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All the news for Sunday 19 November 2017

Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final 2017 - Day 3

Pool B  GER v CHN 3 - 0
Pool B ARG v ENG 1 - 0

Pool A

Pool B

FIH Match Centre

Danson and Hinch upbeat despite late loss


Alex Danson v Argentina HWL Final 2017

England succumbed to another late goal as Delfina Merino’s strike gave Argentina their second win in the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final.

Despite their opponents penetrating the circle on 25 occasions and facing eight penalty corners, goalkeepers Maddie Hinch and Amy Tennant looked to have kept out their opponents in a ferociously quick game.

Noel Barrionuevo and Maria Granatto were the brightest sparks for the Argentinians while Sophie Bray and Grace Balsdon went close for England.

Captain Merino then found herself in space with just three minutes left and fired home to hand her side the win and leave England’s skipper Alex Danson frustrated after a resilient showing.

“The difference today was one very tidy finish. We are disappointed not to come away with the points but there was some fantastic work by the team,” the forward said.

 “We pride ourselves on how we work defensively and how we break on the counter. So we’re delighted with how we did and it’s now about looking at the next day and onwards.

“We’ll recover tomorrow and then have a look at where we can go forward and come out fighting for the next game against China.”

Argentina piled on the pressure on from the start as Suzy Petty deflected Agustina Albertarrio’s ninth minute effort over the bar before Hinch was called into action twice in the final minutes of the quarter to thwart Granatto and a firmly struck Barrionuevo corner.

England however came out flying in the second quarter, Lily Owsley winning a corner after just 11 seconds that Bray smashed narrowly wide before Emily Defroand forced Belen Succi into a save while Baldson fired another corner over the bar shortly after.

Argentina soon settled back into their dominant stride as Granatto forced substitute Tennant into two saves in the 20th minute but, despite having several more corners, the South Americans were forced to go in level at half-time.

The pattern continued into the third quarter as Lucina von der Heyde forced a returning Hinch into a save with her feet within a minute of the restart.

The Argentinian forward was then handed a 38th minute yellow card and shortly after Owsley forced Succi into a save before the ‘keeper also kept out a subsequent Giselle Ansley corner.

Barrionuevo then had three further corners of her own that were well blocked by Shona McCallin, Hollie Pearne-Webb and Hinch respectively as England continued to hold firm.

The final quarter was played at a much more pedestrian pace but Argentina continued to dominate the possession and it told in the 57th minute as Merino found herself in space in the circle before unleashing a superb reverse stick shot past Tennant.

Despite the result, Hinch said she was impressed by the improvement her team showed from their first game against Germany and believed they were unlucky to have lost.

She said: “It’s normally incredibly tight against Argentina and it was the same today, we had to be fantastic defensively. We’ve just got to start putting away our chances at the other end.

“We have a huge amount of belief as a side. We were a bit nervous at the beginning but we hung on. It was a case of who would be first to put a chance away and unfortunately it came to Merino who has a fabulous backhand.

“I think we’re satisied. When you’re at a tournament like this where every team is great the results go by the way side and it’s about how we did as a team and I think we played better than yesterday.”

Argentina (0) 1
Merino (FG, 57)

England (0) 0

Starting XI: Hinch, Unsworth, Haycroft, Toman, Petty, Danson, Defroand, Ansley, Bray, Pearne-Webb, Owsley

Subs (Used): Martin, Paige, Sanders, Rayer, McCallin, Balsdon, Tennant

England Hockey Board Media release

USWNT Defensive Effort Falls Short to Top World Ranked The Netherlands in Match Two of Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final


Kat Sharkey is hunted down. Image Courtesy of Ned Dawson/Planet Hockey Magazine & World Sports Pics/FIH

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – November 18, 2017 – Going into this evening’s contest, the U.S. Women’s National Team knew they had to be ready for a tough match-up against FIH Hero World Ranked No. 1 The Netherlands. A rain saturated pitch at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium saw glimmers of hope for a tactical and organized Team USA but two field goals by a fast-paced, fluent Holland team lifted them over the red, white and blue 2-0.

