News for 04 April 2019
All the news for Thursday 4 April
Bring on Argentina!
Great Britain women’s hockey team have finally found winning ways after a bumpy start to the FIH Pro League. Prior to their 2-2 draw with China and then a convincing 3-1 win over USA, Great Britain had struggled to find form and were lying in eighth position.
But, a strong performance at Spooky Nook is a sign to captain Hollie-Pearne-Webb that the squad is gelling and the numerous new recruits are finding their feet.
“I feel like we are growing as a group, game-by-game, and seeing big improvements the more we are playing together. We are learning what different moments feel like in games and how we get through those patches or capitalise on them,” says the captain.
“We are also learning that anyone really can beat anyone in a one-off game.”
And this last point is something that all the FIH Pro League matches are demonstrating. There is never a clear-cut winner and rankings are not always indicative of how a match will pan out.
“I think teams are all going out to win at all costs and this has made it very exciting,” says Pearne-Webb. “In an one-off game people are hungry for the points. They know that, in most cases, they will have some time before their next game. As you can see, results can go any way and teams seem to be experimenting more with their tactics. It all makes for very exciting matches and games you are desperate to play in.”
One player who always excites the spectators with her mesmerising stick skills is midfielder Hannah Martin. She is bubbling with enthusiasm for the challenges presented by the FIH Pro League.
“It’s great, we are getting to travel all over the world playing the sport we love. Perth, in particular, I fell in love with. And winning against USA was a great feeling. Just playing alongside your teammates, who you train with day in, day out each giving their all is pretty special.”
Like her captain, Martin has enjoyed the all-out nature of the FIH Pro League matches: “Given they are one-off matches, it is a bit different to the tournament formats we are used to. I think this makes you scrutinise each of your performances more than you would normally as you have the time to do so. This ensures no stone is left unturned with regard to scouting and individual responsibility. It also puts pressure on you to perform to your best ability each game, as every game is a must win.”
Next up for Great Britain is a tough encounter with the world number four team Argentina. The South American giants have only lost once in the Pro League and currently sit in second place behind the Netherlands in the overall League table.
However, it is a fixture that holds no fear for Pearne-Webb or Martin.
“This was a group that needed international matches to grow and improve and that's what we are doing the more we play,” says Pearne-Webb. “I am very much looking forward to the next few games as we have seen big improvements so far from the first game.”
“I think the belief we have in each other is huge,” adds Martin. “We didn’t get off to the best start but we are taking important learnings from each performance and we certainly feel positive structurally moving forward. We are pleased with our performance against the USA, and are looking forward to taking on Argentina.”
Official FIH Pro League Site
GB trio excited for Argentina challenge
Amy Costello
Both Great Britain’s men’s and women’s team will be in FIH Pro League action on Saturday 6 April to face Argentina in a double header match that will be shown live on BT Sport from 7:30pm GMT.
The women’s side go into the match off the back of an impressive 3-1 victory over the USA and will be looking to make it consecutive wins.
GB took on Argentina six times in 2018 as they met for a five game test series in February before facing off at the Wanglibao Hockey Champions Trophy in November. Going into Saturday’s clash, the GB squad will be well aware of the threat Las Leonas pose.
After captaining GB to victory over the USA in their last match, Giselle Ansley is expecting another tough game on Saturday:
“I’ve watched a lot of Argentina’s games, with Carlos Retegui coming back in as their Coach he’s brought back some really experienced players like Silvina D’Elia, Rosario Luchetti and Carla Rebecchi.
“They’re a really attacking team and that’s the sort of game that I like to be part of as you have to really be on it from minute 1 to minute 60, so that’ll be exciting for us. It will definitely be tough, but the main thing is that we go out there and focus on how we play and what we can do.”
Giselle Ansley
21-year-old Amy Costello made her GB debut away to Argentina in 2018’s test match series and is looking forward to once again competing in South America:
“Argentina have got some big names but then so do we, I think it will be a good challenge,” she said. “When we were out in Rosario in 2018 we had five close games against them, so I think it will be quite an even match. We just have to stick to our processes, put in a good performance and let the result take care of itself.”
Amy Costello
Anna Toman was also part of the team playing in that test series and has fond memories of facing Las Leonas:
“I remember playing in Rosario last February and it was absolutely brilliant. Their fans are unbelievable - they're really loud, they chant, they stamp their feet - so I think we take something from them even though they're not supporting us. Hopefully as a team we'll thrive off their energy on the pitch.”
