News for 08 August 2017
All the news for Tuesday 8 August 2017
Canada takes USA to exciting draw, Argentina, Mexico earn Day 2 victories
2017 Pan American Cups - August 4-13
Canada's Rachel Donohoe celebrates scoring in Canada vs. USA. Photo Yan Huckendubler
On the second day of Pan American Cup competition Mexico beat Brazil for their first win of the tournament. Argentina toppled Uruguay to take the top of Pool A, while USA and Canada battled it out in an exciting 1-1 draw.
Pool B WOMEN - Mexico vs. Brazil (1-0)
The third day of qualifying matches in Lancaster began with Mexico's victory over Brazil, a result that places them on the 3rd position in Group B. The only goal of the match arrived on 40 'with a low and cross shot by captain Marlet Correa.
Mexico, took the initiative and attacked but Fernanda Oviedo, Sluis, Peralta and Machado dos Santos, Brazilian did a great job. Mexico continued to dominate the game, but it was Brazil who was closer to open the score. At 21 'a good move from Thalia Cabral assited Helena Bertolaza who deflected the ball. This was the closest opportunity that Ignacio Lopez's team had to score.
During the second half of the match, climatic conditions complicated the game, however in the third quarter the score changed. At 40 'Mexico gets their first penalty corner. With a great combination between Marlet correa and Ana Juárez Mexico gets their first goal.
In the fourth period Brazil was not able to capitalize their penalty corner, but they try to Keep up their defensive game. Úrsula Machado dos Santos was proof of this when she stopped Mexico from a second goal.
The last attacks were for Mexico with Correa and Lacheno, without effectiveness. The final result was Mexico 1-0. Arely Castellanos, Mexican coach said "We won, but WE didnt play well. We will work to improve for our next match, looking forward for the classification ".
Pool A WOMEN - Uruguay vs. Argentina (0-6)
Argentina grabbed their second win of the Pan American Cup beating Uruguay 6-0 on Day 2. Despite the score line Uruguay keeper Rosanna Paselle kept the damage to a minimum while Argentina did receive goals from each of Julieta Jankunas, Delfina Merino, Noel Barrionuevo, Agostina Alonso and Martina Cavallero.
It didn’t take long for the Leonas to display their offensive lethality as Magdalena Fernandez created Argentina’s opening and first of nine first-half penalty corners. Unsuccessful on the first three flick attempts from Julia Gomes, Jankunas started the scoring train on a smash from the top of the circle in the 7th minute in free play. Down 1-0, Uruguay faced another wave of corners but they were all chased down well by captain Agustina Nieto. Merino was able to capitalize on a broken down penalty corner in the 17th minute, flicking the loose ball over Uruguay keeper Paselle for a 2-0 Argentina lead.
In the second quarter, Uruguay’s Maria Teresa Viana Ache utilized her individual skills to gain the left side of the Argentine circle and ultimately earn the Cimarronas a penalty corner. The flick from Agustina Taborda forced Argentina keeper Maria Mutio to make a diving glove save. In the 23rd minute veteran flicker Noel Barrionuevo’s penalty corner flick was booked for goal but a defender’s body in the way put Barrionuevo to the penalty stroke spot. She made no mistake, powering the ball into the bottom corner to lift Argentina 3-0.
Uruguay stacked their circle in the second half making it very crowded for any open chances at goal. Uruguay’s only real attack came from solo runs from Carolina Mutilva and Paula Carvalho but their efforts didn’t make it much further than the half way line. The Leonas were held off the board for the third quarter thanks to the quick reactions of keeper Paselle. The Uruguayan keeper denied Merino’s back-hand shot in the 39th minute and Jankunas’ forehand smash in the 40th.
Argentina certainly had their chances in the second half but it took second efforts to beat Paselle. In the 51st minute Barrionuevo’s penalty corner flick was saved by Paselle yet again but the rebound fell to Alonso whose hard shot squeezed in from a tight angle for a 4-0 lead. Cavallero scored from a tight angle on the other post just moments later to extend their lead to five. In the 55th minute Merino received a pass in the circle and in an cleverly popped the ball up and batted it out of the air on her back hand but the ball rang off the post. In the final minute of the game Barrionuevo’s drag flick was saved on the line by Taborda but the follow up shot hit her in the body putting Barrionuevo to the spot again for a 6-0 lead and final score.