“We knew it was going to be a battle tonight against a great Dutch team, and we were up for the challenge,” said Jackie Briggs (Robesonia, Pa.), USWNT’s Goalkeeper. “We wanted to work really hard and contest every pass and reception.  We worked hard, but more importantly we worked hard together as a team.”

In both team’s second match of the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final, USA started quick instantly taking the ball forward off the starting whistle. The swift attack earned USA a penalty corner in the 2nd minute but the attempt by Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) was tipped wide by a Holland defender. The middle minutes of the quarter saw both teams swing the ball with poise as they looked to threaten forward, but neither were able to string consecutive passes together. A close chance came in the final minute of the quarter for The Netherlands when they broke through USA’s defense and shot wide, but as the striker was shooting, she was fouled from behind on the play awarding them a penalty corner. Unable to convert, the quarter finished 0-0.

The Netherlands didn’t waste time at the start of the second to continue the forward momentum. Just two minutes in, skillful baseline stick work followed by a goalmouth scramble that USA was unable to clear saw Maartje Krekelaar finish to give Holland a 1-0 lead. A scare came for USA a few moments later when a defensive turnover lead to a Holland striker 1v1 against goalkeeper Briggs. Recovering hard, USA defenders helped channel and contest the play to constrain the scoring opportunity. At the other end of the field, Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) took it with speed, passed the ball back and it landed with Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) who worked it inside the circle and ripped a hard shot that went just wide. The halftime stood at USA 0, The Netherland 1.

The start of the third quarter saw Holland hold the offensive pressure testing a solid USA defense in the circle. A good passing sequence for USA saw M. Vittese send a hard ball into the circle that was picked up by Witmer who earned USA a penalty corner. The attempt was unsuccessful and The Netherlands quickly took the ball and transitioned down field. In the 37th minute, Krekelaar tallied another goal to her name to extend Holland’s lead to 2-0. USA’s tenacious play was relentless as they continued to try and work it forward but Holland kept pressure tight in the pocketes. The quarter finished with a Holland penalty corner, but two saves by Briggs and a wide shot later the score line remained.

Much of how the third quarter finished, possession was ongoing in favor of The Netherlands as they worked it from sideline to sideline. As USA struggled to clear it out of the backfield, Holland was always quick to counter and threaten forward. Another near goal came with 8 minutes remaining but USA successfully used their video referral for a Holland foot prior to the shot. Briggs absorbed a few more shots off The Netherland’s remaining penalty corner chances as the final score stood at USA 0, The Netherlands 2.

“I think we definitely took a step forward tonight in terms of contesting every ball, but can still need to build on ball possession going forward,” continued Briggs following the outcome.

The U.S. Women’s National Team will have tomorrow off before returning to competition on Monday, November 20 against No. 5 New Zealand at 2:00 a.m. ET. For more information on the event including schedule, results and live stream, visit the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final event page by clicking here. #HWL2017

USFHA media release

Kerry and Danson remain positive


Alex Danson at World League Finals

Despite defeat in their Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final opener with Germany, head coach Danny Kerry and captain Alex Danson are remaining positive.

England were defeated 2-0 by Germany in Pool B as Charlotte Stapenhorst and Nike Lorenz struck in the final ten minutes.

Speaking after the game Kerry said: “It was an end to end game which was ultimately decided on very fine margins. We had plenty of the circle attack but the German circle defence was good.

“Our yellow card in the last quarter and some rushed defensive decisions cost us two corners and therefore two goals but despite the score line we remain positive about the bigger picture we are working towards here.”

Captain Danson added: “Two clinical corners from Germany were the difference today. We had good opportunities on the counter and in the circle and will review these and how we as forwards can convert these chances.

“We are a very tight group and with this strength will now focus on Argentina tomorrow, a game which we are really looking forward to.”

England Hockey Board Media release

Midfielder Michelsen must make some magic

By: David Leggat


Stacey Michelsen is among the world's finest players. Photo / Photosport

If New Zealand are to make their presence felt at the sharp end of the World League Final, they will need a few things to happen, one being Stacey Michelsen's A game.

