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All the news for Saturday 3 February 2018

5 Nations Invitational Tournament (M) - Day 5
Malaga (ESP)

CAN v USA 3 - 1

FIH Match Centre

USMNT Falls to Canada in Third 5 Nations Tournament Match


Image Courtesy of On Sports Consulting SL

MALAGA, Spain - February 2, 2018 - The U.S. Men's National Team faced off against a familiar for in their third match of the 5 National Tournament in Malaga, Spain. Despite positive play and improvement from their previous two matches, the red, white and blue could not find a solution to an early deficit at the hands of Canada, falling 3-1.

USA was slow to start the game and get into a rhythm. With undecided assignments on the pitch combined with the swift play of their northern neighbors, it didn't take long to find a mismatch or capitalize on an opportunity. Canada's Keegan Pereira was able to put in the opening score in the 4th minute when USA was caught standing still on a free hit outside the circle. Following the ensuing restart, USA was able to settle into their game plan and play accordingly. With time running out int he opening frame, a build up and offensive press by Canada near the circle proved fruitful as Floris van Son netted the team's second score of the game for the 2-0 lead.

Back and forth play continued late into the half. In the waning minutes of the second quarter USA earned earned their first penalty corner of the match, which saw an option play with Tyler Sundeen (Simi Valley, Calif.) deflecting the ball into the goal and cutting the deficit 2-1. The halftime decision was to press with more aggression which resulted in more possession and multiple circle entries and numerous shots on goals for USA. Mo Ghandi (Ventura, Calif.) and Aki Kaeppler (Stuttgart, Germany) were both instrumental in building from the back and also taking on the Canadian forwards at every opportunity they had moving the ball forward.
 
Unfortunately, the momentum was broken in the 45th minute, when a Canadian player clearly played the ball off his feet. As USA expected a whistle, eyes were taken off the ball, which was then passed into the circle resulting in another goal. Despite the more positive play and less mistakes throughout the contest, USA was unable to mount a comeback as they patiently wait to put all of the puzzle pieces together in a game.

The U.S. Men's National Team concludes their round-robin play at the 5 Nations Tournament Saturday, February 3 at 8:00 a.m. ET against No. 10 Ireland. Stay tuned and watch the game live at usafieldhockey.com.

USFHA media release

2018 Test Matches: ARG v BEL (W) - 5th Test
Buenos Aires (ARG)

ARG v BEL 2 - 2

FIH Match Centre

Indoor Hockey World Cup free on YouTube


All the matches from the main hall will be on FIH YouTube

The International Hockey Federation has announced that every single match from the main hall at the Indoor Hockey World Cup 2018 will be live-streamed, free to air, on FIH's YouTube channel.

Taking place in Berlin, Germany between 7-11 February, fans across the world will be able to tune in to this high octane event which sees the best national indoor teams go head to head, all with the aim of lifting the prestigious Indoor World Cup trophy.

40 matches will be broadcast live during the event, which features 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams competing across the five day competition.

"As the planet’s biggest provider of online video content they are an extremely important partner who are actively helping our sport reach a global audience.”
FIH TV and Broadcast Director, Andy Oram

The exception is with Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Fans in those countries will be able to watch the majority of the matches on FIH YouTube, while the German men's and women's teams will be broadcast via SPORT1 on its platforms SPORT1 + and SPORT1.de. SPORT1’s website details which matches are on which of their platforms and when.

This announcement sees the continuation of FIH's strong partnership with Google owned YouTube. As the world's biggest provider of online video content, with over 1.5 billion unique monthly viewers, the FIH are delighted to expose this competition to a global audience through an easy to access platform.

Speaking about this latest partnership, FIH TV and Broadcast Director, Andy Oram, said: “We are delighted to build on the success of our YouTube partnership which we launched at last year's Hockey World League Finals. As the planet’s biggest provider of online video content they are an extremely important partner who are actively helping our sport reach a global audience. With this platform used on a wide range of devices, YouTube is key to attracting a new generation of fans to hockey.”

