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All the news for Sunday 19 August 2018

Vanuatu and Fiji light up the Hockey Series in Oceania


Vanuatu vs Solomon Islands. Pic credit: David Peebles

More than 300 spectators, a team of 15 ball boys and ball girls and a para hockey exhibition match were all signs that Vanuatu is welcoming hockey as a major sport.

And the support for the hockey team in the Oceania nation was repaid by the host team as the Vanuatu men's team pulled off a remarkable double victory over Fiji to win the men's event and secure a place in the Hockey Series Finals taking place next year. Vanuatu women were unlucky not to make it a double for the host nation as they narrowly lost to Fiji.

Host nation Vanuatu and the team ranked highest in both the men's and women's competition – Fiji – have been the standout teams at the men's and women's Hockey Series competitions in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

In the women's competition, Vanuatu (World Ranking:74) got off to a flying start with a 9-0 win over Tonga (WR:65) and a 4-2 win over the Solomon Islands (WR: 63). Fiji (WR:59) for their part, put 13 goals past Tonga and beat the Solomon Islands 8-1. This meant there was a lot at stake in the fifth match as Fiji faced Vanuatu. Tailah Ah Yuk played a captain's role as she gave her side the lead within two minutes and this set the Fiji side on the trail of a comprehensive 5-0 victory.

The final day of action saw Fiji confirm their status as tournament leaders when they beat Vanuatu again, this time by a narrow 3-2 margin. The top ranked teams rushed to a 3-0 lead but Vanuatu showed their fighting spirit as they brought the game back to 3-2 and set up a nail-biting final few minutes. Fiji held on but Vanuatu pushed all the way.

In the bronze medal game, Solomon Islands won 4-1 against Tonga, with Hilda Kabini showing good form with two goals.

Fiji's Tiara Dutta was overall leading goalscorer with nine goals in total, including the opening goal in the final.

In the men's competition, it was again Fiji (WR:57) and Vanuatu (WR:64) who were chasing the qualification spot to one of the three Hockey Series Open events.

Vanutau beat the Solomon Islands (WR:88) 8-3 while Fiji put 14 goals past Tonga (WR:72). In the crunch game in the round robin matches, Vanuatu played a tactically astute game to beat Fiji in a fiercely contested 7-5 thriller. This was the first time Vanuatu have ever beaten Fiji in any competition format.

In the final round of matches, Solomon Islands beat Tonga to take bronze, while Vanuatu continued to delight home fans with a 6-4 win over Fiji to take first place and seal qualification to the next stage of the Hockey Series competition.

Among the goal scorers were captain Ben Sam and Hiro Namu, who both scored two goals. Edmo Iasi also scored a goal to take him to third highest goal scorer in the competition.

The top scorer was Fiji's Krristofer Mock, who scored 14 throughout the tournament and three goals in the final.

The Hockey Series continues with a women's event in Vilnius, Lithuania on 21-26 August.

#HockeySeries

FIH site

Road to Tokyo 2020 begins at 18th Asian Games


India will be looking for strong showing at Asian Games. Pic credit Getty Images/FIH

The stage is set for the 18th Asian Games Jakarta Palembang 2018 and what a spectacle this multi-sport competition promises to be. Hockey at the Asian Games is always a highlight and this year sees one of the biggest fields of competitors with 12 men's teams and 10 women's teams all searching for that most sought after of prizes – to be the first nation to qualify for a place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Elisabeth Fuerst, Event Director for both the men's and women's competitions said “This is the most important Asian hockey event in the four-year cycle. Not only does it happen once every four years, it is also the Olympic Qualifier; The winners of both the men and women events qualify directly for Tokyo 2020.

"I am also very excited about the growing hockey family within Asia with this year’s Asian Games featuring 12 men and 10 women teams, the most teams in all Asian Games. This shows the growing popularity of the sport of hockey within Asia.”

The men's competition sees some of the biggest nations in hockey taking on each other in a battle for continental supremacy. The reigning champions of Asia and fifth highest ranked team in the world, India, will be lining up in Pool A alongside Hong Kong China (WR:45), Japan (WR:16), Korea (WR:14), Sri Lanka (WR:38) and the unranked Indonesia.

