Thursday, April 30, 2009

Asia Cup Hokey 2009 to Feature 7 Teams Following Sri Lanka’s Withdrawal

Asia Cup hockey 2009 has turned into a 7-team tournament after Sri Lanka pulled out from the tournament. Though Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) offered Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand to fill in the gap created by Sri Lanka’s withdrawal, neither of the countries responded, leaving AHF with no other options but to stage the tournament with 7 teams. Sri Lanka initially replaced Oman who had pulled out earlier, and now that Sri Lanka also followed Oman’s footstep, the organizers are in a tough condition with the tournament format. It is really very tough to make 2 groups with 7 teams, but AHF has decided not to change the tournament format. So, now Group B where Sri Lanka was drawn would feature only three teams including defending champion India, Pakistan and China, while Group A will feature host Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Bangladesh.


Related article:

bernama

Sunday, April 26, 2009

USA Defeated Latvia 4-2 at the IIHF World Hockey Championship

USA ice hockey team clinched a come-from-back victory over Latvia in a Group C preliminary round match on Saturday in the ongoing IIHF World Hockey Championship. Tournament favorite USA faced stiff competition from Latvia. In fact, USA had to come from back twice during the match with Jack Johnson scoring two equalizing goals. USA coach Ron Wilson is pretty much happy to see his team facing stiff competition from Latvia. He said that it was necessary to face some challenge from Latvia and go through a bit of hardship during the match in what tested the character of USA team. In other matches, Finland defeated Norway 5-0, Czech Republic beat Denmark 5-0 and Sweden thrashed Austria 7-1.


Related article:

CBC

Friday, April 24, 2009

Tengku Abdullah: Malaysia must be on Top Physically in Asia Cup 2009

Tengku Abdullah, president of Malaysia Hockey Federation, has said that fitness will be a key factor for Malaysia in the upcoming Asia Cup 2009 hockey tournament to be held in Kuantan, Malaysia from 9 May to 16 May. Malaysia has recently become runners up in Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup at home, losing to India in the final. Now, Malaysian players are gearing up to do better in Asia Cup in front of the home fans.


However, Tengku Abdullah said that Malaysian players must be fit enough physically, if they are to achieve something phenomenal in the tournament. He has also added that the Malaysian players need to improve on their fitness level in order to compete with some of the European and Asian powerhouses. He hopes that the fitness level of the Malaysian hockey players will be somewhere between 100 to 150 percent. Asian Cup 2009 includes India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Oman. Alongside India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia is also considered to be one of the favorites of the tournament. Now, let us see if Malaysia can live up to the expectation of home fans in Asia Cup 2009 hockey tournament.


Related article:

bernama

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Pakistan Recalled Four Senior Players for Asia Cup Hockey 2009

Pakistan did not fare well in the recently concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament in Malaysia where they became fourth among the five teams and suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Malaysia. Now, ahead of Asia Cup 2009 starting from 9 May in Malaysia, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has recalled four senior players including penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas, Waseem Ahmad, striker Rehan Butt and goalkeeper Salman Akbar. Sohail has already joined Pakistan’s Asia Cup camp on 21 April. Three other players will also join the national camp for Asia Cup hockey very soon. With these four senior players back into the squad, Pakistan is expected to appear with their full strength in Asia Cup 2009 hockey tournament, putting their recent disappointing performance behind.


Related article:

dailytimes

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Indian Hockey: Back in the Right Track?

India had a glorious past in the history of field hockey as India has eight Olympic titles alongside one world cup title to their credit. However, India’s performance in the world hockey has not been very impressive over the last 2 or 3 decades. The worst came last year when India failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics Games for the first time in its history- that resulted into the suspension of the corrupted elected body of Indian hockey federation by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Indian hockey is current run by an ad-hoc committee under the guidance of IOA.

