News for 04 November 2018
All the news for Sunday 4 November 2018
2018 4 Nations Mens Tournament Valencia (M) - Finals
Valencia (ESP)
Results 3 November 2018
ESP v ENG (Semi Final 1) 3 - 0
NED v IRL (Semi Final 2) 5 - 2
Fixtures 4 November (GMT +1)
10:00 ENG v IRL (3rd/4th Place)
12:30 ESP v NED (Final)
FIH Match Centre
Spain beat England to reach Four Nations final
A double from Enrique Gonzalez and a strike from Pau Quemada led Spain to a 3-0 victory over England in their Four Nations Semi-Final clash.
The hosts flew out the traps and raced into a two-goal lead inside the first quarter. Gonzalez opened the scoring from open play after eight minutes before Quemada doubled the advantage from a penalty corner.
There we no further goals in the second quarter and Spain protected their lead lead taking it into the final fifteen minutes.
England pressed for a way back into the game but couldn't get a foothold and in the final minute Spain extended their lead to 3-0 as Quemada grabbed his second goal.
Goalkeeper Harry Gibson made his 50th international appearance in the fixture after making his debut back in 2015.
England play either Ireland or the Netherlands tomorrow at 9am GMT in the third/fourth place playoff.
England XI: George Pinner, Chris Griffiths, Ian Sloan, Mark Gleghorne, Phil Roper, Adam Dixon, Barry Middleton, Brendan Creed, Jack Waller, James Gall, Rhys Smith
Subs (Used): Harry Gibson, Luke Taylor, Ollie Willars, David Ames, Harry Martin, David Condon, Zach Wallace
England Hockey Board Media release
England lose semi-final to Spain
Harry Gibson (far right) won his 50th cap for England in the game against Spain
England ended their Four Nations campaign with a 3-0 semi-final loss to unbeaten Spain.
An Enrique Gonzalez double and a goal from Pau Quemada subjected England to a fourth loss of the tournament in Valencia.
England play Ireland on Sunday in the fourth place play-off, after they were beaten 5-2 by the Netherlands.
They finished bottom of the pool in the round-robin stage, following losses to the Spaniards, Netherlands and Ireland.
BBC Sport
Darling And Sothern On The Scoresheet Against The Dutch
Today’s match was a different affair from the last time these two sides met and there was a plethora of milestones to celebrate; David Fitzgerald received his 50thcap as he started in goal, while Kirks Shimmins reached 100 caps and Jonny Bell 150.
Ireland put the Dutch under pressure early into the tie and Mitch Darling got a diving opening goal in the 13thminute following an interception and pinpoint pass from Eugene Magee. Fitzgerald was called into action to save a penalty corner effort and a long ball deflection in quick succession, and within minutes Alan Sothern had doubled the lead. Mink van der Weerden clawed one back on the cusp of half time with a powerful drag flick.
Both sides were cancelling each other out at the start of the second half with no obvious goal scoring chances. But van der Weerden grasped the only real opportunities and fired home 2 high penalty flicks to turn the tables and put his side 3-2 in front going into the final quarter. Ireland started the brighter of the two in the final quarter with Matthew Nelson winning a penalty corner but Shane O’Donoghue’s drag flick drew a great stick save from Pirmin Blaak. There was perhaps a slight gloss put on the scoreline with 2 goals in the final 3 minutes from Terrance Pieters and Jereon Hertzberger while the Green Machine were down to 10 men following a yellow card for Chris Cargo.
Ireland will now meet England in the 3rd/4thmatch on the final day of the 4 Nations tomorrow.
4 Nations Tournament Valencia
Ireland 2 (Darling, Sothern)
Netherlands 5 (van der Weerden x3, Pieters, Hertzberger)
Starting: D Fitzgerald, J Bell (Captain), M Bell, L Madeley, E Magee, K Shimmins, S O’Donoghue, M Darling, M Robson, D Walsh, C Harte
Subs: C Cargo, M Nelson, A Sothern, S Murray, D Harte, P Gleghorne, S Loughrey
4 Nations Tournament Valencia:
29/10 16:30 Ireland - 1 England
29/10 18:30 Spain 2 - 1 Netherlands
30/10 16:30 Netherlands 2 - 1 England
30/10 18:30 Spain 1 - 0 Ireland
01/11 16:30 Ireland 1 - 7 Netherlands
01/11 18:30 Spain 2 - 1 England
03/11 10:00 Spain 3 - 0 England
03/11 12:30 Netherlands 5 - 2 Ireland
04/11 10:00 Ireland vs England
04/11 12:30 Spain vs Netherlands
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland in back-to-back Dutch defeats
Alan Sothern's goal gave Ireland a 2-0 lead early in the second quarter
Ireland will finish their Four Nations campaign with a fourth place play-off against England after a heavy 5-2 defeat by the Netherlands in Valencia.
Mink van der Weerden, was once again Ireland's chief tormentor as he scored a hat-trick to send the Dutch through to Sunday's final against Spain.
Mitch Darling and Alan Sothern gave Ireland an early two-goal lead before the top seeds fought back.
Terrance Pieters and Jereon Hertzberger were the other Dutch goal scorers.
Darling's diving goal put Ireland ahead in the 13th minute and Sothern extended their lead in the opening minute of the second quarter.
Van der Weerden, who scored twice for the Dutch in their 7-1 win in the group stages, sparked the fight-back just before half time with a powerful drag flick and the penalty corner specialist scored two more in the third quarter to push his side into the lead.
Chris Cargo's final-qaurter yellow card proved costly as Pieters and Hertzberger both scored in the final three minutes while Ireland were down to 10 men.
The Netherlands will now play the tournament hosts in Sunday's final while Ireland and England will meet in a repeat of their opening match of the week.
BBC Sport
2018 Test Matches: RSA v FRA (M) - 1st Test
Johannesburg (RSA)
Result 3 November
RSA v FRA 2 - 2
2nd Test 4 November (GMT +2)
12:00 RSA v FRA
FIH Match Centre
South Africa and France play out entertaining draw to open the series
On a windy and warm afternoon in Johannesburg, South Africa and France played out a thrilling 2-2 draw to open the four match test series. Both sides are gearing up for the Hockey World Cup in India and are using this series to fine tune their final preparations.
For South Africa, captained by Keenan Horne, it was also a celebration on two ends of the experience spectrum. Long-time servant of the game Lance Louw celebrated his 100th cap while Peabo Lembethe earned his first. It was also the first time that Mark Hopkins would lead the country on South African turf.