In cooperation with FIH Official Media Partner Star Sports, FIH has been increasing the visibility of hockey through broadcasters, with digital platforms an increasingly important platform to reach new fans. This strategy is fundamental to achieving the main aim of FIH’s Hockey Revolution strategy – to make hockey a global game that inspires future generations.

The full Indoor Hockey World Cup schedule can be viewed here.

For the latest ticket information for this event, click here.

#IHWC2018

FIH site

Govia upbeat after hockey warm-up matches

Nigel Simon


Raphael Govia, T&T senior men’s head hockey coach.

T&T senior men’s indoor hockey headcoach Raphael Govia says he is very upbeat about his team’s improvement following three warm-up matches, which resulted in two defeats and a win at the De Kemmer Sports Facility, Oirschot, North Brabant, Holland over the past week.

The local stickmen who are preparing for next week’s Fifth Indoor Hockey World Cup in Berlin, Germany went under to Holland Premier Division club, Den Bosch 7-4 and 7-6 before beating lower division outfit Venlo 8-4 on Thursday. Speaking yesterday, the Govia said, “Back home we had some matches against our President XI and it helped in keeping us match fit, but here in Holland we were able to test our skills against a higher level of opponents in Den Bosch, a top four club team with vastly experienced players."

T&T coach, a former national player himself said the matches served their purpose, “Myself and assistant coach Darren Cowie will be doing all we can do with the boys over the next two days as we continue to get ready for what comes next in Germany. The training sessions have also been going well as we are also adjusting to the new surface here in Holland, and we expect it to be a faster one at the World Cup."

The T&T team will train today after which Govia will name his 12-member playing team from the 13 players in camp prior to heading to Germany via train tomorrow morning.

Govia said, “My lone worry with the team at the moment is helping the players deal with the flu which has hit the team as the weather is very cold and some of the guys already have throat infections”.

On Monday, the “Calypso Stickmen” who qualified to the World Cup after capturing the 2017 Pan American Indoor Cup Men’s Tournament title with a 7-0 win over Argentina at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown, Guyana last October will face South Africa in an official tournament practice match while on Tuesday they face Russia.

The World Cup flicks at the Max-Schmeling-Halle and T&T will start its campaign versus Czech Republic in Pool B on Wednesday February 7 from 12.45pm (Germany Time) and then Poland at 7.30pm to close out the first day.

On February 8, the “Calypso Stickmen” will come up against Australia at 3.05pm and Kazakhstan from 10.05pm before closing out the round-robin series versus host Germany on February from 11.50am.

Pool A comprises Austria, Belgium, Ireland, South Africa, Switzerland and Russia.

At the end of the round-robin phase, the top four teams in each pool will advance to the quarter-finals followed by the semifinals on February 10, and the third place play-off and final a day later.

T&T 13-member team: Ron Alexander, Karlos Stephens, Solomon Eccles (captain), Jordan Reynos, Aidan De Gannes, Andrew Vieira, Akim Toussaint, Mikel Pierre, Jordan Vieira, Kristien Emmanuel, Marcus James, Shaquille Daniel, Tariq Marcano.

The Trinidad Guardian

Faizal’s star turn

By Aftar Singh


Champions: Terengganu players and officials posing for a photograph after winning the MHL Premier Division title yesterday. — Art Chen/ The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: National forward Faizal Saari has turned hero for Terengganu.

Faizal scored a goal and set up another to help the East Coast team exact sweet revenge over Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) with a 2-1 win to lift the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division title.

Terengganu completed their league fixtures with a 100% record. They have 24 points from 10 matches while last year’s league champions KLHC finished runners-up with 20 points.

Argentina’s Gonzalo Peillat, who has been scoring in every match, lost his touch yesterday when he failed to execute all three penalty corners.

KLHC, who needed an outright win to lift the title, failed to make a decent attempt in the first quarter and could not even earn a penalty corner in the first two quarters.

Star-studded KLHC pushed their forwards in search of goals and their persistence paid off with a goal in the 36th minute.

Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor collected the ball from the top semi-circle and hit a reverse stick shot that sailed past goalkeeper Muhd Hafizuddin Othman.

Terengganu, who needed a draw to win the title, then stepped up.

