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All the news for Saturday 13 February 2016

Awais downs India to clinch SAG hockey gold for Pakistan

Mohsin Ali

ISLAMABAD - Thanks to a solo goal by Awais-ur-Rehman, Pakistan beat archrivals India 1-0 in the final of the 12th South Asian Games men’s hockey in Guwati on Friday and notched up a hat-trick of titles.

It was a sensational performance by the men in green, as they overcame a noisy Indian crowd before edging out Indians on their own soil. Awais scored the only goal of the match in the dying moments of the first half. It also took Pakistan gold tally to eight and end two-day barren run of not winning a gold medal.

The Indians, who could create very few goal-scoring chances and were left to defend the citadel for most part of the match, thus continued their gold medal drought in the tournament at the Moullanna Tayebullah Stadium.

Pakistan had won the hockey gold in 2006 and 2010 editions, beating India in the final on both occasions. Pakistan also beat India 2-1 in the group stage of the ongoing Games.

There was excitement ahead of the much-awaited match with the near capacity crowd cheering the home players, but it did not rise to any great heights, except for a short spell in the second half.

Pakistan completely dominated the first half, leading 1-0, and though India pressed for an equaliser with several raids into the opposition post towards the end of the match, the goal did not come for the home country. Pakistan straightaway put India under pressure and they had two clear look at the home side goal but an alert goalkeeper, Vikas Dahiya, blocked twice to keep the match in a clean slate.

Pakistan attacked mostly from the right and a M Rizwan strike was parried by Dahiya. The Indian goalkeeper then denied Pakistan once again in the seventh as he blocked the penalty corner.

The crowd began restless with Pakistan dominating and attacking with the Indians doing desperate defending and they were saved virtually on the goal-line by Nilam Xess after Pakistan broke through from the left flank.

Insincere POA, PSB, IPC behind decline: Pakistan Sports Board and IPC ministry’s main focus only remains how to accommodate their dear and near ones and families on a joyride during the international sports events and sports and sport persons are continuously fallinh foul of this policy. Interestingly, POA President Lt Gen (R) Syed Arif Hassan is also keeping mum on these wrong-doings of the federations, as instead of facilitating players and coaches they remain busy to achieve personal agenda. But the lust of the power has made him blind as just to stick with his chair and getting votes from these federations, Gen Arif is continuously ignoring the sports and players. That is the main reason behind Pakistani sports decline. Until and unless IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada open his eyes and stop these joy-riders, who had nothing to do with sports and introduce proper check and balance system, players and coaches would continue to suffer as well as the sporting future of the country. It is high time that public money should be spent on only where it belongs.

It was completely disastrous performance by Pakistani contingent in the Games. India is leading the medal table with a whopping 142 golds, 78 silvers and 21 bronze medals, while Sri Lankans are occupying second position with 25 golds, 53 silvers and 77 bronze medals. Pakistan is at number three with only 8 golds, 22 silvers and 43 bronze medals.

No one else but DG PSB should be held responsible for these pathetic results as he is the one who picked such tiring long routes, which left players high and dry. 36 hours travelling had destroyed players chances. He also failed to accommodate players and their coaches and many left without accreditation and visas but all the officials succeeded to enjoy the tour.

The Nation

Pakistan punishes wasteful India

Amitabha Das Sharma


Pakistan's Awais-Ur-Rehman scores the winner against India in the men's hockey final. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

Pakistan beat a wasteful India by a solitary goal in the final of the South Asian Games hockey to retain the gold, here at the Maulana Tyabullah Hockey Stadium on Friday.

India, which won the women’s gold a day before, had to be content with the silver for another edition of the game. Bangladesh had earlier picked up the bronze beating Sri Lanka 4-1.

Pakistan nudged ahead in the last minute of first half when the Indian defence appeared to be resting on its oars. Muhammad Arslan Qadir took a reverse hit from the edge of the semicircle as Awais-Ur-Rehman came ahead of the Indian goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya to flick the ball home for what turned out to be the winner.

Pakistan started aggressively and earned a penalty corner in the seventh minute. Dahiya made a fine save on the drag-flick by Abdul Khan before Aleem Bilal’s attempt on the rebound went over the bar.

Shan Ali had the second opportunity for Pakistan in the 12th minute but the Nilam Xess made a fine save on the goal-line to salvage situation for India. Pakistan midfield looked more organised initially and created a few good opportunities for its attack.

Fielding nine members from the side that played the 2012 London Olympics, Pakistan definitely looked a formidable side against the relatively tenderfoot Indians, who at times looked overawed by the skills of the opponent.

With most of the top Indian players busy with different franchises in ongoing the Hockey India League, the second-choice team did well to createsome good scoring opportunities later in the first half. Umar Mohammad faltered in front of an open goal in the 20th minute and failed to place home a nice pass from Gurbaj Singh. Next minute Gagandeep Singh sent his attempt wide and P.L. Thimanna repeated the tentativeness on the goalmouth in the 30th minute to keep the host waiting.

Pakistan found the goal just when the host defence appeared to be congratulating themselves on having done a good job.

India had some more chances after the change of ends with Manpreet Singh missing a sitter in the 56th minute. India earned two penalty-corners in the 65th and 70th minutes but squandered both of them making haphazard attempts.

The result: Pakistan 1 (Awais-Ur-Rehman 35) bt India 0.

The Hindu

Pakistan beat India 1-0 in hockey final

KARACHI: Pakistan Whites made a hat-trick of titles in the South Asian Games’ hockey event as they beat India 1-0 in a nail-biting final to clinch gold at the Tayebulla Hockey Stadium in Guwahati, India on Friday.

Pakistan started with the traditional attacking against the young Indian team, which only had Olympian Gubraj Singh as its sole senior player.

They had a chance to open the scoring early on through a penalty corner in the eighth minute but Aleem Bilal hit wide of the mark.

Pakistan kept the ball brilliantly but could not find a way through as the young Indians defended stoically. The closest they came in the early stages was when Haseem Khan’s reverse flick deflected onto the post and out in the 23rd minute.

The Men in Green finally had their breakthrough in the 35th minute as Awaisur Rehman scored the opener just before the half-time break.

Tempers flared early in the second half as Pakistan’s Kashif Ali and India’s Gubraj exchanged heated words.

India upped the ante, looking to find the elusive equaliser but could not do so despite registering six shots at goal, two of which came from penalty corners.

The final whistle led to wild celebrations from those in green as the two-time defending champions won the event for the third time in a row.

Pakistan have earlier beaten India in both the 2004 and 2010 finals in Colombo and Dhaka, respectively, while India won the gold in 1995 in Madras.

The Express Tribune

Pakistan beat India 1-0 to clinch gold in South Asian Games hockey

GUWAHATI: Pakistan beat India 1-0 to win gold in the hockey event of the 12th South Asian Games in Guwahati on Friday.

Awais-ur-Rehman scored the decisive goal at the end of first-half as Pakistan successfully completed hat-trick of SAG hockey titles.

The match, played out in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Moullanna Tayebullah Stadium, saw both teams starting cautiously before the Greenshirts upped the ante and broke through the Indian defence.

