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All the news for Wednesday 7 March 2018

27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (M) - Day 3
Ipoh (MAS)

Results

MAS - ARG 2 - 1
IND - AUS 2 - 4
ENG - IRL 4 - 1

Pool Standings

Upcoming 7 March 2018 (GMT+5)

16:05 AUS - IRL
18:05 ARG - ENG    
20:35 IND - MAS

FIH Match Centre

Malaysia stun Argentina

By Jugjet Singh

MALAYSIA beat world No 2 Argentina 2-1 in a heart-stopping Azlan Shah Cup match in Ipoh Tuesday.

And now, coach Stephen van Huizen's men must beat India Wednesday to have a chance of finishing among the top-four.

By half-time, Malaysia led World No 2 Argentina with goals from Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (20th) and Najmi Jazlan (28th).

Lady luck was also on Malaysia's side, as just before the half-time hooter, Argentina were awarded a penalty stroke but Juan Gilardi's attempt was stopped by goalkeeper Hairi Rahman.

Tengku's classic goal came after he squeezes the ball past Argentina keeper Juan Vivaldi in a goalmouth melee, while Najmi deflects a cross from Faizal Shaari from close range.

However, just after the restart, Argentina pulled one back when Diego Paz is left unchecked inside the Malaysian circle and he deflects a pass from well outside the circle from Pedro Ibarra in the 32th minute.

With seven minutes to go, Faizal Shaari is handed the yellow card, but Malaysi still went on to hold onto the slim lead for a fantastic victory.

In an earlier match, World No 1 Australia beat India 4-2 to maintain a strong grip on the standings.

India defended well in the early stages, but there was no denying Australia glory in the third and fourth quarter of the match.

Five-time Azlan Shah Cup champion India are in trouble now, as they have lost two matches and drew one so far.

Australia took the lead off a Mark Knowles penalty stroke in the 28th minute while the other goals were scord by Aran Zalewski (35th), Daniel Beale (41st) and Blake Govers (43rd).

India came back strongly in the last quarter with two goals, the first came from an own goal by Jeremy Edwards (52nd) and the second off Ramandeep Singh (53rd).

In another match, England sent Ireland crashing to their third defeat with a clinical 4-1 victory with goals from Barry Middleton (15th, 59th) and Sam Ward (37th, 51st).

The Irish goal was scored by Julian Dale (39th).

RESULTS: England 4 Ireland 1, India 2 Australia 4, Malaysia 2 Argentina 1.

WEDNESDAY: Australia v Ireland (4pm), Argentina v England (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.30pm).

THURSDAY: REST DAY.

STANDINGS
                  P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA         3  3  0  0  11 4  9
ARGENTINA         3  2  0  1  9  7  6
MALAYSIA          3  2  0  1  7  5  6
ENGLAND           3  1  1  1  6  6  4
INDIA             3  0  1  2  5  8  1
IRELAND           3  0  0  3  5  13 0

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

Well done, boys! Malaysia stun Olympic champs Argentina

By Kng Zheng Guan


No, you don’t: Malaysia’s Muhd Marhan Jalil (right) trying to get past Argentina’s Agustin Bugallo during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match in Ipoh yesterday. — SAIFUL BAHRI/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia rose to the occasion to stun Olympic champions Argentina 2-1 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup men’s hockey tournament.

Veteran Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin gave the home team the lead in the 20th minute before Najmi Farizal Jazlan scored what turned out to be the winner in the 28th minute at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.

Diego Paz pulled one back for Argentina in the 32nd minute to set up a frantic finish in one of the most entertaining match of the championship.

But try as they might, the world No. 2 Argentina just couldn’t break down a spirited Malaysian side skippered by Razie Rahim.

It is Malaysia’s first victory over Argentina in 17 years. The last time they beat Argentina was in 2001 with a 4-2 win.

Yet despite being heavily stacked against the odds, coach Stephen Van Huizen’s team started the match on the front foot and earned the first two penalty corners in the first quarter.

Although they failed to convert, it gave them the belief to attack their more fancied opponents.

And the efforts paid off in the 20th minute after 32-year-old Tengku Ahmad skilfully sneaked the ball past Argentine goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi in a goalmouth scramble.

The goal stung the South Americans into action and they earned two penalty corners but specialist Gonzalo Peillat couldn’t convert.

Then, against the run of play, Malaysia scored again.

A quick attack down the left flank saw Faizal Saari direct a pass into the circle. Defender Najmi, who was an unlikely presence in attack, was in the right place at the right time as he knocked the ball past Vivaldi.

Argentina almost hit back immediately as they earned a penalty stroke following two penalty corner attempt by Peillat.

But goalkeeper Hafizuddin guessed the right way to deny Juan Gilardi and Malaysia took a two-goal lead into half-time.

Argentina came out breathing fire after the break and pulled one back in the 32nd minute after a long pass by Pedro Ibarra caught the Malaysian defence napping and Paz duly tapped home.

But that was as far as Argentina got as they just couldn’t find a way past Malaysia.

Even Peillat, who has six goals to his name so far, fired blanks despite having seven penalty corners in total.

The win is certainly one to savour for Stephen’s men after they were twice beaten – 4-2 and 2-1 – at the World League semi-finals last year.

The win also means Malaysia are tied with Argentina with six points although they are in third place due to goal difference.

World champions Australia currently lead the six-nation standings with nine points, after getting their third straight win by beating India 4-2 in an earlier match.

In another match, England registered their first win of the competition by thumping Ireland 4-1.

Malaysia, the lowest ranked team in the tournament at No. 12, will now look to carry their good form when they play India today.

Argentina on the other hand will look to bounce back when they meet England.

