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News for 01 July 2018

All the news for Sunday 1 July 2018


Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 - Day 7
Breda (NED)

Results

ARG v AUS (RR)     3 - 2
NED v IND (RR)

Upcoming 1 July (GMT+2)

11:30     BEL v PAK (5th/6th Place)
13:45     NED v ARG (3rd/4th Place)
16:00     AUS v IND (Final)

Final Pool standings

Rank Team Played Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Australia 5 3 1 1 13 10 3 10
2 India 5 2 2 1 10 6 4 8
3 Netherlands 5 2 1 2 13 7 6 7
4 Argentina 5 2 1 2 8 10 -2 7
5 Belgium 5 1 3 1 10 13 -3 6
6 Pakistan 5 1 0 4 7 15 -8 3

FIH Match Centre



Australia and India to face off in Men’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 final


India claimed a crucial draw against the Netherlands to reach the competition final in Breda. Copyright: FIH / World Sport Pics

The title match of the Men’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 will be a replay of the 2016 final as India booked their place in Sunday’s gold medal match, securing an all-important draw against host nation the Netherlands in front of a capacity crowd in Breda.

India came into the contest knowing that a point against the home favourites would be good enough to see them into the final, and produced a fine defensive display to keep alive their hopes of winning a first ever Champions Trophy title.

The showpiece final takes place on Sunday, with Australia looking to win the Champions Trophy for the 15th time. The day will also feature a bronze medal meeting between Netherlands and Argentina as well as a Belgium and Pakistan contesting the 5-6 classification match.

The opening match of the day was a clash between the reigning world champions and the Olympic gold medallists of Rio 2016, as Australia (FIH Hero World Ranking: 1) took on Argentina (WR:2) in a pulsating contest.

Argentina were much improved from their surprise 4-1 defeat at the hands of Pakistan on Thursday, proving to be more than a match for the reigning Champions Trophy title holders and 2018 finalists in the first two quarters. As he so often does, penalty corner king Gonzalo Peillat played a starring role in the first half, scoring two stunning low efforts either side of a striker’s finish from 19-year-old Kookaburra Tim Brand as Los Leones took a 2-1 lead into the half time break.

That score-line remained the same until six minutes from the end of the contest, when Peillat completed his hat-trick with another accurate penalty corner effort to give Argentina some breathing space at 3-1. Australia hit back almost immediately when Brand scored his second of the game with a wonderful backhand effort that flew into the roof of the goal, but Argentina held on for a victory that secured a place in Sunday’s bronze medal match and forced Belgium into the 5-6 classification match against Pakistan.

“It was a really tough match but we did it for us”, said Peillat, who has now scored six times in Breda and leads the race to finish as top scorer. “We really haven’t played a good tournament and this was our best performance so far. It was really good for the team to get some confidence.”

A capacity crowd were given a cracking show by home favourites the Netherlands (WR:4) and India (WR:6), with both sides showing full commitment in the race to secure a place in Sunday’s title match. The European champions went closest to opening the scoring when a brilliant turn and backhand strike from Robbert Kemperman forced a fine save from India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, while India’s counter-attacking threat certainly kept the Dutch defenders busy.

The Netherlands dominated the third quarter but could not find a breakthrough, as India showed excellent organisation in defence to keep the Dutch off the score-sheet. Despite the home favourites looking most likely, it was the Indians who broke the deadlock two minutes into the final quarter when Mandeep Singh pounced on a saved penalty corner to finish in emphatic style, silencing the home crowd. The Dutch fans were soon cheering again thanks to Thierry Brinkman, who squeezed in an equaliser from a tight angle with five minutes remaining.

The Netherlands piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes but, despite having a strike ruled out by the video umpire, could not find the goal that they needed to deny the Indians a place in the gold medal game.

The Men’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 concludes on Sunday 1st July, with the 5-6 classification match between Belgium and Pakistan getting things started at 11:30 Central European Standard Time (UTC +1). Netherlands and Argentina will contest the bronze medal match at 13:45, with the gold medal game between Australia and India scheduled to start at 16:00.

A limited number of spectator tickets are still currently available for a final day that is expected to be a sell-out. For more information, please click here.

