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All the news for Saturday 11 may 2019

2019 FIH Pro League (Women) - 11 May

10 May 2019    USA v AUS (RR)     0 - 4     Spooky Nook Sports, Lancaster
12 May 2019 18:00 (GMT +4)    USA v ARG (RR)     Spooky Nook Sports, Lancaster

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Unofficial Pool Standings

The FIH inexplicably and confusingly use a system not used in any other sports League in the World, of making the Percentage more important than Points until the end of the League when they will revert to Points only. Fieldhockey.com prefers to use the conventional Points and so the Unofficial Pool Standings on this site are reflected in this manner.

FIH Match Centre

Australia’s Hockeyroos maintain top-four charge with away victory over USA



Goals from Player of the Match Rosie Malone, Savannah Fitzpatrick (2 - pictured) and Emily Chalker earned Australia a 4-0 FIH Pro League victory away from home against USA, strengthening their claim to a top four finish with a fine performance at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  

Australia’s sixth win in eleven matches - arriving one week after their narrow shoot-out defeat against Argentina in Buenos Aires - leaves the champions of Oceania sitting fourth in the standings having claimed 63.64 percent of the points available to them, narrowing the gap on third-placed Belgium who have 72.22 percent. Defeat for USA leaves Janneke Schopman’s team bottom of the standings with 12.12 percent. The top four finishers in the FIH Pro League will secure tickets to June’s FIH Pro League Grand Final in Amsterdam and also the FIH Olympic qualifiers, which take place later this year.

The visiting Australians (FIH World Ranking: 3) - missing defensive rock Jodie Kenny and in-form attacker Mariah Williams, who scored the crucial goals in their 2-1 win over USA in the reverse fixture - dominated the opening quarter virtually from start to finish, and had the statistics to prove it. With the Hockeyroos recording 62 percent possession, 18 circle penetrations, three penalty corners and five shots, it seemed only a matter of time before the resistance of this young USA (WR:12) team was finally broken, although it would take something very special to do it.

The opening goal arrived four minutes into the second period through Rosie Malone, who produced a moment of brilliance with two changes of direction at the top of the USA circle before unleashing an unstoppable backhand shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kelsey Bing to find the bottom right corner.

Despite conceding, USA produced a much-improved performance in the second quarter, giving the home fans good reason to feel optimistic about their prospects going into a third quarter that they largely controlled. Ashley Hoffman flashed a backhand strike just wide before Anna Dessoye wasted two excellent chances as the Americans applied sustained pressure on the Australia goal but failed to make a mark on the score-board.

Those missed opportunities were ruthlessly punished by the Hockeyroos in the fourth period, scoring three unanswered goals to put the result out of the reach of the Americans. Savannah Fitzpatrick played a key role with a quick-fire double strike, notching her fifth and sixth goals of the competition to take the score to 3-0 and, on a personal note, move second behind New Zealand’s Olivia Merry, who has eight goals, in the FIH Pro League top scorers chart. Fitzpatrick turned provider for Australia’s fourth, firing across the face of goal for Emily Chalker to guide into an open net to complete the scoring at 4-0.

“It felt really good, coming on the back of [last week’s] shoot-out loss against Argentina it was good to have a bit of a win today”, said Australia’s Rosie Malone, who was named Player of the Match. “The USA really gave it to us, they were fighting the whole time. I think it was neck and neck until the end there, when we got a bit of our game back and managed to score some goals.”

The FIH Pro League continues on Sunday 12 May, with USA’s women once again in action when they take on fierce Pan-American rivals Argentina at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

FIH Pro League
10 May - Lancaster, USA

Result: Women’s Match 43
USA 0, Australia 4
Player of the Match: Rosie Malone (AUS)
Umpires: Kelly Hudson (NZL), Ayanna McClean (TTO) and Ivona Makar (CRO - video)

#FIHProLeague

Official FIH Pro League Site

Hockeyroos Topple USA To Boost Finals Hopes

Ben Somerford


Photo credit: USA Field Hockey/Mark Palczewski

Savannah Fitzpatrick starred with two goals and an assist as the Hockeyroos rounded out an impressive Pacific leg of the FIH Pro League with a 4-0 win over USA in Pennsylvania on Saturday morning.

Fitzpatrick fired in two last-quarter goals and provided an assist for captain Emily Chalker as the Hockeyroos raced away in the final 15 minutes following Rosie Malone’s 19th minute opener.

The result solidifies the Hockeyroos’ grip on a finals spot, inside the top four, moving the side to 21 points from 11 matches.

Australia were dominant against Team USA, with 12-3 shots, 45-25 circle entries and more possession but had to wait until the final quarter to seal the win, having held a slender 1-0 lead until the 50th minute.

The win also completes Australia’s Pacific leg with seven points from three games, after wins over New Zealand and USA and a draw in Argentina, before losing in a shootout.

Malone was named Player of the Match after her brilliant backhand goal, before turning provider with two assists for Fitzpatrick in the final 15.