It is a pool that, on paper, India should win easily, particularly with the experience of Sardar Singh (307 caps) and captain PR Sreejesh (191 caps) in their ranks. But, at a major event such as the Asian Games, the lower ranked teams will view each match as a final in its own right and in those circumstances anything can happen.

In Pool B, things look a little tighter. Malaysia are the highest ranked team at 12, but Pakistan are ranked only one place lower in 13th position. Under the guidance of Head Coach Roelant Oltmans, the Green Shirts have been working hard on their fitness and gearing up to take their place in next year's Hockey Pro League and will be looking to re-establish themselves at the top table of international hockey.

Bangladesh, Oman and Thailand, ranked 31, 33 and 47 respectively are all teams who will be looking to gain wins over their higher ranked rivals. Kazakhstan are also a nation that has been putting a lot of time and investment into developing hockey at all levels.

Malaysian coach Stephen van Huizen said that the tournament will be unpredictable as all the teams are bent on doing well. “We just have to take one game at a time. It will not be easy at all. On paper, we are a potential semi-finalist with Pakistan. But Bangladesh and Oman can both spring a surprise.”

While India, under the watchful eye of Harendra Singh, will be favourites for the title, this is far from being a one-horse race. The men's competition starts with an intriguing meeting between Korea and Hong Kong China, with the match between close rivals Bangladesh and Oman probably being the pick of the action from Day One.

The women's competition is wide open with a number of teams capable of lifting the trophy. At the recent Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup, India (WR:9) and Japan (WR:14) both showed they have plenty of ability and a growing self-confidence, while Korea (WR:10) and China (WR:11) had already taken the strategic steps of prioritising the Asian Games over the World Cup.

Throw into that mix the steadily improving Malaysia (WR:22) and you have at least five teams with genuine opportunities to win the title and become the first team to secure qualification for Tokyo 2020.

In Pool A, China are the team to beat. With Head Coach Jamilon Mülders now adding his trademark mix of player responsibility and creativity to the renowned defensive discipline of the China team, then the team ranked 11th in the world will be tough to beat.

Malaysia will also be a challenging team. Under Head Coach Dhaarma Raj, the Malaysian team has experienced top level action at the Hockey World League Semi-Final and Commonwealth Games, and will be bringing that experience with them to the competition.

Japan automatically qualify for their own Olympic Games but they are also a team that has huge ambitions to move up the rankings. The Cherry Blossoms won hearts and minds at the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup with their free-flowing style of play and Head Coach Anthony Farry will want to build on the momentum gathered in London.

Also in Pool A, Hong Kong China (WR:44) and Chinese Taipei (WR:53) will be looking to gain international experience and, whenever an opportunity arises, will seek to cause an upset against higher-ranked rivals.

Pool B sees an intriguing contest between India and Korea – ranked 10th and 11th respectively – with the two teams playing very different but equally effective styles of hockey. India relies on speed, flair and hard work to break down the opposition, running relentlessly at an opposition until they find gaps in the defence. Korea is a team that defends deep and then hits opponents on the break.

Thailand (WR:28) and Kazakhstan (WR:34) will be two evenly matched teams, who will be pushing for a good finishing place in the pools, to give them a shot at a place in the placement stages of the competition.

At 64th in the world, Indonesia are the lowest ranked team in the competition, but as recent international events have proven, teams who are lower ranked can often find a way to upset their higher-ranked opponents.

Both competitions start on Sunday 19 August, with the finals of the women's event taking place on 31 August and the men's final taking place on 1 September.

Follow all the action via www.asiahockey.org
Twitter: @asia_hockey
Facebook: Asian Hockey Federation

There will also be a pool round-up and competition review on the FIH website.

FIH site

Hockey captain Rizwan Sr to lead Pakistan contingent in Asiad opening ceremony


POA president retired Lt Men Syed Arif Hasen (C) listens to national hockey team manager Hasan Sardar (R) during his visit to the athletes village at the 18th Asian Games on Friday.

JAKARTA: Pakistan hockey team captain Mohammad Rizwan Senior will lead national contingent as the flag-bearer at the Asian Games opening ceremony which will be held at the Glora Bung Carno Stadium here on Saturday.

Left-in Rizwan Senior has been part of the national team since 2011 and has scored 39 international goals. He was part of the national team which won the gold medal in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzou, China as well as the as the team which bagged silver medal in the Asian Games held in the Korean city of Incheon in 2014.