And the turning point came when KLHC defender Jang Jong-hyun took too long to take a free hit in the 50th minute and umpire K. Illango awarded a free hit to Terengganu instead.

Terengganu took full advantage as Joaqin Menini’s cross from the right was connected into the top of the net by Faizal in the 50th minute. It was Faizal’s eighth goal in the MHL.

A galvanised Terengganu doubled the score three minutes later when Lopez Barreiros hit home via a through pass from Faizal.

Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh was happy that his team got the better of KLHC to win their first title.

“We stopped KLHC from winning their third title today. I’m proud of my players’ fighting display as they fought hard in the match to maintain a 100% record,” said the former national coach.

Faizal was delighted with his efforts and the sweet revenge over KLHC.

“They beat us for the title last year and this time we wrested it from them.

“I’m happy that we played our hearts out and scored a crucial win,” said Faizal.

KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan said Jong-hyun’s time wasting during the free hit caused their downfall.

“However, it’s not over for us as we still have one more title to play for,” said Chiow Chuan.

Terengganu face fourth-placed Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the TNB Cup first leg semi-finals tomorrow and the return leg will be played on Feb 7.

KLHC take on Tenaga Nasional in the other semi-final.

The Star of Malaysia

Beaufort beckons for 11 of Shaw’s international stars


UCD’s Ellen Curran. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Eleven of Graham Shaw’s most recent Irish women’s squad will line out at Beaufort on Saturday ahead of their departure for Benalmadena for a warm-weather camp, combined with four games against Spain.

UCD account for seven of them with Ellen Curran rated as fit enough to be named in the panel for Spain after an ankle ligament issue sustained before Christmas.

She was among a couple of injury concerns along with Erin Getty and Chloe Watkins in Shaw’s panel of 29. Megan Frazer and Cliodhna Sargent, though, are not included just yet as they work their way back to full fitness.

Loreto’s Nicci Daly is a returnee to the panel having finished her latest stint in the US to stake her claim for a place in the final 18 for London.

It gives the Beaufort side an extra dynamic threat when they take on UCD alongside teenage flyer Sarah Torrans. They will try and punch a hole in the students form, unbeaten since the opening day of the campaign.

Free-scoring Pegasus host Pembroke with Alex Speers in red-hot form, backed up by Lucy McKee, to give Ailbhe Coyle and her defence plenty of different angles to cover.

While the top three have forged ahead, there is set to be a big battle for fourth and the potential final ticket for the EY Champions Trophy. Belfast Harlequins showed their relish for the fight with a battling away win over Loreto last time out.

They make the long trip to face their namesakes from Cork with Stephen Dale’s side looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign. It is promises to be another high quality affair with a quintet of Cork Quins players named in the Irish senior squad for their trip to Malaga next week while Zoe Wilson and Lizzie Colvin are in that line-up, too.

Hermes-Monkstown’s upturn in form – with four points from their last six – takes them to Ards. After eight successive defeats, there is renewed optimism that they can escape the bottom rung of the table.

The Ulster side, though, are also on a high off the back of their seventh successive National Indoor Trophy title. Outdoors, their games have been exceptionally tight – barring their 5-1 defeat to Cork Harlequins – scoring nine and conceding eight in their other nine games. As such, a tight battle like their 1-0 success at the Merrion Fleet Arena is to be anticipated.

Trinity meet Railway for a third time this season, hoping for more of the performance from their draw in the league than their heavy defeat in the Jacqui Potter Cup.

Compared to last season, Brian Scully’s side have not been able to find the same defensive rigidity of their time in the Leinster league but have shown plenty of endeavour at the far end to nick points, meaning Railway need to be on their guard.

In Leinster Division One, Avoca finally found their scoring touch in the second half to run up a 5-0 win in midweek against Our Lady’s. It was scoreless at half-time before the Blackrock club cut loose, lifting them up to seventh place with their second win of the league campaign.

They go to Glenanne next, the side closest to them in the division, looking to carry that confidence forward.

Muckross, Corinthian and Old Alex are all but mathematically assured of places in the EY Hockey League promotion playoffs as well as tickets to the IHL2 next season.

