News for 30 October 2018
All the news for Tuesday 30 October 2018
2018 4 Nations Mens Tournament Valencia (M) - Day 1
Valencia (ESP)
Results 29 October
ENG v IRL (RR) 1 - 2
NED v ESP (RR) 1 - 2
Fixtures 30 October (GMT +1)
16:30 ENG v NED (RR)
18:30 ESP v IRL (RR)
FIH Match Centre
Green Machine Beat England 2-1 In Valencia
With 3 places separating the two sides sitting at 7th and 10thin the world this was always likely to be a close encounter. There was nothing to split the two in the opening exchanges and the first quarter saw few real chances at either end. The game came to life a bit more in the second quarter when David Harte was called into action for the first time so smother a pacy English attack. Moments later the Green Machine won their first penalty corner of the fixture but Shane O’Donoghue’s drag flick effort went just wide of George Pinner’s goal. Lee Cole picked up a green card in the 26th minute but the English couldn’t capitalise on their man advantage. Ireland won a penalty stroke in the dying moments of the first half but O’Donoghue’s shot went wide.
The deadlock was broken thanks to a powerful reverse strike from Daragh Walsh inside the opening 3 minutes of the second half. Both teams went down to 10 men with Stuart Loughrey and David Goodfield picking up green cards, but that didn’t stop Mitch Darling from doubling Ireland’s lead with a lovely goal set up by Eugene Magee. 3 penalty corners in quick succession saw England claw a goal back as Luke Taylor found the back of the net. But the men in red couldn’t find an equaliser as an experienced Green Machine side held off the world number 7 side to claim the 2-1 victory.
4 Nations Tournament Valencia
Ireland 2 (Walsh, Darling)
England 1(Taylor)
Starting: D Harte (Captain), J Bell, C Cargo, M Nelson, E Magee, S O’Donoghue, S Murray, M Darling, C Harte, L Cole, S Loughrey
Subs: L Madeley, A Sothern, K Shimmins, D Fitzgerald, D Walsh, J Duncan
4 Nations Tournament Valencia:
29/10 16:30 Ireland 2 - 1 England
29/10 18:30 Spain 2 - 1 Netherlands
30/10 16:30 Netherlands vs England
30/10 18:30 Spain - Ireland
01/11 16:30 Ireland - Netherlands
01/11 18:30 Spain - England
03/11 10:00 1st vs 4th
03/11 12:30 2nd vs 3rd
04/11 10:00 3rd vs 4th
04/11 12:30 Final
Irish Hockey Association media release
England defeated in Four Nations opener
Goals from Daragh Walsh and Michael Darling guided Ireland to a 2-1 win over England in their Four Nations Tournament opener in Valencia.
Luke Taylor pulled one back for England from a penalty corner and despite their best efforts in the final quarter couldn't find a way through the stubborn Irish defence.
The opening quarter was tightly contested with few chances created by either side. The best effort came from an Irish penalty corner but Shane O'Donoghue fired his flick wide.
In the second quarter again the sides were evenly matched but it was Ireland who went closest to taking the lead after winning a penalty stroke, however O'Donoghue's effort was saved by George Pinner.
After the half-time break Ireland did take the lead through Walsh who fired home on the reverse to give his side the lead on 33 minutes.
Just before the final break Ireland doubled their advantage through Michael Darling but a penalty corner from Taylor kept England in touch as the sides entered the final fifteen minutes.
Ireland's Alan Sothern was yellow carded with ten minutes to go as England put the pressure on for an equaliser but the Irish held on to claim the victory.
England XI: Harry Gibson, Henry Weir, Harry Martin, Ian Sloan, Phil Roper, Adam Dixon, Barry Middleton, Brendan Creed, David Goodfield, James Gall, Zach Wallace
Subs (Used): George Pinner, Luke Taylor, Ollie Willars, Chris Griffiths, David Condon, Jack Waller, Rhys Smith
England Hockey Board Media release
Cox tenure begins on a high note as U-23 women also win
Alexander Cox’s tenure as Irish men’s coach got off to a great start with a 2-1 win over higher-ranked England in Valencia.
Three Rock Rovers duo Daragh Walsh and Mitch Darling were on the mark in the third quarter, putting Ireland two clear before Luke Taylor got one back from a penalty corner.
They held firm to land the win in what was Cox’s first game one the sideline since taking over from Craig Fulton in August.
He had downplayed the importance of the tie in the lead-up due to the short turnaround time from games in the German and Belgian league.
Indeed, he rested Paul Gleghorne, Michael Robson and Matthew Bell, leaving a space empty on the matchday team sheet as they had all been part of a double-weekend with Krefeld.