RESULTS

England 4 Ireland 1
Australia 4 India 2
Malaysia 2 Argentina 1

TODAY’S FIXTURES

Australia vs Ireland 4.05pm
Argentina vs England 6.05pm
Malaysia vs India 8.35pm

The Star of Malaysia

Kookaburras Remain Perfect At Azlan Shah Cup

Ben Somerford



The Kookaburras have maintained their perfect record and remain top of the standings at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after a 4-2 victory over India in Ipoh, Malaysia on Tuesday night.

Australia piled on three goals in the third quarter after captain Mark Knowles, who will retire after the upcoming 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, scored the only goal of a tight first half from a penalty stroke in the 28th minute.

Aran Zalewski (35’), Daniel Beale (41’) and Blake Govers (43’) all hit the scoresheet in a dominant third term as Australia capitalised on their numerical advantage after Amit Rohidas’ 39th minute yellow card.

India grabbed two goals in the final quarter via Ramandeep Singh to ensure Australia couldn’t relax, but the Kookaburras did enough.

The result means Australia have claimed three wins from three matches and are on track to qualify for Saturday’s final.

The victory was also another positive sign for the Kookaburras ahead of the Commonwealth Games, having now beaten England, Malaysia and India who will all be contenders on the Gold Coast.

Australia won the key statistics with 11 shots to six, 59 per cent possession in the opposition half and more penalty corners, of which they converted one from four.

Beale had the first chance of the game inside the opening two minutes but was well saved by India goalkeeper Krishan Pathak.

India had two decent opportunities of their own before quarter-time but Kookas keeper Andrew Charter was too good on both occasions.

Chances were few and far between in the second term before Australia won a penalty stroke when Beale’s goalbound shot hit Mandeep Mor’s boot on the line. Knowles stepped up and fired to Pathak’s right for his 30th international goal.

Australia dominated the third quarter with Zalewski converting Dylan Wotherspoon’s cutback, before Rohidas was yellow carded for repeated fouls.

Beale capitalised when he poked home from close range at the second attempt, with Govers also converting with a second bite of the cherry from a penalty corner.

Ramandeep ensured it remained tense, with his cutback deflected in off Jeremy Edwards, before lashing in a powerful reverse stick finish to make it 4-2.

The Kookaburras are next in action on Wednesday against Ireland from 7pm AEDT live on Fox Sports.

Australia 4 (Knowles 28’, Zalewski 35’, Beale 41’, Govers 43’)
India 2 (Ramandeep 52’, 53’)

Hockey Australia media release

Cards hamper India's game as Australia maintain winning run in tournament

Sundeep Misra


Indian hockey team in action against Australia. Image Courtesy: Facebook Hockey India

In a crazy sort of a way, the third quarter unravelled in completely opposite ways for both India and Australia. India, playing solid defensive hockey with flashy runs that rattled Australia constantly and even had their goalkeeper Andrew Charter hopping around like a padded bunny. Only a stroke converted in the 28th minute by their captain Mark Knowles separated both the teams. And by the time the third quarter madness of Aussie goals and a clutch of cards for India ended, the scoreline read 4-0, enough to ping back any team. And India, by the way, was playing the World Champion and nine-time Azlan Shah Champion. Yet they came through, getting two goals in the fourth quarter, but Australia stood firm to run out 4-2 victors on a day when goals and cards ran a parallel story of their own.

It’s been a long time since India had so many cards within three matches in a tournament. Worse, they always seem to be playing with ten instead of a solid eleven lined up. The display showed it. India in the first two quarters played deep, compact without any unnecessary flourish. They understood the plan. The Aussies had to be kept away and at the same time, aerial balls and long hits through the midfield and on the flanks to be used to get goals at the other end. The strategy was good. And the game plan was working. Runs down the flanks by Ramandeep Singh and Sumit Kumar kept the Australian midfield pegged back. The world’s best side is not used to deep defending for long periods of time. In the early part of the second quarter, Ramandeep, picking up balls from the midfield, cut through like a speeding machete. Overlapping was Sumit and Shilanand Lakra running like they had wheels under them. Andrew Charter, hoping for a quiet time against a side that had decided to rest 8-10 senior players was saving snap shots and quick runs with either his outstretched pads or timely interventions by the gloves.

With exactly two minutes left on the clock for the break, a goalmouth melee led to a stroke, the ball bouncing awkwardly as an Indian foot couldn’t get out of the way. It was a cruel way to end resistance. And the man who came up to take it was Aussie captain Mark Knowles. His flick was on target as Australia led 1-0.

But India had a counter with a minute on the clock. Another fast run gave India its first penalty corner of the match. Varun Kumar, till then almost flawless in the defence, with fluent ball rotation flicked hard and strong. But saw the defence beaten as the ball hit the post and rebounded back into play. The break was proving elusive.

With two quarters done, the team that must have been feeling relieved were surely the Aussies. Not that they didn’t have opportunities as Tom Craig twice had almost dismantled the Indian defence but Surender and then Krishan Pathak had held him off. Leads are like aphrodisiacs and India urgently needed a shot of adrenaline. Doubts also creep in and even good teams kind of develop a drooping shoulder stance if chances and opportunities don’t translate into goals.

The Indian coach would have told the young bunch to carry on strongly and search for goals. But even he wouldn’t have imagined that India in their search for the equaliser would end up with green and yellow cards. Sumit had already got a green in the 21st minute. Daniel Beale had flashed some extraordinary skill that Suraj Karkera, who replaced Pathak had to advance into the middle of the circle to save. But in the very next minute, another rash push and Amit Rohidas was shown the green card. India was down to ten men for two minutes. Pressure was building up as Australia moved down the left flank with Trent Mitton, twisting and turning like a magic wand and his push beat an advancing Karkera for a diving Aran Zalewski to tap in.