Alex host Our Lady’s; Muckross face bottom side Clontarf while Corinthian have a tester away to North Kildare against a side who are famously hard to break down. Genesis, in fourth place, will hope for no slip-ups at Rathgar if they are to keep their nominal chances of a top three spot alive.

Elsewhere, UCD, Railway Union and Loreto hold up the Leinster representation in the quarter-finals of the Irish Junior Cup. In the Irish Hockey Challenge, Botanic are the Leinster side in action, going on the road to 2016 champions Blackrock in Cork.

On the men’s side, the schedule is curtailed due to the Irish senior international tour to Malaga with the final game taking place between Ireland and USA on Saturday afternoon (1pm, Irish time).

The one Leinster Division One tie on the card sees YMCA host Corinthian. The Y are looking for their first points of 2018 to keep daylights between them and fourth place Avoca.

Those defeats mean top spot looks out of reach with nine points between YM and leaders UCD and Corinthian. The tie features the three highest scorers in the league with Ian Stewart – with 18 in all competitions – Grant Glutz (17) and Ben Campbell (16) potentially providing the fireworks.

Pembroke host Lisnagarvey in the Irish Junior Cup while Glenanne and Monkstown showing down with all sides able to draw from the bottom end of their first team squads, adding some unpredictacility to affairs.

Mullingar and Wicklow host Armagh and Cliftonville in round one of the Irish Hockey Challenge.

Ireland women’s panel (February 6-11, Benalmadena, Spain): Grace O’Flanagan (Railway Union), Emma Buckley (Cork Harlequins), Clodagh Cassin (UCD), Zoe Wilson (Belfast Harlequins), Erin Getty-(Queens), Yvonne O’Byrne (Cork Harlequins), Lena Tice (UCD), Chloe Watkins (HC Bloemendaal), Chloe Brown (Ards), Ali Meeke (Loreto), Lizzie Colvin (Belfast Harlequins), Anna O’Flanagan (HC Bloemendaal), Ellen Curran (UCD), Deirdre Duke (UCD), Nicola Evans (UHC Hamburg), Naomi Carroll (Cork Harlequins), Hannah Matthews (Loreto), Emma Russell (UCD), Sarah Torrans (Loreto), Rebecca Barry (Cork Harlequins), Emily Beatty (Pembroke), Aisling Naughton (Pembroke), Gill Pinder (Pembroke), Shirley McCay (Pegasus), Leah McGuire (UCD), Roisin Upton (Cork Harlequins), Katie Mullan (UCD), Nicci Daly (Loreto), Kate Lloyd (Railway Union)


Corinthian will hope to move clear at the top of Leinster Division One. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Weekend fixtures (Saturday unless stated)
Women
EY Hockey League: Loreto v UCD, 1.15pm, Beaufort; Trinity v Railway Union, 2pm, Santry Avenue; Ards v Monkstown, 2.30pm, Londonderry Park; Cork Harlequins v Belfast Harlequins, 2.30pm, Farmer’s Cross; Pegasus v Pembroke, 4pm, Queen’s

Leinster Division One:
Tuesday: Avoca 5 (R Norris, S Treacy, L Spillane, J Ringrose, S Gardener) Our Lady’s 0
Saturday: Rathgar v Genesis, 12.30pm, High School; Glenanne v Avoca, 1pm, Glenanne Park; Muckross v Clontarf, 1.30pm, Muckross Park; North Kildare v Corinthian, 1.30pm, The Maws; Old Alex v Our Lady’s, 1.30pm, Milltown

Irish Junior Cup, quarter-finals: Queen’s v UCD, 2.30pm, Queen’s; Railway Union v Cork Harlequins, 2.40pm, Park Avenue; Loreto v Belfast Harlequins, 3pm, Beaufort

Irish Hockey Challenge: Kilkeel v NICS, 4pm, Kilkeel HS; Blackrock v Botanic, 1pm, Ursulines; Dromore v Athlone, 2.30pm, Dromore; Enniskillen v NUIG, 2.30pm, Enniskillen