Fixtures - Sunday 1st July 2018 

All times Central European Standard Time (UTC+2)

11:30: Belgium v Pakistan (5-6)
13:45: Netherlands v Argentina (3-4)
16:00: Australia v India (Final)

#HCT2018

FIH site



India in Champions trophy final after an epic draw

s2h Team



India and Netherlands dished out an exciting, edge of the seat encounter today at Breda, which ended in a 1-1 draw that favoured India to savour the Champions Trophy final. This solitary point was what India needed to edge Netherlands to enter the second successive Champions Trophy final, which it did. With two wins and two draws including today's, India came behind Australia in the pool table to again lock horns in the final much like two years ago in London.

But the goings were not smooth for India today.

The last six minutes in particular turned out to be a thriller what with the hosts unrelenting in attacks and the Indians showing extraordinary defense skills.

Thiery Brinkmaan struck a goal six minutes before the hooter to level Mandeep Singh's early goal. The move orginated in the rival circle when Mandeep Singh hurried a stop of a minus from speeding Sunil on the top of circle.

And then just 89 seconds left in the clock, Joren Hertzberger struck one and fell on the ground on excitement leaving his team mates to celebrate.

Neither did have have referral nor time to strike again.

However, Lady Luck smiled on them when the officiating umpire from New Zealand used his self referral provision to find out whether 5-yard rule was followed by the Dutch player before the ball entered the circle. The Kiwi umpire's doubt proved correct. Video umpire ruled out the goal instead gave free hit, much to the chagrin of the full home crowd.

The rule is complex and confusing to many

Netherlanders may have been disappointed but did not give up the fight. They forced three penalty corners: one in 77nd second, other in the 70th and the third in 60th second before the hooter. India somehow managed to wriggle out the tight situation to come out with the desired draw. Sreejesh and Surender Kumar playing vital role in keeping the Indian citadel in tact.

It was a great team effort that carried India through today.

India and Netherlands, despite creating numerous chances to score, could not move the scoreboard till half time.

India had two early penalty corners in the first quarter, like Netherlands had in the wee hours of second quarter, but the defence of both sides were so tight that almost goal situations are a galore.

Mandeep Singh may be the best forwards available in the contemporary Indian scene, but he is the culprit for long time in India's quest for a win. He first frustrated hardworking and agile Dilpreet Singh when he failed to trap an excellent pass near goal mouth. At the 40 th minute, SV Sunil was in the Dilpreet's melancholic mood. After evading all the markers, Sunil sprinted from his flank to selflessly pass to Mandeep in the centre of the circle only see him fumble.

What looked like a sitter was made mess when Mandeep fumbled before effecting a meek pass to the charged goalkeer who left his usual cage position and was stranded midway in the circle.

However, Mandeep made amends in the first minute of fourth quarter. It was India's third penalty corner, Varun effected his trademark flick, which got bounced off the goalkeeper. Mandeep Singh now did not waste a second before hit the ball straight into the gave above the head of falled goalie. (1-0).

Stick2Hockey.com



India draw with Netherlands to set-up final clash with Australia


PR Sreejesh (centre) was rock solid against Netherlands on Saturday. Image courtesy: Hockey India

Breda: Indian men's hockey team forced a 1-1 draw against hosts Netherlands in their last league match to set up the Champions Trophy summit clash with world number one Australia in Breda on Saturday.

After three goal-less quarters, forward Mandeep Singh put India ahead with his strike in the 47th minute off rebound from Harmanpreet's drag-flick.

Eighth minutes later, the hosts pulled one back with Thierry Brinkman finding the net from a shot from close-range. In the last minutes of the fourth quarter, Netherlands looked lethal again, having converted many chances as well as penalties but India's defence was rock solid, especially goalkeeper and captain PR Sreejesh, who stopped almost everything on Saturday.

India needed only a draw to qualify for Sunday's final and they have done that. Not to forget that Australia are world champions and they also beat India in the last match the two sides played against each other. That makes the Sunday's final even more exciting and huge awaited as India will have a huge task cut out.

Firstpost



India draw 1-1 with Netherlands, qualify for final


India and Netherlands in action on Saturday , Twitter (@TheHockeyIndia)

India were held to a narrow 1-1 draw by hosts Netherlands but it was enough for the last year's runners-up to enter their second consecutive final of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Breda on Saturday.

India scored through Mandeep Singh (47th minute) from a penalty corner rebound but the goal was nullified by Thierry Brinkman (55th) five minutes from the hooter. Australia finished on top of the standings despite losing 2-3 to Olympic champions Argentina earlier in the day. India, which needed just a draw to progress, finished second.