Within a minute off the green card to Rohidas, Australia led 2-0. The Aussies also had two penalty corners, Mitton, the player creating and flicking them. Off the second, Knowles had a clear look but the reverse hit blazed into the side netting. India was surviving. Rohidas was back in two minutes and then yet again a flash of rashness and the defender shoved his stick into the path of Mitton after being beaten by the Aussie forward. This time it was a yellow. And Rohidas was off again, this time for five minutes. Rohidas hadn’t even settled in the sin bin when Daniel Beale had the easiest of taps to make it 3-0. In the 40th minute, still down to ten men, Australia had their third penalty corner. Karkera saved but the rebound fell to Blake Govers who hammered it in. Australia led 4-0. In the space of five minutes, one green and yellow card, three goals had been pumped in. If inexperience had ever been punished, this was it.

The Aussies, four goals in front, were now moving in for the kill. It almost seemed that they would use the fourth quarter to ravage the Indian defence. But suddenly, India found momentum, again down the flanks, as they moved with Ramandeep whose flick was directed towards Gurjant Singh, already sliding in towards the anticipated deflection. But the ball hit Jeremy Edwards stick and went in. India had pulled one back.

In the 53rd minute, Shilanand Lakra, found space on the right flank and sped in, pushing towards Ramandeep who turned and on the reverse hit surprised the Aussie goalkeeper as the World Champion’s lead had been cut to 2-4. Australia’s fourth penalty corner was saved by Karkera and off a counter; Nilakanta Sharma got India’s second penalty corner of the match. But the effort was wasted as the push wasn’t stopped cleanly. Time ran out as Australia won 4-2, their 81st win in 122 matches against India. It’s an amazing piece of statistics. India has a 66 percent defeat ratio against Australia, something that should make the management cringe.

Australian Coach Colin Batch said, “The first half was very close. We scored the goal and right after the 2nd quarter we had to defend a penalty corner. Obviously, we got the breaks in the 3rd quarter. Lots of lessons for us today and we are not happy with the way we finished the match.”

The Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne lashed out at the cards in the match but also said that he was very proud of the team. “Three quarters of the game we were better,” said Marijne. “One quarter, we played with ten players. If we had eleven players, we could have done much better. The positives for me are the way we played in the last quarter and also in the match. We also need to be realistic about the team we were facing.” Marijne also blamed the hard tackles and said the players must understand what they are doing. “Of course we have two more matches to go against Malaysia and Ireland and we will need to keep playing at the same pace and hope we don’t get cards again,” said Marijne.

Marijne said progress is being made in every match. India has played three, lost two and drawn one. On Wednesday, they play hosts Malaysia who on Tuesday’s last match of the day beat Olympic Champions Argentina 2-1. The winning momentum will be with the hosts. We may be proud of our performance, all that is fine and dandy but if sport has a soul, wins are succour for it. Solidarity, sacrifice and a team that is constantly competing are signs of progress. Maybe, two wins out of two could now be a sign of maturing.

Firstpost

Scoring lessons for India from Australia

s2h team



Aggressive Australia taught India a few lessons in the art of scoring when handed over a strong 2-4 defeat despite struggling to contain the rival's forwards in the entire first half. However, the opportunistic team built on a stroke goal obtained by Mark Knowles to add three more goals in Quarter Three to keep India win-less after three matches in the 27th Azlan Shah Cup. Its third win for formidable Australia in as many as matches while India is yet to post a win in three matches.

India got a consolation goal, an unintended body deflection from Jeremy Edwards on a baseline minus pass from hardworking Ramandeep Singh. Sumit dived to connect but before that luck favoured India in the form of Edwards. The self goal came six minutes into last quarter (1-4). Next minute same Ramandeep got a minus from Sumit on the right and just whacked into the board (4-2) to the right of stranded Andrew Charter.

India made a brilliant start making known their attacking mode unlike the previous match against England where their defensive approach pleased none. Ramandeep Singh played a feeder role to perfection with his straight hit landing Sumit who was just facing goalie.Sumit could take shot but goalie Andrew Charter blocked a tap in from rebound just missed the other post.

This attack came moments after Krishan Pathak dived to his right to stop a Craig's easy near the goal push. It was

Two minutes before half time, Australia got a penalty stroke which captain Mark Knowles effortlessly converted, placing the ball to the right of goalie Pathak, who dived correctly but got beaten by the pace.

On resumption, Indians looked jaded and overcrowded in their defence. Australia made use of the situation and enlarged the lead. They also got two penalty corners within first 8 minutes but could not convert due to sloppy flicks, leaving substitute goalie Suraj Karkare need to anything spectacular.

Shortly later, Araon Zwaleski added one more after a brilliant effort from right flank.

Amit Rohidas, hero of India's first match, got a yellow while tripping a speeding midfielder in midfield, leaving India with a man less.

In this spell, Australia added three goals including the above.

Absence of a man less perhaps affected the mindset of Indians, who crumbled. Blaise Govers latched on to a rebound coming off Suraj in the third penalty corner exercise.

India's two goals in a minute electrified the crowd, and when they got a penalty corner off a clever play from Nilakanta Sharma, it appeared India will further narrow down the gap. But the pushed ball not stopped properly on the top edge and thus the opportunity went up in smoke.

Stick2Hockey.com

Ramandeep steps up, but indiscipline hurts India once again

India succumbed to another defeat, this time against the World No 1 side.

Bibhash Chatterjee


Image: Hockey India

In the end, it was another similar story for the India hockey men’s team as they faced their second defeat in three games in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, going down 2-4 against World Champions Australia.

