News for 10 March 2021
All the news for Wednesday 10 March 2021
India needs to tighten defence ahead of Olympics, says hockey coach Reid
Reid is contented with his side's performance in the just-concluded Europe tour, where India remained unbeaten.
National men's hockey team chief coach Graham Reid feels India needs to accelerate its learning from the Europe tour. - K. MURALI KUMAR (FILE)
National men's hockey team chief coach Graham Reid feels India needs to accelerate its learning from the Europe tour and tighten the defence in the build up to this year's Tokyo Olympics.
Reid is contended with his side's performance in the just-concluded Europe tour, where India remained unbeaten.
The two-week tour was India's first assignment since 2020, a year marred by the coronavirus pandemic.
"I'm pretty happy with the performance; I'm very happy with the way the tour was -- from point of view of getting some international competition. That was really important," Reid said following the conclusion of the tour on Monday.
In the four-match tour, India secured a 6-1 win and 1-1 draw against Germany in Krefeld and then followed this up with a 1-1 draw and 3-2 win over Great Britain here. The experience, Reid feels will be critical in their preparations for the Tokyo Games.
"We go back to Bengaluru from here and will be training there for a few weeks before we set out on another tour of our FIH Pro League matches in Argentina.
"I believe the next few months leading up to Tokyo is going to be busy for us with competition and some training in between where we will work on the things we need to.
"The Olympic year has well and truly started now for us and we need to accelerate our learnings," the Australian said.
The coach said there were plenty of take-aways from the tour.
"Our performances against Germany was mixed. It was pretty good beating them 6-1, we took them by surprise and made good use of the opportunities, but we let too many penalty corners in.
"The second game saw better defensive efforts from us. The third against Great Britain was OK. It was a bit colder in Antwerp, different pitch and perhaps we didn't play as well as we should have.
"But the last game (where India beat GB 3-2) was first-class! We led most of the game, came back twice from a stalemate, scored in the last few minutes which is a really important thing to get over," he said.
Reid pointed out that the defence still remains a grey area for India.
"... but the first things that require attention is making sure we tighten our defence. We allow them (opponents) to come back in the middle (of the game) a bit too much. The last match was a little bit better. We are starting to make some ground on that." "We are getting into the 25-mark a lot, we found that during our FIH Pro League matches too but we need to get better returns from our 25 entries. Convert them into circle entries, goal shots, and penalty corners," he said.
Sportstar
Three games against Olympic champions 'brilliant preparation' says Bethany Barr
Bethany Barr in action in Ireland's tense Olympic play-off against Canada in November 2019
Bethany Barr says Ireland's three-match series in Belfast against Olympic champions Great Britain starting on Saturday will be "brilliant" preparation for the Tokyo Games.
The sides meet on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday in games which will be live on the BBC Sport Website and iPlayer.
"We'll be playing with squads of 16 which is what we will be playing with in Tokyo," said Ireland player Barr.
"We're all just really looking forward to these games."
After playing a series of games against Spain on a warm-weather trip to Murcia in January, Barr says the GB matches will be an indication of whether the work being put in on the training field, under the direction of coach Sean Dancer, is beginning to bed in.
"Sean (Dancer) has brought in a real attacking style of play and a real intensity in training," Barr told BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound Extra time.
"Everyone is putting in 100% effort. It is great to be able to still train and be able to go up and down to Dublin (despite the Covid-19 situation).
Ireland skipper Mullan says Belfast series against Olympic champions GB will be "massive"
"The most important thing for us will be trying to implement the things that we have been attempting to do on the training field and see whether they can work in a high-level international match.
"It will be a steep learning curve but will be something that will really help us come the summer."
Barr admits there have been lows for the squad over the past year as they came to terms with the postponement of Games which were scheduled to take place last summer after the Irish women's first ever qualification for an Olympics the previous November.
"It was hard for everyone because we had been building up for so long. It was the first time the Ireland women's hockey team had qualified and everyone was so geared up and so excited.
"So it was definitely something you had to get your head around and come together as a squad and with your family and realise there is such a lot going on around the world and that this was just a small part of it."
