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News for 30 January 2022

All the news for Sunday 30 January 2022


2022 Pan Am Cup - 230 January
Santiago (CHI)

All times GMT -4

Men

30 Jan 2022 14:30     CAN v USA (3rd - 4th place)    
30 Jan 2022 17:00     ARG v CHI (Final)            

Women

29 Jan 2022 16:00     CAN v USA (3rd - 4th Place) 1 - 0 Canada qualify for the World Cup
29 Jan 2022 18:30     ARG v CHI (Final)                  4 - 2

FIH Match Centre

 



Canada beat USA in race to World Cup qualification



The final FIH Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022 qualification place available from the Women’s Pan Am Cup 2022 was decided over a 60 minute period in which Canada and USA slogged away at each other, trying to break down each other’s well-organised and determined defences.





Pan American Cups - Day 11 - Women

Medal Games


Gold Medal: Argentina (Photo: WorldSportsPics This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Women - Final - Argentina vs. Chile: 4-2

The Final of the Pan American Cup was played in front of a full house at the Prince of Wales Club, with fans from both teams. In the 5th minutes of the match, Chile earned a penalty corner, immediately putting pressure on the Argentine defense.





Canada books World Cup ticket with bronze medal win

Canada avenges pool-play loss to USA and earns first World Cup ticket in 28 years



One goal off the stick of Amanda Woodcroft in the 15th minute of the game was all the difference.





In a Close, Hard-Fought Contest, USWNT Falls in PAC Bronze Medal Match to Canada


IMAGES TAKEN BY WORLD SPORT PICS/RODRIGO JARAMILLO & HOCKEY CHILE/CARMEN DONOSO

SANTIAGO, Chile – In a close, hard-fought contest, the No. 15 U.S. Women’s National Team faced a familiar opponent in No. 14 Canada in the 2022 Pan American Cup (PAC) bronze medal match. Not only was a medal on the line, but qualification to the World Cup. Unable to capitalize on many chances or find an answer with their late surge, Canada tallied the game winner at the end of the first quarter to defeat USA, 0-1.





Canadian women down the U.S. to qualify for Field Hockey World Cup

SANTIAGO, Chile — Amanda Woodcroft scored as the Canadian women's field hockey team defeated the U.S. 1-0 in the bronze-medal game at the Pan American Cup to earn a berth in the FIH Women’s World Cup for the first time since 1994.





History at double as Chile secure Hockey World Cup qualification


Chile men will play at 2023 World Cup PIC: Pan Am Hockey

Chile secured unprecedented double success as both men’s and women’s teams qualified for the Hockey World Cups.





2021-22 FIH Pro League (W)
Sultan Qaboos Complex, Muscat

All times GMT =$

31 Jan 2022 15:00     CHN v IND (RR)    
01 Feb 2022 15:00     CHN v IND (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

Rank Team Played Wins SO Win Draws SO Loss Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1 Netherlands 2 2 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 6
2 Belgium 4 2 0 0 0 2 5 6 -1 6
3 China 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 England 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 United States 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 India 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Argentina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Germany 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0

FIH Match Centre



India will look to build on their recent showings in FIH Pro League, say coach and captain

The Indian women's hockey team will look to build on its bronze medal-winning showing in the Asia Cup when the side makes its debut in the FIH Pro League, chief coach Janneke Schopman and captain Savita said on Sunday.


Indian women's hockey team's chief coach Janneke Schopman.   -  Hockey India

The Indian women's hockey team will look to build on its bronze medal-winning showing in the Asia Cup when the side makes its debut in the FIH Pro League, chief coach Janneke Schopman and captain Savita said on Sunday.





After Asia Cup Bronze, Women's Hockey Team Shifts Focus to FIH Pro League

India have shifted their focus to the Pro League, with chief coach Janneke Schopman saying the team is "excited" to start their campaign against China.


India women's hockey team captain Savita Punia (PTI Image)

The Indian women’s hockey team will look to start their FIH Pro League campaign on a positive note and hope to build on their Asia Cup performance when they take on China in the first of two matches here on Monday.





