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News for 08 September 2018

All the news for Saturday 8 September 2018


FIH reveals Pools and Match Schedule for Youth Olympic Games 2018


Find out who will play who and when!

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games organising committee have revealed the Pools and Match Schedule for the hockey events which begin in exactly one month.

To view the full match schedule, click here.

In the women’s competition, Pool A includes Argentina, Austria, India, South Africa, Uruguay and Vanuatu, while Pool B involves Australia, China, Mexico, Namibia, Poland and Zimbabwe.

In the men’s event, Argentina, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Vanuatu and Zambia will compete in Pool A, while Pool B will see Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, India and Kenya go head to head.

The Pool stages will take place between Sunday 7 and Thursday 11 October. Classification and Quarter-Final matches will then be held on Friday 12 October, with further classification matches plus the Semi-Finals on Saturday 13 October.

The 7/8th and 5/6th matches then take place on Sunday 14 October before the medal matches. The men’s bronze is at 13:00 followed by the women’s at 14:00. The finalists will then go head to head for the gold medals at 15:00 (men) and 16:30 (women) – all times local (ART).


Hosts China won the last YOG hockey gold medals, in 2014 Photo: IOC/XINHUA

Many of these teams are participating in their first ever Youth Olympic Games. This includes Argentina, Austria, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Poland and Vanuatu in the men’s event and Australia, Austria, India, Mexico, Namibia, Poland, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe and in the women’s competition.

With nations participating from every continent, this edition of the Youth Olympic Games is set to be hugely entertaining, with the future of the game showcasing their raw talent on the global stage.

Taking place in the Youth Olympic Park in the southern area of the city, the Hockey5s events are set to take centre stage with hosts Argentina expected to attract large numbers of local fans, renowned for their passionate support of the sport.

The last edition of this event in Nanjing, China in 2014 saw this year’s participants Australia win gold and Canada silver in the men’s event, with China winning gold and Argentina taking bronze in the women’s event.


Australia men won the last YOG in 2014 Photo: IOC/Getty

Fans wanting to attend the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games can now apply for free access to all events via the official website. For more information, click here.

For more information about the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games hockey events, visit the official website.

#YOG2018

Youth Olympic Games 2018 Competition Regulations (including competition format): Download here

FIH site



Bloemendaal end Kampong’s long unbeaten run in Dutch competition


©: Frank Uijlenbroek/ World Sport Pics

Bloemendaal ended SV Kampong’s long unbeaten run in Dutch domestic competition as they won their Friday night battle 2-1.

A corner goal from Tim Swaen gave the swallows a fourth-minute lead before Florian Fuchs double the advantage early in the second half. Silas Lagemann got one back in the 52nd minute but Kampong could not grab another.

The win sees Bloemendaal go top with three wins out of three thus far in the campaign, putting them two points clear at this early stage of the campaign.

Second-placed Oranje-Rood were another top side to lose their perfect record as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Klein Zwitserland. Bob de Voogd put the Eindhoven club in front in the fifth minute but Koen Bijen levelled things up from a corner with 20 minutes remaining.

Rotterdam saw their winning run ended by Den Bosch who ran up a 3-0 success with goals from Bram van Groesen, Nicolas Della Torre and Jelle Galema.

AH&BC Amsterdam were grateful to goalkeeper Jan de Wijkerslooth for a number of saves in their 2-0 away win over HGC. Amsterdam scored early and late in the game with Mirco Pruijser putting them in front before Nicki Leijs made the game safe with eight minutes to go.

The bottom four all got on the board with Almere drawing with HC Tilburg and SCHC tying 2-2 with Pinoke.

Kampong, Amsterdam, Den Bosch and Rotterdam are all on six points so far after three games with another round coming up on Sunday.

The highlight of those is the meeting of Oranje-Rood and Kampong in Eindhoven while Rotterdam against HGC has plenty of spice to it.

Euro Hockey League media release



Army beats Mumbai

Navy edges out Hockey Bengaluru

K. Keerthivasan


Fine effort: Biraj Ekka, right, scored a superb goal for Indian Army in the 50th minute. 

CHENNAI: The quality dished out in the 92nd MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup all-India hockey tournament here on Friday continues to be well below par, which is certainly a cause for concern. Though these are early days, the teams will have to come out of their self-imposed shackles to offer domestic hockey a breath of fresh air.

Both matches, involving Indian Army and Mumbai Hockey Association (MHA) and Indian Navy and Hockey Bengaluru, were mediocre to put it mildly.

Army suffered a first-half slump before overcoming MHA 5-1 in a Pool A contest while Navy scripted its second successive win in Pool B with a 2-1 verdict.

Hockey Bengaluru, the finalist last time around, did not field the same team this time. Star player V.R. Raghunath is not available and so are couple of seniors.

Given its limitations, Hockey Bengaluru did relatively well with the youngsters, only to concede a goal at the death. With 28 seconds left for the hooter, Sunny Malik converted the winner, pushing one into the net after receiving a pass from Poonacha.

