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All the news for Thursday 12 October 2017

Despite India's dominating performance against Japan, there's still room for improvement

Sundeep Misra


India's hockey team during their match against Japan. Image Courtesy: Neeraj Tiwari

Ahead of what should be a busy season, the onus was on national men’s hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne to rejuvenate a side that was only recently sliding dangerously towards under performance. Apart from a hiccup in the fourth minute when Japan equalised, the Indian team steadied the ship, brought stability in the midfield, plugged holes in the defence to finally find their verve and soundly thrash Japan 5-1 to start their campaign in the Asia Cup on a winning note in Dhaka.

SV Sunil’s third minute goal was regulation stuff. A lovely one-to-one with Akashdeep Singh and Sunil then ran around the Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikawa Takashi to slip the ball into an empty net. It seemed the rattled Japanese might capitulate. But it was India who took it easy. Japan counter-attacked from the left wing and a cross was deflected in by Kenji Kitazato past the outstretched Suraj Karkera.

Within a minute, Japan was back. It was a cardinal sin by the Indian defence to not fall back into a planned structure that comes from hours of drills. Suddenly Japan had elevated themselves into worthy opponents. For the next few minutes, they pressed hard, rotated the ball around both the flanks and made life really difficult for the young Dipsan Tirkey, playing his first serious level senior tournament. He did good and when stuck for space, ensured that the experienced Sardar Singh was given the ball.

Sardar was playing full back, a sight not familiar with hockey lovers. He looked a bit unsure in the first two quarters not in releasing the ball but in terms of trying to curb his natural instinct to attack. But come the third and fourth quarter, he had the territory and there were moments that he commanded that space enabling Harmanpreet Singh to make a few runs through the middle.

The tactic of playing him as a defender given the skills that he has surely paid off. It will be interesting to see that control and fall back energy against opponents who have speed and pace in their attacks, especially the Belgians and the Dutch. But against the Japanese, he was in the right place at the right time. For moments in the third quarter, you could sense Sardar straining at the leash trying to curb his attacking powers as he back-pedalled constantly regaining his position.

The match roared back into life when Lalit Upadhyay, for long the beacon of style and subtle talent, came into his own in the 22nd minute. Trapping a high ball from the midfield in the Japanese striking circle, he almost took a 300 degree turn and let loose a reverse hit that beat Takashi in the Japanese goal. The shot was high and fast. But the brilliance of the trap and the skill shown in the turn was nothing short of world class.

At the break, while Japan went off to the changing room, India sat to the right of the turf as Marijne tried to explain the deficiencies of the first two quarters. India was leading 2-1 at the interval and needed a couple of more goals to make the issue safe to conserve energy for the rest of the matches to come.

Off a midfield attack, Sunil played in tandem with Ramandeep Singh to create a move on the right flank as Ramandeep given generous space by the Japanese hammered the ball past the goalkeeper. The umpire pointed towards goal but the Japanese thought the ball had come in from outside the net. Finally, the video umpire upheld the decision as India led 3-1.

The midfield under Manpreet Singh was now flowing well with Sumit playing an attacking role down the right flank. With more attacking options available now that the field had been stretched, India was dominating the third quarter. Whatever little attacks Japan had were held off by the defence and even Akash Chikte who had replaced Suraj Karkera in goal managed to save with smart deflections.

Once towards the end of the fourth quarter, Chikte saved a sharp chance with the Korean umpire pointing towards a stroke but the video umpire saved the situation explaining that Chikte had not stick-checked the Japanese forward.

If there was a sore point in the match, it was that the forwards missed plenty of chances. Akashdeep had some fine runs but couldn’t connect or simply suffered from a skill fade that saw six chances that came to him go abegging. Similar was the case with Ramandeep and Sunil, who despite scoring one each just couldn’t add to the tally. Time and again, they were in position but either didn’t have the power or simply couldn’t connect properly.

Of the five penalty corners, Harmanpreet squeezed in two and could easily have got in a third to complete a fine hat-trick but the flicks were not powerful enough. It was in fact Manpreet’s ingenuity that enabled Harmanpreet get his second, a dummy sold to the Japanese defence gave the space for Harmanpreet to fire in the flick.


India's Lalit Upadhyay celebrates after scoring from a brilliant reverse hit. Image Courtesy: Neeraj Tiwari

Yet, one got the feeling that as matches roll by, India could raise their game, plan it better and more importantly, control the match in such a way that the opponent finds it difficult to create moves. Like through the middle of the third quarter and towards it end, India didn’t allow Japan to create much, stifling attacks in the midfield area, and then counter-attacking. Marijne would look at this area as India Achilles heel. In a tight encounter, goals must be created and scored.

Marijne assessment was simple that in the fourth quarter, energy was flagging because of the 5-1 lead. “Quality had dropped and we gave Japan possibilities to score and that is something that shouldn’t happen anymore,” he said.

The Indian coach was categorical in saying that there was a little tension at the start of the match. “The rhythm was missing and we lacked organisation but we picked up speed as the match went on,” said Marijne.

Upon being asked whether his own ideology was in play, Marijne’s answer was of a man not risking too much of his thought process at the moment. “We should raise our levels,” he explained. “There should be internal competition and every player has to show he is the best to be in the team.”

The Indian captain Manpreet on being asked if there was any hint of pressure under a new coach said: “Our job is to play, work on the ground. Yes, we are happy with him and we will do our best.”