Malone said: "It felt really good. Coming off our shootout loss to Argentina it was great to get a win today.

“The US were fighting the whole time and it was neck and neck until that last quarter where we got a few goals."

Australia’s Sophie Taylor had the first chance of the game with a sweep from a fourth minute penalty which was saved, while Maddy Fitzpatrick flicked wide from a first quarter short corner too.

Gold Coast forward Malone broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when she created something out of nothing, turning and shooting into the backboard on the backhand from just inside the circle.

Ashley Hoffman came close for the hosts with a flick which went wide, while USA keeper Kelsey Bing saved well from Georgia Wilson’s close-range chance before half-time.

USA came out after the long interval with renewed intent, putting Australia under pressure with chances to Hoffman and Anna Dessoye.

Grace Stewart went on a great baseline run in the 39th minute, opening up a chance for Malone who shot wide from a bouncing pass.

Australia blew the game apart in the final 10 minutes, with Fitzpatrick finding space inside the D from Malone’s deflected pass and firing home.

Less than 60 seconds later, Fitzpatrick had another when she swept past Bing from Malone’s cutback.

Chalker rounded out the scoring in the 58th minute, after Fitzpatrick broke forward with her initial shot saved by Bing, before retrieving the rebound and squaring for the captain to deflect in.

USA 0
Australia 4 (Malone 19’, S. Fitzpatrick 50’, 51’, Chalker 58’)

Hockey Australia media release

USWNT Suffers Loss to Australia in FIH Pro League


Image Taken by Mark Palczewski

LANCASTER, Pa. – After a long road trip abroad for the month of April for the FIH Pro League, the U.S. Women’s National Team took on No. 3 Australia in their second meeting of the league. A morning filled with on-and-off storming left the status of the game unsure, but the sun came out just in time for the match. The USWNT came out strong during the second half after trailing by one goal, but Australia proved dominant as they notched three goals to put a USA comeback out of reach.

The first quarter began with a few attempts for the Hockeyroos. It was not until the fourth minute of play that Australia was awarded back-to-back penalty corners. The first shot was blocked by Amanda Magadan (Randolph, N.J.), and the second met the pads of a diving Kelsey Bing (Houston, Tx.) andAshley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.) was able to clear it away from danger. A couple minutes later, Savannah Fitzpatrick sent the ball across the goal cage to be stopped by Casey Umstead (Green Lane, Pa.). Australia generated a handful of similar opportunities but they were turned away by the sticks of USA's defense. The twelfth minute proved to be action-packed, with a video referral by USA leading to another penalty corner for the Hockeyroos, where the drag flick attempt by Maddy Fitzpatrick went just wide of the goal mouth. The final minute of the first quarter brought more action in the USA’s attacking end. A last-minute play found Magadan making a quick give-and-go pass with Alyssa Manley (Lititz, Pa.), who sent it to Danielle Grega (Kingston, Pa.) for a quick shot attempt that was turned away by Australia goalkeeper Ashlee Wells. With neither team finding the back of the goal, the score was left even at 0-0.

The second quarter opened with more attacking pressure by Australia. In the 18th minute, Ambrosia Malone managed to get a backhand shot off amidst traffic that hit the side net to give the Hockeyroos a 1-0 lead over USA. The red, white and blue continued to fight back, trying to create opportunities to even the score but struggled with keeping possession of the ball against the aggressive Australia press. USA earned their first penalty corner as Mackenzie Allessie (Mount Joy, Pa.) used her stick skills to find a foot in the circle. The drag by Hoffman was kicked away by the second Australia goalkeeper Rachael Lynch. The Hockeyroos came close to tallying another goal with a chance that Georgia Wilson touched toward goal, but Bing was there to smother it just in time. As the half came to a close, USA entered Australia’s circle as Allessie carried the ball but was unable to keep control. The score stood at 1-0 in favor of Australia heading into halftime.

Following the halftime break, Australia tried to break into USA's circle but Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.) intercepted the ball and sent it the other way. Seconds later, USA broke into the their attacking end leading to a shot by Hoffman, that went wide of the goal. USA brought more pressure as the Hockeyroos tired. On a turnover by Sophie Taylor of Australia, Anna Dessoye(Mountaintop, Pa.) capitalized and sent a shot inches from the goal mouth. Dessoye would try again a minute later with a backhanded shot off a pass from Allessie. The Hockeyroos picked up the pace in the second half of the quarter, with a close chance coming as Malone hit a bouncing ball at close range that went wide. USA countered the offensive pressure with a few opportunities. One when Linnea Gonzales (Bel Air, Md.) positioned herself in front of Wells, trying to get a touch but Wells managed a save. Another came when Lauren Moyer (York, Pa.) picked up the rebound and attempted a backhand that was defended well by Australia’s defense. At the end of the third quarter, the score remained Australia 1, USA 0.

