News for 27 July 2018
All the news for Friday 27 July 2018
Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup 2018 - Day 5
London (ENG)
Results 26 July
ESP v RSA (Pool C) 7 - 1
IND v IRL (Pool B) 0 - 1
Fixtures 27 July (GMT+1)
18:00 CHN v NED (Pool A)
20:00 KOR v ITA (Pool A)
Pool standings
Pool A
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 |
| 2 | Italy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | China | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| 4 | Korea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 |
Pool B
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | England | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | India | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| 4 | United States | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
Pool C
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Argentina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Spain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | South Africa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
Pool D
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Japan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
Green Army make history as they stride into quarter-finals
Ireland and India battle it out in heat of London. Pic credit: Getty Images/FIH
Ireland made history as they won their second game at the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup by a solitary goal over India.
Prior to this tournament Ireland had never won more than one match at a World Cup event. The win secures Ireland's place at the top of Pool B and means the second lowest ranked team is the first to qualify for the quarter-finals.
In the previous match, a comprehensive win for Spain over South Africa leaves the African continental champions needing a win over Argentina to avoid finishing last in Pool C. The 7-1 scoreline was a national record at a World Cup for Spain, their previous record was 5-1 against Nigeria in Madrid 1978.
The results mean that Ireland top Pool B, with England currently in second place on two points and India and USA tied on one point apiece. All the teams have one game left to play in the pools.
"In these matches, if you don't put your chances away then you won't get the outcome you perhaps deserve" Sjoerd Marijne
In Pool C, Germany are in pole position on six points, with Argentina and Spain on three points each. South Africa have no points. All these teams will be in action on Saturday 28 July when the final placings will be decided.
The day’s action started in Pool C, with Spain (FIH Hero World Ranking: 11) and South Africa (WR:14) taking to the field in the hot and humid conditions that have become a an unexpected feature of the showpiece event in London.
After both teams suffered defeat in their opening matches - Spain losing to Argentina, with South Africa going down to Germany - there was an urgent need to get points on the board in the hope of keeping their competition alive.
Spain’s Red Sticks were unquestionably the better team in the first two quarters. Their dominance of the opening period established a fully deserved 2-0 advantage, with Lola Riera’s unstoppable penalty corner drag-flick into the top right corner being complimented by a wonderful passing move that tore open the South Africa defence to enable Berta Bonastre to tap in one of the easiest goals she will ever score on the international stage.
Knowing that defeat to Spain would leave South Africa facing the unenviable task of beating Argentina in their final Pool C fixture, the continental champions of Africa came out fighting at the start of the third quarter and were quickly rewarded when Kara-Lee Botes forced home a penalty corner to give her team a lifeline.
However, the spark of a comeback was quickly extinguished when the rampant Spaniards hit three goals without reply to effectively end the contest before the fourth period had even started.
Vitality Player of the Match, Carlota Petchame made a significant contribution with two open play strikes of differing styles but both superb in quality before Carola Salvatella made it 5-1 with a close range finish at the end of the third quarter.
Spain continued their outstanding form throughout the fourth quarter, with their excellent penalty corner routines resulting in further goals. Riera made it 6-1 with another ferocious flick into the roof of the South African net before Bonastre joined Reira and Petchame as players with a two goal haul from the contest with another set-piece before the end.
"We have spent a long time working on penalty corners and for a while now they haven't come as good in tournaments as we would have liked them to” said Spain Head Coach Adrian Lock after the match.
“At Rio they weren't great, the execution let us down but today the result of a couple of years of weekly work came together."
The manner of the victory was a clear statement that Spain are very much a team to be feared in the competition, and will boost their confidence levels ahead of Saturday’s final Pool C match against in-form Germany.
Looking ahead to his team’s meeting with Germany, Lock said: "We know Germany well, a lot of our players play alongside some of the German players in Germany. We will focus on our game. They have outstanding players so we are conscious on what they can do but we will focus on us.”
Following the 1-1 draw between USA and England on Wednesday, Ireland (WR:16) went into today’s match against India (WR:10) knowing that a win would guarantee the lowest ranked team in the Pool B a quite remarkable first place finish.
Determined to build upon their surprise 3-1 triumph over USA on they opening day of the competition, the Green Army made the first mark on the score-board thanks to a wonderful penalty corner routine, with Anna O’Flanagan angling the perfect deflection high into the Indian net.
However, India were far from outplayed in the opening two quarters, creating numerous chances but failing to seriously threaten the goal occupied by Ireland shot-stopper Ayeisha McFerran. Vitality PLayer of the Match Shirley McKay was also at the heart of the Irish defence, urging the team to greater efforts in the sweltering heat.
India had the better of the third quarter and won a trio of penalty corners, but the continental champions of Asia failed to make the most of their opportunities and found themselves still trailing 1-0 as the two teams entered the final period.
Although Ireland were forced deep into their own territory for much of the quarter, the team coached by Graham Shaw missed a glorious chance to score a second when Nicola Evans failed to connect to a terrific pass across the face of goal.
India went for broke in the final five minutes, replacing goalkeeper Savita with an outfield player in an effort to get the goal that they were looking for. India captain Rani had a wonderful opportunity to give her side a share of the points, but her shot was confidently kicked away by McFerran to ensure that Ireland, the second lowest ranked team in the entire competition, became the first nation to reach the quarter-finals of the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018.
"I think if we look at possession and shots, then we had the lion's share," said India Head Coach Marijne Sjoerd, "But in these matches, if you don't put your chances away then you won't get the outcome you perhaps deserve.
"I am happy with the way we played, we just need to make sure we get an outcome when we face the USA [on Sunday 29 July]. A delighted Nicola Daly was almost rendered speechless as she reflected on Ireland's performance.
"Ah, it's just brilliant," she said, as her team's achievement began to sink in.
"It was really hot out there and I think both teams struggled but we had a game plan and stuck to it as far as we could.
"We don't fear anyone. We are ranked 16 and we have no pressure. And the crowd brings so much energy, that was a great turn-out again today and I expect we will have a great turn-out when we play England on Sunday."
Day 5: Results
Spain v South Africa 7-1
India v Ireland 0-1
The action continues on Friday 27 July at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre when China (WR:8) face reigning world champions the Netherlands (WR:1) at 18:00 (CEST+1), with the Asian continental silver medallists aiming to recover from their loss against Italy in their opening match. Korea (WR:9), heavily defeated by the Dutch in their first game, play a confident Italy (WR:17) at 20:00
#HWC2018
FIH site
Day Five: The Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup
Ireland celebrate at the World Cup
There were jubilant scenes as Ireland edged past India 1-0 to secure a place in the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup quarter finals.
Ireland’s second victory after defeating the USA 3-1 in their opener moves them top of pool B and out of reach which sees them head straight to the quarter finals.
Elsewhere Spain were 7-1 winners over South Africa to all but end their campaign while the Spanish take on Germany in their final match to determine whether they head to the quarter-finals or the crossovers.
It was a tight opening quarter between Ireland and India but the Irish side led heading into the first break as Deidre Duke deflected home from Ireland’s first penalty corner of the game.
The game opened up after the first break with India looking much more dangerous and forcing Ayeisha McFerran into action, but she was equal to the tasks as Ireland took their lead into the half-time interval.
McFerran had to be at her very best once again in the third quarter as she made a stunning diving save to stop a Gurjit Kaur drag-flick.
India continued to desperately press for an equaliser but couldn’t find a way past McFerran in goal and her determined Irish defence as they secured their victory and with it top spot in pool B.
The final pool B games take place on Sunday 29 July with plenty still to be decided. Ireland have topped the group and can’t be caught while England, USA and India can all still be eliminated.
Spain raced into the lead through Riera in just the second minute and doubled their lead before the first break as Bonastre found the net as the Spanish dominated from the off.
However South Africa settled after the break and were able to keep Spain out for the entire second quarter. After the break this work was rewarded as Kara-Lee Botes pulled one back from a penalty corner.
Unfortunately their optimism was short lived as Spain responded by netting three times without reply before the final break as Petchame scored twice and Salvatella was also on target.
Spain put the result beyond any doubt in the final fifteen minutes as Riera grabbed her second before Bonastre scored Spain’s seventh in the 55th minute.
The result means South Africa’s chances of reaching the knockout stages are all but over while Spain will take on Germany in their final pool C fixture.
England Hockey Board Media release
Proteas take a pounding from rampant Spain
Ockert de Villiers
Spain's Begona Garcia (right) in action against South Africa's Kara-Lee Botes (left) during the women's Field Hockey World Cup match. Photo: Sean Dempsey/EPA
JOHANNESBBURG – South Africa suffered a 7-1 mauling against Spain in their second-round match at the 2018 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup in London.
They suffered their second defeat which signalled their exit as they are languishing in the last place in what is considered to be the Super Group.
Trailing 2-0 after the first quarter, it was clear South Africa were in for a long day with the Spanish firing on all cylinders.
However, the Proteas fought their way back in the latter half of the second chukka when they had a few shots on target, threatening a breakthrough.
The finally pulled one back thanks to Kara-Lee Botes landing a shot in the back of the box from a penalty corner.
The goal seemed to reinvigorate the South Africans as they immediately went on the offensive.
Spain's Carmen Cano celebrates a goal during the women's Field Hockey World Cup match against South Africa in London. Photo: Sean Dempsey/EPA
Their optimism was short-lived, however, as Spain regained the two-goal lead thanks to a South African defensive deflection sneaking past the goalkeeper two minutes later.
Carlota Petchame, who was credited with the South African mistake, claimed a brace, scoring again in the 42nd minute.
Three goals in the third quarter broke South Africa’s spirit, with the Spaniards going into the final period with a 5-1 lead.
Spain ended the match the way they started it with first-quarter scorers Lola Riera and Berta Bonastre earning their doubles from penalty corners.