Anna Toman
Watch the games live on BT Sport on Saturday 6 April when the men’s team commence the double header at 7:30pm GMT with the women’s team following at 10pm GMT.
Great Britain Hockey media release
Confident Indian women’s hockey team ready for Malaysia challenge ahead of 5-match series
The last time India met Malaysia in a big event was at the 2017 Asia Cup, where they won 2-0 in the round robin league.
Indian women’s hockey team with chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. | Hockey India
High on confidence after a spate of good results, the Indian women’s hockey team, led by goalkeeper Savita, will start as favourites in the five-match series against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur beginning on Thursday.
The Indian team go into the series after a successful outing in Spain earlier this year, where it beat hosts and 2018 World Cup bronze medallists, once (5-2), drew twice (1-1 and 2-2) and lost once (2-3).
The Indian team had further improved its performance by holding last year’s World Cup runners-up Ireland to a 1-1 draw before registering a 3-0 win.
“Always raising the bar is not easy, that demands discipline and taking responsibility. That ownership is again one of the main areas I would like to see our team improve. Our challenge is not our opponent but always ourselves,” said Indian women’s hockey team’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.
The last time India met Malaysia in a big event was at the 2017 Asia Cup, where they won 2-0 in the round robin league before winning the title in a tense final against China.
“It is difficult to say how they play as we have not played against them in a while but the last time I saw Malaysia was during the Asian Games in Jakarta and that is a while ago. From what I saw there, they like to play long aerial balls and like to defend with a lot of passion,” Marijne said.
The matches between the two countries will take place every alternate day, starting Thursday. The final match of the series will be played on April 11.
Scroll.in
India's defeat in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final reiterates need for coaching unit to show nous and players to display belief
Sundeep Misra
Indian hockey team reacts after the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final. Image courtesy: Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia
At times, hockey can be theatre. In the real sense. Only those actors excel who can dominate the stage. India’s Sumit Kumar had just seen the South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon save a goal-bound reverse shot. Instead of tying the scores at 3-3, it was 3-2 in Korea’s favour when the 35-year-old Korean captain Lee Namyong walked in. If he scored, Korea would take the Azlan Shah trophy home.
In such moments, players are prone to keep it simple. Nothing outrageous. Get the goal and be the hero. The mind becomes a monk. The Korean captain, however, decided to be the rock-star. In a show of skill, as audacious as they come, Namyong lifted the ball and flicked it over an onrushing Krishan Pathak. Umpire Steve Rogers watched the ball loop into goal, transfixed. It was a moment of magic, a form of illusion. For those who kept shaking their head, it was Korean witchcraft; Namyong’s form of occultism.
The Indian team stood in their dug-out. Eyes not on the celebrating Koreans. But far-away. This was a shock. On the same scale as the 2018 Asian Games defeat against Malaysia in the semi-final where the Malaysians equalised with two minutes to go and then beat India in the shoot-out. The quarter-final defeat against Holland in the 2018 World Cup at home did hurt. But the players could console themselves believing they were beaten by a team ranked higher; the World No 3. India were at five.
So, how did a team that had seven players over the age of 30 and three players over the age of 35 beat an Indian team whose mantra, through 2018, has been ‘young legs would do the job’? 15 Indian players are 25 years and below. Realistically, defeats happen. And it did in the final of the Azlan Shah.
But when it happens too often, answers are required.
Through 2018, India finished 2nd in the 4-nations tournament in New Zealand; finished 4th in the Commonwealth Games; finished 2nd in the Champions Trophy (shoot-out defeat in the final); finished 3rd in the Asian Games; joint-runners-up with Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat (where the final was rained off); finished 6th in the World Cup and have now lost to South Korea in the Azlan Shah, a team that is ranked 17th; 12 spots below India.
On paper, the Azlan Shah should have been a walk through the park. A canter with comfortable victories to claim the trophy for the 6th time. The highest ranked team in the competition, after India were Canada (ranked 10th) who were beaten 7-3. Ten goals were slammed past Poland, the 21st ranked team. Malaysia, 13th, were beaten 4-2. The Asian Games champion Japan were beaten 2-0. It was in the pool match against Korea, a 1-1 draw that saw the warning signs pop up.
