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ALl the news for Sunday 24 June 2018

Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 - Day 1
Breda (NED)

Results Day 1
IND v PAK (RR)     4 - 0
NED v ARG (RR)     1 - 2
AUS v BEL (RR)     3 - 3

Fixtures 24 Jun 2018 (GMT+2)
12:00     IND v ARG (RR)
14:00     NED v BEL (RR)
16:00     AUS v PAK (RR)

Pool Standings

FIH Match Centre

India and Argentina both claim wins on opening day of Men’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018


Argentina's Matias Paredes hit a late winner to give Los Leones a victory over hosts the Netherlands on Day 1 in Breda. Copyright: FIH / World Sport Pics

Asian continental champions India and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallists Argentina both made excellent starts to their respective campaigns at the Men’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018, claiming crucial early victories against Pakistan and Netherlands on the opening day of competition in Breda. Australia and Belgium were also in action, contesting a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final match of the day.

The competition started with the ever-intriguing meeting between Asian rivals India (FIH Hero World Ranking: 6) and Pakistan (WR:13), with India taking all three points with a 4-0 victory. All of the goals came from open play, with Birendra Lakra putting India in front four minutes ahead of half time before Dilpreet Singh doubled the advantage by wrong footing the goalkeeper and firing into an unguarded net with six minutes of the match remaining. In an effort to chase the game, Pakistan replaced goalkeeper Imran Butt with an outfield player, but it was the Indians who benefitted from the switch as Mandeep Singh - who netted the 3000th goal in men’s Champions Trophy history - and Lalit Upadhyay completed the scoring.

“We are really happy to get the three points today as the first match is always so important”, said India captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh after the contest. “It is always incredible when we play against Pakistan and it is hard not to enjoy the game. If you look at the history of the Champions Trophy we have never won this prize, so our aim is to create history here.”

The second match of the day saw host nation European champions the Netherlands (WR:4) up against the Olympic and Pan American champions Argentina (WR:2). It was Los Leones who emerged triumphant, claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to a late strike from Matias Paredes, who forced home from close range with 45 seconds left on the clock. A field goal from Mirco Pruijser gave the home favourites the lead in the 14th minute, with Argentina’s penalty corner master Gonzalo Peillat restoring parity with a blistering flick into the roof of the net four minutes after half time ahead before Paredes’ late winner.

Argentina’s Pedro Ibarra said: “I think we played a good game but it was difficult, especially being the first game of the tournament as we were a little bit nervous. It is good to get a victory against Holland in Holland, it is a really good start for us.”

The Australia (WR:1) versus Belgium (WR:3) contest was a milestone match for Red Lions captain Thomas Briels, who marked his 300th senior international appearance and by creating the opening goal of the game. Briels' cross into the circle from the right was not effectively cleared by Australia, with Cedric Charlier pouncing from close range to give the Red Lions the early advantage of the 14-time Champions Trophy winners. However, the Kookaburras soon showed why they are the top ranked team in the game by scoring twice in two minutes, as open play strikes from Trent Mitton and Lachlan Sharp turned the match on its head. The momentum shifted back Belgium’s way when they took a 3-2 lead thanks to field goals from Arthur de Sloover and Tom Boon, but a low penalty corner drag flick from Australia’s Jeremy Hayward ten minutes from the end made it 3-3 and ensured that the points were shared.

"I thought it was a really good game, a high level game and it could have gone either way”, said Belgium captain Briels after the match. “I think we were the better team in the third quarter and could maybe have scored more goals, but I think both teams were quite lucky to get away with a draw.”

On making his landmark 300th appearance, Briels said: “It has been 11 years and I haven’t really been counting, and the years have gone past very fast. I’m very proud and always happy to play for Belgium. We have a great team and we hope to bring home a trophy.”

The Men’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 continues on Sunday 24 June with another packed day of top class hockey action. Three matches will take place in Breda, with Asian champions India and Olympic title holders Argentina getting things underway at 12:00 Central European Standard Time (UTC+1), before host nation Netherlands face neighbours Belgium at 14:00. The final match of the day sees reigning champions Australia taking on Pakistan at 16:00. Spectator tickets for the event are still available. For more information, please click here.

A full schedule as well as broadcasting and official competition information can be found on FIH.CH, with extended coverage coming via the FIH social media channels.