Pool B WOMEN - Canada vs. USA (1-1)
The No. 19-ranked Canadians pushed the World No. 4 USA team to their max through 60 minutes of play taking points away from them in a 1-1 draw. It was a night of set pieces as Amanda Magadan deflected in for USA in the opening minute, while Rachel Donohoe buried a penalty corner chance for Canada in the third quarter.
The final day of women's pool play continues on Aug. 9 with Chile vs. Urugay (12:00), Mexico vs. Canada (17:00) and USA vs. Brazil (19:00). The top two in each pool will qualify for the semifinals on Aug. 11, while the finals are on Aug. 13. All matches are streamed live via USA Field Hockey here and you can stay connected on facebook, Instagram and twitter @panamhockey or online at panamhockey.org.
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
Hard Fought Battle Between Canada and USWNT Finishes in a Draw at PAC
Image courtesy of Mark Palczewski
LANCASTER, Pa. – Donning the full red kit, the U.S. Women’s National Team hit the turf in their second pool play match of the 2017 women’s Pan American Cup against northern neighbors No. 19 Canada. A goal in the first minute of the match by USA was matched by Canada at the start of the third and neither team could break the deadlock as the final score stood at 1-1.
"Canada did their homework and played more defensively then they normally do," said Janneke Schopman, USWNT Head Coach. "When we were not 100% on the ball and struggled with our first touch, we allowed them to get a lot of contact and that stopped the flow of the game. They defended well and we didn't have the ability today to eliminate as much as I would have liked, which is unfortunate."
Quick off the start, USA took possession into their attacking side and used smart passes to earn a penalty corner just a minute into the game. USA converted on the chance when the ball was swept down to Amanda Magadan (Randolph, N.J.) on the right post who extended and deflected it in to give USA an early 1-0 lead. Circle entries for both teams were present the rest of the quarter as neither team could find a positive result.
Similar play continued in the second as both teams shared possession. Canada’s skillful control was shut down as USA closed the forward channels. Ali Froede (Burke, Va.) made a prime intercept hustling hard for a ball that limited a potential threat for Canada. At the 15th minute mark, Canada took the ball to the other end of the field where they produced a flurry of chances that were absorbed and cleared by Jackie Briggs (Robesonia, Pa.) and the USA defensive unit. The half closed as USA pushed forward with the score USA 1, Canada 0.
At the start of the third quarter, Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) used her speed to find room and rip a hard shot on goal. Canada continued to halt USA’s attacking presence and in the 34th minute a collective defensive effort by Canada turned to instant offense leading to a penalty corner. Canada’s Rachel Donohoe perfectly deflected the ball into the goal to make it 1-1. The back and forth battle and result of double turnovers continued for the remainder of the quarter as both teams looked to break the locked score.
With the final 15-minutes to change the score line, both teams fought and hustled from the starting whistle. Play started off between the 25 yard lines with possession shared equally. USA had an opportune moment when three Canada players received 5-minute yellow cards in a three-minute span giving USA a huge advantage on the field. The final five minutes displayed an exciting show as USA fought until the end but came up short of the go ahead goal. The final score stood at USA 1, Canada 1.
"We played very rushed in the fourth quarter and were forced to hit direct," commented Schopman. "What we normally do is be patient like what we displayed when we were at World League [Semifinals] and even though we were tied we felt pressured."
The U.S. Women’s National Team will face No. 41 Brazil on Wednesday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET in their final pool play match.
USFHA media release
Canada’s Women force a 1-1 tie with 4th world ranked U.S.A.
Kori Sidaway
Forward Rachel Donohoe celebrates following her deflection goal that tied up the game 1-1 vs the United States in the 2017 Pan American Cup. (Yan Huckendubler/PAHF)
The North American turf war between Canada and the United States for top team in Pool B of the 2017 Pan American Cup was an intensely fought, exciting matchup. The Women’s National, ranked 19th in the world tied Team USA 1-1, who are ranked 4th, in an electrifying tilt.
But, forward Brienne Stairs said the team was a little shaky out of the gates. “We had a bit of nerves at the beginning of the game,” Stairs revealed, “and the U.S.A. is such a strong team, so we just wanted to come out here and compete and play our game and have some fun.”
Those nerves may have let the United States, already qualified for the 2018 World Cup Final, to pick up a goal in the first minute of play off an early penalty corner.