The Black Sticks co-captain is among the world's finest players and the world No5 team will need the Northland midfielder on song late next week.

Michelsen was a handful for the Dutch defence in Friday's opening game, although the plans went awry as the world No1 team took them apart with a clinical 4-0 victory on Auckland's North Shore.

New Zealand took another blow to their hopes when they lost 1-2 against world No9 South Korea last night.

Michelsen, who went into the tournament with 235 international caps, is happy with her form going into the event, which is the last in the format, before the game switches to a global nine-team Pro League in early 2019. She's also aware of the importance of the coming week for the sport in this country.

So much of the Black Sticks' year is taken up with competitions overseas. The leading New Zealand players, men and women, are among the most travelled of any sports team in the country. Therefore, hosting eight of the world's top nine teams is a big deal, a rare chance to showcase their game to a home audience.

"You have your main goal of winning the tournament and playing well as a team," Michelsen said.

"But there are other elements, about doing the country proud and putting on a good display of hockey."

Michelsen, 26 and a good chance to be a finalist when the shortlist of women for the World Player of the Year is released at the start of December, reckons she's a self-starter, not someone who needs motivation.

"I have personal standards in the way I want to play and recognise my commitment for the team and wanting to perform my role for the team.

"I don't think I'm necessarily motivated by past or future events. I'm just focused in terms of my role for a game, or tournament."

After pool games, finishing against the world No7 United States tomorrow night, teams move into quarter-finals from Wednesday, where the crossover rules apply, that is top finisher in pool A plays the fourth placegetter in pool B and so on.

On seedings, New Zealand should make the semifinals next Saturday, but there's not much between teams.

Michelsen knows much depends on her performance in leading a Black Sticks team shorn of a core of experienced players when they finished fourth for a second consecutive Olympic Games.

"A big part of my role is leading by example. That's the most important thing.

"It's something I think about a lot. As long as we can gel together as a unit, we should go well."

The New Zealand Herald

2017 Indoor Test Matches: RSA v ZIM (W)

16 Nov 2017
RSA v ZIM 8 - 1 (4 - 0)

17 Nov 2017
RSA v ZIM 7 - 1 (2 - 0)
RSA v ZIM  8 - 2 (2 - 2)

18 Nov 2017
RSA v ZIM 5 - 0 (2 - 0)
RSA v ZIM 6 - 2 (2 - 0)

FIH Match Centre

Sardar Singh's sacking from India squad unfortunate; he's still world class

Sundeep Misra


Despite the intense scrutiny about ageing, Sardar’s hustle on defence and his deft passing still hold. Reuters

In the inner recesses of his mind, Sardar Singh must be looking for answers. He inhabits a universe where age is not just but definitely a number. It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary that Sardar, arguably, one of the few world class players Indian hockey has produced in the last decade might be saying to himself – "Hey, Roger’s 36, tendinitis-ridden Nadal 31, Gianluigi Buffon just retired at 39, Mo Farah’s steaming away at 34, and Justin Gatlin at 35 is dreaming of 2020 Tokyo. So, what’s wrong with me at 31?"

It’s a valid question with very few answers. Just a year ago, when everybody felt Sardar’s career would come to a grinding halt as he was played as an inside forward at the Rio Olympics, the Indian midfielder now being touted as a freeman picked up the man-of-the-match award in the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy final against Pakistan. Critics argue that Asian hockey has slid. But if it has then every player has an equal chance to excel in a team sport.

Age has never been a factor in modern hockey otherwise players like Holland’s Teun de Nooijer, Australia’s Jamie Dwyer or even Spain’s Juan Escarre wouldn’t have been performing past the age of 35. Escarre captained Spain at the 2005 Rabo Cup, an 8-nation tournament in Amsterdam and showed enough skill and control to have fans applauding his every move. In a press conference, he was asked about his retirement: "The opponents still see me," was his stinging reply. Spain under Escarre had won the Champions Trophy.

