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All the news for Sunday 12 May 2019

FIH Pro League Scouting Report: USWNT vs. Argentina



In anticipation of the U.S. Women's National Team's upcoming FIH Pro League match, here is a scouting report you’ll want to review before the starting whistle.

Game Day: Sunday May 12, 2019

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET

Location: Spooky Nook Sports, Lancaster, Pa.

Live Stream: Don't miss a second of the FIH Pro League action and watch the USWNT takes on Argentina this Sunday. The FIH has signed a four-year media rights agreement with Bleacher Report Live for the territories of Canada and the United States. Bleacher Report Live is operated by Turner Sports, a division of WarnerMedia. The platform, which is Turner’s live sports streaming service, will be the primary destination for all fans to watch FIH Pro League matches.

FIH Pro League single games are available paid per view for $2.99 per match or $19.99 for the FIH Pro League 2019 Season Pass (all matches). Click here for the FIH Pro League live stream landing page.

Opponent: Argentina

FIH World Ranking: 4

Head to Head: These two teams last met in the USA's first FIH Pro League game on February 2 in Córdoba, Argentina. It was USA who capitalized on their counter attacks in the first half, producing two field goals, but Las Leonas tallied two of their own in the fourth quarter to finish regulation 2-2 and force a shootout. Tied 1-1 after the first round with goals from Argentina’s Delfina Merino and USA’s Kathleen Sharkey, Las Leonas converted again as USA’s Linnea Gonzales’ was called back for using the back of the stick. Neither team found the back of the goal in the third round but Argentina’s Lucina von der Heyde scored in the fourth and USA’s Nicole Woods missed, giving Argentina the additional FIH Pro League point.

Prior to that USA played Argentina in a five-game test series in Tucuman in June 2018. In the opening match, the score line did not reflect that of the performance of USA as Argentina finished well and was fueled by a hat trick to earn a 5-1 win. Match two saw a scoreless first half before Las Leonas tallied three unanswered goals as the USA fell 3-1. The third match saw Argentina use a late first quarter goal and dominant ball control to shut down USA throughout the match en route to a 4-0 victory. Despite an early USA lead in the fourth game, a late first half goal gave the lead back to Las Leonas as they prevailed 2-1. Having not won a game the whole series, USA kept the final game scoreless after the first quarter. Argentina persisted to score two in the second and one in the third, but not before USSA showed grit and a straight shot by Sharkey was tucked in by Erin Matson to add one back. Misconnections and unforced turnovers were exposed for USA as they fell 3-1.

What You Need to Know: Argentina has long been considered one of the world's most fearsome attacking teams and are undisputedly a true powerhouse of the game. Since the 2014 retirement of eight-time FIH Player of the Year, Luciana Aymar, Las Leonas have been in a somewhat rebuilding process. However, this has not stopped them from claiming some notable titles, including the 2016 Champions Trophy in London and 2017 Pan American Cup in the United States.

The FIH Pro League women's Argentina squad contains some sensational players. Goalkeeper Belen Succi is rated as one of the finest goalkeepers around, while Delfina Merino, Maria Granatto, Florencia Habif and Lucina von der Heyde, named Best Young Player at the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup, are all exceptional outfield performers. Recently, Carlos Retegui, who guided Argentina's men to Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the women to World Cup glory in 2010, has been reappointed as the head coach.

Recap of Argentina's Previous Game: It was second versus fourth in this fixture as No. 4 Argentina looked to continue a sensational run of form which saw them win six successive FIH Pro League matches coming into this meeting against No. 3 Australia. Las Leonas were 1-0 winners of the reverse fixture in Sydney thanks to a solitary strike from Delfina Merino, a player absent for the rematch against a Hockeyroos team that are still the only team to have claimed an FIH Pro League victory over reigning world champions and league leaders The Netherlands.