From there on out, the chances for the first half were very much back and forth as both teams earned penalty corner opportunities and green card advantages, but neither team was able to capitalize.
The closest call for Canada came from Hannah Haughn as a wild ball came off the post and had American goalkeeper falter. Haughn dove for the post’s backhand rebound, but the attempt was blocked by an apt U.S. defender.
Canada came out of halftime a different team – more confident, more aggressive. Stairs worked her way into the circle with some solid stick work, but the umpires missed her earning a U.S.A. foot and stopped play, initially calling it against her.
After a cry of disagreements, the umpires met for a referral to conclude that Canada was in fact, deserving of a penalty corner.
That call would come down to the call of the game as Rachel Donohoe swept the ball Stairs for a deflection that tied up the match 1-1.
The physicality from both teams began to ramp up as the last 20 minutes of play ticked on, and Canada and the United States women found themselves shoulder to shoulder on every ball.
With six minutes to go in the game, Brienne Stairs was awarded a yellow card – a five-minute infraction, as a sense of desperation seeped into the game. Both teams were scrambling to take the lead.
Karli Johansen, who fell into a tackle, was awarded a green card and sent off, with team USA taking the penalty corner. Before the ball was swept out, team captain Kate Wright referred with the umpires about the series of calls, but was sent off the field with a yellow card of her own.
Canada, now down three players with four minutes to go, dug in their heels. They warded off two back to back corner calls and multiple US chances. Defender Sara Macmanus made a huge tackle in the last 10 seconds of the game to deny the US a circle entry, and rocketed the ball up the field to smartly run down the clock to ensure the Canadians kept the 1-1 draw.
Coming out of the match, the women were proud of their performance, but realistic.
“We came in with a really strong game plan,” forward Rachel Donohoe said. “We did a lot of video, a lot of analysis. We stuck to the game plan and it panned out for us, so it’s quite exciting.” Donohoe went on to add “this is just the beginning, we’re not going to stop, we’re going keep being relentless.”
Teammate Stairs echoed her tenacious sentiments. “I mean it’s a pretty great feeling – it was good to have a bit of success here today. But it’s just one game, so we have to recover well and get ready for out next one against Mexico.”
The women face Mexico, who the US already beat 6-0, in their last pool play match up Wednesday August 9th at 2:00pm PT/5:00pm ET.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Calypso Stickmen, Brazil in semis clash
Nigel Simon
T&T’s Che Modeste, centre, slips through the tackles of Mexico’s Guillermo Gonzalez, left and Ruben Martinez during their Pool B match at the 2017 Men's Pan American Hockey Cup at USA Field Hockey Headquarters, Spooky Nook Sports, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, yesterday. T&T won 3-2. Photo: Courtesy.PanAmhockey.org.
T&T’s Calypso Stickmen will face off with Brazil from 10 am today in a winner-take-all match for second spot in their pool and a main draw semifinal appearance at the 2017 Men’s Pan American Hockey Cup Tournament at the USA Field Hockey Sports, Spooky Nook, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.
Coming off a 3-2 win on Sunday over Mexico, thanks to a late winner from Australian-based captain, Akim Toussaint, the T&T men enter the match level on three points with the Brazilians, but behind on goal-difference while host Canada has maximum six points from wins against both and tackles Mexico in its final match
Speaking after Sunday’s must win encounter, 29-year-old T&T captain Toussaint said his team knew going into the match it was going to be a tough battle.
He explained, “We all expected a tough contest with the Mexicans, so we just tried to do our best on our finishing because we haven’t been that clinical in front of goal so far in the tournament so far.”
“At the same time we were much better with putting away our chances today (Sunday) than we were against Canada in our first match, but we are still not where we are expected to be in terms of our play.”
“Against Mexico we played very passionately no matter some crucial decisions went against us and we will take that same approach into our final pool match against Brazil.”
In Pool A, two-time champions and reigning Olympic gold medal winners Argentina crushed Chile 9-2 to improve to maximum six points as well while USA trounced Venezuela 5-0 to go level with Chile on three points ahead of their decider for second spot in the pool tonight and a spot in the semifinal main draw as well.
At the end of the round-robin pool play the top two teams in each pool will advance to the main draw semi-final play-off and the two teams to emerge from this stage of the tournament will earn a berth at the World Cup next year.
