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All the news for Sunday 7 March 2021

2020 FIH Pro League (Men) - 7 March

Times GMT+1

6 Mar 2021    NED v GER (RR). 2 - 4
7 Mar 2021 16:30     NED v GER (RR)

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Live streaming and full game replay on the Watch Hockey App (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Pool Standings

FIH Match Centre

2020 FIH Pro League (Women) - 7 March

Times GMT +1

6 Mar 2021    NED v GER (RR).  2 - 1
7 Mar 2021 14:00     NED v GER (RR)

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Live streaming and full game replay on the Watch Hockey App (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Pool Standings

USA v NED (26.01.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 24.01.2020
AUS v GBR (01.02.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 02.02.2020

FIH Match Centre

Netherlands women & Germany men triumph in Amsterdam



The Netherlands women and Germany men both claimed deserved FIH Hockey Pro League victories on Saturday, as the first matches of a weekend double header between two of hockey’s fiercest rivals took place at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam.  

The action began in the women’s competition, with Germany taking a shock lead against the home favourites before eventually succumbing to the league leaders the Netherlands, who gave Alyson Annan her 100th win as head coach of the Oranje.

Lisa Altenburg put Die Danas ahead in the 12th minute of the contest, brilliantly controlling a pass into the circle on her reverse before squeezing her shot past Netherlands goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal. It was a lead that Germany held until the third quarter, with the Dutch scoring twice in five minutes to flip the match on its head. Frederique Matla levelled the scores by touching home a fierce cross-shot from Player of the Match Laura Nunnink, before Ireen van den Assem netted what proved to be the decisive goal with a low penalty corner drag flick.

"We needed to get used to [playing alongside] each other again, but I think we got more control during the game and I think we played really well”, said Nunnink, before commenting on Alyson Annan’s half-time assessment of the contest. “[She] said that we played well. We needed to score in the second half and be more efficient in the circle, and I think that worked out well."

Germany goal-scorer Lisa Altenburg offered her reflections on the contest, stating: "I think we played a really good first half, we defended very well. We scored a goal against the Netherlands, which is not normal! In the first half it was really good, but in the second half we did sleep a bit, so it was a tough match in the end.”

The result sees the Netherlands open up a nine-point lead at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League standings, with 26 points from nine matches. Argentina are in second place, having played one game less than the Dutch. Germany are seventh in the standings, but due have only played three games due to the impact of the Covid-19 global health pandemic.

More information on the game can be found by clicking here.

Germany men produced one of their best performances in recent memory, dominating against the Netherlands to earn a Kais Al-Saadi’s team a thoroughly warranted 4-2 success.

The Oranje opened the scoring in the 7^th minute thanks to a low penalty corner drag-flick from Jip Janssen before Germany turned the contest in their favour with two high quality field goals in the second quarter from Player of the Match Constantin Staib and Paul-Philipp Kaufmann. Marco Miltkau smashed home a third shortly after half time following another excellent passing move, with Staib putting the result beyond the reach of the Netherlands mid-way through the fourth quarter. Jeroen Hertzberger pulled a goal back for the Netherlands late on, but it proved only a consolation.

The result sees Germany climb up to fifth in the standings, having claimed ten points from their five matches. The Netherlands remain second in the League, but missed the opportunity to gain ground on Belgium, who are 14 points clear having played three more games than the Oranje. 

"It is an amazing feeling, winning 4-2 against a great team”, said Germany double goal-scorer Staib. “We are delighted. We were quite tough defensively, we played strong in the defence and they didn't have any good attacks. I think emotionally we were the better team today, so I think we won because of that. We are going to enjoy it and come back tomorrow even stronger."