The opening quarter featured a lot of ball possession by France with South Africa offering moments of excitement through Dayaan Cassiem and Nic Spooner. Although France produced three shots in the opening quarter, not one was on target as both teams struggled to build momentum and continued passages of play. However, as they game progressed there was better synergies being shown and connections being made.
In the second quarter France upped the pressure and immediately found themselves trailing. South Africa employing a counter-attack plan that was highly effective. Nic Spooner won the ball in the middle of the park, drove through the centre and laid it off to Julian Hykes. The 36-year-old finished with a superb tomahawk strike to give the hosts the lead. It was a lead that only lasted four minutes as Victor Charlet fired home the first penalty corner of the game. It would remain 1-1 at half-time with France having the slightly better game.
The third quarter was however one for the South Africans to create three massive opportunities, unfortunately without scoring. Austin Smith fired narrowly wide from a penalty corner, Tommy Hammond set Dayaan Cassiem one on one with Thieffry in the French goal, only to shoot narrowly wide and when Cassiem returned the favour Hammond was unable to control. It was the lack of ruthlessness that would have frustrated the coaching staff as France took the lead early in the fourth quarter. Man of the match Tom Genestet, playing in his 168th test match, drove in from the right and fired a slap bullet past Gowan Jones into the top left corner.
This is a new South Africa though, soaking up pressure and launching superb counter attacks with Hykes, Spooner and Cassiem coming to the fore. It was no surprise that the equaliser involved the trio. With Spooner distributing the ball from midfield it worked its way up to Hykes who turned on top D. Thieffry saved the shot but Cassiem was there to prod home the equaliser. The youngster was delighted with his contribution and rightfully so.
There was one more chance for South Africa through another counter attack, but with Taine Paton earning a harsh green card at the end the lads had to hang on which they did.
For Mark Hopkins and his coaching team there will be lots to work on ahead of the second test tomorrow, but there were massive positive signs. Probably more satisfying is the spirit and culture that appeared present. South Africa look to be a side playing for each other, something that will only strengthen the national team’s endeavours.
South Africa (Hykes 18’ & Cassiem 52’) 2-2 France (Charlet 23’ & T.Genestet 47’)
Second Test – Sunday 4 November – 12:00 – Wits Hockey Astro
SA Hockey Association media release
Perak lift Razak Cup for second straight year
By Joash Ee de Silva
Joyful day: Perak team celebrating after beating Terengganu in the Razak Cup final at the National Hockey Stadium yesterday. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
BUKIT JALIL: Perak came from a goal down twice to be crowned as Malaysia's Razak Cup champions for the second straight year after a tense penalty shootout against Terengganu in the final.
After a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time, Perak held their nerves to beat Terengganu 3-1 in the penalty shootout at the National Hockey Stadium here yesterday.
It was East Coast side who broke the deadlock first in the 14th minute through Ameer Aiman Saberi, but their celebration was immediately cut short less than a minute later.
Terengganu conceded a penalty corner, which was converted brilliantly by Shazrul Imran Nazli in what looked like a practised goal on the training ground.
But Terengganu regained their lead in the 22nd minute through Syamiru Aiman, who struck from the edge of the semi-circle to slam in the goal.
Both sides threatened to score several times but it was Perak who drew level in the 47th minute through Azrai Aizad’s solid strike from outside the semi-circle that found its way to the net.
With both teams unable to score the winner, it went down to a penalty shootout.
Perak scored three of their first four penalties while Terengganu missed three of their four shots.
Perak goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin made the last save of the shootout and the players in yellow rushed to embrace the hero of the day.
Perak head coach Nizam Mohd Hashim praised the never-say-die attitude of his players, who fought back bravely after trailing in the match twice.
“We started slow and we made several mistakes that led to the goals by Terengganu but thankfully in the second-half we bounced back,” said Nizam after the match.
“We had a team talk after the first half and we came back, we scored the equaliser and this is the outcome.
“And I believe it was the strong spirited performance of the players in wanting to win it for the state that has led us here, and now our target is accomplished.”
He added that a special session to prepare for the possible outcome of a penalty shootout had paid off.
“We had a session to practise our penalty corners and for the possibility of a shootout and we saw that our players were confident when it came to taking penalties,” he said.
“We are really happy because it is not easy to defend the title – my boys showed indomitable spirit to keep the title in our hands again.”
The Star of Malaysia
Pahang crowned Razak Cup Division Two champions
By SAIFUL AFFENDY SAPRAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang clinched the Razak Cup Division Two crown on Saturday following a 2-1 win over Police at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, marking a return to the top flight next season.
Pahang, who were demoted two seasons ago, gambled by fielding Under-21 players but the move paid off handsomely against the more-experienced Police.
"We have been waiting for this moment for so long. Finally our players have done it.
"Although 15 of our players were below the age of 21, they absorbed the pressure well against Police, who had established players.
"The heavy rain in the first half affected our game a little, but the players quickly adapted to it and even managed a brilliant goal," said Pahang coach Izwan Suhari Selamat.
Due to the unpredictable weather, the match was delayed by nearly two hours.
Pahang drew first blood in the 40th minute through a field goal by Hafiz Zainul before Nazrey Din slotted in the second 11 minutes later.
Police replied through Haizzat Noor Azmi (53rd minute)
Results
(All finals)
Men’s Division Two: Pahang 2 Police 1
Women: Kuala Lumpur 2 Selangor 1
New Straits Times
ROUND-UP: Investec English Women's Hockey League
Holcombe’s Sarah Jones in action against the University of Birmingham’s Lily Owsley. Credit: Andrew Smith.
Holcombe bounced back from last weekend’s defeat at Slough to secure a 5-1 victory at the University of Birmingham in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.
The University of Birmingham started the game quickly, Lily Walker scoring from open play in the third minute. But Holcombe were quick to respond, Sarah Jones equalising from a penalty corner in the fifth minute before they took the lead in the ninth from a Leah Wilkinson goal.
Sophia Viarengo Cervino made the score 3-0 in the 23rd minute after she scored from free play. Then Philippa Lewis added another for Holcombe in the 38th minute, and Candice Manuel sealed the win for the away side in the 51st minute.
Leaders Surbiton maintained their good form with a 2-1 win against Buckingham, with Georgie Twigg and Alice Sharp scoring their goals after Lottie Porter had put the visitors ahead.
