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All the news for Wednesday 22 May 2019

2019 Test Matches: KOR v IND (W) - 2nd Test
Jinchun (KOR)

22 May 2019     KOR v IND     1 - 2

FIH Match Centre

Scotland women unlucky in final match against Canada


Kaz Cuthbert earned her 150th Cap – photo by Duncan Gray

In a very close and competitive contest Scotland women lost the final match of the series against Canada 2-1 at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre. Scotland were unlucky to fall short in the contest and it took a wonderful Canadian drag flick to give the visitors the win.

Scotland Captain Kaz Cuthbert made her 150th appearance for Scotland in a match that also saw Jess Ross and Claire Wallace make their Scotland debuts.

There was good intent from Scotland from the push back with Charlotte Watson snatching the ball and speeding forward into the Canadian D, but the ball was ushered out of play.

Moments later Sarah Jamieson sent Watson into the D after some good work on the left, but Watson’s effort zipped just wide of the far post.

Canada got their first chance of the match at the end of the opening quarter and Dannielle Hennig rattled the post with a drag flick at a penalty corner.

The Canadians began to show some quality in the second quarter and fashioned some half chances with deflections near the goal.

The visitors then took the lead with an opportunistic finish by Holly Stewart. The ball bounced nicely in the D and she prodded it home to give Canada the advantage, 1-0.

There was good intensity about Scotland’s play into the second half with Jen Eadie and Louise Campbell having a good influence on the contest.

Then came an equaliser for Scotland from a penalty corner finish by Fiona Semple. Three exchanges in the D had the ball lifted over the goalkeeper by Nikki Alexander-Lloyd and Semple helped it over the line to make It 1-1 in the third quarter.

With ten minutes of the match remaining Canada went 2-1 up through an exceptional drag flick into the top left corner by Karli Johansen. It was a strike of true quality and left Amy Gibson in goal with no chance.

Johansen had another drag flick a short time later and Amy Gibson pulled off a tremendous save under her crossbar to deny another goal.

Scotland pushed late for an equaliser but Canada held on for the win in the final match of the series.


21st May 2019 at the National Hockey Centre, Glasgow Green. Scotland v Canada – photo by Duncan Gray

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Bloemendaal and Kampong set for Dutch final series


©: Koen Suyk / World Sport Pics

HC Bloemendaal and SV Kampong will battle it out for the Dutch national championship with the first leg taking place on Wednesday evening at 8.30pm in Utrecht.

Kampong reached the grand final with a second victory in a row over HGC in the semi-final when they twice came from behind. Ashley Jackson had Paul van Ass’s team ahead at 1-0 and 2-1 early in the second half but replies from Derck de Vilder and Jip Janssen had it level at 2-2 with 22 minutes left.

Then up stepped Bjorn Kellerman with minutes to go to make it a success with a game to spare.

Bloemendaal – the regular season champions – also eliminated AH&BC Amsterdam after two games in their best of three series, taking the second game on a shoot-out.

Jan-Willem Buissant had given Amsterdam the lead but Florian Fuchs equalised for 1-1 with 11 minutes left, sending the game to the shoot-out.

Jorrit Croon, Thierry Brinkman, Arthur van Doren and Fuchs all scored for a 4-2 success in that phase and now they go through to the final.

What it means is the two clubs have qualified for EHL Men next season. The winner of the best-of-three series will go through to the FINAL8 next Easter while the loser will play in the KO16 in October in Barcelona.

The third Dutch EHL ticket will be decided a playoff series between AH&BC Amsterdam and HGC, starting on Wednesday evening.

Euro Hockey League media release

Den Bosch fight back to land final spot against AH&BC Amsterdam


©: World Sport Pics

Den Bosch came back from an initial defeat in the Dutch women’s playoff semi-finals to beat SCHC 2-1 in their best of three series to reach the national championship final.

In game one, a single Kyra Fortuin goal gave SCHC the advantage, scoring a 1-0 win via her 58th minute strike.

