Green Card to Goalkeeper Can Kill

KICKING-BACK or lamb in the New Zealand slaughter house?

The Malaysian Hockey federation (MHF) requested for clarification form the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on the new green card ruling which is being used in the France Qualifier right now, and will be used in New Zealand from Saturday.
Players get two minutes, fair enough, but the ruling on goalkeeper can kill a match, or an outfield player.
The FIH confirmed that a green card to the goalkeeper will see him sitting out for two minutes, and a kicking back nominated, but no substitution allowed.

And here is the icing: No time will be given to the kicking-fullback to don protective gear!

The FIH have have turned hockey into a dangerous game, and will the FIH be responsible in the event the kicking back, who is not given time to wear protective gear, gets hurt badly in the head while trying to stop the ball?
Is there insurance? What if a player dies while doing the duty of kicking back?
Fools make laws which are endorsed by bigger fools, and only idiots will not protest, but follow like lamb in the slaughter house.
Time for the Asian Hockey Federation, right up to the Chile Hockey Federation to send a protest note to the FIH, or forever remain silent and don't make a fuss if a player dies on the pitch for another's Green Card mistake.

By BRENDON EGAN

Star Black Sticks striker Simon Child does not want to think about the possibility of New Zealand not featuring at next year's men's Hockey World Cup.
The Black Sticks have a proud record of having qualified for seven of the 11 World Cup tournaments since 1971. If they want to progress to an eighth, though, they will have to win the World Cup qualifier tournament, which begins on Saturday in Invercargill.
Child said missing out on next year's World Cup would be a disaster for the national side.
"If we fail to qualify, we may fall off the hockey map. It's crucial that we qualify."
Eighth-ranked New Zealand will start the tournament as firm favourites and Child said there was a positive mood in the camp, three days out from their opening match against Wales on Saturday.
"We're very confident. We're obviously the highest-ranked team. We've had a pretty good preparation and been in camp for a while ... Everyone is confident and raring to go."
China, who are ranked 13th in the world, and Malaysia (16th) shape as the Black Sticks' toughest rivals at the qualifying tournament, but Child noted that three European sides – Austria, Wales and Scotland – would have to be treated with the respect they deserved.
"We have to be wary in all the games," Child said.
"It's a cut-throat tournament and if you slip up, your chances are gone just like that."
Child was especially looking forward to the match against China, after the Chinese effectively knocked the Black Sticks out of last year's Beijing Olympics by holding them to a surprise draw in group play.
"That was a disappointing game for us ...This will be our revenge, I think," Child said.
New Zealand have named their strongest possible side for the winner-takes-all tournament, with all their European-based players back in the country.
Dunedin-raised teenager Hugo Inglis is the only uncapped player in the squad and Child, who teamed up with the youngster for New Zealand at the Junior World Cup, earlier this year, rated him highly.
"He's a very talented guy. He's got some fantastic skills and has a good eye in front of goal. He's going to be an exciting player for the Black Sticks in the future."
Child has racked up 106 caps for New Zealand since his debut in 2005 as a 16-year-old schoolboy and despite his tender age is now regarded as one of the more experienced members in the side.
He said he was eager to have a strong tournament and will be looking to carry over the red-hot goalscoring form he has shown for the New Zealand Juniors and his NHL team Auckland this year.

Malaysia bank on 'fighting spirit'

ROBYN EDIE/Southland Times: PRACTICE RUN: Malaysian hockey star Jiwa Mohan makes a run during a training session at Turnbull Thomson Park in Invercargill yesterday.