Nonetheless, Ireland had the pick of the first half chances against the world number seven side with Shane O’Donoghue missing a penalty stroke before the break.
Walsh clipped home a reverse in the 33rd minute before Darling finished off from Eugene Magee’s assist to create a strong lead before Taylor halved the deficit.
Ireland play Spain on Tuesday in their second game of the competition.
The Spaniards impressed in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in their opening game.
Elsewhere, the Irish Under-23 women’s side beat Spain 3-2 in Terrassa, coming from behind to get the result.
Amy Elliott’s goal just before half-time ensured it was honours even before Katherine Egan and a late winner from Jessic McMaster saw them over the line.
It was an Irish underage girls team of any description’s first win over Spain since 2005. The two sides meet again on Wednesday and then again on Thursday.
Men
Four Nations tournament (all in Valencia)
Monday: Ireland 2 (D Walsh, M Darling) England 1 (L Taylor)
Tuesday: Ireland v Spain, 5.30pm (Irish time)
Women
Under-23 test match (Terrassa): Spain 2 Ireland 3 (A Elliott, K Egan, J McMaster)
The Hook
Crowds disappointed at Champions Trophy Final
By Shahid Khan, Muscat
Thousands of Pakistan and India fans, men and women along with children dressed in both the countries colours flocked to the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex expecting a cracker of a contest for the Asian Champions Trophy title.
Very seldom does such an opportunity arrive nowadays to watch these former hockey giants playing each other in the final of a major tournament.
Such an opportunity arose here where Oman was hosting its maiden high level tournament. Firm pre-tournament favourites, India topped the table in the round robin stage as they were the only unbeaten team. In the process they registered a victory over Pakistan (3-1) whilst scoring 27 goals and conceding only two. They overcame Japan with a narrow 3-2 victory in the semi final.
Pakistan after finishing 2nd in the pool table had to face Malaysia, who are world rated one ahead of them at 12th position, however Greenshirts after holding a commanding lead of 4-1 at one stage were to eventually able to book their place in the final after a penalty shoot-out.
The curtain raiser for the final was the bronze medal match, which was a repeat of the Asian Games final last month however Malaysia edged past Japan by winning the penalty shootout this time.
With the finalist having performed their warm up and the national anthems about to be played a heavy rainfall delayed the match initially for short period.
The enthusiast and vociferous crowd endured the heavy rains in the stand however as it showed no signs of abetting the spectators gradually started to leave the stands through flooded walk-ways.
With the pitch in an unplayable state the match was washed out with the Asian Hockey Federation deciding to declare both teams as joint winners much to disappointment of the sell out crowd.
The final presentation eventually took place at 10.30 with few hundred fans left.
Pakistan were the happier side at it had transpired that had they played the final, their main player and captain Muhammad Rizwan as well as their highly rated defender Mohamed Irfan would have been missing through injuries.
Fieldhockey.com Exclusive
Faizal emerges top scorer after helping Malaysia finish third
By Aftar Singh
Making us proud: Faizal Saari (left)scored eight goals to help Malaysia claim the bronze medal in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday. — AFP
KUALA LUMPUR: National forward Faizal Saari showed he is shaping up well for next month’s World Cup in India after winning the top scorer’s award in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, Oman.
The nippy player from Terengganu scored eight goals to help Malaysia claim the bronze medal in the tournament on Sunday.
It was the fifth consecutive time that Malaysia finished third in the Asian Champions Trophy.
Malaysia exacted revenge when they defeated Asian Games gold medallists Japan 3-2 in the penalty shootout after both teams were tied 2-2 in the regulation time at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Japan took the lead through Kenji Kitazato in the 18th minute before Faizal equalised through a penalty corner two minutes later.
Faizal was on target again in the 46th minute off a field goal to give Malaysia the lead but their joy was short-lived as Japan equalised two minutes later through Hirotaka Wakuri.
In the penalty shootout, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil became the hero for Malaysia by scoring the fifth shootout after Wataru Matsumoto’s shot hit the post.
Nik Muhd Aiman Nik Rozemi and Norsyafiq Sumantri had earlier scored for Malaysia while Japan’s goals came from Hiromasa Ochiai and Hirotaka Wakuri.
Despite Faizal’s sizzling performance, the newly-appointed national coach Roelant Oltmans was not too pleased with the overall inconsistent showing by the team.
“We are happy to win the bronze medal but to be honest, this was not our best game of the tournament,” said the 64-year-old Dutchman, who has been in charge of the national team since Oct 1.
“I thought we had the upper hand in the fourth quarter and should have finished the game in regular time – but we had to make it difficult.
“Our performance was not consistent enough throughout the tournament, but there are many positives to take back home.”