At the 2014 World Cup at The Hague, after Australia beat Holland 6-1 in the final, Ric Charlesworth in his last match as Aussie coach was asked about Dwyer still contributing despite losing some pace. His usual blunt reply was: "I look at the intelligence. You look at the pace."

It’s not easy to be in Sardar’s shoes today. When the team list for Hockey World League Final was put up at the Bengaluru's Sports Authority of India, not seeing his name in the squad would have been like a punch to the pit of the stomach. Unlike many players in the past, Sardar has never taken his spot for granted. Players, officials say he is the first on the pitch and the last to leave. If he is not in the room, he is in the gym. Even on a break if he has had to give time to a complaining family, he would be seen in a swimming pool at 9 PM or running in a darkened park in Chandigarh. Motivation has never been an issue for Sardar. And questions about him being ‘dropped’ or ‘rested’ wouldn’t have come if the tournament was the Asia Cup, the Azlan Shah or an European tour.

To be out of the team in a Hockey World League Final raises its own set of queries – is he fit? Does his tremendous peripheral vision still exist? Are the passes still finding the forwards? Is he aggressive defensively? Is the control still there? In other words, is Sardar the player that he was? Of course, he isn’t what he was when he made his debut in 2006 or when he played the World Cup in 2014. And to think that he would be at the peak of his powers is to betray one's lack of knowledge of what the sport has metamorphosed into.

Hockey has evolved and so has the player. Just after India won the Junior World Cup, Harjeet Singh was anointed as the man to walk into Sardar’s shoes. For a few months Harjeet did play well, but then, lost his focus somewhere along the way. There is a certain amount of intense discipline, perseverance, patience, a longing to play for the flag that ensures a long innings. Sardar is the kind who would never show his disappointment. Not many even understand his emotions. Neither has he ever opened himself up for public scrutiny. "It’s always disappointing to not be selected as playing for India is always what I seek," he said. “But I know I have to work hard now to get back and show that I am good enough." He does agree that juniors also need to be inducted. "Of course, they need a chance." Sardar refuses to talk about juniors being played at the Hockey World League Finals. "That is up to the coach and we all respect that as a team."

A few days back, Hockey India had a question on their twitter handle: "When did Sardar Singh make his senior India debut?" Few got the answer right. But the timing was suspect. Sardar believes 2018 is a big year in Indian hockey. "There are many tournaments and we have to do extremely well at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Cup, apart from other tours and tournaments," he says. "And by the time the World Cup comes along, we should have the best team playing." Whether he sees himself playing the World Cup, Sardar’s answer borders on the diplomatic: "It depends on my fitness and what the coach is thinking in terms of the team."

But there are former players who don’t buy into the philosophy of not taking Sardar into the team for such a big tournament. "It’s the Hockey World League Final,” says Romeo James, the 1984 LA Olympic goalkeeper and assistant coach of the winning 2016 Junior World Cup team. "He is needed in the team in my opinion. He is world class. I saw all the matches in the Asia Cup and I don’t think except for a few errors he did anything wrong on the field. You need a player with that kind of experience who has played all the top teams. Listen, if he wasn’t fit, I would have said he doesn’t deserve a place. But he is one of the fittest."

On the pace factor, Romeo says, "Which team plays full pelt through a match? He knows how to control the game. Now when the team is under pressure, let’s hope the youngsters at the back can cope with the stress."

A lot has been said and written about the sexual harassment case against Sardar and how it has affected his play. Except for the fact that during the HWL Semi-Final where he was called in for questioning, his game hasn’t seen too many ups and downs. He refuses to talk about the episode saying: "I don’t need to explain anything. The law is equal for everybody."

There is no denying the disappointment. And it would be surprising if he doesn’t burn up the turf or the rubber on the tread mill in an attempt to make a comeback. In a recent interview, his coach when India won the Asia Cup in 2007, Joaquim Carvalho said, "I think Sardar can go for another four years, he is super fit. He is terrific player, a world class player, and he is a complete player. He has got all the skills, strength, stamina, speed."