Reflecting on contest, Netherlands captain Billy Bakker said: "It was definitely something that we didn't expect, the level was not very good for us, in terms of our performance. We needed to lift up the level, but it was difficult for us today. We have to watch the video, analyse it a bit and tomorrow must be 200 percent because [today] was not enough."
More information on the game can be found by clicking here.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

FIH Hockey Pro League 
Saturday 6 March 2021 – Amstelveen (NED)

Women’s result: Netherlands 2, Germany 1 (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Laura Nunnink (NED)
Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Jonas van ‘t Hek (NED) and Coen van Bunge (NED - video)

Men’s result: Netherlands 2, Germany 4 (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Constantin Staib (GER)
Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Coen van Bunge (NED) and Jonas van ‘t Hek (NED - video)

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Official FIH Pro League Site

Germany and The Netherlands trade wins in double Hockey Pro League showdown

By Michael Houston


The Netherlands and Germany both won today in the FIH Hockey Pro League ©Getty Images

Germany and The Netherlands were both victorious in two head-to-head matches as part of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Pro League at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen in The Netherlands.

In the women's match, The Netherlands made a strong comeback to win 2-1.

Germany took the lead in the first period thanks to forward Lisa Altenburg, with the Germans holding that advantage at half time.

However, Dutch forward Frédérique Matla continued to show her fine form by scoring an equaliser in the 35th minute.

Momentum was back with the home side and they took the lead when defender Ireen van den Assem netted five minutes after Matla's leveller.

Germany would reply with a win in the men's match, defeating the hosts 4-2.

Jip Janssen gave The Netherlands the lead, but that was overhauled by half time, thanks to goals from Constantin Staib and Paul-Philipp Kaufman.

Germany further extended their lead in the second half with a goal from Marco Miltkau and a second from Staib, before Jereon Hertzberger scored a consolation in the final minutes.

Both teams are due to play each other again tomorrow, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the season.

Inside the Games

Oranje Ladies Give Annan her 100th Victory in 2-1 win.



The Orange Ladies gave Alyson Annan her hundredth victory as national coach on Saturday Vs Germany. In the Pro League, the Netherlands secured a 2-1 victory over a strong German side. The Dutch goals, by Frédérique Matla and Ireen van den Assem, both fell after the break.

Why the Netherlands are the team to beat in Tokyo

After a heartbreaking shoot-out defeat to Great Britain denied them a hat-trick of golds in Rio, the Dutch women are as strong as ever as they bid to regain their crown.

By David Childs



They may have missed out on a third consecutive women's hockey gold medal at Rio 2016 but, five years on, the Netherlands are going about their business in the right way to regain their gold medal in Tokyo.

Ahead of the resumption of the FIH Women’s Pro Hockey League, we take a look at why the Dutch women are one of the teams to watch at Tokyo 2020.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

The Netherlands lost the gold medal match against Great Britain in Rio in dramatic fashion.

With the match finishing 3-3 in regular time, the Oranje went down on penalties to miss out on a gold that had been theirs so emphatically at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

A dip in form could have been understandable, and possibly even expected, following the nature of that defeat. The Dutch failed to convert all four of their penalty attempts, which could have had an adverse psychological impact on the squad.

Instead, the complete opposite has happened.

Since that night in Rio, success has been synonymous with the Oranje. They claimed back-to-back EuroHockey Nations Championships in 2017 and 2019, the 2017 World League, 2018 Champions Trophy and the 2019 ProLeague.

Most significantly of all they won the World Cup in 2018, defeating Ireland 6-0 in the final in London. Their form, for a nation that has been a powerhouse of the sport for nearly five decades, has staggeringly got better in the last five years.

The incredible consistency of the team can be attributed to many factors, but perhaps most interestingly the composure shown to not make drastic changes to the coaching team.

Alyson Annan may not have delivered gold in Rio after being appointed head coach in October 2015, but the trust shown in her has been rewarded by results in recent years. Nothing highlights this more than the decision to extend her contract to 2022, which takes in the next FIH World Cup to be hosted in Netherlands and Spain.

Speaking to hockey.nl, Annan explained: “I'm not done with the ladies yet. I still enjoy what I do and I would like to continue with this team."