South African stalwart Shelley Russell said Spain’s goals in the third quarter were major blows to the Proteas’ confidence.
“As soon as Spain got the momentum - they were 2-0 up at half-time and we always talk about the 2-0 trap - but we came out positive and it looked like it was possible to pull it back,” Russell told the International Hockey Federation.
“Once they got the momentum of scoring one goal after the other we saw the body language of the SA girls drop a bit and you’ve got to keep fighting till the end.”
Independent Online
The Green Army first to qualify for the quarter finals, the Red Sticks registered the biggest win in the World Cup
By B.G.Joshi (in Lee valley hockey stadium, Olympic Park, London)
Ranked at 16, Ireland made history by winning two back to back matches in their history in the World Cup. In their previous 3 appearances the Irish won three matches only viz vs. Argentina 3-1(1986-Amstelveen); Russia 3-2(1994-Dublin) and again Russia 1-0 (2002-Perth) in the World Cup tournament.
The Green Army beat the USA (3-1) and India (1-0) in London and they became the first to qualify for the quarterfinals. In Pool B England, India and USA have no chance to take over Irish. The Loser of the India vs. USA match (July 29) will be eliminated for next round; if drawn this will bring fortune for India to play cross over match for entry in QF.
In the first match of Thursday, the Red sticks beat South Africa 7-1. It is the Spaniards’ biggest ever win and worst defeat for South Africa in history of World Cup. In Mandelieu (1974) and in Berlin (1976) Spain beat Mexico and Nigeria by 5-0 each respectively (biggest wins). Previously South Africa worst defeat was 0-5 loss to Australia in Perth (2002).
India-USA first match was played In 1956 Sydney Invitation tournament, since then abstract of their matches are given below:
Head to head of India-USA (women):
|
Particulars |
MP |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
|
Total |
28 |
4 |
8 |
16 |
28 |
54 |
|
In World Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Last Played: In Johannesburg World League, July 2017,lost 1-4 |
||||||
Fieldhockey.com
Ireland becomes 1st team to qualify for quarters
s2h team
The second lowest-ranked team in the Women’s World Cup created history after it won the match against India. For Ireland, this was their second win in World Cup – the first one came against Russia in 1994.
“Ah, it’s just brilliant. It was really hot out there and I think both teams struggled but we had a game plan and stuck to it as far as we could,” Nicola Daly said after the match against India.
With this, Ireland are perched on top of Pool B and became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals. England is currently second in the pool, followed by India and USA who are tied on one point. All the teams have one more pool match to play.
“We don’t fear anyone. We are ranked 16 and we have no pressure. And the crowd brings so much energy, that was a great turn-out again today and I expect we will have a great turn-out when we play England on Sunday,” Nicola added.
Results
Spain v South Africa 7-1
India v Ireland 0-1
Stick2Hockey.com
Green Army Secure Place In World Cup Quarter Final
The Green Army have beaten world number 10 India to book their place in the World Cup quarter final!
There was very little to separate the two sides for periods of the first half with possession sitting at 50/50 for much of the opening 30 minutes. India got off to the more lively start with a penalty corner in the 4thminute but superb running and a clearance by Hannah Matthews kept the 0-0 scoreline preserved. The Green Army settled quickly and were content to pass around the back and wait for the space to open up. That space did eventually open and Katie Mullan and Anna O’Flanagan linked up in the circle to win a penalty corner of their own. Shirley McCay stepped up for one of her powerful sweeps from the top of the circle and O’Flanagan deflected it into the net for the lead. Ayeisha McFerran was in fine form once again today as she made a superb high stick save to send Vandana Katariya’s shot over the crossbar. India amassed 3 penalty corners before the half was out but a super clearance off the line by Matthews prevented an equaliser.
O’Flanagan looked like she might double her tally early in the second half as she drove down the wing and along the baseline but Savita was out quick to make a strong low save. India continued to rack up the penalty corners, finishing the day with 7 in total, but McFerran couldn’t be beaten and the Green Army defensive unit were in imperious form. India continued to mount the pressure as they hunted the equaliser but Ireland created chances of their own with Mullan sending a pinpoint pass across the circle but Nikki Evans view was restricted and it skimmed past her stick. India pulled their goalie Savita in the hope of an equaliser and despite their high press and consistent pressure, the Irish didn’t waiver. The experience of Nicci Daly came to the fore along with the unstoppable McCay as Ireland wound the clock down and recorded a famous victory, securing their place in the World Cup quarter final.
Commenting after the game, head coach Graham Shaw said “What a group of players, I thought they were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. It was a difficult game, the conditions were very tough and India played very well, and made it difficult for us. Credit to the players and the work they put it, they’re a special group and they deserve this . It’s my privilege and honour to be part of this group”. 
Credit: Getty/FIH
Vitality Hockey World Cup, London
Ireland 1 (O’Flanagan)
India 0
Starting: N Evans, K Mullan (Captain), S McCay, G Pinder, R Upton, A McFerran, C Watkins, L Colvin, H Matthews, A O’Flanagan, Z Wilson
Subs: G O’Flanagan, Y O’Byrne, M Frazer, E Tice, N Daly, D Duke, A Meeke
Ireland’s Pool B Vitality Hockey World Cup Fixtures:
Ireland 3vs1 USA 21/7/18 6pm
Ireland 1vs0 India 26/7/18 2pm
Ireland vs England 29/7/18 7pm
Irish Hockey Association media release
The Green Army dream lives on as quarter-final beckons
The incredible dream lives on. Anna O’Flanagan’s 13th minute corner deflection sent the sport into a new stratosphere as a gritty dog-fight saw Ireland grasp an incredible top spot in Pool B at the Hockey World Cup.
This is a side ranked the second lowest in the competition, lowest in the their group, without a group stage win in the World Cup since 1986. The only non professional – in status, not attitude – side in a their pool that featured the Olympic gold medalists.
And yet, there they are, four points clear after two matches each. It means they can savour Sunday’s last group game against England in front of a 10,600 sell out crowd without pressure of needing a result. It means skipping a crossover match for the second and third place finishers on Tuesday or Wednesday. It means two extra rest days. It means the world.
“For so many years, we have been banging on the door of world hockey,” O’Flanagan said in the wake of the result.
“We’ve come to big tournaments and fallen at the last hurdle. Coming here, we knew we had a lot to show and we knew we could get results from this group. We’re so delighted, mostly because we are playing to our potential, to show world hockey what we are all about.”
Her goal was the vital statistic but her interventions in defence were equally crucial. Several times, along with Nikki Evans and Yvonne O’Byrne, she charged down big drag-flicks.
The first of those blocks came in the fourth minute as India tore into the match, knowing this was their key chance too of grabbing a place in the knock-out stages. It was an area identified by Graham Shaw as a key area and set the number one runners the task of watching “hours of video” of Indian corners to get accustomed the patterns with Shaw hailing their willingness “to put their bodies where it was going to hurt”.
Then, out of not a huge amount, a Chloe Watkins slap into the Indian D bobbled and bounced via O’Flanagan and Katie Mullan with a defensive backstick thrown in. Shirley McCay unleashed yet another power-slap and O’Flanagan’s touch ramped into the roof. Celebrations were stalled a little for an umpire referral from Sarah Wilson; it confirmed it was all stick and no body.
After that, it was time to dig in. India were forcing more errors than game one against the US and were running up the chances. Ayeisha McFerran was calmly dealing with the shots that came her way while Hannah Matthews did brilliantly to save off the left post.
Two Irish corners drew solid saves but the lead felt fragile at 1-0 going into half-time. And that mood endured into the second half as there were regular calls for big tackles from the back four with McCay digging in and Lena Tice picking off some crucial balls.
McFerran dived to tip away a fifth corner while Ali Meeke had one of her best ever games, her nimble feet and tricky skills releasing tension. Irish chances were rare but Mullan’s cross, on another day, only needed a touch from Evans. On another day, she may well have poked in.
It meant nerves continued to be frayed. O’Byrne read a pc switch perfectly and then, four minutes from the end, India had the mother of all chances. Tice was pick-pocketed in the left corner, giving Katariya Vandana but McFerran stood tall to boot away the chance.
That was the moment; Ireland played out the last three minutes perfectly, closing out another monumental result, the biggest one in Irish World Cup history with the potential for more.
Who they play next in that quarter-final could be any one of seven nations at this stage. The Green Army won’t care just yet!
As captain Mullan signed off in her press duties: “Anything’s possible!”
Women’s World Cup Pool B:
Ireland 1 (A O’Flanagan)
India 0
India: Savita, G Kaur, D Ekka. Monika, Deepika, N Toppo, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, S Lakra, R Rampal, L Minz
Subs: Navjot Kaur, R Khokhar, N Pradhan, V Katariya, Udita, N Goyal, R Etimarpu
Ireland: A McFerran, Z Wilson, H Matthews, R Upton, S McCay, G Pinder. L Colvin, C Watkins, N Evans, K Mullan, A O’Flanagan
Subs: Y O’Byrne, M Frazer, L Tice, N Daly, D Duke, A Meeke, G O’Flanagan
Umpires: C de la Fuente, S Wilson
The Hook
Ireland 1-0 India
Ireland secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a game to spare as they upset India 1-0 to ensure they will win Pool B.
Anna O'Flanagan's opening-quarter goal was enough to clinch a battling win.
The result means England, who face Ireland on Sunday, cannot qualify automatically for the quarter-finals.
If England beat Ireland, they will finish second in Pool B and play the third-placed team from Pool A in a play-off for a last-eight place.
Goalscorer Anna O'Flanagan in 'dream world' after Ireland book World Cup last-eight berth
If they finish third, they will play the second-placed team from Pool A in a play-off.
England have drawn both their matches so far, against India and USA, while Ireland previously beat USA 3-1.
Pool A is made up of Netherlands, Italy, China and South Korea.
Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran made a number of crucial saves against India as their disciplined defence held firm against the world number 10 side.
In sweltering conditions at Lee Valley, Ireland capped a patient start against the side ranked six places higher than them when they took the lead in the 12th minute.
Katy Mullan showed good strength in the circle to win her team's first penalty corner and Shirley McCay's initial shot was brilliantly deflected into the top corner by O'Flanagan.
As India pressed for an equaliser, McFerran was called upon to make a couple of vital second-quarter saves.
Ireland coach Graham Shaw says players have 'dedicated their lives to hockey'
The Ireland goalkeeper had to stretch to divert Vandana Katariya's reverse shot before getting a stick on a powerful effort by Lilima Minz while defender Hannah Matthews also had to clear of the line from a penalty corner.
McFerran made another diving save midway through the third quarter while O'Flanagan bravely blocked from another penalty corner as India began to turn up the pressure.
At the other end, O'Flanagan twice dribbled into the circle but could not find a team-mate in space while Nikki Evans was unable to react quickly enough with the goal at her mercy.
In the final quarter, the Irish defence began to tire in the energy-sapping heat and Shirley McCay almost passed the ball into her own goal before McFerran reacted brilliantly to get a foot to a shot from India captain Rani.
India introduced a kicking back for the final five minutes as they looked to make their possession count but Ireland expertly wound down the clock to secure their first World Cup quarter-final spot.
What they said
Ireland goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran, speaking to BT Sport: "For our first World Cup in 16 years and to make the quarter-finals with a game in hand is great. It's not every Ireland team that can say something like that."
Ireland head coach Graham Shaw, speaking to BT Sport: "We'll continue to enjoy ourselves but obviously the pressure is off a little now. A quarter-final with a game to spare, if you had given me that before the tournament I would have snapped your hand off."
BBC Sport
Penalty corner blunders, midfield muddle cost India as they go down to Ireland
Sundeep Misra
A lethargic India turned in a lackadaisical performance on Thursday, losing to the world’s 16th ranked team, Ireland, 0-1 in their Women's Hockey World Cup match. It was a match the Rani Rampal-led side should have comfortably won, given the experience and talent in their ranks. Forget rankings, circle entries, shots on goals, the simple fact is India didn’t show the requisite hunger to wrap it up. Ireland played full tilt, winning the mental battle on a day when the temperatures at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre touched 34 degrees. India showed tremendous promise in their 1-1 draw against Olympic champions England in their first match, and one expected the compact and solidity to go a notch higher against lower-ranked teams. But after the loss to the Irish, the display against England now seems an aberration.
Ireland created history as they won their second game. Prior to this tournament, Ireland had never won two games at a World Cup. The win secures Ireland’s place at the top of Pool B and means the second lowest-ranked team is the first to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Ireland's win over the seventh-ranked USA should have been a warning. But after an initial burst of aggression by India, Ireland rotated the ball for long periods in all four quarters and dominated possession. The Irish, knowing India's penchant for runs through the middle where Rani Rampal, Vandana Katariya, Lilima Minz, and Neha Goyal could have strangled them out of the match, kept the flanks in full play. Time and again, they raced down the flanks, keeping the ball away from the Indians. If they couldn’t break into the circle, they killed off vital seconds in the corners or rotated through the midfield. Ireland had prepared well and it showed in their defensive display too.
It is in such matches that certain players raise the tempo of the game with their skills. Anna O’Flanangan, playing her 170th match, scored her 64th goal and single-handedly ran the Indian defence ragged with her angular runs down the flank and along the touch line. She was the reason why India couldn’t score off their seven PCs. Her pace unsettled Gurjit Kaur and a desperate India had to use the direct hit by Deepika; it was like the modern artillery misfiring, so bring in the ancient cannons.
After Nicola Evans had muffed an early opportunity, Rani Rampal created a PC against the run of play. But Gurjit took an extra second on the flick, enough time for a sprinting Anna Flanagan to deflect it. That run showed the coach and staff on the bench to immediately change tactics on the PCs. They could have gone wider or tried the indirect. Going wider would have meant that Anna had to run sideways and not straight at Gurjit.
In the 13th minute, Ireland earned their first PC when Kathryn Mullan, the captain, was stick-checked in the circle. Shirley McCay’s flick was powerful and right in the middle. Anna Flanagan made a run into the circle and stuck out her stick to brilliantly deflect the ball high into the goal.
Ireland led 1-0 and the pressure was on. India hates chasing. Not that they haven't won going after a target, but the goal muddled their thinking. Rani should have become the playmaker, keeping Neha Goyal, Vandana and Lalresiami upfront. Lilima Minz, who carried the ball well, should have become the main playmaker. India, in the next three quarters, lacked a midfield master who could have given direction to the team. The midfield either lost the ball on the edge of the Irish striking circle or the pass was too soft.
In the second quarter, India had six shots on goal to Ireland’s two. Even the circle entries were more for India. On the PC front, both the teams had two each in this quarter. Gurjit stuck to the direct method to convert PCs, but it bore no result. After wasting three PCs, India were relying more on hope or a wicked deflection to get the equaliser.
India’s domination continued in the next quarter, but the Irish goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran was in sublime form. She cut the angles and brought off a couple of good PC saves. Rani missed a couple, Neha failed to trap, Lilima’s shot on the Irish goal was weak. India had seven circle entries, five shots on goal and three PCs, but no goals. The third quarter also belonged to Anna O’Flanagan who made the right flank her own. In one of the moves, she almost single-handedly went in from the right flank and after going past three players, almost scored but couldn’t control her own momentum.
India earned their sixth PC at the end of the fourth quarter. This time, Gurjit stepped back and let Deepika take the direct hit. It was defended very well, but the ball went to Navneet Kaur who made a complete hash of it.
India had a God-sent opportunity in the dying minutes of the game, but Rani Rampal, after doing the hard work of snatching the ball from a defender, let loose a shot that McFerran saved by thrusting out her pad. At the end, Evans could have made the match safe but the ball that beat the Indian defenders ended up not being trapped by Evans. India had their seventh PC and Grace took a swipe, but Evans raced in and cleared the threat.
Even in final minutes, with the Irish wilting under the heat, India didn’t make a concentrated effort to get the equaliser. After the match, Anna Flanagan said she was "speechless”.
McFerran, the goalkeeper who made the victory possible, said, “It’s a great day for Irish hockey as the women’s team made it to the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years.”
Take a look at the stats and understand the disparity — India had 15 shots on goal, 27 circle entries and seven PCs. Ireland had 10 shots on goal, five circle entries and one PC converted.
Ireland’s chief coach, Graham Shaw, said. “I always believed we could push and win momentum. It’s always difficult to execute it and I am glad they did.” In the end, a visibly excited Shaw said, “You could dominate games and still lose.” The reference was to the Indian side.
Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne doesn’t like commenting on the match. All he said was, “Ireland played well but I am also happy with the way PCs were created.” Speaking on the last match against the USA, Marijne said the confidence was there and that the last Pool games would be very interesting.
A team that never won two games in a row now sits pretty on top of the table with six points, leaving others to play catch-up. Ireland have six points with a game against England in hand while England sits on second place. India and USA have a point each. England can go to a maximum five, and one among India and USA will gobble up the third spot. The fourth-placed team in the Pool gets eliminated.
India came to the World Cup with lot of promise. The defeat against the Irish may be a blip or a tactical calculation gone horribly wrong. However, victory against the USA could provide the perfect antidote.
Firstpost
India lose 0-1 to Ireland
s2h team
The Indian women’s team lost its second match of the Vitality Women’s World Cup 2018 against Ireland 0-1. Ireland, which scored the goal in the 13th minute, managed to maintain the lead throughout the rest of the match. India started on an aggressive note, entering into the attacking circle and even earned a penalty corner in the 4th minute, but Ireland guided by a fierce defense ensured India had no chance to score.
Ireland got its penalty corner in the 12th minute and converted it off a deflection by Anna O’Flanagan. Though India kept getting penalty corners, none of them could be converted. The closest chance came in the 57th minute when skipper Rani struck a powerful shot from close angle, but to be saved by Irish Goalkeeper McFerran.
India will next play USA in its pool match on July 29.
Stick2Hockey.com
Ireland stuns unimpressive India
Rani Rampal’s team lack energy and vision and waste as many as seven penalty corners
Keeping in check: India’s Monika, right, tries to dispossess Ireland’s Nicola Evans.
The Indian women are in danger of missing out on a quarterfinal berth after Ireland pulled off a 1-0 victory in a hockey World Cup group league match, here on Thursday.
A 13th minute penalty corner conversion by Anna O’Flanagan was all that Ireland required as it doggedly defended to record a second consecutive upset en route to a quarterfinal berth. Ireland had shocked World No. 7 USA 3-1 in its opener.
It was also India’s second consecutive defeat to Ireland having lost to the same opponent 2-1 in the Hockey World league semifinals in Johannesburg last year.
Ireland leads Pool B with six points, followed by England (2 points), India and USA (1 point each).
Placed six places above Ireland in the World rankings at No 10, the Indians came into the match as favourites but they never looked the part. Ireland, on the other hand, grew in confidence as the match progressed and looked more threatening.
India lacked energy and vision and with temperatures and humidity soaring high, Rani Rampal and her team were caught napping by the Irish on more than one occasion.
It was not that India did not create enough chances. If it failed to secure a single penalty corner in its 1-1 draw against England, it secured as many as seven penalty corners on the day but failed to convert even one.
Ireland took the lead from its first penalty corner when O’Flanagan scored with a great deflection from a set piece. In total, Ireland earned three penalty corners.
India also had chances to score from open play but the forwards lacked finishing touch. In the last minute of the second quarter, Lilima Minz got an open ball inside the box but her feeble shot was an easy save for the Ireland goalkeeper.