The top six teams will also qualify for the 2021 Pan American Cup, and the teams placed seventh and eighth must play the 2019 Pan American Challenge.
Sunday’s late results Pool A
USA 5 (Amardeep Khokhar 13th, Sean Cicchi 26th, Alexander Grassi 38th, Aki Kaeppeler 44th, Tyler Sundeen 52nd) vs Venezuela 0
Argentina 9 (Gonzalo Peillat 7th, 23rd,29th, 60th, Lucas Vila 21st, 36th, Matias Paredes 6th, Marc Ganly 43rd, Ignacio Ortiz 58th) vs Chile 2 (Vincente Goni 13th, Vincente Martin 54th)
Today’s Matches
T&T vs Brazil, 10 am
Argentina vs Venezuela, noon
Canada vs Mexico, 5 pm
USA vs Chile, 7 pm
Pool A
Teams P W D L F A Pts
Argentina 2 2 0 0 15 2 6
Chile 2 1 0 1 8 9 3
USA 2 1 0 1 5 6 3
Venzeuela 2 0 0 2 0 11 0
Pool B
1. Canada 2 2 0 0 6 0 6
2. Brazil 2 1 0 1 3 3 3
3. T&T 2 1 0 1 3 6 3
4. Mexico 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
The Trinidad Guardian
England bounce back with win over Germany
England bounced back from defeat to the Netherlands with a 3-0 victory over Germany at the 4 Nations in Spain.
Goals from Chris Griffiths, David Condon and Phil Roper sealed the win for England who responded well after a 9-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday.
England flew out the traps and in just the fourth minute took the lead as Griffiths struck his 13th international goal. Both sides were well matched and a fine double save from George Pinner ensured England kept their lead heading into the first break.
There continued to be little between the sides with both defences working well to prevent any clear cut chances. The best effort of the second quarter belonged to England when Phil Roper crashed a shot on target from a tight angle, it was kicked away and a goalmouth scramble was eventually cleared.
After the half-time break another tight quarter followed with both sides largely cancelling each other out, Germany carved out the best chance which fell to Timm Haase but Pinner was quickly off his line to smother the effort.
Shortly before the final break England extended their lead through Condon. A drag flick was well saved but flew high up in the air, it dropped perfectly to Condon on the right hand post who volleyed into the net.
In the final quarter with time running out for Germany they elected for a kicking back, however England pounced on the counter attack allowing Ian Sloan to cross to Phil Roper to deflect into an empty goal and seal the win.
Next up for England are hosts Spain on Wednesday at 12pm UK time.
England starting XI: George Pinner (C), Brendan Creed, Liam Sanford, Henry Weir, Michael Hoare, David Ames, Barry Middleton, Christopher Griffiths, Phil Roper, Sam Ward, David Condon
Subs (Used): Ollie Willars, Ian Sloan, Mark Gleghorne, David Goodfield, James Gall, Jonathan Griffiths
Subs (Not used): Harry Gibson (GK)
England Hockey Board Media release
England women announce squad for EuroHockey Championships
England v Ireland in Johannesburg
Reigning champions England have announced their 18-women squad that will travel to the Netherlands to contest the Rabo EuroHockey Championships.
The tournament runs from the 19 to the 27 August at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam where England will be hoping to retain their crown after victory in London in 2015.
England impressed in their last tournament with a third place finish at the World League Semi-Finals in Johannesburg, securing their place at the World League Finals in November to be held in New Zealand.
David Ralph has selected the squad and will lead the campaign in Amsterdam, while Danny Kerry continues his rest and recovery after suffering a heart attack during the World League Semi Finals in South Africa.
Ahead of the tournament, Ralph said: “We are really looking forward to the EuroHockey Championships, which will be an exciting and tough tournament. The level of competition at these Championships is always high and there are a number of good teams competing to win it.
“Following on from our performances at the recent World League semi final in Johannesburg, we are relishing the opportunity and challenge that awaits us as we look to continue our progression as a group.”
England face world number seven side Germany, 16th placed Ireland and 17th placed Scotland in pool B while the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and the Czech Republic make up the four sides in pool A.
All matches from both the men’s and women’s EuroHockey Championships will be shown between the 18 and 27 August from Amsterdam live on BT Sport with full listings and timings to follow.