#HCT2018

FIH site

Stats Speak: Mandeep Singh scored the 3000th goal in annals of Champions Trophy (men) Hockey

Sardar to play 300th match today

By B.G.Joshi (Sehore-Bhopal, India)

India beat arch rivals Pakistan by 4-0 in the opening match of Breda CT. India defeats Pakistan after 13 years in the history of CT. Previously India won in league match in Chennai CT 2005. In that match Soorma(biopic film title) Sandeep Singh have netted twice in 3-2 Indian’s triumph. Yesterday (June 23) Mandeep Singh’s goal (3rd goal of the match) has written in record book as 3000th goal of CT.

Milestones of the goals in CT are:

 India-Pakistan: head to head Total:  173, India wins: 60, Pakistan wins: 82, Drawn: 31, Goals for India: 350, Goals for Pakistan: 393.

Today Sardar Singh will play 300th match of his career. Sardar will be sixth Indian to  achieve this feat after  Dilip  Tirkey(412); Dhanraj  Pillay(339); Baljit Singh Dhillon(327);Pargat Singh(317)  and Mukesh Kumar(307).

Fieldhockey.com

Defenders impress as clinical India swat aside Pakistan 4-0 in opener

Sundeep Misra


India beat Pakistan 4-0 on Saturday. File image/ AFP

Just when you thought allowing Pakistan back into the match would prove to be a dampener, the Indian defence showed exemplary discipline, built a foundation so tight that Fort Knox looked like sloppy security and then, like a patient vulture, swooped down and killed off the prey with three goals in six minutes. The 4-0 scoreline may look rich, but behind it was the substructure laid by the Indian defenders. Ramandeep marked his comeback into the side with a well-deflected goal in the second quarter, but India then had to contend with an in-form Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt who brought off three superb saves.

Pakistan pushed India hard, especially in the third quarter where they enjoyed a 60 percent ball possession. But time and again, Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Varun Kumar and Surender Kumar showed calmness amidst the chaos in the Indian midfield. It was apparent that Pakistan would use the third quarter to press and Surender, along with Lakra and Harman, used the dribble, aerial balls and deft footwork to take away the ball from Pakistan sticks that threatened to find an equaliser and make India’s job difficult.

Things opened up in the 54th minute when a long ball from the defence found Simranjeet Singh. Getting past a Pakistan midfielder, Simranjeet saw acres of space in front and let loose a pass that cleanly cut the defence in half, leaving Muhammad Irfan floundering. Dilpreet trapped the ball on the run and deftly flicked it past a confused and onrushing Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt. It was a goal for the ages; combining vision, dexterity and that gift that only a few get, the touch of a born striker. Dilpreet, all of 18, has years to mature and be a true striker.

Two goals up, Pakistan had no option but to open up space between the defence and midfield. Harendra, on the sidelines, would have smacked his lips in glee. The gates were opening up. Patience and the plan of finishing Pakistan was paying off. But then, in a surprising move, Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans removed the goalkeeper and put in a kicking back. Of course, it’s always a gamble. But with ball players like India’s and a midfield that had started asserting itself, it seemed slightly too early. And the break came off the flank when Mandeep made good of a cross and swept into the Pakistan striking circle from the right and gleefully pushed into an empty goal. At 3-0, the match was dead.

In between the hooter and a split-second early, Ramadeep’s cross found Lalit who deflected it into Pakistan’s goal. A video referral was needed to make sure the goal happened a before the hooter.

Slightly relieved at India's win, Indian coach Harendra said, “I am happy that what we planned, we executed.”

“I have always maintained that if you play a solid defence line, through balls and counter attacks get that much more dangerous.”

But it wasn’t easy in the first three quarters. Oltmans, as promised, used a structure at the back with Muhammad Irfan leading it as a free man. He marshalled the defence, rotated the ball and kept away the Indian forwards. Pakistan’s possession in the first three quarters read 53, 41 and a whopping 60 percent. If India couldn’t close off the match early, it was because they missed two penalty corners in the first two quarters. Flanks were used less and the midfield was sluggish, not using the space to good effect.

India lost quite a kfew balls in and around the space before the Pakistan striking circle. If India struggled in the third quarter, it was because of unforced errors coming off almost all the players — Lakra losing it on the right, Manpreet committing errors while tackling, Simranjeet Singh losing in a one-to-one situation and Sardar’s soft pass going to a Pakistan stick. It built pressure.