After the change of ends, the Indians continued to attack but the forays lacked sting. In the final quarter, Ireland had a great chance to double the lead but an unmarked Nicola Evans failed to deflect in Kathryn Mullan’s inch-perfect cross from the right flank.
In the 54th minute, India secured their seventh and final penalty corner but Ireland was impeccable. Skipper Rampal got the best opportunity for India to draw level as she surged inside the circle after snatching the ball from an Irish defender but her fierce shot from one-on-one situation was just parried out by the Irish goalie.
India will next play USA in a must-win last pool game on July 29 to stand in with any chance of progressing to the knock-out stage.
The result: Ireland 1 (Anna O’Flanagan 13) bt India 0.
The Hindu
A fan's take on India and Ireland match
s2h team
Bhavdeep Virjee is an ardent hockey fan. The active member of Cambridge South Club in England,drove all the way from Cambridge to Lee Valley to see Indian women in action at the World Cup, and today's match against Ireland did not disappoint him. He attributes India's defeat today to 'fantastic goalkeeping from the winner's goalie'.
His take: "Indian ladies played their heart out. They looked physically fitter and created many scoring opportunities.
Look at how many goals the Irish goalkeeper saved and how many did the Indian goalkeeper need to save".
"The Indian players were robbed of victory today because of the phenomenal Irish keeper. She saved 4-5 point blank range goal and one of their defenders stopped a goal on the line".
"All and all, of you see Indian team used to lose 4-0, 5-0; now they are fighting, challenging others".
"Neha Goyal, Vandana Kataria and captain Rani Rampal were exceptional today".
"Looked like every time they had the ball they would get into the striking circle!"
Irish were playing the long ball game, but that is fine; Indian defenders and keepers were able to stop them".
"Indian coach is good, I firmly believe so".
"He should be given long time, upto next Asian Games in 2024 for getting us good results".
May be that India could create 2.3 drag flickers in future rather than just one in Jasjit Kaur".
"Monika was outstanding in the midfield, and vastly noticeable".
"Over all sad about the result but happy about performance of today".
Stick2Hockey.com
Black Sticks Women gunning for Commonwealth Games repeat
Brooke Neal steps out to defend against Australian Hockeyroo Kathryn Slattery. Photo: FIH
No matter what the code it’s one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in sport and when New Zealand take on Australia in the Women’s Hockey World Cup on Sunday things will be no different.
The Vantage Black Sticks Women’s loss to Japan on Wednesday and Australia's failure to beat Belgium means there’s everything to play for in Pool D.
New Zealand’s route to a quarter-final is simple, they must win the pool and to do that they need to beat Australia on Sunday and need either Belgium to beat Japan, draw with Japan or Japan to beat Belgium by the same amount of goals or less than the Kiwis beat Australia.
If the Vantage Black Sticks Women top the group they’ll face the winner of a crossover match between the 2nd place team in pool C, possibly Germany or Argentina or the 3rd placed team in Pool D, one of Australia, Japan or Belgium.
A New Zealand defeat or draw would leave them in a scramble for 2nd and 3rd place and a fight with Japan and Belgium to qualify for the crossover matches which will decide the four remaining quarter-finalists.
The recent head to head between New Zealand and Australia is intriguing. Australia beat the Vantage Black Sticks Women three times at the Pioneer Energy Tri-Nations series held in Cromwell in May this year.
But just a month earlier on the Gold Coast, when it mattered most, New Zealand beat Australia 4-1 in the final of the Commonwealth Games to claim the Gold Medal. Olivia Merry, Shiloh Gloyn, Anita McLaren and Rose Keddell were all on target that day and are likely to be involved again on Sunday.
Despite New Zealand sitting 4th to Australia's 5th in the world rankings, it’s the Hockeyroo's who have the historical upper hand. Since 1983 Australia have won 27 matches against New Zealand, the Kiwis have only run out winners on 9 occasions.
Whatever happens it’s sure to be another Trans-Tasman classic, you can watch the match on Sky Sport 4 on Sunday 29th July at 7am.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Improved PCs The Key For Hockeyroos Against NZ
Ben Somerford.jpg)
The Hockeyroos must get a better return from their penalty corners in their final 2018 Women’s World Cup pool game against New Zealand in London on Sunday morning (AEST) according to goalkeeper Rachael Lynch.
Australia sits top of Pool D with four points with one round of matches to play, with New Zealand and Japan in second and third respectively with three points and Belgium in fourth with one point.
The Hockeyroos missed the chance to open up a three-point buffer at the top of the pool with the 0-0 draw against Belgium on Tuesday where they failed to convert any of their six penalty corners.
Australia’s final pool match against New Zealand now takes on extra significance with top spot and an automatic place in the quarter-finals up for grabs, while second and third will have to settle for a spot in the sudden death playoffs. Australia are guaranteed a top three spot.
Warrandyte product Lynch, who made a string of key saves against Belgium, said that penalty corners was an obvious area of improvement ahead of the Black Sticks encounter.
“Our PCs, in our first game (3-2 win over Japan) were really solid,” Lynch said.
“We were at 50 per cent with two out of four converted. Against Belgium we didn’t score any of those and they’re crucial now in the women’s game.
“They can be game-changers if you can put a few away.
“We didn’t have a single PCD (penalty corner defence) which is one positive.
“We’ll do a bit of training to tighten up our PCs and a few other little things.”
Hockeyroos captain Emily Smith identified missed injections and traps at short corners after the Belgium game as a reason for their 0/6 PC conversion rate.
Australia have several good options to feed from penalty corners in attack, led by veteran Jodie Kenny as well as Georgina Morgan, who has returned from a 12-month injury at the World Cup.
“We’ve got a great battery and I think the flickers are a really valuable part of our team,” Lynch said.
“We’ve got to keep earning corners and having lot of attack to give them the opportunity.”
Australia have played New Zealand seven times in the past 12 months, winning five of those encounters.
The Hockeyroos’ only defeat to the Black Sticks in the past 12 months came at this year’s Commonwealth Games gold medal match, while the sides drew their pool match 0-0 on the Gold Coast.
The Australia-New Zealand will be LIVE on FOX SPORTS 507 from 5am AEST on Sunday.
Hockey Australia media release
Danson: 200 England caps and counting
Under lights, at a home World Cup, with 10,500 fans cheering her name.
What better way for one of the England’s greatest ever players to make her 200th appearance?
Alex Danson stepped forward and raised her stick to acknowledge the roar from the crowd as red and white flags waved all around the Arena.
Later she would strike an incredible solo goal finishing off a skilful run with a trademark reverse stick shot sending the crowds wild.
Back in October 2001, 6119 days ago, Alex made her international debut and has gone on to have a glittering career.
Alex made her international debut back in 2001, 6120 days ago and has become renowned around the world for her speed, skill and eye for goal on the pitch. She is equally known and loved for her passion and dedication to making the sport accessible and fun for all.
Danson 200
Reflecting after the match Danson said: “It was incredibly special but for me playing in this game is special, walking out with my team mates of present and past is the hugest honour.
“I just look at the stadium tonight and the overriding feeling with 10,000 supporters here I feel very proud of how far our sport has come during my career.
“My first cap is still my most special. I had a message from a team mate who played with me in my first cap this morning and that meant more to me than anything.
“Playing for your country once is the biggest honour and something as a kid I dreamed of and I worked incredibly hard but you can’t be on this team without the people around you, the coaches friends, family and first and foremost team mates.
“Every player I’ve played with, every volunteer and coach who has supported me to this point, my first game encompasses everything, a goal, hope and working very hard.
Team mate Susannah Townsend gave her thoughts on her captain after the game, she said: “I have been fortunate enough to play with Alex throughout my career and the way she conducts herself on and off the pitch is something all of us aspire to be like.
“I know that the one person I would want on my team is Alex Danson and whether she is having a good game or not she shows that fight and she is a leader on the pitch.
“With her having been captain for the past couple of years she has really stepped up in her own game and her leadership qualities are something that really drives us forwards as a squad.
"She is an absolute inspiration to everyone.”
England Hockey Board Media release
Townsend: We are progressing with each game
Townsend in action at the World Cup
England midfielder Susannah Townsend says the squad will head into their final Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup with Ireland with confidence.
The hosts were left frustrated on Wednesday night as they were held to a second consecutive 1-1 draw which leaves England with work to do to progress to the knockout stages.
However Townsend is remaining upbeat and believes the performances are improving as the tournament goes on.
Townsend said: “The game today was a step up to the India game. Both teams had their chances to put the game away, but I think we dominated and put in a real fight.
“They came out like they always do with a lot of pace and they were in our faces and that is pretty tough to play against but at the same time I thought we dealt with it a lot better than we did on Saturday and played closer and more connected to each other.
“Personally I think we should have come away with the win with the way we played, but it didn’t happen.”
There were clear points of improvement for Townsend who was proud of the overall performance of the team.
She added: “We were a lot more composed, we didn’t make as many errors on the ball and I thought we were a lot more compact in defence.
“If you look at our first quarter we were probably a bit shady but after that I think we stepped up and especially in front of a crowd like this, I feel we put in a performance to be proud of.”
Looking ahead to the final pool match with Ireland, Townsend said: “We played Ireland a couple of weeks ago, we know how they play but it’s a must win game now and we’re aware of that. We will go into it very confident because we’re progressing with each game.”
You can watch the match live on BT Sport on Sunday from 7pm and listen to live commentary on the BBC Sport website and BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.
England Hockey Board Media release
Black strip holds key for Germany!
By The Hockey Paper
Germany produced classy performance in their black outfit PIC: England Hockey
After Kit-gate came the Germany response – and they did so with their second strip which struck fear into the youthful Argentinians on Wednesday.
The Hockey Paper‘s ranking of all 16 nations before the World Cup was seen by Germany captain Janne Muller-Wieland this week and has caused a stir with some teams.