According to information received, the head of the Indonesia’s Asian Games Organising Committee, Erick Thohir will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony on Saturday.

Meanwhile, President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Gen (r) Arif Hasan met with Pakistan hockey team players, manager Hasan Sardar and Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans here in the athletes’ village on Friday and expressed confidence about their good show in the Games.

“Our hockey team has shown marked improvement in the recent months and hopefully will do well at the mega event here,” said Arif.

Manager Hasan, a former Olympian and hockey legend, also informed the POA chief that the players are training hard for the matches and defeated Japan in the practice match the other day which has boosted their morale.

“We will do our best to give some good news to the nation Inshallah,” he added.

Pakistan’s Chef de Mission Aqil Shah, POA secretary general Khalid Mahmood and POA vice president Chaudhry Yaqoob were also present on the occasion.

Dawn

Pakistan start Asian Games hockey campaign on winning note


PHOTO COURTESY: PHF

Pakistan kicked-off their Asian Games hockey campaign on a winning note with a 2-0 win over Japan in a pre-tournament friendly at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, Jakarta.

Men in Green are now in line to play their first Pool B match against Thailand on August 20, which will be followed by matches against Oman on August 20, Indonesia on August 24, Malaysia on August 26 and Bangladesh on August 28.

The high-octane clash against India is possible in the semis or the final, which will take place on August 30 and September 1, respectively.

The Express Tribune

Men's and women's hockey teams eye Tokyo berth despite tough road in Jakarta

Sundeep Misra


If they retain the gold, it would be for the first time in Indian hockey history that an Indian men’s team will pick up back-to-back titles at the Asian Games. Image Courtesy: Twitter @TheHockeyIndia

It’s those four steps to being a rockstar. And it all begins in Jakarta in another 24 hours. The rest have all been gigs in between. India, ranked 5th in the FIH power structure begin their Asian Games campaign, as reigning continental champions in the men’s game. If they retain the gold, it would be for the first time in country's hockey history that an Indian men’s team will pick up back-to-back titles at the Asian Games. That momentum, confidence is what coach Harendra Singh is backing on to give India its first World Cup title since 1975 when the Worlds arrive in India at the end of the year. “Still some time but the Asian Games title puts us on the path to being once again the sport’s rockstar; from 5th to a possible World Cup Final,” says Harendra.

Picking up the World Cup crown requires a special effort, a dawn that hasn’t arrived in 42 years. But the team believes the impetus lies in winning the Asian Games. Four years ago, the title was won under the captainship of Sardar Singh. Now one of the world’s best goalkeeper’s P Sreejesh helms the ship. Then, it was the technically efficient Terry Walsh as coach; now we have Harendra Singh, who mixes emotion, nationalism into his pot of tight defence and counter-attacking ability.

Four years back, India were still struggling with the abysmal, confidence shattering 2012 London Olympics where the team finished 12th, their worst finish in history. It took massive effort to climb back into the consciousness of fans and the world hockey fraternity. Now after winning titles at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, two consecutive silver medals at the Champions Trophy and a steady climb through the rankings, the team to beat at the Asian Games is India.

There is a yawning gap between India (5th) and the rest; Malaysia (12th), Pakistan (13th), South Korea (14th) and Japan (16th). But in a tournament where the winner gets the ticket to Tokyo 2020, surprises are not only a possibility but in the cauldron of a four-quarter intense encounter, pock-marked by counters, penalty corners, misses and spectacular goals, favourites do get startled. “Don’t take anything for granted,” warns Harendra. “Everybody comes to win. Every coach comes with something special. We all see videos, find weakness. They will also find ours. And I do believe rankings have no consequence at such tournaments. For me the surprise might come from Japan.”

Manpreet Singh, a midfielder, whose explosiveness in key moments is what Harendra would rely on, says the recent women’s World Cup and football World Cup are testament to the fact that rankings are best left on paper. “Did you believe that Ireland would reach the final? They were ranked 16th! Did you imagine Croatia would reach the World Football final?” Japan, preparing for the Tokyo Olympics as host is ranked 16th and they would take some inspiration from the Irish ladies.