The hosts made a lethargic start in their attempt to close the gap on the Dutch table-toppers, falling behind just two minutes into the match when Maddy Fitzpatrick’s high drag flick hit the roof of Argentina’s net, with goalkeeper Maria Mutio getting a touch but unable to deflect the ball away to safety. However, the home fans had something to smile about in the second quarter when Silvina D’Elia struck an emphatic equalizer, bringing great reward to the penalty corner won by Player of the Match Julieta Jankunas.

Eugenia Trinchinetti missed Argentina’s best opportunity of the third quarter when she failed to get a touch in front of an open goal, with the Hockeyroos successfully absorbing long spells of pressure from the hosts to ensure that they would at least take a point from away from their trip to South America. However, it was the hosts who took the bonus point with a 3-1 win in the shoo-out, with D’Elia, Carla Rebecchi and Jankunas scoring the goals and goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino coming off the bench to only concede once.

Argentina's Roster: Click Here

USFHA media release

Akhimullah eyes new start after Series Finals meltdown

By Aftar Singh


File photo of TNB-Thunderbolt forward Muhd Akhimullah Anuar Esook (in red) in action in the Division One match of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

KUALA LUMPUR: Youngster Muhd Akhimullah Anuar Esook was brought down to earth with a thump at the recent FIH Series Finals.
 
The 19-year-old was expected to shine at the Finals after his splendid performance in guiding Malaysia to win gold in the Youth Olympics Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October.

He also won the top scorer award with 22 goals.
 
Instead the Kuala Terengganu lad had a nightmare outing as he failed to score a single goal.

In the semi-finals against Austria, his frustration showed when he was flashed the yellow card for hitting the ball after the umpire had blown for a foul.

Akhimullah was at a loss for words with his performance.
 
"The Finals was my biggest break with the senior squad and I blew it.
 
"I had more than 10 chances to score but somehow I just could not make it count," said Akhimullah.

"My dream is to be the top striker for Malaysia but judging by the way I played, it will take some time for me to get there.

"Thankfully I'm still in the national training squad and hopefully I get another chance to make amends in the European tour in July," added Akhimullah, who is pursuing a pre-university course at the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School in Bandar Penawar.

Malaysia, who finished runners-up to Canada in the Finals, will be going to Europe on July 21 in preparation for the playoff match in October to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
 
The European tour
July 25: Test match against Germany in Krefeld.
July 29: Test match against Spain in Terrassa.
Aug 1-4: Four-nation tournament in Terrassa featuring Malaysia, England, Ireland and Spain.
Aug 6-8: Friendly against Holland in Breda.
Aug 9-12: Friendly against Belgium in Antwerp.
Aug 19-23: Olympics Tokyo Test featuring Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
End of Sept: Three Test matches against South Korea in Incheon.

The Star of Malaysia

HI names 33 probables for junior men’s national coaching camp

Hockey India on Saturday named a 33-member probables list for the junior men’s national coaching camp, beginning in Bengaluru from Monday.

The focus of the three-week camp, which concludes on June 4, will be on fitness and recognising the right combinations for the upcoming eight-nation tournament, starting June 10 in Madrid, Spain.

The tournament will see Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Argentina, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain along with India vie for the top honours.

“It will be a very competitive tournament for India and this National Camp will be vital in terms of improving the teams set plays. A lot of emphasis will be on speed work, agility and fitness. The coaches will be watching the players closely to see how they perform under pressure situations,” Director High Performance David John said.

List of probables:

Goalkeepers: Pawan, Prashant Kumar Chauhan and Sahil Kumar Nayak               

Defenders: Suman Beck, Pratap Lakra, Sanjay, Sundram Singh Rajawat, Mandeep Mor, Parampreet Singh, Dinachandra Singh Moirangthem, Nabin Kujur, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Niraj Kumar Waribam.

Midfielders: Sukhman Singh, Gregory Xess, Ankit Pal, Akashdeep Singh, Vishnu Kant Singh, Gopi Kumar Sonkar, Vishal Antil, Surya NM, Maninder Singh, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem.

Forwards:Sudeep Chirmako, Rahul Kumar Rajbhar, Uttam Singh, S Karthi, Dilpreet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Amandeep Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Shivam Anand,  Arshdeep Singh.