The Australian, who won gold as a player at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, has unfinished business in Tokyo.


Netherlands head coach Alyson Annan gives a team talk during the FIH Pro League final against Australia in Amstelveen in June 2019

The team to beat in the Pro League

The latest edition of the FIH Women’s Pro League may have been disrupted by the outbreak of COVID-19, but that has not altered Netherlands’ position at the top of the tree.

After eight matches in 2020 the Oranje are sitting pretty at the top of the table, winning six of their eight fixtures and only a solitary defeat to their name – a 2-0 loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires last February.

Four of the league’s top eight goalscorers this season so far are Dutch, and the team is currently conceding less than a goal per game.

The titles to their name over the past five years are extraordinary, and their recent form going into 2021 highlights the monumental task facing any other nation to replicate Great Britain’s achievement from Rio 2016.

A squad with sights set on Tokyo

The squad that are being primed for this summer’s Olympics, known as the "Tokyo Group" by the Dutch camp, are already training together an additional two days a week at their home base in Ede ahead of the Games on top of their club commitments.

The decision to do this in part reflects the nature of the current situation with COVID-19, since the alternatives of warm-weather training and international fixtures further afield are presently unavailable.

The group of players include multiple Olympic gold medallists like Lidewij Welten and Eva de Goede (who also share and remember the agony of Rio) along with the next generation of talent who are already making their mark.

One new player to watch is Frederique Matla.

The Den Bosch forward was still playing youth hockey when the previous Games took place, but she is now the Oranje’s joint-top scorer in the FIH Women’s Pro League this season with five goals.

Although the Dutch may be missing legendary player Margot van Geffen, who broke her elbow in a skating accident, the Netherlands have assembled a squad that enter such an important year as the strongest in the world.

Olympic Channel

Simranjeet Singh strike sees India hold Great Britain to a draw

India, thus, remain unbeaten in their tour of Europe

By Samrat Chakraborty



The Indian hockey team extended their unbeaten run to three matches in their tour of Europe as they held Great Britain to a 1-1 draw in Antwerp, Belgium on Saturday.

Alan Forsyth broke the deadlock for Great Britain in the second quarter while Simrajeet Singh restored parity for India in the 57th minute.

India, fresh off a 6-1 win and a 1-1 draw against Germany, made a dominating start to the game and displayed a high-pressing style that stifled Britain's attack.

The first real chance for Great Britain came only in the 10th minute through a penalty corner but they were thwarted by Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Both teams had several chances in the first quarter but could not convert them.


Indian hockey team are unbeaten on their current European tour (Courtesy: Hockey India/Twitter)

The second period saw Britain come out aggressively and create chances. Krishan B Pathak, who replaced Sreejesh in goal, was forced to make a crucial save off a penalty corner to keep the scores level. India themselves had chances to open the scoring but the British defence held firm.

But towards the end of the second half, Forsyth broke through the Indian defence to put Britain in the lead.

Riding on the confidence from that goal, the British started the third quarter well and earned back-to-back penalty corners but India managed to stave them off.

Graham Reid's men slowly gained a foothold into the game and started to stretch the British defence in the fourth quarter. And they got their just rewards when Simranjeet Singh rifled in the equaliser in the 57th minute, preserving their unbeaten record on this tour.

The next and final match of the tour will see India take on Great Britain again on March 8.

Olympic Channel

Simranjeet Singh to the rescue as India hold Great Britain at Hockey

S2H Team



India, so often the prey in last-gasp goal strikes, played the predators on Saturday in a friendly against Great Britain that ended 1-1.

Simranjeet’s strike in the 57th minute enabled his team split honours in Antwerp, Belgium, in the third match of their tour of Europe. The result sustained India’s unbeaten run on the tour after a victory (6-1) and a draw (1-1) at Krefeld, Germany, recently.

Great Britain’s Alan Forsyth scored in the second quarter to break the deadlock after India held the edge with ball possession at the outset that enabled them exert a hard press on Great Britain’s attack.