Teams will target beating us, but we will enjoy the challenge: Manpreet

S2H Team



“These matches are very important. We cannot underestimate either team. We will know where we stand in an important year. And we want to win every match.” Thus spoke Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh, ahead of the trip to South Africa where India play the hosts and France in the FIH Pro League campaign starting on February 8.





FIH Hockey Pro League: France and South Africa will be "very tough" opponents, says Reid

India will hope to start a year that also has the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games in a positive way during its opening FIH Pro League games against South Africa and France in February.

Nihit Sachdeva


It is going to be two very difficult games, very difficult to tell where they both are at, France will be keen to show the world that they should be in this Pro League in the coming years,” said Reid. (File Photo)   -  THE HINDU

After a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team finished last year on a slightly disappointing note when a pumped-up Japanese side stunned Graham Reid’s men 5-3 in the Asian Champions Trophy semifinal in December.





FIH Pro Hockey League sets stage for India's seniors ahead of Asiad and Commonwealth Games

The onus will be on the likes of captain Manpreet Singh, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh to take the leadership roles as the team starts a jam-packed 2022.

Nihit Sachdeva


While the team welcomes two newcomers, Jugraj Singh and Abhishek, it will be glad to have the services of veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh between the sticks who returns to the side after the Olympics. (File Photo)   -  PTI

Weeks after the Indian men’s hockey team ended a 41-year wait to win a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year, few senior players bid their farewell to the sport.





How Japan Eves Has Emerged as Strong Asian Hockey Powerhouse Under Indian Coach Jude Menezes



Hockey can be a great leveller. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the Japan women’s hockey team cut a disappointing figure, finishing 11th among 12 teams. The Japan eves lost all their league matches in what panned out to be a forgetabble Olympic campaign. But within a span of five months Japan’s women hockey team have made a remarkable turnaround, winning two important tournaments from the Asian hockey perspective – Asian Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. These feats only underscore the fact that Japan will be the team to watch out for not just for Asian rivals like India, South Korea, and Japan but also for world hockey at large.





Western Wildcats win Men’s Indoor National League 1 in style



Western Wildcats won the indoor division one championship with a game to spare after a powerful 7-2 victory over rivals Inverleith in the opening game of the day at The Peak, Stirling.





Annadale produce another big comeback as Kilkeel, Inst and Bandon move ahead in EYHL2


Kilkeel celebrate. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Annadale produced another huge comeback to land what could be a very important point in men’s EY Hockey League’s battle to avoid the relegation places.





NHDP girls to join the fray

By Jugjet Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, the National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP) team will get to see action in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).





Book Review of `Living the Dream` M.P. Ganesh`s autobiography

By Ijaz Chaudhry



The autobiography of India`s former hockey captain and coach Dr. M.P. Ganesh titled `My Autobiography: Living the Dream` (publication date June 24, 2021) is Stranger than Fiction.

From a humble background, he was born in Karnataka state`s district Kodagu, called the cradle of Indian hockey. Yet, he played soccer; only watched hockey. Not interested in studies, he joined the army without telling his parents. With just 25 rupees in the pocket, Ganesh reported at the army`s signal corps centre in Jabalpur 1600 km from home before informing the parents. The recruit sepoy gladly appeared in the football trials at the centre but was rejected; too small. Dejected, he had to appear in the hockey trials compulsorily; all Kodavas must appear. Reluctantly holding a hockey stick for the first time, Ganesh took it like a duck to water.

Selection for the centre team was followed by a meteoric rise.

The speedy right winger played in the inter-services tournament competed by all the three forces, scoring a goal in every match. Then his corps of Signals won most of the All India Tournaments. In 1969, came the first selection for India and next year the Asian Games. From 1970 to 1974, he appeared in five title tournaments: two World Cups, one Olympics and two Asian Games winning medal each time. Selected for the World XI and the Asian XI.

