutes from the fulltime whistle.

The Black Sticks now head to Hastings to defend their 2016 title at the Vantage Festival of Hockey which runs from 31 March - 9 April.

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS 3: (Olivia Merry, Liz Thompson, Stacey Michelsen)
USA 2: (Kathleen Sharkey, Alyssa Parker)
Halftime: 2-2

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Bruised, bloodied Olivia Merry stars for Black Sticks in 150th match to inspire 3-2 win over USA

OLIVIA CALDWELL


Olivia Merry of the Black Sticks is hit in the face by the ball, amid a starring role in her team's win over USA. MARTIN HUNTER/PHOTOSPORT

She left the field with blood streaming from her nose, but Olivia Merry was smiling later after playing a starring role in the Black Sticks' 3-2 win over the United States in Rangiora.

In her 150th match, Cantabrian Merry was in great form, both setting up opportunities for her team-mates in the circle and scoring a goal of her own, as New Zealand levelled the two-match women's hockey series.

Captain Stacey Michelson scored the winner for the hosts after scores were locked 2-2 entering the final quarter, in an impressive turnaround from their 6-2 hiding from the USA the previous day.


A reverse shot from Olivia Merry is headed goalward during New Zealand's win over USA. MARTIN HUNTER/PHOTOSPORT

Merry was battered and bruised after the match, having taken a nasty hit to the nose which forced her off for a short time. She said the milestone will be worth celebrating as her side had vastly improved from Saturday's performance.

"It was a million times better than yesterday. We got a great wake up call and realised we had to run a lot harder than we had. We watched some footage and worked out what we needed to improve," Merry said.


The Black Sticks celebrate with Olivia Merry after her goal, one of three they scored in their win over USA in Rangiora. MARTIN HUNTER/PHOTOSPORT

"It was special to get it [150 matches] in Christchurch with my friends and family watching."

In a more structured match of the two, the Black Sticks came out on top due to their fitness and discipline in the circle. While day two fatigue meant that mistakes from both sides snuck through, the pace increased in the second half with excellent work in the midfield from both sides and some extremely close calls in the circle.

Other impressive performers were the USA's Kathleen Sharkey and the nuggety Michelle Vitesse, along with Black Sticks goalscorers Michelson and Liz Thompson.

The home side emerged with a different game plan from Saturday's drubbing, defending their 25 well and clearing the ball wide for the midfielders to take to the circle.

The first strike of the match went to the USA from an easy Sharkey hit over Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O'Hanlon off a penalty corner. This was followed up by a great attempt on the reverse from Merry, who continued to shine for the entire match.

The relaxed defence from the Black Sticks in the first half meant an easy goal for USA's Alyssa Parker who was able to slot the ball past O'Hanlon.

Back on the field, Merry was visibly amped, linking well with fellow striker Kirsten Pearce. Merry took a great delivery from the midfield that she was easily able to convert off her reverse for the Black Sticks' first goal.

Shortly after, the Black Sticks struck again and evened up the match 2-2 with a converted penalty corner from Thompson.

It was survival of the fittest in the second half and the Black Sticks stood up to the task. Merry shone again in the third quarter having a great reverse hit on goal, only to be saved by goalie Alesha Widdall.

With USA strikers Sharkey and Jill Wittmer applying pressure in the circle, the home defence delivered with some clean tackling in a huge improvement from Saturday's easy penalty corner giveaways.

The Black Sticks started the fourth and final quarter strongly with a great strike from Michelson taking them to the lead. The Black Sticks survived some late pressure when they had to defend a penalty corner on the final whistle, which they cleared with ease.

Stuff



I have greater responsibility now, says Harmanpreet

BENGALURU: Young dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh is aware that responsibilities are more in the senior team and said he is ready to put in the hard yards to live up to the expectations of Chief Coach Roelant Oltmans.

Harmanpreet and midfielder Harjeet have spent considerable amount of time under Oltmans last year when the senior men's team prepared for Rio Olympics.

While both Harmanpreet and Harjeet played at the FIH Champions Trophy in London last year where the team won an historic Silver medal, Harmanpreet went on to represent the country at the Olympics.

The two youngsters along with nine others from the junior team are part of the 33-member core probables being put under the grind at the Senior Men's national camp here in SAI.

At the national camp, penalty corners continue to be a top priority. Ahead of every session, Harmanpreet, Rupinder Pal Singh, Jasjit Singh Kullar and Dipsan Tirkey along with injectors and ball stoppers are expected to turn up an hour early to improvise on penalty corner conversions.