The Britons, however, forced the first penalty corner of the match in the 10th minute but goalkeeper PR Sreejesh brought off a splendid save. Chances fell at either end but the scoreboard stood blank at the end of the first quarter.

Britain stepped up a gear or two after the break, forced another penalty corner but found Krishan B Pathak, stepping in for Sreejesh, to be a tough customer – the youngster thwarting the British from drawing first blood with a spectacular save.

India, for their part, did the running as well but bereft of ideas in the circle and when a goal arrived it took place at the other side of the pitch when Forsyth scored with halftime approaching.

Great Britain endeavoured to consolidate their position in the game in the third quarter with two successive penalty corners but the Indian citadel stood firm.

India, the No. 4 ranked team, entered the rival circle twice more but the vital shot on target was lacking and further circle penetrations – three in number – also came to nothing as Great Britain’s defence held their lines.

India, though, were rewarded for persistence when, with three minutes left on the clock, Simranjeet struck to salvage a draw.

India will now play their fourth and final match of the European tour on Monday, 8th March 2021 at 1830 hrs IST.

Stick2Hockey.com

Simranjeet Singh's late strike helps Indian men's hockey team hold Great Britain to draw

India will take on Great Britain on Monday in their fourth and final match of the Europe Tour.


File image of the Indian men's hockey team celebrating a goal during a game against Germany during their European Tour. Image courtesy: Hockey India/WORLDSPORTPICS/Hans Kramhöller

Antwerp: Simranjeet Singh produced a late strike as a resilient Indian men's hockey team held Great Britain to a 1-1 draw in its third match of the Europe Tour on Saturday.

Simranjeet's late equaliser in the 57th minute ensured India remained unbeaten on the tour.

For Great Britain, Alan Forsyth scored in the 2nd quarter.

India dominated with ball possession early in the match and used hard press to tame Great Britain's attack.

Britain's first real opportunity came in the 10th minute when they earned a penalty corner but were denied by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who made an excellent save.

Though both teams created a number of opportunities in the first quarter, they could not convert.

Ending the first quarter in a 0-0 stalemate, the GB men started the second period aggressively and won themselves yet another PC, but the Indian custodian Krishan B Pathak, who replaced Sreejesh for the second quarter, made an outstanding save.

In return, India did create potential opportunities in Great Britain's striking circle but couldn't convert.

However, within a few minutes, Alan Forsyth's strike helped Great Britain to break the deadlock towards the end of the second half.

A dominating start to the third quarter saw GB earning back-to-back penalties, but India managed to nullify the threat. Vying for an equaliser, India penetrated twice inside Great Britain's striking circle, but couldn't make the most out of it.

Indian men got their rewards in the 57th minute as Simranjeet found the net.

India will take on Great Britain on Monday in their fourth and final match of the Europe Tour.

Firstpost

Tour of Germany: Some positives despite poor start by the Indian Women's Hockey Team

S2H Team



Losing four matches out of four on their tour of Germany may make dismal reading at first sight but viewed in perspective India’s women’s team could well take home a few positives from the recently-concluded series.

Rani Rampal’s girls couldn’t have started the series on a more devastating note than finding themselves 0-4 down at half-time in the first match in Dusseldorf. But the positives started from there. They conceded just one goal in the second half and just five more in three matches that followed.

The scores read 0-5, 0-1, 0-2 and 1-2 in the series. Still, it would have been grossly disappointing if the team finished the series without scoring even once but Lalremsiami made sure India got on to the scoreboard with a goal nine minutes from the end, reducing the margin and spurring her side towards forcing what would have been a remarkably creditable draw.

For all the disappointment of the heavy defeat in the first match, No. 9-ranked India started and ended the encounter by forcing penalty corners. The defence, for their part, coped well with the pressure applied by the World No. 3 nation which has in its cabinet World and Olympic gold medals and are a fixture in the top bracket.

