Pakistan Defeated New Zealand in Sultan Azlan Shah Men’s Hockey Tournament

Pakistan men’s hockey team defeated New Zealand 6-3 in Sultan Azlan Shah Men’s hockey tournament. The sixth ranked Pakistan played superb and dominated throughout the match. However, New Zealanders also created some challenges for Pakistan. In fact, ninth ranked New Zealand opened scoring in the 11^th minute of the match, before Pakistan bounced back to score four goals within next 15 minutes. During half time, the score line was 4-2.

The New Zealand Herald reported:

Phillip Burrows gave New Zealand the lead after just 11 minutes from a well-taken field goal but the sixth ranked Pakistanis came back to score four in 15 minutes.

Hayden Shaw narrowed the margin with a penalty corner goal just before halftime and then made it 4-3 from a second penalty corner.

New Zealand defeated Indian in the tournament opener. They will take on hot Malaysia in the next game of the tournament. Pakistan defeated host Malaysia in their opening match of the tournament.

India Going to Take Part in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

Indian failed to qualify to the Hockey event of Beijing Olympics Games 2008 recently. It is going to be the first time Indian hockey team is going to miss a Olympics Games in last 80 years. Recently, a much-publicized bribery incident followed by the sack of Indian Hockey Federation has drawn huge criticism. Now, Indian hockey team has a good chance to compensate to their humiliating recent performances this week. India is going to take part in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this week along with four Olympic qualified sides: Canada, Belgium, Pakistan and New Zealand.

AFP reported:

How India fare will be closely watched with the national team in crisis after a bribery scandal and failure to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 80 years saw their controversial hockey federation sacked.

The omens however do not look good, with the fallen giants winning only one of eight games at two mini tournaments in Australia over the past fortnight.

Besides India and four Olympic qualified teams, host Malaysia and Argentina are also going to take part in the competition. Now, let us see if Indian can make some good performances in the tournament which would be a consolation for the Indian hockey fans who are disheartened by India’s recent performance.

Indian Olympic Association Takes over Indian Hockey Federation following a Bribery Scandal

Indian male hockey team has failed to qualify for the upcoming Beijing Olympics Games 2008. This is the first time India has failed to book a place at the final of Olympic Games Hockey competition since field hockey included in Olympic Games in 1928. This is not that the disaster has hit the Indian Hockey suddenly. In fact, over the last decade, Indian hockey was going down as their performance at international stage was being faded. Once dominating Indian hockey team is now fighting to revive its lost pride and prowess.

Added to that, recently a high official of Indian Hockey Federation has been accused of taking bribe on a team selection. Even, this is not something new to IHF as the federation has been reportedly going through corruption over the past decade. In the aftermath of these series of blows Indian hockey received recently, Indian Olympic Association (IOC) has recently taken over the Indian Hockey Federation.

Canadian Press reported:

Indian Hockey Federation official Kumaraswamy Jothikumaran resigned last week after a television channel claimed to have filmed him accepting a cash bribe to include a player in the national squad.

On Monday, Kalmadi said Olympic rules empowered his body to take action against "member-associations involved in any undesirable activity bringing disrepute to the country."

"The IOA has taken a concrete action following media reports about corruption," Kalmadi said. "It's a painful decision we had to make."

Well, it is for sure that Indian hockey has come to a dead end from its once dominating form. So, it is badly needed to ensure there is no corruption in the hockey federation. However, taking over the IHF is not everything to develop the Indian hockey and revive its pride at the international stage. In fact, concerned authority must have a long term planning for the development of Indian hockey. I hope, Indian hockey gets back its dominance and becomes a major power in world hockey again.

Indian Hockey in Term Oil

Indian hockey fans are not happy at all these days. They have every reason to be unhappy. India failed to qualify for next Olympic Games and it offended all the fans.

The Hindu wrote:

Seeking the ouster of an "autocratic" K P S Gill, angry fans on Monday burnt the effigy of the Indian Hockey Federation President and demanded an overhauling of the IHF to save the sport.

Peeved with India's recent failure to make it to the Beijing Olympics, the Hockey Fans Club of India held a demonstration here and condemned the "lackadaisical attitude" of the federation towards the game.

United States Lost the Second Match of Olympic Qualifying Men’s Hockey Tournament

After the 1-9 humiliating defeat to Argentina in the first match, United States suffered another big margin defeat on Sunday in the Olympic men’s hockey qualifying tournament. This time the opposition was France. Argentina and New Zealand also won their respective matches over Trinidad and Tobago and Ireland respectively.

In the 4-7 loss, United States also had chance to win the match as they were leading 4-3 at one stage in the second half. However, United States conceded four straight goals with what their likely victory went out of their hand. Now, United States has three matches left in the tournament and they need a miracle to win the tournament in order to get the ticket of Beijing Olympics Games 2008.

ESPN Sports reported:

The Americans (0-2) must win the six-team event to advance to the Beijing Games. The U.S. men haven't appeared in the Olympics since 1996.

Jarred Martin, Pat Harris, Nate Coolidge and Andy Sheridan scored for the Americans, who led 4-3 in the second half before allowing four straight goals.

Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland Won in Olympic Qualifying Hockey Tournament

Men’s field hockey Olympic qualifying tournament has been started from Saturday. In the opening day, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland projected easy victory. Lucas Vila steered Argentina to a 9-1 victory over United States. New Zealand got his highest margin victory of the day with 12-0 smashing over Trinidad and Tobago. Ireland won against France 4-0 in their first match. The winner of the tournament will get the ticket of Olympics Games.

International Herald Tribune reported:

Ireland beat France 4-0 and New Zealand beat Trinidad and Tobago 12-0 on the opening day of the six-nation tournament which continues until Feb. 10.

The winner qualifies for the field hockey tournament at the Beijing Olympics in August.

India to Start Olympics Qualifying Mission from 1 March

Indian hockey team will start their Olympics qualifying mission from March 1. India will play their first match against Mexico, who has replaced Egypt following their withdrawal due to financial constraints. Besides India and Mexico, the tournament features Bangladesh, England and Austria. Each team will play five matches in the tournament. The final match will be held on March 9 March.

Newindpress reported:

“Mexico replacing Egypt is not a big problem for India. The biggest hurdle is England. We have to beat them twice to qualify, god willing we will be able to do,’’ said IHF secretary Jothikumaran.
“Our preparations are in full swing. The Test series against Belgium will give our boys good practice. After the Test series our boys will train in Perth from February 1 to 15. They will play practice matches against Western Australia and Chinese team,” added Jothikumaran.