Three days later, Den Bosch responded in kind with a 3-0 success on home turf courtesy of goals from Imme van der Hoek and Lieke Hulsen a minute apart before half-time and Ireen van den Assem completed the win.

That sent the tie to a decisive third game and, like the first leg, it was very tight with Frederique Matla getting the only goal in a 1-0 success.

They will face AH&BC Amsterdam in the final series with games getting underway on Thursday evening after the capital side saw off HC Oranje-Rood with two wins in a row.

The first was a 5-2 result; Amsterdam led 3-0 with 20 minutes to go via two Lauren Stam goals but Yibbi Jansen and Lisa Scheerlinck got right back into the tie at 3-2. Late goals from Carlotte Vega and Felice Albers, though, grabbed the away win.

Two days later, Vega and Fiona Morgenstern shared goals in normal time at the Wagener Stadium, sending the game to a shoot-out. There, Amsterdam were successful with Maria Verschoor, Stam and Marijn Veen all scoring with OR only netting once via Valerie Magis.

Both Den Bosch and Amsterdam qualify for EHL Women as a result with the final deciding which club will be Dutch seed one and two for next season’s inaugural competition at Easter.

Euro Hockey League media release

‘This one is for the memory banks’ – NWU’s Hulley


Shaun Hulley had reason to celebrate when his NWU Hockey charges won the 2019 Varsity Hockey final

While his team were celebrating their South African Varsity Hockey final win all around him, NWU coach Shaun Hulley took a moment to reflect on their successful 2019 campaign.

“This is amazing,” Hulley told SuperSportTV post match. “It’s been a tough couple of months for us as we’ve been going since January and putting a lot of work in. But we had a squad of 23 girls and even for those who aren’t here [at the final] I think it’s just as special as it is for the girls who are here.

Hulley talked up the final itself, which ended goalless before NWU claimed the penalty shootout 2-1.

“It’s one for the memory banks, I think it was an awesome game and I think we’re going to enjoy [celebrating it] – it’s going to be lekker.

“Both teams had opportunities and I think both teams missed some. When it came down to the shootout we knew that our goalkeeper [Mishka Ellis] is pretty special and that she was definitely going to save one or two… then obviously one or two just had to put the ball away.”

Considering how the match unfolded, NWU didn’t seem to be too daunted by having to play the final away from home in Stellenbosch – where they had lost a penalty shootout during the 2017 tournament.

“You can only control what you can control. Lucky we play on artificial surfaces and the surfaces are pretty much the same [notably both universities have upgraded their astroturfs ahead of this year]. Maties had a good crowd out here, so it was tough, but we just decided that we’d play our game and what must happen will happen.”

While none of the NWU players claimed any of the end-of-tournament player awards, Hulley credited them for their efforts but also reserved praise for those who’ve supported him.

“The girls are special as they ran really hard, and we also have an amazing group of staff behind the scenes which not many people know about. They put in lots and lots of hours, and I have to say thanks to them because it definitely couldn’t have happened with me alone,” Hulley concluded.

With their win, NWU confined Maties to back-to-back Varsity Hockey women’s final losses and put to bed memories of the inaugural tournament in 2013, when they finished top of the log but lost to their Stellenbosch rivals in the final.

Players: 1. Caitlin Grant (GK), 2. Mishka Ellis (GK), 5. Jessica de Bruyn-Smith, 6. Kirsty Adams, 7. Miecke Flemming, 8. Mia Barnard, 9. Adelaide Siddell, 10. Meeghan Klomp, 11. Kelsey Minnaar, 12. Charné Maddocks (captain), 13. Carli Pretorius, 14. Clarise Smit, 15. Courtney du Preez, 16. Candice Silent, 17. Chanté Ferreira, 18. Sherine Ledwaba, 19. Saré Laubscher, 20. Anneke Beukman, 21. Carli Rheeder, 22. Jacolene McLaren, 23. Kutlwano Moshugi, 24. Christa Ramasimong.