Well, India’s recent performance on the field is pretty much impressive as they became runners up in the Punjab Gold Cup earlier this year and then defeated New Zealand 2-0 in a 4-match test series held in New Zealand. Recently, India won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey tournament in Malaysia. Overall, Indian hockey team has been in good form of recent and it looks they are improving gradually. Now, the question remains if Indian hockey is in the right track ahead of next year’s World Cup Hockey tournament which is due to be held in India. Moreover, India will also host Commonwealth Games next year.

India has showed good prospect since the turn of the New Year, but India must ensure they can make the best out of the next year’s world cup and Commonwealth Games at home. Using the two tournaments, people who are now running the game must try to attract the younger generation towards hockey in order to develop the game in the long run in India. Moreover, the performance of India team in the two home tournaments will be very vital for the revival of Indian hockey. So, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), who are currently at the helm of Indian hockey, should take some initiative on this regard so that India could show impressive performance in both the tournaments.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Indian Hockey Defender Dilip Tirkey to Retire in 2010

Indian Hockey international Dilip Tirkey has said that he would retire from international hockey next year after representing India in 2010 World Cup Hockey and 2010 Commonwealth Games, both of the tournaments will take place in India. Dilip Tirkey has become the most capped hockey player in international arena with 404 matches during the recently concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey tournament. Tirkey has dedicated his achievement to Indian team and Indian hockey.

Dilip Tirkey now wants to represent India for another one year with an eye keeping on next year’s world cup and Commonwealth Games tournaments. After that, he will hang his boots for the last time. 31-year-old Dilip Tirkey has become most reliable defender of Indian men’s hockey team. Dilip Tirkey will now want to go into retirement on a winning note.

Related article:

PTI News

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Pakistan Hockey Coach Hopeful about Asia Cup 2009 Success

You already know that Pakistan men’s hockey team displayed some of its poorest shows in the recently concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey 2009 tournament held in Ipoh, Malaysia. Pakistan lost four of its five matches in the five-team tournament where Pakistan finished at no. 4, the worst performance of Pakistan in the tournament’s history.

However, Pakistan hockey team coach Shahid Ali Khan has said that his team would bounce back in the upcoming Asia Cup 2009 which is due to kick off from 9 May in Kuantan, Malaysia. Mr. Khan believes that Pakistan would come back in Malaysia stronger and well-prepared for Asia Cup where eight Asian teams including Sultan Azlan Shah Cup champion India is expected to be hot favorite.

Pakistan will have four of its senior players including penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas back in the squad who were absent in the Azlan Shah Cup tournament. So, Pakistan coach is very much hopeful about Pakistan’s success in the upcoming Asia Cup 2009 where the champion team will qualify for next year’s world cup hockey which will take place in India.

Related article:

Sindh Today

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

India to Host the 2010 Hockey World Cup, Confirms FIH President Leandro Negre

Indian capital New Delhi will remain as the venue of next year’s hockey world cup. After a three-day visit to New Delhi recently, Leandro Negre, president of International Hockey Federation (FIH), has recently ensured that New Delhi will host 2010 Hockey World Cup. FIH president met Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) executive council at Ipoh, Malaysia recently before ensuring India to be the host of next hockey world cup. FIH had earlier threatened that India would not be allowed to host 2010 Hockey World Cup unless Indian Hockey Federation is run by an elected body within six month. Here, I would like to inform you that Indian Hockey Federation is currently run by an ad-hoc committee.

Now that, FIH president ensured India to be host of next year’s world cup hockey, there seems to be no more problem regarding this issue.

Related article:

The Star

Monday, April 13, 2009

India Clinched Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament 2009 Defeating Malaysia 3-1

India has won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament defeating host Malaysia 3-1 in the tournament final. With this victory, India clinched their fourth title in the tournament after their previous success in 1985, 1991 and 1995. For Malaysia, it was their third defeat in the tournament final and they are naturally disappointed for not being able to win their home tournament for the first time.