Men
Leinster Division One (Sunday): YMCA v Corinthian, 2pm, Wesley

Munster Division One: Bandon v UCC, 12.15pm, Bandon GS; Limerick v Cork C of I B, 12pm, Villiers; Harlequins v Ashton, 12.50pm, Farmer’s Cross

Irish Junior Cup, quarter-finals: Instonians v North Down, 1pm, Shawsbridge; Kilkeel v Banbridge, 2.30pm, Kilkeel HS; Pembroke v Lisnagarvey, 2.30pm, Serpentine Avenue; Glenanne v Monkstown, 3pm, St Andrew’s

Irish Hockey Challenge, round one: Mullingar v Armagh, 12pm, Loreto Mullingar; Wicklow v Cliftonville, 1pm, Nelson Park; Catholic Institute v Midleton, 3.30pm, Rosbrien; Waterford v Ballynahinch, 3.30pm, Newtown School

The Hook

The Indoor GALA Day awaits



The prize on Saturday`s Indoor Gala Day at the Bells Sports Centre in Perth is the 2018 Indoor National League 1 championship, and the coveted place in Europe for next season.

The men`s final pits four times champions Inverleith against first timers Bromac Kelburne, while champions Dundee Wanderers hope to retain their crown against Milne Craig Clydesdale Western in the women`s competition.

The Paisley club`s somewhat unorthodox approach to the indoor game has threatened to produce dividends over the past few seasons, but as yet the potential has not been realised. However, this season Kelburne has reached the final for the first time – and who knows they might even add the indoor crown to their outdoor one.

Their tactics are different as demonstrated with such effect last weekend. The Buddies appeared with a truncated squad of only seven players and no recognised goalkeeper, instead Josh Cairns adopted the role of a kicking back, thus creating a team on the court of six outfield players.

Risky, you might think, but that succeeded in putting 13 past Hillhead in the final pool match last weekend, and then beating reigning champions Grove Menzieshill 6-5 in the semi-final.

However, what will leave Inverleith guessing is whether Kelburne will adopt the same unorthodox tactics for the final or revert to a more traditional format of including an actual goalkeeper – that is something for Inverleith coach Stuart Neave to ponder.

The other problem facing Neave is the quality of player that Kelburne can call on, the likes of striker Johnny Christie, set piece expert Cairns, Iain Scholefield, Chris Nelson as well as Chris Caldwell and Neil McIntyre who have both managed to pop in a few goals over the campaign.

While Kelburne`s record has been good with seven victories out of 11 games, there have also been three reversals and a draw against Dundee Wanderers. But perhaps the most bizarre result was a 12-2 defeat at the hands of a Grange side that had struggled for much of the early part of the season.

Inverleith, on the other hand, have strung together a run of eight consecutive victories after taking only three points from the opening day`s three matches. It took Neave a few games to get his new-look outfit into shape, but now they have a strong win ethic.

Neave said: “I am pleased with the progress of our squad this season and they are all available for the game on Saturday.

“It is certainly going to be a challenging game against a side containing some very experienced players. Add to that our respective styles of play and it should be interesting for the neutral fans.”

At the moment honours are even between the sides, Kelburne won the opening game of the campaign 7-4, Christie and Cairns were the main tormentors for the Paisley side that day.

However, Inverleith edged the pool match 8-7, this time Olympian Stephen Dick was the catalyst with four, ably supported by Patrick Christie, Kyle Taylor, Stuart Hatton and Sean Stewart. Certainly the return of Dick from injury has given a bit of bite to the Inverleith attack.

The attraction of this final is that it is a difficult one to predict – the clash of conflicting styles makes it awkward.


Dundee Wanderers v Clydesdale Western – photo by Duncan Gray

On paper in the Indoor GALA Day women’s competition, Dundee Wanderers must start favourites to retain their indoor crown and see off Clydesdale Western for the third time this season.

The Taysiders have been by far the most consistent side this season, they are undefeated so far and their only blemish was a 3-3 draw against Edinburgh University.

The initial confrontation between the sides was a cracker, Wanderers finally took the contest 5-4 with doubles from Amy Snelle and Emily Dark, Rachel Osborne providing the other.

