News for 13 July 2021
All the news for Tuesday 13 July 2021
Hockey Tokyo Olympics: Guide to men’s Pool A
With so much uncertainty, the 2020 Olympic hockey competition is set up to be one of the tightest in decades. Rupert Barker, of hockey21.com, runs the rule over Pool A in the men’s event.
Argentina
Los Leones arrive at every major tournament as an enigma. They undoubtedly have a raft of talent at the top of the squad, but do they have the depth and how will their unusual playing style fare this time around? Pedro Ibarra controls the game from the back, often slowing it right down to walking pace. This contrasts the changes that we have seen from other sides. In particular this year’s Euros matches were faster and more hectic than ever.
The side do not have Gonzalo Peillat anymore but do have Jose Tolini, whose penalty corner exploits are perhaps even more impressive than those of Peillat. Casella and Vila provide plenty or pace and skill up front. They are more than capable of winning the corners for Tolini to fire home, as well as to score themselves from open play. Ignacio Ortiz in the midfield has impressed recently and can accelerate the play with great awareness. They won’t provide the fastest hockey of the tournament and possibly won’t create that many chances, but they are likely to be very clinical when they do. Will their back line have the speed to match what’s thrown at them and can Tolini’s rockets propel them all the way?
Australia
The Aussies looked to attack with their trademark pace and aggression in their recent Pro League matches. They have a plethora of top quality players to choose from all over the park, but particularly in attack. Tom Wickham’s power and quickness would surely have seen him selected for any other side in the tournament, but so strong are the Kookaburras that he does not get a look in. Aran Zalewski will be absolutely crucial, arguably the finest player in the world, Zalewski dominates the middle of the park and makes Australia tick going forward.
Jake Whetton has matured in recent years and looks slightly less frenetic on the ball. He is releasing other players faster and helping their speed of attack. From the set piece Blake Govers provides a short corner option that rivals the very best in the world, but can they convert when he is not on the pitch? The transfer round the back from the Aussies is impressive, however in recent history they have begun to make unforced errors and give the ball away in crucial areas. New Zealand recently exposed the occasional lapse in concentration at the back as well. Essentially, can Australia score 4 or 5 goals to win every match and get the gold?
India
India made an impressive start to the Pro League and showed off their world renowned skill. They move the ball with great pace and look to go forward at every opportunity, which can result in goals irrespective of the run of play. Midfield talisman Manpreet Singh can dictate the game and the likes of Dilpreet and Mandeep up front will cause problems for any defender.
However, their strength can also serve as their weakness. India’s constant urge to go forward results in more regular turnovers of possession, often in dangerous areas of the pitch. Their defence has talent and includes penalty corner specialist Rupinder Pal Singh. However, his lack of pace may well be exploited in a tournament of this level. India will certainly provide some entertaining games with plenty of chances for both sides, but do they have the consistency to be a genuine gold medal contender?
Japan
The hosts have made great strides forward in recent years and will have the 12th man in the form of home crowd…if there is one. Expect to see the Japanese sit back in a half court press for the majority of the game, almost waiting for the opposition to force the ball onto their sticks. They will put pressure on in the deep corners, but even then they are looking for errors rather than proactively winning the ball. Going forward the Samurais are incredibly patient and are happy to keep the ball until they spy a gap in the opposition’s defences.
They don’t quite have the quality or creativity of some of the bigger sides going forward, but they will seize on chances presented to them. The likes of Zendana, who plays his league hockey in Australia, provides a threat from the set piece. The Japanese have troubled sides like New Zealand in the recent past, but can their organised defence withstand the barrage from the world’s top teams?
New Zealand
New Zealand go into the Olympics off the back of a tricky Pro League, but will provide a tough test for all opponents. Blair Tarrant leads the Black Sticks from central defence. Alongside Shea McAleese, he acts as quarter back, firing passes all over the park. This long range passing threat combined with right back Kane Russell’s pension for marauding up the pitch make New Zealand a side who can truly turn defence into attack.