Army wasn’t imposing in the first-half even though it clearly had more possession.

Mumbai, which defended well, scored the first goal off a penalty corner through Roshan Keisham and went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

But it was a confident Army team in the second half as it scored three quick goals through Sajeeb Dung Dung, Jitender and Biraj Ekka, the last taking the cake. Ekka dribbled past two defenders on the back-line to scoop it past custodian Sudhir Dixit.

The results:

Pool A: Indian Army 5 (Sajeeb Dung Dung 36, Jitender 44, Biraj Ekka 50, Gurpreet Singh 56, Sarin 60) bt MHA 1 (Roshan Keisham 6).

Pool B: Indian Navy 2 (Bharat Singh 27, Sunny Malik 70) bt Hockey Bengaluru 1 (Sharda Nand Tiwari 18).

The Hindu



Exciting weekend ahead in National League 1



Dundee Wanderers could sit at the top of the women`s National League 1 if they can see off Hillhead at Upper Windyedge on Saturday.

At present the Taysiders share pole position with Watsonians who are not on duty this weekend, along with GHK, who might have their hands full against Clydesdale Western.

Wanderers have started this year with a bang – they defeated city rivals Grove Menzieshill last weekend for the first time in a while. In many respects the contest was over when Wanderers strolled into a three goal lead during the first half.

And there is considerable young talent in the ranks with Emily Dark and Charlotte Watson at the start of their international careers.

Last season`s results will certainly give the Wanderers` management some encouragement, they put eight past the Glasgow side without reply in the two league encounters.

Clydesdale Western were clearly gutted after surrendering their 2-1 lead over Wildcats to a last gasp strike by Emily Powell, the Titwood-based side will be out to ensure they don’t make the same mistake against GHK.

Clydesdale have a wealth of talent in their ranks, but particularly impressive last weekend at Auchenhowie was striker Emma McGregor, her darting runs at pace caused considerable disquiet in the opposition`s defence.

In fact McGregor scored in the equivalent fixture last season along with Susie Gillman, Zara Mason and Bronwyn Shields in a comfortable 4-0 win.

Wildcats, under the aegis of player/coach Kaz Cuthbert, took the game to Clydesdale in the first half last weekend, but fell out of the contest somewhat after the interval. However, under Cuthbert`s drive they never gave up and were rewarded with a late equaliser.

This Saturday the Auchenhowie side travel to Edinburgh to take on a Grange side that lost their opening match 2-0 at GHK. A repeat of last season`s 2-0 win would get Cuthbert`s charges back on the winning way.

Grove Menzieshill are at home to newcomers Glasgow University who dip their toes into the top flight for the first time. Perhaps a baptism of fire against a side that finished third in the table last season but the Taysiders got off to a tough start against Wanderers in their opening encounter.


28 April 2018 at Uddingston Hockey Club. Scottish League Division 1 game, Uddingston v Kelburne – photo by Duncan Gray

The men`s National League 1 campaign opens at Bothwell Castle Policies where Uddingston entertain newly promoted Watsonians.

The Lanarkshire side lacked consistency last season and only retained their top flight status after surviving the relegation play-offs. But there were also bright moments during the campaign, they gave Wildcats a 6-3 mauling at Auchenhowie and held title contenders Bromac Kelburne to back-to-back draws.

Mick Evans has his second season in charge as coach and the captaincy is divided between Bradley Hughes and Steven Percy. That should give a bit of potency to Uddingston`s season as both Hughes and Percy were the club`s leading strikers last season.

Uddingston spokesman Mark Strachan said: “Regarding the targets, we plan to build on the team spirit and dedication shown throughout a good pre-season.

“Success this season will be to remain in the division and demonstrate that we have made progress from the previous campaign.

“Of course we have aspiration, and believe we can compete in every game we play in, but we will look to take each game as it comes.”

Regarding the Watsonians’ encounter, Strachan remarked: “We fully expect a tough match but look forward to the challenge and hope to give those that come to support us a decent performance.”

Elsewhere, Grange begin the defence of their title with a home game against newly promoted Aberdeen Standard Gordonians at Peffermill. On paper the Edinburgh side would hope to collect their first three points of the season, but they will have to do it without the services of Luke Cranney, presently on international duty in Portugal.

The Glasgow derby between Hillhead and Clydesdale is the only other game on the card. Over the seasons this has always been an unpredictable fixture, the home side won the initial encounter 3-2 last season and then lost the return 6-2, Clydesdale striker Struan Walker scoring a hat-trick.

There will be two important changes in personnel, Clydesdale welcome back internationalist Gordon Amour after a few seasons with Edinburgh University, while Hillhead will have to do without Callum Duke, also in Portugal.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Nor Saiful cries for Malaysia

By Jugjet Singh


“I could not believe my eyes when our boys gave away a 5-2 lead and failed to qualify for the Olympics.

KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Nor Saiful Zaini cried for Malaysia when the national men’s hockey team failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

In an epic Asian Games final, Japan came back from the dead, from 2-5 down to draw 6-6 and win the shootout 3-1.

Now, Malaysia will have to go through another qualifier where their chances of playing in the Olympics are slim.

“I could not believe my eyes when our boys gave away a 5-2 lead and failed to qualify for the Olympics.

“I was in tears, as it has been 18 years since we last played at that level,” said Nor Saiful.

It was back in 2000, when Nor Saiful and his teammates beat Japan 2-1 in the Osaka Olympic qualifier to play in Sydney.

“It was also Japan back then, and they held us to a 1-1 draw until the 63rd minute (it was 70 minutes then) but Kuhan scored off a penalty corner and we held on to dear life by placing a proper defending strategy,” said Nor Saiful.

And Nor Saiful believes that was what was lacking in the Asian Games final.

“The players forgot to place defensive barriers after taking a three-goal lead. They should have stopped Japan at the 50 yard and 25 yard — but instead, they threw caution to the wind.

“Back in Osaka in 2000, Japan did everyhting they could for six minutes after we took the lead, but we held on stoutly by placing barriers at every yard of the field.

“And now, the Hockey Series is going to be tougher to play in, and I believe scoring goals would also not be as easy as in the Asian Games.

“They have to defend well to keep the score down in the Hockey Series and then try for counters in the next Olympic qualifier,” said the national juniors coach.

Malaysia must finish in the top-two in the Hockey Series Finals on April 23-May 1 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil where seven other teams will be named later.

And after that, Malaysia will be paired with another team based on rankings, in the 14-team Olympics Qualification Event either in October or November 2019.

“It is a long and winding road to Tokyo 2020, and the team need to boost their defence if they want to make it,” said Nor Saiful.

New Straits Times



Semi Finalist Confirmed on Day 5 of the South African Under 21 IPT

So, it’s down to four teams in the Mens and Women’s section each that can still lay claim to the title as the best U21 side in the Country. After 5 days of group stage action we are just 2 days away from knowing who will lift the coveted title.

We already knew that Southern Gauteng and the Northern Blues would be in the semi-final, but it was Southern Gauteng who secured top spot in group B with an 8-0 win against KZN Raiders. They finished ahead of the Blues on Goals scored after both teams finished with a goal difference of 31 thanks to the Blues 10-0 victory over Border.

As a prize for finishing top the Southern Gauteng men will meet the Northern Daisies who remarkably secure their semi-final spot when North West were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Western Province Pens. This after they secured a 3-1 win of their own over Eastern Province. Northern Blues will play the defending champions Western Province in the semi-finals, WP also completed a perfect 100% group record to finish top of Group A.

Mens Under 21 IPT Results – Day 5

Pool A

Mpumalanga 0-10 Western Province
Eastern Province 1-3 Northern Daisies
WP Pens 2-2 North West

Pool B

Southern Gauteng 8-0 KZN Raiders
Free State 0-4 SG Witsies
Northern Blues 10-0 Border

Mens Under 21 IPT Semi-Final Fixtures

Southern Gauteng vs. Northern Daisies
Western Province vs. Northern Blues

There was a massive shock in the women’s tournament when Free State produced the goods to beat Southern Gauteng 2-0. That result coupled with the KZN Raiders 3-0 win over North West saw the Southerns eliminated on goal difference while Raiders and North West progressed. It means that we will have a new champion in the women’s section for 2018.

The other group had already been decided but a victory for the Blues meant they echoed the Western Province performance in the boy’s section by securing a 100% record in the group stage. They are joined in the semi-final by the female Western Province side who only lost to the Blues in the group stage.

Ladies Under 21 IPT Results – Day 3

Pool A

North West 0-3 KZN Raiders
Free State 2-0 Southern Gauteng

Pool B

Eastern Province 1-5 Western Province
SG Witsies 2-1 Northern Daisies
WP Pens 0-2 Northern Blues

Ladies Under 21 IPT Semi-Final Fixtures

Northern Blues vs. North West
KZN Raiders vs. Western Province

SA Hockey Association media release



Team India's new jersey unveiled ahead of Hockey World Cup 2018

Sujit Kumar Bisoyi



BHUBANESWAR: The new jersey and India blazer of the national men's hockey team were unveiled at a special event in Mumbai on Friday ahead of the men's Hockey World Cup.

Designed by well-known fashion designer Narendra Kumar, the new collection aims to boost confidence of the Indian team ahead of the mega sporting event. The design also encompasses the spirit of hockey being India's game.

Kumar, who was present during the unveiling ceremony, said it was an honour to undertake the assignment for India and Indian Hockey.

"The inspiration of the design is Odisha. The motif is symbolic of the sun, the Sun Temple at Konark and the Konark Wheel. Odisha is where the sun rises in India and the sun in indeed rising on Indian hockey. It is this feeling of positivity and self-belief that the collection aims to inspire in the team," said an official statement quoting Kumar.