Former Indian captain, Ashok Kumar believes Sardar still has the potential to play in any situation. "He is such a player whether we play him in defence, half-line, there is no match to him. His feeding, his sense of passing is beyond imagination. A player cannot imagine what pass he will give. The team should try to utilize the game of Sardar Singh. I would say Sardar is a world class player, who has the potential to play in any situation."

Romeo’s take on the team selection is slightly different. "I think India should have played its best team at HWL finals," he explains. "Since Sreejesh would have come back in January, India could have played with one goalkeeper and got in another player to strengthen the midfield or forward-line. You also have to look at the form of (SK) Uthappa who despite a lot of chances hasn’t risen to that level. But it would be great if this selection plays well and India can make it to the semi-finals."

In modern hockey, creativity and maturity has a place and even in the past, when hockey wasn’t all about sprinting with the ball, wonderful midfield players like Holland’s Marc Dellisen, Germany’s Christian Blunck, Australia’s Warren Birmingham all had that amazing control where they could rotate and turn the pace of the game. Despite the intense scrutiny about ageing, Sardar’s hustle on defence and his deft passing still hold. Confidence comes from experience and a resultant of that formula is patience. In the Super 4 match of the Asia Cup against Malaysia, Sardar overlapped while the ball was on the left flank. Sprinting, he made his way from the defence into the Malaysian striking circle and then had enough energy, strength to dive across and reverse slam the ball into the Malaysian goal to score India’s sixth goal. Seven players piled onto Sardar in absolute glee and delight. They had seen the master score a wondrous goal.

Even if he doesn’t say it, Sardar does believe that a successful Hockey World League Final campaign will probably leave him with less or no options of finding a way back into the national team. But the kind of person he is, that shouldn’t bother him for too long. High performance director David John is clear that no doors have been closed. "It’s impossible to keep the same 16-18 players for every tournament. We need to rotate." Maybe, somewhere in those lines there is a hint of a door left slightly ajar for Sardar to make that one big appearance; maybe his last.

In the season of 85’, Boston Celtics blew out the LA Lakers by 34 points in their first game. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 38, sprang back in the second game with 30 points, 22 in the second half with 17 rebounds, four of them offensive and eight assists that destroyed the Celtic defence. Jabbar helped Lakers to a 109-102 victory that tied the series at 1-1. Later, a reporter asked him, was it pride that made him play with such fire at the age of 38. Jabbar replied: '"Of course. If I didn't have professional pride, I wouldn't be here.'" At the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru, Sardar would be thinking exactly that.

Firstpost

Univ of Birmingham go top of the table


University of Birmingham scorer Freya Bull versus Canterbury's Lucy Hyams. Credit Andrew Smith

The University of Birmingham are the new leaders of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division after a second half comeback saw them earn a 2-2 draw at home to Canterbury.

Lucy Hyams gave Canterbury the lead two minutes before the break, one that they visitors doubled a minute after the restart thanks to Hannah Griggs’ effort.

Birmingham hit back when Freya Bull (pictured) converted a penalty corner on 49 minutes and the comeback was complete as Lydia Macdonnell struck seven minutes later to earn the hosts a point.

As a result, the University of Birmingham move above former leaders Surbiton on goals scored after the defending champions were held to a goalless draw at ninth-placed Bowdon.

East Grinstead were the only side in the top division to pick up maximum points on Saturday, moving third in the standings after a 3-1 victory at Buckingham.

Natasha Brennan opened the scoring for the visitors after just six minutes, before Georgie Blackwood converted a penalty corner on 29 minutes to double East Grinstead’s lead at the break.

Buckingham were back in it just two minutes after the restart, Phoebe Richards’ goal halving the deficit but the points were secured when Pippa Chapman made it 3-1 eight minutes later, East Grinstead now just a point behind the leading sides.

Katie Long’s fourth of the campaign earned Leicester a point after a 1-1 draw at home to Holcombe.