Once in the final third, the forwards offer skill and Sam Lane is a master at earning outcomes in the D. Off the ball they are strong, committed and physical, making them hard to break down. The Black Sticks main issue comes when they turn the ball over in the midfield, which happens with far greater regularity than they would wish. Irrespective of the defensive unit, no side can win at this level if they give the ball away in the middle of the pitch. New Zealand will run a lot of teams close, but do they have the midfield to dominate a tournament?
Spain
The Spanish show great passion and flair in all of their matches and the Olympics will be no different. They will pressure the ball carrier and give opponents very little time on the ball in the Spanish half. Don’t be surprised to see a few free hits and the odd card when this side take the field. Xavi Lleonart is a genuine talent up front and he can cause defenders massive problems, although his temperament has been known to get the better of him on occasion.
He is joined in the forward line by Pau Quemada who has the ability to score from open play as well as set pieces. The Spaniards are often involved in close matches and press hard from behind, resulting in some wonderful come backs over recent years. However, lapses in concentration at the back and penalty corners given away to readily can also cause them to be vulnerable in the latter stages. Can Spain beat the very top sides? If they are within three goals with five minutes to go, then don’t count them out.
The Pool where anything can happen
The only three certainties in life are death, taxes and Australia qualifying from Group A. Japan will struggle to get into the top four, but after that it is genuinely open. The rankings guide would suggest that India take a comfortable second, with Argentina third and that Spain and New Zealand will battle it out for the final spot. However, with the inconsistency of the Indians, the Argentine set piece, the Black Stick’s back four and the Spanish tenacity, anything could happen.
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The Hockey Paper
Tokyo 2020: Former India coach advises hockey players to avoid social media
Former India coach Harendra Singh has advised the Tokyo-bound Indian men's hockey team to stay away from social media to avoid distraction.
Former India coach Harendra Singh has advised the Tokyo-bound Indian men's hockey team to stay away from social media. - BISWARANJAN ROUT
Former India coach Harendra Singh has advised the Tokyo-bound Indian men's hockey team to stay away from social media to avoid distraction and wants the players to remember the sacrifices they made during the COVID-19 pandemic in their bid to finish on the podium at the forthcoming Olympics.
Several members of the Tokyo-bound men's hockey squad, including Mandeep Singh, vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Nilkanata Sharma and Sumit were part of the 2016 Junior World Cup-winning side, which was coached by Harendra.
"This time the competition in the Olympics would be different and tougher due to the pandemic. I would suggest them to stay away from social media and stay focussed."
"They must not forget that they have worked very hard for the Olympics. They have made sacrifices during COVID times and now it is the time to show what they are capable of. It has been a long due now," Harendra, who is currently coach of the USA men's team, told PTI Bhasha.
The Tokyo Games will be held from July 23 to August 8 under extra-ordinary circumstances in view of the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
With the organisers barring spectators from attending the Tokyo Olympics due to the pandemic, Harendra feels it would not be easy for the teams.
"It will not be easy to play in empty stadiums. But at the same time it will ease out pressure from young players who are making a debut in the Games. India will be benefited as we have many debutants in the team," he said.
Harendra, who was also the coach of the senior India team from 2017-18, said India's first target should be a place in the quarterfinals. "Without thinking about medal right now, they should focus on quarterfinal first. For me it is the most important point. It is more important than semifinal or final," he added.
The former India coach also lauded the efforts of players and coaches in making this team a formidable unit. "Indian hockey is going in the right direction and every coach has contributed to it. It is the most formidable team since 2000 and I am sure that this team can win a medal in Tokyo. We have been waiting for over four decades now."
"These boys have tasted success at the junior level and they can emulate that at the highest level now. This team is a good mix of juniors and seniors and for the first time each and every player is capable of playing at any position," he said. "During COVID times they have stayed together most of the time which resulted in team bonding."
Sportstar
Manpreet-led hockey side has lots of quality players: Tirkey
Tirkey said that the 1-1 draw against Poland will always remain a big regret for him and the Indian team
Manpreet Singh. File photo
The Manpreet Singh-led Indian men's hockey side has a lot of quality players, giving the team a good chance of finishing on the podium, said Dilip Tirkey, one of the best defenders India has produced.