The collection was also showcased by the national men's team along with their coach Harendra Singh in presence of hockey legends like Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, Dhanraj Pillay, Dilip Tirkey and Sandeep Singh among others.

According to the statement, captain of the national men's hockey team, PR Sreejesh said the focus of the team is only to bring glory to India.

"We are enthusiastic about the new jersey and I hope it adds to the inspiration quotient of the team. I appeal to all Indians to give their heartbeat to hockey and support us for this World Cup. In return, we will give you our blood and sweat, and hopefully the trophy," Sreejesh.

The event also witnessed launching of a digital platform (www.heartbeatsforhockey.com) to seek support for the game. On August 29, chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'My Heart Beats for Hockey' campaign to spread the passion and love for the game ahead of the mega sporting event scheduled from November 28 to December 16 at Kalinga Stadium. The campaign was created by brand strategist Nupur Mahajan.

The World Cup collection launch also saw a 'Hockey Adda', a curated on-ground discussion platform for hockey players and experts, which aims to popularize hockey. With the theme "Kal, Aaj, Kal", many players of the national team for former players participated in the discussion forum.

State sports secretary Vishal Dev said the event is part of the series of major events planned in a run-up to the November event. "The trajectory of Hockey as a sport in India has attained a new high given the performances of the Indian hockey teams in recent years. We urge one and all to come to Odisha and support your hockey team," said Dev.

He also extended invitation to all gathered to join at the inauguration of renovated Kalinga Stadium on October 14.

Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmed, secretary general, Hockey India said lauded the state government's initiative to promote hockey and said it will provide incentive to the team to bring their best performance.

The Times of India



Hockey coach Harendra Singh rejects idea of psychologist to help Team India


Hockey Indian team members with team officials pose for a photo during an event to unveil their new jerseys for upcoming Hockey World Cup 2018 , PTI

The Indian hockey team's perennial problem of conceding late goals has raised concerns about nerves but men's coach Harendra Singh Friday rejected the idea of getting a psychologist on board, saying the word has a "negative vibe" to it.

The men's team fetched a rather disappointing bronze at the recently-concluded Asian Games after losing in a shoot-out to Malaysia in the semifinals. India eventually defeated Pakistan for the bronze in the play-off.

The setback didn't just cost the team a shot at a second successive gold but also direct qualification to the 2020 Olympics.

Asked if the side needed help to deal with pressure situations with professional help, Harendra was dismissive.

"Why do you need psychologists?" he asked.

If gaining confidence is the aim, then you can even consult a commoner and take motivation from him. The word psychologist itself carries a negative vibe and the players feel that they are doing something wrong for which they need to consult a psychologist," he said on the sidelines of the team's jersey launch.

"I don't know that word. In any team the biggest psychologist is the coach and you yourself. If I'll not motivate myself then no one in the world can motivate (me)," said Harendra.

He said it is the coach's job to ensure that the players' emotional needs are understood and addressed.

"...rather than going and getting the help from a psychologist, who has no clue about the team and sports, no clue about how the players behave," he explained.

As for the team's overall Asiad performance, Harendra described it as a bad memory and a learning curve.

"Look at the positive side, look at the data and then move to the World Cup, Whatever happened at the Asian Games, that's a big learning curve for the players, coach and the staff," Harendra said.

"...that should not be repeated, that is more important, whatever happened we can erase that bad memory when we do well in the World Cup, Harendra told reporters here referring to the premier tournament in December.

The coach and the entire team, along with legends such as Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, Dilip Turkey, Dhanraj Pilley and Sandeep Singh, was at the Friday event.

"They (the team) have a lot of positive things and if we move forward with that positive mindset. We are mentally and physically capable of turning (things around), the coach said.

Daily News & Analysis



Indian hockey team captain PR Sreejesh drew inspiration from Kerala flood victim after defeat to Malaysia

Amit Kamath

Having seen Indian hockey team's dream of retaining the Asian Games gold medal dashed by Malaysia — cruelly via penalty shootouts in the semi-finals — team captain PR Sreejesh says he drew motivation from a septuagenarian victim of the devastating floods which struck his home state of Kerala last month.

The Kerala floods led to 483 people losing their lives, while scores were displaced from their homes. One such victim became a viral sensation when a video of her recounting the horrors of the floods surfaced on social media. In the video, the woman goes on to say that she had lost her house to the floods — said to be the worst the southern state has faced in a century — but vowed to rise up stronger.

The video, Sreejesh says, helped strengthen his resolve in time for the bronze medal playoff against Pakistan two days after the semi-final defeat to Malaysia.

"I was in my room right after the defeat to Malaysia when I saw the video. The woman, who was speaking in Malayalam, was maybe 75 or 76 years of age. She said she had lost her house in the floods, but added that she will not give up. She said she will show the world by standing on her feet again. So I thought to myself, if that woman, who had no cause for hope left in her life, can think like that, why can't we? What I found incredible is that she said she will raise double of what she has lost in the floods. What was even more remarkable was that she wasn't crying in the video, she was saying everything with a quiet firmness in her voice.