India coach Sjoerd Marijne fielded a young side against the top ranked team in the world who arrived at the tournament with their full strength. There’s, of course, no shame in losing to the best side in the world. A defeat was on the cards, yes but to their credit, India had their moments during the match that could have altered the eventual outcome.

A draw was a possibility, but then lack of discipline and finishing once again came to hinder India.

And of course, penalty corners - India’s Achilles heel.

Here are the talking points from the game.

Defensive lapses

India started the game with caution but towards the end of the first quarter, they were dictating terms. Australia were being outrun by the young India squad with 19-year-old Dipsan Tirkey going toe-to-toe with the Australian strikers as was Sumit. India’s defence looked tall and sturdy and was under very little pressure in the early stages. Or rather, didn’t seem like. The fearless approach must have taken the Kookaburras by surprise.

The second half also saw India on top but towards the end, a defensive lapse saw the men in blue concede a penalty stroke and Mark Knowles scored his 30th international goal to give the Kookaburras a 1-0 lead.

In the third quarter, Australia showed their might as they outclassed India in every department. Before you knew it, Australia were 4-0 up as India’s defence crumbled. Aran Zalewski, Blake Govers and Daniel Beale scored.

But it is worth noting that the last two goals came for Australia when Amit Rohidas was on the sidelines because of a yellow card due to which India were down to 10 men for five minutes. In a game that they registered 38 fouls, the one by Rohidas in the third quarter when he was pedalling back in midfield proved to be the most costly.

It was a similar story against Argentina in the opener as well.



Lack of finishing

Along with the lack of indiscipline, India have also struggled in front of goal during the entire course of this tournament. India could have been 1-0 up in the first quarter as Ramandeep Singh’s exquisite pass found Shilanand Lakra, and two other forwards with just the goalkeeper to beat, and the trio somehow conspired to miss the chance. Credit to Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter who pulled of an amazing save offf Lakra, however, on the rebound, the ball meet Sumit’s stick who failed to capitalize as the ball went wide.

India made nine circle entries during the match, with a majority coming in the first two quarters. However, none were converted into goals. This shows that India are creating chances, but finishing is a cause of concern.

When you add poor penalty conversion rate of the team into the mix, the final product lacks flavour. India yet again failed to convert the two penalty corners they won - drawing a blank for the second game running - with Varun Kumar the culprit, missing both chances. Australia converted one in the four chances they got.

Till date in the tournament, India have won 14 penalty corners and have converted only two. Such a poor conversion rate is bound to hurt the team.
Ramandeep Singh shines

In the fourth quarter, however, Australia were hit by back-to-back goals by Ramandeep. The 24-year-old was at his sublime best. He made deep runs and was quick on his feet and always looked to create space and score. Even against Argentina and England, he was one of the outstanding performers for India. All he required was assistance from the midfielders and strike partner Gurjant Singh.

Ramandeep is one of the senior players in the squad and has played more than 100 matches for the country. That’s the sort of experience that this team doesn’t have in Malaysia. While Sardar Singh’s performances from the midfield haven’t exactly been awe inspiring, Ramandeep is leading the line by example. A chance at making the final maybe out of this team’s grasp but with games coming up against Malaysia, Ireland and England, the youngsters should be inspired by their frontman’s performance against the Aussies and look to replicate it, starting against the hosts on Wednesday.

A little inspiration and a lot of discipline could still see this Indian team get something out the tournament.

Scroll.in

Australia too good for a listless India

Second loss for Sardar Singh and his men in three games


Indian hockey players in action against team England during Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018, at Ipoh in Malaysia earlier. Photo Credit: PTI

A listless India went down to Australia 4-2 for its second loss in three matches, pushing it out of the race to reach the final at the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey here.

Late goals by Ramandeep Singh (52 and 53 minutes) were only enough to avoid a whitewash against table topper Australia, which got its goals through Mark Knowles (28), Aran Zalewski (35), Daniel Beale (38) and Blake Govers (40).

A golden opportunity was lost in the eighth minute when a swift assist from Ramandeep to Shilanand Lakra could not get past Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter. Though the rebound was taken by Sumit, his shot on goal went wide.

Though the team’s defence kept Australia from making forays into the circle in the first quarter, an infringement in the 28th minute saw the Indian team concede a penalty stroke. Skipper Mark Knowles fired the ball past Krishan Pathak like to give his team a 1-0 lead.

In the 35th minute, a superb pass by Tom Craig in the baseline was effortlessly picked up by Zalewski and the latter’s diving effort ensured the ball went past Suraj Karkera.

The 3-0 lead came by when Beale scored a splendid field goal in the 38th minute. Govers later converted a PC as he brilliantly picked up a rebound that came off Karkera’s pads.

The final quarter saw India mount a comeback effort with Ramandeep scoring back-to-back goals in the 52nd and 53rd minutes.

The results: Australia 4 (Mark Knowles 28, Aran Zalewski 35, Daniel Beale 38, Blake Govers 40) bt India 2 (Ramandeep 52, 53); England 4 (Barry Middleton 15, 59; Sam Ward 37, 51 ) bt Ireland 1 (Julian Dale 39).

The Hindu

First Azlan Shah win for England


England v Ireland Sultan Azlan Shah 2018

England secured their first win of the 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup with a gritty performance against Ireland.

Despite the quick turnaround and stifling humidity there was plenty of effort and endeavour on show as both Barry Middleton and Sam Ward scored with diving efforts to give England an two goal lead.

A penalty corner goal from Julian Dale threatened to get the Irish back in contention in the third quarter as the game began to open up.