Korea know how to restrict movement. Yes, there is always that part of sport where goals need to be scored. But besides the fallacy created in the mind of ‘oh, we missed goals’, the truth is also that the opposition defence played well to restrict not only movement but push you to hurry your shots.
Take Shilanand Lakra standing on the post, virtually sticking to the far-post. The cross whizzed past his stick. A deflection could have done the trick. But positional sense tells us that standing a step ahead would have made the Korean goalkeeper leave the other post. Gaps could have been created on either side.
Yes, it is conjecture. So is a lot in life. But we plan, draw on the board, holler down players’ throats, create sheets, do the math, imagine and then tell each and every player to execute those plans. Probably, it’s the execution going wrong in Indian hockey. Otherwise, how do you explain a team that could keep running for 60 minutes, create 33 circle entries and have 11 shots on goal, not able to close-down a match? Korea had 13 circle entries and three shots on goal!
It’s easy to blame the team and the players. Especially when a mistake of the kind that was committed by Amit Rohidas. Not the first time. It happened at the CWG and then in the World Cup and now. Mistakes do happen. But when errors get repeated in key games, then it’s a lack of focus; of a player with the skills but not the mind to manage or concentrate on key moments and crucial stages of the game. The easier part as always explained by the management team is ‘we should have put the match to bed in the first half.’ That you couldn’t is the issue. It’s the core of the problem. Maybe, that’s where the need to focus arises. Maybe, India don’t have the correct set of players. Yet, again we come to the point ― an ageing but experienced team took us out of the trophy reckoning. Korea were also the team who were losing to Poland but pulled back not only to draw but score the match-winner in the last few seconds ― a sign of their grit.
Success in sports is a function of five factors: preparation, strategy, tactics, execution, and chance. We can safely say that preparation was the best (well, you have the management team for that) and from them comes the strategy and tactics. The execution is on the players. And if for three quarters it doesn’t work, then the last card is pulled out which should take care of ‘chance.’ India had five PCs in the final. But not one was executed. India had six clear chances in terms of field goals and only one was converted. So, by the law of averages, Korea deserved their victory. Even in the shoot-out, they opened a different book.
It wasn’t just a victory for Namyong’s boys but also for coach Shin Seok. After the match against Poland, analytical coach Chris Ciriello was asked whether Korea was only an experienced team or a smart one too? He answered: “Korea are a smart team.”
At the end of regulation time, the Koreans had definitely out-smarted India. One could easily say if the chances had gone in, we wouldn’t be discussing this. But therein lies the answer ― the chances didn’t go in. Korea played the waiting game. Shin knows very well the layers of issues afflicting India’s execution ― it’s not a problem that has crept up recently. It’s been a problem lying underneath the surface for decades. And most coaches never solved it. Or never had time on their hands to erase it.
Former Indian coach Terry Walsh, under whom India won the 2014 Asian Games, was commentating on the match. He said: “(It was) A game that was controlled by India in the first half as Korea conserved significant energy. The missed chances and opportunities proved costly ― not in only the first half. Korea ‘grew’ considerably in the second period and the mindset changed within the Indian camp. Still chances came, but composure was missing.”
After the final, India’s coach for the Azlan Shah and High-Performance Director, David John, said, “Unfortunately it’s become a habit (losing finals or crucial games).”
So who do we blame ― the coaching staff or the players?
The Azlan Shah doesn’t give any FIH ranking points. It’s a prestigious tournament, but not the World Cup, Olympic Games, the Pro League or even the discontinued Champions Trophy. Yet, a win is a win. Ask Australia who come with super-strong sides and have won the Azlan Shah a record ten times. A win is momentum. For the player, it’s about winning a final. Of having the bragging rights.
2018 was a bitter period. Coach changes, dismal performances, close finishes, the debate between ‘young legs’ and ‘experienced legs’, and the harsh, vitriolic end to the World Cup with the coach being sacked. The Azlan Shah was supposed to change that and give 2019 a bright, sparkling start.
But it has thrown up more questions than answers. Terry’s response was “avoid disruptions and interferences.”
But when asked why not closing off the match has been a recurring theme in Indian hockey, Terry’s reply was: “I don’t believe India can do that. The mentality required to do so is not part of the Indian DNA.”
Maybe, it’s time to change. Make every player a tactician. A physical specimen with a brain too. Or a belief in their DNA.