As per the rules of the tournament, the top two teams will qualify for Sunday's summit clash. India had a great chance to take the lead early on but SV Sunil failed to control the ball from a goalmouth melee.

India kept up the pressure on the Dutch defence and earned a penalty corner in the third minute but Harmanpreet's powerful high flick was saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Sam Van der Ven. Another penalty corner came India's way in the 13th minute but they wasted the opportunity while going for a variation.

The second quarter witnessed a much even contest between the two sides till the 25th minute when Netherlands secured two back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was brilliantly saved by Indian custodian PR Sreejesh.

A minute later, Netherlands were rewarded with another set piece when the ball hit Harmanpreet's foot inside the D but once again Sreejesh averted the danger. The Dutchmen continued to press hard in the final few minutes of the second quarter but the Indian defence just did enough to avert any dangerous situation as both the teams went into the halfway break locked at 0-0.

Two minutes into the second half, Netherlands had a great chance to take the lead but Sreejesh came to India's rescue from an open goal position. It took India 47 minutes to break the deadlock through Mandeep's rebound from a penalty corner after Harmanpreet's effort was blocked by the Dutch defence. But Netherlands drew parity five minutes from the hooter through a field strike by Brinkman.

The Dutch, needing a win to qualify for the final, pressed hard and earned three consecutive penalty corners but the Indian defence stood tall to deny them and eke out the draw and qualify for Sunday's final. It will be a repeat of 2016 Champions Trophy final between India and Australia, where the Kookaburras came out victorious in the shoot-out.

Daily News & Analysis



Netherlands miss out on Champions Trophy final spot in dramatic fashion


©: Frank Uijlenbroek

The Netherlands missed out on a place in the Champions Trophy final as they drew 1-1 with India who advanced in their place.

A capacity crowd were given a cracking show by home favourites with both sides showing full commitment in the race to secure a place in Sunday’s title match.

The European champions went closest to opening the scoring when a brilliant turn and backhand strike from Robbert Kemperman forced a fine save from India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, while India’s counter-attacking threat certainly kept the Dutch defenders busy.

The Netherlands dominated the third quarter but could not find a breakthrough as India showed organisation in defence to keep the Dutch off the score-sheet.

Despite the home favourites looking most likely, it was the Indians who broke the deadlock two minutes into the final quarter when Mandeep Singh pounced on a saved penalty corner to finish in emphatic style, silencing the home crowd. The Dutch fans were soon cheering again thanks to Thierry Brinkman, who squeezed in an equaliser from a tight angle with five minutes remaining.

The Netherlands piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes but, despite having a strike ruled out by the video umpire, could not find the goal that they needed to deny the Indians a place in the gold medal game.

Argentina beat Australia 3-2 in the opening game of the day with Gonzalo Peillat scoring a hat trick.

“It was a really tough match but we did it for us”, said Peillat, who has now scored six times in Breda and leads the race to finish as top scorer. “We really haven’t played a good tournament and this was our best performance so far. It was really good for the team to get some confidence.”

The competition concludes on Sunday with the 5-6 classification match between Belgium and Pakistan getting things started at 11:30 (CET), Netherlands and Argentina will contest the bronze medal match at 1:45pm, with the gold medal game between Australia and India scheduled to start at 4pm.

Euro Hockey League media release



Kookaburras Fall To Spirited Argentina

Alexie Beovich



For the first time in over a decade, the Kookaburras have fallen to an invigorated Argentinian side, losing 3-2 in Saturday night’s Champions Trophy match-up in Breda.

The result doesn’t change much for the Kookaburras who will still play in Monday morning’s Final against an unknown opponent but the side would have still been gunning for a win heading into the match.

Despite a spirited comeback led by Tim brand, Australia weren’t able to match Argentina on the scoreboard. Argentina were aggressive from the first hooter generating six penalty corners for the match and mounting the offensive pressure which ultimately saw Gonzalo Peillat steal the show with a hat-trick.

Australian Coach Colin Batch spoke on Argentina’s attack after the match.

“They were significant with their penalty corner attack, they’ve got a world-class flicker there and he found the back of the net three times. That’s a big part of their game, we know that, but we weren’t able to defend one of their key threats today.”

Batch spoke on Tim Brand who scored two goals in Saturday night’s clash.

“He’s a young player, he’s learning a lot and he’s doing well at this tournament so we’re pleased with his progress.”

Looking ahead to Monday morning’s Final against one of either India or the Netherlands, Batch says the focus for the Kookaburras will be recovery.