Rehman’s strike in the added time of the first half pushed Mohammad Irfan’s side to attack even more but found a strong wall in Indian goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya.

It was the fourth time the two arch-rivals were clashing in the final of men’s hockey at the regional extravaganza.

Pakistan beat India in both the 2004 and 2010 finals in Colombo and Dhaka, respectively, while India won the gold in 1995 in Madras.

Dawn

India lose 0-1 to Pakistan in hockey final


Pakistan hockey team players celebrate their win against India. (AP Photo)

GUWAHATI: India produced a disappointing performance to lose to arch-rivals Pakistan 0-1 in a lacklustre summit clash of men's hockey at the 12th South Asian Games on Friday.

Awaisur Rehman scored the lone goal of the match in added time of the first half as Pakistan clinched the gold medal and notched up a hat-trick of titles in the South Asian Games.

The Indians, who could create very few goal-scoring chances and were left to defend the citadel for most part of the match, thus continued their gold medal drought in the tournament at the Moullanna Tayebullah Stadium.

Pakistan had won the hockey gold in 2006 and 2010 editions, beating India in the final on both occasions. India had also lost 1-2 to Pakistan in the group stage of the ongoing Games.

There was excitement ahead of the much-awaited match with the near capacity crowd cheering the home players, but it did not rise to any great heights, except for a short spell in the second half.

Pakistan completely dominated the first half, leading 1-0, and though India pressed for an equaliser with several raids into the opposition post towards the end of the match, the goal did not come for the home country.

With at least half a dozen Olympians in their ranks as against India's one in Gurbaj Singh, Pakistan dominated for most part of the match.

Lacking in experience, the Indians played their hearts out with captain Mandeep Antil and senior most player Gurbaj taking the extra load. Gurbaj played deep at times to help the defenders while also pushing himself to shore up the attack.

The inexperienced Indians did not get the combination right and were poor in trapping at times.

Pakistan straightaway put India under pressure and they had two clear look at the home side goal but an alert goalkeeper, Vikas Dahiya, blocked twice to keep the match in a clean slate.

Pakistan attacked mostly from the right and a Muhammad Rizwan strike was parried by Dahiya. The Indian goalkeeper then denied Pakistan once again in the seventh as he blocked the penalty corner.

The crowd began restless with Pakistan dominating and attacking with the Indians doing desperate defending and they were saved virtually on the goal-line by Nilam Xess after Pakistan broke through from the left flank.

In a rare attack against the run of play, India had a close chance in the 21st minute, but Gagandeep Singh shot wide.

The first half saw Pakistan getting a penalty corner which they could not convert. India got no penalty corner and play remained in their own half for most of the first 35 minutes as they could rarely penetrate the opposition circle.

Towards the end of the first half, India got a golden chance as Gagandeep was sent in the clear on the left side of the circle by Antil in the 29th minute. But, Gagandeep's reverse hit went wide even after the ball beat the Pakistani goalkeeper Imran Butt, who came out of his line.

India conceded a soft goal in the added time of the first half as Awaisur slotted home after the reverse hit by Muhammad Arslan Qadir could not be cleared on time by the Indian defenders.

In the second half, the Indians dished out a much- improved show with several raids into the Pakistan circle, but they could not get a goal.

There was a half chance though in the 56th minute for India but Manpreet Singh could not get the final touch in front of goal as a Pakistan defender got a slight touch.

India had a chance to equalise as they got a penalty corner with five minutes to go in the match but could not convert. Later, in the last minute, India got another penalty corner but that also went abegging.

Pakistan and India got two penalty corners each in the match.

The Times of India

Pakistan makes it hat tricks of triumph in SAG Hockey titles

By B.G.Joshi (India)

Guwahati:  Awais-ur-Rehman scored the title winning goal synchronizing with half time hooter. In Pakistani squad there were 9 Olympians includes veterans Rehan Butt. Except Gurbaz Singh,Ajitesh Roy,Mandeep  Antil and PP Somanna  rest of the Indian players were rookies. Manpreet Singh (Namdhari) and Gagandeep Singh have missed golden opportunities to send ball in empty goal. Face to face in title triumph of the traditional giants are given below:

Fieldhockey.com

Ministry hits out at HI for fielding second-string SAG team

NEW DELHI: The Sports ministry slammed Hockey India for fielding a second string team in the ongoing South Asian Games, saying the players are busy making money and have forgotten the Olympic spirit.

Most established players of the Indian team are busy playing the Hockey India League (HIL) which has coincided with the 12th South Asian Games.

"The money angle has become so important that the athletes have forgotten the Olympic spirit. India and Pakistan are two top teams in the region, it is an emotional match for the public. It would have been good preparation for the top players (bound for the Rio Olympics)," sports secretary Rajiv Yadav said.

Asked if he plans to take any action against Hockey India: "We had requested Hockey India to field a strong team but that did not happen. It is not about taking action against the federation. We want federations to learn themselves rather than we instructing them. The Games are held in the Olympic spirit and it would have been good preparation for the boys going to Rio," Yadav said.

India have qualified for the Olympics but Pakistan have not. Pakistan had beaten India 2-1 in the league stage of the competition in Guwahati.

The South Asian Games are finally happening after a gap of six years and multiple delays. The event was supposed to take place in 2012 in New Delhi but was postponed due to Assembly elections in the national capital.

After that, the Indian Olympic Association was suspended by the International Olympic Committee between December 2012 and February 2014, leading to further delays.

After the IOA's suspension was revoked by the IOC, Kerala was tipped to host the Games but the event was handed to Guwahati and Shillong last year before another round of postponement.

"It was a huge challenge to organise the event, especially in places like Guwahati and Shillong. But all stakeholders have done a good job. The Games have been cost effective as well and have turned out to be cheaper than the National Games held in Kerala last year. The overall cost has come to Rs 308 crore," said Yadav.

The Kerala Games were organised at a cost of Rs 340 crore.

The Times of India

Hockeyroos defeat GB

Australia defeat Great Britain 4-3 in first of the six-match series in Bunbury



Strikes from Kathryn Slattery, Mariah Williams and Ashleigh Nelson helped the Hockeyroos to secure their first 4-3 victory of the six-match series against Great Britain in Bunbury on Friday night.

Pleased with the Hockeyroos’ performance against world number six Great Britain, Australian Head Coach Adam Commens said, “We played well when we had the ball and pressed even better without it, this helped us create positive opportunities tonight. There were moments where our pressure was broken and there are obvious areas that we need to tidy up, however, I was pleased with our overall performance as a team.

“I thought Jodie Kenny and Anna Flanagan worked really well together in our defence and I was also pleased with our midfield when looking at our speed and ability to eliminate players. Mariah Williams and Brooke Peris’ performance in the midfield was a highlight tonight.”

In a productive first half, Australia managed to dominate the majority of the ball possession within their attacking circle.

In the tenth minute, Ashleigh Nelson successfully worked the ball to the top of Australia’s attacking circle, eliminating opponents before putting the ball onto fellow Western Australian Kathryn Slattery’s stick.

Slattery finished of Nelson’s pass with a well-executed deflection, breaking the ice and putting Australia on the scoreboard 1-0.