Then, it looked like Pakistan had scored in the third quarter, via Ajaz Ahmad. Harmanpreet was the first to turn to the umpire and ask for a video referral. The Indian defender contended that the ball had touched a Pakistan leg before reaching Ahmad. The referral denied the goal and the scoreline was back to 1-0 in India’s favour. Later, Pakistan had a PC but the flick was high and bounced off Amit Rohidas’ shoulder. The umpire had already deemed it as dangerous play.

Pakistan’s press was tight and they ran in from both flanks. India held off the attacks. The defenders were clinical, calm and worked like surgeons, head down. Earlier in the quarter, a lovely move off Manpreet saw the rising hit deflected by Vivek Prasad and Imran Butt had to fling himself to his right to save it. If it had come off, it would have been a spectacular goal. In between, India did miss sharp chances and gave belief to Pakistan that an equaliser could turn the tide.

Oltmans' only hope was to get the goals and bring in uncertainty for the Indian players. That didn’t happen and when the third quarter finished, Pakistan’s tiring legs opened up space in the midfield. Even Sardar ran into the Indian defence to shore things up. Once Harmanpreet lost the ball and as Pakistan attacked, Sardar raced back, stole the ball away and created a counter by a flank pass.

Sreejesh didn’t have much to do except in the first quarter when he made a few saves off Pakistan’s impressive flank runs. Harendra was pleased with the defence but said a winning start is always needed to create momentum.

“In fact, the tournament starts from tomorrow (Sunday),” he said. “We play Argentina, the Olympic Champions and they are a tough cookie. We lost to them in the warm–up match and we will plan better and play to their weakness and strength.”

On the penalty corners, the coach said he wasn’t too perturbed that India missed the two they got but he said, “We need more PC’s to make an impact.”

Almost every player was mobbed by the fans with Sardar getting special treatment. “I have to be thankful to everybody that I am back in the team and that they believed in me,” said Sardar. “The matches with Pakistan are usually a little tense and it was good to get it out of the way.”

Sardar plays his 300th international against Argentina on Sunday, quite a landmark in what is a hugely physical sport. When asked, he merely smiled and said, “The credit goes to the fans, my parents and the coaches.”

Harendra had special praise for Sardar, saying in a time when there is so much hockey and the demands of training are more, it’s remarkable that the former captain is playing his 300th match.

“I salute such players who make it past 300,” said Harendra. With less than 24 hours to go before India take on the Olympic Champions, Argentina, a winning result would be the perfect gravy for an Indian team that would like to celebrate their most experienced player’s landmark match.

Firstpost

Pakistan crawl on all fours

Sreejesh-led India crush Pakistan 4-0 after pumping in three goals in last quarter


Dilpreet Singh (left) scored the second goal for India in the 54th minute on Saturday. HI

India blanked arch-rivals Pakistan 4-0 to open their campaign on a rousing note in the final edition of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament.

India scored four field goals with comeback man Ramandeep Singh opening the account in the 26th minute. Young Dilpreet Singh (54th), Mandeep Singh (57th) and Lalit Upadhyay (60th) scored one goal each.

Pakistan’s Ali Shan scored an opportunistic goal in the third quarter but the goal was disallowed for a foul after Harmanpreet Singh asked for the referral. Minutes later, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a fine save to deny Toseeq Arshad. While the Indian strikers were on the target, the defenders also produced a superlative show to keep Pakistan’s forward line at bay. India, eyeing their maiden Champions Trophy title, will play reigning Olympics champions Argentina in their next round-robin league match tomorrow. In another match of the day, Argentina beat the Netherlands 2-1. Gonzalo Peillat (34) and Matias Paredes (60) scored for the winning side. Mirco Pruijser (14 min) scored for the losing side.

Later, Australia drew 3-3 with Belgium.

Results

India 4-0 Pakistan: Ramandeep Singh (26th min), Dilpreet Singh (54th), Mandeep Singh (57th) Lalit Upadhyay (60th)
Argentina 2-1 Netherlands: Mirco Pruijser (14 min), Gonzalo Peillat (34), Matias Paredes (60)

The Tribune

India crush Pakistan 4-0 in opening match


Ramandeep celebrated scoring. PTI file photo

India blanked arch-rivals Pakistan 4-0 to open its campaign on a rousing note in the final edition of the Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament in Breda on Saturday.

India scored four field goals with comeback man Ramandeep Singh (26th, 60th min) scoring a brace. Young Dilpreet Singh (54th) and Mandeep Singh (57th) were the other scorers.