As for head to head against Japan, statistician BG Joshi points out that India has played Japan 77 times, wining 69, drawing four and losing four. By any standards, it’s an awesome piece of domination, especially against a side that has increased its work load in the last 4-5 years and run teams close. In fact, in the last Azlan Shah tournament, Japan had beaten Australia in a pool match.

It’s early days here at the Asia Cup. Sometimes, a tournament has the tendency to produce a kind of lethargy when teams like India feel their world ranking of six puts them a few feet ahead of the opposition. But winning against lower ranked opponents also strengthens resolve. Pressure, later in the tournament should not in any way crumble resoluteness. Marijne needs to ensure that.

Firstpost

Comprehensive win for India in the opening game

s2h team



Harmanpreet Singh's brace of goals and a goal each from the sticks of SV Sunil, who opened the scoring spree, Lalit Upadhyay and Ramandeep Singh marked in the the comprehensive and commanding victory that India posted today against Japan in the 10th Asia Cup opener in Dhaka. undefined

It was India's 50th match, and the celebration could not have been lesser. India almost rattled Japan who survived many anxious moments before restraining India to just five goals.

Sardar Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Sumit showed excellent class throughout sixty minutes.

For his two goals out of five tries in the penalty corners, Harmanpreet Singh was declared Hero Man of the Match, while Lalit Upadhyay who exhibited some oriental hockey skills, got the epithet Best Goal Scorer.

There was no inkling of what was store for India in the opener early on when Japan equalized Indian lead withing a minute.

3-time Asia Cupper SV Sunil struck beauty of a goal early in the first quarter (1-0, 3rd min) only to see within a minute Japanese equalize. Kenji Kitazato dived in front to connect a perfect cross coming from left flank.

The first quarter ended at that (1-1, 4th min). India held upper hand in the entire second quarter, but Akashdeep Singh, SV Sunil and Ramandeep Singh were profligate with their shots.

The manner SV Sunil scored the first goal, it seemed a goal rout is in the offing.

Lalit Upadhya gave India the lead Goal. All the ground work was done by Harmapreet Singh, whose aerial ball into D that Lalit Upadhyay trapped, dived to his right to effect a reverse (2-1, 22nd min) for India's lead.

India got its lone penalty corner midway through the second quarter, but Harmanpreet Singh's flick lacked venom, the speed and direction. A defender trapped to the left of goalline and deflected to safe. On resumption from lemon time, India was quick on scoreboard.

Ramandeep's goal was so stunning that a referral had to be resorted to find out whether the ball went into net through side netting or directly. Fortunately for India, it was direct.

Lalit again was in the thick of things when India got second of five penalty corner out of which Harmanpreet did not fail to strike (4-1, 35th min). He again sent, now a grounder, for the final scoreline (5-1, 48th min).

India got five penalty corners against Japan's two which came in the closing stages of the one-sided game.

The first international outing for the new Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne turned out to be great one for him.

Stick2Hockey.com

Milestone 50th match for India

s2h team

India crossed an important milestone when it played Japan in the 10th Asia Cup opening match today in Maulana Bashini Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

It was 50th match for India in Asia Cup, highest number for any other 14 countries that have taken part so far.

India had played 49 matches in Asia Cup before going to Dhaka for its renewed mission of winning its third Asia Cup.

Pakistan had played 47 matches till the start of Dhaka edition.

Though India and Pakistan have taken part in the all the Asis Cups held so far, being in different pools with varying number of teams produced different numbers for both.

Malaysia and Bangladesh are the only other two nations to have seen action in all Asia Cups.

Korea missed the initial Lahore number.

It was nice of India the way it played today in Dhaka in its milestone match.

It was only third encounter between the two nations in the league stage, other four being classification and Semifinals.

Stick2Hockey.com

India thrash Japan 5-1 in opening encounter


Although they missed a number of chances, the Indians completely outplayed their opponents on Wednesday.

India got off to an impressive start in the men's hockey Asia Cup in Dhaka with a 5-1 victory over Japan in a Pool A match. Although they missed a number of chances, the Indians completely outplayed their opponents on Wednesday.

In their first tournament under a new coach, India meant business and found the net in each quarter, twice in the third, to streamroll their less-fancied but tricky opponents. SV Sunil (3rd minute), Lalit Upadhyay (22nd), Ramandeep Singh (33rd) and Harmanpreet Singh (35th and 48th) were on target.

Japan's lone goal came through Kenji Kitazato's stick in the 4th minute. World No 6 India did not look rusty under their new coach, Marijne Sjoerd, who took charge of the team just last month following the sudden sacking of Roelant Oltmans.

India were quick to get off the blocks when Sunil, after a fine one-two with Akashdeep Singh, pushed the ball in an open net. But India's joy was shortlived as Japan struck in the next minute through Kitazato's field strike. The Indians completely dominated the proceedings and exploited every single bit of space given by the Japanese. They utilised both the wings to perfection to set up their attacks.

India got their first of their four penalty corners in the 21st minute but Harmanpreet's flick didn't have enough power to trouble the Japanese citadel. An inch perfect scoop from Harmanpreet from the halfway mark found Lalit inside the D and the striker slotted home with a reverse shot after brilliantly controlling the ball.

Two minutes into the second half India extended their lead through Ramandeep, who scored a gem with a thundering shot from a tight angle after being set up by Sunil. Next it was Harmanpreet's turn to register his name in the scoresheet and the drag-flicker did so by converting India's second penalty corner in the 40th minute.

