Argentina, Chile and US in 2009 Junior World Cup

CHAMPIONS ARGENTINA
SILVER MEDALLISTS CHILE
BRONZE MEDALLISTS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Argentina maintained their stranglehold over hockey in the western hemisphere on Sunday night with a 3-0 win over Chile in the 2009 Junior Pan American Hockey final at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua.
The Pan-American qualifiers for the 2009 Junior World Cup, which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host are Argentina, Chile and USA.
As officials signalled the end of the contest, Argentine players whipped off their tops and waved them overhead and danced on the turf before setting off on a lap of honour. They capped their celebrations with a slide on their chests-not a trick for the fainthearted on Astroturf. And yet, despite their exuberance, they have only ever known success at this level. There have been nine Pan American under-21 tournaments and Argentina won every one. Their obsession with winning, matched with their technique and ball movement, should not be quickly forgotten by the host nation, whose own representatives finished seventh.
Chile were second in the past two successive tournaments and looked worthy contenders but they struggled to match the fluidity of their South American neighbours and, by the second half, were clinging on grimly.
Chile restricted Argentina's penalty corner opportunities and then swarmed specialist Leandro Tolini when he did get a chance from the set piece. But they could not stem Argentina's flow from open play as Augustin Mazzilli scored in either half and Santiago Montelli chipped in one, four minutes before the interval.
Earlier, the United States won their first medal in the history of the competition as they shocked Canada 6-5 on penalty strokes after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The US, who beat Trinidad and Tobago to a semi-final spot, will now advance to the Singapore 2009 Junior World Cup alongside Argentina and Chile.
Canada scored first through a Taylor Self penalty corner in the 14th minute but the US replied, four minutes later, with a Will Holt penalty corner. Holt put US ahead, four minutes from time, only for Sebastien Scheurer to equalise within seconds to send the game into extra time. In the end, it was the "Yankees" who held their nerve from the penalty spot.
In the showcase fixture, Chile had the first opportunity as Argentine goalkeeper Federico Bermejillo produced a brilliant save to deny Martin Rodriguez. But the Chilean defence became increasingly stretched by their opponents' movement and Mazzilli eventually broke clear to finish after a return pass from Alan Andino in the 29th minute.
It was 2-0, two minutes later, as playmaker Montelli ventured forward to finish after a quickly taken free hit from Nahuel Salis.
Argentina were winning penalty corners by then but Tolini, who was adjudged the tournament's best player and top scorer with 14 goals, could not find a way past Chile custodian Alfredo Mella who was well protected by his ball attackers. But Mazzilli gave the defending champions further insurance after another forward charge.
It was the prelude to a party.
Earlier on the USA clinched the crucial World Cup spot, with a hard fought 4-3 penalty-strokes win over Canada after both teams battled to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation (70 minutes) and extra-time (15 minutes).

Results:

Final: ARGENTINA 3 (Alejandro Mazzilli 29th, 66th, Alan Gabriel Andino 66th) vs CHILE 0.

Third Placed: CANADA 2 (Taylor Self 14th, Derrick Norton 67th) vs USA 2 (Will Holt 18th, 66th field goal). USA won 4-3 on penalties.

Final placings: 1. Argentina; 2. Chile; 3. USA; 4. Canada; 5. Mexico; 6. Barbados; 7. T&T; 8. Puerto Rico; 9. Brazil; 10. Jamaica; 11. Guyana.

Awards:
Player of the Tournament: Leandro Tolini (Argentina)
Most Goals: Leandro Tolini (Argentina) 17 goals -16 penalty corners)
Best Goalkeeper: Kevin Segeren (USA)
Fairplay Trophy: Guyana