Quickly retaliating one minute later, Great Britain responded well to Australia’s opener with a successful field goal deflection taken by Hannah Macleod, deadlocking the score 1-1.

With the floodgates open, goals started to accumulate. At the 19th minute mark, Great Britain’s Ellie Watton’s on-target strike sent the ball to the bottom corner of the goal, pushing the visitors in front 2-1.

Working together as a team and wasting no time, Australian forward Kathryn Slattery added to her night’s tally with a second strike at the 20th minute mark, deadlocking the match for a second time 2-2.

Seven minutes before the half time break, Mariah Williams’ impressive back-stick tomahawk hit target, handing Australia well earnt breathing space heading into the final 30 minutes of play.

Experienced Australian forward Nelson had the spectators on their feet after a quick deflection that Great Britain’s goalkeeper Maddie Hinch couldn’t deny, pushing out Australia’s lead, 4-3.

With 20 minutes remaining on the clock, Great Britain came back firing. Putting her body on the line, Sophie Bray managed to stretch out, making contact with the ball and slipping it past Rachael Lynch who was under the bar for Australia.

Opportunities came and went for both teams in the final 15 minutes of play but their execution in the circle ultimately failed them. On the final siren, Australia finished atop 4-3.
 
The Hockeyroos’ second match of the series will be played on Sunday at 2pm AWST at Bunbury Districts Hockey Stadium. The match will be streamed live on epicentre.tv from 1:45pm AWST / 4:45pm AEDT.

This series is proudly supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation, City of Bunbury and the South West Development Commission.

Great Britain Series
Match 1
HOCKEYROOS: 4 (3)
Kathryn Slattery 10, 20 (FG) (FG)
Mariah Williams 23 (FG)
Ashleigh Nelson 39 (FG) 

GREAT BRITAIN: 3 (2)
Hannah Macleod 11 (FG)
Ellie Watton 19 (PC)
Sophie Bray 40 (FG)

REPLAY THE HOCKEYROOS’ FIRST MATCH AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN ONLINE HERE.

Hockeyroos' squad v Great Britain
Started
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 320/70
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT) 93/2
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT) 157/34
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 158/93
Rachael Lynch (Melbourne, VIC) 141/0
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW) 26/4
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) [SASI athlete] 20/1
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT) 75/13
Casey Sablowski (South Coast, NSW) 232/44
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 139/57
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW) 34/5

Used Substitute
Teneal Attard (Mackay, QLD) 219/10
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) [QAS athlete] 13/3
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA) 195/67
Georgie Parker (Berri, SA) 87/26
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA) 37/11
Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW) 3/1

Did Not Play
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC) 8/3
Jocelyn Bartram (Albury, NSW) 0/0
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 81/9
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 93/2
Kate Hanna (Constitution Hill, NSW) 6/0
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 167/33
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW) 0/0
Madi Ratcliffe (Warrnambool, VIC) 0/0
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD) 10/0
Ashlee Wells (Moe, VIC) 66/0
Kellie White (Crookwell, NSW) 92/29

Fixtures & Results
Friday 12 February: Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium (4-3 AUS)
Sunday 14 February: 5:00pm AEDT / 2:00pm AWST, Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium
Tuesday 16 February: 9:00pm AEDT / 6:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Thursday 18 February: 9:00pm AEDT / 6:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Saturday 20 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Sunday 21 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium

Live streaming
The Hockeyroos' Great Britain series is being live streamed via Epicentre.TV in Bunbury and Perth.

Social media
Follow the team's results on Twitter by following @Hockeyroos and using #roovolution.

Hockey Australia media release

Australia edge out Great Britain in first game of 6-match series


Maddie Hinch in Australia

Three goals weren’t enough for Great Britain to secure victory against Australia in an entertaining game which saw seven goals – the first match in a six game series. Strikes from Kathryn Slattery, Mariah Williams and Ashleigh Nelson helped Australia to a 4-3 victory.

Kathryn Slattery got the first goal of the game from Ashleigh Nelson’s pass with a well-executed deflection, but Great Britain responded just a minute later to Australia’s opener with a successful field goal deflection by Hannah Macleod, to make the score 1-1.

It wasn’t long before they added another – on the 19-minute mark, Great Britain’s Ellie Watton was on-target, sending the ball to the bottom corner of the goal and pushing the visitors in front 2-1.

The goals kept on coming thick and fast with Australian forward Kathryn Slattery adding to her night’s tally with a second strike on the 20 minute mark, and seven minutes before half time Mariah Williams’ impressive back-stick handed Australia a 3-2 lead with 30 minutes to play.

Nelson then turned goalscorer to extend Australia’s lead, and with 20 minutes remaining on the clock, Great Britain came back firing. Sophie Bray managed to stretch and making contact with the ball to slip it past Rachael Lynch to pull the visitors back to within a goal, and while opportunities came and went for both teams in the final 15 minutes Great Britain couldn’t convert their chances, leaving Australia with the win.

The second match of the series will be played on Sunday at Bunbury Districts Hockey Stadium.

The matches with Australia are a pre-cursor to the Women’s Champions Trophy London 2016 where both teams will face each other shortly before the Olympics, while in Rio Australia and Great Britain are in the same pool.

Australia 4 (3)
Kathryn Slattery 10, 20 (FG) (FG)
Mariah Williams 23 (FG)
Ashleigh Nelson 39 (FG)

Great Britain 3 (2)
Hannah Macleod 11 (FG)
Ellie Watton 19 (PC)
Sophie Bray 40 (FG)

England Hockey Board Media release

GB Women lose opening game

By Mike Haymonds

GREAT BRITAIN women lost 3-4 in the opening game of their six-test series against Australia in Bunbury.

Kathryn Slattery opened the scoring in the tenth minute, deflecting home an Ashleigh Nelson pass, but GB’s Hannah Macleod equalised a minute later. Ellie Watton, the injector, gave GB the lead on 19 minutes from their second penalty corner but the next three goals all went to the Hockeyroos. Slattery added her second in the 20th minute and Mariah Williams fired home a spectacular backhand shot three minutes on before Nelson further extended Australia’s lead. Sophie Bray pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left and, with no further scores, the hosts took victory.

The second test takes place tomorrow (Sunday) also in Bunbury. GB will be hoping that Alex Danson recovers from a hand injury but Lily Owsley, the newly crowned FIH Rising Star, injured a shoulder early in the game and is likely to be sidelined for the rest of the series.

Meanwhile, in Hamburg East Grinstead men managed two draws on the first day of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup After a 1-1 draw with the Austrians SV Arminen, with a corner goal from Jannis Schwebs, they drew 3-3 with Grunwald Poznan from Poland, thanks to a brace from Ben Allberry and a penalty stroke from their captain Simon Faulkner. They lie in third place in their pool and need to beat the Spaniards Complutense today to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals.

In the second tier Trophy tournament in Pavlovskii Posad, Russia, the Scottish champions Inverleith are assured of a place in the promotion pool after two high scoring wins, thanks to four goals in both games from Stephen Dick. Atletico Clube de Portugal were swept aside 5-2 before Royal Namur of Belgium were beaten 7-3.