Pakistan has been assiduously climbing the ladder and if that doesn’t reflect in the rankings don’t get deluded by it. Their record in the Asian Games is nothing short of spectacular. In 15 editions they have eight golds, three silvers and three bronzes; their run from 1958 to 1990 minted seven golds, two silvers in nine consecutive Asian Games, four consecutive golds from 1970 to 1982. Writing for The News, Ijaz Chaudhary, points to an amazing record: “From 1958 to 1982, in the first seven hockey tournaments of the Asian Games, Pakistan lost just one match: the 1966 final against India.”

Pakistan comes to Jakarta, once again with hope. It was here in 1962 that they beat India 2-0 in the final. In Roelant Oltmans, they have a fox, and an old one at that. He has put his reputation on the line by picking up a Pakistan side that he regularly beat as India coach. And now, nothing would give him more pleasure than returning the favour. In the last Asian Games, he stood in India’s corner as high performance director, passing on tips on Terry Walsh. Now all that knowledge of Indian players, and not only skills but mental abilities of each would give Pakistan an added advantage of 20 percent. India might have won the last encounter in the Champions Trophy 4-1. But for almost two quarters, Pakistan held their own, showing discipline, structure and a better organisation. They would have only improved since then. At the Champions Trophy, Oltmans said on the Asian Games: “I would have got another three weeks with the team.”

The Koreans are struggling. But only the naive or ignorant would keep them out of the equation. They are in India’s Pool. And that match would decide the Pool topper. In the Asian Games, we still hold an advantage having played Korea 14 times, winning eight, drawing four and losing two. However, closer look at the stats of the last ten matches show an interesting side to these tactically tight matches. India have played ten, won four, drawn five and lost one. Those drawn matches are crucial. In the 2017 Asia Cup in Dhaka, India drew 1-1 with a 59th minute goal from Gurjant Singh. Korea have the talent of bottling up the midfield and play with fast counters down the flank. It’s the ultra-tight Indian defensive line that should be playing a big role in that crucial Pool match in Jakarta.

Malaysia, coached by Stephen Van Huizen, has been improving since the last two years. In the 2017 Azlan Shah, Malaysia beat India 1-0 and followed it up with a 3-2 victory over India at the Hockey World League (semi-finals). India beat them 6-2 in the Asia Cup league and then won the final by a close 2-1 margin. They have been a steadily improving side, relying on playing the ball fast, swift counter-attacks combined with some pacy flank runs. If there is an Achilles heel, it is their defence. In Fitri Saari, they have a midfielder who has the capability of turning a game around. “We have had a good 2017 and we are going in with confidence for the Asian Games,” says Stephen. The Malaysian coach believes that the target ‘is not the podium but gold.’

In fact, for this generation of Malaysian players, this is their last opportunity to qualify directly for the Olympics. No one in the present team has ever played in an Olympic Games. Stephen believes the Asian Games will be tight. “The gap may look wide when it comes to India and the rest. But we are all going to Jakarta to be that team that will upset India.”

India will try and prevent any upsets at this stage of their preparation for the World Cup or in their quest to be the first team to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. And it in the counter-attacking ability and an increase in the conversion rate of the penalty corners that India would feel secure. “Yes, I wasn’t happy with the PCs,” says Harendra. “My point is that when we point to extraneous factors, we are making excuses. If you can score one, why can’t you get a second or a third in the match? Chris Ciriello is putting in all efforts. The Test series against New Zealand was good and we tried variations also. I am not asking for the moon. But give me 35 percent conversion and I will win every tournament.”

Former captain Sardar Singh, playing in his third consecutive Asian Games and in the news for his 21.4 Yo-Yo fitness test results, feels India has the structure to retain the title. “It’s about minimising the errors,” he feels. “The back four, the mid three and the forwards are all playing to a format, decided in team meetings. I always say don’t give turn-overs. Keep possession, rotate and create openings.”

Sardar also spoke about his own game, dissected by many in the last one year: “Earlier till the Olympics, I had players who understood my passes before I had relayed them. It took a while for the younger players to play in tandem so either the pass went off the line or to the opposition.”

Sardar wants the team to keep its energy levels through the match. “Irrespective of the opponent, we need to play all out and get goals,” he explains. “All the teams only want to beat us. If we work hard and follow the instructions of the coaches, we will win.”