The pool encounter was a more convincing victory for Wanderers at 5-1, again Dark was on target with another brace, so also was Ruth Blaikie with Jess Ross adding the fifth.

Consequently Western are the underdogs with a far less convincing record over this indoor season, but the final is a one-off occasion and anything can happen. And Western are not without their match winners, the Justice sisters Kayleigh and Margery along with Millie Steiger and Susi Gilman are all regulars on the scoresheet.

But the day also belongs to promotion and relegation. In the men Western Wildcats have it in their power to make an immediate return to the top flight, they must first see off Uddingston and then take on Hillhead who finished seventh in the Indoor National League 1 programme.

Elsewhere, Grove Menzieshill and Dundee Wanderers, so often finalists in the past, will contest third place. Grove Menzieshill`s second string could retain their Indoor National League 2 crown if they can see off Alpha Data Dunfermline Carnegie. Inverleith`s second string and FMGM Monarchs play out for the third division title.

There are two additional games in the women`s competition, Edinburgh University and Grove Menzieshill fight it out for third place while a place in next season`s Indoor National League 1 awaits the winner of Wildcats against Grange EL.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Squeaky-bum time as relegation strugglers face-off

By BRIAN YONGA


Kenya Police defender Robert Masibo (left) vies with Kenyatta University's Griffith Okumbe during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match on January 13, 2017 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

It's squeaky-bum time for Kenyatta University (KU) Vultures and Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) as the relegation-threatened duo face-off on Sunday in a crunch Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League match at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi.

With bottom-placed Technical University of Kenya already relegated, there will be chance for errors as the race to beat the chop hits fever pitch this weekend as the league enters its penultimate round. KCAU are second-from-bottom with 22 points, one behind Vultures, who are a placed above them in 13th place.

KCAU have three matches left while their counterparts have two matches to play making Sunday’s encounter a nail-biting affair. Prior to Sunday’s contest, both teams will be in action on Saturday as they seek valuable points to remain in the top-flight.

The Vultures come up against dethroned champions Strathmore University Gladiators at 4pm, while KCAU face Parklands from 6pm at City Park.

Chase Sailors, who are placed 12th on the log with 28 points and have finished their matches, will be keenly following the results of the two teams below them.

Vultures coach Moses Kagochi admits that his side’s mental strength will be tested in their two matches this weekend.

“It is crunch time at the bottom of the league and sadly we are in the midst of things. By the end of the weekend, we will either have survived relegation or we will be planning for life in the second tier,” Kagochi said.

Vulltures come into the weekend matches on the back of an 8-1 thumping by 2012 champions Sikh Union Nairobi in their last match on January 20.

They will however be boosted by their 3-2 win over Strathmore during their first leg meeting on April 15 last year. Strathmore have blown hot and cold this season, which has seen them lose the league title to Kenya Police after a disappointing campaign.

END ON A HIGH

Strathmore coach Meshack Senge has however challenged his charges to finish their campaign on a high.

“This is not the kind of season we wanted but we are glad, a few weeks back we were in danger of relegation but managed to turn it round,” Senge said.

KCAU will also look to bounce back from last weekend’s 5-1 loss to former champions Butali Sugar Warriors. A win on Saturday will give them the confidence going into Sunday’s crunch match against the Vultures.

“The ball is in our court and we have to get the results needed because dropping to the second division will be disastrous for us,” KCAU coach Luke Mbom said.

FIXTURES (All matches at City Park Stadium unless stated)

Saturday

Premier Women: Sliders v JKUAT – 2pm

Premier Men: KU Vultures v Strathmore University -4pm, Western Jaguars v Butali -4pm (Kakamega) KCAU v Parklands -6pm

Sunday

Premier Men: Western Jaguars v Wazalendo- 9am (Kakamega), USIU v Parkroad Badgers- 1pm, KCA-U v KU Vultures – 3pm

Premier Women: Strathmore University v Multimedia- 9am, Telkom v KU Titans -11am

National Men: Gorilla v Daystar University – 5pm

Daily Nation

Khelo India Games Hockey: Punjab, Haryana girls record second straight win

NEW DELHI: Punjab and Haryana overpowered their respective rivals to chalk out their second successive victories in the girls hockey competition of the Khelo India School Games at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Friday.