Minutes later, Akashdeep missed a sitter. Sunil found an unmarked Akashdeep inside the circle but he hit the ball straight to the pads of the Japanese goalie despite having all the time to find his spot. But soon Harmanpreet made the score line 5-1 in favour of India, scoring with a fine variation from their third penalty corner.

The Indians couldn't have asked for a better start to the tournament as they showcased near perfect hockey, which was full of short one-two passes, quick turnovers and variations. India earned two more penalty corners in the final minutes of the game but wasted both.

Japan too secured two scoring chances in the dying minutes in the form of penalty corners but the Indian defence held fort. The Indians will next play hosts Bangladesh in their next Pool A match on Friday.

DNA

India begins with a bang

Marijne’s men steamroller Japan 5-1 in their opener


Hit man: Harmanpreet did the star turn for India by slotting in two goals against Japan in the Asia Cup opener on Wednesday. 

India outclassed Japan 5-1 in its opening Pool-A match of the 10th Asia Cup hockey tournament on Wednesday.

India, playing its first tournament under new coach Marijne Sjoerd, got off the blocks in the third minute when S.V. Sunil, after a fine one-two with Akashdeep Singh, pushed the ball into an open net. Japan equalised the next minute through Kenji Kitazato’s field strike. The Indians exploited every single bit of space given by the Japanese and utilised the wings to perfection to set up the attacks.

An inch-perfect scoop from Harmanpreet from the halfway mark found Lalit inside the ‘D’ and the striker slotted home in the 22nd minute with a reverse shot.

A few minutes into the second half, India extended its lead through Ramandeep, who scored a gem with a thundering shot from a tight angle after being set up by Sunil. Harmanpreet converted India’s second penalty corner in the 35th minute before making it 5-1 with a fine variation from its third penalty corner.

The results: India 5 (S.V. Sunil 3, Lalit Upadhyay 22, Ramandeep 33, Harmanpreet Singh 35 & 48) bt Japan 1 (Kenji Kitazato 4); Pakistan bt Bangladesh 7-0.

The Hindu

India start with a bang, thrash Japan 5-1


The Indian forwards kept Japan’s defenders on their toes with repeated forays into the striking circle throughout the match. Hockey India

Title favourites India produced an impressive performance to outclass Japan 5-1 in their opening match at the 10th edition of the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament here today. In their first tournament under coach Marijne Sjoerd, India meant business and found the net in each quarter to streamroll their less-fancied but tricky opponents.

SV Sunil (3rd minute), Lalit Upadhyay (22nd), Ramandeep Singh (33rd) and Harmanpreet Singh (35th and 48th) were on target for India. Japan’s lone goal was scored by Kenji Kitazato’s in the 4th minute. World No. 6 India did not look rusty under their new coach, who took charge of the team just last month following the sudden sacking of Roelant Oltmans.

India were quick to get off the blocks when Sunil, after a fine one-two with Akashdeep Singh, pushed the ball into the open goal. But India’s joy was shortlived as Japan struck in the next minute through Kitazatos field strike. India completely dominated the proceedings and exploited every single bit of space given by the Japanese. They utilised both the wings to perfection to set up their attacks.

India got the first of their four penalty corners in the 21st minute but Harmanpreet’s flick didn’t have enough power to trouble the Japanese citadel.

An inch-perfect scoop from Harmanpreet from the halfway mark found Upadhyay inside the circle and the striker slotted home with a reverse shot after brilliantly controlling the ball.

Two minutes into the second half, India extended their lead through Ramandeep, who scored a gem with a thundering shot from a tight angle after being set up by Sunil.

Next it was Harmanpreet’s turn to register his name in the scoresheet and the drag-flicker did so by converting India’s second penalty corner in the 40th minute. Minutes later, Akashdeep missed a chance. Sunil found an unmarked Akashdeep inside the circle but his deflection went straight into the pads of the Japanese goalkeeper.

But soon Harmanpreet made the scoreline 5-1, scoring with a fine variation from India’s third penalty corner.

India couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tournament as they showcased near perfect hockey, which was full of short one-two passes, quick turnovers and variations.

India earned two more penalty corners in the final minutes but wasted both. Japan too secured two scoring chances in the dying minutes in the form of penalty corners but the Indian defence held the fort. In the second match, Pakistan thrashed hosts Bangladesh 7-0. India will next play Bangladesh in their next Pool A match on Friday.

The Tribune

Abubakr's hat trick as Pakistan Outplays Bangladesh 7-0 in opening match

Pakistan started its campaign at the 10th Hockey Asia Cup with an impressive 7-0 win over the hosts Bangladesh at Dhaka's Maulana Bhashani Stadium.

The green shirts completely dominated the proceedings throughout and created numerous open play chances along with nine penalty corners.

But the first match jitters were very much evident as they scored just one goal in the first half, courtesy Abubakr Mahmood's PC conversion in the second quarter, whose powerful flick went into the net off goal keeper Asim's palm.  There was a lot of missing from Pakistanis.

Bangladesh had their best chance of the match late in the first half. A faulty Pakistani clearance led to an easy top of the circle opportunity but the Bangladeshi captain Rashel shot just wide with the goal at his mercy.

Two back to back goals early in the second half calmed Pakistani bench's nerves.

Arslan Qadir was felled down in the circle and off the resulting penalty stroke, Ammad Shakeel Butt sent the goal keeper the wrong way with a high push to the top left corner.