In nice editions, the Indian women have won gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Image courtesy: Twitter @TheHockeyIndia

Rani Rampal still struggles with the emotional fall-out over the recently concluded World Cup. “It’s difficult to sometimes come to terms,” she says. “It’s there in the sub-conscious that we threw away an opportunity. After all it’s the World Cup.”

Apart from that, the focus is completely now on the Asian Games. The team, one of the best balanced sides in recent history, knows they have the elements that can make it win their first ever Asian Games gold since 1982. “Every member of the team knows that we can do it,” she says. India after all won the Asia Cup and then was runners-up to Korea in the Asian Champions Trophy. India leads the world rankings at the Asian level in the women’s too but the gap is not as wide as the men’s. India is highest ranked at 9th followed by South Korea at 10th, China (11th), Japan (14th) and Malaysia (22nd).

Indian women’s coach Sjoerd Marijne says the important thing is not to concentrate on the opposition or on the rankings but ‘on ourselves’. “I know it sounds boring but that’s the way it works,” says Marijne. “It doesn’t matter which team China brings. We know their structure, they will be the same and it is about our own performance. If we defend well and we execute more of our chances then we will be successful and that’s important.”

With the defence playing a stellar role at the World Cup, the midfield rotating and holding the mid zone well, it’s time for the forwards to utilise the chances they would definitely get in each quarter.

Manpreet Singh, the men’s midfielder had an advise for his and the women’s team: “I feel each chance we get needs to be viewed like the last we will get. So the idea is to think fast and utilise that opportunity to the optimum. There shouldn’t be any regrets.”

In nine editions, the Indian women have won gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Importantly, they have made the semi-finals every time; time to buck the trend and repeat the high of 82’. Korea in nine editions has won five golds, three silvers and a fourth place; eight times finalist. China has played seven editions winning three golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

The Sentiong is one of Jakarta’s most polluted rivers. Also called ‘the black river’ locally, it runs right behind the Games Village. The organisers have put a half a mile black net over it, hiding it. However, for the Indian men’s and women’s hockey team, no time to cover up deficiencies. It’s time to seize the moment. As Harendra says, “If you win, it’s your legacy for ever.”

FIrstpost

Women’s hockey team seeks revival

Captain Rani determined to do well in the tournament after a disappointing WC

Uthra Ganesan


On wings of hope: The women would take their first steps against Indonesia as Indian hockey continues its quest for the elusive golden double in the Asian Games. Photo Credit: PTI

On Saturday morning, hours before the 18th Asian Games officially kicked off at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the Indian women’s hockey team sweated it out one last time, the training session giving coach Sjoerd Marijne a chance to identify and work out the kinks. A day earlier, the men had strolled past Bangladesh under the watchful eyes of a satisfied coach Harendra Singh in a practice game that was low on intensity but high on strategising.

On Sunday, the women would take their first steps against host Indonesia as Indian hockey continues its quest for the elusive golden double in the Asian Games here. Ranked ninth in the world, the first game isn’t expected to stretch the women much, whose only real challenge in Pool ‘B’ would be against defending champion Korea – the only nation to achieve the double, its men and women both claiming top spot twice – in 1986 and 1994. The other teams in India’s pool are Kazakhstan and Thailand.

The World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Ireland in shootouts was a bitter pill, more so for captain Rani Rampal, who had never missed a shootout till then in her career. But the team has already put the loss behind it. “You will see a new, more determined and recharged team in competition here,” she asserted after Saturday’s session.

No concerns

A day later, the men would play the same opposition, a late addition to their schedule that saw Indonesia being moved to Pool A to accommodate Kazakhstan as the 12th team in the competition. Earlier scheduled to play its first game of the competition on August 22, the team isn’t too concerned with the last-minute change. “Gives us another match to fine-tune our game,” Harendra said.

It hasn’t taken away the defending champion’s focus from the big prize either – gold and a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first nation to do so. As the highest-ranked Asian side and title favourite, the team is clubbed with Korea and Japan in Pool ‘A’, along with Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, and would have to guard against its own inconsistency more than anything else.

The only previous Asiad gold for Indian women came in 1982 but they have managed to return with a medal in every edition since then, including bronze in 2014. The men too have won a medal in every edition, barring 2006, but only three have been gold and nine silvers, losing seven of the finals to Pakistan.

They last reached the finals together in 1998 but only the men returned with gold from Bangkok. In 1982, the women won the title but the men lost to Pakistan in the final. The 2018 edition may well be Indian hockey’s brightest chance to get third time lucky.