"This is a practice we followed even during the camp ahead of Rio Olympics. I got to work a lot with experts Raghunath and Rupinder. In this camp too, dragflickers go an hour early and try out different variations," said Harmanpreet.

With Raghunath being excluded from the camp, Harmanpreet is expected to shoulder the responsibilities of a defender-dragflicker, a role he is ready to take on.

"I do understand that I have greater responsibility now than ever before. I am working hard on improving my game and putting in those extra hours with Rupinder and other drag flickers is helpful," he said.

"We also have several meetings with just the players and we discuss our goals, where we need to improve. We also discuss any difficulties we face. I think these aspects are very important especially for juniors in the squad."

Harmanpreet and Harjeet were instrumental in the junior team's successful campaign at the 2016 Junior World Cup.

Midfielder Harjeet, who captained the junior squad, said: "The expectations are higher in the senior camp. We cannot make small mistakes in basic skills and get away with it. We are expected to show maturity and responsibility on the pitch in every session at the camp."

The 40-day camp ahead of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, is a stepping stone for the 11 boys and under a task master like Oltmans who expects 100 per cent from his team in every training session, things can get challenging.

"It's only been two weeks since we started the camp and there are times when the new comers find certain sessions to be tough. But the Coaches keep asking us about the difference between junior and senior level of training," Harjeet said.

"They motivate us and tell us that it's ok to find it tough. They tell us it's only a matter of time before we get used to this level of training and encourage us to keep talking to them or the seniors if we have any issues."

The fact that the junior hockey team has received several accolades in the past is a great motivating factor for the players to improve and show their worth in the senior team.

In a recently held awards ceremony, the Junior Men's Team was awarded the Best Team of the Year 2016 and were chosen ahead of the men's cricket team for the award.

"I think this was the first time that hockey was chosen over cricket and it is a very big motivating factor for us. These awards make us realize that if we work harder and show better results, the support we get will only increase.

"As junior players, lots of people have supported us and now with the senior team, we want to show good results to take hockey to the next level," expressed both Harmanpreet and Harjeet in unison.

The Times of India



Play-off berths for East Grinstead and University of Birmingham


Wimbledon HC Women, March 25 2017. Credit Chris Dicken

The University of Birmingham and East Grinstead clinched the last two play-off berths with wins on the final day of the regular season in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division season.

East Grinstead knew a win would ensure their spot at the finals weekend, and they secured third place with a 4-1 win against Bowdon Hightown.

A brace from Pip Lock and goals from Bridget Blackwood and Natasha Brennan took the win for East Grinstead whilst Rosie Bailey scored a consolation for Bowdon who will now face relegation play-offs.

The University of Birmingham finish fourth after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Canterbury.

Amy Costello opened the scoring for the students on 19 minutes with Eliza Brett equalising just after the break.

Holly Hunt made sure of all three points for Birmingham, slotting home on 44 minutes and securing the final play-off place.

Clifton Robinson and Leicester were both in the hunt going into the final round of games, but with the sides in third and fourth both securing victories, their games proved to be academic.

Clifton Robinsons fell to a 4-3 loss at Surbiton, the league leaders who had only lost once all season.

Clifton did find themselves 2-0 up at the break after goals from Joanna Leigh and Megan Crowson.

Surbiton sprung into action after the break with GB Olympic gold medal winner Giselle Ansley scoring a brace to finish the campaign as the division’s top scorer, while Rebecca Middleton was also on target.

Clifton’s Aileen Davis had made it 3-3 on 66 minutes but Middleton’s second goal two minutes from time condemned the visitors to defeat.

Leicester also missed out on a top four finish, but did grab a respectable 1-1 draw with second place Holcombe to finish in fifth place.

Emily Maguire opened the scoring for Holcombe in the ninth minute before Katie Long levelled on 25 minutes.

Relegated Reading took their first win of the season as an Emma Thomas goal was enough to beat Slough 1-0.

Investec Women's Conference East

Wimbledon secured top spot in the Investec Conference East – and their place in the promotion play-offs - with a stylish 10-0 win at Northampton Saints.

Wimbledon were in pole position going into Saturday’s games, holding a three-point lead over Sevenoaks, and took full advantage against already relegated Northampton.

Laura Bevan, Cherry Seaborn and GB Olympic gold medal winner Crista Cullen all struck before half time to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

Cullen completed her hat-trick after the break and Bevan grabbed her second, with Harriet Naismith, Rose Winter, Rosie Macpherson and Tamsyn Naylor all on the scoresheet to claim top spot.