"I have great expectations from the current Indian men's team. I think there is a lot of quality in the side, and they have a good chance of finishing on the podium at Tokyo. I would like to wish the team all the very best and I hope that they do well in the Olympics this year," said Tirkey, who represented the country in three Olympics - 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens.
Speaking about the excitement of playing in his first Olympics in Atlanta, Tirkey said, "Every athlete has a dream of becoming an Olympian, and I got a chance of playing in the Olympics for the first time in 1996. We had some big players in our team at that time such as our captain Pargat Singh. I was very excited to play in the Olympics." On his memories from 2000 Sydney, Tirkey said that the 1-1 draw against Poland will always remain a big regret for him and the Indian team.
"We performed very well in the league stages of the 2000 Olympics. We played well against Argentina, Australia, and Spain and we needed to defeat Poland to qualify for the semifinals, but we couldn't do it. The match against Poland got so difficult for us and it ended in a 1-1 draw in the end.
"We were leading 1-0 after I scored in the 53rd minute but Poland managed to score in the last few moments of the match. If we had beaten Poland, then we could have qualified for the semifinals and after that anything could have happened. So that draw against Poland has remained as a sad memory for us." The 43-year-old said that there were many exciting moments during the 1996 Games, including Leander Paes's bronze-winning feat.
"There were many exciting moments for us at the 1996 Olympics. Tennis star Leander Paes also made history in the Olympics by winning bronze. It was India's first Olympic medal in an individual event in a long time. We got to see the US President Bill Clinton as well, who visited the Olympic Village. I went to watch the athletics and football events at the Olympics as well."
The Tribune
Going to be my last chance for Olympic medal: Hockey player PR Sreejesh
PR Sreejesh knows a thing or two about the Olympics and the weight of expectations placed on the current team to reclaim former glories.
By Swaroop Swaminathan
Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh (Photo | PTI)
CHENNAI: PR Sreejesh knows a thing or two about the Olympics and the weight of expectations placed on the current team to reclaim former glories. In less than a week from today, he will be on a flight to Tokyo for his third Games. Excerpts from an interview:
How has the last year been?
The last one and a half years were like a new learning for us, all of us. Quarantined, lockdowns and not able to do anything... I didn’t play any major international events, so that was really tough. But when you think about the positive side... I think it helped us to bond really well, because we were under the same roof.
Before every big event, you have had the advantage of playing a biggish event. That wasn’t possible this year. Is that an advantage or a disadvantage?
Every tournament has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you are going to play in some major tournament, that is going to reveal all your positives and negatives to the opponent. In that aspect, it's a positive because you are not exposing yourself in front of others.
The EuroHockey Nations Championships just finished and it acted as an eye-opener because we could analyse the teams that played there, what they are doing, both good and bad. That’s another advantage. But there is a definite disadvantage (for us) as well.
We haven't played in any intense matches with opponents. To try and rectify that, we have been sort of replicating the Olympic tournament in training, playing six games (it also served as trials to pick the 16-man squad).
You have most medals in your trophy cabinet. Hopeful of adding the Olympic one to your collection?
When I wear my jersey, I always feel like this is an opportunity to win a medal. The Olympics is a platform where you cannot regret... when the tournament ends you should not regret it.
Last time in Rio we almost reached there, one or two small mistakes cost us the medal. This time I am going to Tokyo thinking as if this is going to be my last chance to win a medal. Another three years... nobody knows what is going to happen.
The New Indian Express
Indian women's hockey team has become mentally tougher under Sjoerd Marijne, says ex-coach Neil Hawgood
Hawgood, who was in charge of the Indian women's team in two separate stints between 2012 and 2016, acknowledges the growth of Rani Rampal and Co under Marijne.
India's women's hockey team. Image: Hockey India
New Delhi: Former chief coach Neil Hawgood believes the current Indian women's hockey team has become a mentally tough unit under incumbent Sjoerd Marijne which augurs well for its upcoming Tokyo Olympics campaign.