In the third tier Challenge I event in Varna-Kamchia, Bulgaria, Cardiff & Met are in a strong position after wins against Mladost of Croatia (2-0) and the hosts NSA Sofia (5-3) while Queens University Belfast have much to do after a 1-6 defeat by the Danes Slagelse and a 2-2 draw with Kilppari of Finland.

Daily Express

USA Dominates Four-Match Series with Consecutive Victories Against Canada

CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Today signifies the finale of a four-match capped tournament against the U.S. Women’s National Team and FIH World Ranked 18th Canada. The red, white and blue dominated the event with a total of four victories including today’s 8-0 win that contained two hat tricks and a first cap. This series is part of Team USA’s February training block at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center’s venue.

"A great strength of today's game was our conversion from circle entry to outcome was very high," said Craig Parnham, USWNT Head Coach. "Over the course of the week we've been very pleased with the number of opportunities we continued to create. Canada is an organized and well-structured team. At times it was very difficult, but I'm pleased with the way the players have committed to learn new things and adapt to new strategies."

Canada was the first to find entry into their attack circle. A crossed ball threatened to change the score in the opening minutes, but the pass went unanswered. Farther up the pitch, Marie Elena Bolles (Phoenixville, Pa.) challenged the Canadian goalkeeper by pulling her off of the goal line in a 1 v 1 situation. USA wasn’t able to convert on the chance but at the 5th minute mark the USA earned their first penalty corner of the game with a successful finish. Off of Lauren Crandall's (Doylestown, Pa.) rebounded drive, Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg, Pa.) fired a shot from the top, right of the circle to turn the score USA 1, Canada 0. On the opposite end of the pitch, Juila Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) showed great recovery defense by halting a dangerous play at midfield to regain possession.

Displaying a relentless forward mentality in the 13th minute, USA gained their second corner of the match and capitalized off the play when Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.) slid the action to Bolles who was poised to strike the ball into the mesh at close range changing the scoreboard to USA 2, Canada 0. Fast into the second quarter, Bolles again upped USA’s tally when a goalmouth scramble permitted her to blast the ball past the goal line from the right side of the pitch making the score USA 3, Canada 0. A whirlwind of goals only continued as the match drove on. During a penalty corner, Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) was able to redirect an aerial ball into the net to transform the score USA 4, Canada 0. In the 21st minute, Falgowski sprinted down the pitch to rip a drive on target to notch her second goal and then again in the 24th minute she made another dent in the backboard but this time off penalty corner with a sharp strike from the top of the circle to establish an impressive hat trick. The halftime score was recorded as USA 6, Canada 0.

In the 34th minute Canada’s attack earned their first penalty corner of the match but the drag flick attempt went wide of the left post. Shortly after, USA received a penalty corner where Kathleen Sharkey (Mossic, Pa.) approached an incoming lifted ball but hit it high above the crossbar. The USA would test Canada with four penalty corners in the final moments of the third quarter without a result.

A strong offensive presence kept a steadily upward pattern in the final quarter when Bolles secured a second astounding hat trick for the the USA off of a field goal at the stroke line to change the score USA 7, Canada 0. In the 47th minute, Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) crushed a drive into the left corner of the goal to solidify a final score of USA 8, Canada 0. Also in the fourth quarter, USA made a goalie substitution. Lauren Blazing (Durham, N.C.) earned her first international cap at the senior level, a landmark achievement. 

"I feel so much pride and am so grateful to everyone on this team, all of the coaching staff and all of the support staff," said Blazing. "It's amazing the amount of work it took to get to this point. Watching everyone out on the field is really inspirational. It was a great tournament."

"It's a great pleasure to give players their first opportunity to play at this level," said Parnham. "Lauren has been with the group for some time and today is a nice moment for her, one she won't forget. The first of many I'm sure."

Continue Chasing The Dream with our USWNT as they prepare for the Champions Trophy and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by following @USAFieldHockey on Twitter and visiting usafieldhockey.com.

USFHA media release

Matson's Hat Trick Lifts U-21 USWNT in First College Scrimmage



CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – On a cool Friday night in Chapel Hill, N.C., the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team kicked off their training camp weekend with a college scrimmage against Wake Forest University. Preparing for the Junior Pan American Championship in March, the weekend will include practices and scrimmages against Duke University and the University of North Carolina.

Being played at Francis E. Henry Stadium., Team USA went into the game with a set game plan of focusing on funneling the ball down the outsides to patiently work the ball in from the parameter. This strategy worked gaining the team multiple penalty corners and opportunities on cage. With patience, the U-21 USWNT got on the scoreboard first in the 9th minute of play when a hard ball was sent into the center of the circle by Erin Matson (Chadds Ford, Pa.) that deflected off of Wake Forest’s goalkeeper. Quick to react to the rebound, Sophia Tornetta (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) sent the loose ball into the goal to put USA up 1-0.

Wake Forest pushed forward into the midfield in an attempt to pull apart Team USA’s defense but were unsuccessful. Wake Forest’s goalkeeper made a fantastic save in a one-on-one situation with Matson and effectively denied the shot. Matson would find the backboard on a deflection tip in the 12th minute making the score USA 2, Wake Forest 0.

Just 3 minutes later, Wake Forest converted on a fast break opportunity. They earned a penalty corner and Jule Grashoff sent a drag flick into the cage.

In the remaining minute of the first half, both teams scrambled toward midfield trying to regain possession until Matson took control and earned a penalty corner for Team USA. She then converted on the play off a rebound, tallying another goal. This trend continued as the U-21 USWNT earned another penalty corner with time expired just before the half. Again, Matson found the back of the cage off of a tip making the halftime score USA 4, Wake Forest 1.

The second half began in a gridlock as both teams battled to gain ownership of the ball. Team USA’s Julia Young (Yorktown, Va.) held the defensive end denying any possible threats forward from Wake Forest. This transitioned to several circle entries for the U-21 USWNT hoping to notch another on the scoreboard.

With 7 minutes remaining, Wake Forest worked hard and scored on a shot by Grashoff. Wake Forest’s defensive line held tough while successfully clearing the ball out when Team USA penetrated forward. Continuing the pressure and capitalizing on late repositioning, the U-21 USWNT continued to get off shots on cage but were unable to convert.

In the final 2 minutes, Team USA hit the backboard twice. Once off of a drag flick on a corner by Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.) and again on another corner on a deflection by Lauren Moyer (York, Pa.) that slipped past the goalkeeper with 38 seconds left in the game making the final score USA 6, Wake Forest 2.

The U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team will face Duke University on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. EST on the campus of University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Follow the U-21 USWNT’s journey as they prepare for the Junior Pan American Championship March 29 through April 10 in Trinidad & Tobago by following usafieldhockey.com.

USFHA media release

Men’s National Team journey to Olympics continues in Vancouver next week

Shaheed Devji


(Photo: Yan Huckendubler)

Canada’s men’s field hockey team is now officially less than six months away from competing in the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the journey to Rio brings them back home to Vancouver for a block of training beginning next week.