“We’ve got to make the most of the time available to us…we’ll watch the next game closely. We’ll take some learning out of our match and then adjust to who we’re playing accordingly.”

The Kookaburras finished the first quarter trailing Argentina who opened the scoring through Peillat when he nailed his first of three penalty corner goals in the 13th minute of the match.

Brand put through his first goal for the day almost immediately after the siren to start the second term. Brand was able to get on the end of a Flynn Ogilvie strike and deflect the ball into the net to level the score in the 16th minute. The celebrations didn’t last long because Peillat got his second just moments later when he nailed another penalty corner flick in the 20th minute.

Argentina’s goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi had to leave the pitch with a suspected knee injury with five minutes remaining in the quarter.

As the third term got underway things were heating up, tempers were flaring and the game kicked into another gear. This was exacerbated when in the 39th minute Matthew Swan copped a heavy knock to the shoulder by way of Juan Lopez who was subsequently carded for ten minutes.

The remaining minutes of the quarter were intense and even saw a ball fly into the crowd. The Argentinian defence was being pressed by the Australian’s but a five minute yellow card to Whetton on the three-quarter time siren released the pressure.

In the 51st minute, Argentina lined up for their seventh penalty corner for the match which netted Peillat his third goal for the game.

Just one minute later Brand answered with an impressive reverse shot off the back of a long aerial pass into the D. With the momentum on their side, Australia pulled Tyler Lovell and ran with an extra man in the field.

The extra man helped the Kookaburras find some more attacking opportunities and in the 60th minute Australia found themselves with back-to-back penalty corners. Jeremy Hayward had an opportunity to tie things up but his shot found the post and was successfully defended by Argentina, removing any chance of a miraculous comeback.

Australia will now turn their attention to Monday morning’s Final which is currently scheduled for 12am AEST live on Fox Sports.

Australia 2 (Brand 16’, 52’)
Argentina 3 (Peillat 23’, 21’, 51’)

Hockey Australia media release



Stats Speak: Today India will play 101st Title match in the history of hockey


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

India forced a 1-1 draw with hosts Netherlands to set up summit clash with reigning champions Australia. It will be a repeat of London (2016) CT, when the Kookaburras came out victorious in the shootout (3-1), with full time score 0-0.

Field Umpire Gareth Greenfield (New Zealand) and video umpire Jakub Mejzlik(Czechoslovakia) saved India  by their precise judgment and disallowing Jeroen Hertzberger ‘s goal(2minutes before the hooter) as the ball  did not travel 5 meters outside D free hit, before entering  the circle.

This will be 101st title match for India in the annals of hockey (see table below). Against Australia India will be playing  14th Gold medal match, out of which 12 were played in invitation tourneys played in Australia, Germany and Malaysia. In Continental tourneys Aussies won both CWG (2010, 2014) titles. This is the second occasion Australia and India will face each other in Champions Trophy final.

India has only won once only against Australia in Finals (Sydney Challenge Cup -2003) under the leadership of Dhanraj Pillay. Jugraj Singh (In Breda with the team),Baljit Singh Dhillon,Gagan Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh(2)  have scored in 5-3 triumph.

Australia has upper hand in head to head, winning 82 of 123 matches played, while India winning on 22 occasions only. 19 matches ended in draw (tie breaker and shootout wins as draw).If India wins it will be their first title triumph in IOC/ FIH’s tourney after Moscow Olympics (1980).

India in Title matches(1928-July 2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tournaments

App

Played

Won

Lost

GF

GA

Olympic Games

20

9

8

1

38

7

World Cup

13

2

1

1

4

3

Champions Trophy

16*

1

0

1^

0

0

Commonwealth Games

5

2

0

2

0

12

Asian Games

15

12

3

9

11

25

Asia Cup

10

8

3

5

18

19

Asian Champions Trophy

4

3

2

1

7

7

South Asian Games

4

4

1

3

8

7

OG/WC/World League Qualifier

15

5

2

3

15

7

Champions Challenge

4

2

1

1

5

5

Azlan Shah Cup

21

7

5

2

11

11

IG Intl. Gold Cup/Afro Asian Games

10

6

4

2

12

11

Invitations Tourneys in Europe

39

15

10

5

30

25

Invitations Tourneys in Asia

18

11

9

2

21

14

Invitations Tourneys in Oceania

22

11

2

9

16

40

Invitations Tourneys in Africa/America

3

2

1

1

4

4

Total

219

100

52

48

200

197

 *-includes Champions Trophy 2018 states as well, ^ lost in shoot out.