Hampstead and Westminster ended Sevenoaks’ hopes, regardless of the Wimbledon result, picking up a 3-1 home victory.

Annabel Driver, Hayley Turner and Jasmine Clark all scored before Maddie Thompson grabbed a late consolation for Sevenoaks, who finish second.

Elsewhere, Harleston Magpies’ Maria Andrews finished the season as the Conference top scorer, her brace in a 4-0 home win over St Albans saw her move to 17 goals for the campaign.

Chelmsford captain Kate Maxey scored twice as they defeated Cambridge City 3-2, whilst Southgate defeated West Herts 2-1.

Investec Women's Conference North

Brooklands Poynton secured the Investec Conference North title after a tense 2-1 home victory against Timperley.

Brooklands’ Annie Mills opened the scoring, only for Leonnie Molloy to equalise on 13 minutes for Timperley.

Caroline Hulme scored the all-important goal midway through the first half to give the hosts the three points and their place in the promotion play-offs, whilst condemning their opponents to the relegation play off.

Beeston claimed a 4-0 win at Sutton Coldfield, but required a slip-up from Brooklands if they were to claim top spot which was not forthcoming.

Conference North leading scorer Sophie Robinson and Esme Burge were amongst the scorers as Beeston finished second just one point behind.

Liverpool Sefton secured their Conference North status after coming from behind to take a 2-1 home win against Belper.

Chloe Tyler and Chelsea Daley scored the goals for the hosts as Belper’s late season fight back was not enough to prevent their relegation.

Elsewhere, Loughborough Students won 2-0 at Wakefield, and Ben Rhydding won by the same scoreline at the University of Durham.

Investec Women's Conference West

Investec Conference West winners Buckingham go into the promotion play offs in fine form, after wrapping up the league season with a 10-1 home victory against relegated Bristol Firebrands.


Buckingham HC Women March 25 2017. Credit Andrew Marson

Phoebe Richards scored a hat trick in the second half, with Lauren Thomas (2), Natasha James, Abbie Brant, Alice Rolfe, Lottie Porter and Alexandra Naughalty all on target.

Lora Symonds scored a brace as Stourport defeated Oxford Hawks 2-1, goals which saw her finish the campaign as the Conference West top scorer with an impressive 22 for the season.

Sally Walton hit a hat trick as Olton and West Warwicks scored six goals in the second half for a 6-1 win over Exe, Anna Griffiths also scoring twice.

Sophie Clayton scored in the last minute to give Swansea City a 1-0 win at Trojans, whilst Isca University and Gloucester City ended the season with a goalless draw.

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, March 25, 2017):

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

Investec Women's Conference East: Cambridge City 2, Chelmsford 3; Hampstead and Westminster 3, Sevenoaks 1; Harleston Magpies 4, St. Albans 0; Northampton Saints 0, Wimbledon 10; Southgate 2, West Herts 1.

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

Investec Women's Conference West: Buckingham 10, Bristol Firebrands 1; Isca 0, Gloucester City 0; Olton & West Warwicks 6, Exe 1; Stourport 2, Oxford Hawks 1; Trojans 0, Swansea City 1.

England Hockey Board Media release



12-1! Ruthless Amira humiliate Multimedia in women’s league

By BRIAN YONGA


Chase Amira's Pauline Naise dribbles the ball during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match against Telkom Orange at City Park Stadium on March 11, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

A ruthless Chase Amira side on Saturday thrashed Multimedia University (MMU) 12-1 in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s Premier League match at City Park Stadium.

Four goals from striker Susan Oketch set the bankers on their way to a comfortable victory in the lop-sided encounter.

Kenyan international Lorraine Nondi and Mitchelle Mobye grabbed braces each as Amira bounced back from their opening weekend defeat to champions Telkom Orange in style.

There were also goals for Yvette Kanyandong, Margaret Macharia, Leah Omwando and Pauline Naise as Amira claimed their first win of the season.

PULLED A GOAL BACK

Esther Chamchui pulled a goal back for the students but it proved to be a consolation in a match they were clearly second best.

Amira coach Linet Onyango was left purring after the huge win, demanding for such performances in upcoming matches.

“In our first match we were a bit timid but today we showed our true colours. We moved the ball well, attacked at every chance we got and our strikers buried the chances created,” a delighted Onyango told Sunday Nation Sport.

Her opposite number Vincent Mutembei conceded defeat. “We allowed them too much room to boss around and paid the price for being lethargic. I think we showed them too much respect but they were better than us in all areas during the match,” Mutembei said.