India once again reasserted their supremacy over Pakistan as they clinically decimated the arch-rivals. Coming into the tournament on the back of a disastrous Commonwealth Games campaign at the Gold Coast, where they finished a disappointing fourth, the Indians scored four fantastic field goals to make intentions clear that they meant business here.

Ramandeep, who was dropped from the CWG squad, answered his critics in style finding the net in 26th minute before young Dilpreet Singh (54th), Mandeep Singh (57th) and Lalit Upadhayay (60th) too joined the scorers list.

India, eyeing its maiden Champions Trophy title, will play reigning Olympic champions Argentina in their next round-robin league match on Sunday.

The win also marked a positive start to India's chief coach Harendra Singh's fourth stint with the senior national side. Harendra took over the reigns of the team after swapping roles with Sjoerd Marijne, following India's dreadful CWG campaign.

The Indians looked a compact side in all departments of the game with the strikers utilising the opportunities that came their way while the defence came up with a superlative show during the entire 60 minutes to keep Pakistani forwards at bay.

The dominating victory also can be looked upon as a sweet revenge for India after Pakistan, which is being coached by former India coach and High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans, scored a late equaliser to eke out a 1-1 draw in Gold Coast.

The Indians started positively and applied pressure on the Pakistani defence from the word go and in the process secured a penalty corner in the 13th minute but Harmanpreet's attempt was saved by goalkeeper Imran Butt.

India got another set piece soon after the start of second quarter but once again wasted the chance.

But it didn't took long for India to break the deadlock. In the 26th minute Ramandeep deflected in a Simranjeet Singh's reverse pass to start the proceedings.

A minute before half time, an agile Butt once again came to Pakistan's rescue keeping away Vivek Prasad's deflection from top of the circle as went into the break with a slender one goal advantage.

Pakistan, however, came out all guns blazing after the change of ends and dominated the proceedings in the third quarter with repeated raids but failed to break the resolute Indian defence.

Two minutes into third quarter, Ali Shan scored an opportunistic goal but to their dismay found the goal being disallowed for a foul after India's Harmanpreet Singh asked for the referral.Minutes later, Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a fine save to deny Toseeq Arshad.

Pakistan kept up the pressure and earned a penalty corner in the 43rd minute but to no avail. After successfully weathering the storm, India doubled its lead in the 54th minute through 17-year-old Dilpreet, who beautifully picked up a long pass from Simranjeet and then dodged past an onrushing Butt to slot home.

Down by two goals, Pakistan were forced to withdraw its goalkeeper for an extra player but the move backfired as Indian pumped in two more goals in an open net in a span of three minutes to register the convincing win.

First Mandeep tucked in an empty net a measured long ball from Varun Kumar and then Lalit dived full stretch to deflect in Ramandeep's pass just at the stroke of hooter to add salt to Pakistan's woes.

Daily News & Analysis

India beat Pakistan 4-0 in Champions Trophy opener

BREDA (Netherlands): India once again reasserted their supremacy over Pakistan as they clinically decimated the arch-rivals 4-0 in the opening match of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Saturday.

Coming into the tournament on the back of a disastrous Commonwealth Games campaign at the Gold Coast, where they finished a disappointing fourth, the Indians scored four fantastic field goals to make intentions clear that they meant business here.

Ramandeep, who was dropped from the CWG squad, answered his critics in style finding the net in 26th minute before young Dilpreet Singh (54th), Mandeep Singh (57th) and Lalit Upadhayay (60th) too joined the scorers list.

India, eyeing its maiden Champions Trophy title, will play reigning Olympic champions Argentina in their next round-robin league match on Sunday.

The win also marked a positive start to India's chief coach Harendra Singh's fourth stint with the senior national side. Harendra took over the reigns of the team after swapping roles with Sjoerd Marijne, following India's dreadful CWG campaign.

The Indians looked a compact side in all departments of the game with the strikers utilising the opportunities that came their way while the defence came up with a superlative show during the entire 60 minutes to keep Pakistani forwards at bay.

The dominating victory also can be looked upon as a sweet revenge for India after Pakistan, which is being coached by former India coach and High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans, scored a late equaliser to eke out a 1-1 draw in Gold Coast.

The Indians started positively and applied pressure on the Pakistani defence from the word go and in the process secured a penalty corner in the 13th minute but Harmanpreet's attempt was saved by goalkeeper Imran Butt.