"So I thought why can't we do that too? Mere paas toh sab kuch hai! (I still have everything!) Yes, we lost a match. But, all was not lost, there was still a bronze medal to be won," Sreejesh told reporters on Friday on the sidelines of an event to unveil the new jersey for the Indian team.

Sreejesh admitted that the Indian team was heartbroken after the Malaysia defeat.

"But just one question was enough for the players to bounce back from that defeat. Khaali haath ghar jaana hai ya kuch leke (You want to return home empty-handed or with a medal?)" the goalkeeper said, "I told the players just one thing: if you want to cry, you can cry at home too. We had a match in two days. So we went about doing the things we do between matches, like recovery. We wanted to prove that the Malaysia result was just a bad day in office. We proved the same thing throughout the tournament. Even in the bronze medal play-off, we played well and won. The fact that we won the play-off against Pakistan, shows that we're good enough. Right?"

The win against Pakistan in the bronze medal play-off will take some sting off the loss, but should they have won gold, the Indian team would have also sealed a quota for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. What's more alarming is the fact that once again, it was a goal in the dying minutes of a match which sealed India's fate.

"These things should not happen in such high intensity games. We have to show our character and personality at times like these," said national team coach Harendra Singh, who added, "We sat down as a team, till about 1:30 or 2:00 am, after the loss. It was hard to get out of the room and to get out of that mood. But that bronze medal match was one of the most important things in our lives. We had let go of the disappointment of the Malaysia match and get ready for the bronze medal match in 48 hours. Something is better than nothing. Finishing fourth would have been worse for Indian hockey. That’s where these boys showed heart, coming back to win the bronze."

Harendra said that India's problems were mostly mental.

"This current Indian team is far better than any other team, with regards to skill and fitness. The thin margin between winning and losing is mental. We have to change our thinking. We need to see how to keep possession, what to do when. Mental fitness is important in crunch situations," he said.

However, when asked if the team need a psychologist on international events as suggested by India's High Performance Director David John in the aftermath of the defeat, Harendra said, "That's a word everyone in the world has been looking at, 'psychologist!' But for any team, the biggest psychologist is the coach, and then the player himself. If you can't motivate yourself, then nobody in the world can motivate you. The players need answers from themselves for their emotions during a match which leads them to commit mistakes. If someone could control his emotions in the first four matches, then why did he lose control over them in the last match? That's a question if I ask myself I'll get the answer. That's the best way rather than asking help of a psychologist, who has no clue about the team, who has no clue about sports, who has no clue about the players' outlook.

"Players have to be the biggest critic of themselves. Yes, an outsider can lend a different perspective, but in that case why hire a psychologist? Anybody who can motivate, point out mistakes and give inputs can help the team! The word 'psychologist' gives off a negative connotation," said Harendra.

While dismissing the notion that the team had become complacent with heavy wins over teams like Indonesia (17-0), Hong Kong (26-0) and Japan (8-0), Harendra admitted the issue was that the players were unable to control their emotions.

"Complacency? That word doesn’t exist in my dictionary. If you see, even against Malaysia, we had 39 circle penetrations, 24 shots on goal, not to mention 56 percent ball possession. It wasn’t about complacency. That 1-and-a-half minute at the end was what you can call a nightmare. Through the tournament we had 519 circle penetrations, 114 shots on goal. It shows the depth of the team’s attacking talent. But how to protect the lead when you are 2-1 up, that’s something we need to work on.

"I also don’t agree that we slowed down by the end against Malaysia. That’s not the mentality of this team. We were in the driving seat. If we had slowed down, Malaysia would have scored a lot more goals. But if we want to play fast and furious hockey, there has to be a structure in place. In that last few minutes we should have been defensive, and we were lacking. That’s where we have to learn to control our emotions," said the national team coach.

The team's captain, Sreejesh, agreed.

"You can't say our defeat was due to a technical thing. Somewhere it's a cultural thing also. One of our foreign coaches had even told us that we're all grandma's sons. We start complaining about everything. Our culture has taught us that you find out a reason for everything. You're not searching for a solution, you're searching for a reason. We have to change that mentality and we're changing it. It won't happen overnight, that takes time especially if it's mentality related. Fitness you can gain in a few months. But mentality you develop through experience."

Firstpost



Keep head low, aim high, says former India hockey captain Ajitpal

Harendra feels self-analysis is the way forward

India’s ace midfield-general Ajitpal Singh, the captain of the 1975 hockey World Cup squad, offered precise advice to the current team preparing for the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneshwar during November and December. “Keep head low, aim high,” he said.

Humility and ambition was the message to the home team, led by P.R. Sreejesh, which is getting ready to launch into intense preparation for the FIH event in a brand new stadium coming up in Odisha.

Ajitpal’s World Cup teammate Ashok Kumar was another famous face at the India jersey launch.