By BRENDON EGAN - The Southland Times
Malaysia's national hockey team was enjoying the unusual feeling of anonymity at Turnbull Thomson Park in Invercargill yesterday.
Back home in Malaysia, the sport is a big deal. Hockey is the No 1 team game and is well financed, with players revered like rock stars.
Later this week, several newspaper journalists and television film crews will arrive from Malaysia to keep passionate fans in the Southeast Asian country updated.
In recent times, Malaysia have failed to live up to the hype on the hockey pitch. They missed out on qualification for the previous two Olympic Games, as well as the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
Experienced Malaysian campaigner Jiwa Mohan, who has amassed 261 caps for his country, said his side was determined to seal a place in next year's World Cup in India, by winning the winner-takes-all World Cup qualifiers tournament in Invercargill.
"We really need to qualify," Mohan told The Southland Times yesterday. "We have failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics and the Germany World Cup. The support comes with success. That's the same everywhere in the world."
Malaysia warmed up for the World Cup qualifiers tournament – which begins on Saturday – with a five-game series against Australia in Kuala Lumpur last month. The Malaysians lost the series 3-nil with two matches drawn, but Mohan said not to read too much into those results.
"The five-test series against Australia was basically selection for our team. We had 25 players and we had to reduce it to 18 players ...
"I think we have a very good chance. We've planned our strategy and we're hoping to execute it."
Malaysia's biggest challenger at the World Cup qualifiers tournament will be the New Zealand Black Sticks, who are ranked eighth in the world – eight spots higher than 16th-ranked Malaysia.
The two sides will know each other well after having played in a five match series earlier this year, which New Zealand won 3-nil. Malaysia left several talented players at home for that series, though, so will be an entirely different proposition.
Mohan, who resides in Perth, Australia, where he works as a mechanical engineer, said his side was respectful of the Black Sticks, but said it would not be overawed by them.
He believed Malaysia had the right mix in their squad for the Invercargill tournament.
"We've got a combination of youth, who played in the recent Junior World Cup, and a few experienced players ... Our biggest strength is our fighting spirit and our unity. We have good skills as well. Basically, everything's good," the likeable Mohan said, laughing.

FINAL FAREWELL

By S.S. Dhaliwal

It are the lessons in life that Tai Beng Hai learnt from his late father that will now serve him in his quest to ensure Malaysia qualifies for the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.
Beng Hai arrived from Invercargill last night to pay his final respects to his beloved father, Tai Chin Seng who passed away Tuesday after being involved in a hit and run accident on Sunday morning in Taiping.
The funeral services will commence at noon today and Beng Hai was driven straight from KLIA to Taiping upon his arrival last night by his best friend M. Sambu, a former international.
Beng Hai recalled how his father had always emphasized on the need to do one’s best in their chosen field. And one of the lessons Beng Hai learnt from his father was to aim for the top.
Chin Seng, 77 succumbed to his injuries despite an operation to remove a blood clot and Beng Hai was praying that his father would recover, but fate dealt a cruel blow.
“This is fated and something we have to accept in life. I had to return to pay my respects as he was so proud of my hockey career,” said Beng Hai.
“Right from the time I was in school until I made the national team, my father kept encouraging me to play hockey.
“He used to be so happy to see my name and picture appear in the newspapers and I sensed that he was happy with my involvement in hockey, always wanting me to aim for the top.
Beng Hai last met his father upon the completion of the Test Matches against Australia and said there was never any indication that that would be their last meeting.
Upon completion of the funeral, Beng Hai will head for KLIA today and make his way back to Invercargill where Malaysia opens accounts in the qualifiers against Austria on Saturday.
“The pitch is quite bumpy but we have had five sessions since we arrived last Sunday and that has allowed the players to get used to it,” said Beng Hai.
“My concern is really the winds as it can get very chilly and it has been raining the past few days. So this will affect thr players somewhat.
“But that is something that we have to overcome as the team is more then ready to take on the opposition once the tournament gets underway.
"The players are focussed on the task ahead and have been working hard since our arrival."
When asked if the good performances of Pakistan and Japan, the two Asian teams playing in the qualifiers at France was something that could provide his team with a confidence booster, Beng Hai had this to say;
“We will take it one match at a time and not underestimate any team in the tournament. What is important is that we give teams their due respect but not fear them.
“A good start on Saturday will set into motion our quest to make the World Cup and I have confidence in the ability of the players selected to undertake this task.”
And from the heavens, Beng Hai will have his father looking over him as he guides Malaysia step by step to a place in New Delhi.