The final quarter action started with a strong press by USA as Australia tried to maintain possession. Great strength by Manley gave USA an early circle entry and almost a penalty corner but kept the call from escalating. In the 50th minute, S. Fitzpatrick drilled the ball into the right corner of the goal to give the Hockeyroos a two-goal lead. Just thirty seconds later, S. Fitzpatrick capitalized again as a cross ball found the inside of the post for the third goal in favor of the Hockeyroos. With each attempt to counter by USA, Australia brought their own chance to add another goal to their lead. It would be Australia who had the last say when captain Emily Chalker tallied one more goal in the final minutes of the match as she redirected it past Bing. The horn sounded with the Australia tallying a 4-0 win.

Following the game, Ambrosia Malone earned Player of the Match for her goal that put Australia in the lead early in the game. 

 "I think being within one goal at half time was encouraging for us," said Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.), USWNT captain, following the game. "I don't think we put forth our best effort at all in the first or second quarter. It was encouraging that we were only down by one. We made some changes in our press, we talked about some things we needed to change on the ball, and we were hoping to get more connections going into the second half."

"I think we created a good amount of opportunities in the second half from our pressure higher up the field," continued Sharkey. "We weren't able to capitalize though, which is disappointing and frustrating, but we need to keep doing what we were doing because it was working."

The U.S. Women’s National Team’s next FIH Pro League match will be played at home on Sunday, May 12 at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. against No. 4 Argentina.

USFHA media release

Reinforcements for the European leg of the FIH Pro League for the Black Sticks Men



Vantage Black Sticks Men’s Coach Darren Smith has named an incredibly strong side for the European leg of the FIH Pro League. The squad sees the return of dynamite strikers Hugo Inglis and Stephen Jenness who will provide some fire power for the Black Sticks Men up front.

Veteran midfielder Marcus Child has been named in the squad and is set to play his 150th match for the Vantage Black Sticks next time he takes the pitch.

The Vantage Black Sticks will take on the Netherlands on June 5thin their first match of their European leg before playing matches against Germany, Spain, Belgium and Great Britain.

The European leg is going to be a great opportunity for the side to work on their combinations as they begin their journey to the Oceania Cup in Rockhampton. This will be the first opportunity for the Black Sticks Men to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Vantage Black Sticks Men’s Coach Darren Smith commented on the upcoming FIH Pro League Matches “We have been able to select a team from most of the players in the current National Squad. This is with the exception of Blair Tarrant who will undergo back surgery next week and Brad Read who continues to recover from hip surgery. We are also seeing Simon Child return to club hockey and remain hopeful that over the year he will return to the Vantage Black Sticks”

“This will be a demanding and exciting tour with travel combined with high quality opposition to challenge us. We will start with Holland before traveling to Germany, Spain, Belgium and finishing with Great Britain in London over a five week duration. Although performing well and getting some results will always be a focus of the Pro League we are also looking toward the second half of the year to get ready to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games”

"For this tour we welcome back Jacob Smith who has been in good form for Pinoke in Europe. Jacob will bring physicality and goal scoring threat up front. It will be great to see him back in the team”

Vantage Black Sticks Men European Squad

Hockey New Zealand Media release

India make the right moves

Sumit Kumar scores a brace as India register 3-0 win against Australia A


The 21-year-old Sumit Kumar found the back of the net in the 12th and 13th minutes. HI

Young striker Sumit Kumar struck twice after comeback man Rupinder Pal Singh opened the scoring as the Indian hockey team beat Australia A 3-0 here today. Drag-flicker Rupinder, in action after an eight-month injury layoff, scored in the sixth minute to give the visitors the lead. The 21-year-old Sumit found the back of the net in the 12th and 13th minutes, helping India win their second game in a row.

India’s first goal came off their first penalty corner of the match, when Rupinder’s powerful flick was too much for the opposition goalkeeper. Defender Harmanpreet Singh was skilful in his tackling and one of his interceptions led to India’s second goal, Sumit scoring after an assist by skipper Manpreet Singh.
The home side were left stunned when India struck again in the very next minute, striker Akashdeep Singh setting up the goal for Sumit. Harmanpreet remained a vital cog in India’s defence as he repeatedly broke the home side’s rhythm with timely tackles and interceptions.

“It was a very good first quarter with the players getting the basics right,” India coach Graham Reid said. “After going up 3-0, it was important we stayed focused on the process. The second and third quarters were tight. I was happy with the things we have been working on, we created a lot of opportunities and I believe we can still do better with our finishing.”
India will play their next game on Monday. “The next game will be harder and we are looking forward to it. The opposition team will be stronger than what it was today — they had about seven players from the Australian senior team. It’s a good progression,” Reid said.

Rani to lead 18-member team on South Korea tour

New Delhi: Striker Rani Rampal returns to lead the 18-member Indian women’s hockey team for the three-match series against South Korea, starting on May 20. Goalkeeper Savita Punia, who will be the vice-captain, returns after missing the Malaysia tour due to an injury. The matches will help the Indian team in preparing for the FIH Women’s Series Finals, scheduled to be held on June 15-23 in Hiroshima.