Uhlenhorster Muller-Wieland had tweeted that she was ‘offended’ – jokingly, of course – by seeing Die Danas languishing rank last on the list.
And after their second pool win, the German great, who won young player of the year a decade ago and has accrued 270 international caps, was only too happy to reveal that their black number had played a part in a brilliant 3-2 victory over Las Leonas.
“When we play in Argentina we like to call oursleves Las Bestias Negras, ‘The Black Beasts’,” revealed a jubilant Muller-Wieland.
“So it was good to play in black and prove our name right.”
And admirably showing off her kit to The Hockey Paper, she added: “We were fighting a long time to get vest tops so we are very proud to have our kit.”
Argentina, the 2010 champions, fell to a double by Charlotte Stapenhorst, who helped Germany top Pool C to leave them favourites to qualify outright for the quarter-finals.
Stapenhorst scored twice in five minutes late in the first-half in a thrilling contest.
Her vital second will rival the goals of the tournament award for sheer skill.
“As a striker you hope it’s going in and the diagonal pass from our defender who has such a good eye means I always look for those passes as the defender always go on one side,” said Stapenhorst.
The 23-year-old admitted that the key to their pool win was being asked by Xavier Reckinger – their new coach has clearly changed the team’s outlook – not to back down against Argentina.
“Don’t hide,” said Stapenhorst, “and we used that to ask them questions as we have loads of technical ability in our build-up to keep them defending.”
Stapenhorst spent 10 months in England back in 2011 after studying for her AS levels at Repton College.
After a year, her parents asked her to come home to continue studying for her German exams, but she took away a bundle of experience.
“I was doing school hockey and playing for Beeston. I learned about the English style of play and how to be really physical. As a young player, I learned form Hollie Pearne-Webb and have tried to use my body and being physical.”
Stapenhorst and Muller-Wieland, the only thirty-something in the German side, have been tour room-mates for the last few tournaments.
And there is a clear bond between the two. “We talk a lot about hockey, what else?” joked the captain.
“Charlotte is my room-mate and all I do is pep talk her. Everyone knows she is a great talent and forward. I think she was struggling to find her form and skill in the right moment, even two weeks back.
“But it is amazing to see now she makes the right decisions. She is very dangerous and no defender or goalkeeper wants to have her with the ball in front of them.”
The Hockey Paper
Secret to Japan women’s success? Scaring each other
By Rod Gilmour
Video recorder in hand, a Japanese hockey player hides behind a hotel doorway and menacingly jumps out in front of their foreign coach.
Thankfully, this is no Japanese sporting horror movie synopsis. In the land where Takeshi’s Castle was born, Japan’s Cherry Blossoms are taking the idea of fun to a different level.
And it’s working. After a hard-fought loss to Australia, they upset the seedings to topple New Zealand, the Commonwealth champions, with a brave defensive display.
It means Pool D is set up deliciously ahead of Saturday’s final group games where all four teams can still qualify.
And in the mean time, Australian-born Japanese coach Anthony Farry will continue to let his players relax in their own style.
“They love to scare each other,” Farry told The Hockey Paper, “be it someone hiding behind a wall or bursting into someone’s room.
“It’s something that’s a little unique. I’m not sure how many of the other teams do it, but it’s hilarious.
“I love it and for me, coming in from the outside, you don’t see the fun side of some of the Asian groups, but they are really wonderful.”
So the question was asked whether the players had also ‘scared’ their coach?
“Yeah, but I’ve got them back,” quipped Farry. “You’re never sure, you can’t always be thinking that somebody is going to scare you but they do it at a really good time.”
Mayumi Ono, the most experienced Cherry Blossom with two Olympic Games behind her, says Farry has given the side fresh direction, entwined with fun, since taking over last year.
“He gave us a lot of smiles and communication time. He is very kind and we can talk to each other,” she said.
Ono has a key role for Japan: managing the players, making sure her positioning is central with an aim to control the game.
But it didn’t go all to plan, according to the 33-year-old.
“My play was so bad! There were lots of mistakes but my team members supported me and I played in my own time. I appreciated that.”
No doubt, she can thank them back at the team hotel in the scariest way possible.
The Hockey Paper
Are umpires leaving an open goal over own referrals?
By Todd Williams | THP analysis
The weekend can’t come soon enough. Eyes are on the Dutch, England and Argentina but Pool D’s wide open permutations has set the Vitality Women’s World Cup alive.
All four teams can still progress and three of the four (Australia, NZ and Japan) are fighting to top the pool and go straight through to the quarter-finals.
The margins are tight, every point and, in all possibility, every goal will be important in determining who progresses and who has to play in the, wait for it, pre-quarter-final cross-over elimination games, for finishing second or third.
The stakes at a World Cup are, as you would expect, as high as they get.
The preparation has been extensive and intensive but that of course doesn’t guarantee anything. Part of the appeal of sport is the fact that luck will play its part; whether that be the bounce of the ball or the shot off the post or goalkeeper that goes in or stays out.
Umpiring decisions also come into that category and there will always be, and should be, moments in sport where the interpretation of the umpire determines in what direction the play should go.
That said, the successful and effective introduction of the Video Umpire into top-level hockey has given teams at least one opportunity to question whether or not they’ve been on the wrong end of the stick from a big decision.
Seeing goal, penalty stroke and penalty corner decisions questioned and then overturned is now common place and all teams are aware of the need to use their referral, particularly early in the game, with care.
Critically, with the sheer speed of the game, as well as the congestion and intensity of the attacking circle, it makes absolute sense that on-field umpires have this extra resource to help them get as many of the big decisions correct.
That is why, sensibly, umpires also have the ability to make their own referrals when they sense that something they were initially sure about needs a second look.
With all these points in mind, doesn’t it seem a little bit crazy that the final make-up of Pool D, including which team’s tournament finishes then and there, could come down to a goal that was clearly scored off the back of the stick?
By pure coincidence, this conversation actually started on day one, with Japan’s second goal against Australia. With the umpire quite rightly allowing an excellent advantage instead of awarding a penalty stroke, Akiko Kato swept the ball on her reverse into the goal.
The only trouble was the replay showed that it almost certainly had been hit flush, not even off the edge, but with the whole back of the stick. Given that the game was into the last minute and Australia still had a referral, it seemed strange that they didn’t go the Video Umpire.
Barring the extraordinary, they had nothing to lose and, if successful, they might have just saved a goal which, as it has transpired could be worth its weight, if not in gold, in reaching the quarter-finals.
According to one of the Australian coaching staff, this was a rare self-confessed “brain fade” from the Hockeyroos wonderful goalkeeper Rachel Lynch.
The big question for all umpires out there though is what would the decision have been had the referral been upheld? Back to the penalty stroke or a free hit out?
While bettering your goal difference is one thing, gaining a point from a draw is another level altogether and that is why it would be understandable if Black Sticks coach Mark Hager had a polite word of concern to the Umpire’s Manager about Japan’s second goal in their 2-1 loss to Japan.
With NZ pressing for an equaliser, a speculative aerial was intercepted and played forward to Minami Shimazu who rounded the goalkeeper and, on her reverse, hit the ball into the open goal.
The trouble was, as players and umpires through most grades now know, when the ball had been hit by Shimazu, it had risen off the ground with the tell-tale looped trajectory that was slower than the speed of the swing and which almost always means that it’s been “topped” by the back of the stick.
Despite that, the umpire awarded the goal and although NZ scored four minutes later, Japan held on for a hard fought win.
Now, let me first of all say that none of this is Japan’s fault and nor am I questioning the ability of the umpire. It does however seem crazy and somewhat inconsistent that with the use of video at hand, we are talking about such an important goal being allowed to stand when, had NZ been able to refer it, it would almost certainly have been reversed.
I also take the argument that NZ had played their referral card and lost but back of the stick, just like the ball coming off the foot, is the equivalent of football’s hand ball and whether it’s Diego Maradona or Thierry Henry, we all know the justifiable uproar that has caused over the years.
After watching the extraordinary over-complication of VAR at FIFA’s World Cup, I couldn’t imagine for a second finding myself wondering if hockey should adopt any of their methods but maybe this shows that the VU checking the goal that has been awarded and letting the umpire know if there is a problem isn’t a bad idea.
Again, I’m happy to side with the umpire and say that the speed and angle of the play and the crowd noise has prevented her from seeing and hearing the critical clues of incorrect contact but surely we want goals scored with the correct side of the stick, no matter how close or open the goal is.
The Hockey Paper
2018 CAC Games (W) - Day 7
Barranquilla (COL)
Results 26 July
DOM v GUA (Cross 1) 7 - 0
JAM v GUY (Cross 2) 0 - 0 (3 - 0 SO)
MEX v BAR (SF1) 1 - 0
TTO v CUB (SF2) 0 - 3
FIH Match Centre
Mexico and Cuba to Play for Gold
Candela Diaz Bustos and Damian Gordon
Photo: Juan Armesto / PAHF
Day 7 started the classification phase of the tournament. Everyone had something to play for. Temperatures were searing hot for the first two games before cooling considerably for the semi-finals. The action remained hot throughout, with four action packed matches.
Match 1 5-8th – Dominican Republic (DOM) vs. Guatemala (GUA)
Classification round began and with it the first match between Dominican Republic and Guatemala.
During the first quarter DOM pressured Guatemala into their 25 yards. With 7 PC in just 9 minutes Benifer MORONTA opened the scoring for DOM’, despite the goal GUA defence remained solid.
During the 2Q GUA started to attack but without generating any danger for their opponents. DOM responded quickly and Agustina BIROCHO's high backhand attempt was stopped by Norma QUEVEDO. María DISANTI cut through the middle of the opponent’s area and with a rolly go scored the 2-0 for DOM. In the 12 'and 14' minutes, BIROCHO increased the lead.
With only 3 minutes played of the 3rd quarter BIROCHO scored to make it 5-0 for DOM. After that goal the game became a little bit slower.