Goalkeeper Savita Punia and Rajani Etimparu acquitted themselves creditably and, by all accounts and impressions, inspired their colleagues in defence to put in tenacious and gritty performances that all too often frustrated their illustrious opponents.

Going by reports, the Indian defence was kept busy but the attack often had the rival citadel under threat through counter-attacks and the odd penalty corner, very often against the run of play, kept the Germans on their toes.

However, one gets the feeling that the Indians could do with some sharpness in front of goal, not just from the set-piece, but also in open play as circle penetrations and shots on target appeared rare.

The matches may not have been official which implies that ranking points were not up for grabs and international caps wouldn’t be added to the players collection but, from India’s point of view at least, the encounters were precious.

The Indian women have played Germany on average just once in five years going by recent chronicles and that’s a grossly unfavourable stat if they are to make progress to the higher echelons of the world.

A tour of Argentina just a month earlier produced three well-contested with the hosts losing two 2-3, 0-2, drawing one, 1-1, with another match washed out. Against Argentina, the World No. 2 side, that isn’t a bad performance by any reckoning. Add the results to the German tour and you have a 7-0-1-6 (P-W-D-L) with 4 goals scored against 16 conceded.

Disappointingly, perhaps, there were no victories but the significance of the other statistics deserve a closer look. Deleting the four-goal blitz in the first match against Germany, it  would appear that the team possesses an adept defence but an attack that could do with some more firepower.

Something that the coaching panel headed by Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne must surely be working on.

Stick2Hockey.com

Junior hockey team’s training second phase from today

KARACHI: The second phase of Pakistan junior hockey team’s training camp will be held in Karachi at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium from Sunday (today).

A total of 22 players will participate in this camp.

The PHF has issued the names of the players and directed them to report to the national junior team management.

PHF has directed the team management and participants to strictly follow SOPs related to COVID-19.

Pakistan junior team head coach Danish Kaleem said that those 15 players who attended the first training camp and seven more would be part of the second phase.

“We have a bunch of 40-45 players but due to COVID-19 we did not call a big group of players to participate in the training. Keeping in mind the timing of Junior Asia Cup 2021 in June in Bangladesh we have made a programme of training of our players in groups,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that some junior players also got training in Lahore with the seniors.

The head coach further said that the plan of the first phase would be continued in the second phase as morning training would be focused on physical training and the evening session on hockey skills.

He said that the pace of the training camp would be faster this time, and individual skills of each player would be given attention.

Danish said that team management noted the weaknesses of the players related to their hockey skills and techniques during their training and practice matches and then addressed them either individually or in groups.

He added that videos of drills and matches were regularly recorded and then shown to players so that they knew what mistakes they were making and how they can remove them.

He further said that lack of international and advanced hockey matches is their main concern. “We will tackle the issue by having them play against the senior team in the coming days. PHF is also trying to organise series with any strong Asian team so that they have some experience of tough and advanced matches before appearing in the Junior Asia Cup 2021,” he said.

The players who have been called: Rana Waheed (WAPDA) Gazanfar Ali, (SSGC), Moin Shakeel (SSGC), Waqar (WAPDA), Mohsin Khan (Air Force), Umair Sattar (Mari Petroleum) Aqeel (Mari Petroleum), Abdullah (Mari Petroleum), Rooman Khan (Mari Petroleum), Murtaza Yaqoob (Mari Petroleum), Hammad Anjum (WAPDA), Hanan Shahid (Lahore), Ali Raza (Faisalabad), Shah Zaib Khan (Sindh), Asif Haneef (Mari Patroleum), Anees (Punjab), Mohsin Hassan (Punjab), Hammad Ali (Navy), Usama Bashir (Air Force), Waqar Ali (Mari Petroleum), Samiullah Khan ( Customs).

The team management consists of Olympian Danish Kaleem, camp commandant and head coach, Zaheer Ahmed Baber, coach, Muddassar Ali Khan, coach, Nadeem Sattar, physiotherapist, and Abu Zar Umrao, vedio analyst.