1. Giselle Ansley
2. Sophie Bray
3. Alex Danson (C)
4. Emily Defroand
5. Sarah Haycroft
6. Maddie Hinch
7. Jo Hunter
8. Hannah Martin
9. Shona McCallin
10. Lily Owsley
11. Ellie Rayer
12. Zoe Shipperley
13. Amy Tennant
14. Anna Toman
15. Susannah Townsend
16. Laura Unsworth
17. Hollie Webb
18. Nicola White
Fixtures:
Saturday 19th August - England v Ireland 1.45pm UK Time
Sunday 20th August - England v Germany 4.45pm UK Time
Tuesday 22nd August - England v Scotland 11.30am UK Time
England Hockey Board Media release
What now for Indian hockey?
Dhananjay Roy
June 25, 2017 - Misfiring India lose 3-2 to Canada, finish sixth in Hockey World League
July 9, 2017 - India pull out of Hockey Pro League, replacement to be named
July 25, 2017 - No Hockey India League in 2018
These are headlines that one felt had become a thing of the past given India's steady progress over the past few years. But, as is obvious now, the situation seems to have taken a significant turn over the past 40 days, and followers of the sport would be wondering the direction in which Indian hockey is headed.
After all, the Hockey India League (HIL) had benefited India immensely since its inception in 2013, and although the game's governing body, Hockey India, assured fans that things will be reworked and the league will return in 2019, there's an element of doubt about what eventually lies in wait.
Also, it's no rocket science that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) had built the entire concept of the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to debut in 2019, banking on their Indian stakeholders to make the long-drawn competition a success. After all, India contributes more than 50 % to FIH's revenues, and it was expected that fans here would lap it up, and justify the $150 million that FIH was projecting to pump into the tournament during a four-year cycle.
As far as India's performance on the pitch itself is concerned, they struck a purple patch last year, winning silver at the Champions Trophy in London, gold at the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia and finished second at the Azlan Shah tournament. They finished eighth at the Rio Olympics, but importantly, they showed the heart for a fight, unlike the abysmal show in London four years earlier, where they were left holding the wooden spoon.
Given this record, there was hope that the side would build up on these successes, but the results this year have been forgettable, despite finishing third in the annual Azlan Shah Cup. More importantly, the players, most of whom have enjoyed prolonged stints with the national team, now look slightly jaded as was evident at the Hockey World League Semifinals where India finished sixth, with a couple of wins over an ordinary Pakistan outfit, being their lone saving grace.
It can be argued that chief coach Roelant Oltmans is experimenting and trying to widen his talent pool ahead of a considerably hectic 2018, but if a team that is now expected to be challenging the best in the business goes on and loses to sides like Malaysia and Canada in an important tournament like the HWL, questions will be asked.
So how should one view the recent results and the two important off-field developments? Are they a setback for India, or will things take care of themselves, in the coming months when India will feature in the Asia Cup and the Hockey World League Final, followed by a busy 2018 that will be headlined by the World Cup, the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games? "Although we would have expected the boys to fare much better at the World League, we must remember they had worked really hard last year which was the Olympic year. So a bit of cooling off is pretty natural. That said, we should have raised our game at the HWL," said Harendra Singh, the coach who guided India to junior World Cup glory last year.
The Dronacharya awardee would know better than most since he has played a role in the grooming of the current lot over the past many years during various coaching stints, both at the senior and junior level.
Even if one doesn't read much into the HWL result, another aspect that has emerged over the past few years is India's inability to deliver consistent results against top teams.
While the eight-time Olympic gold medallists have trailed teams like Germany, the Netherlands and Australia significantly for a few decades now, outfits like Belgium and Argentina, who were at par with India not too long ago, have galloped ahead leaving India to play catch-up.
Till about 2010, this development could have been attributed to the lack of resources, facilities, exposure and vicious politics in the federation. It culminated in the team not even qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But things began looking up significantly from the turn of this decade, and there was little that the players could complain about.