But Ward and Middleton netted their second strikes in the final quarter – the latter after a superb run by Liam Sanford – to secure the three points.

After a tentative start, Mark Gleghorne thought he had opened the scoring in the 8th minute from a penalty corner, only for it to be disallowed as the ball had not left the circle.

David Goodfield’s deflection on an Ian Sloan pass brought a save from Jamie Carr four minutes later before Middleton opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter, sliding in at the back post to divert a clever corner from Roper past the Irish ‘keeper.

Ireland had their own corner goal chalked off in the 18th minute as Shane O’Donoghue’s effort was deemed dangerous after deflecting off Gleghorne’s hip.

The game once again settled into an attritional rhythm for the rest of the first half, with only Ian Sloan’s penalty corner in the 22nd minute causing either defence any concern as it was blocked on the line.

England then doubled their lead in the 37th minute as Ward flung himself to get a touch on Phil Roper’s dangerous cross after neat work down the right by Harry Martin, before Dale hit back two minutes later.

That sparked the game into life, James Gall forcing a brilliant save from Carr and Gleghorne hitting the crossbar from a corner before Kirk Shimmins flashed a dangerous ball across the circle.

Carr was then on hand to keep out further efforts from James Gall and Gleghorne in the final quarter but could do nothing to stop Ward doubling his personal tally in the 49th minute after a lovely pass from Adam Dixon.

Sanford then produced a moment of brilliance as he charged forward in the final minute before setting up Middleton to slot the ball into an open goal.

England next opponents are Argentina at 1000 GMT tomorrow, a game which you can watch on the FIH’s YouTube channel.

Starting XI: Pinner (GK, C), Willars, Martin, Ward, Roper, Dixon, Middleton, Creed, Goodfield, Condon, Sanford

Subs: Gibson (GK), Weir, Griffiths, Sloan, Gleghorne, Ansell, Gall

England Hockey Board Media release

England Edge Encounter With Green Machine



There weren’t many clear-cut chances in the opening half as both teams looked happy at times to slow the game down due to the heat and humidity. Paul Gleghorne and Jonny Bell controlled the back line for Ireland, and tried to create opportunities with pinpoint passes as the English press rarely ventured over the half way line in the opening exchanges. In the 8th minute it looked as if Mark Gleghorne had given England the lead from a penalty corner drag flick but an umpire referral found the ball hadn’t left the circle and the goal was disallowed. Jamie Carr made a smart reaction save as Ian Sloan sent a pacey ball into a crowded circle looking to break the deadlock. The English goal came from experienced Barry Middleton as he slid in at the back post to deflect Phil Roper’s PC shot past Carr. Eugene Magee won the Green Machine’s only corner of the half but another goal disallowed as Shane O’Donoghue’s shot was deemed to have hit the first runner high. England accumulated 6 PC’s in the opening half but otherwise the encounter was honours even with Ireland holding 48% of possession and neither goal keeper troubled much as the teams sat mainly in between the two 25’s trying to create space. 

It was the second half when the game started to come to life and the goals began to flow as the intensity increased. Sam Ward got his first goal in the 37th minute as he dove in front of goal to get a vital touch on Roper’s pass. Carr made several fine saves throughout the second half as Gleghorne and Liam Ansell both attempted shots from close range. Julian Dale won Ireland’s second PC and then converted with a powerful shot past George Pinner as the momentum appeared to swing back in Ireland’s favour. Kirk Shimmins very nearly levelled the game with superb 3D skills to get himself into the circle, only for his shot to spin past the far post. The game slipped away from the Green Machine in the final 9 minutes as Ward got his second, again in front of goal for the close-range shot. Jonny Bell stepped on as kicking back as Ireland chased a goal but a counter attack led by Liam Sanford saw the ball fall to Middleton who passed into an empty goal to make it 4-1 in the final minute.

The Green Machine are back in action again tomorrow against world number 1 side Australia at 8:05am Irish time.

Azlan Shah Cup

Ireland 1 (Dale)
England 4 (Middleton x2, Ward x2)

Starting: J Carr, J Bell (Captain), C Cargo, A Sothern, E Magee, S O’Donoghue, S Murray, M Robson, P Gleghorne, L Cole, S Loughrey

Subs: M Bell, S O’Connor, K Shimmins, J McKee, J Dale, M Ingram, S Cole

Ireland Schedule (all times listed are local - GMT+5):

March 3rd at 20:30 Ireland 1 vs 4 Malaysia
March 4th at 18:00 Ireland 3 vs 5 Argentina
March 6th 16:00 Ireland1 vs 4 England
March 7th 16:05 Ireland vs Australia
March 9th 18:05 Ireland vs India
March 10th Final Placing Matches

Irish Hockey Association media release

Indian women's hockey team beats South Korea 3-2 in second match

INCHEON (South Korea): Indian women's hockey team registered their second consecutive victory of the South Korea tour as they defeated hosts 3-2 in the second match of the five-match series here at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre on Tuesday.

Goals for India were scored by Poonam Rani (6'), skipper Rani (27') and Gurjit Kaur (32') while Yurim Lee (10') and Jungeun Seo (31') scored for Korea.

With the confidence levels high after their victory in the first match on Monday, India started the first quarter aggressively by making attacking forays inside the opposition's half, and were rewarded for their efforts as Poonam Rani scored for the visitors in the sixth minute to give her side the lead. South Korea also had chances in the first quarter as they were awarded two PCs, and made a comeback into the match by converting the first one through Yurim Lee in the 10th minute to make the scores 1-1. The hosts could have taken the lead in the latter stages of the first quarter but India defended well to save the second PC as the teams ended the first period locked at a goal apiece.

