News for 01 February 2018
All the news for Thursday 1 February 2018
5 Nations Invitational Tournament (M) - Day 3
Malaga (ESP)
ESP v USA 2 - 0
| Rank | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Spain |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 |  Ireland |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 |  Scotland |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 |  Canada |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
| 5 |  United States |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
USMNT Grinds Head to Head Against Spain in Second Loss of 5 Nations Tournament
MALAGA, Spain - The U.S. Men's National Team entered the 5 Nations Tournament with the goal of competing head to head with some of the toughest FIH Hero World Ranked teams in the world. They proved that from the opening whistle of their second game Wednesday afternoon against No. 8 Spain. Despite a deadlocked first half performance, the host nation defeated USA 2-0.
The game plan was set by USMNT Head Coach Rutger Wiese and Associate Head Coach Brian Schledorn. In the opening minutes an unfortunate cross from Spain struck Paul Singh (Simi Valley, Calif.), taking him out of the match until the final minutes. Minus their seasoned midfielder, USA quickly adjusted, remained calm and continued their projected strategy. In the meantime, Spain applied pressure several times during the first half, keeping USA pinned near their own 25 yard line. However, the team remained calm, not allowing opportunities to strike on net and ultimately pushed the ball up field. Both squads had prime chances to net the opening score, but neither could make it a reality as the first half closed with an adrenaline rushing 0-0 score.
In the 41st minute the momentum was broken when Spain centered the ball from just outside the circle. Aki Kaeppler (Stuttgart, Germany) was marking Albert Beltran so tightly that he could not make a play. In a bang-bang play the ball deflected into USA's goal. Umpires confirmed the deflection came off the stick of a Spain player, taking the wind out of USA's sails. Spain on the other hand quickly sought to keep the momentum rolling, and in the 45th minute were awarded a penalty corner. Pau Quemada followed through for Spain with a drag flick to the net the 2-0 advantage. USA once again maintained their composure while pressing on a handful of additional chances offensively. Unfortunately, it was not enough to cut the deficit as the final horn sounded.
"I am pleased to see the continued growth from where we left after last season," said Wiese. "But I still see area for improvement and am excited to implement changes and make improvements before the end of the tournament."
Today's match saw a few milestones for some USA players. Both Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.) and Jonathan Klages (Berlin, Germany) earned their first international caps. Tom Barratt (Greensboro, N.C.) meanwhile registered his 50th international cap.
The U.S. Men's National Team returns to the pitch Friday, February 2 at 11 a.m. ET against No. 11 Canada. Stay tuned and watch the game livestream at usafieldhockey.com.
USFHA media release
2018 Test Matches: ARG v BEL (W) - 4th Test
Buenos Aires (ARG)
ARG v BEL 2 - 2
FIH Match Centre
Women’s National Team kick-starts year in winning fashion
Brie Stairs surveys the field during a test match in Santiago, Chile in January, 2018. Esteban Araya/Photo
When Giles Bonnet walked onto the pitch at Club Manquehue in Santiago two weeks ago, he said he was like déjà vu. It was at the same pitch 16 years ago where he coached his first game for the Belgian Men’s National Team. This time, he was coaching the Canadian Women’s National Team to an undefeated test series against host-nation, Chile.
Certainly, having a new coach can be a challenge, but according to Dani Hennig, veteran Canadian defender, having someone come in and provide a fresh perspective on the team can also be enlightening.
“The team is always looking to get better so bringing in someone who has new ideas and a different structure and style of play is fun and exciting,” Hennig said. “Giles came in with a lot of enthusiasm. He had players playing in different spots and the team really embraced it.”
Bonnet echoed Hennig’s sentiments from a coaching perspective. He said the team responded well to the heavy workload and changes to the play-structure.
“What stood out for me was the receptiveness of the group of new ideas and changes,” Bonnet said. “They are extremely motivated and applied themselves in a very professional way.”
As any athlete knows, having a new coach can be a shock to the system. And although Hennig said there can be growing pains, she thinks the fresh set of eyes can only benefit the team and the athletes.
“As high-performance athletes, it is sometimes scary having someone new come in and watch your game and challenge you to be better in different ways,” Hennig said. “But ultimately, it’s what we crave.”
Building on a strong foundation
Canada came into this test series ranked 21st in the world, six spots behind Chile. Although the test matches didn’t count for official world ranking points, Canada made a profound statement that they belong inside the top-15. For Hennig, it was great to see the positive results and she knows the team still has lots of room for improvement.
