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Dr Ghulam Rasool was the one of the greatest players of Pakistan hockey. He was truly a legend. He captained his university hockey team and won Inter-University Tournament. Later he was included as a member of the Pakistan national team that participated in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and won a silver medal. Two years later, he represented Pakistan in the Asian Games Hockey Tournament in Tokyo and received a gold medal. In the 1960 Rome Olympics, Dr Rasool was part of the Pakistan team that won a gold medal by defeating archrivals India in the finals. In 1962, Dr Rasool was again an important member of the national team that participated in the Asian Games Hockey Tournament held in Jakarta and won a gold medal by defeating India in the finals. In 1963, Dr Rasool became captain of the Pakistan team that took part in a tournament in Lyon, France. After retirement from active hockey, Dr Rasool served the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF)as its top official. He also served as the chairman of the national selection committee. Dr Rasool died in 1991. One of his sons, Akhtar Rasool, was also an international hockey player who skippered the Pakistan team in the 1982 World Cup in India and won a gold medal for Pakistan by defeating India in the finals.

Multi Media Linda Nelima(l) and Multi Media Lorraine Muturi fight for the ball when they played National Ladies premier at City Park. ON 24/06/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Strathmore University Scorpions yesterday squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league clash at City Park.

LUCKNOW: Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) on Sunday beat Punjab and Sind Bank in the shoot-out to retain their crown for the third consecutive year at the Hockey India Senior National Hockey Championship 2017 (Men) 'A' Division.

Uthra Ganesan


The victorious Railways team on Sunday. Photo Credit: Rajeev Bhatt

For the second year running, Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) was crowned national champion in the shootout, getting past Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) 3-0 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time here on Sunday.

On the second day of the women's masters Home Nations at Three Rock Rovers, the Irish Over-40s and Over-45s continued their winning ways, while the Over-50s were held to a draw by England with the Over-55s losing to a strong English team.

By Beth Fisher


Scorer Danni Jordan with Eloise Laity and Phoebe Richards

Wales wrapped up a series sweep over Poland with a 2-1 victory on Sunday in Cardiff as they prepare for the Euro Hockey Championships.

The Irish men's team with the Hamburg Masters trophy. Pic: Sabine Muller

Ireland’s men will head to Johannesburg next week in confident mood following a superb 4-2 victory over world number three side Germany to win the Hamburg Masters title.

There was very little to differentiate the two sides in the opening half with Jonny Bell saving a shot off the line before Tobias Walter made a superb double save from Shane O’Donoghue’s and Chris Cargo’s shots at the other end. But the game really came to life in the second quarter with 3 goals in 2 minutes.  Tom Grambusch got the scoreboard ticking in the 19th minute with a fine drag flick to David Harte’s left. Moments later Moritz Trompertz forced a turnover and sent a reverse shot towards goal for Marco Miltkau to get the faintest of touches on to take it past Harte. But 30 seconds later O’Donoghue had brought Ireland back into it as he deflected in a shot from close range to leave Walter with no chance. The sides finished the half all even at 2-2 thanks to Alan Sothern’s goal in the 30th minute; Sean Murray did well as he drew Walter before releasing the pass to Sothern on the penalty spot who swept into an open goal.

Tyron Barnard

History was written today in Swakopmund as the Namibian Indoor Hockey ladies side shocked the Hockey world with a stunning showdown victory that secured their place in the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup for 2018.

(Photo: FiH/Getty)

The clinical finishing of Korea was enough to defeat Scotland in their final Pool A match at the World League Semi-Finals in Brussels. It was a brave and battling performance by the Scots but the result means Scotland will play in the 9th/10th play-off on Thursday.

Photo: Planet Hockey

The Vantage Black Sticks Women have been handed their first loss at the FIH World League Semi Final after being edged 1-0 by hosts Belgium.

Slattery, Morgan & Smith score

Holly MacNeil



The Hockeyroos won their final pool game against Spain today at the World League Semi-Finals in Brussels, Belgium. The final score was AUS 4 – 1 ESP, with Australia’s goals by way of a double from Kathryn Slattery, a penalty corner from Georgie Morgan and a field goal from Emily Smith.

World number one team, the Netherlands continue to dominate Pool A at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Finals as they recorded their third victory, a 1-0 win over China. The results mean Netherlands will top Pool A and Scotland are eliminated from the quarter-finals but nothing else has been decided. Both Italy and China could finish second in the pool, but equally Korea or China could finish third, depending upon results in the final pool matches to be played on Tuesday 27 June.