Dirkie Chamberlain had put the visitors ahead on four minutes, but Long struck ten minutes from time to earn Leicester a share of the spoils.

Meanwhile, Amy Sheehan hit a brace as Slough twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Clifton Robinsons.

Lisa Daley opened the scoring for Clifton after eight minutes but Sheehan’s first three minutes later tied the game.

Claire Thomas converted a penalty corner three minutes after the restart to restore the visitors lead but Sheehan struck again six minutes from time to earn Slough a point.

Investec Conference East

Hampstead & Westminster made it nine straight wins after a 2-1 win at Sevenoaks in the game of the day in the Investec Conference East.

Both sides went into the game with 100% records but a brace from Emily Maguire was enough to give the visitors the points, Maddie Thompson had levelled in the first half for Sevenoaks.

Wimbledon were back to winning ways after a 3-0 home victory over Barnes, Eliza Brett scored two whilst Crista Cullen bagged her 12th of the season.

First half goals from Helen Richardson-Walsh and Heidi Baber were enough to give Cambridge City a 2-1 win at Bedford, and Emma Lee-Smith scored two as Harleston Magpies beat Southgate 3-0.

Meanwhile in the battle of the bottom two it was St Albans that picked up a crucial three points, Briony Anyon and Alexis Hamilton on target in their 2-0 win at Chelmsford.

Investec Conference North

Beeston stretched their winning streak to nine games and their lead at the top of the Investec Conference North to six points after a comfortable 7-0 victory over Timperley.

Fenella Scutt hit a brace with Paige Gillott, Lauren Burrell, Rosy Stephens, Eloise Stenner and Nina Apoola all on target.

Brookland Poynton lost ground on the leaders after they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Ben Rydding, Rachel Doherty scoring the game’s only goal for the hosts.

The University of Durham stay third after a 3-0 win over Liverpool Sefton, whilst Wakefield moved off the bottom with a crucial 2-1 win at Fylde, Hannah Norman with a goal in each half.

Elsewhere, a Maria Andrews double helped Loughborough Students to a 5-1 win over Sutton Coldfield, Olivia Clark also saving a penalty stroke for the hosts.

Investec Conference West

Trojans are the new leaders of the Investec Conference West after they won 4-1 at Team Bath Buccaneers whilst Reading lost for the first time this season.

Kathryn Petch scored the day’s fastest goal after just one minute for Trojans, and despite Vikki Warwick’s equaliser, goals from Cat Horn, Rebecca Treharne and Lauren Anning sent the visitors top.

Reading went down 2-1 at Stourport, Hannah Corcoran and Claire Pearson on target for the hosts who themselves sit just two points off the top of the table.

Isca won for only the second time this season to pull away from the bottom of the table, Meg Crowson netting twice in their 4-1 victory at Cannock.

Meanwhile, Jessica Thomas struck with a minute to go as Gloucester City defeated Olton & West Warwicks 2-1, whilst Oxford Hawks and Swansea City drew 1-1.

* Full results, tables and fixtures from the Investec Women’s Hockey League are available here - http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/page_noside.asp?section=2342§ionTitle=Fixtures%2C+Results+%26+Standings

England Hockey Board Media release

Butali keep title hopes alive

By BRIAN YONGA


Butali Sugar Warriors' Peter Nyambura (left) vies for the ball with Sikh Union's Amit Rajput during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match on November 18, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Butali Sugar Warriors on Saturday kept their slim hopes of reclaiming the Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League title alive after a 3-1 win over Sikh Union Nairobi in an encounter staged at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi.

Goals from Frank Wanangwe, international Maxwell Fuchaka and Zack Aura fired the lakeside side to the vital win. Sikh had briefly levelled through Harvir Ghautauare but were unable to build on the momentum, as Butali scored two goals in the last eight minutes to secure the points.

The win moved the former champions to 42 points from 18 matches, 13 points behind leaders Kenya Police who play Parkroad Badgers on Sunday. Butali will also be in action Sunday as they tackle Chase Sailors as they bid to keep the pressure on Police.