East Grinstead are second on goal difference after a 5-0 win over Canterbury. Ashlie Samra, Laura Unsworth and Georgie Blackwood scored as the home side took a 3-0 half time lead, and further goals from Josephine Blunt and Bridget Blackwood sealed the win.
Elsewhere, Clifton Robinsons secured a 4-1 win at home to bottom of the table Bowdon Hightown.
The visitors took the lead in the eighth minute via a Rosie Bailey goal, but Claire Thomas equalised for Clifton in the 40th minute before scoring her second to take the lead in the 42nd minute.
Thomas completed her hat trick in the 44th minute when she slotted home from free play., then Victoria McCabe got herself on the score sheet with a late goal for Clifton in the 67th minute to make the score 4-1.
Elsewhere, Beeston and Slough played out a 1-1 draw to secure a point each with Mel Ball giving Slough the lead before Caroline Hanks equalised for Beeston.
Investec Women’s Conference West
Stourport moved four points clear at the top of the Investec Women’s Conference West with a 3-0 win at home to Exe on Saturday.
Sophie Thompson gave the home side the lead in the 23rd minute after finishing a chance from open play. Lottie Atkinson doubled their advantage in the 36th minute, and Katie Miller sealed the win in the 57th minute when she slotted home from a penalty corner.
Elsewhere, Olton & West Warwicks and Reading played out a 2-2 draw to leave the Midlands side four points adrift of table toppers Stourport.
Gloucester City produced a good performance at Isca winning 2-0, Swansea City also won 2-0 at Oxford Hawks and Barnes and Trojans ended 3-3 at full time.
Investec Women’s Conference East
Lauren Rowe scored all five goals as Harleston Magpies won 5-0 at home to bottom of the table Ipswich in the Investec Women’s Conference East.
Elsewhere, Horsham won 3-2 at Southgate with Naomi Kelly scoring two, while Charlotte White was also on the scoresheet from a penalty stroke.
Sevenoaks won 2-0 at St Albans with Nikki Kidd and Phillipa Symes scoring, while Hampstead & Westminster won 3-0 at home to Bedford with Jasmine Clark, Kate McCaw and Sarah Robertson scoring their goals.
And Wimbledon and Cambridge City ended 1-1 with goals from Mairi Drummond and Hannah Bloy coming in the final ten minutes.
Investec Women’s Conference North
Loughborough Students and the University of Durham maintained their unbeaten starts to the Investec Women’s Conference North with wins over Leeds and Timperley respectively.
Leaders Loughborough recorded a fifth win in the first six games of the season with a 4-0 win over Leeds thanks to field goals from Alice Rolfe and Genevieve Russell along with Hannah Grieve and Cerys Miller’s penalty corners.
The University of Durham were equally impressive with a 4-0 victory over a struggling Timperley side, with goals coming from Tess Howard, Natalie Konerth, Freya Wilks and Charlotte Childs.
Elsewhere, Ben Rhydding were 2-0 winners over Fylde, Belper beat bottom side Sutton Coldfield 3-2, and Brooklands-Poynton and Leicester drew 2-2.
RESULTS
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division: Beeston 1, Slough 1; Clifton Robinsons 4, Bowdon Hightown 1; East Grinstead 5, Canterbury 0; Surbiton 2, Buckingham 1; University of Birmingham 1, Holcombe 5.
Investec Conference West: Barnes 3, Trojans 3; Isca 0, Gloucester City 2; Olton & West Warwicks 2, Reading 2; Oxford Hawks 0, Swansea City 2; Stourport 3, Exe 0.
Investec Conference East: Hampstead & Westminster 3, Bedford 0; Harleston Magpies 5, Ipswich 0; Southgate 2, Horsham 3; St. Albans 0, Sevenoaks 2; Wimbledon 1, Cambridge City 1.
Investec Conference North: Belper 3, Sutton Coldfield 2; Ben Rhydding 2, Fylde 0; Brooklands-Poynton 2, Leicester 2; Loughborough Students 4, Leeds 0; University of Durham 4, Timperley 0.
England Hockey Board Media release
Drama, protests mar Police's 16-2 win over Wazalendo
By AYUMBA AYODI
Kenya Police's Willis Okeyo looks to pass the ball under pressure from Wazalendo's Nelson Shikaku during their Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match at City Park, Nairobi on November 11, 2018. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Protests that led to Wazalendo playing under protest for the last 10 minutes marred an otherwise entertaining encounter pitting champions Kenya Police against the visitors in an ill-tempered men’s Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match on Saturday at City Park Stadium.
Trouble started when international umpire gave Peter Obalo Wazalendo’s Douglas Nyarangi a yellow card in the 50th where Amos Barkibir scored from the resultant foul as Police led for the first time in the match 3-2.
Nyarangi had been shown two green cards in the 40th and 47th minutes of the match where Wazalendo led 1-0 and 2-1 before Police equalised again.
It’s after Barkibir’s goal that Wazalendo’s team manager Bernard Kubasu and coach Fidhelis Kimanzi asked their players to stop playing, protesting how Obalo was handling the match.
The match was stopped for almost 10 minutes but Wazalendo once again protested saying that Police’s third goal should not have counted.
Another stalemate would ensue for 10 more minutes before Wazalendo agreed to resume play but only gave the ball away to Police to score at will.
Barkibir, who had levelled for Police at 1-1 and 2-2 before giving them the lead 3-2, would score 13 more goals in the remaining eight minutes.
“We can’t allow this to happen when this match official is openly biased against us. Only one umpire can’t flash all the five green and two yellow cards against us,” said a furious Kubasu.
“They know Police are looking for a good aggregate so as to close in on leaders Butali Sugar Warriors. We decided not to walk away from the match but give away the ball for them to score,” said Kubasu.
The match judge Jane Nyamogo trashed Wazalendo’s protests saying the umpires handled the match well adding that the green and yellow cards shown were genuine.
“Wazalendo were playing well but lost it on discipline. The umpires were just doing their work. Obalo is a no-nonsense umpire who favours nobody,” said Nyamogo.
Police coach Fred Masibo acknowledged that Wazalendo played well in the first and second quarters where they wreaked havoc in the midfield, denying his team possession.
“It’s after I changed my approach that we started to reign in on them to equalise and take the lead with 10 minutes to go. Wazalendo were frustrated because we were on the roll,” said Masibo.
The victory saw Police dislodge Butali Sugar Warriors from the top of the league on 51 points.
Butali Sugar Warriors, who meet United States International University on Sunday, fall to second with 48 points.