Hawgood, who was in charge of the Indian women's team in two separate stints between 2012 and 2016, acknowledges the growth of Rani Rampal and Co under Marijne.
"Sjoerd (Marijne) has done an amazing job in elevating the team's level. The current team is mentally tougher than previous years," the Australian was quoted as saying in the latest episode of Hockey Te Charcha, a podcast series initiated by Hockey India ahead of the Tokyo Games.
"Earlier, if the team conceded an early goal then it created a worrying situation which could lead to a heavy defeat. In a similar situation now, the team is calm and confident knowing that they can come back into any game. I am delighted to see that the team has kicked on and reached another level since my time."
Under Hawgood, the Indian women's hockey team had qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics after a hiatus of 36 years.
Reflecting on his time at the helm, he said, "When I was first appointed, I felt everything was in place in terms of structure to build upon. Our intention from the start was to build a team for the future. We never felt the need for an overhaul, but my team and I implemented minor changes.
"I suppose the biggest change we made was in the way the team trains. Lot of players at that time would train through injuries to avoid losing their place in the team. But we placed emphasis on rehab and taking time to heal so players could train at the highest level and not worry about being left out of the team because of injury.
"Our biggest success wasn't changing the hockey, it was changing the training methods," he said.
Hawgood feels lack of matches leading up to the Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic might be a cause of concern for teams like India, Australia and Argentina unlike their European counterparts.
"It's going to be tough on the teams from the southern hemisphere like Australia, India and Argentina because they haven't played much hockey recently.
"The European teams have all been playing regular test games amongst each other so they have that match practice. On the other hand, they will have the surprise factor in their favour since no one will know what tactics these teams have been up to," he said.
"Anything is possible in the first two games and any team can come out with a win."
Firstpost
Right place, right time, McAuley embracing the journey
When Sarah McAuley boarded the plane to Japan on Friday, it was the start of her longest journey both geographically and metaphorically.
Prior to departure, Spain is the furthest she has been before while her rise to the Irish women’s Olympic squad is similarly far-flung as she admits herself.
“I definitely didn’t expect it to come so soon,” the 19-year-old McAuley said. “At the start of last year, I was just training in the club. When I checked the list last week, I thought maybe I will go as a travelling reserve, you never know.
“I checked those straight away and then looked up a little bit and was like ‘oh my God, there’s my name!’ I couldn’t believe it. Right person, right place, right time – I just keep saying that to myself.”
It is a journey that started at Avoca’s Under-8s section where her mother organised the fixtures. Multi-talented, it was among a spate of sports on her agenda; she played tennis at Monkstown LTC with soon-to-be fellow Olympian Sarah Healy, named in Team Ireland’s athletics line-up, won a Dublin ladies football Division One Feile title with Kilmacud Crokes and also represented the county at the All-Ireland Feile skills competition.
Hockey, though, shone through from second year onwards at Muckross Park where she went on to play in the senior team for four successive seasons.
It has perhaps helped her get used to being “the young one”. In third year at Muckross, she won the Leinster Schoolgirls Senior Cup and took bronze at the All-Irelands under coach Una McCarthy.
McCarthy is the mother of Irish team mate Michelle Carey and McAuley hails her as a key influence and one who will be sorely missed at Muckross Park following her retirement this year.
Two Senior Premier League titles followed but another league success proved elusive with the 2020 cup final – scheduled to be against a Hannah Matthews’ coached Loreto Beaufort – cancelled due to Covid.
All along, Muckross alumni Anna O’Flanagan would flit in and out as a guest coach around her stint in the Netherlands, showing off her medal at the Marlborough Road school a number of years ago.
McAuley got a snap of it, one that she could compare to them lining out side by side at the Euros after her first – and only – formal cap.
“They say you should never meet your heroes but I totally disagree,” went the caption and McAuley says it did not take time to assimilate.
“In sixth year, I started to play with her in the club and she took a few sessions at school.
“Definitely, I looked up to these girls and now to be playing with them every day is a dream come true. They are not just team mates, now. They are friends – we hang out all the time and they are so lovely. It is cool!”