A win will seem them dislodge second-placed Greensharks who play Chase on Wednesday. Butali coach Godfrey Wakachunga was pleased with the result but warned his charges against dropping any more points.

“Every match for us now is a must-win and we have to be at our best. Hopefully Police will drop a couple of points and allow us back in the race,” Wakachunga noted.

Butali had to wait until the final minute of the quarter as Aura and Emmanuel Simiyu combined to set up Wanangwe, who shot past Sikh keeper Caleb Simiyu, for a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period.

Butali eased off in the second quarter allowing Sikh to get back in the match.

Matches involving Kenyatta University men and women’s teams failed to take place after the institution was closed down on Friday due.

The men’s team, the Vultures were due to play Kenya College of Accountancy of University (KCA-U) as their women’s team, the Titans were to tackle University of Nairobi.

In Kisumu, visitors Multimedia University came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win against hosts Bay Club at the Kisumu Sports Club. The homeside had taken the lead in the fifth minute through Brian Luchelu’s strike after Victor Osome’s short corner.

The students however levelled five minutes later as Machibi Melchizadec bundled the ball home. The winning goal arrived three minutes to the end as skipper Danstone Barasa sliced shot beat Bay keeper Jeremy Ojwang at his near post.

Mombasa West hit Thika Rovers 1-0 as Kisumu Youngstars recorded a 2-0 win over Wazalendo Youth in other second tier league ties.

Daily Nation

Pahang veterans outshine Terengganu youths in Group A opener

By S. Ramaguru


That’s mine: Pahang’s Wan Nor Faiezah Md Saiuti (left) vying for the ball with Terengganu’s Wan Nur Syafiqah during the Razak Cup Group A match at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium yesterday. — Azhar Arif/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Experience certainly trumps youth as defending champions Pahang defeated Terengganu 4-0 in the opening match of the women’s Razak Cup hockey tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium.

With six national players in the team – defender Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani and midfielders Wan Norfaiezah Saiuti, Nuraini Rashid, Rabiatul Adawiyah Mohamed, Siti Zaidah, Nadia Abdul Rahman – and national junior goalkeeper Priyangga Jayaraj – in the fray, it was obvious that Pahang had too much firepower compared to the Malaysia Games (Sukma) side put up by Terengganu.

Drag-flick specialist Nuraini Rashid started the goal rush with a penalty corner conversion in the eighth minute and a Nor Sailah Kerami’s field goal in the 15th minute.

Pahang then went 4-0 up in the second quarter, courtesy of two more goals by Nadia Abdul Rahman (17th, pen) and Wan Nor Faiezah Mohd Saiuti (27th).

Pahang then took their foot off the pedal by giving their younger players a run out.

Pahang coach Benadict Arais, however, lamented the numerous missed chances in the second half.

“My main concern was to give the youngsters some much-needed exposure. But I have to admit that our finishing was very poor.

“Since this is our first game, I think we can do better in the coming matches.

“I want to see our juniors playing getting more play time in this competition as we prepare for next year’s Sukma in Perak,” he said.

Terengganu felt that the experience gained by their youthful side was useful as they prepare for the Perak Sukma.

“Overall, we did well against an experienced side like Pahang. We managed to keep the score respectable. We had moments in the game when should have scored. I’m sure the players will benefit from a game like this,” said Terengganu coach Mohamed Harun Al-Rashid.

In the other Group A match, Kuala Lumpur downed Perak 6-2.

In the opening Group B match, Armed Forces edged Johor 1-0, courtesy of national player Juliani Mohamed Din’s penalty corner goal in the 28th minute.

The Star of Malaysia

Maryland field hockey advances to national championship with a 5-1 win over Michigan

By Scott Gelman


Midfielder Madison Maguire looks upfield for a pass in Maryland's 4-2 win over Rutgers at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on October 29, 2016. (Reid Poluhovich / The Diamondback)

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Coach Missy Meharg struggled to recall when exactly the Maryland field hockey team's regular season double-overtime loss to Michigan took place.