The Hindu

Indian women's hockey team eyes gold to book Olympic berth


Indian women's hockey team - File Photo, Twitter (@TheHockeyIndia)

Former champions India will have to recover from their medal-less World Cup campaign as they look to clinch the title at the 18th Asian Games and seal a Tokyo Olympics berth when the women's hockey competition begins in Jakarta on Sunday.

Indian women's team had won the gold medal at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and ended runner up to South Korea in 1998 in Bangkok. They have managed to return with at-least a medal in all the nine editions, including a bronze at the 2014 Games at Incheon, South Korea.

At world no 9, Indian women's team are the top-ranked side in the competition and will open its campaign against hosts Indonesia, ranked as low as 64, in a Pool B match in Jakarta on Sunday. However, India's real test would be against defending champions Korea (ranked 10), China and Japan. Both China (ranked 11) and Japan (ranked 14) are in Pool A and India will not clash with them before the semifinals.

Clubbed in pool B, India will face their toughest test in the league stage against Korea on August 25. They play Kazakhstan on August 21 and conclude the Pool engagement with a clash against Thailand on August 27. Rani Rampal and Co. are still recovering from their heart-breaking World Cup quarterfinal loss to Ireland.

The women's team had entered the World Cup quarterfinals after 40 years but the defeat against Ireland via penalty shootout is still rankling the Indian players, especially captain Rampal, who had missed her shootout stroke for the first time in her career. She had locked herself inside her hotel room, finding it difficult to digest the missed chance.

It was a personal failure for her and Rampal will look to set things right by guiding the team to a title win and earning India a place in the Tokyo Games as the Continental champions. Prior to the Games, the low-intensity camp in Bengaluru, which focused more on recovery after the World Cup, coupled with some sensible talk by the team management has allowed the team to regroup.

The team management, including team's scientific advisor Wayne Lombard, chose to show the players, through the video footage, how excellent their defense was and how they executed most of the plans. It definitely had a positive effect on the morale of the team.

"I feel that this is a great way to forget the World Cup disappointment. If I keep thinking about the World Cup, and it affects our performance at the Asian Games, then that resentment will stay in my head throughout my life," said Rani.

As India looks to put behind the World Cup disappointment, it remains to be seen how this side, guided by Dutch Sjoerd Marijne, handles nerves at business end of the tournament. Both the men's and women's team had reached the finals in 1998 but clinching the double gold remained elusive for India in Bangkok with only the men's team emerging champions. Considering the strength of both the Indian teams and their opponents, the historic double could be a real possibility this time.

Daily News & Analysis

Arif and Dharmaraj - friends and foes in hockey challenge

HONG KONG’S women hockey coach Arif Ali will put his friendship with Malaysian counterpart K. Dharmaraj aside when they clash in the Group A opener at the Gelora Bung Karno Hockey Field in Jakarta today.

The former Hong Kong international Arif is indebted to coach Dharmaraj for facilitating the former’s move to play with the Royal Malay Regiment (RMR) in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) in Kuala Lumpur in 2003 for four seasons.

“We do go way back. I got to play in the MHL because of Dharmaraj. I know him well,” said Arif.

“He may be my friend but the team’s preparation is focused on giving Malaysia a good fight. We want to get off to a good start and put a little bit pressure on Dharmaraj,” said Arif.

“I know that he does his homework well. I’m sure he has studied our team, we’ll be more than prepared to face Malaysia.”

Hong Kong have a poor record against Malaysia, having lost 10-0 to Dharmaraj’s girls in the women’s World Series Open in Singapore on June 24.

Arif said he had arrived in Jakarta with eight new faces in the team.

“We fielded many Under-18 girls in Singapore as the seniors could not get leave. Now, we have a better team,” said the 39-year-old, who is making his fifth appearance in Asiad but as a coach for the first time.

“Malaysia have the tendency to panic when their opponents get off to a good start. We’re the underdogs and there is no pressure on us,” he added.

The Star of Malaysia

Team and not personal glory is what penalty corner specialist Razie wants


Hard at work: Malaysia hockey coach Stephen Van Huizen (right) and Razie Rahim during a training session at the Gelora Bung Karno Complex on Friday. — Bernama

PENALTY corner specialist Razie Rahim will be banking on his vast experience to steer the men’s hockey team to a first Asian Games gold medal.