Bethany and Serena Barr pictured pitchside with their mum and dad after an Ireland game
Injury ends sister Serena's Tokyo hopes
There was also a personal blow for Barr as her sister Serena sustained a cruciate ligament injury last September when ended her hopes of joining Bethany in the Ireland squad in Japan.
"I obviously miss her down in Dublin," added Bethany.
"We would have travelled down together and roomed together but her recovery is coming on really well.
"Serena's back in the gym and going from strength to strength. She's hoping to start running soon. That's her goal in March so she is really focused on that.
"She's been amazing encouragement for me. She is in no way down or bitter about the fact that she's injured. She's putting everything she can into helping me to succeed."
The three games at the Queen's University playing fields will be during a period when the squad are based in Belfast, which will include regular sessions in the heat chamber at the Northern Ireland Sport Institute aimed at helping the squad to acclimatise for Japanese conditions.
While supporters won't be able to attend the three games, Barr hopes the BBC coverage will help to continue the bond between the team and the Irish sporting public.
"That support really does spur us on and is something we're so grateful for.
"When we had our Olympic qualifier in Dublin to have the massive support we had - both the people who were there and who were watching on TV and online - it was such an inspiration for us and we hope we were an inspiration to young people who want to play the sport.
"That's something that challenges us to use the platform we have and the opportunities we have to further hockey in Ireland."
BBC Sport
Defending champions Hockey Haryana keen to retain trophy
Defending champions Hockey Haryana will be looking ahead to retain the title of the 11th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women National Championship 2021 starting from March 10 to 18 in Simdega district, Jharkhand, for the first time.
Haryana had lifted the title in 2019 following a thrilling final against Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy. Hockey Jharkhand, which is in Pool B, and Hockey Odisha in Pool C are also expected to go far. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, meanwhile, will be looking to go one better than it did in 2019.
Hockey Haryana, which is in Pool A along with Hockey Uttarakhand and Hockey Rajasthan, is upbeat about its chances of retaining the trophy.
“We had a memorable outing last time (in 2019). The tournament was held in Haryana and the girls rose to the occasion to perform exceedingly well. So many players made a mark, including forward Deepika who currently plays for the Indian Junior Women’s Team. We are confident of putting up a good show once again. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, training was challenging but we have come well prepared, thanks to the support shown by Hockey Haryana and Hockey India,” said Kuldeep Siwach, coach, Hockey Haryana.
Skipper Nidhi expressed excitement ahead of the tournament. “I am so glad to be back playing with my teammates after a long gap. The circumstances were challenging to train due to the Covid-19 restrictions. But in recent months, that has changed and we feel well prepared for the 11th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women National Championship - 2021. I am proud to be representing Haryana and we are confident of winning gold again,” said Nidhi.
A total of 22 teams with over 400 players as well as coaching and support staff will be in Simdega for the prestigious tournament, which will be closely watched by Hockey India national selectors. After five days of pool matches, quarterfinals will be played on March 15. The semi-finals and the final will be held on March 17 and 18, respectively.
The Tribune
SBP to organise Inter-Division Women Hockey, says DG
LAHORE -The Sports Board Punjab (SBP) is going to organise Pakistan's Inter-Division Women Hockey Championship soon. DG Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said this while talking to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Women Wing General Manager Ms Tanzeela Amir Cheema on the eve of International Women’s Day here at National Hockey Stadium on Monday. The promotion of sports culture among women was discussed in detail during the meeting. Director Admin Javed Chohan, Deputy Director Chand Perveen and other officials were also present there. Aulakh said women have rendered great services for the country in the field of sports. “Pakistan has produced several world class women athletes and officials during its sports history. Our women hockey players are also presenting excellent performance.”
Tanzeela said: “Under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Aulakh, the SBP is fully encouraging women players. We are quite hopeful to find several talented young girls from the upcoming SBP Inter-Division Women Hockey Championship.”
The Nation
Regional hockey leagues continue to curtail seasons
Regional hockey league seasons in England continue to be curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sussex Hockey Association declared the league season over for all women’s divisions and all but Division One for the men following the recent Government guidance. The SHA has also shelved Boys and Girls Development leagues.