The Tribune

Kovsies punish Wits in Potch

By Bronwen Bain


Casey Jean Botha of Kovsies during the Varsity Hockey match at NWU Astro in Potchefstroom on May 10

Kovsies’ seven goals against Wits’ none is an accurate depiction how the first game went down at the North-West University Astro on the first day of the bumper weekend in Potchefstroom.

Wits got the first day off to a positive start, but it was Kovsies who asserted dominance in the first quarter. Kovsies came close more than once in the first quarter, but had no goals to show for it at the end of the first quarter.

Wits began to build momentum in the second quarter, but Kovsies continued to test their defence. Lezaan Jansen van Vuuren stood solid in defence for Wits, blocking almost every shot from Kovsies. Antonet Louw tried her hardest to get Kovsies on the score board through a short corner but her shot went wide, leaving the score tied at 0-0 going into half time.

Kovsies’ breakthrough came in the third quarter when both Simone Gouws and Nela Mbedu scored to take Kovsies to a 4-0 within a minute of each other. Nela Mbedu got her name on the score sheet again when she scored Kovsies’ third goal off a short corner to take a promising 5-0 lead. Ashleigh Datnow tried to pull one back for Wits, but her shot went wide and left Wits with nothing to show for their efforts.

Antonet Louw put the final nail in Wits’ coffin when she flicked the ball into the back of the net off a short corner for Kovsies. The goal was scored during a PowerPlay, which meant Kovsies took a 7-0 lead with five minutes left of play. Wits called their PowerPlay immediately after Kovsies, but Kovsies’ scrambling defence was enough to hold onto their lead 7-0 and end the first game showing that they’re a team to watch this weekend.

Mugg & Bean Star Saver Award: Storme Johnson (Wits)
MTN Connector Award: Nela Mbedu (Kovsies)
FNB Player of the Match: Simone Gouws (Kovsies)

Scores (Note: Field goals count 2 in their competition)
Kovsies: 7
Goals: Simone Gouws, Nela Mbedu (2), Antonet Louw
Wits: 0

Teams
Kovsies: 1. Wiane Grobler, 2 Chane Hartel, 4. Mikayla Claassen, 5. Anke Badenhorst, 6. Casey Jean Botha, 7. Chindre Simmons, 8. Este van Schalkwyk, 9. Nadia van Staden, 10. Antonet Louw, 11. Michelle Ngoetjane, 12. Olin Heraldine, 13. Lizanne Jacobs, 15. Rafilwe Ralikontsane, 16. Mielanka van Schalkwyk, 17. Nela Mbedu, 18. Simone Gouws, 20. Frances Louw, 23. Kia-Leigh Erasmus.

Wits: 1. Tamsin Copeland, 2. Michelle Dykman, 3. Nolwazi Ngubane, 4. Imogen Bangert. 5. Lezaan Jansen van Vuuren, 6. Angelique Pieterse, 7. Nomnikelo Veto, 8. Ashleigh Readhead, 9. Mandisa Sigudla, 10. Nompilo Thenjwayo, 11. Ashleigh Datnow, 12. Danielle Quin, 13. Nolwazi Zondi, 14. Erin Haupt, 16. Lisa Bone, 17. Storme Johnson, 19. Rethabile Tsebiso, 24. Sisipho Magwaza.

Varsity Sports media release

UJ stun UCT on penalties

By Bronwen Bain


Demi Harmse of UJ during the Varsity Hockey match at NWU Astro in Potchefstroom on May 10

Fifth-placed UJ brought their A-game against third-placed UCT to take a narrow 2-1 win on penalties in Potchefstroom.

The first half saw equal opportunity for both teams, but it was UCT who had the most composure. UCT had four short corners in a row, but were unable to get ahead, with the score sitting at 0-0 going into half time

UCT came out firing in the second half, but their efforts proved futile in the third quarter when they were still unable to find the back of the net. Kristen Paton came close to scoring for UJ, but her shot went just wide. Thato May put UJ on the board in the last five minutes of the third quarter when she fired a shot through UCT’s defence to take a 2-0 going into the last quarter of the match.