The Tribune

Rani Rampal to lead 18-member team for three-match series against Korea


Indian women's hockey team, Hockey India Twitter handle

Striker Rani Rampal returns to lead an 18-member Indian women's hockey team for the three-match series against Korea, starting on May 20, Hockey India announced on Friday.

Goalkeeper Savita will be deputy to Rani, who returns after missing Malaysia tour due to injury, in the team under chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.

The matches will help the Indian team in preparing for the FIH Women's Series Finals, which is scheduled to be held from June 15-23 in Hiroshima, Japan.

Since the start of the year, the Indian team has toured Spain and Ireland. India won two matches, drawn three and lost one. The team also toured Malaysia where they registered a 4-0 series victory.

Savita and Rajani Etimarpu will be guarding the goalpost in the three-match Korea tour while defender Gurjit Kaur makes a return to the team after having missed the Malaysia tour due to injury.

Salima Tete, Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Karishma Yadav and Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam are the other defenders, while Monika, Navjot Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal and Lilima Minz will command the midfield for India.

Captain Rani will be joined by Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Jyoti and Navneet Kaur in the attack.

"I am happy with the return of experienced players like Rani and Gurjit Kaur in the squad and pleased that they are fully fit to play these matches. This tour will give us the chance to take a good final step against a strong opponent in our preparation for the FIH Women's Series Finals Hiroshima 2019," Marijne said.

"We have identified areas in our game that needed improvement from our past two tours this year, and have worked on them in training, and it is now time to show the improvement in the matches."

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu

Defenders: Salima Tete, Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Karishma Yadav, Gurjit Kaur, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam

Midfielders: Monika, Navjot Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz

Forwards: Rani (captain), Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Jyoti, Navneet Kaur.

Daily News & Analysis

Roster and preview: Women’s National Team Scotland Tour

Team Canada uses Scotland test-series as final tune up for Hockey Series Finals


Feature Photo: Yan Huckendubler

It was almost a full year ago that Canada officially started their Olympic journey by winning the Hockey Series Open in Salamanca, Mexico. That win qualified them for the 2019 Hockey Series Finals, set for June 18-27 in Valencia, Spain. Countless hours, matches and training sessions have gone in since that moment and now we’re a month away from the next step. But before they head to Spain, they will travel to Glasgow for a week of training and competition.

The team arrives in Scotland this week and plays their first test match against a Scottish side, that is ranked 18th in the world, on May 15. The Canadian players have been centralized in Belgium since September, training and competing in the Belgian Hockey League as well as committing to training with the Canadian National Team. For Hannah Haughn, veteran Canadian forward, the time spent in Belgium was very valuable to the team’s development and competition preparedness.

“We had access to high-quality facilities and specialist trainers each week,” she said. “Furthermore, we have been able to fully immerse ourselves in the hockey ‘culture’ and schedule games against other neighbouring countries on short notice with little cost.”

Canadian midfielder, Maddie Secco, who has been playing for the Belgian club Victory HK, echoed Haughn’s sentiments about the valuable training experience in Belgium.

“The Belgian league has offered us high level games every weekend, which we wouldn’t get in Canada. As a result, our Canadian team is feeling confident, fit and ready, heading into our Olympic qualification phase,” Secco said.”

As the Belgian league commitments wrap up this month, the Canadian players can shift their focus entirely to national team performance. They will have a domestic training camp in Victoria, BC at the beginning of June, making this week’s test against Scotland their final competition tune-up before the Hockey Series Finals in Valencia.

Being the first time the two teams have faced off since their 1-1 draw at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Hauhgn said it will be a good test for Canada to show their growth.

“They are a high-quality team that will test our structures,” she said. “This is exactly the kind of team we want to play to prepare for Valencia.”

Secco added that she “expects Scotland will be very hard working and aggressive, and that the matches will be close. It will be exciting to put all of our new skills to the test against a team who will challenge us.”

With a top two finish at the Hockey Series Finals in Valencia, Canada would secure a spot in the final leg of Olympic qualification (a two-game head-to-head series in the fall). They also participate in the Pan American Games, taking place in Lima, Peru in August. The winner of that tournament automatically books a ticket to the Olympic Games. Each cycle, the four-year build comes down to being ready for a few critical competitions. Haughn, who was a member of last quad’s run, said overall, the team is more prepared and ready this time around.

“Although in both cycles we had similar goals, this time around I feel we are much more prepared,” Haughn said. “Not only because we have all gained more game experience as players but we also have spent more time on connecting as a team as well as working on the small details individually.”

The Olympic journey started in Mexico last year, it continues this year in Valencia and Lima and will hopefully feature a head-to-head in the fall. Canada is ready for an exciting and action-packed summer of competition.

SCOTLAND TOUR ROSTER:

Field Hockey Canada media release

Scottish Thistles win the Tilburg International Super Veterans Tournament 2019


From left to right Graham Conkie, Neil Ward, Murdoch Shirreff, Tim Lorimer, Keith Raper, Brian de Mattos, Steve Laux, Peter Haines, Tony Walker, Mike McInally, Iain Lynch, Rob Campbell, Jim Frail and Ian Roberts.