Malaysia started off better in the match as they squandered off two scoring chances in the first four minute. However, India was put ahead in the 8th minute when Arjun Halappa’s cross was deflected by Malaysian player Baljit Singh before sliding into the post. Just 3 minutes later, Malaysia clinched an equalizer when Azlan scored from short range.

India took lead again in the 20th minute when Gurbaj Singh’s shot deflected off Prabhjot Singh into the goal. Nine minutes later, India could increase the lead, had Prabhjot Singh’s shot not gone wide off the target. India ensured their victory thanks to a 41-minute goal from Shivender Singh. Malaysia had their chances squandered off in the second half when they failed to capitalize on the two penalty corners on the 53rd and the 67th minute.

Meanwhile, New Zealand won the third place in the tournament defeating Pakistan 2-1 in the third place deciding match. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has congratulated Indian hockey team for the success.

Related article:

thestar

Friday, April 10, 2009

India vs Pakistan in in Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament: A Must-win Match for Both Sides

Indian hockey team is going to face Pakistan hockey team on April 11 in a must-win match in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey tournament. As I said this is a must-win match for either side in order to make it to the tournament final. After a 3-0 thumping victory over hosts Malaysia who is currently leading the point table with 6 points at this moment, India is now all set to go all out against Pakistan to clinch a victory in what would hand them a final berth. India has 5 points from 3 games, while Pakistan has 3 points from three games, having defeated tournament newcomer Egypt in their last game.


New Zealand is also in the contention for a place in the tournament final as they hold 5 points to their credit and they would face Malaysia in their last group stage match. No doubt, the winner between India and Pakistan will reach the final where they will face the winner between Malaysia and New Zealand. Now, it seems that Pakistan did not have a very good tournament so far as they were defeated by hosts Malaysia and New Zealand in the first two games, before clinching an emphatic 4-0 victory over Egypt. However, Pakistan still has the chance to reach the tournament final by defeating arch rival India today.


For India, the problem is lapses in their defense for which they conceded two late games in both the drawn games (against Egypt and New Zealand) in which India was leading by 2-1 towards the end of the match, but was held to frustrating draws, having conceded late goals in both the games. So, Indian defense must show more resistance against Pakistan in the closing minutes in order to earn a place in the tournament final. For Pakistan, as I earlier mentioned, the tournament has not been very impressive as they lost to Malaysia and New Zealand, but it seems that Pakistan could make to the final of the tournament if Indian defense continue making mistakes towards the end of the match. However, one thing is for sure that India and Pakistan will take on each other and they will not leave any stone unturned to walk away with three points from the match, ensuring a place in the tournament final.


Related article:

NDTV

Monday, April 6, 2009

India Hold to a 2-2 Draw by Egypt in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Opener

India got off to a poor start in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament as last year’s runner ups were held to a 2-2 draw with tournament’s newest team Egypt who did not gave India any room throughout the match. The way Egypt played all through the match; you can not just call it a fluke. In fact, Egypt took lead thanks to a penalty corner in the eighth minute. Just 7 minutes after conceding the goal, India got the equalizer with thanks to Captain Sandeep Singh penalty corner. After equalizing, India went for all out attack, but it was not until 49th minute, India put in the second goal to take a lead in the game. However, the lead was squandered off as scored a last-gasp equalizer from a penalty corner and Indian defense must take the responsibility of conceding a penalty corner in the crucial situation of the match. Meanwhile, hosts Malaysia pulled off an upset by defeating hockey powerhouse Pakistan 3-2.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Schedule of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2009 Hockey Tournament

The 18th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament is going to start from 5 April 2009 in Ipoh, Malaysia. The five-country tournament will feature host Malaysia alongside international teams like India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Egypt. Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2009 will have 12 games in total including the tournament final, due to be held on 12 April 2009.