After returning with a bronze from the Asian Games, India will face stronger competition at the World Cup, promoted by the Odisha government.

Malaysia’s stunning upset win in the semifinals forced India to play Pakistan for the bronze. Chief coach Harendra Singh, referring to difficulties faced by his players in must-win games, observed: “The team has a lot of positive things. If we move forward with the same mindset, we are mentally and physically capable of turning things around.”

“Whatever happened at the Asiad, there is a big learning curve for the players, coach and staff. So, that should not be repeated, that is more important. Whatever happened, we can erase one bad memory when we do well in the World Cup.”

Harendra felt self-analysis was the way forward. He asserted that India lost to Malaysia despite holding the upper hand. “If I was not emotional in the last four matches, why did I get emotional in the last match? If I ask myself this question, (then) I’ll get the answer, that’s the best way, rather than getting help from a psychologist, who has no clue about the team and the sport, nor a clue about how the players behave (in match situations).”

The chief coach was replying to a query about the value a psychologist can bring to the squad.

“In any team, the biggest psychologist is the coach. If I’m not able to motive myself, then no one in the world can motivate (the players), and then I have to be myself, the biggest critic also.”

Ajitpal and Ashok appreciated the quality of the current set of players.

Former India captains Dhanraj Pillay, Dilip Tirkey and Sandeep Singh were joined by current team members Sardar Singh, S.V. Sunil and Rupinderpal Singh during the team’s clothing launch.

Team India’s training session, managed by the coach, was also simulated at the event.

Sreejesh felt that the presence of legends like Ajitpal and Ashok and icons from later generations like Pillay and Tirkey was an inspiration for him and teammates. “We will not let you down. We will not let the fans down,” he said.

The Hindu



Only a third of the Indian hockey team is world-class: Baskaran

The country’s last Olympic gold-winning captain says players need to start thinking for themselves — they will have to develop an analytical approach if they want to succeed consistently at the highest level

K. Keerthivasan


Hockey Olympian V. Baskaran at an interview in Chennai. Photo Credit: M. Vedhan

Vasudevan Baskaran enjoyed the fruits of hockey like no other. He also suffered its idiosyncrasies like a few others.

Sacked three times as India’s head coach after losses at major international tournaments and roped in as many times by the Indian hockey administration, Baskaran has worked with the system long enough to know its strengths and limitations.

Captain of the men’s gold medal-winning team at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the 68-year-old says it’s time for a change in the players’ mindsets; they have to introspect and work things out. “How many Indian players can analyse their opponents,” he asks. “The coach is not the be-all and end-all.”

In an interview with The Hindu, he speaks about the decline of Indian hockey over the years and the beginnings of a revival, the fitness levels of players then and now, and the constant chopping and changing of coaches by the officialdom. Excerpts:

The men’s team was unstoppable from 1928 to 1956. Do you have a sense of what that time was like?

India dominated hockey pre- and post-independence. People think there was not much hockey in Europe then. I don’t think so. We didn’t play in Europe because it was expensive, there were logistical issues. In fact, even Pakistan we only toured in the late 1970s. The hockey promotion was left to the government. There used to be camps at Patiala in the ’70s. We had 33 players in the camps, three players for each position. There was stiff competition for every spot, and a laddered structure to attain it.

What led to Indian hockey’s decline?

In the 1980s and ’90s, there was no structure for development on astro turf. We were focused only on conducting the National championships. By structure, I also mean that in that period there was no Combined University team. During my time, Combined University was considered very important. Even now, I don’t think it’s given the importance it deserves. For me, schools and universities form the core of Indian sports.

Why did India take so long to adjust to artificial turf?

After winning the World Cup in 1975, we went to the ’76 Montreal Olympics where, for the first time, we were to play on astro turf. We had a month of training in Paris. We finished seventh.

K.P.S. Gill, former president of the Indian Hockey Federation, asked a question at the 1998 Utrecht World Cup: when Wimbledon is played on grass and the French Open on clay, why can’t we play hockey on grass? That question remains unanswered.

But I think the blame for [failing to adjust quickly to] astro turf should be laid at the door of Indian hockey. We saw the turf only at the 1982 Asiad in New Delhi. From 1976 to ’82, all the clubs in Europe acquired the turf whereas it took us a long time. A generation missed out. Over the last 6-7 years, things have changed for the better.

What were the fitness levels like then, compared to now?

Hockey players have always been into physical training although it was not scientifically done those days. We did everything but without the books. We never shied away from weight training. In the ’70s, V.J. Philips, B.P. Govinda and I would run 24km a week and play hockey.

Later, as a coach, I analysed what methods were right and wrong. We played too much hockey those days. The present team has two sessions in four days and one session on video analysis and group discussion.

Discussions then were over a cup of tea. It was not official. Chatting under a tree, they would say ‘Arre chai peeyenge, goal maarenge’ (We’ll drink tea, score goals).

What hasn’t changed?