UJ caught their second wind in the last quarter and took the opportunity to call a PowerPlay after UCT were yellow-carded, which sent them down to eight women. However, they were unable to make anything of the PowerPlay but still maintained their 2-0 lead. Francesca Vercellotti proved to be the hero of the day when she scored in the dying seconds of the game to draw UCT level with UJ and take the game to penalties.

UJ won the coin toss and chose to send UCT in to take the first penalty. Nicole Koenig scored UCT’s first and only penalty, with Pauline Jacobs converting her penalty or UJ to draw level with UCT. Lethabo Nkoe was UJ’s saving grace when she found the back of the net to secure the win for UJ, with UCT unable to score any more of their penalties to put them back in it.

Mugg & Bean Star Saver Award: Nope Serage (UCT)
MTN Connector Award: Chelsea Manoek (UCT)
FNB Player of the Match: Kristen Paton (UJ).

Scores (Note: Field goals count 2 in their competition)
UJ: 2
Goal: Thato May

UCT: 2
Goal: Francesca Vercellotti

Teams
UJ: 1.Nadia Mattana, 23. Paula Rebelo, 10. Jivanka Kruger, 7. Phia Gerber, 16. Lethabo Nkoe, 2. Dinisha Coopoosamy, 11. Tanika Schram, 3. Celine da Silva, 8. Kristen Paton, 4. Zeena Martin, 13. Demi Harmse, 18. Kelly Hewitt, 9. Lisa Hawker, 14. Gabriella Terblanche, 15. Kaylim Bowers, 12. Tenika Kriel, 5. Thato May, 6. Pauline Jacobs.

UCT: 1. Nope Serage, 3. Rosi Church, 4. Gillian Hermanus, 6. Jess Hutchison, 7. Andrea Leader, 8. Michelle Winter, 9. Nicole Koenig, 10. Chelsea Manoek, 11. Clem Goldig, 12. Francesca Vercellotti, 13. Moletlo Somo,. Michelle Tullis, 16. Megan Pryce-Lewis, 17. Courtney Wheeler, 20. Modjadjl Maake, 21. Candice Ewing, 24. Cameron Beckett, 28. Aaliyah Dollie.

Varsity Sports media release

Tuks prove to be too much for Madibaz

By Bronwen Bain


Tuks during the Varsity Hockey match at NWU Astro in Potchefstroom on May 10

Four goals from Marizen Marais saw Tuks complete a resounding 9-0 win over Madibaz at the NWU Astro on Friday 10 May 2019.

The first quarter was anybody’s game, with Madibaz getting a penalty in the first two minutes of the match. Britany Reddy took the shot but was unable to get Madibaz on the board, with the game remaining scoreless at the conclusion of the first quarter.

Marizen Marais gave Tuks a one-goal advantage in the beginning of the second quarter, when she successfully converted a penalty. Tuks held onto their lead going into half time, going into the second half comfortably at 1-0.

Tuks continued to build momentum in the second half and so did Marizen Marais, whose field goal extended Tuks’ lead to 3-0. Natalie Esteves struck for Tuks on the edge of final play in the third quarter, giving Tuks a comfortable 5-0 advantage.

Tuks showed no signs of slowing down in the last quarter, with Marizen Marais getting her hat-trick to extend the lead to 7-0. Marais put the final nail in Madibaz’s coffin when she proceeded to find the back of the net for the fourth time in the evening, leaving Madibaz with not a single goal to show for their efforts.