LAHORE: Pakistan beat China 3-1 to finish a poor seventh at the Hockey World League (HWL) semi-final round at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday.

ISLAMABAD: It was a classification match for the 7th-8th position in the World Hockey League at London’s Olympic Park on Sunday. Finishing 7th meant a virtually assured berth in the next year’s World Cup. For the team at the 8th position, the qualification wasn’t guaranteed. Pakistan cut it fine. It was goalless with just 10 minutes left. Tension was mounting among the Pakistan in the ground, on the bench and in the stands. In the 51st minute, Ammad Shakeel Butt, perhaps the most impressive Pakistan player in this event, beautifully robbed a defender. After a good run along the left flank, he slipped the ball to Mohammad Dilber near the circle whose first touch found Umar Bhutta in an excellent position. Bhutta’s angular shot hit the right corner of the goal. A goal down, China put more players forward leaving gaps in the defence. Two more goals came in quick succession in the 56th minute.

By Nabil Tahir

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team’s chances to get berth of World Cup 2018 have increased as they beat China 3-1 in the seventh and eighth place payoff to finish their Hockey World League (HWL) semi-final round on seventh position.

By  B.G.Joshi  (Sehore-Bhopal, India)

Often Indian team humbled to opponent when it matters. Canadian and Malaysian both defeat Indian by identical margin of 3-2 to get berth in 2018 World Cup. Here are highlights of Malaysia and Canada triumph over India in important international matches:

Sunil Sowmarpet of India in action during the 5th/6th place match between India and Canada on day nine of the Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final. 

An inconsistent India wasted chances galore to finish a disappointing sixth in the Hero Hockey World League Semifinals after being stunned 3-2 by lower-ranked Canada here on Sunday.

India sign off with a sixth place finish in HWL Semis


Smythe Iain and Surender Kumar vie for the ball during their Hockey World League Semifinals fifth-sixth classification match. HI

London - India wasted chances galore to finish a disappointing sixth in the Hockey World League Semifinals after being stunned 3-2 by Canada here today.

s2h team

Its difficult to say whether India was let down by its own forwards or the rival goalie Antoni Kindler will not let your ball in. It was India's last match, which it lost famously to Pan American Champions Canada (2-3). Canada just made 17 circle penetration and won the match 3-2 whereas India had almost thrice penetration but ended up losers.

Sundeep Misra


India form a huddle during the World Hockey League Semi-Final match against Canada. AP

The Indian hockey team came to the Hockey World League Semi-Final aspiring for the podium; or at least the semi-finals, setting themselves up as contenders for the HWL Finals later this year. But after seven matches and three defeats, two of them to teams well below the pecking order, the team has left in their wake confused coaches, bewildered players, annoyed fans and deep disappointment.

Shaheed Devji


Gordon Johnston of Canada celebrates scoring Canada’s third goal during the 5th/6th place match between India and Canada on day nine of the Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on June 25, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

It was not impossible, but highly improbable. To match the drama for the 2015 edition of the World League Semi-Final was a tall order. Yet, Canada’s men’s field hockey team might have just done it picking up with another historic win, coming back from a 2-1 deficit in the second half and beating sixth ranked India 3-2 to finish in 5th spot and qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

File pic of Faizal Saari during the game against India.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia lost 4-1 to England in the third/fourth placing match of the World Hockey League in London on Sunday.

England's men with coach Bobby Crutchley

Having set out to qualify for the World Cup, World League Final and play exciting hockey, Bobby Crutchley's England team ticked all three of those objectives in the Hero Hockey World League Semi Final in London.

Harry Martin celebrates goal v Malaysia

England came out on top against Malaysia for the second time in a week at the Hero Hockey World League Semi-Finals. Having previously won 7-3 in the Pool stages, England again ran out convincing winners, securing a 4-1 victory in front of a home crowd. A brace for Harry Martin plus goals for birthday boy David Ames and captain Phil Roper rounded off a successful tournament for the new look England squad. The third place finish means England have qualified for the World League Finals that take place in India later this year.

Valentin Verga

Valentin Verga scored a brace as the Netherlands stormed to a 6-1 victory over Argentina in the Hero Hockey World League final in London.

©: Frank Uijlenbroek

The Netherlands swept aside Argentina 6-1 to win the Hockey World League Semi-Final in fairly simple fashion, beating the Olympic gold medalists in the final in London.