Big battle for deputy president's post

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) deputy pres ident’s post will see a keen four-corner fight on Nov 1, as there were no withdrawals when the deadline ended yes terday.
In fact, two deputy president nominees pulled out their vice-president’s nominations to concentrate on the number two position.
Tengku Majid Sultan Iskandar, the incumbent deputy president, will be challenged by three-term vice-president Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema, two-term vice-president Nur Azmi Ahmad and newcomer Ken Pereira.
Azmi and Ken Pereira, however, will be going for broke as they withdrew their veep nominations, while Dr Cheema still holds his veep card.
Former international Poon Fook Loke also pulled out of the veep race, which will now see eight candidates battling for four positions.
“Although the deadline for withdrawing from elections is today (yesterday), candidates can still pull out on the day of the elections,” said MHF secretary Hashim Yusoff, who was also not challenged for another term.
Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah became the new MHF president when nominations closed on Nov 25, and incumbent Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor withdrew, leaving no challengers for the No 1 post.
Penang HA secretary Ranjit Singh chipped in with advise for the delegates when casting their votes on Nov 1.
“I hope the delegates will select the best available, and keep in mind that some incumbent made many promises before the last elections but delivered nothing.
“Keep in mind the funds promised, sponsorship of hockey sticks, RM5,000 to each state, and subsidies if elected which were used as carrot to win votes, but in the end, nothing was delivered and the MHF is in worse state than before,” reminded Ranjit.
The MHF have only RM20,000 in their coffers and are in debt to a tune of RM1.1 million. The hockey team is also a lowly ranked 15th in the world, and those elected for the next term have their work cut out right after they are declared winners on Nov 1.
Then there is the 2009 Junior World Cup which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host, which is still at an infant stage of planning.
NOMINATIONS -- President: Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ah mad (13).
Deputy President: Tengku Majid Sultan Iskandar (incum bent, 5), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (1), Nur Azmi Ahmad (6), Ken Pereira (1).
Vice-Presidents: Datuk Sri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh (incumbent, 12), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (incumbent, 7), Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff (incumbent, 10), Datuk Salamon Selamat (3), M. Gobinathan (5), Johari Abdul Aziz (1), DSP Mohinder Singh (1), Majid Manjit Abdullah (2).
Automatic Vice-presidents: Sabah -- Datuk Ramilee Mara haban; Sarawak: Datuk Bustari Yusof.
Secretary: Hashim Yusoff (12).
Treasurer: S. Sanjilatheeban (incumbent, 11), Abdul Rah man Shariff (1).

Tengku Abdullah new MHF president

TENGKU Abdullah Sultan Ahmad (pic) became the new Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president unopposed, as no challenger surfaced when nominations closed yes terday.
And his smooth transition into the hot seat was was greased with the 11th-hour withdrawal of incumbent Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor. Tengku Abdullah received 13 nominations, indicating a strong tide of belief from states and incumbents.
While it was all rosy at the top, the incumbent deputy president Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar, who received five nominations, will face three challengers in incumbent vice- presidents Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema and Nur Azmi Ahmad; and Ken Pereira.
“Since the states have nominated me for the deputy president’s post again, I will stand for elections, and there is no question of pulling out from the race,” said Tunku Majid.
The MHF elections will be held on Nov 1, and candidates have until Oct 29 to withdraw from the race. There are 10 incumbent, and 32 affiliate votes.
Incumbent sectary Hashim Yusoff was the other candidate who has returned unopposed, and he received 12 nom inations.
The vice-president’s post will see a keen contest, as 11 names have been submitted including that of the four incumbents, while the treasurer’s seat warmed by incum bent S. Sanjilatheeban, who received 11 nominations, saw only one challenger in Abdul Rahman Shariff who only had one nomination.
Sabah and Sarawak, who have a constitutional right to name their vice-presidents, picked Datuk Ramilee Mara haban and Datuk Bustari Yusof.
The nominations were released by Hashim one hour after the noon dead-line.
Tengku Abdullah, who held a dialogue session with in cumbents and MHF affiliates last week, will be going in with his eyes wide open, as he has been briefed on the sorry state of the national team, and the empty coffers.
Some of those who have been nominated are expected to throw in the towel by Oct 29, bringing more changes into the MHF. Outgoing president Anwar could not be reached for comments.
NOMINATIONS -- President: Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ah mad (13).
Deputy President: Tengku Majid Sultan Iskandar (incum bent, 5), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (1), Nur Azmi Ahmad (6), Ken Pereira (1).
Vice-Presidents: Datuk Sri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh (incumbent, 12), Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema (incumbent, 7), Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff (incumbent, 10), Datuk Poon Fook Loke (1), Datuk Salamon Selamat (3), Nur Azmi Ahmad (1), M. Gobinathan (5), Johari Abdul Aziz (1), Ken Pereira (2), DSP Mohinder Singh (1), Majid Manjit Abdullah (2).
Automatic Vice-presidents: Sabah -- Datuk Ramilee Mara haban; Sarawak: Datuk Bustari Yusof.
Secretary: Hashim Yusoff (12).
Treasurer: S. Sanjilatheeban (incumbent, 11), Abdul Rah man Shariff (1).