Fieldhockey.com



Hockey Series Open - Zagreb 2018 (Men) - Final day
Zagreb (CRO)

AUT v SVK (RR)     15 - 1
WAL v CRO (RR)     9 - 0

Final Pool standings

Rank Team Played Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Austria 4 4 0 0 29 3 26 12
2 Wales 4 3 0 1 22 5 17 9
3 Croatia 4 2 0 2 10 13 -3 6
4 Switzerland 4 1 0 3 3 18 -15 3
5 Slovakia 4 0 0 4 4 29 -25 0

FIH Match Centre



Wales beat Croatia 9-0 to reach round two


Owain Dolan-Gray scored Wales' second and sixth goals of the evening

Wales have reached the Hockey Series Open second round with a comprehensive 9-0 win over hosts Croatia in Zagreb.

Gareth Furlong starred scoring four goals, his second hat-trick in a row.

Owain Dolan-Gray scored twice whilst Benjamin Francis, Hywel Jones and Rhys Bradshaw added one as Croatia struggled against Zak Jones' side.

Austria and Wales finished top two in the five-team, round-robin tournament, progressing to the next round of the Open Series in 2019.

Success in the second round in 2019 would give Wales the chance to challenge for World Cup qualification.

Wales started the tournament with a 6-1 win over Slovakia before suffering a 3-0 defeat by Austria. Jones' side bounced back with a 7-1 win over Switzerland before finishing the group with this latest victory.

BBC Sport



Hockey Series Open - Singapore 2018 (Men) Day 6
Singapore (SGP)

Result

TPE v MYA (3rd/4th Place)     6 - 2

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

KAZ v SGP (3rd/4th Place)     3 - 3 (2 - 4 SO)

FIH Match Centre



Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 - Finals
Real Club de Polo de Barcelona


Semi Finals and Classification Results
Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Mens 60+
Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Mens 65+
Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Mens 70+
Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Mens 75+
Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Womens

Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Mens TT 60+
Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Mens TT 65+
Grand Master Hockey World Cup 2018 Mens TT 70+

FIH Match Centre - Masters

 


2018 4 Nations Invitational Tournament (W) (NED)
Breda (NED)

CHN v ESP (3rd/4th Place)     1 - 5
NED v JPN (Final)     8 - 2

FIH Match Centre



Green Machine Put 6 Past France



Similar to Thursday’s fixture, Ireland got the scoreboard ticking early in the fixture. Shane O’Donoghue was waiting on the penalty spot for John Jackson’s pass following a superb run along the baseline and pushed the ball past Corentin Saunier. The Green Machine almost doubled their lead minutes later as Conor Harte’s penalty corner drag drew a great low stick save from Saunier. Jamie Carr made an equally good save from Victor Charlet’s drag in the next phase. Maximilien Branicki and Tom Genestet forced a goal mouth scramble but Paul Gleghorne was on hand to clear the danger before they could get a shot off. O’Donoghue doubled his tally in the 25thminute with a low drag flick that went straight through Tom Genestet on the left post to give the Green Machine a 2-0 lead going into half time.

2 minutes into the second half and O’Donoghue had his hat trick; this time a pin point pass from Harte to O’Donoghue in the circle who slipped his marker and slotted the ball past the oncoming keeper. 5 minutes later and it was 4-0, again courtesy of an O’Donoghue drag flick. Charlet got France deservedly on the scoresheet with a powerful drag of his own in the 43rdminute. Mitch Darling made it 5-1 with superb reactions to deflect home a high crash ball by Michael Robson. Ireland wrapped it up in the final minute courtesy of Eugene Magee’s reverse strike from a PC.

Garryduff, Cork

Ireland 6 (O’Donoghue x4, Darling, E Magee)
France 1 (Charlet)

Men’s International Fixtures in Cork:

Ireland 1vs1 France in Garryduff 28/6/18 7pm
Ireland 6vs1 France in UCC 30/6/18 2pm
Ireland vs France in UCC 1/7/18 2pm

Starting: J Carr, J Jackson, C Cargo, P Caruth, S O’Donoghue, J McKee, M Darling, M Robson, P Gleghorne, C Harte (captain) L Cole

Subs: J Bell, M Bell, E Magee, S Murray, O Magee, D Walsh, M Ingram

Irish Hockey Association media release



O’Donoghue closes in on Jermyn record with fab four


Shane O’Donoghue moved his goals total up to 86. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Shane O’Donoghue is closing in rapidly on John Jermyn’s Irish scoring record as he scored the first four goals of a thumping 6-1 win over France in game two of their series.