London, England: The Netherlands are the winners of the Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final, storming to a 6-1 victory over Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalists Argentina in a wonderful event final at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre on Sunday (25 June).

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Strathmore vs Multi Media University Strathmore Yvonne Karanja(l) and Multi Media Shirley Nahaf fight for the ball when they played National Ladies premier at City Park. ON 24/06/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Ruth Adhiambo bagged a hat-trick as Strathmore University Scorpions fired six past hapless Multimedia University in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league match yesterday at City Park Stadium.

Punjab & Sindh Bank defeated Punjab by a solitary goal to book a place in Sunday’s final of the national hockey championship against Railways

Sharad Deep

Punjab and Sindh Bank (PSB) rode defender Parvinder Singh’s splendid work to shock last year’s runners-up Punjab by a solitary goal in the semifinals of the national hockey championship here on Saturday.

Ireland started the first day of the Home Nations Women's Masters tournament with three strong wins by the O-40s, O-45s and O-50s.

Alex Danson will captain England

England’s women’s hockey team have announced their squad of 18 that will contest the Hero Hockey World League Semi-final in Johannesburg starting on 8 July.

Tyron Barnard

SPAR South Africa Ladies

The SPAR South Africa ladies knew that starting today they were all but mathematically secured of their place in the final, but Lennie Botha’s side took nothing for granted in the opening match of the day. SPAR South Africa produced a fantastic professional performance that was fitting to honour skipper Cindy Hack’s 50th Indoor Test cap. Cindy is the first ever South African to reach 50 indoor test caps. In true Cindy style though she didn’t want much fuss about her but rather about her team. The match was played in fantastic spirit and besides braces from Higgo and Walters there were goals for McEwan, O’Connor, Evans and Kara Botes.

Tyron Barnard

Although on paper both SPAR South Africa ladies and Tops @ SPAR South African men were comfortable favourites, they may have been given a little surprise in the morning games by the skill and tenacity shown by their Zimbabwean counterparts.

(Photo: FiH/Getty)

A blistering second half performance was not enough for Scotland to take anything from their third match of the Women’s World League Semi-Finals in Brussels. Italy went two goals up in the first half, but it was one-way traffic in the second half as Scotland bravely battled to overturn the deficit, but were defeated 2-1 in the end. The Scots can qualify for the quarter finals of the tournament in tomorrow's match against Korea.

New Zealand's Brooke Neal celebrates one of her two goals against Australia in their World League semifinal pool match. GETTY IMAGES

A dominant Black Sticks women's side has secured an important win over Australia at the FIH World League Semifinal.

Holly MacNeil



The Hockeyroos took on the Black Sticks in a trans-Tasman rivalry match today at the World League Semi-Finals in Brussels, Belgium. It was the Black Sticks day, with New Zealand taking out the game 2 – 0 Australia.

Photo: Planet Hockey

Two goals from Brooke Neal has lifted the Vantage Black Sticks Women to an important 2-0 win over Australia at the FIH World League Semi Final in Brussels.

It was goals galore on Day Three of the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Brussels as the host nation hit nine against Malaysia and Netherlands followed suit with a 9-0 win over Korea.

Abid Hussain


— Photo courtesy of Dawn archives.

The scenes that transpired at Sydney’s Homebush Stadium, 19 years ago, will forever remain etched in the memory of those Pakistanis who saw it live on television. The booming voice of (late) Farooq Mazhar; the minute by minute low-down on the thrilling penalty shoot-out; the nervous Dutch youngster Jeroen Delmee’s decisive push; the agile Mansoor Ahmed with his brilliant save and the subsequent celebration by the team — all of it remains part of our hockey folklore. The title won was Pakistan’s fourth World Cup victory.

Abdul Ghaffar

India has scored their second big win over Pakistan in six days, beating the men in green 6-1 in a World Hockey League play-off at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday.

On target: Ramandeep Singh, center, scores against Pakistan during the Men's World Hockey League match at Lee Valley Hockey Centre, London, on Saturday.   | Photo Credit: AP

The Indian hockey team continued its domination of arch-rivals Pakistan, handing them a 6-1 thrashing in a 5th-8th place classification match of the Hero Hockey World League Semifinals here today.

by Dil Bahra


Akashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh celebrate India's third goal

For the second time in a space of a week, India showed their class and had a convincing 6 – 1 win over arch rivals Pakistan.