After spending the better part of the last month training and competing in Cape Town, South Africa, the Men’s National Team returns to its regular daily training environment next week, beginning with fitness testing on Monday. After testing is compete, the team will begin an intense period of training on-field four times a week at West Vancouver’s Rutledge Field and UBC’s Wright Field.

The training block will lead into the team’s biggest competition prior to the Olympics: the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – April 6-16, 2016

The Azlan Shah tournament is set to take place in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 6-16. The tournament is an annual invite only competition and typically features many of the top teams. The Canadians have been invited for the last two years and, this year, join a host of top nations from around the world, many of which are preparing for the 2016 Olympics.

After the Azlan Shah tournament, the Canadian men will return to Vancouver and training for the remainder of April and May before embarking on their final training our prior to the Olympics.

European Tour – June 10-27, 2016

A two-country European trip will serve as the final tour in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games. By this time, the Canadian Men’s National Team roster should closely resemble the final Olympic roster, with this trip and the games therein serving as one last chance for athletes to impress the coaching staff and earn a spot in Rio.

The men will first visit Belfast, Ireland for a set of matches against the Irish and Spanish, both teams which will also be in Brazil for the Olympics, with Ireland being in the same pool as Canada.

The Canadians will then travel to Bisham Abbey for training and matches against England before returning home to Vancouver.

2016 Olympic Summer Games

The men will spend the better part of July in Vancouver for their final period of training before heading to Rio for the Games. The final Olympic roster will be announced in early July and the team will then train until leaving for Rio late in the month and arriving there on July 25.

The first match of the Olympic field hockey competition is expected to be played on August 6th. Canada is in a pool with the Netherlands, Germany, Argentina, India, and Ireland and will play each of its pool-mates once. The top four teams in each pool advance to the tournament semifinal.

Field Hockey Canada media release

Black Sticks Men set for home turf tune-up



The Black Sticks Men will open their 2016 campaign against Malaysia and Korea on home turf in Tauranga and Auckland next month.

The Kiwis host Malaysia in a four test series at Blake Park in Tauranga (6-10 March) before heading north for a further four games against Korea at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland (16-20 March).

It’s the first international action for the Black Sticks Men since the Oceania Cup in October, where they finished runners up behind Australia.

The series serves as important preparation for April’s Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, which New Zealand head into as defending champions and on the hunt for back to back titles.

The Black Sticks team to compete against Malaysia and Korea will be named later this month.

Tickets will go on sale next week from just $5 with discounted family tickets and series passes also available.

Black Sticks Men – Bay/City Tour
Match Schedule

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Punjab thrash Mumbai to jump to the top of table


(TOI Photo)

MUMBAI: Jaypee Punjab Warriors stopped Dabang Mumbai's resurgent run by inflicting a 5-1 defeat on the home team and climbed up to the top of the table in the Hockey India League on Friday.

Punjab, who were up 3-0 after the first two quarters, scored the goals via successful penalty corner attempts by Varun Kumar (2nd minute), Mark Gleghorne (13th) and Christopher Ciriello (25th).

Later Nithin Thimmiah added a field goal in the 40th minute to virtually settle the issue as it counted as two to give the visitors a massive 5-0 lead.

A consolation goal came Mumbai's way through a last-gasp penalty corner effort, when Jeremy Hayward found the mark.

Punjab, who went into the game after a defeat against Uttar Pradesh Wizards, put up a dominating show right through the 60-minute match and never let Mumbai, who had reignited their campaign with three successive wins having suffering four straight losses earlier, settle down.

The victory took Barry Dancer-coached Punjab level on points (27) with Ranchi Rays who they will play against tomorrow at the latter's home venue.

Mumbai, who have games in hand against Ranchi Rays (February 14 in Ranchi) and UP Wizards (February 16 at home) remained at the bottom of the table with 19 points.

The lack of an effective penalty corner variation cost Mumbai in the very first minute of the game when they earned the set-piece award but captain, Matthew Swann, did not stop the ball properly and it went waste.

They got two more at the fag-end of the match, and succeeded off the last, taken after the final hooter had sounded.

Punjab, on the other hand, succeeded with their first two penalty-corner awards through different takers to take a stranglehold on the game at the MHAL Mahindra Stadium.

They hit back immediately after conceding the first short corner by earning an award for themselves and Varun Kumar beat David Harte under the Mumbai bar, with a high shot to the custodian's right.

Encouraged by the early 2nd minute lead, Punjab attacked with vigour with India skipper Sardar Singh orchestrating the moves superbly from the typical centre half position and also running forward to give extra support to the front liners.

After Johan Bjorkman's close range effort was saved well by Punjab custodian Tristan Clemons, it was the visitors who went on the offensive to earn their second penalty corner and converted it too.

This time it was Mark Gleghorne who took advantage of a good push by Mark Knowles to beat Harte with a low flick to his left, again beating the goalkeeper all ends up.

The first quarter ended with Punjab up 2-0.

Mumbai made an early foray in the second quarter but Gurmail Singh's attempt was foiled.

Punjab earned two penalty corners in succession, close to the end of the quarter and scored off the second, their fourth overall.

Their main penalty corner striker Christopher Ciriello took the shot and beat Harte to left side to help the visitors break for half time with a handy 3-0 lead.

Punjab continued to dominate and it was not a big surprise when they scored again, this time with a good field effort which counts as two in the tournament, when the tall Nithin Thimmiah took advantage of a centre right across the goalmouth from the left and shoot home.

The teams adjourned after the third quarter with Punjab leading by 5-0. The last goal of the match, by Mumbai, came at the very end as a consolation.

But the home team, which had gained a point from each of the first four defeats by not losing by more than two goals, failed to get one from its fifth defeat.

The Times of India

What will happen if Dabang Mumbai wins all the three matches

24 out of 30 over but where is the first 4?

Hockey India League, started on 18th January, is just six matches left before the knock-out phase starts. The simple task of the first phase -- which features 30 matches -- is to find out the top four for the semifinals.

24 out of 30 matches were completed as of yesterday (11th Feb). Still, no team is fully sure of its semifinal passage.

Ranchi Rays, coached by Indian Harendra Singh, keeps its top position in the table with five wins and 27 points and looks almost certain. However, it has lost continuously last two matches which together with Dabang Mumbai. Mumbai team has lost first four matches before it won the next three, and with rising Delhi the league has opened up. undefined

Ranchi took on otherwise under-performing Delhi yesterday with the hopes of early guaranteeing of its semifinal berth, but had lost badly 4-7. The heavy defeat meant it will not even get a bonus point that losing teams get if the margin of defeat is less than three goals.

Delhi Waveriders and Mumbai were at the bottom before two days, but Mumbai’s win over Delhi (8-3) at Delhi on Tuesday and then the yesterday’s astonishing bounce back further narrowed the gap between haves and have nots in the points table.



Mumbai is at present at the bottom of the table, with 3 wins and 19 points, but it is only team left with three matches to be played. All other teams have played out 8 matches.

Mumbai will play Punjab Warriors today at home, Ranchi Rays at their home on 14th before returning home and taken on Uttar Pradesh at Churchgate.

If Mumbai wins all the three matches, which is a feasibility besides being technical possibility, it will have gained 15 points and total 34.