Scottish Thistles have won the Tilburg International Super Veterans tournament. This is the first time that a team from Scotland has won this tournament, a tremendous success for Scottish masters hockey.

After beating teams from Italy, Wales and Holland, Scottish Thistles met a German team in the final to win the cup with a 1 – 0 victory to the Scots.

With the European Masters Championships being held in Belgium in June 2019, most of the teams entering this tournament were using the competition as a preparation stage for the Europeans, so it was with added significance that a Scottish team should end up as victors.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Leopold and Beerschot to contest Belgian final with EHL tickets in the bag


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

Royal Leopold and Beerschot will battle it out for the Belgian title this weekend over two legs safe in the knowledge they have secured a place in the Euro Hockey League next season.

Leo will contest the final for the first time since 2015 after they eliminated reigning champions KHC Dragons last weekend. The first leg ended 2-2 before Leo edged out their opponents 2-1 in the second leg.

Gaspard Baumgarten opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes and Kane Russell extended their advantage from a penalty corner.

Shane O’Donoghue got one back and he had a chance to equalise in the closing minutes but Lewis Eaton charged down his drag-flick to nick the victory.

“The team has grown during these last months,” said Manu Brunet following the victory. “The mindset has evolved and we have learned from past mistakes. But everything remains still to be done. Leopold is ambitious and we will now look to finish off the title."

Beerschot, meanwhile, are now going for their first Belgian title in their 120 year history following their 4-2 second leg win over Herakles last weekend – the first leg ended 3-3.

In the second leg, it took only seven minutes for Tom Carson to open the scoring from the penalty spot. Gaetan Perez added a second before Carson added two more for a 4-0 lead before Herakles got a couple back but the Bee were out of reach.

“We will not be favourites on paper for the final,” Beerschot coach John Goldberg said afterwards. “But this group has really come together and it's great for the club and the fans.

“We will give everything and especially not regret anything after the two games against Leopold.”

As for a first ever ticket to the EHL, he added: “I am not even thinking about EHL yet. I can not even visualise yet. Now all the focus will be on next weekend. There is no reason to change the way we do things."

Belgium’s third EHL ticket will now go down to a battle between Herakles and Dragons over two legs this weekend.

Euro Hockey League media release

Uhlenhorst Mülheim win EHL Men’s ticket as UHC close to EHL Women’s spot


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

Uhlenhorst Mülheim landed the first EHL Men’s ticket from the German leagues when they recorded double wins on the road last weekend, seeing off nearest rivals Rot-Weiss Koln 3-2 and then landed the title with a 6-0 win over Dusseldorfer HC.

The first match was the key one as they led three times against their nearest rivals, moving ahead 1-0 from a corner in the second minute via Lukas Windfeder and then again 2-1via Malte Hellwig.

Kai Aichinger equalised in the second half for 2-2 but Hellwig struck again for 3-2.

For Mülheim, it was their eighth win in a row and their 16th unbeaten since a 6-4 loss to Rot Weiss.

A day later, they recorded a big win over Dusseldorf to make sure of first place; Elian Mazkour and Max Godau set them on their way with goals in the first 23 minutes before Hellwig, Windfeder and two goals from Timm Herzbruch completed the success.

"It's the first time in 22 years that we will be in first place after the regular season and we're already qualified for the EHL. Despite three defeats In our first four games, we have ended as the strongest team,” said coach Omar Schlingemann.

"After winning the championship title last year, that makes me very proud! Now, we only have the 'lottery' finals coming up!"

They will be joined by Rot-Weiss in those playoffs as well as UHC Hamburg while the fourth place will go to Mannheimer HC If they can beat Nurmeburg HTC. Lose and it opens the door for Harvestehuder THC to rise back into the top four.

On the women’s side, UHC are one point away from winning the first EHL Women’s ticket as German regular season champions. They beat Club an der Alster 2-1 and Bremen HC 4-1 to make it 18 wins out of 21 so far.

Mannheim are the only team who can catch them but they must win their derby with TSV Mannheim and then hope they can get some help from Berliner HC.

Euro Hockey League media release

Saint Germain to face CA Montrouge in French national final on Sunday


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

Saint Germain will face CA Montrouge in the French final on Sunday following their two-legged semi-final wins last weekend

Saint Ger backed up their unbeaten regular season – winning 16 out of 18 matches – with a victory over Racing Club de France, winning the first leg 3-2 and then drawing 0-0 in game two.

Goals from Francois Goyet, Gregoire Samson and the French competition’s top scorer William-Ike Jeammot in the game one were vital, outdoing efforts from Amaury Bellenger and Adrien Coffigniez.

Their run to the final means both Saint Ger and Montrouge will play in Europe next season with the winner of Sunday’s final will play in the EHL with the other side having to wait and see if they play in the EHL or in the EuroHockey Trophy in 2020.