While Punjab trounced Odisha 7-2 in pool B, Haryana brushed aside Uttar Pradesh's challenge 3-0 in a pool A encounter. In other matches of the day, Jharkhand outplayed Chhattisgarh 12-0 and Chandigarh accounted for Delhi 4-1.

Haryana, who had beaten Jharkhand 4-2 in the opener, played to a plan and outlasted Uttar Pradesh. After a barren first half Haryana took the lead in the 45th minute through Anu. Then Jyoti made it 2-0 in the 60th minute and five minutes later Sharmila tripled the lead.

Punjab faced little resistance from Odisha and were 3-0 up in the first session. They pumped in four more in the second session while conceding two. Simranjeet scored three goals while Baljeet contributed two, Amandeep and Mitali chipped in with a goal each. Aten Topno scored both the goals for the losing team. Punjab had beaten Chandigarh 3-1 in their opening fixture.

In the second match of pool A, Jharkhand recorded their first win as they humbled Chhattisgarh.

Jharkhand led 5-0 at half time. Beauty Dung Dung with four goals led the charge, she was followed by Priya Dung Dung who scored three. Rajni Kerketta, Ropni Kumari (two each) and Anjana Dung Dung (one) were the other goal getters.

For Chhattisgarh, this was their second straight defeat, having lost to Uttar Pradesh 0-7 in the first game. Delhi also suffered their second loss as they went down to Chandigarh 1-4 in the last fixture of the day.

RESULTS

Pool A (Girls)

Haryana beat Uttar Pradesh 3-0
Goal scorers: Anu, Jyoti and Sharmila (one each)

Jharkhand beat Chhattisgarh 12-0
Goal scorers: Beauty Dung Dung (4),Priya Dung Dung (3) Rajani Kerketta, Ropani Kumar (two each), Anjana Dung Dung (one)

Pool B (Girls)

Punjab beat Odisha 7-2

Goal Scorers for Punjab: Simranjeet Kaur(3) Baljeet Kaur (2)Amardeep Kaur, Mitali (one each)

Goal scorer for Odisha: Aten Topno (2)

Chandigarh beat Delhi: 4-1

Goal scorers for Chandigarh: Kavita, Amritpal Kaur, Preeti, Akshita Yadav (one each)

Goal scorer for Delhi: Deepi

The Times of India

Mark Hopkins is the new South African Hockey Men’s Coach


Photo - Marcel Sigg / Run Ride Dive

Mark Hopkins has been named as the head coach of the South African Men’s Hockey for the period up to and including the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup in India. The new coach succeeds Fabian Gregory, who stepped down after the FIH World League Semi-Finals in South Africa, and interim head coach Sheldon Rostron who completed the unheralded double gold at the African Hockey Cup of Nations.

“The process to select the next national coach was a robust process that has identified the best candidate for the job,” shared David Viney head of the High Performance at SA Hockey, “we are confident that Mark has the right approach that will take the programme in the right direction and we look forward to seeing the progress under his guidance”

Born and educated in Solihull, England, Mark played schools hockey for his county, Warwickshire and then The Midlands. He first came to South Africa in 1997 and settled in Cape Town coaching at SACS and playing for the Constantia club, before returning to England in 1999. For the next six years, he coached at the University of Wales in Cardiff and also became involved with Welsh hockey coaching right through from under 16 to senior level with both the men and ladies teams.

He answered the call from the Bloemendaal club in Holland in 2007. This club is among the biggest club sides anywhere in the world, and he was Youth Director as well as the being involved in the coaching setup. In 2010 he turned to the world of business and went to Vietnam to join a World Talent Group before coming to Johannesburg last year. In 2009 Mark married a Durban lady, Lindsay, so that was an easy decision to want to return as Lindsay had been out of South Africa for some 13 years

Hopkins then started lighting up his name on the South African Hockey radar when he took up the mantle of Southern Gauteng men collecting a silver and a gold medal in 2015 and 2016 IPT’s respectively. He also featured as a coach of the Garden Route Gazelles at the Premier Hockey League and led Riverside Hockey Club to the 2017 Riverside Elite Club Challenge title.