This case it can even top the table provided Ranchi lose both of its engagements.

Dabang Mumbai may have lost first four contests, but interestingly it has got at least a point from every loss. It will come handy at the final moment of reckoning. As of now, except Ranchi can get past 34 points.

UPW and Kalinga has 4 wins and 23 points each. While Delhi and Punjab has 4 wins each but 22 points. But Delhi has played 9 matches, cannot cross 27 points.

If Delhi fails to win its last match, which will play at home on last day of league phase, it will be out of semis. Its fate will be so even if Mumbai will only two matches.

What is important for teams at present is keep winning and importantly not losing heavily.

Every team cannot win as things have narrowed down.

As of now, if Ranchi wins either against UPW or DM, it will shut the door for both the losers.

Hockey India League is really in an interesting stage at this point. The last six matches will decide the last four. Amazing.

Stick2Hockey.com

EuroHockey Indoor Club Championships LIVE



Four divisions of the men's EuroHockey Indoor Club Championships get under way today. EuroHockey has had a quick look at the contenders for glory this weekend (12-14 February):

EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup (Hamburg, Germany):
The EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup will be hosted by Harvestehuder THC will hope to progress their hopes of emulating their spectacular 2014. Two years ago, the club won both the Euro Hockey League and EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup, claiming the latter for the third time with a 10-4 final win over Dinamo Yekaterineburg in 2014.

Key to their chances are Michael Körper (joint top scorer in Prague for Austria) while Tobias Lietz and Tobias Walter were part of the German side that won the European Championships last month in Prague.

They are in a group with Sweden’s Partille, last year’s fourth place team and here in Hamburg with a stronger team than last year.

In addition to Switzerland’s Luzerner, under new coach Chris Faust, and SK Slavia Praha from the Czech Republic.

The other side of the draw features Spain’s CHPV Complutense who have Swedish international Philip Hellstrand in their team.

England’s East Grinstead are playing in their second European tournament in Hamburg already this season and will use much of the squad that won their English title once again last weekend.

Ben Alberry was one of their key goalscorers while Scotland’s Ross Stott and German player Jannis Schwebs could be key figures for them.

Austria’s SV Arminen are always a threat, especially having claimed the Rohrmax Cup last weekend. They have previously won silver and bronze in this competition. Michael Mantler, Daniel Frolich, Patrick Schmidt, Dominic Uher, Stefan Eitenberger, Michael Minar, Mateusz Szymczyk and Pit Rudofsky were also part of the national team’s run to silver at the Euros last month.

Poland’s WKS Grunwald Poznan are similarly well stacked with Pawel Bratkowski leading as captain while the rest of their panel has a wealth of indoor club and international experience.

So overall a very tight event hoped for in Hamburg!

The tournament is being streamed throughout the weekend via https://www.youtube.com/user/fihockey/videos?view=2&flow=grid

EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy (Pavlovskii Posad, Russia):
In the second tier of the EuroHockey Club event this weekend, the hosts Dinamo Elektrostal will be looking to earn their place back in the top division which they lost out on last year.

However in their pool are also Cambrai, AHBC and Olimpia Kolos Sekvoya. In Pool A HC Namur, like the Russians will be looking to get back to the Championship division having lost their place in 2015.

They are joined by Scottish Champions Inverleith as well as HC Minsk and Atlético Clube de Portugal

The games will be streamed via the FIH You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/fihockey/videos?flow=grid&view=2

EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge I (Varna-Kamchia, Bulgaria):
At the Challenge 1 in Varna, 8 teams will line up, with 2 taking promotion to the Trophy in Varna. Hc Klippari, HAHK Mladost, HC NSA Sofia, HC Bra, Queen’s University Belfast HC, SK Senkvice, Slagelse HC and Cardiff and Met are the teams present and we are delighted that all the games will be streamed live via the FIH You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/fihockey/videos?flow=grid&view=2

EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge II (Puconci, Slovenia):
In the fourth division, being held in Puconci, Slovenia there are seven teams participating. The teams are: Anavryta HC, Epitok HC, Kutaisi, HK Triglav Predanovci, Aker Sports Club, Highway HC, HK Elektrovojvodina

Following all the action using the hashtag: #EHI2016

For more information about EuroHockey, click here.

Courtesy EuroHockey

FIH site

Stephen Dick goal-spree inspires Inverleith in Europe

A Stephen Dick-inspired Inverleith have qualified for the promotion pool of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy after two wins on day one of the competition.

Olympian and Scotland international Dick scored four goals in each match, featuring in a 5-2 win over Atletico Clube de Portugal earlier today, followed by a 7-3 victory against Royal HC Namur this afternoon.

The Purple Robes sit in a commanding position at the top of Pool A with maximum points and play HC Minsk in their final pool game tomorrow before the promotion pool stage begins later on Saturday afternoon.

The first match against Portuguese champions Atletico saw the capital outfit retain a 2-1 lead at half-time thanks to a Dick double, Joao Penetra scoring for the Iberian side.

A Dan Coultas penalty corner two minutes after the break extended the lead, before Dick notched his hat-trick only sixty seconds later.

Luis Taveras pulled one back in the 32nd minute for Atletico, but Dick's fourth goal right on full-time gave his side an emphatic and confidence-boosting win.

Inverleith picked up where the left off in the second match against Belgium's Royal HC Namur, including a first half hat-trick from Dick and a Derek Salmond field goal. Luis Cloots' goal in the 12th minute was the only retort from the Belgians as the first period concluded with the Edinburgh side 4-1 up.

Dick collected his fourth goal of the game in the 24th minute, before Maximilanio Gerrata scored for Numur three minutes later.

Gordon Amour extended the lead again for Inverleith in the 29th minute to make it 6-2, only for Nicolas Van Diest to reduce the deficit to 6-3.

However, Stuart Hatton's field goal four minutes from time capped off a fine day for Head Coach Stuart Neave and his charges, the final score 7-3.

Please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy website for full information.

Livestreaming of Day 2 can also be found on the FIH YouTube Channel.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Queen's Univeristy In Eurohockey Action

The best of luck to Queen's University Belfast HC who are competing in Eurohockey indoor action!

At the Eurohockey Indoor Club Challenge 1 in Varna, 8 teams will line up, with 2 taking promotion to the Trophy in Varna. Hc Klippari, HAHK Mladost, HC NSA Sofia, HC Bra, Queen’s University Belfast HC, SK Senkvice, Slagelse HC and Carfiff and Met are the teams present and we are delighted that all the games will be streamed live via the FIH You Tube Channel.

Watch all the action from Day 1 HERE!

Watch all the action from Day 2 HERE!

Watch all the action from Day 3 HERE!

Irish Hockey Association media release

East Grinstead and Bowdon Hightown in European action


EG and Bowdon indoor action

The EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup will be hosted by Harvestehuder THC in Germany. East Grinstead will fly the flag for English hockey taking on CHPV Complutense (Spain), Austria’s SV Arminen and Poland’s WKS Grunwald Poznan.   