Despite the ease of the transition, she does admit is has taken her by surprise as the unfortunate knee injuries to Beth Barr and Zoe Wilson opened up an opportunity for a defensive reshuffle just a couple of months after she started training with the side.
“I came in with seven or eight younger girls around mid-November, coming up to Christmas. I thought I was just there to fill numbers.
“In January, I was part of the development squad and the core of the Under-23s but in February, I got to be part of those uncapped games against GB in Belfast.
“It was more delight to be able to have that opportunity to play them. Considering it was so close to Tokyo and the Europeans, I really didn’t think I would have the chance this summer. With the way things went with Covid and with the squad, I guess I was the right person, right place, right time.”
And take her chance she did. One of her first interventions off the bench was to flat-bat a tackle to nick the ball of Lily Owsley.
“I didn’t realise it! Once I get stuck into a game, I don’t really mind who I am playing against. It is just 11 versus 11, each with two hands, two feet, one stick.
“After it, I did think ‘wow, I was playing all those Olympians’. I was definitely a bit star-struck afterwards. Mabe I was a bit naïve and didn’t know what I was up against but more just enjoyed the experience.”
And that was how she was viewing the European Championships initially. Covid allowed for two extra reserves to travel to the event, a nice bonus to get the lie of the land before a couple of niggles in the central 18 gave her a chance to play in game five against Italy.
“Oh completely. I couldn’t wait to see even what happens in and around the tournament. I’d never been to Europeans underage so I didn’t know what to expect. When you are watching for that long on the sidelines, you are hoping for maybe a chance to play and lucky enough I got the last game.
Sarah McAuley carries team-mate Anna O’Flanagan during a Tokyo 2020 Team Ireland Announcement. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
“I was absolutely raring to go at that stage! When it was me and Zara [Malseed, the other reserve], it was grand. We also had Gareth [Grundie] to take individual sessions on the side pitch with us but when Zara got her call, I had to do the session by myself; it was pretty rough when you see the other 19 players heading out. That was tough but it paid off.”
Again, she was assured and smart in the 3-0 win over the Italians, defensively astute while an audacious backhand pass from halfway into the D to pick out Deirdre Duke showed plenty of verve.
“The girls just said enjoy the day, enjoy that first cap. I was definitely soaking up the atmosphere. Once the game starts, you just try your best. Sean always tells me to ‘make a decision’ and I quite like my reverse – maybe I am more comfortable on that side! – so it came naturally.”
It inspired confidence and nudged her up above the line from reserves to the main Olympic squad. Right person, right place, right time!
Irish Hockey Association media release
England U18s Make International Hockey Return
Over the weekend, England’s U18 Girls and Boys returned to junior international hockey competition as the teams travelled to Scotland for a series of test matches in the Four Nations.
Scotland v England U18 Girls:
Match 1, 10 July:
Scotland 0 – 2 England (Plumb - 5’ FG, Harris - 15’ FG)
Match 2, 11 July:
Scotland 0 – 1 England (Richards - 11’ FG)
England’s U18 Girls enjoyed a successful return in their first international series for almost 18 months, as they met Scotland’s U19 team in Edinburgh this past weekend.
Despite the gap in experience, the England side opened the first match strongly, scoring two goals in the first quarter, both created by skilful work from Tasmin Cookman, and converted by Chloe Plumb and Kirby Harris respectively. Despite Scotland applying increasing pressure as the match went on, the England defence stood firm to keep Scotland at bay and leave the result at 2-0.
The second match was strongly contested by both sides. Despite Scotland looking bright from the outset, it was England who opened the scoring as Beth Alexander ran into the circle and found Eloise Richards, who celebrated her 18th birthday and international debut, to slot the ball home. Scotland persisted with sustained pressure but were restricted to very few chances. England had several opportunities of their own later in the game which were repelled by excellent work from the Scotland GK to deny any change to the score.