All covered well with the related tales: the most exciting story is that of the 1973 World Cup where he captained India. In the final against hosts Holland, Govinda, his fellow Kodava, misfired a penalty stroke during the sudden death period- had it been scored, Ganesh would have been a demigod in his country- the first world cup winning captain. Eventually, India lost in the shootout.                                           
The Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics where Palestine militants killed 11 Israeli athletes. There were cultural differences between players from North and South but they gelled well in the Indian team.

Once, after an international tournament, he didn’t return to India and went exploring Europe for a few days. The army declared him an absconder and was reprimanded on his return.

Those days, hockey was way ahead of cricket in terms of fan following. Even the domestic matches were attended by tens of thousands.

Left army to play for the `Tatas` sponsored by India`s biggest multinational conglomerate, and moved to Mumbai. But didn`t enjoy the experience as he missed the disciplined army life. Soon, he was lured by a cash-laden Italian club to play for them in the Italian hockey League as well as the European league- among the first hockey players from Asia to play professionally in Europe. Marriage was attended by the rich owners of the Italian club. And the commitments with the Italian club meant he didn`t join the Indian camp for the 1975 World Cup camp; ending his international career.

Interesting tales abound of stay in Italy & other European countries.   
 
On a visit back home, playing soccer after a long time, a severe knee injury effectively ended his playing career.

After some time, he ran out of money and turned to coaching and sports administration.

Starting from an army corps team, Ganesh again made rapid strides. From 1980-90, coached India`s national team in various events including World Cups & Olympics; assistant coach of 1980 Olympics gold medal team. 1990 World Cup in Lahore saw the Indian team play in front of mammoth hostile crowds
Man, who hated studies, did his graduation after his playing days, followed by Masters and Doctorate (dissertation topic was hockey). It was his wife Prema who motivated and supported him throughout to accomplish his academic achievements. Also did a diploma in hockey coaching from the National Institute of Sports.

Then there is the poignant short story of his son Ayyappa. He showed great interest in hockey from his early years but was diagnosed with Myopathy at the age of seven. The couple`s efforts to get their ailing son schooling and his death at the age of 20.

Had lucky breaks throughout, the Chief Minister of Karnataka spotted him in a sports meet and immediately ordered to give Ganesh a job in the Department of Youth and Sports. He became the most influential and effective sports administrator of the state and established sports centres and facilities throughout the state. He took revolutionary steps such as the approval of allotment of seats in medical and engineering colleges for the outstanding sportspersons of Karnataka state, allocating lands in the housing societies for the sportspersons of the state who bring laurels for India.

Post-retirement: his services were acquired not only for hockey but other sports as well: Among others, CEO of the National Hockey Academy, advisor to the state governments for hosting the national games, CEO of Karnataka State Cricket Association. Did all this till 2016 when age (70years) finally caught up with him.
A 37 point `Formula` to develop Hockey in India spreads over five pages.

In 2020, the sports minister rang to inform him about the Padma Shri award (the fourth-highest civilian award of Republic of India) for him; had earlier won the Arjuna award in 1973 which was, before the introduction of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 1991–1992, the highest sporting honour of India. His hockey career had started in the army. The cantonment town of Mhow houses three premier army training institutes. A residential quarter for 3,000 army personnel built there has been recently named "Ganesh Enclave" after him.

There are more than 30 pictures. Many renowned Indian sportspersons give their opinions about Ganesh, mostly hockey greats but also from other sports including former test cricketer Brijesh Patel who is presently the chairman IPL.

A Remarkable Life Story of a Sportsman, Coach and Administrator, the book is an interesting read not only for hockey lovers but for all the sports fans.

The book couldn`t have come out at a better time as India won an Olympic medal in hockey in Tokyo after 40 years.

It is in paperback and available via Amazon.

My Autobiography Living The Dream
By Dr. M.P.Ganesh with Shrividya Somanna and S.S.Shreekumar
Notion Press, Chennai, India
ISBN: 978-1639404421
148 Pages

jaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info

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