Oltmans will pick up the pace in training ahead of the World Cup.
“Players will be given a short break. Then, we’ll start the physical programme at the end of this week and the regular training will begin on Nov 5,” added Oltmans.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan were declared as joint champions after the final match was abandoned due to thunderstorm and heavy downpour.
In four previous outings, title holders India and Pakistan have won twice each.
The Star of Malaysia
Coaches Corner: Kermas relishes World Cup challenge
Stefan Kermas is Head Coach to the German men’s team and, as such, he will be eyeing the forthcoming Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 with relish.
“l really like this kind of ‘pressure’,” says Kermas. “For me leading a team and fighting against the best in the world is more an honour than a big pressure. Focusing on targets and development helps me to be as clear as possible in my role as a coach.”
Germany has a strong history in world cup competition. Winners in 2002 and 2006, they have also been runners-up twice [1986 as West Germany and 2010] and took bronze in 1998. With a strong, settled squad, the team ranked sixth in the FIH hero World Rankings will be looking to make the podium and challenge for top honours.
FIH caught up with Kermas ahead of a period of intensive training for Honamas [the nickname of the men’s national team].
FIH: What preparations, including matches, will the squad be going through between now and the World Cup?
SK: We have three more camps between now and the World Cup. Two camps in Germany, which will focus on internal tactical issues, then one last camp with the final World Cup squad in Spain, playing the host team three times in the middle of November.
FIH: How are you mentally preparing the players for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup?
SK: Generally speaking, at first the players have to prepare themselves mentally. The players have to find a clear way of thinking that enables them to play at their best level. Then a team has to find specific solutions for challenges that arise on the pitch. For sure we are working with the team around this topic; looking at how to improve as much as possible in general play but particularly how to ‘deliver’ in those vitally important moments on the pitch. That is important for the players.
FIH: What planning and preparation has to go into getting the players ready for a tournament such as the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018?
SK: Playing a tournament in India means we have to be very disciplined. Differences in local food and drink can present a problem for European teams. We have worked hard with our team doctor to find the best health package that will suit the players. Keeping all the players fit and healthy and in the tournament is the big aim for us this year. The temperature and climate in India will not present a problem.
FIH: What qualities can we expect to see exhibited by Germany at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup?
SK: We will be focussed on winning the important matches by playing really flexible hockey. We have introduced new ideas into the squad since the Rio 2016 Games but I will not be sharing those with you at the moment!
FIH: Who are the newer members of your squad and who can we expect to 'star' for the side during the event?
SK: Our final squad will be nominated at the beginning of November. So we will see then who are the newer players with ‘star’ qualities.
FIH: The gap between the top teams is very marginal, how will you give Germany the 'edge' over the other top teams?
SK: The tournament schedule is really tough, which means you will face a world class team in the quarter- finals. Looking to other tournaments, these matches are mostly 50/50 matches. I think Germany is always good at producing its most successful performances when its getting to the important stage of the competition, the knockout stages in other words. The players are training hard to be as prepared as possible. At the end, it will be a mix of discipline, confidence, attitude and the right tactics for beating the other top teams. It is going to be tough for all the teams playing in the quarter-finals. The main title contenders, besides us, will be Australia, Argentina, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Germany will be competing in Pool D, alongside the Netherlands, Pakistan and Malaysia. They open their Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 with a match against Pakistan on 1 December. For a full schedule, plus much more information about the blue riband event, click here.
#HWC2018
FIH site
Sarjit is now on the other side
By Jugjet Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Long time Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh will be on the other side of the fence tomorrow when he plans to beat them in Division One of the Razak Cup.
For, after helping Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) to be a houshold name in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) and helping the state in various other tournaments, the Olympian is now with Johor.
"I have a young team as 12 of my players recently played in the Malaysia Games in Ipoh and we only had one day to train as a team before competing in the Razak Cup.
"They did well to beat Penang (4-0), but lacked sharpness against Kuala Lumpur and fell 3-0 to late goals.
"My players did everything right against KL, except knock in the sitters that came their way," lamented Sarjit, a former Malaysian skipper.
Terengganu drew 1-1 with defending champions Perak and beat Penang 4-2.
"It will not be easy, but not impossible as well. My young brigade will put up a good fight, that is for sure," said Sarjit.
RESULTS: Men's Division Two: Pahang 4 Kelantan 1, Singapore 1 Selangor 2, Police x Armed Forces x.
Women's Group A: Selangor 3 Singapore 1, Police 0 Malacca 2; Group B: Armed Forces 3 Terengganu 2, Penang 3 Pahang 1.
TUESDAY — Men's Division One: Malacca v Penang (6pm, Pitch I), Kuala Lumpur v Perak (8pm, Pitch I), Johor v Terengganu (8pm, Pitch II).