The Times of India
India's hockey Chief coach Roelant Oltmans in corridor of uncertainty
By Swaroop Swaminathan
Indian men’s hockey coach Roelant Oltmans | File | AFP
CHENNAI: “A year in the life of a politician is an eternity,” or so the old adage goes. Tweak that a bit and you might accurately describe the rapid turn of fortunes, or lack there of, in Indian hockey. After the seniors returned with silver from the Champions Trophy and the juniors followed it up with a World Cup triumph, they were heralded as the new kings.2017, though, hasn’t gone according to plan. Fourth at Sultan Azlan Shah, last at the tri-nations involving Belgium and Germany and sixth at the World League Final in London. Severe off-field issues — withdrawing from Pro League, no Hockey India League in 2018 and Sardar Singh taken in for questioning during the Semifinals — have also contributed to the less than pretty picture.
There is also a supposed gag order in place as the team and support staff have been effectively barred from talking to the media. That was briefly lifted as several youngsters (as many as six are in line to make their senior debuts) were put in front of the media before a much-changed team left for a week-long Europe tour on Saturday. Chief coach Roelant Oltmans and captain (in this case Manpreet Singh) usually have a pre-departure press conference at the SAI centre in Bengaluru but that wasn’t followed for this tour.
While this trip isn’t a priority for Oltmans and Company — he has said many times that the Asia Cup (October) and World League Final (December) are the events to aim for — he can’t dismiss it out of hand. Especially when he is under sufficient pressure. The working theory is that Hockey India will decide by the end of August whether Oltmans has to leave. Insiders have revealed that while results (bar the Semifinals in London) have been acceptable, the team still has the same issues it had a few years ago (losing against superior sides, failing to come up with a winning Plan B and failing to come back after faling behind). Given HI insist they haven’t made up their mind, good performances might stall the process of initiating severance clauses.
Former national coach V Baskaran, who has been monitoring developments closely, opines HI should wait for some time. “I don’t think you can call this team the first 18,” he told Express. “It’s more a core-group team and it’s a great opportunity for them. But I wouldn’t say the time has come to throw Oltmans out because of one bad FIH tournament. He has had two years and old problems still remain but with important events coming up, it would be a bad decision to ask him to go.”
Can the Dutchman turn it around? The next week could nudge HI one way or another.
India watch
Schedule: Aug 9 vs Belgium, Aug 10 vs Belgium, Aug 13 vs Netherlands, Aug 14 vs Netherlands, Aug 16 vs Austria.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Akash Chikte, Suraj Karkera. Defenders: Dipsan Tirkey, Kothajit Singh, Gurinder Singh, Amit Rohidas, Varun Kumar. Midfielders: SK Uthappa, Harjeet Singh, Manpreet Singh (C), Chinglensana Singh, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma. Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Gurjant Singh, Armaan Qureshi.
New Indian Express
Thanks for the memories, Baljit
By Jugjet Singh
THANKS for the memories Malaysia!
These were Baljit Singh Charun's parting words to Malaysian hockey, marking the exit of the last standing Sikh.
The memories were good initially, but towards the end, he faced some terribly testing times which he rather forget.
"There is no more reason for me to hang around the training squad, as the coach (Stephen ven Huizen) keeps avoiding me regarding his future plans with me.
"Also, if I am not good enough to represent the country in the Sea Games, that shows the level of confidence the selectors have in me," said Baljit.
Sea Games is the lowest category for World No 12th ranked Malaysia, and even with a juniors outfit, the country beat a senior Singapore side to the gold medal at their own turf in 2015.
Baljit joined Tenaga Nasional 2004 and helped them to three overall titles in the Malaysia Hockey League in 2004, 2007 and 2009. He made his senior international debut at the 2007 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
After which he helped the country win silver at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and played in many other tournaments including the gold at the 2013 Sea Games.
"Things changed after I helped Malaysian qualify for the Hague World Cup (2014). I gave everything I had in the qualifier (World League Semifinals in Johor 2013) to help the country finish fifth and qualify for the World Cup on merit.
After the Johor WL Semifinals, the coaching circle was in a turmoil as chief coach Paul Revington came under severe personal and professional attack and decided to leave in a huff.
In came K. Dharmaraj, and Baljit's exit from the sport started.
"After playing one of the best tournaments in my life and qualifying for the World Cup, I felt that the break that I was looking for has finally arrived.
"I'm going to play in a World Cup."
But it was not to be. As from being among the top-three defenders in Revington's squad, Baljit became a shadow in Dharmaraj's team.
And shockingly he was replaced with German-born Kevin Lim, whom Dharmaraj saw playing only once in a tournament in Australia.