Daily Nation
Indiscipline will not be tolerated during World Cup, says Pakistan hockey coach
Pakistan hockey coach Hassan Sardar has sounded out a warning to his players, saying indiscipline will not be tolerated during the World Cup in India.
Pakistan players are gearing up to play in India for the first time after the unsavoury incident during the Champions trophy when they took off their shirts and made obscene gestures after winning their semi-final clash against India.
The FIH had suspended two players Muhammad Tousiq and Ali Amjad while Shafqat Rasool was let off with a warning.
Hockey India had ruled out Pakistani players' participation in future editions of Hockey India League (HIL) after the incident.
"Behavioural aspect is very important for me and I have told the players that there will be straight action if any incident of indiscipline happens. I hope their behaviour will be exemplary this time," Sardar told PTI Bhasha in an interview from Karachi.
"I am told that players were provoked by the spectators otherwise they would not have done that. I am sure my players will not repeat it and will be remembered for their performance. In 2014 also we have had good memories on field when we beat India and Netherlands, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and 1982 Asiad gold medallist said.
Sardar, who scored a hat-trick in Pakistan's 7 1 win in the Asian Games final in New Delhi in 1982, said that his experience of playing in India has been extraordinary.
"I have very fond memories of playing in India. We beat India in Asiad final in 1982 but the next day when we went shopping, not a single shopkeeper took money from us. We have got so much love in India and Indian cricketers and hockey players will say the same for Pakistan. We must continue this tradition of mutual love and respect," he said.
India and Pakistan were declared the joint winner in the just concluded Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat after the final was called off due to heavy rains. There were reports quoting Hassan that Pakistan was willing to play but India denied.
When asked about this, he said that his team wanted to play the final but he never blamed India.
"It's not like that. I only said that we wanted to play the final against India and I am sure Indians would have been feeling the same. No player in the world would like to see the final getting washed away like this but realistically play was not possible in such circumstances, said the former captain.
Sardar said India will be among the favourites while Pakistan are also capable of springing surprises in the World Cup.
"India is in good form and reached the final of Champions trophy. They are playing on their home ground which does make a lot of difference. They are practicing in Bhubaneshwar and it will also help them, he said.
"We have a tough pool where we will be playing against Netherlands, Malaysia and Germany. We are targeting Germany who have not played international hockey for the last one year. We have beaten Malaysia and can beat the Netherlands on our day, said the coach.
He also called for the revival of Indo-Pak bilateral Hockey.
"It will be good for both the countries and the game itself. It will generate interest in the game and new talents can be unearthed," he said.
Daily News & Analysis
Key decisions made at 46th FIH Congress in New Delhi
New Delhi, India: The 46th FIH Congress, where some 250 delegates from all over the world gathered to discuss crucial matters regarding the global status and popularity of hockey, has drawn to a close at the Lalit Hotel on Saturday 3 November.
Meeting every second year, the Congress is the supreme body of the FIH and is where key strategic decisions are made for the development and governance of hockey globally, and the 46th edition was certainly no different with the launch of the new FIH Development Strategy taking centre stage.
The new development strategy – named ‘Hockey2024’ – puts the global promotion and development of hockey at the heart of all FIH activities, the purpose being to create long-term sustainable growth through the key pillars of Participation, Education and Infrastructure. Seen very much as ‘Evolving the Revolution’, Hockey2024 will feature heavily in all FIH events going forward, while the leadership and direction from FIH will also allow the Continental Federations and National Associations to drive forward new and existing development projects.
Two exciting new projects have been announced as part of the strategy. The ‘Hockey4Life’ project has been designed to encourage people of all ages and from all backgrounds to start, play and stay in hockey, which is crucial to the long-term sustainable growth of the game. The second project, ‘Sticks4TheWorld’, directly supports the first initiative by aiming to distribute 110,000 hockey sticks to new and existing Hockey4Life projects by the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Speaking about the launch of the Hockey2024 global development strategy, FIH Chief Executive Officer Thierry Weil said: “The development of the game is the number one mission of every International Federation. The revenues we generate as a Federation have only one goal: to develop hockey worldwide. I’m delighted that Congress has fully supported the strategy which the FIH has presented today in this crucially important area. This shall help our goal to grow the game on a sustainable manner.”
The election of four Ordinary Members of the FIH Executive Board – two women and two men – took place at the Congress, with the delegates naming Maureen Craig-Rousseau (TTO), Elizabeth Safoa King (GHA), Dr Michael Green (GER) and Shahbaz Ahmad (PAK) from the nine-strong list of candidates that had been nominated by the various National Associations. Trinidad & Tobago’s Maureen Craig-Rousseau and Michael Green of Germany were re-elected to the FIH Executive Board having both served recent terms, while Ghana’s Elizabeth Safoa King and former Pakistan international player Shahbaz Ahmad are newcomers to the board are newcomers, replacing Pamela Stuper (USA) and Marc Coudron (BEL). To see profiles of each member of the FIH Executive Board, please click here.
Elections also took place for the Athletes’ Committee, which consists of current and former hockey players who ensure that the athletes themselves have influence in the FIH decision making process. Mark Knowles (AUS), Rogier Hofman (NED), Janne Müller-Wieland (GER) and Carla Rebecchi (ARG) were all elected by fellow athletes as Regular Members, with David Harte (IRL) and Camila Caram (CHI) being elected as Liaison Members, who are required to be current players. They are joined on the Athletes’ Committee by Scott Tupper (CAN), Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran (IND), Kate Richardson-Walsh (ENG) and Jacqueline Mwangi (KEN), who were all recommended nominations by the Executive Board to give both gender and geographic balance. More information about the Athletes’ Committee can be found by clicking here.
Moving away from development and elections, the National Associations of India and Uganda were revealed as the winners of this year’s FIH 2018 Olympic Day Awards. These Awards recognise Sport for All activities undertaken by FIH stakeholders on the occasion of Olympic Day, which is celebrated each year on 23 June. In 2018, 60 FIH stakeholders activated approximately 30,000 people to play hockey in more than 50 countries across the five continents. The programmes were highly inclusive, targeting people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. To read more on this story, click here.
Keeping with the Olympic theme, an update on International Relations and Olympic Solidarity was provided to Congress by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Commission Member and Executive Board Member Tayyab Ikram, who revealed Olympic Solidarity funding for development projects in the lead-up to Tokyo 2020.
TV and Broadcast Director Andy Oram announced the 2019 launch of the ‘FIH.live’ platform, which will be designed to connect the hockey community – coaches, players, families, friends and fans. The focus of the platform will be ‘athlete first’, enabling us to share the best moments of every player in every team instantly live on social media and guarantees global visibility to all hockey matches played worldwide across all 137 nations.