England’s East Grinstead are playing in their second European tournament in Hamburg already this season and will use much of the squad that won their English title once again last weekend. Ben Alberry was one of their key goalscorers while Scotland’s Ross Stott and German player Jannis Schwebs could be key figures for them.

Austria’s SV Arminen are always a threat, especially having claimed the Rohrmax Cup last weekend. They have previously won silver and bronze in this competition. Michael Mantler, Daniel Frolich, Patrick Schmidt, Dominic Uher, Stefan Eitenberger, Michael Minar, Mateusz Szymczyk and Pit Rudofsky were also part of the national team’s run to silver at the Euros last month.

CHPV Complutense who have Swedish international Philip Hellstrand in their number.

Poland’s WKS Grunwald Poznan are similarly well stacked with Pawel Bratkowski leading as captain while the rest of their panel has a wealth of indoor club and international experience.

Click here for fixtures and results: https://eurohockey.altiusrt.com/competitions/34

The tournament is being streamed throughout the weekend via https://www.youtube.com/user/fihockey/videos?view=2&flow=grid

Bowdon Hightown make the relatively short journey to Dundee in Scotland next weekend to compete in the Indoor Club Champions Trophy. Bowdon qualified by virtue of winning the indoor title last season and find themselves in a group with Royal Pingouin of Belgium, Rotweiss HC from Switzerland and Highway HC of Turkey. Scottish outfit Dundee Wanderers are in the other pool alongside Ards HC of Ireland. 

Despite missing out on the Super 6s title this time out, Bowdon will be undaunted by their opponents, boasting as they do some fine indoor exponents including the experienced Michelle Liptrot and Tina Cullen alongside rising stars Amy Tennat and Holly Hunt.

For full details of the competition visit the tournament website: http://www.eurohockeydundee2016.com/

England Hockey Board Media release

Govers back to Den Bosch


Picture: Grant Treeby/World Sport Pics

Kieran Govers will return to Europe and Den Bosch next season, the Brabant club has announced this week via a press release.

The 27-year-old striker is an old friend of the club having played for them in the 2012-2013 and the 2014-2015 season. Mark Damman, who is on the Den Bosch top hockey board, is very happy with the arrival of the Kookaburra .

"We have remained in contact with each other and the contact has never gone away. This has undoubtedly contributed to Kieran again chosing to join us."

The statement went on to say that pursuing a playoff place is the clear ambition for the side and Govers, one of the world’s most effective forwards, is a key part of this.

Speaking about his decision to opt again for Den Bosch, Govers added: "I know the club. The atmosphere, the people and the aspirations appeal to me and I would like to give it a real go."

Euro Hockey League media release

Kenya Police look to extend lead in hockey league

By BRIAN YONGA


Kenya Police hockey club players celebrate lifting the hockey men's league trophy on April 13, 2014 at City Park Stadium, Nairobi. The club will be looking to move eight points clear at the top of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men's premier league with victories in their two matches this weekend. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenya Police will be looking to move eight points clear at the top of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men's premier league with victories in their two matches this weekend.

The 2013 champions take on United States International University Africa (USIU A) men's team on Saturday evening at City Park Stadium before playing Kenyatta University Vultures on Sunday at the same venue.

Victory in both matches will see them move to 54 points, eight ahead of second placed and defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors who are not in action this weekend.

MAXIMUM POINTS

Police captain Brian Saina has urged his teammates to collect maximum points to enhance their chances of reclaiming the title.

The skipper however noted that the law enforcers will need to be on top of their game to see off the opposition.

"The season is at a critical stage and every game is like a final. We have no option but to win all the games.

Of course it won’t be easy because other teams are equally looking for wins, "Saina told Saturday Nation Sport.

Police scrapped a 1-0 away win against Nakuru Hockey Club last weekend and will look for an improved performance against the university side who lie fourth on the log.

USIU coach Tom Olal expects a tough encounter but believes the pressure will be on Police who are on course for the league title.

"It is a must win match for both sides and that is why it will be closely contested.

We are optimistic of a good result and the lads are fired up," Olal said.

Police won the first leg encounter 3-2 last year and will look to complete the double.

A win for the university side will see them move into third place above Greensharks.

TRICKY ENCOUNTERS

Two-time league champions Strathmore University Gladiators who lie in sixth place have two tricky encounters over the weekend.

They take on Vultures on Saturday afternoon before tackling USIU on Sunday in a university derby.

In another men's encounter this weekend, Western Jaguars take on Nakuru Hockey Club in Kakamega while Mount Kenyatta University take on Multimedia University and Karate Axiom will be up against Wazalendo Youth.

In the women's national league, Strathmore University Scorpions will move two points off league leaders and champions Telkom Orange with a win over USIU Spartans on Saturday afternoon in what should be a cracker.

On Sunday, Sliders take on Kenyatta University Titans at City Park Stadium as the race for second place hots up.

Daily Nation

UniKL edge PJCC 2-1; SSTMI 6 BJSS 5

By Jugjet Singh

UNIKL Young Guns came back from a goal down to edge Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) 2-1 in Division One of the Malaysian Junior Hockey League  Friday.

It was an important come-back because the three points has placed UniKL in a good position to finish among the top-four and play in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.

PJCC took the lead off Raihan Romli in the 10th minute, but UniKL's drag flicker Khairulamirin Jalil equalised in the 45th and then claimed the winner in the 47th minute.

Double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts were given the fight of their lives by BJSS Thunderbolts before winning 6-5 in another Division One match. But Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) Tigers suffered a set-back in their quarter-finals quest when they lost 5-3 to Nur Insafi.

"This was one of our worst game this season but we still claimed an important victory thanks to our drag flicker Khairulamirin. Khairul is a very good penalty corner flicker but he still does not have the self confidence yet. Once he gets it, he will be among the best in the country," said UniKL coach I. Vickneswaran.

UniKL play Nur Insafi next, and a win will cement their last eight quest.

"Nur Insafi, even though languishing at the bottom of the pool, can't be taken lightly. We will have to play better hockey than today to beat them. That match will be like a final for us, as it will decide our destiny. After that we play the toughest match of the season which is against champions elect SSTMI Thunderbolts," said Vickneswaran.

RESULTS -- Division One: SSTMI Thunderbolts 6 BJSS Thunderbolts 5, PJCC 1 UniKL Young Guns 2, Nurinsafi 5 OLAK Tigers 3, SMKDBL Young Guns 3 SSTMI Juniors 1.

Division Two: Group A: MSN-PHP Perlis Young Lion Juniors 4 MSS Kedah 0.

Group B: MSSWPKL 3 STAR 2, Felda Juniors 2 Anderson Thunderbolts 5, MSNPK-ILHC 1 Anderson PHA 5.

Group C: TBSS Tampin 1 Malacca High School 4, Sabah Sports School x Young Hurricanes x, SMKDBL Juniors 3 MSNT-PHT 1.

SATURDAY -- Division One: SSTMI Juniors v BJSS Thunderbolt (SSTMI), Politeknik Malaysia v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Taman Daya).

Division Two – Group A: MATRI v SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah (Kangar), KHA Kedah Juniors v MCKK (Sg Petani).            Group B: Anderson Thunderbolt v BJSS Juniors (Azlan Shah), MISCF-UFL v MSNPK/ILHC (KLHA Stadium).