Soon, an Ali Shan reverse hander from the left of the circle was sent into the cage by an excellent touch by Arslan Qadir with an extended stick held high.

Off the fifth PC, a little variation at the top of the circle worked. Skipper Irfan drew the rushers before slipping the ball to Abubakr, who flicked it into the net to make it 4-0.

The last quarter also saw three goals.

Ammad Butt after receiving the ball in the circle from a right side attack beautifully side stepped the net minder before putting it in.

Then Abubakr completed his hat trick availing the seventh PC. Though his push was straight on to the goal keeper but the ball deflected into the goal.

The last goal came in the final minute. Arslan Qadir created space at the top of the circle in a crowded defence before slotting home with a spectacular reverse hit for his second of the evening.

Scorers: Abubakr Mahmood:3 (18',41', 50')  Ammad Shakeel Butt:2 (33', 47') Arslan Qadir: 2 (33', 60')

Hero Man of Match: M.Rizwan Senior (12,500 Takas)

Pakistan next plays Japan on Friday

Earlier India defeated Japan 5-1 in a clinical display.
India's scorers: Harmanpreet Singh 2, Sunil, Lalit Upadhay & Ramandeep Singh

PHF Media release

Pakistan thrashes hosts in the opening game

By Shahid Khan

Pakistan registered an emphatic 7-0 victory on the opening day of the Hero Asia Cup match against Bangladesh at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium, in Dhaka.

Pakistan settled quickly into a rhythm and although they forced a penalty corner in the first quarter of the match the Bangladeshi goalkeeper Asim Gope came to their rescue to keep the score goal less.

The second quarter saw Greenshirts win another penalty corner in the 17th minute, but a poorly executed variation saw Bangladeshi defenders push the ball away. However Abu Mahmood broke the deadlock in the following minute with forceful drag flick high into the net to give Pakistan the lead.

Although the hosts, ranked 34 in the world and had last lost all 4 previous encounters against Pakistan, had chances to get on equal terms they could not avail there golden chances..

Ten minutes after half-time Pakistan took complete control of the match when they scored back-to-back goals in the 33rd minute. First, it was Shakeel Ammad Butt who found the top net to beat Gope in a penalty stroke to take a 2-0 lead.

This was followed by a scintillating counter-attack by Pakistan that set a splendid field goal by Arslan Mohammad Qadir to take Pakistan’s score to a comfortable 3-0.

The final quarter saw Bangladesh push desperately for goals but Pakistan stayed on top of their game with Greenshirts enjoying 64% possession.

Pakistan enhanced their lead with another successful penalty corner well-converted by Abu Mahmood in the 41st minute. In the 47th minute Shakeel Ammad Butt showcased excellent dribbling abilities to penetrate the circle and take a successful shot on goal to take his team’s lead to a formidable 5-0.

Abu Mahmood took this lead to 6-0 with his third goal of the match in the 50th minute when he converted a penalty corner. Arslan Mohammad Qadir completed his team's goal-fest with a 60th-minute field goal that helped Pakistan walk away with the winning points.

Earlier in the day in the same group India had recorded 5-1 victory against a plucky Japanese team who will be Pakistan’s next opponents on 13th October.

Fieldhockey.com

Ruthless Pakistan decimate Bangladesh 7-0 in their opener



KARACHI: Ruthless Pakistan decimated hosts Bangladesh 7-0 on the opening day of the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament 2017 at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. Abu Baker Mahmood was the hero of the match with three scintillating goals in the 18th, 41st and 50th minutes, which that helped Pakistan seal their opening match of the tournament. The green shirts completely dominated the proceedings throughout and created numerous open play chances along with nine penalty corners.

It was Pakistan who were quick to get off the blocks and put the hosts on a back foot when they won a penalty corner in the first quarter of the match. But it was well defended by the Bangladesh goalkeeper Asim Gope that called for loud cheers from the buoyant Dhaka crowd. The second quarter saw Pakistan win another PC in the 17th minute but a poorly executed variation saw Bangladeshi defenders push the ball away. Pakistan won yet another PC almost immediately and this time Abu Baker was impeccable in his dragflick to put the ball past Gope in the 18th minute to fetch Pakistan a 1-0 lead.

With a little over seven minutes remaining for the second hooter, Bangladesh missed a brilliant opportunity when skipper Rashel Mahmud (Jimmy) assisted Milon Hossain to take a shot on goal but unfortunately the later couldn’t connect the ball. Jimmy missed another fantastic opportunity to equalize when he made an accelerating run from the midfield, penetrating the circle to take a shot on goal but his fiercely-struck ball went too far left of the post.

Post the ten-minute halftime, Pakistan took complete control of the match when they scored back-to-back goals in the 33rd minute. First it was Shakeel Ammad Butt who found the top net to beat Gope in a penalty stroke to take a 2-0 lead. This was followed by a scintillating counter attack by Pakistan that set a splendid field goal by Arslan Qadir to take Pakistan’s score to a comfortable 3-0.

The final quarter saw Bangladesh push desperately for goals but Pakistan stayed on top of their game with 64 per cent ball possession. Pakistan enhanced their lead with another successful penalty corner well-converted by Abu Baker in the 41st minute. In the 47th minute Shakeel Ammad Butt showcased excellent dribbling abilities to penetrate the circle and take a successful shot on goal to take his team’s lead to a formidable 5-0. Abu Baker took this lead to 6-0 with his third goal of the match in the 50th minute when he broke no sweat to convert a PC. Arslan added to his team’s goal-fest with 60th minute field goal that helped Pakistan walk away with the winning points. Next Pakistan meet Japan on October 13 while Bangladesh will take on India.