It moves him up to 86 in total, seven shy of Jermyn’s total which he completed on Thursday night with his 93rd and last strike.

Coach Craig Fulton made a number of changes with Jamie Carr coming in between the posts while Mitch Darling, Jonny McKee, Lee Cole, Matthew Bell, Owen Magee, Sean Murray and Eugene Magee all returned.

Like Thursday’s fixture, Ireland got the scoreboard ticking early in the fixture. O’Donoghue was waiting on the penalty spot for John Jackson’s pass following a superb run along the baseline and pushed the ball past Corentin Saunier.

The Green Machine almost doubled their lead minutes later as Conor Harte’s penalty corner drag drew a great low stick save from Saunier.

Jamie Carr made an equally good save from Victor Charlet’s drag in the next phase while Maximilien Branicki and Tom Genestet forced a goalmouth scramble but Paul Gleghorne was on hand to clear the danger before they could get a shot off.

O’Donoghue doubled his tally in the 25th minute with a low drag flick that went straight through Tom Genestet on the left post to give Ireland a 2-0 lead going into half time.

Two minutes into the second half and O’Donoghue had his hat trick, this time a pinpoint pass from Harte to O’Donoghue in the circle who slipped his marker and slotted the ball past the oncoming keeper.

Five minutes later and it was 4-0, again courtesy of an O’Donoghue drag flick. Charlet got France on the scoresheet with a powerful drag of his own in the 43rd minute.

Darling made it 5-1 with superb reactions to deflect home a high crash ball by Michael Robson. Ireland wrapped it up in the final minute courtesy of Eugene Magee’s reverse strike from a corner.

Ireland complete the series on Sunday at the Mardyke at 2pm in what will be Craig Fulton’s last game in charge of the side.

Men’s senior international test match
Ireland 6 (S O’Donoghue 4, M Darling, E Magee)
France 1 (V Charlet)

Ireland: J Carr, J Jackson, C Cargo, P Caruth, S O’Donoghue, J McKee, M Darling, M Robson, P Gleghorne, C Harte, L Cole
Subs: J Bell, M Bell, E Magee, S Murray, O Magee, D Walsh, M Ingram

The Hook



Three-match series: Ireland 6-1 France


Ireland head coach Craig Fulton will step down after this week's series

Shane O'Donoghue scored four goals as Ireland hammered France 6-1 to take the lead in this week's three-match series.

O'Donoghue terrorised the French defence throughout the game at UCC as Ireland continued their preparations for this year's World Cup in India.

Victor Charlet got the consolation goal for the visitors with the teams set to meet again at the same venue on Sunday.

Ireland coach Craig Fulton steps down at the end of the series to begin an assistant coaching role with Belgium.

In a repeat of Thursday's drawn match, Ireland got onto the scoreboard early when O'Donoghue was waiting on the penalty spot to convert from John Jackson's superb run and pass.

The home side almost doubled their lead minutes later as Conor Harte's penalty corner drag drew a great low stick save from Corentin Saunier but Jamie Carr had to make an equally good save from Charlet's drag in the next attack.

Ireland's Paul Gleghorne had to clear after Maximilien Branicki and Tom Genestet forced a goal mouth scramble before O'Donoghue doubled his tally in the 25th minute with a low drag flick that went straight past goalkeeper Tom Genestet to give his side a 2-0 lead at half time.

O'Donoghue wrapped up his hat-trick within two minutes of the start of the second half after an excellent pass from Harte and the forward added his fourth just five minutes later with another drag flick.

Charlet grabbed a consolation for France with a powerful drag of his own in the 43rd minute but Mitch Darling made it 5-1 when he got a vital deflection on a high crash ball by Michael Robson.

Ireland rounded off a superb victory in the final minute when Banbridge's Eugene Magee scored with a reverse strike from a penalty corner.

Ireland: J Carr, J Jackson, C Cargo, P Caruth, S O'Donoghue, J McKee, M Darling, M Robson, P Gleghorne, C Harte (c) L Cole.

Subs: J Bell, M Bell, E Magee, S Murray, O Magee, D Walsh, M Ingram.