The 30-year-old will be making his fourth Asiad appearance and believes he has matured into a wiser player since his debut at the Doha Asian Games in 2006.

Razie still remembers the heartbreak of missing out on a gold medal at the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad when they fought valiantly before losing 2-0 to Pakistan in the final.

The memory of that loss is still painful for Razie and he hopes to get it right this time.

“I’ve learnt a lot from my past experiences. There were mistakes but I’ve worked hard to rectify it,” said Razie.

A gold will assure the team a ticket to the 2020 Japan Olympic Games and Razie hopes his team will seal the deal.

“It’s our dream to qualify for the Olympics and we are focused on achieving it,” said Razie.

“But we don’t want to make the mistake of putting undue pressure on ourselves. We’ll take one match at a time.”

Razie scored a total of 16 goals in his last three Asiad stints and was the joint top scorer with South Korea’s Jong Jang-hyun (nine goals) at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where Malaysia finished fourth.

Razie, who is expected to lead the scorers chart once again, said he was not looking for personal glory in Jakarta.

“I’ll try to score goals but I have no targets to be the top scorer. My focus is to play well and help the team win,” he added.

Nicknamed the Speedy Tigers, Malaysia will open their campaign against Kazakhstan in Group B at the Gelora Bung Karno hockey field tomorrow.

The Star of Malaysia

CTM Premier Hockey League Semi-Final picture takes shape


Photo: Sean Burke

If the previous four days of South Africa's 2018 CTM Premier Hockey League could be themed by the goal scoring exploits of all teams, day five showed the defensive class at the tournament as less goals were scored on a tough day at the Randburg Astro.

Only one day and five matches remain in the group stages and certain teams have already qualified for the final weekend next weekend. The Orange River Rafters, the defending champions, had already qualified for the semi-finals and were joined there by the Blyde River Bunters and the St. Lucia Lakers with their victories over the Namaqualand Daisies and the Madikwe Rangers respectively.

The Bunters were workmanlike in methodically overcoming their defeat yesterday to beat the Daisies, themselves on a high from their shootout victory against the Wings yesterday. Carmen Smith got the game’s opening goal from a 39th minute penalty corner and from thereon out the Bunters managed to hold out the advances of the Daisies. The icing on the cake arrived in the second last minute of the game as Mmamoagi Kungoane settled the game once and for all.

The St. Lucia Lakers welcomed back Shelley Jones into their line-up but were once again superbly led by the defensive duo of Erin Hunter and Kara Botes. The defensive stability meant that the likes of Kristen Paton, Isabella da Rocha and Lisa-Marie Deetlefs were thwarted time after time. The Lakers needed someone to convert up the other end and Tegan Fourie, who scored a blinding drag flick yesterday, showed she is a name you really should know in SA Hockey. The Indoor international created a small pocket of space and fired into the back of the net.

What it means for the Women’s competition is that the Madikwe Rangers, Wineland Wings and Namaqualand Daisies will fight it out for the last semi-final spot tomorrow.

The Addo Elephants confirmed their spot in the final four with an Ingatius Malgraff inspired 2-1 victory over the Cavemen in a repeat of the 2016 final. After opening the game with attacking intent the Elephants retreated into defence and allowed the Cavemen a lot of possession. As the Cavemen upped the ante at the end of the first half, Malgraff produced a sublime piece of individual skill to slice through the Cavemen backline and finish past a helpless Rassie Pieterse.

In the second half the Cavemen kept winning penalty corners, but they were unable to score from any of the 9 they won. There was a massive chance for the Elephants to settle the match, but Damian Kimfley fired over, and the Cavemen went up the other end and scored through a sliding finish from their top scorer Chad Futcher. With 30 seconds left the Cavemen were pouring forward but another moment of brilliance by Malgraff decided the game. In sliding the ball past Pieterse Malgraff collided with goal and had to be treated afterwards, but his second goal of the game and 12th of PHL history meant the Elephants stayed top and arguably favourites. The defeat left the Cavemen on 7 points.