“We’ve always had the belief in ourselves that we can compete with the top teams in the world,” Hennig said. “Now we need to develop the consistency so we can stay at the top level. The positive results against a good team really reinforces our belief in ourselves.”
According to Bonnet, the focus in these early tours isn’t necessarily about the results rather the process. They had clear goals set for each test match and he was happy to see the style and structure being embraced by the team.
“Our focus in the first three matches were about implementation. In the fourth game, we focused on performance and it was pleasing to see the team produce in this match,” Bonnet said.
Important Milestones
The team had its work cut out for it heading into the training tour: A long travel schedule, a heavy training workload, a new coach bringing in new ideas and five test matches against a quality opponent. And while hockey is a team game and being on tour is a team event, it’s worth noting some important individual milestones that came from last week’s tour.
Vancouver’s Izzy Fraser and Cowichan’s Sara Goodman played in their first senior international matches on their first tour with the senior national team. Every time a player plays their first cap, it validates the years of dedication of the athlete, coaches and supporters through high school, regional, provincial, junior national team and more.
Veteran goalkeeper, Kaitlyn Williams played her 100th senior national match. Her father flew down to Chile to watch his daughter compete in her milestone match. Hennig has been a long-time teammate and friend of Williams and said she’s been an inspiration to her teammates for years.
“I played with [Kaitlyn] at UVic and we both got our start on the national team around the same time. It’s been really amazing to play alongside her for this entire journey,” Hennig said. “She works so hard to always be better and she’s a great leader for other players and goalkeepers to look up to.”
Schedule heats up moving forward
The Women’s National Team has a stacked schedule moving forward. They may have just arrived home yesterday but take off again in two weeks for Chula Vista, California for a 10-day training tour featuring test matches against the US. Following that, they are off to Australia for the Commonwealth Games and then straight on to New Zealand for Hawkes Bay. According to Hennig, competition is a driver of improvement and she’s looking forward to all the game-play.
“There’s no substitute for game play. Getting to play a lot these days will be really good for the team. We need to continue to learn to play and perform in pressure environments,” Hennig said.
The team will take the positive results from Chile and continue to push forward into the next phase of their year. Bonnet said he’s excited to continue working with the group on applying new strategies and changes. He expects the positive results to continue as the team will face some top competition in the next few months.
“We are on a sharp learning curve and have selected an accelerated program for this team. We will attempt to close the competitive gap with the top teams and we are looking forward to the upcoming events,” Bonnet said.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Germany on the hunt for Indoor Hockey World Cup success
Germany's Janne Muller-Weiland will be representing their indoor team in Berlin Photo: FIH/WSP
A quick look at the German women’s team sheet for the Indoor Hockey World Cup in Berlin and you will spot some very familiar names from the outdoor game. Included among the star-studded team are captain Janne Muller-Weiland, super-star defender Nike Lorenz, midfielder Anne Schroeder, and the trio of dynamic forwards Lisa Altenburg, Franzisca Hauke and Marie Mavers.
On the men’s side, Martin Häner, Mats Grambusch, Christopher Ruhr and Tobias Hauke are among the players well known to fans of the outdoor version of hockey.
This is at odds with many of the teams participating in both the men’s and women’s Indoor Hockey World Cup, where there is little cross-over between the players representing their teams on the field or in the hall.
"Playing under pressure in a tight space will improve offensive and decision making skills. You can also develop and work on defending skills, especially in man-on-man marking...”
Germany (outdoor) Head Coach, Stefan Kermas
One of the reasons is the amount of time devoted to indoor hockey. Where many nations have a very short indoor playing season – in the Netherlands, for example, the game only moves indoors for part of December and January – in Germany, the indoor season lasts from the beginning of December through to the end of February. For that reason, the game is viewed as part and parcel of the hockey season.
As Head Coach to the German women’s team Akim Bouchouchi explains: “We choose to use this Indoor Hockey World Cup to expose our players to international hockey and all the aspects that come along with it. Other nations are now touring the world to prepare for the outdoor Hockey World Cup, for us these events are part of the preparation for the outdoor World Cup.”
One of the reasons for the prevalence of indoor hockey in Germany is the weather. Bouchouchi says a full programme for indoor hockey was introduced a long time ago so the players could continue training and playing throughout the winter.