In other important news, Comité National Algérien de Hockey’s application to become a recognized National Association was approved by Congress, with Algeria becoming the latest country to join the ever-expanding hockey family. The financial report and accounts were also approved, as were amendments to the FIH Statutes including retaining the clause regarding age limit of FIH Executive Board members in line with the practice of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The President of the Judicial Commission, a group of neutral legal advisors that acts as mediator in FIH legal matters, was also ratified, with Annabel Pennefather continuing in the role that she took in 2017.
The 46th FIH Congress, which saw 112 National Associations in attendance, opened with FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra reflecting on the two years that had passed since the 2016 Congress in Dubai, before thanking all delegates for their work promoting and developing the sport in all territories. There was also a specially recorded video message of welcome from Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, who praised the delegates of the FIH for their willingness to embrace the changes that have come through the Hockey Revolution, the strategy launched at the 44th Congress in 2014 designed to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.
"With the Hockey Revolution you have successfully set the course to adapt hockey to the fast-paced changes in our world", said Bach, who earlier this week was named as a recipient of the President’s Award. "I can only encourage you to continue on your chosen path of change and innovation, because by promoting hockey you are also promoting our common Olympic values across the entire globe. This Congress is therefore an important moment to look ahead and to ensure that the FIH is well equipped to drive the Hockey Revolution forward. As you set the course for the future of hockey, you can always count on the IOC as a partner by your side."
Closing the event, FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra said: “I would like to thank all delegates for their active participation in the 46th FIH Congress, which has been a hugely positive event for the future of the sport. Decisions have been made which will greatly benefit the long-term, sustainable development of hockey.”
FIH site
11-a-side Internationals to stay
Uthra Ganesan
FIH CEO Thierry Weil, left, and president Narinder Batra, chalked out a strategy to further spread the game in the next two years.
5-a-side exhibition games will start from next year: FIH CEO
International hockey at the top level will continue to be 11-a-side and the game would be encouraged to be played on all kinds of surfaces at the grassroots to bring more nations into the fold.
The decisions, among others, were taken at the 46th FIH Congress here on Saturday, the culmination of a four-day gathering of over 250 delegates from 112 countries to take stock of the development of the game.
“We will start 5-a-side exhibition games from next year. It plays a very important role in spreading the game. Instead of bringing people to the game, the game can be taken to the people in the centre of a city. But we are very clear that it will not replace 11-a-side, that is played in Olympics and it will stay there,” FIH CEO Thierry Weil said here.
‘Co-exist’
“The two can easily co-exist. Especially for the smaller countries, it is extremely important, they can take only nine players instead of 22, the cost of travel and training is also less. Five-a-side allows more teams to participate and that is our way to encourage more teams, as can be seen from the fact that Vanuatu had a hockey team at Youth Olympics,” FIH president Narinder Batra added.
Weil also confirmed that Vanuatu had played a 5-a-side competition as part of the Hockey Series Open — the first stage in the Olympic qualifiers.
Insisting that the FIH was committed to sustainable development of the game, Weil reiterated that while international hockey at the highest level would continue to be played on artificial turf, the federation was in talks with manufacturers and suppliers to develop a surface that would not consume water.
“We are looking to achieve this by the 2024 Paris Olympics but try and do it much earlier, develop a surface close to the quality we have right now on turf with water. It will have to be a combination of turf, ball and footwear,” he said.
Weil also confirmed that the FIH was working to dispel the misconception that hockey was restricted to turf.
“Hockey is a game to have fun and can be played anywhere. When I entered FIH I got the impression that hockey can only be played on turf which is wrong. Like football (he was marketing director with the FIFA) hockey can be played on mud, grass, gravel — of course, once you go higher, there has to be a standard surface to provide all teams a level playing field.”
He also announced the launch of FIH’s live channel online on January 10, 2019 to allow streaming and recording of all games at all levels across the world.
The Hindu
Hockey to remain 11 v 11 at Olympics
By Richard Bright
Members of the Team GB Olympic hockey team on stage at Trafalgar Square during the Olympic and Paralympic athletes heroes’ return in London.
Sense has prevailed once more. We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. The traditional 11 v 11 game will remain on the Olympic programme, International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief executive Thierry Weil confirmed on Saturday.
Ever since hockey was put up for Olympic exclusion in 2013 there have been persistent worries over the sport’s future on the Games programme.
The introduction of Hockey 5s tournaments, under the auspices of FIH, had further fuelled the fire.
But Weil admitted in New Delhi during his opening remarks at the FIH congress that 11-a-side would be staying in the Olympic family, the format would not be tinkered and there was “no risk” with the rise of the shortened format.
“It’s not that the Olympics wants to change to 5-a-side,” Weil said of the need to promote the shorter game on a global scale. “11-a-side is staying as an Olympic sport.”
Weil added that Hockey 5s would be promoted with exhibition events in 2019.
The Frenchman said: “We want to bring hockey to people. We want to increase participation and bring the sport to where people are not hockey fans and surprise as to how good our sport is.
“I am talking about bringing it to the centre of the city and for people to watch hockey.
The FIH also launched a new development strategy on Saturday – Hockey 2024 – which puts the global promotion and development of hockey at the heart of its activities.
The FIH elected four ordinary members to its executive board – two women and two men – with delegates naming Maureen Craig-Rousseau (Trinidad and Tobago), Elizabeth Safoa King (Ghana), Dr Michael Green (Germany) and Shahbaz Ahmad (Pakistan) from the nine-strong list of candidates.
Elections took place for the athletes’ committee, which consists of current and former players.
Mark Knowles (Australia), Rogier Hofman (Netherlands), Janne Müller-Wieland (Germany) and Carla Rebecchi (Argentina) were all elected by fellow athletes as regular members. David Harte (Ireland) and Camila Caram (Chile) were elected as liaison members.
They will be joined on the Athletes’ Committee by Scott Tupper (Canada), PR Sreejesh (India), Kate Richardson-Walsh (England) and Jacqueline Mwangi (Kenya), who were all recommended nominations by the Executive Board to give both gender and geographic balance.
Meanwhile, Algeria was inducted as a new FIH member.
Weil highlighted his desire for every national hockey federation to hold a world ranking. Currently, he said, there were around 50 nations with a ranking, with member nations currently standing at 138 countries.