The Daily Times

Pakistan outclass B’desh with incredible 7-0 win



DHAKA - It was a match between Pakistan versus hosts Bangladesh which enthralled the local audience on the opening day of the Hero Asia Cup here at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium on Wednesday.

Abu Mahmood was the hero of the match with three scintillating goals in the 18th, 41st and 50th minute which helped Pakistan seal their opening match of the tournament.

It was Pakistan who were quick to get off the block and put the hosts on a back foot when they won a penalty corner in the first quarter of the match. But it was well defended by the Bangladeshi goalkeeper Asim Gope.

The second quarter saw Pakistan win another penalty corner in the 17th minute, but a poorly executed variation saw Bangladeshi defenders push the ball away.  Pakistan won yet another penalty corner almost immediately and this time Abu Mahmood was impeccable in his dragflick to put the ball past Gope in the 18th minute to fetch Pakistan a 1-0 lead. With a little over seven minutes remaining for the second hooter, Bangladesh missed a brilliant opportunity when skipper Rashel Mahmud assisted Milon Hossain to take a shot on goal but unfortunately the later couldn’t connect the ball. Hossain missed another fantastic opportunity to equalise when he made an accelerating run from midfield, penetrating the circle to take a shot on goal but his fiercely-struck ball went too far left of the post.

Post the ten-minute halftime, Pakistan took complete control of the match when they scored back-to-back goals in the 33rd minute. First, it was Shakeel Ammad Butt who found the top net to beat Gope in a penalty stroke to take a 2-0 lead.  This was followed by a scintillating counter-attack by Pakistan that set a splendid field goal by Arslan Mohammad Qadir to take Pakistan’s score to a comfortable 3-0.

The final quarter saw Bangladesh push desperately for goals but Pakistan stayed on top of their game with 64 per cent ball possession. Pakistan enhanced their lead with another successful penalty corner well-converted by Abu Mahmood in the 41st minute.

In the 47th minute Shakeel Ammad Butt showcased excellent dribbling abilities to penetrate the circle and take a successful shot on goal to take his team’s lead to a formidable 5-0.

Abu Mahmood took this lead to 6-0 with his third goal of the match in the 50th minute when he converted a penalty corner. Arslan Mohammad Qadir added to his team's goal-fest with a 60th-minute field goal that helped Pakistan walk away with the winning points.

Pakistan meet Japan on October 13 while Bangladesh will take on India.

The Nation

Pakistan defeat Bangladesh 7-0 in first Hockey Asia Cup match



Pakistan hockey team thrashed Bangladesh in their first match of Hockey Asia Cup by defeating the latter by 7 goals to nill at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Abu Bakar Mahmood led the team to victory with a hat-trick, while Ammad Shakeel Butt and Arsalan Qadir also contributed to Pakistan's extraordinary win, DawnNews reported.

Pakistan's next match will be against Japan on October 13.

Apart from Pakistan and Bangladesh, six other teams from Asia are participating in the Cup.

Dawn

‘Pakistan will make Asia Cup final’

ISLAMABAD: Olympian Naveed Alam is optimistic Pakistan will at least make it to the final of the Asia Cup following the national team’s emphatic 7-0 win over Bangladesh on Wednesday.

“I think they will reach the final at least,” Naveed told Dawn on Wednesday. “That shouldn’t be a problem for this team.”

Currently serving as Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) director development, Naveed was here to brief the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) on the national team’s poor performance during the last three tournaments.

But the committee refused to listen to him after expressing their displeasure at PHF president retired Brig Khalid Khokar and secretary Shahbaz Ahmed not turning up at the meeting with the duo in Karachi to conduct the Nishan-i-Haider hockey tournament which ended on Tuesday.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Naveed added that Pakistan has a good talent pool which needs polishing.

“We need to provide them adequate facilities and training opportunities,” he said, adding that as per law of the country all districts are bound to spend two percent of their total budget on sports. “There needs to be investment at grassroots level.”

To a query, he said that international hockey league will be organised in April and steps are being taken for smooth holding of this mega event.

Dawn

Wiser Malaysia to tread with caution against China

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have learned their lessons and will not take China lightly in their opening Asia Cup Group B match at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, today.

The last time these two teams met – in the final of the World Hockey League Round Two in Dhaka in March – Malaysia had to come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in regulation time before going on to win 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

Surely, world No. 13 Malaysia can expect a stiffer challenge from world No. 18 China this time.

To make it more interesting, China have to win the tournament if they want to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Bhu-baneswar, India.

With Malaysia, India and Pakistan having already qualified for the World Cup, the Asia Cup offers the one remaining ticket.

And that’s something national chief coach Stephen van Huizen is aware of.

“They (China) will be very motivated to do well as they haven’t confirmed their place in the World Cup,” he said.

The others teams in Group B are defending champions South Korea and Oman.

Group A comprises India, Japan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Stephen expects his men to give it their all despite having qualified for the World Cup.

“I expect our players to be fully focused right from the first start. Our objective is to finish in the top two in the group and qualify for the Super Four.

“We want to have as a good start as possible to help us settle down in the tournament,” said Stephen.

“We had two good training sessions and we are ready. The players looked a bit sharper in training today compared to yesterday as they’ve had a good rest.