Paul Shackman, chairman of the Sussex Hockey Umpires Association, said: “Following the Sussex Management Committee meeting held on March 2nd, it was agreed, with some sadness, that both adult leagues operated by the Sussex HA, namely the entire Sussex Ladies’ League and the Sussex Open League Divisions 2-4 (Men), are cancelled forthwith. The season’s results will be annulled.”
Sussex’s news follows a decision by the East League to halt all divisions except the Women’s Premier Division and the Men’s Premier A Division.
“This is because the England Hockey National League’s plan to expand the National League in the 2021/22 season is continuing and they wish to take two teams from our top Women’s and Men’s divisions and there will be no relegations,” Neil Liversedge, East League Secretary, said in a statement.
“Informal work has been going on behind the scenes with the clubs concerned to assess the appetite to return to play and we hope, should travel arrangements be sufficient, that we will be able to complete the minimum season requirement of each team playing each other once for those Premier teams that wish to compete.
“Those who do not wish to compete will not be forced to play, as has been the case with any East League hockey since the pandemic began.”
England Hockey said last month that for the Vitality Women’s Hockey League and Men’s Hockey League, an agreement has been reached for an option whereby each team will play each other once, the revised format brought in to cover the eventuality of not playing a full season and the league end date extended.
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When it needs a stop, Maryland field hockey turns to Noelle Frost
Shane Connuck
Noelle Frost stretches for the save in Maryland field hockey’s 5-1 win over Michigan State on Oct. 25, 2019. (Gabby Baniqued/The Diamondback)
Toward the end of the first half in Friday’s win over Ohio State, Maryland field hockey goalkeeper Noelle Frost stood in the cage as the Buckeyes lined up for one of their 10 penalty corners.
After the insertion was fed toward the center of the shooting circle, Ohio State’s strong offense set up a drag toward the net. And just like she’s done throughout her Terps career, Frost watched it closely. She noticed it was deflected. So, she dropped to the pitch, extended her right arm and knocked the ball away from the cage.
This was one of six saves Frost made in Friday’s match en route to her second shutout of the season. The graduate student opted to return to the team this spring for her final season of eligibility. And the team is glad she did.
“I just really trust Noelle being back there,” forward Bibi Donraadt said.
It’s not easy to let no shots cross the line in a Big Ten field hockey match. That was definitely the case Friday, as the Buckeyes’ attack peppered her with 10 total shots.
But Frost isn’t the only one trying to keep the ball out of the cage. Having a sturdy defense in front of the netminder is a major team effort, and Frost credited that whole unit in mitigating Ohio State’s strong attack.
“I know my job, and they executed it perfectly,” Frost said. “Everyone in the unit was just very collected.”
And it’s not just the defense trying to prevent an opponent from reaching the back of the cage.
When a team has players who can apply pressure on the attack at the top of the circle, like Maryland midfielder Brooke DeBerdine, the opponent must be exceptional in its decision-making, coach Missy Meharg said.
“They don’t have a lot of time, and she is so quick and she’s so tenacious,” Meharg said. “That puts the goalkeeping and then the defenders behind in position to … step up and take care of their pockets.”
Through her first four matches, Frost has earned a save percentage of .818, turning away 18 total shots. Her pair of shutouts ranks second in the Big Ten.
In every match this season, Frost’s save total has increased. After her six-save performance against Ohio State, the Glenwood native turned away seven Northwestern shots on Sunday.
“In the corner that was scored on, it was very well-executed and almost impossible for her to get out and step up a little bit higher,” Meharg said about the Wildcats’ first goal.
But Frost has excelled, and as the Terps head north for two meetings with Penn State, she hopes her third clean sheet is not far off.
“We really need her,” Donraadt said. “I’m really happy she’s there.”
The Diamondback
Dankz Superstar Challenge – Episode One.
Ashley Morrison
With many sporting seasons across the globe disrupted or simply not taking place due to the covid pandemic, there are many very frustrated sportspeople sitting at home itching to get out and play. The Dankz Superstar Challenge was aimed at being some light entertainment for those people, while at the same time promoting the Western Australian players and their clubs. Being such an isolated city the people of Perth have been lucky to be able to return to sport, albeit with some restrictions. 