BBC Sport



Barbados Senior Women's International Invitational Tournament - Day 2
Bridgetown (BAR)

TTO v BAR (RR)     1 - 0
GUY v TTO (RR)     1 - 3

Pool standings

Rank Team Played Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Trinidad & Tobago 3 2 0 1 4 2 2 6
2 Guyana 3 1 1 1 3 4 -1 4
3 Barbados 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1

FIH Match Centre



Hockey Women whip Guyana in CAC warm-up

The trio of Brittney Hingh, Brianna Govia and Felicia King were all on target as T&T senior women’s hockey team whipped Guyana as it continues it’s their build-up to the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games at Wildey Hockey Turf, Wildey, Barbados yesterday.

It was the second win on the day for the “Calypso Stickwomen” who earlier on in the morning session, edged Barbados 1-0 on a goal from Brianna Govia after losing Thursday’s opener to Guyana, by a similar 1-0 margin.

The Guyanese women also had a 1-0 victory over Barbados in Thursday’s late match.

Today, the Tri-Nation series will conclude with T&T facing Barbados from 9 am while the hosts also meet Guyana at 3.45 pm.

At the (CAC) Games which is scheduled for July 20 to August 3, 2018, in Colombia, T&T will also participate in Colombia against Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica in Pool B while Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Cuba are in Pool A.

The Trinidad Guardian



2018 Test Matches: GER v ITA (W)
Berlin (GER)

GER v ITA     0 - 1

FIH Match Centre



Casey Sablowski (née Eastham) Retires From Elite Hockey

Alexie Beovich



Hockey Australia today confirms that three time Olympian Casey Sablowski (nee Eastham) has decided to retire from international hockey effective immediately.

Sablowski played for the Hockeyroos 258 times and scored 44 goals at an international level. Across her illustrious career she represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2016 Rio Olympics. She also won gold medals at both the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and won a silver medal at the 2014 Hockey World Cup.

Sablowski stepped away from her Hockeyroos duties 18 months ago to give birth to her son Harvey and raise him with her husband Scott.

Initially she had intended to return to the squad and push for a 2020 Olympic birth but unfortunately the knee injuries that have plagued her career returned. After much discussion with her medical team, Sablowski has reached the decision to retire.

“In terms of returning, the initial conversations I had with the doctors were really optimistic but I had another incident with my knee and it was at that point that I decided to focus on the other important parts of my life.” Said Sablowski.

“I guess the main reason for retiring is that I felt that my body was unable to meet the demands of the elite level anymore.”

“There was a few different factors that played a part, having a child is one but I always felt that shouldn’t be a limiting factor. I’ve got a really supportive family who would’ve helped out if I returned to elite hockey. Someone like Jodie Kenny just goes to show that it can work.”

Though retiring, Sablowski won’t be moving away from hockey any time soon. She will now be working with Hockey NSW to help mentor up and coming talented athletes as they begin their journeys to the elite level, mirroring the support she received as a young athlete in the program.

She will also be teaching with a degree she earned studying part-time whilst in the Hockeyroos program.

Sablowski reflected on her time in the Hockeyroos and there is one clear moment that stood out to her.

“My first Olympic games was a really special moment and one that I’ll never forget. We got to march in the opening ceremony which was a unique experience and all of that buzz and excitement is pretty hard to beat.

“The next is probably the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Delhi. That was my first major win and it came at really emotional time for me. I’d just lost my pop in between the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. So facing New Zealand in the final, having it come down to strokes, and scoring from a stroke was a real highlight.”

“I just want to say thanks to my husband Scott for all of his support over the years, to my family and friends, my teammates, coaches, medical staff and Hockey Australia who have helped to support me over the journey.”

Hockey Australia would like to extend its sincerest thanks to Casey for her wonderful contribution to the sport and wish her the best of luck in the next chapter of her life.

Hockey Australia media release



IGP CUP: Terengganu moves into top gear

By Jugjet Singh



TERENGGANU qualified for the Division One semi-finals in the Inspector General of Police Cup (IGP Cup) Hockey Tournament at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan Saturday.

The east coach state defeated Briged Tenggara 2-1 and Negri Sembilan 3-0 respectively to lead Group B table standings with six points.

In a morning match against Briged Tenggara, Azrul Hisham fired Terengganu into the lead with a 29th minute field goal but Ahmad Nazri Senin restored parity for Briged Tenggara via a penalty corner conversion in the 39th minute. Terengganu, however, upped the ante in the 44th minute for the winning goal from a penalty corner conversion by Muhammad Ashraf Abdul Halim.