India got another set piece soon after the start of second quarter but once again wasted the chance.

But it didn't took long for India to break the deadlock. In the 26th minute Ramandeep deflected in a Simranjeet Singh's reverse pass to start the proceedings.

A minute before half time, an agile Butt once again came to Pakistan's rescue keeping away Vivek Prasad's deflection from top of the circle as went into the break with a slender one goal advantage.

Pakistan, however, came out all guns blazing after the change of ends and dominated the proceedings in the third quarter with repeated raids but failed to break the resolute Indian defence.

Two minutes into third quarter, Ali Shan scored an opportunistic goal but to their dismay found the goal being disallowed for a foul after India's Harmanpreet Singh asked for the referral.

Minutes later, Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a fine save to deny Toseeq Arshad.

Pakistan kept up the pressure and earned a penalty corner in the 43rd minute but to no avail. After successfully weathering the storm, India doubled its lead in the 54th minute through 17-year-old Dilpreet, who beautifully picked up a long pass from Simranjeet and then dodged past an onrushing Butt to slot home.

Down by two goals, Pakistan were forced to withdraw its goalkeeper for an extra player but the move backfired as Indian pumped in two more goals in an open net in a span of three minutes to register the convincing win.

First Mandeep tucked in an empty net a measured long ball from Varun Kumar and then Lalit dived full stretch to deflect in Ramandeep's pass just at the stroke of hooter to add salt to Pakistan's woes.

The Times of India

India trounce Pakistan 4-0 in hockey Champions Trophy opener

Abdul Ghaffar

India beat Pakistan 4-0 as they faced off on the hockey turf for the opening match of the 37th (and last) edition of the Champions Trophy Men’s tournament held in the Netherlands city of Breda on Saturday.

But the game wasn't as one-sided as the scoreline of 4-0 might suggest. In fact, India led by just one goal up until the 54th minute of the one-hour long match.

However, a domino effect of sorts then followed, with the green shirts conceding three goals within the last six minutes.

According to a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) press release, the last two goals of the match came when Pakistan replaced the goalkeeper with an outfield player. All the Indian goals came through open play.

Ramandeep Singh scored at 26, Dilpreet Singh at 54, Mandeep Singh at 57 minutes, and Lalit Upadhay within the last minute of the game.

Also read: Champions Trophy: An era set to end with Breda event

According to match statistics provided by PHF, the green shirts possessed the ball 50.7 per cent of the time.

But in a match like this, it all boils down to availing chances and here India outclassed Pakistan, ending up the winners.

Former national hockey team player, Khwaja Junaid, who won the bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, lashed out at the team's poor performance.

"The results of appointing a foreign coach are starting to show," he said criticising the PHF's decision to appoint Roelant Oltmans as Pakistan's new coach. He said it was pitiful to see the side defeated by India (whom he considers a weak team) after having spent a month in Holland for training.

Apart from host team the Netherlands, India, and Pakistan, the other teams participating in the tournament are Australia, Argentina, and Belgium. The matches will take place from June 23 to July 1.

The tournament will be replaced by the Hockey Pro League (HPL) in 2019.

Dawn

India thrash Pakistan 4-0 in opener



ISLAMABAD: India defeated Pakistan by 4-0 in the opening match of the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands on Saturday. Pakistan put forwarded additional player by withdrawing its goal keeper in the last five minutes of the game. The move backfired as it provided India an opportunity to score two more goals in the last stage of the game. India, who have never won a Champions Trophy title in hockey, were looking to put behind their miserable Commonwealth Games campaign in the match against archrivals Pakistan, who looked for their fourth Champions Trophy title.

Earlier before this match, Pakistan faced India in the Champions Trophy was during the 2014 edition of the tournament, where Pakistan beat India 4-3 in the semi-final after a nail-biting encounter. Despite losing the final to Germany 2-0, Pakistan’s performance in the semi-final is still seen as one of their more memorable performances in the tournament. Pakistan won the inaugural edition of the Champions Trophy held in Lahore in 1978 when they beat Australia in the final. Four years later, Pakistan picked up their second title beating Germany in Karachi. The last time Pakistan picked up the Champions Trophy title was in 1994 in Lahore, when they beat Germany (7-6) on penalty strokes.

Not only do Pakistan have three titles under their belt, they have finished as runner-up seven times in the tournament in 1983, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, and 2014.