These are all points with which the men’s Head Coach Stefan Kermas agrees: “We see indoor hockey as a good technical and tactical education as well as developing tool for younger players. So all German hockey players grow up with a lot of experience in indoor hockey.”
Kermas adds that indoor hockey helps develop some essential skills for the outdoor game: “Playing under pressure in a tight space will improve offensive and decision making skills. You can also develop and work on defending skills, especially in man-on-man marking. Last but not least elements and principles of zonal defence systems, which are so important in indoor hockey, can be used outdoor as well.”
Both coaches agree that playing in front of a large home crowd will be a tremendous experience for the players and one which will prepare them for the huge crowds at the men's and women's Hockey World Cups later this year.
“Indoor hockey has a long tradition and high status in Germany,” says Bouchouchi, “For that, the Hockey Indoor World Cup in Berlin will be a great event. It is the first big tournament in Germany for three years and we want to give our players the opportunity to experience this type of event. In addition, the players really like to play indoor and they are looking forward to a big crowd and fantastic atmosphere.”
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FIH site
Rose Thomas called up for Great Britain!
Laura Hallsmith
For the first time since London 2012, Wales will see a female athlete called up to represent Great Britain in hockey.
Next month, Goalkeeper Rose Thomas who hails from Caerleon will make her debut for GB when she joins the squad facing world number 3 side Argentina in a five-match test series between the 10th – 17th February in Rosario.
Thomas who plays for Holcombe made her debut for Wales in the 2011 Celtic Cup held in Largs, Scotland. She’s since gone on to make over 50 appearances for her country; with her most memorable one being the game against Russia during the European Championships on home soil last August, where she was awarded her 50th cap.
Understandably thrilled at the news, Thomas told us:
I’m extremely happy and grateful to be named alongside 19 other members of the Great Britain squad to compete in Rosario. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the centralised programme over this past year. Those of us receiving our first GB caps have a great support system and experience to draw from to allow us to perform at our best for the team. I’m looking forward to contributing to our learning and development in a world class competitive environment
Head Coach for Wales women, Kevin Johnson:
I’m very pleased to see Rose called up for the upcoming GB trip. It’s the just reward for the hard work and dedication she has shown for some time now. Rose contributes so much to our squad, so I’m delighted she now has the opportunity to showcase this for Great Britain. With Sarah Jones also on the GB senior centralised programme and six other Welsh players on the GB Elite Development Programme, this news is a welcome boost to our squad, who remain very focused and aspirational towards improving standards both individually and collectively as we look ahead to our own upcoming international tournament schedule
An integral part of the recent success experienced by Wales’ senior team’s, Dan Clements, Head of Performance for Hockey Wales shared his delight on hearing the news:
We’re really pleased for Rose on her selection for GB, and it is great recognition of her hard work and determination since joining the GB programme last year. Similarly, we are really pleased for her that she will be the first female athlete to earn a cap since 2012, quite a significant achievement. No doubt Rose will grab the opportunity and maximise the experience she will be exposed to against a top international side
Hockey Wales media release
Pakistan hockey team for Oman event to be named today
Anwar Zuberi
KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team for the coming three-nation hockey tournament being held in Muscat will be announced at the end of the two-day trials at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
The team will fly to Muscat on Feb 10th or 11th where the event takes place from Feb 14-20. Besides Pakistan, Japan and Oman are the other two teams in the event.
“The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is considering to send 24 to 25 players to Muscat for exposure that will enable in finalising the best 18 for the tougher assignments this year,” the PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed told journalists after witnessing opening day’s session of the trials.
He said Japan had given tough time to Pakistan twice last year. Pakistan were held to a two-all draw by Japan in the Asia Cup at Dhaka and suffered 1-3 loss in the four-nation tournament held at Melbourne.
As for Oman, it finished eighth in the Asia Cup.
“The PHF is focusing to raise a strong combination for the tougher events and the selectors may accompany the national team to Muscat,” he said.
To a question, he dismissed the notion of a senior-junior series ahead of Oman visit. “In fact, we’ve decided to field juniors against the senior probables in two quarters on Thursday,” said Shahbaz.
He replied in affirmative when asked about hiring of the foreign experts for improving penalty corner drills, goal-keeping and training players on scientific lines. “Yes, plans are under consideration to hire the services of some reputed specialised foreign coaches as 2018 is an important year for the revival of national game,” he maintained.
The Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and the World Cup are the toughest events that are slated during the year.
He said the FIH had specially included Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
Earlier, he watched the trials and held deliberations with the chief selector Islahuddin Siddiqui, co-selectors Ayaz Mahmood, Farhat Khan, Mussadiq Hussain and team manager-cum-chief coach Hasan Sardar.
Another selector Qasim Khan was not present on the occasion.
According to Shahbaz, 39 of the 42 probables are appearing in the trials. “Ammad Shakeel Butt and Azfar Yaqoob are playing hockey league in Malaysia while Rashid in nursing hamstring, he added.
Dawn
Hockey India name 21 players for junior women’s national camp
Hockey India (HI) on Wednesday named 21 players for the junior women’s national camp to commence tomorrow at the Eklavya Sports Stadium in Agra.
The players will train together till February 24.
Among the national campers Bichu Devi Kharibam of MP Hockey Academy, Salima Tete of Hockey Jharkhand, Sangita Kumari of Hockey Jharkhand, Mumtaz Khan of Hockey Uttar Pradesh were part of the India ‘A’ team that participated in the Australian Hockey League (AHL) in Perth last year.
While Preeti and Chetan Rathi are from the National Hockey Academy based in Delhi, the rest of the 19 players were part of the junior core group.
With the Youth Olympic Games qualifiers slated to be held in April in Bangkok, HI will be watching the progress of these young players closely.
“This is a preparation camp for the Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers. Since the event will be five-a-side hockey, we will be looking at selecting a team of 12 players plus four stand-by players,” said David John, HI’s High Performance Director.
The camp will be held on India’s first ever five-a-side hockey turf developed at the Eklavya Sports Stadium in Agra.
“It will be an ideal training facility as it’s built to FIH specifications. It is India’s first five-a-side hockey pitch and we will have coach Erik Wonink, who comes with the expertise in this format of hockey training the women in Agra,” John added.
National Campers List:
Goal Keepers: Khushboo (Hockey Bhopal), Bichu Devi Kharibam (MP Hockey Academy).
Defenders: Priyanka (Hockey Haryana), Salima Tete (Hockey Jharkhand), Umra (Hockey Him), Antim (Hockey Him), Ishika Choudhary (MP Hockey Academy).
Mid-fielders: Manju Chorsiya (Hockey Him), Baljeet Kaur (Hockey Punjab), Sadhna Senger (MP Hockey Academy), Jiwan Kishori Toppo (Hockey Gangpur Odisha), Primanjali Toppo (Hockey Gangpur Odisha), Chetan Rathi (National Hockey Academy), Preeti (National Hockey Academy).
Forwards: Sangita Kumari (Hockey Jharkhand), Deepika Soreng (Hockey Jharkhand), Mumtaz Khan (Hockey Uttar Pradesh), Lal Rindiki (Hockey Mizoram), Janhabi Pradhan (Hockey Gangpur Odisha), Amritpal Kaur (Hockey Chandigarh), Reet (Hockey Haryana).
The Tribune
High Performance Gears Up For Medal Success Following Staff Changes
Alexie Beovich
Just a few months away from the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, and with preparation well underway for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Hockey Australia (HA) is injecting new talent into the coaching, performance and administration teams to support its goal of medal success at all three events.
Dee Jennings joined the organisation in early 2018 as Manager of Planning and Performance in a newly created role focused on delivering performance support services to both the men’s and the women’s high performance programs and the State Networks.
“Dee will work in collaboration with the Head Coaches to drive and influence the elite National network to establish a ‘World’s Best’ performance support network, which maximises the input and investment of all stakeholders and provides personal development opportunities and engagement within the national program for our National Institute Network providers,” HA High Performance Director Toni Cumpston said.
Jennings joins HA’s HP Unit from Gymnastics Australia where she held the position as the Performance Manager for the Women's Artistic Gymnastics National Centre of Excellence.
In her previous role, Jennings was responsible for leading the management and operations of Gymnastics Australia’s women’s programs in Melbourne and Perth and led, developed and managed the coaching and support staff.
Jennings has played hockey for the Victoria Vipers and Canberra Strikers in the Australian Hockey League.
The appointment is the first of four new appointments likely to occur in the first quarter of 2018, with the roles of Assistant Coach of the Hockeyroos, Operations Manager for the HP Unit in Perth and National Talent Pathway Manager also to be filled shortly.