The News International

MHC take on their biggest challenge

By Jugjet Singh


Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh. - Bernama file pic

THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are ready to host their most difficult tournament in recent times.

MHC competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh said it's all systems go as everyone, including the umpires, are ready for the tournament.

"Undoubtedly, this will be the most difficult tournament for MHC due to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

"The guidelines are even more rigid than the Razak Cup that we hosted last year.

"It's all systems go, and everyone understands their roles. They are willing to sacrifice many aspects to keep the virus out of the sports bubble — the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil and the Pullman Hotel (accommodation) in Bangsar," said Anil.

Teams in the men's MHL will undergo a PCR Covid-19 test tomorrow before entering the sports bubble two days later.

The women will undergo their tests on March 11, four days before their tournament.

"Terengganu Hockey Team's Shello Silverius, Faizal Saari and Khalid Hamirin have completed the mandatory 10-day quarantine and have been certified as Covid-19 free by the Health Ministry."

The men's MHL starts on Thursday, while the women's on March 15, and both end on April 3.

In the men's MHL, Tenaga Nasional will battle Universiti Kuala Lumpur for the Charity Shield on Friday.

Other teams in the men's MHL are TNB Thunderbolts, Maybank, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Sabah and Nurinsafi.

The women's league comprises PKS UniTen, Police Blue Warriors, Mutiara Impian, Sabah, Young Tigress and UniKL Ladies.

New Straits Times

Zach Wallace will be Hoofdklasse leading light, says Pearn


England at 2018 men's World Cup

Surbiton men’s coach Mark Pearn believes that Zach Wallace will be one of the leading players in the Hoofdklasse next season after joining HGC.

The men’s domestic champions lost Wallace and Alan Forsyth to the Dutch side following the Tokyo Olympics.

The highly-rated Wallace, 21, made his GB debut as a 19-year-old two years ago and has been an ever-present in Danny Kerry’s squad alongside his Surbiton commitments.

Pearn said: “I simply enjoy watching him play and I know the guys will miss being on the pitch with him.

“I am looking forward to seeing him return to Surbiton even better for his experience at HGC and do not doubt that he will be one of the leading players in the Hoofdklasse next season.”


Scotland and Surbiton’s Alan Forsyth PIC: Tim Reder

Despite losing such talent, Pearn remained upbeat as he also lavished praise on Forsyth following his move after eight seasons at Sugden Road.

He added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Alan and Zach over the past five seasons.

“Alan’s goalscoring prowess is evident to anyone who has watched Surbiton in recent seasons but his sheer desire to win and relentless drive has equally been vital for us.”

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The Hockey Paper

GB hockey trio head to continent for 2021/22 club season


Hannah Martin will play on the continent after Tokyo Games PIC: Worldsportpics

The GB international exodus to the continent after the Tokyo Olympics has continued apace with further big name signings.

Hannah Martin will leave Surbiton after five seasons to play for THC Hurley next season in the Dutch Hoofdklasse.

Meanwhile, fellow Surbiton player Brendan Creed was announced as a Royal Beerschot player ahead of the Belgium leagues for the 2021/22 season.

Creed will be joined for the season by GB and Hampstead & Westminster’s Jacob Draper.

Martin said: “I’m looking forward to a new challenge at Hurley in the Hoofdklasse for next season but will certainly miss SHC, the people and the atmosphere!



“Brett [Garrard] has been instrumental in my development as a player, as have my incredibly talented teammates who I have loved playing with week in week out. I want to wish the girls the best of luck for next season.”

Garrard said that Martin had become a “truly outstanding player” at Sugden Road since joining in 2016.

“We very much hope she returns to us having enjoyed the challenge and experience of playing in the best league in the world,” he added.

Creed and Draper are currrently with the GB men’s squad on the continent where they are playing four uncapped matches against Belgium and India.

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