Montrouge finished the regular season in second place with 45 points, five points off the leaders and they won through to the final primarily because of a 4-0 first leg win over Stade Francais last Saturday.

Corentin Sellier, Raif Gonessa, Timothee Clement and Xavier Esmenjaud combined for the goals in that success, giving them a big buffer going into the second leg.

It meant they could afford to lose 3-2 in game two to Stade with Esmenjaud and Mathis Clement keeping them in the tie.

Montrouge are hoping to qualify for the EHL for the first time since the 2011-12 season when they reached the KO16.

Euro Hockey League media release

Cox signs contract extension for another two years with SV Kampong



Alexander Cox has extended his contract for another two years as coach for SV Kampong’s first team after seven hugely successful years with the club.

He will also remain as a member of the Kampong Technical Platform. In those seven seasons, Kampong have won the Dutch national title for the past two years while they also won the Euro Hockey League in 2016.

Alexander Cox said of the extension: "I am proud that I will remain connected to Kampong and the current, talented team in the coming years. Kampong's vision and policy ensure that the Heren 1 can also compete for prizes in the coming years. That gives me great confidence for a bright future of Kampong. "

Paul van den Putten, a Kampong top hockey board member added: 'It goes without saying that we are very pleased with Aal as a trainer/coach and that we would like to continue to with us.

“We are very impressed by his professionalism and drive and his tactical and strategic talent. Aal is always keen on his own growth and development. He communicates that to his team.

“He is a fantastic trainer and has brought a lot of positive feedback to our club with attractive hockey. The results are, of course, affirmation with an EHL and two national titles.

“I think it is a moment of celebration that Aal and Kampong have decided to continue together."

Euro Hockey League media release

National hockey goalie in no hurry for action



KUALA LUMPUR: The leading national hockey goalkeeper, S. Kumar (pic) wants to ensure he has fully recovered from his injury before returning to join the intensive training camp in Europe in July.

Kumar, 39, said he did not want to rush into any action to avoid aggravating his injury which may affect his career.

“Maybe in the view of others, my injury is normal but it is really serious. My muscle was almost severed as the tear is quite long. Currently the wound is 70 per cent healed.    

“I will only get into action again after I have completely recovered as I do not want the injury from recurring as that would be end of my hockey career,” he said on Thursday.

Kumar who suffered a major thigh muscle tear during the Malaysia Hockey League  (MHL) in February, however hoped to join the European stint for the test matches against Germany, Spain, England, Holland and Belgium.

Following the injury, Kumar missed two major tournaments namely the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in March and the 2019 FIH Series Finals in April.

In this regard, the National Sports Institute (NSI) is expecting Kumar to be ready for the European intensive training camp and to assist Malaysia in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Qualifiers in October and November. ISN chief executive officer, Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli said the process of recovery for the muscle tear sustained by Kumar is showing positive development.

“So far Kumar is recovering well and we have conducted an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in April and he has almost fully recuperated,’ he said when met at NSI on Thursday.

Daily Express

Italians are doing it better in hockey – so let’s join their league

By Aftar Singh


Going further: Former national hockey player S. Selvaraju (right) receiving his FIH Level 3 coaching certificate from Italian Hockey Federation vice-president Enrico Medda.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian hockey players have been urged to play in the Italian Hockey League.

Former national player S. Selva­raju, who has been based in Italy for the last five years, believes the move will benefit Malaysian hockey.Selvaraju’s call is timely in the wake of Malaysia’s humiliating 2-4 defeat to Italy in the recent FIH Series Finals in Bukit Jalil.

Although ranked 32nd in the world, Italy showed they have progressed as a strong field-hockey nation by subjecting the 2018 Asian Games silver medallists to shame at home.

Selvaraju, who made his debut with the Armicora Club in the league in 2013, said it was one of the competitive leagues in Europe.

“I encourage Malaysian players to play in this league, as they’ll only get better,” said the 34-year-old, who has been the assistant coach-cum-player for Pistoia Club since last year.

“The Italians play hockey for nine months. We play indoor hockey during winter and field hockey during summer.

“They have 60 clubs under three divisions. They run their leagues professionally and systematically.

“Players from Germany, Holland, Spain and Argentina play in the league and that makes it competitive,”

“It’s a good platform to learn the European style of play, which is one of the best playing styles in the world,” added Selvaraju, who represented Malaysia from 2005 to 2014.

He said they have already engaged Sabah’s Abdul Khaliq Hamirin. Khaliq was the captain who led his state to a gold at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Ipoh last year.

“Khaliq is playing for my club Pistoia. The local players pay the clubs to play in the league but all guest players like Khaliq and I are paid by the club,” he said.

On Thursday, the Perak-born Selvaraju was all smiles when he received the FIH level three coaching certificate from the Italian Hockey Federation (IHF) vice- president Enrico Medda in Florence, Italy.

“I can coach a national team with this certificate now. I thank IHF and my mentor Fillipo Treno for supporting me on this,” said Selvaraju, who has played in eight different leagues.