Group C: SM Sains Johor v MSNT-PHT (Batu Pahat, 3.0pm); SMK Dato Bentara Luar Juniors v Akademi Hoki Pahang (Batu Pahat), SMK Dato Taha v Young Hurricanes Malacca (Seremban II).

Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.

DIVISION ONE

                 P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

SSTMI TNDER'      6 6 0 0 32 9   18
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS  7 4 1 2 16 16  13
SSP-MSP-TNDER'    5 4 0 1 28 7   12
BJSS TNDER'       5 3 0 2 16  11  9
OLAK TIGERS       7 3 0 4 17 24  9
POLITEKNIK        5 2 1 2 9  8   7
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 7 2 1 4 13  17 7
PJCC              6 2 0 4 8  13  6
NURINSAFI         6 1 2 3 11  24 5
SSTMI JRS         6 0 1 5 6  27  1

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

SSTMI win 11-goal thriller in junior hockey league

by S. Ramaguru


SSTMI-Thunderbolt players celebrate scoring a goal against MBPJ in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League match last month. - The STAR Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt scored a dramatic 6-5 come-from-behind win over Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS)-Thunderbolt to open up a five-point lead atop the Division One standings of the Malaysian Junior Hockey League.

Trailing 5-3 in the 55th minute, SSTMI struck three times in the last eight minutes – including the last-gasp winner – for a sensational escape act at their field in Johor.

SSTMI now have the maximum 18 points from six matches while BJSS remain fourth with nine points from five matches.

Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) moved up a spot to second after edging Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 2-1 at the National Hockey Stadium here.

SSTMI capitalised on their home ground advantage to go 2-0 up through Mohd Firti Khairul Ariffin (13th minute) and Shello Silverius (19th).

But BJSS hit back to square things up with goals by Abdul Syafiq Abdul Razak (26th) and Mohd Hafiizhuddin Zaidi (30th).

SSTMI edged 3-2 ahead just before half time through a Mohd Amirul Hamizan field goal.

BJSS then struck three times in a five-minute spell to go 5-3 ahead with goals from Abdul Syafiq (50th), Mohd Asyraf Hadi (54th) and Arif Sabron (55th).

Then came the frantic last 10 minutes, with SSTMI showing their pedigree.

Mohd Arif Syafie reduced the deficit with a penalty stroke conversion in the 62 minute before scoring off a penalty corner setpiece in the 64th minute to make it 5-5.

Then came Mohd Luqman Hakim’s late heroics for SSTMI.

“We expected the match to be a tough one and that’s what it turned out to be. BJSS fought hard, but our players were a bit more experienced and managed to come back,” said SSTMI team manager Adam Izamry Idrus.

“We have three more matches to go ... and they are all crucial. There are no easy matches any more.”

In Sungai Petani, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak)-Tigers, with just 15 players at their disposal, lost 5-3 to Nur Insafi.

It was Nur Insafi’s first win in the MJHL.

Olak team manager Joseph de Silva admitted that they missed the services of four of their first-choice players through suspensions and injuries.

The Star of Malaysia

Under-16 hockey is now a 9-a-side tournament

KUALA LUMPUR: This year’s national Under-16 hockey tournament will, for the first time, be a nine-a-side affair.

But there will be no change to the number of players registered for the meet or to the format of play.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee have decided that each team will continue to register 18 players for the tournament, which will be held here from March 12-20.

MHC competitions committee chairman George Koshy expects to have “fast-paced games and greater mobility” now that the matches will be played over two halves of 35 minute each.

“Each affiliate can field only one team. We have already informed the states of this and there should be no confusion,” said George, who added that the closing date is Feb 29.

The committee have also changed the Under-14 tournament later this year to a Hockey 5s event.

The Star of Malaysia

1st American Masters and Grand Masters Championship

Buenos Aires, Argentina - November 29 to December 3, 2016

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 1st American Masters and Grand Masters Championship to be played in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Date: November 29 to December 3, 2016
Place: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Categories: Ladies and Gentlemen

Ages:
- Masters: 35 to 40, 40 to 50 and 50 to 60
- Grand Masters: 60 and up

Registration fee: US$ 400.- (four hundred) per team

Contacts:
- Eduardo Guelfand: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
- Rene Granat: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
- Ruth Soneyra: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.        

Other information:

Although it is an American Championship, in order to promote masters and grand masters hockey in America, we have invited countries/teams from other Continents.It is clear that the gold/silver/bronze medals will only be for the American teams.

In the coming weeks we will send newsletters with more information.

Without any further and hoping to count with your very important participation.

With Kind regards

Pan American Hockey Federation media release

Investec Hockey Academy courses to raise calibre of SA Hockey

The Investec Hockey Academy returns to Johannesburg this month to provide young hockey players and coaches with another opportunity to acquire valuable training from SA Hockey icons. The Investec Hockey Academy matches SA’s best, past and present hockey players, with school-going female players with the goal of raising the calibre of SA Women’s hockey for the world stage.

Players can look forward to rubbing shoulders with leading goal scorer in women’s international hockey, Pietie Coetzee-Turner, double Olympian Lisa Deetlefs, most capped player in SA, Lindsey Wright, Olympian Lloyd Madsen, Southern Gauteng player Roxy Coetzee-Turner and national player Matt Guise-Brown. Behind the scenes training is also a feature of the Investec Hockey Academy and specialists Marc Booysend (Vision and Reaction Training), Karen Turner (Psychologist) and Ruan Fourie (Physiotherapist) will be sharing their expertise with players and coaches.

The courses, taking place on 27 and 28 February at Roedean School in Johannesburg, are a Fundamental Players course (aged 8 to 11), an Intermediate Players course (aged 12 to 15), an Advanced Players course (aged 16 to 18) and a Coaches’ course (all ages). To book contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or visit www.investechockeyacademy.com.

Investec Hockey Academy media release

Nathan Stagno - Hockey Stars 2015 Men's Umpire of the Year



It was 1999 when Nathan Stagno umpired his first international and 16 years later he became the first umpire from Gibraltar and only the 36th male umpire ever, to receive the Golden Whistle for 100 senior international matches.

Speaking about his award, the quietly-spoken Stagno said: “First of all, I wasn't aware that I was short listed with Hamish (Jamson) and John (Wright), both quite outstanding umpires. For me, coming from one of the smallest hockey-playing countries, you can't imagine what that this mean to me, my family, my hockey club (Collegians H.C) and of course to Gibraltar.

Being named top umpire of the year 2015 is another tick in my box in my umpiring career. I would like to especially thank all those who voted for me, a big thank you.”

The next few months will be full of both excitement and poignancy for Stagno as he will be umpiring in his second Olympic Games when he takes to the field at Rio 2016, but it will also be his last year at the top-flight of umpiring as he has announced his retirement.

But, as he says: “What better way to retire than in Rio with my family watching and among all my umpire friends, both male and female. This is a big year; besides the Olympics I also have the Champions Trophy in Argentina, the EHL KO16 in Amsterdam and EHL Final 4 in Barcelona, I can't ask for more.”

FIH site