The Hockey Paper
World hockey open to grass tournaments; water-based pitches stripped for Olympics
By Rod Gilmour
World hockey chiefs are open to the idea of international tournaments being played on grass, initially with lower-ranking events. At the FIH Congress on Saturday, it was also confirmed that water-based surfaces will be replaced for the Paris 2024 Olympics, if not earlier.
Currently, it is mandatory for International Hockey Federation (FIH) tournaments to be hosted on artificial turf.
But a change could be implemented for the Olympic 2024 qualifiers, starting with the 2021 Hockey Series Open, which features lesser-ranked teams who could not otherwise afford installation costs.
The FIH also believes that the sport should be seen as a sustainable one and the world governing body is exploring ways on how to save water.
FIH chief executive Thierry Weil, in a wide-ranging day of news in New Delhi, said that any potential move to grass would “allow far more countries to be a part of the Road to Paris”, although top-end matches would continue to be played on synthetic turf.
These ideas were likely to be explored in the corridors of the FIH congress as the ‘turf to grass’ move was not on the official agenda, it was reported.
Weil, who joined the FIH this year, told The Indian Express: “The idea we are considering is that Hockey Series Open 2021 can be played on any surface, including grass.
“Right now, a lot of countries are not being able to play because of lack of surfaces but we can be a lot more inclusive if we allow it.
“Any country in the world that’s willing to participate in it on a turf of their choice, be it in Latin America, Africa, Asia … if four or five countries decide to play on a turf of their choice, FIH will have no problem with it. That’s the vision.”
At the main Congress, Weil also announced that the Paris 2024 Olympics will not be played on water-based pitches.
He said: “We have to go away from the water system. We can’t be seen to be continually wasting water while maybe next door people have not enough water to drink.
“It’s an important decision and it’s on us to work with the suppliers to bring a new product.
“We’re not talking about getting rid of it but getting a replacement and allowing the players getting the same quality of play we see today and hopefully it will be much cheaper.”
The Hockey Paper
Shahbaz elected in FIH executive board
Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD - Shahbaz Senior, earned another distinction for Pakistan, as he becomes the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) executive board member, after securing 63 votes out of 110, in the general elections held in New Delhi on Saturday.
While talking exclusively to The Nation from Delhi a clearly satisfied Shahbaz said: “It is indeed huge honour not only for me but for entire hockey community and Pakistan. I am humbled and looking forward to help not only Pakistan hockey but also the world hockey as well. I required 57 votes for victory while both my opponents German and Belgian opponents were not only highly strong but also enjoying Europeans backing as well. By the grace of Almighty, I received 63 votes and beat Belgian for the seat.”
Shahbaz thanked all those who voted for him and even to those, who didn’t voted in his favour and assured all the hockey community, being representative of all he would play his due role to ensure hockey once again get same popularity and will use every way and mean to ensure youth take interest towards playing hockey and take it as profession like cricket and other sports.
“It is high time, we must bring revolutionary changes and adopt means to ensure hockey at international stage get same recognition the other sports are enjoying. Over the years drastic changes have been introduced and even the top super stars’ kids are not interested in playing hockey. It is not a good sing and in fact these are alarming signs for this wonderful sport. I will sit with all the greats and will try to persuade them to ensure their kids start to divert their attentions towards hockey.”
Shahbaz said: “It was wonderful occasion to meet past greats and top officials of the FIH. We had some wonderful, lengthy discussions and soon all the hockey playing nations will reap benefits. They all were united for supporting Pakistan hockey in best possible manner and let me share that it was highly defining moment as far as Pakistan hockey is concerned and their support means a lot to back our efforts to take Pakistan hockey back to old glory days heights.”
“They all were surprised that despite acute shortage of funds, lack of sufficient pool of players, Pakistan Hockey Federation is doing wonders. They were full of praise for PHF President Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar’s personal efforts for ensuring green shirts participation in mega events and assured they will do whatever they can to help federation in general and Pakistan in particular.”
“I request Prime Minister Imran Khan to order immediate release of funds for the PHF as we already owe a lot to private persons. The World Cup is hardly few days away and we have to clear dues, made payments to vendors and also start training camp for the world cup-bound Pakistani contingent. For how long the PHF president has to arrange funds through his personal contacts? It is time, realising the ground realities and without any delays, government must release funds so federation could focus on implementing plans, ways and means to take Pakistan hockey on right track. I am sure, the PM will take notice of the present situation of national game and order the release of at least Rs100 million to bail-out hockey,” Shahbaz concluded.
The Nation
HIL set to return in latter half of 2019
To be remodelled and will now include both men’s and women’s events
Uthra Ganesan
The Hockey India League (HIL), which was last held in 2017 and suspended for the current year with concerns surmounting that the lucrative franchise-based competition was over for good, is now confirmed to return in the latter half of 2019, albeit in a new avatar.
“The league would be remodelled and would now include both men’s and women’s events. We are looking at making it 5-a-side instead of 11-a-side. It would not make much difference in terms of personnel given the fact that the teams needed to have at least 20 players on their roster.
“Now they would have 10 men and women each,” a senior Hockey India official confirmed on the sidelines of the FIH Congress here.
“The existing franchises are likely to continue and we are still in talks with them, working out details. We are also talking to other possible owners. The Pro League would be over in the first half of 2019 and all players from across the world would be available for the HIL.
“The HIL is not going anywhere, it will be held,” the official added.
The Hindu
HIL returns next year in Hockey 5s avtar
Each of six teams must field women’s teams as well
Vinayak Padmadeo
The Hockey India League will return to the Indian sporting calendar next year, though in a new look.
The 2019 edition will be held in the five-a-side format, popularly known as Hockey 5s. Significantly, as per the new format of the league, the six teams will have to recruit a total of 20 players, 10 men and 10 women. The men’s and women’s matches will be held the same day, in the mornings and evenings. There is also a proposal to hold a mixed tournament, but a final decision is yet to be taken.
Hockey India (HI) sources confirmed to The Tribune that the innovations were made to ease the financial burden on the cash-strapped franchise owners.
A JSW team?
Already, the owners of the Delhi Waveriders franchise have pulled out from the league. It is expected to be replaced by JSW Sports, who co-own Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League and Bengaluru FC in the Indian Soccer League. The new team is expected to be based in Bengaluru.
“HIL is returning next year. It will be held in the Hockey 5s format,” a HI India source confirmed. “The expenses will be the same for the franchise. They don’t have to spend more as the squad numbers remain the same. Like earlier, the teams will only have 20-member squads.” HIL was taken off the calendar for 2018 after five editions as several franchise owners had been under a lot of stress after failing to break even.