Tengku Abdullah looks good

AT high noon today, a strong wind of change is expected to sweep away Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor and his deputy Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar when nominations close for the Nov 1 elections.
Police HA, Penang HA, Pahang HA Malacca HA and many more states have held their council meetings, and their unanimous choice to helm MHF is Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad.
“We held our council meeting on Thursday, and have nominated Tengku Abdullah for the president’s post, while Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema for the deputy president’s.
“We believe there is a need for chance at the top to revive hockey and we hope our sentiments are shared by other states,” said Police HA president DSP Mohinder Singh, a former national skipper.
And it is strongly believed that Tengku Abdullah’s home state Pahang, have also received instructions to nominate him for president.
In Penang, the state HA also confirmed that they have nominated Tengku Abdullah.
Penang HA secretary, Ranjit Singh, said: “We are confident that with Tengku Abdullah’s vast experience in sports ad ministration, the Pahang Prince is the most capable person for the top post.
Penang, however, have nominated Malacca HA deputy president and two-term MHF vice president Nur Azmi Ah mad for the deputy president’s post.
“We see a good team in Tengku Abdullah and Nur Azmi to steer hockey out of its present state.
“This decision was arrived at after a through discussion and also taking the present scenario into consideration,” said Ranjit.
And Nur Azmi also confirmed that Malacca HA have nominated Tengku Abdullah.
“We believe Tengku Abdullah is the best person, and hockey needs to be saved, as it is now or never,” said Nur Azmi.
And at an early count, the states favour incumbent vice- president’s Dr Cheema, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh and Datuk Abdul Rahim Ariff.
Some of the other names for veep that have cropped up are Ken Pereira, former international Poon Fook Loke and Negri HA vice president M. Gopinathan.
As for the secretary and treasurer, the tide still favours incumbents Sgt Hashim Yusoff and S. Sanjilatheeban.
At noon today, the full list of nominations will be released by the MHF.

Nominate with head, not heart: Fook Loke

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) biennial election nominations close this Saturday, but until yesterday there has only been a trickle of entries.
It is common knowledge, that the states are still holding their favourite candidates close to their chests, and some will only fax in the nomination papers at the 11th-hour.
“Nominations close at noon on Saturday, after which we will release it to the press,” said MHF secretary Sgt Hashim Yusoff.
States are still confused with the signal sent out by their presidential hopeful Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad, as he has yet to confirm nor deny that he is interested to become the next president.
Incumbent president Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor and his deputy Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar have also been non-committal, with both agreeing that the man which gets the highest number of nominations will helm MHF for another term.
However, many including Datuk Poon Fook Loke, believe that states should select someone who is willing to work, as there is not much money left in the MHF coffers, while the team is ranked a miserable 15th in the world.
“States have to select candidates who have a passion for hockey, and only then can some repair be done to the Federation as well as the hockey team.
“Only two more days are left for them to decide on their candidates, and my advise to them is to think carefully, as hockey is in a bad state today, and work is cut out for those who are elected on Nov 1,” said Fook Loke.
When Fook Loke was playing hockey on grass, Malaysia ended fourth in the 1975 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, and he is has been on the MHF selection committee since 1997, and has held many other posts in the Federation.
“When we started planning for the 2005 (Rotterdam) Junior World Cup, it was an uphill task as there were not many promising juniors then. But the 2005 team has now matured and played in many other international tour naments, but the problem is still the same, as we do not have capable juniors anymore.
“Only those committed to hockey should be elected, and even then, it will be many years more of hard work before we can see results,” said Fook Loke.