On the other hand, the best India have fared in the tournament was the runners-up finish at the 2016 event in London, losing to Australia in a shoot-out.

Six teams are taking part in this year’s tournament, which is the last edition of Champions Trophy. The tournament will be replaced by the Hockey Pro League (HPL) in 2019. Apart from hosts the Netherlands, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, India and Pakistan are taking part in the tournament from June 23 to July 1.

The Daily Times

Three Goals a Piece in Intense Champions Trophy Showdown

Rob Muir


Jeremy Haywood scored the equaliser.

Australia and Belgium have played out an intense three all draw in their Champions Trophy opener in Brenda, Netherlands, Sunday morning.

It was a free-flowing game with the Belgians putting the pressure on from the get-go. A single goal for Belgium in the first quarter saw Australia on the back foot but a goal from Trent Mitton and Lachlan Sharp in the second quarter gave Australia the lead into the half-time break.

The third and fourth quarters remained much the same as the first two as Belgium put in two goals. Jeremy Hayward secured the draw with a flick from a penalty corner leaving both teams with one point each from their first game.

The draw means that Australia sits tied for third spot behind India and Argentina who both had wins in their first game. With four games remaining Australia will be looking to put some wins on the board if they are to secure a berth in the final.

The Kookaburras are up again Monday against Pakistan 12am AEST.

The game started a very even affair with both teams having promising runs through the midfield. Belgium was first to score in the 9th minute through Cedric Charlier after a missed clearance from Tyler Lovell.

The second quarter saw Australia build some momentum which resulted in two quickfire goals from Mitton and Sharp in the 20th and 21st minute respectively, seeing Australia through to half-time with the lead.

The third quarter remained much the same, with both teams having a number of opportunities to score. Belgium continued to pressure the Australian defence and in the 37th minute, Arthur de Sloover capitalised on a missed trap in the D to level the score two all.

Belgium found the lead again in the fourth quarter through a goal from Tom Boon in the 47th minute but Australia was quick to level it up again through Hayward in the 50th minute with a penalty corner flick. The game remained 3 – 3.

Australia 3 (Mitton 20’, Sharp 21’, Hayward 50’)
Belgium 3 (Charlier 9’, de Sloover 37’, Boon 47’)

Hockey Australia media release

Hockey Series Open - Singapore 2018 (Men) - Day 1
Singapore (SGP)

HKG v MYA (RR)     2 - 6
THA v TPE (RR)     3 - 1
SGP v INA (RR)     7 - 0

Pool standings

Hockey Series Open - Singapore 2018 (Women) - Day 1
Singapore (SGP)

THA v HKG (RR)     4 - 0
MAS v INA (RR)     18 - 0
KAZ v SGP (RR)     3 - 0

Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Shamala: Dharmaraj's girls going to Asian Games

By Jugjet Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women started their Hockey Series Open campaign with a sizzling 18-0 win over Indonesia at the Sengkang Stadium in Singapore yesterday.

And there was more good news for the women, as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) will be sending them to the Jakarta Asian Games, even though the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has placed them on Category B, which is self-funded by the association.

Yesterday's win was a vast improvement from the 11-0 win at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.

The women play Hong Kong today, and another big win is expected as when both the teams met at the World League Round Two in Kuala Lumpur last year, coach K. Dharmaraj's charges won 9-0.

Malaysia, at world n 22, winn then meet Kazakhstan (34th), Thailand (28th) and Singapore (35th).

Hockey Series Open was known as World League Round One earlier, and it serves an an Olympic qualifier. The finalists move into the next round.

The match was also historical, as 15-year-old Kirandeep Kaur became the youngest player ever to play with the senior women's squad when Dharmaraj fielded her in the 11th minute itself.

The 18 were scored by Norfaiezah Saiuti (3rd, 4th, 23rd), Nuraini Rashid (11th, 22nd, 35th), Fazilla Sylvester (14th), Nuramirah Zulkifli (17th, 38th), Nuraslinda Said (19th, 20th, 41st), Nurmaizatulhanim Syafi (24th), Safiqah Mat Isa (26th), Zafirah Aziz (26th, 49th), Surizan Awang (43rd, 60th).

"We (MHC) received news yesterday (Friday) that our senior women’s team have been re-categorised from A (fully funded by OCM) to B (funded by the National Sports Association) and if we secure a medal finish we will be reimbursed.