4Q DOM dominated possession and they created many opportunities. They managed to score two of them. BIROCHO scored both, FGs in the 50 ' and 60’ minutes. The final result was 7-0.
Dominicana will face the winner of Jamaica vs Guyana for 5th place.
Match 2 5-8th – Jamaica (JAM) vs. Guyana (GUY)
The teams came out to play with a clear strategy. The first to obtain PCs was the Jamaicans but they could not capitalise on it. Jamaica began to dominate possession, although Q1 ended 0-0.
2Q Shareeka ELLIOT and Kamille GRIFFITHS took the lead in attack on several occasions but without result. GUY got their first PC but could not score. The halftime score remained 0-0.
During the third quarter both teams had their chance to score but the neither managed to take advantage of their opportunity. 3Q finished 0-0.
During the 4Q Jamaica again dominated possession who earned a PC in the 58 ', but NICHOLSON's drag flick went wide. With the game 0-0 and with no time left we had a shootout to break the tie. Jamaica won the shootout with goals from NICHOLSON, GRIFFITHS and ELLIOTT and will face Rep. Dominicana for the 5th place. FT 0-0 (3-0 SO).
Match 3 Semi-final 1 – Mexico (MEX) vs. Barbados (BAR)
Our first semi-final got off to a cautious start with MEX the stronger of the teams. They earned the match’s first PC, but the BAR defence firm to clear the danger. Slowly BAR started to find their way, maintaining more possession. Their athletic and skilful forwards made a few good runs that the MEX team handled well. MEX earned a second PC but were unable to score and the Q1 horn sounded with the score 0-0.
BAR’s quicker attackers started to make things difficult for MEX who were unable to play their usual passing game. The midfield battle favoured the BAR team who earned a PC which they failed to get a shot from. BAR continued to look dangerous with some circle entries, but the MEX defenders made some important tackles to deny the shot. The halftime horn sounded with the game nicely balanced at 0-0.
Q3 started and with it a change in the MEX approach. They slowed the game down and made sure to pass the ball around more. Slowly they got more circle entries and kept the BAR defence under pressure, but were unable to score. The game also got more physical, each team having a player serve a yellow card suspension. The horn sounded on Q3 with both teams still tied 0-0.
The tempo of Q4 started off slowly with MEX controlling possession and position on the field. Discipline became an issue also as two BAR players and one MEX received yellow card suspensions inside of the first 4 minutes of the quarter. MEX started making more circle entries, but met either solid BAR defending or alert goalkeeping from Sheena NICHOLLS. The toll of playing a player short seemed to tell for a tiring BAR team and with two minutes to go they could not prevent a cross that was eventually tapped in on the second attempt by Jennifer VALDES. There was still time for each team to get a yellow card suspension, taking the 4th quarter total to five out of the seven issued for the match. The final horn sounded seconds later for MEX to qualify for the final and with it earn a Pan American Games spot.
Match 4 Semi-final 2 – Trinidad & Tobago (TTO) vs. Cuba (CUB)
If the first semi-final started slowly, the second was action from the start. CUB immediately took control of the game, launching wave after wave of attack at the TTO defence. The TTO team managed to keep the attacks out, but were unable to put any passes together to leave their half of the field. They withstood tremendous pressure and would have been relieved when the Q1 horn sounded with the score 0-0.
Q2 started with a similar pattern as the first, this time though CUB capitalised on a TTO mistake for Yuraima VERA to finish a one-on-one with GK Petal DERRY for a 0-1 lead. CUB went in search of more goals, forcing a few PCs but the TTO defence continued to hold steady. TTO captain Amie OLTON started slowing the pace of the game and encouraging her team to make passes. Just as they started playing their way into the game another defensive error let Yunia MILANES get another one-on-one with DERRY which she easily scored. The HT horn sounded shortly after with the score 0-2.
TTO started the third with more confidence and for the first time the game saw action in the CUB half of the field. They earned PCs but could not get any good shots off. They were able to prevent CUB from having much possession in their half and enjoyed their best period of the match. For all of their efforts the Q3 horn sounded though with the score still 0-2.
The final quarter saw TTO make a bigger push to get back into the game. They again earned a PC, but failed to get a shot on target. CUB were able to regain some control as the game went back and forth. TTO were the more desperate and they worked hard to get past an unyielding CUB defence. With the TTO pressing forward CUB finally found some space to attack, Brizaida RAMOS drilling a shot past DERRY. That was the last meaningful action of the game and the final horn sounded with the sounds of CUB cheers as they earned the second Pan American Games place.
Saturday’s classification matches have been decided. 7-8th GUA vs GUY, 5-6th DOM vs JAM, 3-4th BAR vs. TTO and 1-2nd MEX vs. CUB.
It is the turn of the men tomorrow. Four teams will be playing for two Pan American Games spots. The other four will be looking for ranking points and to finish their tournament strong. Stay tuned for more on that.
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
A Preview of the Men’s Semi-final and Classification Matches
Damian Gordon
Photo: Juan David Armesto
Like the women before them, the men have completed pool play and our playoff match ups are decided. They are Pool A winners CUB vs Pool B runners up GUY and Pool B winners MEX vs. Pool A runners up TTO in the semi-finals; then 5-8th playoffs see 3rd place Pool A BAR vs. 4th place Pool B GUA and 3rd place Pool B DOM vs. 4th place Pool A JAM.
The Rankings
Using their tournament rank we have # 5 ranked CUB vs. #3 ranked GUY, #2 ranked MEX vs. #1 ranked TTO, #4 ranked BAR vs. #6 ranked GUA and #7 ranked DOM vs. #8 ranked JAM. The men’s draw was one of those times where the tournament rank meant nothing and just like the women not all the teams have played the same number of tournaments to earn ranking points. JAM played well in the tournament, but were grouped with three of the semi-finalists from Veracruz 4 years ago. DOM also played better than their world rank of 82 would suggest and a move disciplined approach might have seen them through to the semi-finals.
The Tournament
CUB topped their group, which saw three teams finish on 6 points, on goal difference. They had to overcome the disappointment of an opening round loss to TTO and if they were in fact disappointed it never showed. Their 10 goals scored was better only by their semi-final opponent GUY. GUY were strong and consistent throughout the tournament. Their impressive 11 goal haul includes a shut out at the hands of MEX, but they have also shown an ability to defend well and will ask questions of the CUB team. MEX, like their women before them, played a perfect 3 from 3 in pool phase. They have curiously scored exactly 3 goals in each match and conceded just the one. Their most significant test was from DOM and they showed patience and maturity to make the result more comfortable than it looked. TTO have been a mixed bag in the tournament, beating defending champions CUB in their opening match before losing to Caribbean rivals BAR in a match that they dominated for long periods. They have scored 6 goals so far, a modest total considering how many opportunities they have created, but as the #1 ranked team in the tournament they should prove a difficult opponent for the MEX team.
BAR have been the most defensively tenacious team. They conceded 4 against CUB only because they were chasing a result after conceding early on. They have not scored many, but will probably be more expressive against GUA. GUA have very unspectacularly had a good tournament. They have lost heavily in competitive matches coming into this tournament, and except for a tired second half against GUY showed strong defensive skills with an emerging attacking identity. They have mixed counterattacking with occasional build up play. BAR should be too much for them, but you suspect that they will not make it easy. DOM, like their women, have been mercurial in the tournament. They have mixed moments of brilliance with some ordinary hockey, often within a few minutes of each other. They have played exciting hockey and we can expect more of the same against their JAM opponents. JAM have been a difficult team to beat as they ran BAR close, had one bad quarter against CUB and probably ran out of steam against TTO. They have a physical presence that should match up well against DOM and they should also be better after the lessons learned against 3 quality opponents.
Predictions
Still not predicting any outcomes, but we invite you to try your luck. At the business end of the tournament teams will be stepping it up. Look out for our Day 8 recap to find out how the games went.
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
real FOUR NATIONS CUP Men - Day 1
Dusseldorf (GER)
Results 26 July
IRL v ARG (RR) 1 - 3
GER v FRA (RR) 6 - 1
Pool Standings
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 2 | Argentina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Ireland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 4 | France | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
Argentina Get Off To Winning Ways Against The Green Machine
Ireland Men played the first of their three games in the Real Four Nations in Düsseldorf this evening. Argentina’s top marksman Gonzalo Peillat scored with two trademark PC’s his first on the stroke of half time and his second and Argentina’s third in the 49m. The first quarter was scoreless before Argentina went in front in the 23m with a field goal by Martin Ferreiro. Mattie Bell scored a consolation for Ireland in the 60m to leave the final score Ireland 1-3 Argentina. This was a young Irish side with a first cap for Lisnagarvey’s Ryan Getty.
Argentina 3 (Ferreiro, Peillat 2)
Ireland 1 (M Bell)
Ireland: D Harte, M Bell, Madeley, Nelson, Murray, McKee, M Robson, Walsh, Gleghorne, Duncan, Loughrey
Subs: Jackson, Sothern, J Bell, Getty, O Magee, S Cole
Friday 27 July Ireland v Germany 7.15pm
Sunday 29 July Ireland v France 9am
Irish Hockey Association media release
Argentina take opening game laurels in Dusseldorf
Agustin Mazzilli crosses under pressure from debutant Ryan Getty. Picture: DHB
Argentina took the laurels in the opening game of the Real Four Nations in Düsseldorf this evening, beating Ireland’s men – who had Ryan Getty making his debut.
Argentina’s top marksman Gonzalo Peillat scored with two trademark penalty corners, his first on the stroke of half time and his second and Argentina’s third in the 49th minute.
The first quarter was scoreless before Argentina went in front in the 23m with a field goal by Martin Ferreiro. Mattie Bell scored a consolation for Ireland in the 60th minute to leave the final score Ireland 1-3 Argentina.