He played for Universiti Kuala Lumpur in the Malaysian Hockey League and made a special mention of his former club’s team manager Datuk Amir Azhar Ibrahim for playing the key role in his move to Italy.

The Star of Malaysia

Rovers hoping to sign off in style as Garvey plan Grange Road ISC final ambush



A forceful contingent of the Three Rock Rovers trophy-gathering machine are hoping to sign off with one more victory before heading for pastures new.

On Saturday, they take on Lisnagarvey in the Irish Senior Cup final (3.45pm), a repeat of last Sunday’s EY Champions Trophy decider which the Rathfarnham club won 2-0.

It brought their trophy haul since 2017 to 12 across indoor and outdoor codes in what is probably the most golden era in Three Rock’s 126-year history.

Luke Madeley and Daragh Walsh have been central cogs in that gold-rush but have already confirmed they will depart for professional contracts in Belgium with KHC Leuven.

Coach Niall Denham is also set to step down after four successful years at the helm with his current assistant Gareth Borland taking over. As such, there is bound to be extra emotion on display, particularly as the tie is on home turf.

With Belfield out of service, Rovers won the hosting rights when they went up for grabs in the spring. Recent times suggest that could be a big factor – their last defeat at Grange Road was in October 2017, albeit against Lisnagarvey when Daniel Nelson scored the clincher – and they have won their last 28 Irish and Leinster knock-out games in succession.

Nonetheless, Garvey will have seen more than enough in last Sunday’s Trophy final to suggest they can cause problems not least if Matthew Nelson hits form.

Shorn of several internationals last summer, that Garvey have won the regular season league and reached both national finals is a truly sensational testament to Errol Lutton’s coaching. He was captain of the side the last time they won the trophy back in 2006 and is hopeful top scorer Andy Williamson can overcome a foot injury sustained against Glenanne last weekend.

He will again field a side with only a trio over the age of 23 with several teenagers lining out and they will have taken a massive amount from their first major final a week ago.

Lisnagarvey captain James Corry insists most of the pressure will be Three Rock and his side are on for a notable double of their own having won the regular season.

Corry said: “It was a tough one to take on Sunday but all focus turns to Saturday for the rematch. We know it won’t be easy but we are All Ireland League champions and have plenty of talent to get the job done.

“We are going to take the Dublin venue as an advantage. Playing at their home ground in an ISC final will create a huge amount of pressure for them. I said it before last weekend – whatever the outcome, this young squad will learn bucket loads for the future. This season has been unbelievable and a massive success.

“Winning the All Ireland League and qualifying for Europe with such a young squad is unheard of. Nobody gave us any chance at the start with losing 10 players from the squad. We have proved people wrong week after week.

“We will really enjoy the experience on Saturday and I think Three Rock know they won’t get it easy.”

Saturday, 11th May
Men’s Irish Senior Cup final: Three Rock Rovers v Lisnagarvey, Grange Road, 3.45pm

The Hook

New stars set to shine in Cork Harlequins/Loreto ISC final showdown



New potential stars will get their chance to shine as the women’s Irish Senior Cup final will see both Cork Harlequins and Loreto shorn of some of their biggest names for the showdown at Grange Road on Saturday (1.30pm).

Cork Harlequins coach Darren Collins is hoping “one more big performance” from his charges. They will be hoping to land the title for just the second time – their first came in 2000 – but will have to make do without three of their big guns for the challenge.

Collins always knew that Yvonne O’Byrne was unlikely to get the nod due to international commitments.

It was flagged a number of months ago that central Irish players would be barred from playing due to the proximity of the Hockey Series Finals in June, a key step in the Olympic qualifying process.

Less ideal, though, are Cliodhna Sargent’s ACL injury sustained in the semi-final win over Pegasus while key striker Rebecca Barry will be in the US for the tie.

In the opposition ranks, Loreto will miss World Cup stars Ali Meeke, Hannah Matthews and Nicci Daly as well as Sarah Torrans, meaning a form guide is anyone’s guess.

Harlequins only lost in the league at the same venue – but different pitch – earlier this season to a last second penalty corner but little can be drawn from that tie given the absence of so many star names.

For Collins, that backdrop means the stage is open for a new star to step up.

“We were always due to be without Yvonne and so the plan was to minimise the impact of that. We will have up to eight schoolgirls on the squad on Saturday and so will be up against it and someone will have take on extra responsibility.”

That schoolgirl total is up from the usual six including four from the Mount Mercy Munster Senior Cup final team along with Nikki Barry and Caoimhe Perdue.

Perdue has been superb this term, earning a call into the Irish Under-21 panel, a side which Michelle Barry will co-captain later this month in a tournament with India, Canada and Scotland.

“The young players have brought great energy to the team and are great players in their own right.

“In the last quarter against Pegasus last week [in the EY Champions Trophy semi-final], our inexperience maybe got shown up in a way but that experience will stand to them.