The second quarter saw South Korea start off from where they left in the first quarter as they won back-to-back penalty corners to put India under pressure. However, the visitors stuck to their task as they defended well as a unit, with their young goalkeeper Swati making crucial saves to deny the hosts from going in front. With the pressure piling on India, it was a brilliant team-move from the visitors on the counter which saw captain Rani find the back of the net to give her team an important 2-1 lead in the 27th minute. The teams went into half-time with India leading by a single goal, but with South Korea having the better chances in the opening half-hour, the hosts looked to make them count in the last two quarters.

India did not start the third quarter well as they conceded an early goal in the 31st minute when South Korea's Jungeun Seo scored a field goal to equalize for the second time in the match. However, India's forwards produced some precise passing and purpose to win a penalty corner in the 32nd minute which was well-converted by Gurjit Kaur to give the visitors the lead for the third time in the match. South Korea did not throw in the towel, and with almost 25 minutes still to play in the match, they showed fight to unnerve the Indian defence which saw them win a penalty stroke in the 34th minute. But to the hosts' disappointment, the PS was saved by Swati.

It was an important last quarter in the context of the match as South Korea looked to find the equalizer while the visitors looked to hold on to the lead. The hosts tried to win back possession quickly and played some aggressive hockey in the final quarter but the Indian defence stood tall to the task and mustered out a resolute defensive performance. In the final few minutes, the hosts played with 11 outfield players, but India's grit and determination made sure that the team registered their second consecutive victory and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

India will play their third match of the series on Thursday.

The Times of India

Mannheim revel in chance of battling Rotterdam and a noisy home crowd


©: Frank Uijlenbroek/world Sport Pics

Mannheimer HC trio Philipp Huber, Paul Zmyslony and Danny Nguyen are looking forward to taking on HC Rotterdam and a big home crowd when they line out at the EHL KO16 on March 31.

The German champions are embarking on their third EHL adventure having reached the KO8 last year in Eindhoven and the KO16 in 2011.

They will face the home hosts in their first outdoor match of 2018 with the German league not set to return for them until April 8. The first half of the season saw them record seven wins from 11 and sit in second place behind Rot-Weiss Koln.

Looking forward to the EHL KO16, defensive boss Philipp Huber (pictured) is looking forward to building on an excellent 2017, one in which he also made the breakthrough into the German international team and played at the World League final in Bhubaneswar.

“It’s gonna be a great game with an awesome atmosphere in Rotterdam. That’s why you want to play EHL – playing against the best in front of great fans. The first EHL game of this season will be a big one for us. We’ll be 100% motivated – no fear, just anticipation!

“Our team has changed since we won the German championship. We needed to find our rhythm with the new squad in the first half of the season and we integrated young talents and it went pretty well.”

Zmyslony has been one of their main goalscorers, netting six times – second only to corner ace Gonzalo Peillat who has 10 – and he agrees with Huber about the way his side has coped with the transition of players.

“It’s not easy to start a season with a changed team and at the same time being reigning German champion. So, we did not really know how this season would go.

“But after the first three games, a derby win against TSV Mannheim 3-1, away against Uhlenhorst Mülheim 2-5 win and the 3:6 loss in Rot-Weiss Köln, we knew this team will work and fight.

“I am happy that I could add six goals to the successful first half and I will definitely score one against Rotterdam. Let’s see if Hertzberger is able to score one against us!”

Nguyen has been part of the engine room of the team along with his older brother Tino and was part of the German panel for both the World League final and the Indoor World Cup.

“We know our strength,” he said of their chances. “Not the best first half of the season, but we just need more time on the field with this team. The potential of this team is huge.

“We are mentally strong after all the knock-out matches in the last year. We will be perfectly prepared for the KO16 and ready to beat any team. Rotterdam better be prepared, because Mannheim will fight until the very end!”

Euro Hockey League media release

Top four make a break from the rest in Spanish league


©: Frank Uijlenbroek/world Sport Pics

Club Egara were the biggest scorers over the weekend in Spain as they ran up a 5-1 win at Atletic San Sebastian as the top four forged a gap between them and fifth placed Atletic Terrassa.

For Egara, first quarter goals Xavi Aguilar and Franc Dinares gave them a flying start before Josep Lluis Novell made it three in the second half. San Sebastian got one back but late goals from Pau Quemada from a corner and Marc Garcia-Chicote pushed Egara to a 5-1 win.

Real Club de Polo remain top thanks to a 3-2 win at CD Terrassa. Max Plennevaux and Alex Casasayas had Polo flying high at 2-0 but Oril Garreta had CD back in the game before half-time.

A Borja Llorens corner stretched the lead to 3-1 but Polo were never fully safe after Marc Miralles cut the gap with 25 minutes to go.

Club de Campo remain second thanks to their 3-1 win over RS Tenis, Ignacio Rodriguez, Leandro Tolini and Alvaro Iglesias scoring the goals.

Junior FC strengthened their hold on fourth spot with a 2-1 win over FC Barcelona while Atletic Terrassa now have five points to make up on the playoff places after they drew 2-2 at home with SPV Complutense.

The Spanish league takes a break for the Copa del Rey this weekend before round 12 takes place on the weekend of March 17 and 18.

Euro Hockey League media release

Hockey camps begin to prepare for Youth Olympics qualifiers

AGRA: The Indian  junior men's and junior women's national hockey camps began on Tuesday for the upcoming five-a-side Youth Olympic Games qualifiers which will be held in Bangkok between April 25-29.

The 40 campers will undergo close to seven weeks of laborious training under the guidance of their coaches here, Hockey India (HI) said.