Real Four Nations
Argentina 3 (G Peillat 2, M Ferreiro)
Ireland 1 (M Bell)
Ireland: D Harte, M Bell, L Madeley, M Nelson, S Murray, J McKee, M Robson, D Walsh, P Gleghorne, J Duncan, S Loughrey
Subs: J Jackson, A Sothern, J Bell, R Getty, O Magee, S Cole
The Hook
Exin Masters World Cup 2018 Preview
On the 27th of July the Exin Masters World Cup 2018 will get underway in Terrassa, Spain.
Hockey New Zealand is excited to have ten teams and 15 officials represent New Zealand.
Held every two years, the Masters World Cup is the pinnacle event for the Masters Hockey community. New Zealand has had a strong history of success, taking home eight medals in 2016.
The New Zealand Women’s 60s side will be looking to defend their World Title. Coach Deborah Armstrong and Manager Fiona Perry have returned from their success in 2016 to lead the team in Spain.
The New Zealand teams will be supported by Chef De Mission Jan Mckenzie-Laurence and Medical Lead Doctor John Gemming. Hockey New Zealand would like to thank both Jan and John for their support in preparing for the tournament and in advance for their work in Spain.
Teams and officials will be tested with hot conditions alongside the challenges of competing on the other side of the world. The hard work and dedication from players and management teams to date will undoubtedly assist in managing these challenges and enabling every team to perform to their best.
Hockey New Zealand would like to wish all the teams and officials all the best and look forward to tracking the results and supporting from home.
Follow the official Twitter Feed of the Exin Masters World Cup to be kept up to date with all the latest news - https://twitter.com/ExinMastersWC
Hockey New Zealand Media release
HA Congratulates Tim Deavin On International Career
Ben Somerford
Hockey Australia today confirms Kookaburras defender Tim Deavin has retired from international hockey effective immediately.
Deavin, 33, has not represented Australia since the 2016 Rio Olympics but has now made his intentions official, having also played for his state Tasmania at recent Australian Hockey Leagues.
Launceston-born Deavin enjoyed a decorated international career, amassing 138 caps and scoring six goals after debuting in May 2010.
He won an Olympic bronze medal at the 2012 London Games, while he was part of the Australian side which won the 2014 World Cup in the Netherlands.
Deavin was also twice part of Champions Trophy-winning Kookaburras sides (2010 and 2011) and was part of the Australian side that won the 2015 World League Final too.
“The highlights which stand out are my debut which was against Egypt at the Azlan Shah Cup,” Deavin said.
“I don’t really get nervous very often but I was that day. That was an exciting and proud moment for me and my family after all the hard work as a kid. It was great to have my parents there.
“Winning my first major title at the Champions Trophy in 2010 was amazing, my first Olympics in London and winning a World Cup were unbelievable particularly with a record margin against the home side.”
He added: “Also as a proud Tasmanian, being able to play in Josh Beltz and Jeremy Edwards’ first games was pretty cool and great to be able to enjoy that with them.
"I also want to thank my long-term Tasmanian Institute of Sport coach Andrew McDonald for his guidance throughout as well as my family who were with me every step of the way."
Hockey Australia High Performance Director Toni Cumpston praised Deavin for his contribution to the success of the Kookaburras.
“Tim was a really tough, dogged defender who was an integral member and leader during a successful era for the Kookaburras over the past eight years,” she said.
“He has that competitive Tasmanian spirit which enabled him to get the best out of himself and be successful on the world stage.
“We wish him every success in his future.”
Hockey Australia media release
Malaysian Captain Shukri still cool
By Saiful Affendy Sapran
KUALA LUMPUR: Back-to-back defeats to Australia A in the ongoing five-match series would make anybody else push the panic button, but not national skipper Shukri Mutalib.
Coach Stephen van Huizen's team is Down Under to prepare for the Jakarta Asian Games, where they aim to win gold and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Australia A is made up of provincial and some former national players, and are not the world No 1 side.
Malaysia has lost 4-2 and 3-2 so far, and will play again Friday.
Shukri is not to worried, as he feels they lost because of silly mistakes.
"We need to avoid silly mistakes in the next three matches, because in hockey one only needs a lapse of a few seconds to change the teams fortunes from leading to losing or the other way around," said Shukri.
In the second match, Malaysia were leading 2-0 before Australia came back and won.
"We also need to be consistent in defence, and the midfield must also be alert enough to make sure the ball does not easily breach the middle.
"We are working to tighten these areas, and even though the results do not favour us yet, I believe we will amend all these silly mistakes by the end of the Australian Tour," said Shukri.
Van Huizen will select his final 18 for the Games at the end of the Tour.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Malaysia 3 Queensland Academy 1
By Naqib Nor Said
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's penalty corner flicker Nuraini Rashid finally found her touch when she scored two goals and assisted in the other in the 3-1 win against Queensland Sports Academy in Brisbane Thursday.
The first two friendlies ended in 2-2 and 1-1 draws against the same team.
Coach K. Dharmaraj's charges are preparing for the Jakarta Asian Games next month.
The other goal was scored by Hanis Nadiah Onn, off a penalty corner set-piece created by Nuraini, who had failed to score in the first two friendlies.
"I am relieved to finally score after missing five and 11 penalty corners in the first two matches. The Academy players are no pushovers and are almost same level with us and so its a moral boost for me to score aginst them," said Nuraini when contacted.
"This is our best performance in the series so far as we defended well and then mounted counter-attacks and won five penalty corners and tucked in three goals.
"And in the fourth quarter we did not give them any open chances or penalty corners and this is a big achievement because my girls normally let the opponents score after taking a lead.
"I am especially happy with the performance of several players namely Wan Norfaiezah (Saiuti), Hanis Nadiah, Nuraini, Siti Noor Amarina (Ruhani) and Raja Norsharina (Raja Shabuddin).
"Youngster Kirandeep Kaur (15-years-old) also gave a good account of herself,” said Dharmaraj.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Men’s IPT 2018 | Fixtures Released
Picture - Sean Burke
The South African Men’s IPT for 2018 gets underway in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday with 12 teams competing for the A section and a further six sides contesting the B Section. A year ago, in Randburg, SPAR Kwazulu Natal Raiders completed the unthinkable double-double winning the Men’s and Women’s indoor and outdoor IPT titles.
The draw for this year’s tournament offers a group of death in name as the champions SPAR KZN Raiders, Western Province, Southern Gauteng and the SA Invitational U21 squad all meet up in Group A. In Group B, last year’s surprise Runner-up Witsies headline a pool that offers great opportunity for a semi-final spot.
In the B section the likes of the Northern Daisies and Mpumalanga will be looking to get themselves into the A Section in 2019, while the inclusion of the Northern Cape sides is also a fantastic addition to the tournament.
The tournament runs from 29 July until the 4 August and will take place at the UKZN Astro and the AB Jackson Turf. With the CTM PHL starting the following weekend it offers an opportunity for some of the players to really put their hands up to be included in the tournament.