Mugg & Bean Star Saver of the Match: Britany Reddy (Madibaz)
MTN Connector Award: Natalie Esteves (Tuks)
FNB Player of the Match: Marizen Marais (Tuks)

Scores (Note: Field goals count 2 in their competition)
Tuks: 9
Goals: Marizen Marais (4), Natalie Esteves
Madibaz: 0

Madibaz: 1. Kerryn Frost, 12. Emma Fraser, 3. Hannah Knott-Craig, 5. Lara Cunningham, 16. Caitlin van Goeverden, 11. Britany Reddy, 6. Staci Edwards, 8. Kanyisa Gwata, 18. Zhanique Sissing, 10. Shaneal Fernandez, 15. Awuraama Asmah-Andoh, 17. Caitlin Brooks, 21. Cassidy Holmes, 20. Shae O’Reilly, 7. Caitlin Gouws, 22. Emma Hobson, 9. Sinead Walsh, 24. Tumishang Shirinde.

Tuks: 5. Megan Anderson, 11. Aimee Anticevich, 17. Thandokazi Chithi, 16. Jean-Leigh du Toit, 15. Natalie Esteves, 10. Kaylin Fourie, 8. Maxine Hannan, 18. Aneme Jacobs, 14. Lerato Mahole, 7. Marizen Marais, 4. Maikemisetso Marokoane, 21. Jessica-Lee Redfern, 20. Micaela Roos, 1. Alexis Steyn, 23. Demi Tait, 6. Ashleigh Thomas, 19. Mase Thotse, 3. Onthatile Zulu.

Varsity Sports media release

NWU silence Maties at home in Potchefstroom

By Bronwen Bain


Meeghan Klomp of NWU during the Varsity Hockey match at NWU Astro in Potchefstroom on May 10

Home-ground advantage played its role when NWU handed Maties their first defeat of the competition, winning 2-1 in the final game of the first day of the Potchefstroom leg of Varsity Hockey.

Both NWU and Maties made a statement from the second the game started, attacking at every chance they got. But it was NWU who came close to scoring the first goal. The Maties defence was luckily able to send it wide and keep the score at 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.

NWU had more possession in the second quarter, despite Maties having the best chance to get their name on the scoreboard first. NWU’s breakthrough came when Candice Silent was able to crash the ball into the back of the net to get two vital points and a lead to take with them into half time.

In the beginning of the second half, Sherine Ledwaba almost got her name on the score sheet on her debut for NWU, but Maties stood strong and blocked her shot. Captain Paige Philips put Maties back in it when she scored off a short corner to take the score to 2-1 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

The final quarter was all about Maties, who were more desperate than they had been throughout the game. But NWU stuck to their guns and defended strongly to ensure that Maties were kept at bay. In the most highly anticipated match of the day it was NWU who made their home fans proud and secured a 2-1 win.

Mugg & Bean Star Saver Award: Jessica de Bruyn-Smith (NWU)
MTN Connector Award: Jacolene McLaren (NWU)
FNB Player of the Match: Stephanie Botha (Maties)

Scores (Note: Field goals count 2 in their competition)
NWU: 2
Goal: Candice Silent
Maties: 1
Goal: Paige Phillips

Teams
NWU: 1. Caitlin Grant, 2. Mishka Ellis, 5. Jessica de Bruyn-Smith, 6. Kirsty Adams, 7. Miecke Flemming, 10. Meeghan Klomp, 11. Kelsey Minnaar, 12. Charné Maddocks, 13. Carli Pretorius, 14. Clarise Smit, 15. Courtney du Preez, 16. Candice Silent, 18. Sherine Ledwaba, 19. Sare Laubscher, 20. Anneke Beukman, 22. Jacolene McLaren, 23. Kutlwano Moshugi, 24. Christa Ramasimang.

Maties: 1. Sandisiwe Tabata, 2. Jamie Southgate, 3. Kristen Block, 4. Stephanie Botha, 5. Lee-Ann Louwrens, 6. Tammy Minnaar, 7. Lida Kotze, 8. Paige Phillips, 9. Aimee-Leigh Pote, 10. Lenta Cullinan, 11. Monique Bartsch, 12. Zola Nompuku? 13. Simone van der Colff, 14. Rebecca Kaps, 18. Ammaarah Hendricks, 20. Francisca Darkoh, 23. Angela Welman, 24. Lara Stevens.

Varsity Sports media release