They returned in the evening to pulverise Negeri Sembilan 3-0. Azrul Hisham Zahari scored a brace (40th and 46th minutes) while Muhammad Ashraf added the third goal.

Negeri had earlier defeated Perlis 2-1 with field goals from M. Ravinder (4th minute) and Mohd Hafiz Pahror Radzi (24th). Perlis replied through Ruslang Nurain in the 34th minute.

Underdogs Melaka turned the opportunities into goals by carving a 2-0 win over Perlis in a Group B match. It was Perlis second straight defeat in the opening day of the tournament.

“We have only been training together for the last 10 days. It was a good win to earn three points but there is much room for improvement,” said Melaka team manager ASP K. Mahadevan.

“Our penalty corner conversions are at a low rate and I have instructed the coach to improve this area before we go into the remaining matches. We had six penalty corners but converted one,” he added.

Melaka scored through Suher Romzie Jamaluddin (26th minute) and Shamsul Arif Sulaiman (40th minute).

Sabah also earned a brilliant 3-1 victory over Kelantan in a Group A match. The East Malaysian state shifted into top gear after making a return to the tournament following a lapse of 22 years. Sabah last competed in the IGP Cup way back in 1996.

“We are competing once again after 22 years and expectations are certainly high on us. However, I am happy with our performance today and we hope to continue the momentum,” said team manager Supt Shahrul Amir. “We aim to qualify for the semi-finals. That would be a great achievement.”

Mohd Firdaus Abdul Ghani (20thth minute), Samsualan Samsudin (25th minute) and Rozaimay Amir (33rd minute) scored for Sabah via field goals. Kelantan replied through a penalty corner conversion by Mohd Hakimi Muhammad in the 42nd minute.’

In another Group A match, Kedah enhanced their chances of qualifying for the last four with a 2-1 win over Briged Utara.

Nine teams are competing in Division One of the IGP Cup.

Results – Division 1 Group A - Group A: Sabah 3 Kelantan 1; Kedah 2 Briged Utara 1; Group B: Negeri Sembilan 2 Perlis 1; Terengganu 2 Briged Tenggara 1; Melaka 2 Perlis 0; Terengganu 3 Negeri Sembilan 0.

GROUP A
                                P   W   D    L    F    A   Pts
SABAH                   1    1     0    0    3    1     3
KEDAH                   1    1     0    0    2    1     3
BRIGED UTARA    1     0     0    1    1    2     0
KELANTAN            1     0     0    1    1    3     0

GROUP B
                                      P    W    D    L     F     A   PTS
TERENGGANU             2     2     0    0    5     1      6
MELAKA                       1      1    0    0    2     0      3
N. SEMBILAN               2     1     0    1    2     4      3
BRIGED TENGGARA    1     0     0    1    1     2      0
PERLIS                           2     0     0    2    1    4       0

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Tuks men’s hockey team has its sight set on achieving a unique double


Tuks mens hockey coach, Guy Elliott (in red) with his team. Photo: Reg Caldecott

The Tuks men’s hockey team will try and complete a unique double when they compete at the USSA Tournament in Bloemfontein in July.

Earlier this year the team won the Varsity Tournament, so the challenge is to win USSA’s also. Last year the Tuks women’s team managed to do the double. It is quite a unique feat in student sport.

Coach Guy Elliott made it clear that the playing field will be level during the USSA Tournament.

“Tuks is certainly not the favourites because we won the Varsity Tournament. It is going to be a whole different competition. I expect there will be big changes in quite a few of the teams as the players who for academic reason were not allowed to play the Varsity Tournament will be in action in Bloemfontein. It means the various team tactics will in all probability be different,” said Elliot.

The Tuks team seems to still be on song as they are currently the log leaders in the Winter League, having lost only one of their six games. In spite of it, Elliott is not yet satisfied.

Elliot said he honestly feel that the team has not yet played to the best of its ability.

“We got the skills and attributes in every position but the players are still young, so they got so much more to learn. During the past Varsity Tournament campaign, I also focused on remaining calmer on the bench during the games,” he explained.

According to Elliot one of the most important changes he made was to let the players take ownership of what happens on the field.

“I realise now that the players should solve problems on the field and not look to the bench for solutions because if they do, the team is going to lose. After every game, we will discuss why they felt they had to make tactical changes. I will have my opinion and the players theirs.  I have since seen a marked change in the way the team plays,” Elliot concluded.

Pretoria East Rekord

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