Staff: Shaun Hulley (head coach), Nelson Komane-Nel (assistant coach), Johan Jacobs (team manager), Conrad Nienaber (video analyst), Elaine Burger (physiotherapist), Elmien Marais (fitness trainer).

Varsity Sports media release

Work underway at Twickenham Stoop ahead of GB double header on 23 June



Work has begun at Harlequins Rugby Club ahead of our two games there on Sunday 23 June.

In collaboration with our partners, we are putting in place ground-breaking new technology to lay a hockey pitch in this top class rugby stadium; the Twickenham Stoop.

Our men's and women's teams will both take on New Zealand in front of what could be the biggest hockey crowd in this country since the London 2012 Olympics.

With a capacity of almost 15,000, there's bound to be a fantastic atmosphere in the capital as the inaugural FIH Pro League comes to a conclusion - it will be all to play for as our teams aim for a top four finish and a place in the Grand Final.

A ticket enables you to see BOTH games - only £11.50 for U18s and £34 for adults to see TWO great matches. Car parking also available for a tenner!

Our hospitality Premium Experiences are also a great option, especially for club groups. They start at £95 adults, and if you want to include both drinks and food, it's from £150 per person.

Buy now: https://eng.hockey/stooptickets

Great Britain Hockey media release

York prepare for tough challenge in hockey tournament

 
York have won the South Western Districts leg of the Spar Eastern Cape Hockey Challenge for the last three years, but know they face another testing examination on Saturday in George. Last year’s winning team was (back, from left) Erica Combrink (coach), Erin Coetzee, Sanja Greeff, Lauren Rothman, Frances Herholdt, Mieke Hougaard, Ella da Silva (captain), Emily Klue, Silke Schmidt (vice-captain), SPAR sponsorship and events manager Alan Stapleton, (front, from left) Megan Buckley, Caitlyn Callaghan, Nicci Claassen, Jo-Ann Klue, Abi van Tonder and Jessica Edington. Photo: Hugo Redelinghuys

York High are the three-time defending champions but they will not be taking anything for granted when the South Western Districts leg of the Spar Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge is held on Saturday.

This is the view of York director of sport Jason Slater ahead of the tournament, which the George school will host at their astro.

It will be the last regional qualifier for the annual hockey extravaganza, which sees a total of 70 schools competing in five separate tournaments.

These events will culminate in the provincial finals to be hosted by Collegiate in Port Elizabeth on July 27 and 28, with four of the five teams having already been decided.

Earlier this year DSG (PE Inland) and Clarendon Girls’ High (East London Coastal) booked their spots in the provincial finale.

They were joined at the weekend by Woodridge (PE Central) and Queenstown Girls’ High (East London Inland), who earned their places after thrilling battles with their respective rivals.

Now it is the turn of the SWD schools, and defending champions York are gearing up for a serious challenge.

“It definitely won’t be an easy tournament because the level of play between teams like York, Outeniqua and Glenwood House is very close,” said Slater.

“The York team know that anything can happen in a tournament of this nature and it is going to be a tough challenge.”

Matches in the Spar Challenge are limited to 20 minutes each, which intensifies the pressure and the outcome could hinge on one crucial moment, he added.

“Even though York have won the title a few times it has always been very close and one goal at the right time in this format can make all the difference to the final result.”

Slater said the Hockey Challenge concept, with its emphasis on creating a happy vibe, remained a firm favourite among the players.

“The girls really do enjoy the occasion, with all the music and camaraderie that happens during the event.

“It’s something to look forward to each year and another chance for the players to receive exposure on a different platform to the normal inter-schools matches.”

Spar EC sponsorships and events manager Alan Stapleton said they were anticipating another exciting tournament.

“We, at SPAR, are looking forward to the final regional event in George,” he said. “If the previous play-offs are anything to go by, we are in for a cracker of a day.