Comments from Head Coach, John Bell:
“This young team really impressed me with their ability to go out and press hard, win the ball high up the pitch, and create multiple goal scoring opportunities. Two well taken first quarter goals were enough to see us through the game. Our development will be around achieving a consistent level in our intensity throughout a match and to apply technical detail to our attacking game with the ball, especially in the final third.
“In the second match, our back line found themselves under more pressure from Scotland's forwards. In the first quarter we defended resolutely but without getting any flow to our attacking game. We showed more intent and energy in the second half, which resulted in multiple threats on Scotland's goal. Our development will remain around consistency throughout the game and detail within our individual technical application of our group principles.”
Scotland v England U18 Boys:
Match 1: Scotland 4-1 England
England’s U18 Boys suffered a 4-1 defeat against an experienced Scotland squad at Peffermill on Saturday afternoon. The first half was an even affair with both sides creating chances but neither being able to capitalise on these opportunities. However, the game sprang into life quickly after the restart when Cowan opened the scoring for Scotland in the 33rd minute, this was soon being followed with a second by Jack. As the game progressed, the clinical Scottish finishing continued as they extended their lead in the 47th and 55th minutes with goals from Tweedie and Knight. Though England responded with a good goal down the right with Graves setting up Cotton for a nice finish, it was too little too late in what was a tough opening for the England Under 18 squad.
Match 2: Scotland 2-2 England
England responded well after the previous day’s match with a much-improved performance which showed encouraging signs for the forthcoming games against Ireland. However, it was the Scots who started strongly as they took the lead after just seven minutes through Knight. Though England responded brightly with a shot going narrowly wide, Scotland doubled their lead at the start of the second quarter through Tweedie from a penalty corner. England were rewarded for their renewed confidence as Cuttle scored from a penalty corner with a good drag flick as the team enjoyed their attacking impetus. In a frenetic opening half, Vaughan converted nicely into the bottom right-hand corner from a penalty corner to level scores at 2-2 with just over twenty minutes on the clock. As the game wore on, England continued to create opportunities and played some of their best hockey of the weekend through the second-half. The team looked to have won it at the death as Vaughan’s shot in the final seconds hit the post and squirmed away. After a credible 2-2 draw following the previous day’s result, England’s second match ended with penalty shuffles where Scotland came out the winners.
Head Coach Mark Bateman commented:
“It was a tough opening match against experienced opponents, and we look forward to improving key aspects of our play which we only showed in patches today. We need to demonstrate the ability we have in our squad on a more consistent basis.
“It was great to see a much more competitive and effective performance in our second game and we can now go into the Ireland matches with real confidence next week”.
England Hockey Board Media release
Mizuno signs Surbiton Hockey Club
Japanese sports brand Mizuno has announced a long-term partnership with Surbiton Hockey Club. The deal sees the brand become the new Official Kit Supplier of the club’s playing and training kit across all age groups from 2021 onwards. The partnership between Mizuno and Surbiton Hockey Club is powered by Teamwear specialist Tacklebag.
In addition to the provision of members’ kit, supporters wishing to wear their team’s kit will be able to order replica shirts and off-field apparel via the Tacklebag Teamwear Ltd web shop.
It is Mizuno’s first venture into professional hockey and coincides with the 2020 release of technical, speciality hockey footwear. Combined with the team apparel, Mizuno is now able to provide an authentic head-to-toe offering for hockey players of all levels.
Graham Johnson, Mizuno’s UK Marketing manager said, “We are very excited to partner Surbiton Hockey Club and Tacklebag in providing contemporary, high performance kit befitting of a hockey club with such a rich heritage and record of excellence”.
On securing Mizuno as the team’s new kit supplier Surbiton Hockey Club board member Fred Moore commented “We are thrilled to be Mizuno’s chosen partner in this exciting new venture. Our shared ambition to see the game flourish at all levels is at the heart of the agreement and we look forward to years of joint success”.
Tacklebag Director Paul Lawford said, “’We are delighted to extend our long-standing partnership with one of the largest and most successful Hockey Clubs in the Country. Mizuno is an aspirational brand with some great ideas for the hockey market which we look forward to being part of.’’
Mizuno and Surbiton HC Media release