Return to Pro-League
The national team will return to the Hockey Pro-League, which serves as an Olympics qualifying tournament outside of the continental competitions. HI had pulled out of the series last year as they felt playing there would hurt India’s chances of qualifying.
The Tribune
Hockey India League to move to five’s format for men, women
It is believed that Hockey India's decision to focus on 5s is an indication of the direction the sport is likely to take in the future.
Hockey India League (HIL), which was discontinued last year will be played in 5s format and will feature men, women and mixed teams. (PTI Photo)
Moments after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) CEO Thierry Weil assured that the 11-a-side format is here to stay, a senior Indian official announced that the domestic league will return next year in a 5-a-side avatar. The Hockey India League, the official said, will be played in 5s format and will feature men, women and mixed teams.
Moments after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) CEO Thierry Weil assured that the 11-a-side format is here to stay, a senior Indian official announced that the domestic league will return next year in a 5-a-side avatar. The Hockey India League, the official said, will be played in 5s format and will feature men, women and mixed teams.
Hockey 5s — a short, crisp format that’s just 20 minutes long — was the among most popular and highest attended sports at the recently-concluded Youth Olympics, according to the FIH. The shortest format of the game, however, is threatening the existence of the traditional version. Weil said the FIH will launch a series of exhibition tournaments next year, but played down the fears that Hockey 5s will replace the 11-a-side format.
In contrast, though, a Indian hockey official said the Hockey India League (HIL), which was discontinued last year, will return in 2019 but in a shorter format. “The HIL will be held next year (2019) in November-December in a completely new avatar. It will be a five-a-side tournament with the franchises fielding both men’s as well as women’s teams,” the official said.
If implemented, the decision can have a huge impact on Indian hockey as it was widely believed that the country’s players benefited by playing along side some of the top foreign players in the HIL. At the same time, it is believed that Hockey India’s decision to focus on 5s is an indication of the direction the sport is likely to take in the future.
The official said four out of the six franchises have agreed to Hockey India’s proposal, while Delhi Waveriders will not be a part of the event anymore. “Besides the men’s and women’s events, a mixed team event will also be there. So basically, it means there will be three trophies up for grabs. These changes will help franchises save a lot of money. Out of six franchises, four have already agreed to our proposal,” the official said. “The men’s and women’s matches will be held simultaneously — one in the morning and other in the evening. A 5-a-side hockey game of just 30 minutes will not be an issue.” Koreas to play under one flag
North and South Korea are likely to field a unified team in the future international tournaments, Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) CEO Tayyab Ikram said on Saturday.
The AHF held a meeting with the representatives of the two Koreas on the sidelines of the FIH Congress in Delhi and both have agreed in principle to play under one flag at the Hockey Series Finals next year. An official announcement will be made after the governments of both the countries approve the decision.
“We have just finished a very important meeting between South Korea and North Korea and I am glad to announce that both the countries have agreed to co-operate and develop hockey. Both the countries want to use hockey to bring peace between them,” Ikram said. “One of the proposals mooted was to have a combined team in future which will play in Asian Hockey Federation and FIH events.”
Athletes from North and South Korea marched under a unified flag at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, and took part in the ice hockey competition. The two Koreas are also planning to compete as a unified team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and are bidding to co-host the 2032 Summer Games.
“Moving forward both the countries will get in touch with their foreign offices in order to formalise these proposals. AHF and FIH will play the role of a mediator,” Ikram said. “These are preliminary discussions and we will formalise them in coming weeks.”
Indian Express
Hurt Sardar Singh blames David John, Sjoerd Marijne for forcing him to retire after Asian Games
Shantanu Srivastava
File image of Sardar Singh.
Bhubaneshwar: Former India captain and recently-retired ace midfielder Sardar Singh on Saturday called out Hockey India's High Performance Director David John and former men’s coach Sjoerd Marijne for ending his career after the Asian Games.
Sardar was off-colour at the continental event in Jakarta and Palembang, following which he was dropped from the national camp for the Asian Champions Trophy. The 32-year-old promptly called time on his 12-year-long international career, and though he didn’t immediately spell out a clear reason for his departure, there were murmurs about John wanting him out of the team.
At the ongoing Ekamra Sports Literary Festival in Bhubaneshwar, Sardar broke his silence and narrated the sequence of events that led to his retirement.
“A lot of things led to it (retirement),” he said. “Things started to change after Roelant Oltmans left. Every new coach has his ideas, and as a player I understand that, but too much of chopping and changing of coaches and players does no good to the team.”
Oltmans, who took over as men’s team’s chief coach in August 2015, was shown the door in September last year after the team could manage only a sixth place in Hockey World League. He was later replaced by Marijne.
“I was initially told that I was the fittest player in the team, but then I was dropped from the side. Like I said, I fully understand that coaches want to try out new boys, but one should not change the core 10-12 players of the team,” Sardar, who represented India in over 300 international games, said.
“I was in the team that won the Asia Cup in 2017, so I was hoping to continue (to be picked). But I was dropped without being given a reason or explanation.
"During that Asia Cup, on the day of our match against Pakistan (in the Super Four which India won 4-0), John called me to his hotel room in the morning and told me that I am playing individualistic hockey and not creating enough chances for the team. Imagine doing that to a player hours before a high-pressure India-Pakistan match. I don't think it was the right way or the right time to bring that up," he said.
Sardar was then handed over the reins for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and the team finished fifth out of six participants.
“I was sent to Malaysia with a bunch of young boys, and was later not picked for the Commonwealth Games. That made me doubt my abilities. I started thinking if I am good enough to play.”
Among the fittest members of the team, Sardar is known to have recorded a score of 21.4 in Yo Yo test.
“My game was never built on speed, but I was always fit. So when I read reports of my fitness being questioned, I was just not able to get it. Then the loss to Malaysia at the Asian Games was the last straw. I didn’t want to continue,” he said.
Marijne was axed after India failed to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, while John has held on to his position.
Firstpost
Sardar reveals reasons for quitting
Sardar also said that he was not told the reasons each time he was left out.
P.K. Ajith Kumar
Former Hockey India captain Sardar Singh at the Sports Literary festival in Bhubaneswar on November 1, 2018. Photo Credit: Biswaranjan Rout
Sardar Singh, one of Indian hockey’s greatest centre-halfs, said he was forced to retire because he had been treated badly.