Tom Brady, 41, before leading the Patriots in the 2019 NFL final against Los Angeles Rams told reporters, “It's just part of who I am, part of my DNA. Those motivations run deep. When I get them scratched at, it's great motivation for me. It's just a part of who I am. Some people are born with great height. Some people are born with great size or great speed. Some people are born with things that are more intangible. I think competitiveness and the ability to compete has been an attribute for me.”
Nobody denies there is a certain naivety that comes into play in crucial moments. Just agreeing and not doing anything about it would be a crime. Players are suffocated by lacklustre seasons and a run without major wins. It’s time for the other group, the coaching unit, to show some nous.
Firstpost
Oltmans' boys to receive Dutch help again
By T.N.Alagesh
The national hockey team during the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh last week. PIC BY EFFENDY RASHID
KUANTAN: Former Dutch penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema and goalkeeping coach Martijn Drijver will return next week to help the national hockey team prepare for the FIH Series Finals, an Olympic qualifier, in Kuala Lumpur on April 26-May 4.
Taekema, an assistant coach with the Dutch national side and his countryman Drijver were flown in last month for a week to prepare the national side for the just-concluded Azlan Shah Cup where they finished third.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said: “Taekema and Drijver will arrive next week. The trainees will rejoin training later this week.
“They will help prepare the team for the Series Finals where I hope to see Malaysia win the gold medal.
"MHC are providing the team with the best as we want them to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics next year.
“We do not want further disappointments, so supporting and doing the necessary for the team will help them do well in the upcoming matches," he said in Gambang here on Tuesday.
Subahan said the men's team will be in Europe for a series of matches in July and August before the Four-Nation test event in Japan on Aug 17-21. India and New Zealand have confirmed their entries.
New Straits Times
A great end to the season as Bedford Hockey Club celebrates 125 years
By Paul Hutchinson
Bedford Hockey Club Men's 1s head for National League next season.
The English league season has drawn to a close, and what a season it has been, across every level of Bedford Hockey Club, as the club celebrates 125 years since its establishment.
No less than six of the senior sides finished their league run with promotion, and the remaining eight teams all finished mid-table, or higher, in their respective divisions.
Promotions went to the Men’s 1s, who will join the Ladies’ 1s in National League next season, both the Men’s and Ladies’ 2s, the Men’s 4s and both the Men’s and Ladies’ 5s. The Ladies’ 4s and Ladies’ 7s both finished at the top end of their divisions.
At the junior end of the Club, an ever-growing number of youngsters has enabled teams from all of the age groups, Under 8s, 10s, 12s and 14s, to participate in a number of local tournaments, two Bedford sides being entered in some age categories.
Several times, Bedford have returned home with both Gold and Silver medals, after all-Bedford finals.
In England Hockey league competitions, both Boys’ and Girls’ teams have represented Bedford in Under 14s,16s and 18s.
Bedford Hockey Club is immensely proud of its youngsters, and it was a very special moment for the Club when the Under 16s Girls’ team won Bedford Borough Council’s Sports Team of the Year Award.
At the other end of the spectrum, both the Ladies’ Over 35s and 45s made good progress in their England Hockey Masters Championships, the O35s, after a dominant run, being ultimately knocked out by a team that have gone on to be finalists in the competition.
The dream for next year, to make it all the way to the finals in the Olympic Hockey Stadium at Lee Valley.
In May, the Ladies’ Veterans will be making their annual pilgrimage to Harrogate, where they will be defending their champions title, in Harrogate Hockey Club’s 48th Crawfurd Porter Tournament.
The Men’s Veterans team is so robust that, rather than settling for simply playing occasional matches against other veteran’s teams, they play each Saturday within the mainstream league, finishing the season mid-table of the same division that the Men’s 5s have gained promotion from.
A new venture for the Club, this year, has been Walking Hockey. This has proved immensely popular, with upward of 50 people, from an age-range of 7 to 82, having given it a try.
Walking Hockey sessions will continue at the Club every Wednesday evening (7-8pm) until the end of June, on a Just Turn Up basis, before taking a break for the summer.
Mixed summer league, also, begins soon, from the end of April, until the end of June, matches being played on Monday or Tuesday evenings, with 7-8.30pm fixtures.
This year, 16 teams have entered. Anyone who would like to get involved can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they will be directed towards a side.