“This is always a competitive event, with lots of fun thrown in and plenty of family support, which is what the Hockey Challenge is all about.”

Fullstop Communications media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Hockey Challenge

Fani brings best of IndoFrench duo Tony & Ashley

s2h Team



In 1968, Tony Fernandes set out for France at the behest of its hockey federation to boost fortunes at the Mexico Olympics later in the year. Half a century down the line, Tony, 82, not just provided valuable inputs for French hockey, he also paved way to instill a sense of professionalism in Indian players. Tony and his son Ashley recently won many Indian hearts with a grand gesture towards mitigating misery of cycle 'Fani' that devastated lives of millions in Odisha. The father-son duo donated Rs. 200,000 towards the Chief Minister’s relief fund to help rehabilitate those affected by Fani.

It was in 1992, just after the Barcelona Olympics, that Tony, a fringe player for the Indian national team in his hey day, forged a link between his French Club FC Lyon and India players notably Dhanraj Pillay, Jude Felix, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Gavin Fereira and Harendra Singh.

As coach of the club, he helped work out contracts with fine financial deals for the Indian players. Beyond that, he also helped them imbibe not just progressive skills, tactics and strategies that typify the European game but also cultural and social skills in a foreign land that prove as vital as action on the pitch. (PIC: The Father Son Duo of Ashley (left) & Tony Fernandes.

word-wise Tony goes down memory lane for a change: “I played for India in 1967 as an inside-forward. The following year, I went to France when the French federation asked me to give them a hand with their Olympic team".

“I attended University, learned French and began working with the team,” he revealed.

.“Later, I switched to FC Lyon as honorary coach while working for a transport company, handling service after sales,” Tony explained.

“I took the opportunity to approach Indian stars to play for the club,” he said.

His efforts proved a forerunner that eventually opened up vistas for Indian players to ply their trade in Europe – notably in Germany, England and the Netherlands.

Tony of Goan ancestry, grew up in Mumbai where he owns a flat in Bandra, an abode to escape the French winter.

His son Ashley, 51, played for France and then served as joint-secretary for the French hockey federation.

The duo were in the news recently when Ashley, connected with St Xavier’s school, Bhubaneswar, and running an education program, part of the family philanthropy Play and Learn, donated Rs 200,000 towards the Chief Minister’s relief fund to help rehabilitate those affected by Cyclone Fani that ravaged Odisha recently.

Ashley, also chairman of the Indo-French Business School was travelling back to France when the disaster gripped the state and consulted his father Tony on an attempt to do his bit for the cause.

Tony, who witnessed the World Cup in December last year, responded with an instant affirmative stemming from emotions related to Indian hockey in general and Odisha in particular after soaking up a memorable World Cup at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar.

It was Ashley’s birthday, May 6, that made the gesture auspicious.

The senior Fernandes, however, had begun making significant contributions to Indian hockey a good generation ago when he ushered players into French club hockey.

“To develop in sports, you need to have a general knowledge of everything. In Europe, hockey players are usually highly qualified – doctor, engineers and others,” he revealed.

“As a result, they constantly think on the pitch. I urged our Indian players to do the same. With our rich skills, we tend to play by instinct but I drew up plans for each game which induced them to think and adapt and not just go stereotype,” Tony explained.

The clutch of India stars initiated into professional hockey by Tony certainly lived up to the prototype.

Dhanraj Pillay, a rare superstar in hockey, spread his wings and eventually played pro hockey in Germany. Jude Felix did much to boost the stocks of Singapore as player and coach while Harendra went on to coach India, catching up with his beloved FC Lyon coach at last year’s Odisha World Cup in Bhubaneswar.

On knowing his mentors Tony-Ashley's gesture, thankful Harendra said: " Tony uncle once again has shown that sports is a way of life that makes us better if we stay true to the spirit. They prove that life is not about wealth accumulation but about contribution. I salute these great souls, who hold French passport but their heart bleed if India is in trouble like Fani.

Stick2Hockey.com