“We have tried to manage it as best we can. The older girls have been great leaders and, hopefully, we have one more big performance in us.”

For Loreto, they can still call on five of the Irish Under-21 tournament panel with goalkeeper Liz Murphy, Mia Jennings, Grace McLoughlin, Siofra O’Brien and Christina Hamill as well as Caitlin Sherin who is not in that panel due to her Leaving Certificate.

As such, they probably have the edge on paper and may well be able to call on experienced players from their second string with Jessica McGirr having featured in the semi-final.

Saturday, 11th May
Women’s Irish Senior Cup final: Cork Harlequins v Loreto, Grange Road, 1.30pm

The Hook

Leaders Warriors, Greensharks fight for table dominance

By AYUMBA AYODI


Chris Muchwanju of Greensharks (left) vies for the ball with Maxwell Fuchaka of Butali Sugar Warriors during a past Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match at the City Park Stadium. PHOTO | FILE |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors or Greensharks could go clear at the top of the men’s Premier League standings if they win their matches this weekend.

Butali Sugar will be seeking their fourth consecutive victory when they take on United States International University-Africa at 6pm today at City Park while Greensharks confront former champions Kenya Police at 5pm on Sunday at the same venue.

Both Butali Sugar and Greensharks are among the four teams that have nine points each at the top of the table but it’s the Warriors who enjoy a better goal difference.

Butali Sugar went two places up at the top after they crushed Strathmore University Gladiators 7-0 while Greensharks edged out Sailors 1-0 to stay fourth in the log, on goal difference last weekend.

In between Butali and Greensharks are Wazalendo and Western Jaguars, who won’t be in action this weekend.

Amira Sailors, fourth in the women’s Premier League table, are among four teams that are unbeaten this season. Sailors could scale to the top of the table if they win their two matches this weekend at City Park.

Daily Nation

Nicki Cochrane visits Merton to inspire children to play hockey.



On Wednesday 8th May 2019, GB and Scotland Goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane visited Harris Academy Merton and Pollards Hill Youth Centre along with Chris Walker from Merton Hockey Club and Sue Martineau programme Director of Hockey Futures. Their aim was to inspire children from the local area to play hockey.

Chris, with the help of Hockey Futures, (a charity who work with clubs to reach young people in the most deprived inner-city areas to create an opportunity to change their lives), set up 2 sessions in the Merton area to help inspire children into the sport of hockey and gain more participants to his sessions, an after-school club on a Monday at Harris Academy and Pollards Hill Youth Centre on a Wednesday or Friday, this give the children an opportunity to learn something new and fun for free.

Nicki’s day began at Harris Academy. Chris wanted to inspire the children and hoped to get sign ups to his Monday after school hockey club. Nicki spoke to the children about what it was like to be an international hockey player, the children had lots of questions to ask her about the sport; including ones about her kit, her rivals and why she plays hockey. It was fantastic to see over 40 children involved and engaged in learning about Hockey.

After a quick Q&A they headed to the sports centre (due to the rain they had to play inside). Nicki showed everyone her Kit, explained what each piece was and why it was needed. Ryan, a brave young lad tried it on to see how heavy it was and how easy it is to move around in.

Once the show and tell was over Chris set a challenge for the children to win a stick. Each child had the opportunity to go up against Nicki and try and score a penalty shuffle.



6 were successful and headed into the shuffle finals to find the lucky winner. The children had a great time and 25 of them were so inspired they signed up to the after-school club.




 
The second stop of the day was Pollard Hill Youth Centre (they offer a wide range of activities for children and young people in the local area in a safe place). The children had just finished school and headed to the Youth Centre to spend time with their friends. Chris and Nicki were set up ready to inspire more children into the world of hockey. Our first participant was Gabriel (who dragged his friend along who had never played before). Gabriel was a regular to the Hockey sessions and even watches the FIH Pro League matches on BT Sport. He had seen the GB Women V China game at the weekend and recognised Nicki, but he was to shy to say hi, instead he asked Chris if he could explain what the cards mean as he had seen them being used in the game. Chris introduced Nicki to Gabriel and to begin with he was nervous as he was meeting one of his idols, she explained to him what the cards mean, and Gabriel even gave Nicki a few pointers from what he had seen in the match on Friday. 



They managed to get a few more players and get a 3 v 3 game going, everyone was having a great time running around trying (no rules) hockey, most of the players had never played before. We spoke to each child after their 30 minute session and they loved it! There were a few natural players and 3 wanted to come back and try it again on Friday.



Before we left Nicki wanted to give her fan a little extra experience, she let him kit up in the exact same kit he watched her play in at the weekend and he was so excited. He ran over to the goal and was keen to go head to head with Nicki and some of the other children. He was a natural, hopefully we will see him playing as the Merton Hockey Club Goal Keeper soon.
 


We spoke to Nicki after her sessions, she said "It was inspiring to see what Chris [Merton Hockey Club] and Sue [Hockey Futures] are trying to do to promote hockey"

Great Britain Hockey media release