The Operations Manager role became available after the resignation of Angele Gray who finished with Hockey Australia in early January 2018.
“Angele’s contribution to both the men’s and women’s national programs was significant and we are now looking for her replacement in this very important role,” Cumpston said.
“The recruitment process for this position will commence shortly with an appointment to be made as soon as possible.”
The search for an Assistant Coach for the Hockeyroos is also underway after the departure of Nicole Arrold in late 2017.
“Nicole joined our team in March last year and with her experience as a dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist, her experience and contribution were important in our post Rio rebuilding of the team,” Cumpston said.
“Her departure from the team gives us an opportunity to now look for an assistant coach that will further strengthen the Hockeyroos off-field team.”
The last high performance role to be filled is that of HA’s National Talent Pathway Manager, after the resignation of Michael Crooks in early 2018.
Crooks held the role for four years and played a key role in aligning HA’s talent pathway programs to its high performance programs. He leaves the organisation in mid-February.
Hockey Australia media release
Arminen, Grunwald, TRR and Cardiff all win national indoor titles
A series of EHL sides landed their national indoor championships last weekend with SV Arminen, WKS Grunwald Poznan, Three Rock Rovers and Cardiff & Met all bringing home silverware.
For Arminen, they featured six of the Austrian side that won the recent European Championships in Brussels while their opponents had two – including superstar Benjamin Stanzl.
It was a high-class final with chances on both sides. For a long time, the game was 1-1 with Sebastian Eitenberger and Fabian Unkerkircher cancelling each other out.
Shortly before the end, Daniel Fröhlich fired in just under the crossbar to give Arminen the lead for a 2-1 success and ultimate glory.
In Poland, WKS Grunwald Poznan were the dominant team, winning their national title with an 8-4 success against KS AZS AWF Poznan. The tournament proved another triumph for the veteran Artur Mikula who scored 39 times during the season, 13 more than anyone else.
Three Rock Rovers won the Irish title for the second year in a row with an 8-5 final victory over arch rivals Railway Union.
Ross Canning scored their first three goals for a 3-0 lead early in the second half before Railway fought back to 4-4. But two crucial goals from Ben Walker put Rovers back into the lead in the closing minutes, meaning they will decide their fate in Georgia in February to see whether they will be promoted from the fourth tier of European indoor hockey.
Cardiff & Met beat Penarth to retain the Welsh title thanks to an 8-2 victory in their final.
In Scotland, Bromac Kelburne will take on Inverleith next weekend in the national final.
Euro Hockey League media release
Terengganu top standings with hard-fought win over Thunderbolt
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Gonzalo Peillat has struck again for Terengganu.
The Argentinian converted two penalty corners to steer Terengganu to a hard-fought 4-2 win over TNB-Thunderbolt in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) yesterday.
With the win, Terengganu top the standings with 21 points from nine matches and will wrap up the fixtures against KL Hockey Club (KLHC) tomorrow to decide the Premier Division champions.
KLHC exacted sweet revenge over Tenaga Nasional 4-0 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium to stay in second spot with 20 points.
Thunderbolt drew first blood in the eighth minute off a penalty corner converted by Muhd Sabri Mohamed.
Terengganu equalised three minutes later through Lopez Barreiros from close range.
Thunderbolt had a golden opportunity to regain the lead in the 25th minute as Amir Farid hit from close range but his attempt was saved by goalkeeper Muhd Hafizuddin Othman. Terengganu came back strongly in the third quarter as Peillat converted two goals in a space of five minutes in the 36th and 41st minutes to make it 3-1.
B. Namasivayam made it 4-1 in the 46th minute but Thunderbolt managed to narrow the deficit with a goal by Muhd Azammi Adabi in the 60th minute.
Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh said it was important for them to win to stay in contention for the league title.
“It was a disappointment in the first two quarters as we missed a number of sitters. It is never easy playing against Thunderbolt as they played a fast attacking game.
“But we pushed our forwards in search for goals and did well to score in the last two quarters,” said the former national coach.
KLHC played to their true form in the second round match and took the lead through Muhd Hafizuddin Zaidi in the 28th minute before he doubled the score in the 44th minute.
KLHC kept up the pressure and added two more goals in the fourth and last quarter.
Jang Jong-hyun converted a penalty corner in the 49th minute and was on target again in the 58th minute to score a field goal.
The Star of Malaysia