Baljit's nightmare started the day he was told that Kevin Lim would be replacing him in the Hague World Cup.
There was a twist of faith when the team arrived at the Hague and after playing a friendly game a few days before the World Cup, Kevin Lim pulled a hamstring and coach Dharmaraj sent an S.O.S to the team management for a replacement.
Instead of Baljit, Dharmaraj asked for Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin. It was only days ago that Izad had just recovered from being hospitalised, but was rushed to the Hague where he arrived in the morning and played in the evening against Australia -- naturally losing 4-0.
Malaysia, in the end, lost all their matches at the Hague and the nail was a 6-2 drubbing in the hands of South Africa in the 11-12th classification.
"After the World Cup, I was consistently sidelined and told to give hockey up. And not being selected for Sea Games is the final straw," said Baljit.
Moved from field to indoor training for the Sea Games, and then not even selected for the new event, coach Paul Lissek summed it up.
"Baljit is still a very good player in my books, but he badly wanted to play field hockey and his heart was not with the indoor game," said Lissek who has been roped in by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation as consultant to the indoor men's and women's team.
Once the back-bone of the Malaysian team since the 1956 Melbourne Olympics till a decade ago, Baljit's exit marks a sad era in the country's Sikh hockey history.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Van Huizen: No issues with Baljit
By Jugjet Singh
VAN HUIZEN
NATIONAL chief coach Stephen van Huizen said Baljit Singh Charun has contributed immensely for the last 10 years, but fell a few rungs to younger players recently, and that's why he was placed in the development squad.
Baljit was then moved to train with the indoor hockey team preparing for the Sea Games, and when he failed to be selected, he quit the sport for good on Monday.
"He has always been a hardworking player, serious in training and never had any issues with any of us (team management) and that's why I was surprised to read that he felt that I was avoiding him.
"Anyway, I called Baljit and spoke to him and explained the situation where a few players moved up the rung and he had to be placed in the development squad and then indoor hockey.
"Maybe there was miscommunication between both of us as I was busy training the field hockey players while Baljit was with the indoor squad.
"Actually I had wanted to meet up with him after the Sea Games to discuss his future, but since he has quit, I wish him all the best," said van Huizen.
On Monday, Baljit had said that there is no more reason for him to hang around the training squad, as Stephen ven Huizen kept avoiding him regarding his future plans.
"No such thing. Our paths crossed several times and there were no issues between us.
"Anyway, he gave his best for the nation whenever he was called up and never disappointed. He was also one of the best first runners (in penalty corners) we had.
"However, some of the younger players caught up, and then overtook him and that's a natural process (in any sport)," said van Huizen.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Applications for South African Men's National Hockey Coach
The South African Hockey Association is calling for applications for the position of the men’s national hockey coach.
Each applicant must complete the application form and submit a short CV.
Your Application and CV must be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Application Form
An interim coach will be appointed for 2017 Africa Cup for Nations in October.
Closing date for applications: Friday 18 August 2017
SA Hockey Association media release
Vale Kevin Carton
Holly MacNeil
Former Australian hockey captain and dual Olympian Kevin Carton sadly passed away on Thursday, 3 August 2017.
Kevin graduated from Trinity College in 1951, was in one of the first teams to play against Wesley in 1961, and was Hotspurs captain in 1971.
Kevin made his debut for Australia at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne on Friday 23 November, going on to play 26 matches for his country including playing at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Along with his commitment to hockey, Kevin was a leading figure in the travel industry and in 1995 became chairman of the board of the board of the Western Australian Tourism Commission.
At the time, then Premier Richard Court said: “Mr. Carton is a well-known Western Australian who was an outstanding sportsman - a dual Olympian and Australian hockey captain - and who has more than 40 years' experience in the airline and hotel industries."
Honouring his contribution to hockey, Kevin was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 1999, the Order of Australia Medal in 2000, and the Australian Centenary Award for both his services to tourism and hockey.
Kevin is survived by his wife Annette, children Romilly, Jeremy and Tim, daughter-in-law Julie, and grandchildren Luke, Dan and Ella. On behalf of the entire hockey community, Hockey Australia offers our sincere condolences to the family of Kevin Carton.
Funeral Details
A funeral mass will be celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 3 Salvado Road, Subiaco (opposite St. John of God Hospital).
2.30 pm Tuesday 8th August
Hockey Australia media release