Sundeep Misra


India did well to bounce back from the Malaysia defeat with 6-1 win over Pakistan. Twitter/ @HockeyIndia

After the quarter-final meltdown against Malaysia which blew up India's hopes of a podium finish at the Hockey World League Semi-final stage, Pakistan once again stood in the path of regaining some pride.

s2h team

In the 'embarrassing' encounter for podium aiming India -- which had to play non-medal ranking 5th to 8th place decider -- that too repeat match against Pakistan, came out with geometric set pieces to stand out in the match and count.

Having defeated Pakistan 7-1 last Sunday in the pool game, India again outplayed their neighbours in the 5-8 position playoffs of the  Hockey World League Semifinal Round, also  the qualifiers for the  Hockey World Cup, at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Shaheed Devji


Keegan Pereira of Canada celebrates scoring his sides fifth goal with Taylor Curran of Canada during the 5th-8th place match between Canada and China on day eight of the Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on June 24, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Canada scored three goals in four minutes to start the second half and never looked back in a 7-3 win over China Saturday at the 2017 Hockey World League Semi-Final in London.

by Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia gave a good account of themselves despite going down 2-1 to world No. 1 Argentina in the semi-final of the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in London.

Phil Roper in action against the Netherlands

England were narrowly defeated in a tight contest with the Netherlands in their Hero Hockey World League semi-final in London.

© Frank Uijlenbroek

The Netherlands will meet Argentina in the final of the Hockey World League semi-final in London following their respective wins over England and Malaysia in today’s semi-finals.

London, England: Olympic champions Argentina and European champions The Netherlands have booked their places at the end-of-year showpiece Odisha Hockey World League Final after winning their respective final four matches at the Men’s Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final in London.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has launched a free ‘Rules of Hockey’ app for iOS and android smartphones.

By B.G.Joshi (Sehore-Bhopal, India)

Asian Champions Trophy winner Indian men and women will open their campaign in Melbourne Hockey Festival on November 23 against hosts Australia. Indian men (World Ranking 6) team will face Kookaburras (World Ranking 1) in 4-nations tournament league match, while Indian women (World Ranking 12) will challenge Hockeyroos (World Ranking 4) in first test of 3-match series. Statistical highlights are:

Patrick Rowley (BEM) receives his British Empire Medal Award at the Tower of London by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.   Left to Right:  Lord-Lieutenant of London, Mr Kenneth Olisa OBE, Elizabeth Rowley (wife), Patrick Rowley BEM, Alison Heeks (nee ROWLEY his daughter)   and  Constable General Sir Nicholas Houghton GCB CBE ADC

International sports journalist Patrick Rowley received the British Empire Medal for services to Hockey at a ceremony held at The Tower of London on Friday 4 November.

Patrick Rowley, arguably the best known hockey journalist there is has been rewarded for his outstanding services to hockey with the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Pat Rowley. Photo: Hockey Writers Club

When I started Fieldhockey.com 20 years ago one of the first journalists to support and encourage my efforts was the English writer Pat Rowley, I am utterly delighted to report that Pat has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to Hockey in the Queen's Birthday Honours list released today.

By Dil Bahra


Alex Danson displaying why she won Player of the Tournament. Photo: Koen Suyk

There have been a few great action photos in our sport of hockey over the years but this photo by Dutch photographer Koen Suyk tops them all. Koen, a photographer for over 40 years has covered seven Olympic Games and states that Sports photography is his great love, with hockey, golf and tennis as his specialties.

by Dil Bahra


Kenya Hockey Team on tour of India, April 1964 Back Row (L - R): Surjeet Singh Jnr,; Saude George; Anthony Vaz; Amar Singh Mangat; Egbert Fernandes; Sang Singh; Edgar Fernandes; Jack Simonian; Jagnandan Singh. Sitting (L - R): Hardev Singh; Hilary Fernandes (V.Capt,); Hardial Singh (Coach); Anthony D'Souza (Manager); Sukdev Singh (Asst Manager); Avtar Singh (Capt.); Alu Mendonca. Ground (L – R): Santokh Singh; Arif Khan; Silu Fernandes; Leslie Pinto; Reynolds D'Souza.

Kenya’s triple hockey Olympian, Egbert Carmo Fernandes, died in Canberra, Australia on 6 November 2014.  He was aged 73.

These screen grabs are from The Official YouTube stream. Note the running time of the video in the bottom left. This covers a pan from 2:47:27 - 2:47:30. Punjab Warriors are in blue.

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