The Hockey World Cup is being hosted in this country, starting in August, so many Club members will be heading to Lee Valley to watch some inspirational action, before the start of, what promises to be, a hugely exciting new league season in September.
The Club is, always, delighted to welcome new members, spectators and sponsors. Further details can be found on the Club’s website and Facebook page.
The Bedford Independent
Talking down the demons of depression
Injury is a constant threat to elite athletes. And while the physical recuperation for a long-term injury is challenging, an often over-looked part of injury is the mental impact of being sidelined for a long period of time.
It is something Hockeyroos Georgia Wilson has spoken out about and, in dealing with her own demons, she is now turning her own experiences to good effect as she encourages others who find themselves in dark place to call out for help and support.
“Before my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL ) injury, the only other major injury had been a hamstring tear that kept me out of the game for three months,” she says. “I wish someone had told me when I first did my ACL just how awful it was going to be.”
A 14-month lay-off meant Georgia missed the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where Australia won silver, and the 2018 Vitality Hockey World Cup, where they finished in fourth place. Georgia, in the meantime, was undergoing a gruelling rehabilitation programme and sometimes struggling to contain the demons of depression.
“I needed someone to tell me, ‘you are going to struggle and suffer and be in a bad place for a long time, but that is okay.’ Because, for me, when I was experiencing those depressive episodes and the anxiety about my future, I wasn’t sure if that was normal. If someone had told me that up front, I would have been better able to cope with my emotions.”
This wasn’t the first occasion that Georgia had encountered mental health issues up close. Her sister, Mackenzie, has suffered a long history of mental health issues that stemmed back to an eating disorder. There was a suicide attempt and, for a long period, Georgia and her mum were on tenterhooks as Mackenzie needed 24-hour surveillance.
“I needed someone to tell me, you are going to struggle and suffer and be in a bad place for a long time, but that is okay."
It was at this time the Wilson family discovered the importance of seeking support and vocalising their pain and suffering.
“A lot of people congratulated and commended our family for how open we were about Mackenzie. So many families keep suicide attempts very secretive,” says Georgia. “But, by being open about it, we got support from everywhere and that helped relax us. We had an army of different spies keeping an eye on her, which lifted the load from our family.
“The greatest thing about talking about it was that we could be genuine. For example, if we went to a friend’s house for dinner people understood the situation and were empathetic to it.”
That support was echoed within the Hockeyroos squad.
“I told my teammates and coaching staff about the situation and sometimes Mackenzie came with me to training. Her situation impacted me but my team-mates could understand if I was a bit snappy or irritated. They would know not to make inappropriate jokes and it gave them a context as to why I was behaving the way I was.”
With time on her hands as she underwent rehab, Georgia started to do some work for the charity Zero to Hero. It deals with suicide and Georgia found that, as someone with first-hand experience of many of the issues facing people, she was instantly relatable to a wide spectrum of people. She was soon talking, sharing her own story and offering advice.
Much of her awareness raising and support is carried out through social media. “What we often see on social media is a ‘highlight reel’. I promised that I would speak up if I was feeling great or if I was feeling awful. I went on platforms where I could relate my story. I did a podcast for the West Australian about some of those struggles. I also did a workshop with children from deprived background to talk about my experiences. I actively sought ways in which I could share what I was going through.”
That work has now led Georgia to taking up a role with national charity Lifeline, which offers crisis support and suicide prevention. She is attending workshops to develop her own skills in mentoring and counselling and her involvement is backed by Hockey Australia and the coaching staff.
“Our coaches have always said ‘we want good people and then we can develop good hockey players’,” says Georgia. “Their message is: ‘You can be the best hockey player but if you aren’t able to cope with the demands of elite sport or growing up we will not produce top-performing athletes.
“There is a huge emphasis among the squad on being active custodians in the community.”
Georgia is already seeing the results of her work. Recently she received a message from someone who had long given up on returning to active participation after suffering an injury. “I’ve just signed up for my former hockey club, you have given me the motivation to do my rehabilitation properly and get back into the sport I was missing so badly.”
“For me,” says Georgia, “I particularly want to speak to young athletes, especially young girls, and say I have struggled with my body image and performance anxiety. I need to put myself in a vulnerable place in order to do that. I have got to a place where I am no longer embarrassed about it. I am willing to be vulnerable if it means someone else will go and get help.”
#Hockey4LIFE #Sport4BetterWorld #IDSDP2019
FIH site