Division Two: Armed Forces v Singapore (4pm, Pitch I), Pahang v Police (4pm, Pitch II), Kelantan v Selangor (6pm, Pitch II).
Women's Group A: malacca v Kuala Lumpur (7.30am, Pitch II), Singapore v Police (Pitch I, 7.30am).
New Straits Times
Nur Zafirah eyes top-scorer award
KUALA LUMPUR: National forward Nur Zafirah Aziz wants to win the top-scorer award for the second time in the Razak Cup hockey tournament.
The Kuala Lumpur-born player finished joint top scorer with six goals with Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri of Selangor last year.
To date, Nur Zafirah has scored three goals in three matches in the tournament.
But she is not too pleased with her scoring ability as she failed to score in their 1-0 loss to Selangor in their Group A match.
KL bounced back to outplay Singapore 5-1 before they drew 1-1 against Police yesterday.
KL have four points from three matches and they need to beat Melaka tomorrow to book a place in the semi-finals.
The 20-year-old Nur Zafirah said scoring three goals in three matches is not good enough for her as a national player.
“I need to be much sharper in the semi-circle to score more goals,” said Nur Zafirah.
“We struggled in the group matches and we need to beat Melaka in the last group match to qualify for the semi-finals.
“I need to combine well with national forward Kirandeep Kaur to score more goals and also collect full points.”
Nur Zafirah faces a strong challenge from Selangor’s Nor Hidayah Ahmad Bokhari, who has scored five goals in two matches, in the race to be the tournament’s top scorer.
Nur Zafirah, who played in the Asian Games in Jakarta last month, also wants to help KL to do better than their fifth-place finish last year.
“We have a better team this time and I am optimistic that we can rise to the occasion to reach the semi-finals.
“I need to perform well in the Razak Cup as I want to play for Malaysia in the FIH World Series in Ireland in June, which is the qualifying tournament for 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Nur Zafirah.
Eight teams will feature in the FIH World Series. They are world No. 8 Ireland, world No. 10 South Korea, Scotland (No. 18), the Czech Republic (No. 19), Malaysia (No. 22), Ukraine (No. 27), France (No. 32) and another team yet to be confirmed.
The Star of Malaysia
Maryland field hockey is a better team with Nike Lorenz, and it showed vs Michigan State
Lorenz scored the fifth goal in the Terps' six-year victory
By Lila Bromberg
After defender Nike Lorenz drove the ball up the field, past numerous defenders, and eventually Michigan State’s goalkeeper in Maryland field hockey’s Big Ten quarterfinal Sunday, the Terps’ bench welcomed her back.
“Guess who’s back,” her teammates chanted following Lorenz’s goal, the fifth in Maryland’s emphatic 6-0 victory to open postseason play.
The junior didn’t play in the last four games of the regular season,dealing with an upper leg strain. But back in the lineup Sunday, Lorenz played a key part in helping the Terps advance to the next round of the conference tournament.
“[I’m] really happy that Nike Lorenz is back in … the lineup,” coach Missy Meharg said. “We're just a better team, a more experienced team with her.”
Without Lorenz in the squad, Maryland averaged 12.75 shots per game, down from their 17.4 overall average this year. They didn’t record more than two goals against ranked opponents in her absence, looking out of sync on attack and struggling to complete passes and work as a unit. That led to one of two losses this season, a 3-1 defeat to No. 23 Virginia in the regular season finale.
On Sunday, Maryland recorded a season-high 30 shots and dominated possession for almost the entirety of the game. The Terps also held Michigan State to just two shots through the contest. Lorenz didn’t start, but quickly gelled? back into the lineup, playing 46 minutes and tallying five shots.
"We just have that connection and she's a big communicator on the field, too,” forward Linnea Gonzales said. “It's [defender Bodil Keus], Nike and I in the middle, so [having her back] definitely helps out and just like gets the connection going."
While Lorenz wished she was playing during her two weeks off, she was grateful her injury wasn’t worse, potentially holding her out of tournament play.
“That's just how sports are,” Lorenz said. “Sometimes you're going to be injured and then you have to come back."
The defender worked diligently with her rehab to ensure she could return as quickly as possible to rejoin her team for the postseason. After midfielder Kyler Greenwalt tore her ACL and defender Sophie Giezeman left the program, Lorenz’s recovery came at a vital time.
And now with Lorenz back in the lineup, the Terps are ready and hungry to compete for the Big Ten tournament title this weekend.
“When we step on the field it’s all for heart, we’re playing for each other,” Gonzales said. “So excited to keep going forward and keep growing.”
The Diamondback