That result meant that the Garden Route Gazelles 3-1 victory over the Mapungubwe Mambas earlier would probably be enough to make the top 4 as their goal difference is superior to the Cavemen. The Gazelles have turned around a bad opening weekend with consecutive wins. They started this morning’s game brilliantly as Connor Beauchamps fired home the early PC within 30 seconds of the game starting. Caleb Syce managed to pull Lungile Tsolekile’s Mambas level, but Clinton Panther a two-time winner with the Cavemen, re-established the lead for the Gazelles and Berne Burger settled the result. The Gazelles moving to 7 points.

The Golden Gate Gladiators knew that victory was the only way to keep their tournament hopes alive and they faced a buoyant Drakensberg Dragons side. Their task was made much harder when they got to the half-time break 1-0 down to a Richard Pautz goal. As they have done all through the tournament the Gladiators continued to fight but were unable to breakdown a Jethro Eustice inspired backline and Richard Pautz popped up a second time, his fourth of the tournament, to put the Dragons through to the Semi-Finals and to eliminate the Golden Gate Gladiators.

As it stands the Elephants and the Dragons have qualified for the semi-finals, the Gazelles are virtually through with a superior goal difference while the Cavemen will have to wait and see if the Mambas can produce a bonus point win that they need to knock the defending champions out. It all gets decided in the final group stage games tomorrow at the 2018 CTM Premier Hockey League.

CTM PHL Day 5

Saturday 18 August

08:00 – Women – Tivoli Taps Blyde River Bunters 2-0 Old Mutual iWyze Namaqualand Daisies
10:00 – Men – Elf Laminates Mapungubwe Mambas 1-3 Garden Route Gazelles
12:00 – Women – Top T Madikwe Rangers 0-1 Private Property St. Lucia Lakers
14:00 – Men – Origins Maropeng Cavemen 1-2 Kilimanjaro Addo Elephants
16:00 – Men – Pro Grip Drakensberg Dragons 2-0 Old Mutual iWyze Golden Gate Gladiators

2018 PHL Men Pool Standings

2018 PHL Women Pool Standings

SA Hockey Association media release

Team Coorg Muscat lifts Independence Day Cup


S.A.S. Naqvi presented the special memento to Chief Guest Dr. Marwan AL Juma, Chairman Al Ahli Sidab Club. Supplied Photo

MUSCAT, OMAN: Former hockey champions Team Coorg Muscat upset the local favourites UTSC Muscat 3-2 in a thrilling final to lift the 72nd Independence Day of India Cup which was held at the Al Seeb astro turf stadium.

The tournament organised by the Friends of Naqvi Group and Team Coorg Oman in association with Embassy of India and Oman Hockey Association, under the auspices of Chief Guest Dr. Marwan Al Juma, President, Ahli Sidab Sports Club along with Guest of Honour Yousuf Abdullah Al Wahaibi, vice-president, Seeb Club, Dr. Satish Nambiar, chairman, Indian Social Club and Hockey legend veteran S.A.S. Naqvi.

The colourful event saw all four teams namely UTSC Muscat, Team Coorg Muscat, Team Coorg UAE and Sharjah Road Masters clashing with each other in the preliminary round with the top two teams Team Coorg Muscat and UTSC had playing out the final which went into a penalty shootout after the two teams were locked 1-1 at full time.

During the second half of the game UTSC Muscat went on the rampage and converted a perfect goal and it looked like they were on their way to clinch the trophy when Team Coorg Muscat who struggled for an equalizer, saw unexpected lighting move from their star duo Moni-Nani with the former netting an equaliser at the crucial moment. However, with the equalizer came the penalty shootout in which Team Coorg Muscat kept their cool and converted three out of the five goals while, UTSC Muscat managed only two at the end of the game with the score line reading 3-2 in favour of Team Coorg Muscat who finally laid their hands on the trophy.

Team Coorg Oman and Friends of Naqvi Group thanked the Chairman of Seeb Club His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said for his great vision, the management and staff of Seeb Club for their support, teams, and the huge gathering that came to witness the wonderful event.

Team Coorg Muscat thanked S.A.S. Naqvi, former technical advisor of Oman Olympic Committee Oman Hockey Association, the sponsors FAP (construction chemicals), Masafi Water and individual sponsors Osama Rawat, Chennappanda Somaiah, Tirta Prasad for their contribution.

During the prize distribution ceremony Team Coorg Muscat honoured S.A.S. Naqvi and Osama Rawat.

The Times of Oman