"Irrelevant of whatever category our women’s team are in, just as our MHC President Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal has said earlier 'the girls are definitely going to feature at the Asian Games'," said MHC deputy president Datuk S. Shamala.

"We believe greatly that all the hard work the entire ecosystem has done tailoring for this edition of the Asian Games for the past 30 months with the dedication and extensive work of coaches Dharmaraj, Lailin Abu Hassan and Roslan Jamaluddin our girls will finish on the podium at the Jakarta Asian Games," said Shamala.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

Malaysian women hand Indonesia an 18-0 whipping

By Aftar Singh


In-form: Malaysia’s Norfaiezah Mohd Saiuti scored a hattrick in the win over Singapore.

KUALA LUMPUR: Favourites Malaysia blanked hapless Indonesia 18-0 in the opening match of the women’s hockey World Series in Singapore.

The players were in uncompromising mood against the Indone­sians, who will also feature in the Asian Games in Jakarta from Aug 18-Sept 2.

Three of them – Wan Norfaiezah Mohd Saiuti (3rd, 4th, 23rd), Nuraini Abdul Rashid (11th, 22nd, 35th) and Nuraslinda Said (19th, 20th, 41st) netted a hattrick each at the Sengkang hockey stadium.

Three others – Nur Amirah Shakirah Zulkifli (17th, 38th), Nur Zafirah Aziz (26th, 49th) and Surizan Awang Noh (42nd, 60th) – scored a brace each while the other goals were scored by Fazilla Sylvester Silin (14th), Nur Maizatulhanim Syafi Sheik Fuad (24th) and Nurul Safiqah Mat Isa (26th).

Coach K. Dharmaraj was delighted with his team’s performance.

“It was a good start and we made full use of the chances we created in the match. It also good to see that three players netted three goals each,” said Dhamaraj.

Malaysia’s next match is against Hong Kong today at 3pm.

In other matches, Hong Kong were outplayed 4-0 by Thailand while hosts Singapore were beaten 3-0 by Kazakhstan.

The Star of Malaysia

Ireland tie with Canada to claim Three Nations in Dusseldorf


Katie Mullan set Ireland on course for the draw. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Ireland got the draw they needed to win the Three Nations tournament in Dusseldorf, adding a tie with the Canucks to Thursday’s win over Germany.

Ireland got off to the ideal start as Katie Mullan put her side in front inside the opening three minutes. A cool head from Ali Meeke saw her skip away from two defenders to lay the ball back to Shirley McCay who sent a pin-point sweep to Mullan at the top of the circle.

Mullan then slipped her marker and fired a rocket into the corner on her reverse.

Canada built up decent periods of possession but didn’t threaten the Irish circle in the opening quarter. The Green Army got their first penalty corner in the 20th minute but Lena Tice’s sweep was well run down by the Canadian first runner.

A second corner followed minutes later and the slip at the top of the circle saw Chloe Watkins put the ball past Kaitlyn Williams but the goal was disallowed for obstruction.

Ayeisha McFerran had to be alert in the opening minutes of the second half as Stephanie Norlander found herself alone on the penalty spot when the pass came in but the Louisville keeper came sliding out to make the save.

But in the 35th minute Natalie Sourisseau got the equaliser for Canada as she demonstrated some good skill to find herself a gap in a crowded circle and scored on her reverse.

The Green Army won another corner, this time Anna O’Flanagan the instigator, but the Canadian defense cleared the shot. McFerran made another smart save with her boot as Brienne Stairs looked to almost walk the ball into the goal.

O’Flanagan came inches away from giving Ireland the lead as she pirouetted away from her marker but her snapshot just skimmed past the far post.

Canada notched up a couple of corners but they didn’t trouble the Irish defense and the Green Army created the better of the chances in the dying phases but the final touch just evaded them, and they shared the spoils with Canada.

Ireland’s final match of the series is against Germany tomorrow (June 24) in Dusseldorf at 12pm (Irish time) before final World Cup selection on Tuesday.

Three Nations Tournament, Dusseldorf
Ireland 1 (K Mullan)
Canada 1 (N Sourisseau)

Ireland: Y O’Byrne, N Evans, K Mullan, S McCay, E Beatty, G Pinder, A McFerran, H Matthews, A O’Flanagan, Z Wilson, A Meeke
Subs: G O’Flanagan, E Tice, N Carroll, S Loughran, C Watkins, L Colvin, D Duke

The Hook