Having lost their opening match 3-0 to champions Telkom Orange two weeks ago, Amira were determined to make amends in the 12 noon encounter.

Multimedia, who are returning to the league after almost three years, were also chasing their first win after losing 1-0 to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)A in their opener.

The students were punished in the second minute after a defensive lapse allowed midfielder Kanyandong to fire past keeper Faith Morei.

It was 2-0 at the quarter hour mark after a sweeping move from Amira saw Oketch score her first of the match with a brilliant field goal. Four more goals were to follow in a disastrous half for the Rongai-based side as Amira took a healthy 6-0 lead at the break.

The goals continued five minutes after the break with Macharia lobbing the onrushing Morei after a nice pass by Naise.

Amira keeper Rachel Kerubo, who had little to do in the match all afternoon, was called into action in the 48th minute. She did well to keep away Rachel Nduto’s shot but Chamchui scored from the rebound.

In the men’s National League, Parkroad Tigers beat Daystar University 3-1 at the same venue.

Daily Nation



It’s tough hockey lessons for Multimedia

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Chase Amira celebrate after scoring against Multimedia when they played Women National League at City Park. Amira scored 12-1. ON 25/03/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Amira Sailors bounced back from a disappointing start to the season to thrash returnees Multimedia University 12-1 in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league match played at City Park Stadium yesterday.

Amira who finished third behind champions Telkom Orange and Strathmore University Scorpions in their debut last season are seeking to improve their performance this season.

Susan Oketch who was instrumental for Amira last season was superb netting four goals two in each half as her side crushed the Rongai-based students. Captain Lorraine Nondi and Mitchelle bagged a brace each.

Nondi told Feverpitch they worked on the mistakes that saw them lose 3-0 to champions Orange in the season opener.

“We learnt a lot from our opening match and I’m glad the lessons did us good because it is after correcting our mistakes that we were able to play well today.

“We worked on ball possession, defence and attack unlike in the tie against Orange where we failed in all aspects of the game,” Nondi said.

She added that going forward their main aim is to create more chances and utilise them.

Yvette Kanyandong put Amira in the lead two minutes into play catching Multimedia goalie Faith Morei and her backline flat-footed.

The students then displayed some good defending in the next ten minutes containing the goal hungry Amira and thwarting all their efforts for a second goal.

Coming from the bench, three minutes was all Oketch needed to slot in a second by the quarter hour mark.

The sailors intensified their hunt for goals and Mboya put her name on the score sheet in the 23rd minute. Oketch added her second a minute later hitting the board from a Leah Omwandho pass.

Amira were not ready to leave anything to chance as they sought to complete the job in the first half.

Nondi ensured that her side had a comfortable lead netting her first and fifth for her team in the 31st minute. Mboya completed her brace a minute to the break to give her team a 6-0 advantage.

Margret Macharia added a seventh goal five minutes into the second half as they continued to dominate the students.

However, Amira goalkeeper Racheal Kerubo who had not been tested was caught unawares after a lapse in their defence and Esther Chamchui pulled one back for Multimedia in the 48th minute.

Good coordination between Oketch, Omwandho, Julie Koloni and Pauline Naise paid off as Oketch hit the board in the 53rd minute for her third goal.

After several fruitless attacks Omwandho finally got it right in the 61st minute with Nondi converting a penalty corner two minutes later.

The Standard Online



Lucky KL girls to meet Sabah in final

by S. Ramaguru

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur can count themselves lucky for qualifying for the girls’ final of the MHC-Milo Under-16 hockey championships.

In their last Group X match, KL were beaten 1-2 by Penang but they managed to scrape into the final on a one-goal difference.

All the three teams – KL, Penang and Selangor – were level on three points after the completion of the group matches.

KL ended up with a superior goal difference (3-2).

Selangor were even (4-4) and Penang had a minus one-goal difference (4-5).

KL will play Sabah in today’s final today while Johor and defending champions Selangor will clash for third place.

Yesterday, Penang looked well on the way to the final after taking a 2-0 lead by the 26th minute.

Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Nur Anis Adilah Azmi added the second in the 26th minute.

But the match was halted due to heavy rain and the match only resumed 90 minutes later.

It allowed KL to regroup and they managed to score the all-important goal – by Nurhanani Abdullah in the 33rd minute – to reach the final.

In a Group Y match, Johor beat Negri Sembilan 3-1 to stay on track for a podium finish.

Sabah had earlier qualified for the final after wins over Johor (2-1) and Negri Sembilan (3-0).

The Star of Malaysia

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