All the five teams will play against each other in the group stage in a round robin league system. Top two teams with highest points will qualify for the tournament, while the third and fourth placed teams in terms of points will take on each other in the 3rd place deciding match. Last year’s runner up India, Pakistan and New Zealand are the top favorites for the tournament. If you want to get the schedule of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2009 hockey tournament then visit rubaisport.com.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

New Zealand Hockey Coach Wants His Team to Reach the Final of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

New Zealand men’s hockey team coach Shane McLeod has set his sight on a final spot of upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament to start from 6 April 2009 in Malaysia. New Zealand is sending a development squad to the tournament, looking to create chances for the young players who would get exposure through this tournament. Alongside New Zealand, there are four other teams including India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Egypt. No doubt, India, Pakistan and New Zealand are the ultimate favorites for the tournament.

Shane McLeod said that their initial target is to make it to the final which, he believes, would not be easy as there are teams like India and Pakistan. He also added that their success in the tournament would depend on the performances of some of the young players who are yet to show their talent and skill in international arena. Experienced players like regular captain Ryan Archibald, Hayden Shaw, Phil Burrows, Simon Child, Brad Shaw and Shea McAleese are all missing from the tournament. New Zealand’s recent performance is not satisfactory as they were beaten 2-0 by India in a home test series. However, I think, it was a good decision to feature a number of young players in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament because this way, New Zealand could bring out some new faces who could strengthen New Zealand squad ahead of next year’s world cup hockey.

Related article:

NZ Herald

New Zealand Hockey Coach Wants His Team to Reach the Final of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

New Zealand men’s hockey team coach Shane McLeod has set his sight on a final spot of upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament to start from 6 April 2009 in Malaysia. New Zealand is sending a development squad to the tournament, looking to create chances for the young players who would get exposure through this tournament. Alongside New Zealand, there are four other teams including India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Egypt. No doubt, India, Pakistan and New Zealand are the ultimate favorites for the tournament.

Shane McLeod said that their initial target is to make it to the final which, he believes, would not be easy as there are teams like India and Pakistan. He also added that their success in the tournament would depend on the performances of some of the young players who are yet to show their talent and skill in international arena. Experienced players like regular captain Ryan Archibald, Hayden Shaw, Phil Burrows, Simon Child, Brad Shaw and Shea McAleese are all missing from the tournament. New Zealand’s recent performance is not satisfactory as they were beaten 2-0 by India in a home test series. However, I think, it was a good decision to feature a number of young players in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament because this way, New Zealand could bring out some new faces who could strengthen New Zealand squad ahead of next year’s world cup hockey.

Related article:

NZ Herald

Friday, April 3, 2009

Ice Hockey Suffering from Global Economic Recession

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in USA and Canada. I did not know that it has good fan base in Japan too. Japan's Seibu Prince Rabbits cannot continue out anymore and it is a big shock for all the ice hockey fans in Asia. So, now there is not too many clubs in Asia Ice Hockey League (AIHL).

Reuters reported:

Seibu were unable to maintain their operations with attendances slumping amid an economic downturn which already has claimed several big-name victims in Japanese sport.

Rabbits owners Prince Hotel said they had failed to find a buyer despite holding talks with more than 20 interested parties.

Seibu's pullout leaves the AIHL without a team based in Tokyo. Three of the remaining clubs are Japanese with two from South Korea, along with the Shanghai-based China Sharks.

Surely a bad news and there is nothing to be done except to hope that we do not have to hear more bad news regarding the recession.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Indian Hockey Team Preparing for Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy

Indian hockey team is going to take part in the Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy starting from 5 April 2009 in Malaysia. Indian team has held their pre-tournament camp in Bhopal after winning a hockey test series 2-0 against New Zealand. No doubt, team India has had a number of successes over the past few months. India became runner up in the Punjab Gold Cup hockey tournament earlier this year being lost to Netherlands in the tournament final.


Indian team is considering the tournament as a preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup tournament which will take place in Kuantan, Malaysia from 9 to 16 May. Indian hockey team failed to qualify for Beijing Olympics last year and was fully criticized for their poor form. However, since the complete overhaul of hockey football federation, Indian team has started showing prospect on the field.


Related article:

Sindhtoday