All Meharg and her players could remember was the devastation they felt as they left Ocker Field that night. So when the Terps faced the Wolverines in the final four Friday, they used their Sept. 26 loss as motivation.

Despite entering as the underdog, Maryland dominated in its 5-1 win. The Terps will face No. 1-seed Connecticut in the national championship game on Sunday.

"We didn't have anything to lose," defender Bodil Keus said. "They may have underestimated us a little bit. We had a little bit of anger."

Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said the Wolverines' confidence wavered after they struggled to break down Maryland's defense early on. When Maryland forward Linnea Gonzales' score pushed the Terps' lead to three late in the second half, Wolverines forward Carly Bennett knew it wasn't their day.

Maryland was in control from the outset, building a pair of three-goal leads and using a full-field press defense to secure a spot in the title contest.

In Maryland's first meeting with Michigan this year, the Terps trailed by two goals 20 minutes into the first half. That wasn't the case Friday, as Madison Maguire tucked the ball into the lower-right corner of the net just four minutes in, sending the team toward victory.

The Terps' attack remained aggressive, showing the kind of increased shooting confidence assistant Katie Bam has asked of the unit.

Keus pushed Maryland's edge to two in the 25th minute. Still, as the Terps entered halftime, they remained aware that Michigan's potent offense could respond quickly.

Maguire's second goal in the 37th minute enabled Maryland to maintain its momentum. The Terps' bench didn't stop jumping. Michigan's stood still in shock.

"We just had a mindset that we're going to win this game," Maguire said.

About four minutes after the Wolverines cut the deficit to two, forward Gonzales responded with a goal of her own. Goalkeeper Sarah Holliday stood on the opposite end of the field and slapped her stick against her kneepads in celebration.

The Wolverines had recorded 18 straight wins and hadn't allowed more than two goals this season. They entered averaging three scores per game.

And yet, in one night, the Terps ended that winning streak, reached five goals for the first time since Oct. 22 and held Michigan to a single score. They outshot the Wolverines, 9-5, and allowed just three penalty corner attempts.

As the Terps sprung their hands in the air and ran toward the Maryland fans in attendance in Louisville, Kentucky, the team felt differently than it did following its September loss to Michigan.

"We had a lesson handed to us that day," Meharg said.

The Diamondback

Diego, SJC among T&T top hockey schools



Diego Martin Central Secondary School and St Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain topped the boys’ and girls’ categories at the Trinidad & Tobago National Secondary Schools Hockey tournament In this week.

The boys’ Under-15 divisions contained two pools of four teams. In Pool B, both Diego Martin Central and Mucurapo West finished at the top with seven points each, but the latter placed first with a superior goal difference of 10 to Diego Martin Central’s six.

In Pool C, Fatima ‘A’ went through the round robin stage unbeaten to finish on top the table with South East Port of Spain qualifying for the semi-finals with six points. Its only defeat came at the hands of Fatima ‘A’. Both teams would end up meeting again in the third-place play-off with Fatima ‘A’ edging out South East, 1-0.

In the final, it was a rematch between Diego Martin Central and Mucurapo West, which the Diego Martin school also won 1-0. Among the ladies Under-15, St Joseph’s Convent went unbeaten in its four games, amassing ten points along the way.

They managed to win their first three games but drew 0-0 with South East Port of Spain in the final round-robin match. Still, the latter couldn’t catch them as South East had to settle for silver with eight points.

In the Under-20 girls’ division, Holy Name Convent swept the four-team table, to gain 18 points from two rounds of matches.

St Joseph’s Convent was no match for their rivals as they finished 11 points behind in second, winning two matches, losing three and drawing one.

In the Under-20 boys’ category, the final between Fatima ‘A’ and Diego Martin Central went all the way to penalties. Fatima ‘A’ won the shoot-out one-nil to claim the title.

In the Primary Schools Indoor tournament on Friday, Maloney Government and Dunross Preparatory won the girls’ and boys’ divisions respectively.

The Trinidad Guardian