Speaking at the Ekamra Sports Literary Festival here on Saturday, he revealed the reasons behind his shock retirement.
“Shortly before the match against Pakistan at the Asia Cup at Dhaka, I was called to Hockey India’s High Performance Director David John’s room. He said that I had made mistakes and that I was playing an individual game,” he said. “I don’t think it is right for a coach to tell a player such things just before a game.”
Sardar said being neglected for major tournaments was another reason.
Getting worse
“Things changed for the worse after the sacking of coach Roelant Oltmans,” he said. “I was getting dropped without any discussion. John and coach Sjoerd Marijne wanted to try out new players.”
The 32-year-old also recalled an incident during a National camp that said much about the way the Indian players were treated.
“The team was not announced to the players but we were asked to see the list pasted in front of our rooms,” he said. “My name was not there.”
The Hindu
Sardar says he was forced out of the game by foreign coaches
Two months after retiring, ex-captain says top hockey staff Marijne and John did not treat him well
Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh has said that that former coach Sjoerd Marijne and current high performance director David John forced him into retirement in September.
The veteran singled out an incident which took place last year during India’s triumphant campaign in the Asia Cup in Dhaka, where he was called to John’s room in the presence of Marijne.
“I was called to his (David John’s) room just before the match against Pakistan in Asia Cup. The coach (Marijne) was also there. He (John) said I committed mistakes and I was playing a lot of individual game,” Sardar said. “Just before an important match I was called to tell (me) this. You could imagine how I was feeling, he could have told me later.”
Asian Games debacle
After the Asian Games ended in September, Sardar was not named in the list of the probables for the Asian Champions Trophy in Oman, forcing him to think about his future.
“I was dropped from important tournaments, the World Hockey League and Commonwealth Games. I thought I will be brought back, I was sent with a junior team in Malaysia,” he said. “I slowly began questioning myself, what is going on. After Asian Games, I was thinking of continuing till the 2020 Olympics. I was very fit, one of the fittest in the team. But then I decided to quit (after being dropped again).”
Sardar also said that he was not told the reasons each time he was left out. “There was a lot of change of players. It is all right if you change 2-3 players but you are making so many changes before important tournaments,” the star midfielder said. “Moreover, you have to tell the reasons to the players. Sadly, it was not done.”
Writing on the wall
He mentioned an incident in the national camp in Bengaluru. “The news of the team selection was told at the breakfast. We were told that the team list was pasted in front of rooms and those who are in should proceed to the field and those who are not will be told the reasons later,” he said. “My name was not there, I did not go for team practice.”
Incidentally, after he announced his retirement in September, he had said: “I wanted to continue and I feel I had some more years of hockey left in me but I just couldn’t digest the loss to Malaysia. I couldn’t sleep for days after that loss. That was the trigger.” He was referring to India’s loss in the Asian Games semifinals.
The Tribune
Penn field hockey falls in thriller at No. 5 Princeton, eliminated from postseason contention
Quakers finish third in Ivy League for third straight year
By Cole Jacobson
Junior forward Alexa Schneck had two first-half goals to give her a conference-leading eight scores in Ivy play, but it wasn't enough to propel Penn to a major upset win. Credit: Cole Jacobson
PRINCETON, N.J. — Playing in arguably its biggest game of the past three years, Penn field hockey gave its best on Saturday afternoon. But sometimes, your best isn’t quite good enough.
Facing No. 5 Princeton with an opportunity to earn the highest-ranked win of coach Colleen Fink’s nine-year career, the unranked Quakers led at the half, but came up just short in a heartbreaking 3-2 loss. Since Penn needed a win to be considered for an at-large spot in the NCAA Tournament, the loss ends the Quakers’ season.
“It’s frustrating, and I think we’re right there with any team,” Fink said. “We’re capable of competing and winning and being really successful, and that’s why we play the schedule that we play. We clearly have a couple of things to work on, but I think we’re on the verge of becoming a premier, nationally recognized program.”
The Quakers (9-8, 5-2 Ivy) were playing their best foe since an 8-0 loss to current No. 1 UNC, but one wouldn’t have known it at all based on how the game opened.
Only seven minutes in, junior forward Alexa Schneck poked a loose ball past Princeton goalie Grace Baylis. And even after Princeton (13-4, 6-1) evened things up with a well-executed short corner play, Schneck came back to give the Quakers the lead at the half, deflecting a long pass from senior Sofia Palacios into the net.
“Our strategy was to have striking balls because of their wider press, and we found the gaps really well,” said Schneck, who finished as the conference leader with eight goals in seven Ivy games. “They marked very tight, so I think it was easier to back-door them when a striking ball came in, like the [second goal].”
Penn led in both goals and shots in the opening half, but the Tigers dominated time of possession after the break. Princeton scored two straight goals, the latter of which came on a rebound with 14 minutes left, to put Penn in desperation mode the rest of the way.
The Quakers caught a break when Princeton defender Annabeth Donovan received a yellow card with five minutes left, and Penn then went empty-net for the final three minutes, but the equalizer never came. Even after senior defender Paige Meily made a fantastic body save with 1:21 to go to keep the deficit at one, the Quakers couldn’t cross midfield in the final minute, forcing their upset bid to come up just short.
“We knew we were coming in here ready to fight, and we knew we were ready to win,” senior defender Karen Seid said. “We put it all out there, so there was nothing more we could’ve done. We didn’t want it to end this way, but we put our hearts on that field, and there’s nothing more you can ask.”
Despite the loss, Penn finished with five Ivy League wins for the first time since 2015, and only the third time in Fink’s career. The Quakers have now finished in the league’s top three in five of the past six years, though they haven’t won a title since 2004.
Because No. 6 Harvard (16-1, 7-0) beat Columbia on Saturday, the Crimson clinched the league championship, while the Tigers beat out Penn for second place.
“It’s great momentum for us to move forward. The two games we lost were by one goal,” Schneck said. “One more goal, and we could be Ivy champs.”
Having scored 10 of Penn’s 22 goals this season, Schneck will be seizing an even greater leadership role with next year’s group, which will return seven of 11 starters from a team that came so close to breaking Penn’s title skid.
And if, or when, the Quakers do break that barrier, they won’t be forgetting those who laid the groundwork for it.
“The stuff we saw today was incredible, and that’s what we need moving forward,” Schneck said. “These five incredible seniors have taught us a lot, and they definitely left their imprint on the program.
“We just have to keep working harder, and it’ll come.”
The Daily Pennsylvanian