You can follow daily match reports on the SA Hockey website as well as the Tournament Management Site (link on the homepage)
Fixtures – A Section
|
Time |
Pool |
# |
Team 1 |
Team 2 |
Venue |
|
Sunday – 29/07/2018 |
|||||
|
10h30 |
B |
1 |
Eastern Province |
Mynahs |
ABJ |
|
12h15 |
A |
2 |
Southern Gauteng |
North West |
ABJ |
|
13h30 |
B |
3 |
Witsies |
Free State |
UKZN |
|
14h30 |
A |
4 |
KZN Raiders |
Nuggets |
ABJ |
|
16h15 |
B |
5 |
Northerns Blues |
Pens |
ABJ |
|
18h00 |
A |
6 |
Western Province |
SA U21 |
ABJ |
|
Monday – 30/07/2018 |
|||||
|
10h30 |
A |
7 |
Southern Gauteng |
Nuggets |
ABJ |
|
12h15 |
B |
8 |
Witsies |
Pens |
ABJ |
|
13h30 |
B |
9 |
Northerns Blues |
Mynahs |
UKZN |
|
14h30 |
A |
10 |
Eastern Province |
Free State |
ABJ |
|
16h15 |
B |
11 |
Western Province |
North West |
ABJ |
|
18h00 |
A |
12 |
KZN Raiders |
SA U21 |
ABJ |
|
Tuesday – 31/07/2018 |
|||||
|
10h30 |
B |
13 |
Pens |
Free State |
ABJ |
|
12h15 |
B |
14 |
Witsies |
Mynahs |
ABJ |
|
13h30 |
A |
15 |
KZN Raiders |
North West |
UKZN |
|
14h30 |
A |
16 |
SA U21 |
Nuggets |
ABJ |
|
16h15 |
B |
17 |
Northerns Blues |
Eastern Province |
ABJ |
|
18h00 |
A |
18 |
Western Province |
Southern Gauteng |
ABJ |
|
Wednesday – 01/08/2018 |
|||||
|
10h30 |
A |
19 |
SA U21 |
North West |
ABJ |
|
12h15 |
B |
20 |
Witsies |
Eastern Province |
ABJ |
|
13h30 |
A |
21 |
Western Province |
Nuggets |
UKZN |
|
14h30 |
B |
22 |
Northerns Blues |
Free State |
ABJ |
|
16h15 |
B |
23 |
Pens |
Mynahs |
ABJ |
|
18h00 |
A |
24 |
KZN Raiders |
Southern Gauteng |
ABJ |
|
Thursday – 02/08/2018 |
|||||
|
10h30 |
B |
25 |
Nuggets |
North West |
ABJ |
|
12h15 |
B |
26 |
Free State |
Mynahs |
ABJ |
|
13h30 |
A |
27 |
Eastern Province |
Pens |
UKZN |
|
14h30 |
A |
28 |
Southern Gauteng |
SA U21 |
ABJ |
|
16h15 |
B |
29 |
Witsies |
Northerns Blues |
ABJ |
|
18h00 |
A |
30 |
Western Province |
KZN Raiders |
ABJ |
|
Friday – 03/08/2018 |
|||||
|
10h00 |
|
31 |
A6 |
B5 |
ABJ |
|
12h00 |
|
32 |
A5 |
B6 |
ABJ |
|
13h00 |
|
33 |
A4 |
B3 |
UKZN |
|
14h00 |
|
34 |
A3 |
B4 |
ABJ |
|
16h00 |
|
35 |
A2 |
B1 |
ABJ |
|
18h00 |
|
36 |
A1 |
B2 |
ABJ |
|
Saturday – 04/08/2018 |
|||||
|
09h00 |
7/8 |
37 |
Loser Match 33 |
Loser Match 34 |
ABJ |
|
11h00 |
11/12 |
38 |
Loser Match 31 |
Loser Match 32 |
ABJ |
|
13h00 |
3/4 |
41 |
Loser Match 35 |
Loser Match 36 |
ABJ |
|
13h45 |
9/10 |
39 |
Winner Match 31 |
Winner Match 32 |
UKZN |
|
15h30 |
5/6 |
40 |
Winner Match 33 |
Winner Match 34 |
UKZN |
|
17h00 |
1/2 |
42 |
Winner Match 35 |
Winner Match 36 |
ABJ |
Fixtures – B Section
|
Time |
Pool |
# |
Team 1 |
Team 2 |
Venue |
|
Monday – 30/07/2018 |
|||||
|
08h15 |
A |
1 |
Northerns Daisies |
Northern Cape 2 |
UKZN |
|
10h00 |
A |
2 |
SACD |
KZN Inland |
UKZN |
|
11h45 |
A |
3 |
Mpumalanga |
Northern Cape 1 |
UKZN |
|
Tuesday – 31/07/2018 |
|||||
|
08h15 |
A |
5 |
Northerns Daisies |
KZN Inland |
UKZN |
|
10h00 |
A |
6 |
SACD |
Northern Cape 1 |
UKZN |
|
11h45 |
A |
7 |
Mpumalanga |
Northern Cape 2 |
UKZN |
|
Wednesday – 01/08/2018 |
|||||
|
08h15 |
A |
9 |
KZN Inland |
Northern Cape 1 |
UKZN |
|
10h00 |
A |
10 |
Northerns Daisies |
Mpumalanga |
UKZN |
|
11h45 |
A |
11 |
SACD |
Northern Cape 2 |
UKZN |
|
Thursday – 02/08/2018 |
|||||
|
08h15 |
A |
13 |
Northerns Daisies |
Northern Cape 1 |
UKZN |
|
10h00 |
A |
14 |
KZN Inland |
Northern Cape 2 |
UKZN |
|
11h45 |
A |
15 |
SACD |
Mpumalanga |
UKZN |
|
Friday – 03/08/2018 |
|||||
|
09h00 |
A |
17 |
Northern Cape 1 |
Northern Cape 2 |
UKZN |
|
11h00 |
A |
18 |
Mpumalanga |
KZN Inland |
UKZN |
|
15h00 |
A |
19 |
SACD |
Northern Daisies |
UKZN |
|
Saturday – 04/08/2018 |
|||||
|
09h00 |
|
21 |
Position 5 B Section |
Position 6 B Pool |
UKZN |
|
11h00 |
|
22 |
Position 3 B Section |
Position 4 B Section |
UKZN |
|
15h00 |
|
24 |
Position 1 B Section |
Position 2 B Section |
ABJ |
SA Hockey Association media release
Junior USMNT Ready for Test Series Against Chile
GREENWICH, Conn. - After competing north of the border in the Canadian National Championship, the Junior U.S. Men's National Team is gearing up for the second test series of the year against Chile, this time on home turf at Sacred Heart Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Conn. from August 5-10. The two nations previously met in Santiago, Chile from March 10-16 in the first set of games of 2018.
The series will take place as part of the 2018-19 Junior U.S. Men's National Team Training Squads first joint training sessions. The competition is the fourth for the Junior USMNT this year, including the Junior Nations Invitational Tournament in May in New Haven, Conn. In March, USA's U-16 and U-19 squads played five matches each against Chile's teams.
As the test series will occur during the Junior USMNT Training Camp, game day rosters will be based upon performance each day. Players will then be selected for matches in the evening.
Junior USMNT vs. Chile Schedule:
Monday, August 6 USA vs. Chile 6:00 p.m. ET
Tuesday, August 7 USA vs. Chile 6:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, August 9 USA vs. Chile 6:00 p.m. ET
Friday, August 10 USA vs. Chile 9:00 a.m. ET
In conjunction with the series, there will be FREE Learn to Play Field Hockey Clinics with the U.S. Men's National Team coaching staff on August 6, 7 and 9 at Sacred Heart Greenwich. For more information or to register, click here.
For more information regarding the Junior U.S. Men's National Team vs. Chile series, check out the official event page by clicking here.
USFHA media release
African Youth Games 2018 - Finals
Algiers (ALG)
African Youth Games 2018 (M)
NGR v KEN (3rd & 4th Place) 2 - 3 (0 - 1)
RSA v ZAM (1st & 2nd Place) 1 - 1 (1 - 1) (2 - 0 SO)
Final Placings
1. South Africa
2. Zambia
3. Kenya
4. Nigeria
5. Zimbabwe
6. Namibia
7. Algeria
African Youth Games 2018 (W)
Results 26 July
ZIM v GHA (3rd & 4th Place) 2 - 1 (0 - 0)
RSA v NAM (1st & 2nd Place) 2 - 0 (0 - 0)
Final Standings
1. South Africa
2. Namibia
3. Zimbabwe
4. Ghana
5. Nigeria
6. Algeria
FIH Match Centre
Sixth Sports Tribunal ban after steriods investigation, this time it's a hockey player
Richard Brougham on the ball. FAITH SUTHERLAND
Manawatū hockey player Richard Brougham has been suspended for two years for purchasing clenbuterol and the attempted use of nandrolone and dianabol.
Brougham, who now lives in Australia, purchased the banned performance-enhancing drugs from the online website NZ Clenbuterol, in 2014.
His was the Sports Tribunal's sixth case arising from Medsafe's investigation into NZ Clenbuterol.
Richard Brougham (left) chases Charlie Jenkins, with team-mate Daniel Parry (right). STUFF
Medsafe passed its data to Drug Free Sport New Zealand, and Brougham admitted possession of clenbuterol and attempted use of dianabol and nandrolone -- anabolic agents prohibited at all times under sports anti-doping rules.
Brougham said he did not use the clenbuterol and although he did not purchase dianabol and nandrolone, accepted his conduct indicated an attempt to use them.
He agreed a two-year period of ineligibility applied in line with previous cases, and that was what the tribunal imposed, from 20 September 2017.
Brougham, a high-profile local player and coach, was bound by anti-doping rules through his registration with Hockey Manawatū.
In September 2014, he asked the NZ Clenbuterol website about purchasing "clen" then placed an order for 20ml of the drug, asking account details for the payment.
He then asked "what would be better for bulking Tren acetate or tren enathanate", with the site replying "Ethanate bro".
The same month Brougham emailed asking whether "nandrolone and dbol would be a good option for a stack..." and ordered both drugs.
Clenbuterol is popular in bodybuilding as a "go-to" drug. Spanish professional cyclist Alberto Contador was banned for two years after testing positive to it on the 2010 Tour de France.
Dianabol is a muscle building steriod, while nandrolone is a popular performance enhancing drug -- it is is an anabolic steroid chemically similar to testosterone.
Brougham follows two cricketers, two ice hockey players and a rugby league player in being banned by the tribunal for clenbuterol involvement.
Stuff
The Team Management App Supporting England's Top Hockey Clubs
Jaime Bracewell
As preparations get under way for the 2018/2019 Northern Hemisphere hockey season, we have been asked by many club coaches for advice in choosing the best team management app to deal with membership and communication.
Challenges Ahead of the New Season
Registering clubs members, collecting memberships, communicating club news, distributing fixture calendars...the list is endless! These are just a few difficult tasks which face all sport club volunteers at the start of the season and beyond. And that is where teamo can help - a custom team management app providing an "all- in-one" membership and communication platform for sport teams and clubs of all sizes.
What can teamo do?
teamo is the only online management system that is fully GDPR compliant as it offers a single, secure database for sport clubs. This includes: Custom Registration Forms to capture all required information; teamoPay to collect and keep track of memberships, match fees and tickets; Calendar for all events with availability and selection tools; Communication tools such as Chats, teamoMail and Custom Notifications to communicate with individuals, groups and teams, whilst ensuring Safeguarding of U18 at all times.
What teamo users think
Clubs such as Wimbledon Ladies and Horsham Ladies are commencing their second season with teamo. After a successful first season, they are both now rolling teamo out to the Men's and Junior Section too so the now whole club is managed via one platform. Ladies Club Captain at Horsham said: "It has been so easy to manage multiple teams and gather team contacts in the one place!", highlighting teamo's ease of use.
As the largest hockey club in the UK with over 1,500 members, Surbiton HC have chosen teamo to deal with the challenging task of registering their members and collecting memberships.
About teamo
teamo is a relative newcomer to the team/club management platform space, it is a product of Sportplan Ltd, who have over 15 years experience in building web-based solutions for grassroots sport coaches. teamo commenced development in 2015 with the aim to be the first mobile app based club management tool and launched in May 2017. teamo is a custom team management app which offers an "all-in-one" management system designed to reduce admin tasks, boost member engagement, provide a payment solution, and solve communication problems associated with running a sport team or club.
teamo is available for free from the App Store and offers teams/clubs their own customised mobile app, and desktop access for more complicated tasks that benefit from a bigger screen. Suitable for 5-a-side teams up to clubs of 2000 plus.
Sportplan