When not involved in hockey, Hopkins spends as much time as possible with his 8-year-old son, the youngest ever finisher of the Midmar Mile. He also loves spending time in the bush and hiking.

“I am honoured to be given the opportunity to take on the role of national head coach and I look forward to working with an outstandingly talented group of players. I believe in creating the right environment for the players to be as successful as they can be,” Hopkins shared “I am excited by the young talent we have in our system. I truly believe the hockey community in South Africa can be immensely proud that we have a pool with this level of talent in.”

Hopkins first assignment will be the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April, while an eye will be firmly on the FIH Hockey World Cup later in the year as major ranking points will be up for grabs. Hopkins will be keen to get South Africa back up the rankings table.

Tim Drummond, the captain of the South African Hockey Men, shared his thoughts:

“The announcement of the new coach Mark Hopkins is very exciting for this talented squad of players. We have a hugely important year with the World Cup at the end of November. The Commonwealth Games in April will be an excellent opportunity for some members of the South African Men’s squad to experience a multi-sport event and prepare for the World Cup in India.

Mark will bring some fresh ideas and a positive mentality to all things on and off the pitch, which I know the players will enjoy having worked with him before. He is driven and ambitious and I know he will get the best out of each member in the greater squad.

The squad is gaining great momentum after winning Africa Cup last October and this appointment will definitely motivate the squad to strive to not only be better players but more importantly, role models for the young players in South Africa.”

South African Hockey looks forward to Mark taking charge and wish him all the best for the year ahead.

SA Hockey Association media release

Gregg Clark joins Canadian Men’s National Team as Assistant Coach


Clark (left), dons his coaching headset and watches as Team Canada plays against Ireland in the first game of the five nations tournament in Malaga, Spain.

The off-field pieces continue to come together for the Men’s National Team as South African Field Hockey great, Gregg Clark is appointed assistant coach. Paul Bundy’s head coaching appointment was announced in November and now he is surrounding the team with experts in the field as they march towards the World Cup in the fall.

As a player, Clark went to two Olympic Games, two World Cups, and two Commonwealth Games during his 11-year career with the South African Men’s National Team. His 250 caps for South Africa still stands as the most by any South African player in history. He adds to that an immense coaching career spanning the last 10 years including experience with top international sides and club teams. He coached South Africa’s Men’s National Team from 2007-2012 including two Olympic Games, a World Cup and a Commonwealth Games. He also coached the Ranchi Rhinos to a Hockey India League Championship in 2013.

Clark has recent experience with the Canadian national team, hopping on board last year to assist Bundy with the squad at World League Round 3 and the Pan American Cup. His experience with the team motivated him to stay involved and continue to contribute.

“The team’s performances and results in World League Round 3 last year were evidence with the right amount of focus, dedication and application this team is bound for bigger and better things,” Clark said.

Head Coach Paul Bundy believes that the team can benefit greatly from having an experienced hockey mind around them at events and during competition. He said he has a successful track record as a coach and player and will bring a lot of value to the team.

“Gregg understands the team culture and he provides great support to the team and staff,” Bundy said. “…and as an out-of-town coach, living in Cape Town, he comes with a fresh view and will be able to watch the team grow from a different perspective.”

As Bundy said, Clark will be living in Cape Town, South Africa and joining the team on tours and at events throughout the year. As a result, Bundy said, he won’t see the incremental gains from the day-to-day training environment but rather sees the major changes and how they are implemented in competition. Matt Sarmento, a veteran forward on the Canadian Men’s National Team, echoed Bundy’s sentiments regarding Clark’s value to the team.

“He’s such a well-respected guy in the global field hockey community. He brings that fresh perspective when he works with us at events. It’s nice to have a different voice contributing,” Sarmento said.

Clark is with the team right now in Malaga, Spain and said that he is looking forward to all the competition the team has upcoming this year. He thinks the team can continue to build off of the positive results from last year and move towards the World Cup with confidence.

Field Hockey Canada media release