The dribbling. Foreign teams were scared of India’s dribbling then too. Their (foreigners’) wrist did not move along with the stick except for a few. From Dhyan Chand, Roop Singh, Balbir Singh to [Randhir Singh] Gentle and Ajit Pal Singh to me, the dribbling I saw in the ’70s and ’80s was way better than the opponents’.

Coaches don’t seem to have secure four-year tenures in Indian hockey…

Have you seen a coach being with the team for four years? After winning the 1975 World Cup, Gurcharan Singh Bodhi was thrown out. Balkishen Singh was sacked after India won the 1980 Olympics. Why should a winning coach be thrown out?

A coach must be in charge of the team for four years and be given full freedom. Don’t issue coaches with an ultimatum. You sign a contract for four years and break it! It doesn’t happen in Europe. In difficult times, we have to call the coach, ask him for suggestions. That’s how you have to handle Harendra [Singh].

What about the players?

The players’ attitude should change. They should realise their mistakes. Players must study the opponents. How many Indian players can analyse their opponents? South Africa does that. Coaches must involve the players more. The coach is not the be-all and end-all. There is a big vacuum between the coach and the players.


In this undated photo, chief coach of Indian hockey team V. Baskaran (right) with hockey manager M.M. Somaiyya (second right) is engaged in discussion with some of the palyers during the half time of a practice match at National Stadium in New Delhi. Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
 
We don’t have a coaches’ panel even now. Now the calls for ‘ultimatum to Harendra Singh’ have started. That’s a bad thing. Which coach will work if you give him an ultimatum? There should be a clear transparent process in dealing with such situations. Harendra should be called for a meeting and his concerns must be met.

When did this concept of chopping and changing begin?

It all started under Gill, the IHF president from 1994 to 2008. Conventional constitutional meetings were not held. I think the reason for the constant changes was because nobody guided Gill in the right manner. In his time, I was sacked three times and brought back again in 2006. Stability and even selection suffered. It pushed Indian hockey back.

I must say that during Gill’s long tenure players were financially strong, a lot of junior players came through the ranks. But the negatives outweigh the positives. Even under the current regime, the chopping and changing continues.

What impact have the foreign coaches had?

Terry Walsh was a positive coach. [Roelant] Oltmans was more defensive. So was Jose Brasa. Ric Charlesworth was positive. The stints of foreign coaches benefited Indian hockey to a small extent, but the end result has more or less been the same.

How do you assess the current team?

They are not the world’s best collectively. I would say that only one third of the team is world-class. The players who are world-class are Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sreejesh, Mandeep Singh and S.V. Sunil. We struggle in midfield because there is no consistency.

Frankly speaking, Sardar Singh has not been at his best for the last two years and Manpreet Singh’s game is attractive, but not consistently good. That’s not enough to be a world champion. If you ask me, 16 players have to be 70% good if we have to perform consistently on the global stage.

Our penalty corner conversions are good not great. Under pressure in big matches, we are not able to convert as much as we want to. But at the same time, top teams fear our PCs. It is our match temperament that is suspect.

Are some of the recent results a cause for hope?

The silver in the 2016 and the 2018 Champions Trophy is a result of funds being distributed properly and the National camps being monitored. There is accountability now and there is a system in place. I hope this continues forever.

What’s next for the Indian team?

The debate on who should form the core group has to be decided. The best players should be selected; it must not be on past performances alone. We need a rethink for the World Cup to be held in November this year in Bhubaneswar. Players who repeat mistakes don’t deserve to be in the core group.

The Hindu



PHF writes AHF to assure participation of all teams

Six-Nation Hockey Tournament

Mohsin Ali

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Director Media Raja Mohsin Ijaz Abbasi said PHF has written a letter to Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to assure participation of all the six teams in the Six-Nation Hockey Tournament scheduled to be held in Lahore from September 26.

Talking to The Nation, Raja Mohsin said: “The PHF is very much alive to the situation and want to revive international hockey in Pakistan, as through sacrifices of our armed forces and masses, the country has successfully overcome the menace of terrorism and now Pakistan is ready to host international sports on consistent basis.

“The federation wants to involve masses and youth in the national game, that’s why, without wasting any time, we wrote to the AHF, urging them to assure the proposed event takes place in Lahore with participation of all the six teams as we are even ready to adjust to fresh dates.”

He said three out of six teams, including Qatar, Oman and Sri Lanka, have excused to feature in the said event, with a plea of either financial issues or other engagements. “We had made all the arrangements in this regard and national team was fully prepared for the said tournament. Afghanistan and Turkey were ready to play, while on Friday Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) also refused to participate through their letter. We also had contacted these countries through letters and assured them that Pakistan is completely safe for all kinds of sporting events and we are ready to provide them the best possible security.”

He said: “The PHF is hopeful of positive response from Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and other federations. We want to conduct international hockey tournaments, so that Pakistani youth may start following hockey, which has its world-wide charm. The conducting of tournament won’t only help Pakistan, but to other Asian countries as well, as World Cup is just round the corner, while Olympics are also not far.