“Our players are ready and we will treat every team with respect.”

The Star of Malaysia

Kookaburras Cruise Past PNG In Oceania Opener

Ben Somerford


Dan Beale scored 2 goals

The Kookaburras have opened their 2017 Oceania Cup campaign with a comfortable 30-0 win over Papua New Guinea at Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.

Blake Govers, Tom Wickham and Dylan Wotherspoon all scored five goals apiece in the victory ahead of Thursday’s clash with New Zealand.

Govers’ return to the international arena, having not played for Australia since the 2016 Rio Olympics, was a highlight.

“It’s good to be back in the group after over a year now,” Govers said.

“Coming back and getting away with five goals is really good.

“The boys were looking sharp, so it’s good leading into tomorrow’s game against NZ.”

Trent Mitton scored a first-quarter hat-trick for the Kookaburras, before finishing with four for the evening as Australia raced to an 8-0 lead at quarter-time.

Jeremy Hayward also completed a first-half hat-trick with the Kookaburras dominating with a 16-0 half-time advantage.

Mark Knowles and Daniel Beale (two goals each), along with Matt Dawson, Josh Beltz, Eddie Ockenden and Jake Whetton (one goal each) were all on the scoresheet.

Australia will turn their attention to the Black Sticks who they meet at 8pm on Thursday and appear likely to face in the final on Sunday.

“They’re going to be very tough. It’s always a battle,” Govers said.

“I’m not too sure how it’ll be in the final leading into Sunday. We’ve just got to stick to our game plan tomorrow.”

Head to FIH.ch for the scores and goals.

Hockey Australia media release

Vantage Black Sticks Women ease past PNG


Photo: Planet Hockey

The Vantage Black Sticks Women have made light work of Papua New Guinea with a 33-0 result in their opening game at the Oceania Cup in Sydney.

The Kiwis stormed out to a 20-0 lead at halftime and added another 13 goals in the second half with seven of those in the final eight minutes.

Samantha Harrison bagged a huge haul of nine goals while Rachel McCann and Olivia Merry scooped seven each and Shiloh Gloyn grabbed a hat-trick.

Co-captain Samantha Charlton celebrated her 200th test cap during the match and topped it off with a goal of her own.

Assistant coach Sean Dancer said the game provided his side the chance to focus on some key areas going forward.

“We really focussed on some basic elements of our game and refining those, and the girls did that really well in the attacking third,” Dancer said.

“Papua New Guinea tried their best and we really respect them for coming out and challenging themselves with an eye to developing further.

“We now look ahead to Australia in what will be a tough game but we are backing ourselves and certainly know we have the skills and talent to get the result.”

The Vantage Black Sticks Women go up against the Hockeyroos at 7pm (NZ time) on Saturday while the Kiwi Men open their Oceania Cup campaign versus the Kookaburras at 10pm tomorrow.

CLICK HERE for more on the 2017 Oceania Cup

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS: 33 (Samantha Harrison 9, Rachel McCann 7, Olivia Merry 7, Shiloh Gloyn 3, Liz Thompson 2, Sam Charlton, Amy Robinson, Rose Keddell, Natasha Fitzsimons, Kim Tanner)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 0
Halftime: New Zealand 20-0

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks women pile up record 33-0 win in PNG mismatch at Oceania Cup


Rachel McCann had six goals by halftime as the Black Sticks were way too good for Papua New Guinea in Sydney. GETTY IMAGES

In an epic mismatch, the Black Sticks women swatted aside Papua New Guinea 33-0 to notch a record winning score in Sydney on Wednesday.

The Oceania Cup hockey opener was always going to be a one-sided affair and after New Zealand led 20-0 at halftime the only real interest was whether they could pass their previous record victory of 31-0 against Samoa in the same tournament two years ago in Stratford.

They did so, with Olivia Merry rattling in two quick goals in the closing minutes to take her personal tally to seven for the match.


Samantha Harrison of New Zealand netted three goals in the first six minutes of their big win over PNG in the Oceania Cup opener. FILE: GETTY IMAGES

Samantha Harrison led the scoring with nine goals, after netting the first three inside six minutes, while Rachel McCann had six by halftime and ended with seven goals in all.

Held every two years, the Oceania Cup pits New Zealand against Australia and one other developing nation from the region.

The winner qualifies for the World Cup, although New Zealand's men's and women's teams have both booked their spots already for India and England respectively next year.

The women's Black Sticks now face Australia on Saturday night before a rematch in the final the following day.

In the men's tournament New Zealand open against Australia on Thursday.

Stuff

PNG hockey teams thumped at Oceania Cup


The Australia and PNG teams come together post match. Photo: Twitter/Kookaburras

The Papua New Guinea men's and women's hockey teams have been crushed in their opening games at the Oceania Cup in Sydney.

The men were thumped 30-0 by the Australian Kookaburras, with Dylan Wotherspoon, Tom Wickham and Blake Govers scoring five goals apiece, while the women were walloped 33-0 by New Zealand.

Sam Harrison scored nine times for the Black Sticks, who led 20-0 at half-time and added some gloss with seven goals in the final eight minutes of the match.

The winners of the Oceania Cup earn automatic qualification for the 2018 Men's and Women's Hockey World Cups.

Meanwhile in the Intercontinental Hockey 5s, Australia Country lead the way in the men's and women's competitions.