The national camp is aimed at preparing these young players for the biggest tournament for them this year which is the Youth Olympic Games qualifiers. The campers will be ready for the five-day qualifiers which will be a tough test as the best teams from across Asia will be taking part in the tournament in Bangkok.

India's hockey teams are eyeing their maiden appearance at the Youth Olympic Games. The 2018 edition will be held in Buenos Aires in October.

HI High Performance Director David John said the players have been selected after impressing in the Sub Junior National Championships.

"One of the main criteria for their selection was also their age as the ones who are born between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2003 have only been selected which is in accordance to the guidelines prescribed by FIH and Youth Olympic Games," John said.

The campers:

Junior Men:

Goalkeepers: Sabyasachi Minz (Hockey Odisha), Tanuj Gulia (Hockey Haryana), Prashant Kumar Chauhan (Uttar Pradesh Hockey)

Defenders: Sukhjeet Singh (Hockey Chandigarh), Dinachandra Singh Moirangthem, Akshay Avasthi (Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy), Sanjay (Hockey Chandigarh)

Midfielders: Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem (Manipur Hockey), Yashdeep Siwach (Hockey Haryana), Maninder Singh (Hockey Chandigarh), Neeraj Kumar Waribam (Manipur Hockey), Bharat Thakur (Hockey Punjab)

Forwards: Sunny Malik (Hockey Haryana), Jai Prakash Patel (Steel Plant Sports Board), Mohd. Saif Khan (Sports Authority of India), Mohd. Alishan (Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy), Shivam Anand (Uttar Pradesh Hockey), Rahul Kumar Rajbhar (Uttar Pradesh Hockey), Sudeep Chirmako (Hockey Gangpur-Odisha), Simranjot Singh (Hockey Punjab).

Junior Women:

Goalkeepers: Khushboo (Hockey Bhopal), Bichu Devi Kharibam (Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy)

Defenders: Priyanka (Hockey Haryana), Salima Tete (Hockey Jharkhand), Ishika Choudhary (Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy), Neelam (Hockey Haryana)

Midfielders: Baljeet Kaur (Hockey Punjab), Jiwan Kishori Toppo (Hockey Gangpur-Odisha), Chetna Rathi (National Hockey Academy), Preeti (National Hockey Academy), Mitali (Hockey Punjab), Philicia Toppo (Hockey Gangpur-Odisha)

Forwards: Sangita Kumari (Hockey Jharkhand), Deepika Soreng (Hockey Jharkhand), Mumtaz Khan (Uttar Pradesh Hockey), Lal Rindiki (Hockey Mizoram), Reet (Hockey Haryana), Deepika (Hockey Haryana), Rutuja Pisal (Hockey Maharashtra), Rojita Kujur (Hockey Gangpur-Odisha).

The Times of India

SSTMI forward Akhimullah the one to beat at MJHL

By Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Forward Muhd Akhimullah Anuar Esook is a lethal weapon for Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt and will pose a threat to other teams in the Division One of the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL), which begins today.

Last year, he helped the Johor Sports School to win the overall title by netting 17 goals to become the top scorer in the Under-19 league.

The 18-year-old has the potential to be the next top striker in the country because of his dribbling skills and speed.

And the 2020 Project squad player proved in the senior Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) as he was not intimidated playing against foreign players.

He featured for Tenaga Nasional and did well to score five goals in the MHL.

Akhimullah from Kuala Terengganu said that he was pleased with his performance in the senior league but believe that he has to continue improving his game.

“My ambition is to be a national player and to achieve that I need to play consistently in every game in the junior league,” said Akhimullah.

“My mission is to help SSTMI win the double – league and overall title. I also want to score as many goals as possible in the league to win the top scorer award for the second consecutive time,” he said.

SSTMI will be the team to beat as they have retained – Mohd Aidil Mohd Shah, Muhd Arif Syafie Ishak, Syarman Mat Tee, Muhd Shahairul Rusyaidi Abdullah, Muhd Shahrin Izzuddin Shamsuri, Mohd Muhibuddin Moharam, Amirul Firdaus Shamsudin, Shello Silverius, Che Shahrul Azmi Che Saupi, Muhd Fitri Khairul Ariffin and Muhd Amirul Hamizan Azhar – who played for them last year.

Syarman and Shello are experienced players who played for Tenaga in the recent MHL.

Ten teams will feature in Division One and other teams in the fray are last year league champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS)-Thunderbolt, SSMS Resilient, SMK Datuk Bentara Luar-UniKL-PHJ, Pahang Hockey Academy (AHP)-SSP Thunderbolt, Anderson Thunderbolt, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Tigers, SSTMI and MSNSSN Young Lion Perlis.

SSTMI-Thunderbolt will open their campaign against SMK Datuk Bentara Luar-UniKL-PHJ today at the Batu Pahat Hockey Stadium.

SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Abdul Rahman said they are happy to produce a calibre player like Akhimullah, who is an asset to his team.

“He has shown his maturity in the MHL and hopes that he will shine in the junior league,” said Wan Roslan.

“We will face a strong challenge from SMK Bentara Luar-UniKL as they held us to a 1-1 draw last year.

“Playing the first match is always tough but I have faith in my players that they will go all out to collect full points,” said the teacher, who guided SSTMI to win double – league and overall titles four times from 2012 to 2015.

The Star of Malaysia

The female officials Pressing for Progress



Throughout this week, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is celebrating International Women's Day (8 March) by highlighting the progress being made across all levels of the sport thanks to inspiring females. Today we look at the role of officials and how hockey is helping this group develop both on and off the field.

They are the amateurs who match the professionals step for step. They are the people who hold down top jobs while finding time to travel the world to play their part in sporting success. They are mothers, wives, partners and daughters. As one of their number, Claire Druijtsfrom the Netherlands, said: “We are the only 12 women umpires to have experienced the 2018 Indoor Hockey World Cup and we should be proud of that.”
 