“The Olympics qualifiers are a stern test for all the aspiring nations and playing in competitive tournaments will definitely boost not only their chances, but also provide their players with an opportunity to learn a lot,” he added.

Raja said: “We are highly surprised on the undue and totally unwanted criticism from some certain quarters regarding performance of green shirts in the recently-concluded Asian Games hockey event. The matter of the fact is that the green shirts played superbly in the pool matches and topped the group with thumping performances. After almost a decade, Pakistan hockey team managed to score more than 40 goals in a single event and conceded just 4 goals including the defeat in the semifinals and third place match.

“But the ground reality was completely different. We lost against India for third place match by just one-goal and even Indian players and officials were full of praise of our boys’ fighting skills and accepted that they were lucky not to lose the match, as the green shirts had majority of ball possession and we could have scored more goals, had our strikers not missed too many golden chances,” he added.

He said: “Yes I agree that against Japan, we were completely under pressure and made too many mistakes and I firmly think that we should have scored in the 60 minutes, but the biased umpiring by the Indian umpire cost us dearly and also the crucial match. This is part of the game and sometimes, one commits too many mistakes and even then one ends up on victory stand.”

“The arrival of international coach and our legendary Olympians have made the huge difference in the mentality of the players and time is not far, when they will deliver. One or two defeats can’t bar them from reaching the top. The boys are gradually achieving their tasks, as they are learning from their mistakes and keen to do well in the upcoming events.”

“The World Cup is just round the corner and the PHF is taking every step to provide maximum international matches and training camps to the team to prepare them for the mega event,” Raja concluded.

The Nation



Dallastown's Legendary Field Hockey Coach Registers 500th Win


Image by Cameron Clark, York Daily Record

By Matt Alibone, York Daily Record

Jeri Myers didn't want Thursday night to be a big deal.

Sure, the longtime Dallastown field hockey coach had just earned the 500th win of her career with a 6-0 road victory over Dover. But she wanted the focus to remain on her players, so she tried to remain stoic.

Then her players surprised her with matching t-shirts reading, "500 wins, tradition never graduates."

And then three former players — whose daughters have recently graduated from the program — approached her for hugs.

And then the emotion came pouring out of her.


Image by Cameron Clark, York Daily Record

"I didn't know if people were going to show up, so it's nice (former players) came," Myers said through tears. "We're a family. It means it's tradition."

The impressive milestone is the latest in a long list of accomplishments for Myers, who owns a 500-150-53 career record dating back to 1981. Over the last 37 seasons, Myers has led the Wildcats to 31 District 3 playoff appearances, 21 division titles and four YAIAA titles since the league tournament was created in 2010.

She's been in charge of 81 percent of Dallastown field hockey's victories since the program's inception in 1965. And she's won more games than any coach in Dallastown athletics history.

But those who've worked with Myers recognize her more for the relationships she's fostered than the games she's won.

"Many of her former players have become assistants for her over the years. She's established a culture and family people want to be a part of," Dallastown outgoing athletic director Tory Harvey said. "What's impressed me is she's stayed relevant all these years and has always had tremendous numbers (of players). That speaks volumes about her leadership."

Added senior captain Madi Strayer: "We know how much this meant to her, so we were right there with her. It shows how long she's been a part of the program and worked to get to this point."

A York Suburban graduate, Myers came to Dallastown in 1981 after stints as an assistant field hockey coach and head swimming coach at Gettysburg College and Lock Haven University. A former physical education teacher at Dallastown, Myers also served as head swimming coach from 1981 to 1983.

While she initially thought she'd get back into college coaching, she eventually realized Dallastown was the right place for her.

"I'm not a recruiting person because I hate to lie to people," Myers said. "Being at a high school has been very challenging and very rewarding. Hopefully I make a successful program, because later in life these kids are doctors and lawyers. They're doing everything and that's what this is all about."

In Myers' first season at Dallastown, the Wildcats won just three games. Two years later, she led them to a division title. Her favorite memories since then are reaching the state semifinals in 1998, upsetting Garden Spot in the District 3 third-place game in 1992 and winning eight straight division titles from 2003 to 2010.

She joked about her years as a swimming coach, and how her victories with that program initially moved her past legendary former Wildcats swimming coach Rich Howley (490 career wins) on the all-time Dallastown wins list.

"When I was at 499 someone said, 'Shouldn't you be happy with that?' and I said, 'No, get those swimming records in so nobody can catch me,'" Myers said.

While she's announced she will retire at the end of the season, Myers is trying to not to think about the end of her career. She's focused on helping the Wildcats win another league title and get back to the District 3 playoffs after a disappointing 7-7-4 season a year ago.

And now that her big milestone has passed, she's ready for the attention to be back on her team.

"I'm glad it's over so there's no more of anybody asking how many I need," Myers said. "It's called dedication, commitment and sacrifice. We always say, 'School is first, hockey is second, everything else is third.'"

USFHA media release

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