The men beat Vanuatu 8-4 and Samoa 13-1, while the women defeated Samoa 10-2 and Fiji 4-2.

The Vanuatu men bounced back to thrash Tonga 17-0 in the afternoon, while the Kingdom were also outclassed 10-1 by Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands women beat Tonga 6-0.

All countries competing in Sydney, in both the Oceania Cup and Hockey 5s, will earn world rankings points on a sliding scale.

Radio New Zealand

50 Days To Go: History of the Trophies



With 50 days to go until the Odisha Men's Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar begins, we look back at the history of this prestigious trophy and those who have won the right to raise it as champions...

The Finals competitions in Auckland (women) and Bhubaneswar (men) will bring the curtain down on the third season of the Hockey World League, with all eight nations that will compete in each event being single-mindedly determined to make their mark and raise the respective trophies aloft.

In 2013, the Netherlands achieved a remarkable double in the inaugural edition of the Hockey World League, with both the men’s and women’s international teams storming to glory. Oranje women claimed the title with a superb display at the Final in San Miguel de Tucaman in Argentina, while the Dazzling Dutch men’s team overcame all challengers to triumph in New Delhi, India.

"Just which teams earn the privilege to lift these trophies above their heads - only time will reveal. When it happens, those nations will create their own magical moment of hockey history."

The silverware attained by the Dutch national teams in the first edition of the competition was redesigned ahead of the 2014-15 season. With new look trophies came new winners, as Argentina women took the title on home soil in Rosario and Australia’s Kookaburras emerged victorious in Raipur, India in 2016.


Reigning champions Australia will be looking for back to back titles on Indian soil Photo: FIH/Getty

The prizes used in the second edition of the competition were designed and constructed in London, England. Both the men’s and women’s trophies feature a single stack column of 12 walnut and vinyl plectrums surrounded by gold effect ‘wings', placed on a hardwood walnut base. The trophies weigh approximately 1.2 kilograms each, and the top plectrum of each trophy features a map of the world which has been inlaid by 23 carat gold leaf.



The now iconic second generation trophies will again be on offer in the third edition of the competition. Just which teams earn the privilege to lift these trophies above their heads only time will reveal. When it happens, those nations will create their own magical moment of hockey history.

#HWL2017

FIH site

Indoor IPT 2017 - All eyes are on Kwazulu Natal


The 2016 Ladies Indoor IPT Champion - KZN Raiders

The 2017 South African Indoor Hockey Interprovincial Tournament kick-starts tomorrow in Durban for both the Men and the Ladies. The Men will be looking towards the Indoor Hockey World Cup in Berlin and the players will be doing everything they can to impress the selectors. The Ladies, although not going to the World Cup, are already working on building the squad towards and have a bumper season ahead.

The obvious question on the lips of indoor hockey and outdoor hockey supporters for that fact is can anybody challenge the dominance that the KZN Raiders currently have across both types of the game. The Raiders are the current Men’s and Ladies champions in both indoor and outdoor hockey, a first for South African Hockey.

The KZN Raiders ladies side will feature almost an entire line up of national players and are joined by outdoor hockey sensation Shelley Jones. Eloise Walters will be representing the KZN Inland side which will make them extremely dangerous from a goalscoring point of view. You also can not discount the challenge that the two Gauteng sides will bring as both Northerns and Southern Gauteng will challenge the coastal sides, while Western Province is often a bogey side for many.

The remaining teams in the Ladies tournament are the “B” side for the Raiders, the Mynahs, Mpumalanga and North West. All ladies games, excluding the final, will be played at Danville. The final will move to UKZN Westville.

In the Men’s tournament, it will be a similar case as the likes of Chris McCathie, Matt Fairweather, Jethro Eustice and Wade Paton who all helped South Africa qualify for the Indoor Hockey World Cup will be in action for the KZN Raiders looking to defend the title they convincingly won in Cape Town in 2016.

Their biggest challenge will come from either Western Province or Southern Gauteng, where both sides have a host of South African capped players including the exciting Ryan Julius (Province) and Rusten Abrahams (Southern Gauteng). The Challenge will further be taken up by Mpumalanga, the Mynahs, North West, and Northerns. KZN Inlands will offer up the final intriguing piece of the puzzle that completes the Men's tournament, on their day the Martizburg men can be scintillating to watch!

All the Men’s games will take place at UKZN Westville. There will be daily updates on the SA Hockey website and you can follow the action on the tournament management system, https://saha.altiusrt.com.

SA Hockey Association media release

EYHL Highlights on www.eurohockeytv.org



11th October 2017: The European Hockey Federation (EHF), Hockey Ireland and the Kings Hospital School are delighted to announce a fantastic new initiative that will see EY Hockey League (Hockey Ireland’s  premier league for men and women) highlights for men and women being shown every Thursday and stored on the EHF’s new on-line streaming platform. 

Tia Doyle, Marketing, KH Productions and a student of the Kings Hospital School explained the concept behind the project which showcases 2 featured games from the weeks EYHL games (1 Men’s and 1 women’s game per episode) "At the start of term we were asked if we would like to be part of an enterprise project preparing video highlights for the EYHL, we had no idea at the time just how many different areas this would cover. We now have a team of 9 working on video editing, production, social media and advertising. We currently work Tuesday evenings plus Wednesday afternoon with each team responsible for their area. It is an exciting venture which is allowing us to see the development of a product from inception to completion. In time we will use this project as our Mini company for Transition year and once we have an idea of the viewing numbers and range seek sponsorship for the project. We hope people are enjoying the highlights and we are constantly striving to make them better."