Druijts was one of five umpires who joined together for a round-table discussion about what being a top female umpire means. The others around the table were: Ana Faias from Portugal; Michelle Meister of Germany; Vilma Bagdanskiene from Lithuania and Australia’s Emily Carroll.

“Wherever we come from, we have the same emotions, the same reactions to certain situations...I realise there is no difference between men and women. Sport makes us stronger, we have to make many steps to achieve confidence and sport is a means of getting there.”
Vilma Bagdanskiene, FIH Umpire

Five women from five very different backgrounds but sharing the common cause of ensuring that the Fifth Women’s Indoor World Cup went smoothly.
 
Their reasons for going into umpiring varied: slipped discs, injured knees, family commitments that meant a choice between umpiring and playing, but their desire to get to the top of the sport was a common thread.

Meister is a case in point. For several years a top player, when she hurt her back she wanted to remain in the game she loved, but it wasn’t enough to just umpire, Meister has worked hard to be at the very top of the game – there is a barely suppressed pride when she says: “And it is something I am not too bad at.”
 
Among the points under discussion was the crossover between working life and umpiring. Being able to remain calm under pressure is an obvious point that both Faias – a personal trainer from Portugal – and Meister – a geographer in her day job – agree upon. “It has helped me get the right balance between my emotional side and my analytical side,” says Faias. “That is something I have definitely taken into both my personal and professional life.”
 
For Bagdanskiene, it is the ability to see both sides of a story and make a fair decision based on the facts. She says this is true of umpiring and, since she has become a mum to two boys, life away from the pitch. She says she has needed to work on being tough when necessary and admits: “I still hate handing out cards.”
 
Druijts started umpiring at 14 when her coach told her playing group that they needed to learn the rules. A knee injury put paid to a promising hockey career but her knowledge and application of the rules has developed to elite standards. For the chirpy Dutch woman, umpiring has helped her to deal with the unexpected, whether that is on the pitch in the middle of a tournament or when she is at work.
 
The group spoke about how becoming umpires and progressing to elite standard had given them all self confidence in many areas of their lives. Australian Carroll, who is a Policy Officer and mother to a small child, admits that she is quite a shy person. Travelling the world, getting to know new people, rooming for two weeks with near strangers and taking to a stage where thousands of people are watching have combined to cure her shyness to an extent.
 
As Bagdanskeine says: “We have been through the ups and downs of being unsure of ourselves. We are umpiring at a level now that shows we are competent. That certainly helps confidence.”
 
She adds that being among the umpiring community for an intense period of time can reinforce that self-belief. “Having someone who understands what you are talking about is a great help. I find people back home in Lithuania might ask how things went [at a tournament] but they don’t understand the things you want to talk about. It’s a different reference point. Only the hockey family can do that for you.”
 
Much talk is given over to the players learning from mistakes, but as Druijts points out, this is true of umpires too. It is all too easy to slink away and dwell on a bad decision.

As with the players, the best umpires learn from the mistake and move on. “It is not just about getting to the top of the game,” says Druijts. “It is also about getting through the bad times. Just as you do in your job. Any decision you make – good or bad – will help you become the person you are. You might get to a situation and think ‘Ah, I did it that way last time, this time I will try another way’. That is all part of the learning process.”
 
Probably one of the most poignant statements from the five participating umpires came from Bagdanskeine. She spoke of the way mixing with umpires and players from other cultures had helped her ‘break down the walls' that existed in her head. “I know that no matter where we come from, we are the same. When we are umpiring we are all the same and we should all treat each other with respect.
 
“Wherever we come from, we have the same emotions, the same reactions to certain situations. Especially as a woman, this makes me more confident. I realise there is no difference between men and women. Sport makes us stronger, we have to make many steps to achieve confidence and sport is a means of getting there.”
 
And Druijts reminded everyone around the table why they do what they do: “In one week we will not be together anymore, so we must live in the moment. We are sometimes so busy getting to the top that we forget what we have achieved. That is not only with sport but with all life. Around this table are mums at the top level, professionals at the top level and umpires at the top level.”

Ensuring a clear and professional career path for aspiring female umpires is one of the cornerstone commitments of the FIH's Hockey Revolution which aims to make hockey a global game that inspires future generations.

Their development and performances are inspiration to other women across the world aiming to make it to the top of their careers. As such they are playing an incredibly important role in empowering women through the sport of hockey, a sport which prides itself on being Equally Amazing.

With this year's International Women's Day movement calling on action to press forward and progress gender parity, FIH is encouraging everyone involved in our sport to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. Join the movement: #PressForProgress

FIH site

Vale Shirley Francis (Kay)

Ben Somerford



Hockey Australia is saddened to learn of the passing of Shirley Francis (Kay) on Monday 5 March 2018.

Shirley was a former Australian international player, representing the national team 15 times and scoring 11 goals between 1963 and 1967.

She was also a Western Australian representative from 1961 to 1967 and was inducted into the WA Hall of Champions.

Shirley debuted for her state as a 15-year-old during a golden period for WA. She was a dynamic centre forward with uncanny goalscoring ability, speed and incisive ball control.

She debuted for Australia in 1963 against Canada and scored a double on debut. She scored six goals in her first three international games as part of a tour of the United States.

Shirley, who moved to Adelaide later in life, also played for Surf (now YMCA) in WA, winning four grand finals (1962, 1964, 1965 and 1966) and competing in six.

On behalf of the entire hockey community, Hockey Australia offers our sincere condolences to the family of Shirley Francis (Kay).

Hockey Australia media release