At the announcement Angus Kirkland, Director General of the EHF said “When we launched eurohockeytv.org in August it was always our vision that our platform would be for all our National Associations to use to showcase their hockey games, Video on Demand (VOD), Highlights and behind the scenes on what is fast becoming the home of European Hockey on-line. We currently have over 30,000 subscribers and we are hoping to build this community over the domestic hockey season. We are really delighted that Hockey Ireland is the first National Association on board with an incredible project that is being led by possible future Youth Leaders in Ireland. Using footage from the EYHL games the students in Kings Hospital School are putting together a weekly 15 minute highlights programme. Very often we hear about the huge costs involved in TV production and indeed that can be the case, but this project demonstrates that with some knowhow, determined youngsters and lots of hockey footage it is possible to produce a professional package. I would like to thank the students in the Kings Hospital and Hockey Ireland for putting their confidence in us to bring EYHL to a wider audience.”

Jerome Pels, CEO of Hockey Ireland added “We are excited about the opportunity of using the EHF’s new on-line streaming platform for the weekly EYHL highlights for men and women. With 30,000 subscribers already in place, this is clearly developing into an important hub for Hockey online video distribution.  It is fantastic that with the help of clubs and the dedication of the students in the Kings Hospital School it is possible watch highlights from the EYHL games.”

Re-watch last week’s highlights here and look out for the next edition today

Irish Hockey Association media release

Irish hockey star Anna O’Flanagan enjoying Dutch adventure

Goalscorer getting up to speed with Bloemendaal after putting legal career on hold

Mary Hannigan


Anna O’Flanagan has a burning ambition to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. Photograph: Getty Images
 
Anna O’Flanagan admits to having been nervous about her decision. By choosing to move to the Netherlands at the end of the summer she was pressing pause on her career in law back home, as well as nearly a decade of Irish club hockey during which she had become one of its most prolific goalscorers.

The more comfortable choice would have been to carry on as she was, but the 27-year-old Dubliner was ready for a challenge.

It was those early training sessions with Bloemendaal under the tutelage of Teun de Nooijer that convinced her that her decision was a good one.

“He’s one of the greatest players in the history of the game,” she says of the former Dutch international, his lengthy CV including two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup and three World Player of the Year awards. “Him being head coach at Bloemendaal was definitely a draw in coming here, to have him there every day in training, helping you, telling you things you need to improve on, that’s amazing.”

Solicitor

It was a long-held ambition of O’Flanagan to play abroad, preferably in the Dutch league, one of the strongest in world hockey. The timing proved right this summer, so she went for it.

“I just finished qualifying as a solicitor in McCann Fitzgerald, so I thought that it was the perfect time to think about a move away. I spoke to them and they were happy for me to pursue this dream of mine, they’ve always been supportive of me.”

“I played in the league in Ireland for almost 10 years, and I enjoyed every minute of it, but there comes a point where you need to look at yourself and say ‘am I improving here?’, ‘am I the best player I could be?’, and I felt a move abroad would offer me that chance. That’s why I’m here. And the level is next to none.”

Several of her Irish team-mates had tried out hockey in European leagues in recent years, all of them, says O’Flanagan, reporting positive experiences.

“But it’s definitely been daunting, there were times I wondered if I was making the right decision. I’m not 19, I’m a bit older than that. But I only have hockey for a certain amount of years, there’s a time limit on it, but there’s no time limit on your working career. If I’d started in to working full-time as a lawyer, it would have been hard to pull away from that. This was my chance.”

She contacted a number of clubs, among them Bloemendaal, one of the Netherlands’ hockey powers based in the town 25 miles west of Amsterdam. It so happened that they were on the lookout for several new recruits during the summer, so after sending them a video and then travelling over for a couple of training sessions, she was signed up.

The club also recruited O’Flanagan’s Monkstown and Irish team-mate Chloe Watkins, who had the same ambition to play in the Dutch league.

Pressure

The pair made their Irish senior debuts in the same game away to Scotland back in 2010, and between them they now have over 300 caps. O’Flanagan hit the 150-cap mark during the summer, her goal tally now up to “58 . . . or 59” – she’s losing count – pushing her ever closer to Lynsey McVicker’s record total of 65.

Last season she averaged close to two goals a game for Monkstown. She never anticipated scores coming so easily in the Dutch league, but after Bloemendaal lost their opening game of the season she got off the mark in their second, getting the winner away to Huizer. Up and running, then.

“The level of hockey is really, really excellent, it’s so technically good – but more than anything it’s the pace the game is played at, it means you’re under so much more pressure, you have to do everything at a much higher pace, that’s the biggest difference. You just don’t have as much time and space, and that’s really the learning curve.”

Ultimately, she says, her adventure is all about making her the best player she can be for Ireland, the burning ambition to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. Before then, there’s the 2018 World Cup in England, Ireland’s place in the line-up not yet certain, but looking likely.

“It would be our first major tournament since 2002, so it would be a great base to build from to try to qualify for the Olympics. And that’s why you play the sport, you want to be an Olympian, you want to go to World Cups, that’s the dream.”

For now, though, the focus is on Sunday and a trip to Utrecht for a league meeting with Bilthoven. It’s a far cry from her days with Muckross Park scoring goals for fun in Leinster schools hockey. But she’s loving the journey.

The Irish Times