LAHORE: The India Hockey Federation has expressed its inability to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to organise a four-nation tournament, a dress rehearsal, before hosting the 2010 World Cup, mainly because it was facing problems in making security arrangements due to the participation of the Pakistan team in the quadrangular tournament.
Well informed sources told Dawn that the IHF asked the FIH that though it could make maximum strict security arrangements for the mega event to be held in Feb-March, to organise a four-nation tournament involving Pakistan, needs extraordinary security arrangements and that could not be possible for just a dress-rehearsal competition.
The FIH had asked the IHF to organise the said tournament, with the entry of Pakistan as a must, as it would help to check security arrangements before the World Cup. The tournament was proposed for January.
The strained political relations between India and Pakistan after the Mumbai attack in Nov 2008 had suspended bilateral sports activities between the two countries. Due to it cricket ties as well hockey have been seriously affected.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), which is searching for some international matches desperately, as part of their preparations for the World Cup now is focusing much on the alternate plan to play some matches against European teams at neutral venues in Dubai.
Sources said a development in this regard could be made in the next couple of days.
Dawn
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Negre assures Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: International Hockey Federation President Leandro Negre has assured Pakistan that their players would be provided with adequate security when they tour India for next year's World Cup."I believe that the organisers will be providing special security to Pakistan team because there could be some crazy elements who may try to take advantage of presence of Pakistan team in India to create a bad situation,"Negre said.
"Security of Pakistan team is a very important issue in the prevailing situation and FIH will play its due role in this regard,"the FIH chief said.
Asked about the possibility of Pakistani players facing visa problems as was in the case of cricketers wanting to play in Indian Premier League, he said, "FIH is in constant with the Indian authorities and I am confident that there will be no such problem as we look forward to an exciting and successful World Cup in India.
"FIH is monitoring the situation on regular basis and there should be any problem for issuing visas to Pakistan and their safe stay in India,"he said.
Negre also favoured resumption of India-Pakistan hockey ties and suggested neutral venue for such series.
"It's the best way to resume bilateral hockey ties between the two countries,"he said.
The Times of India
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
India, Pakistan in same World Cup group
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has released the pools for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, to be played in
Defending World Champion Germany is the top seed in Pool A and will meet
Host
Following the pool phase of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, the best two ranked teams of each pool will proceed to the semifinals.
The match schedule for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup will be released before the end of December 2009.
Hero Honda FIH World Cup, 28 February-13 March 2010:
Pool A:
Pool B:
Monday, December 14, 2009
MHF still await Oltmans
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) are still keen to hire a foreign coach, but have yet to receive a reply from Dutchman Roelant Oltmans.
The MHF held their management committee meeting in Penang on Sunday, in conjunction with the USM Penang- International Sixes and Sevens, but could not reach a concrete decision.
“We only had a brief discussion because National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkeples Embong cold not make it for the meeting.
“The MHF is still keen to hire a foreign coach, but until we do so, Tai Beng Hai remains as the interim coach,” said MHF secretary Hashim Yusoff.
Hashim said the MHF has short-listed three coaches, and the coaching committee has been told to submit their recommendations.
“I know that it has been a year that Beng Hai has been an interim coach, but I believe we should be able to get a reply from the coaches that we have contacted by the end of this year.”
Oltmans has a contract with clubside Larens until 2012, and the MHF will have to pay a bomb to secure his release, and then pay him and his assistant at least Euro 16,000 per- month.
Malaysia will be involved in the Asian Champions Trophy, the Azlan Shah Cup, Asian and Commonwealth Games next year and the MHF are keen to seal a foreign deal as soon as possible.
The MHF held their management committee meeting in Penang on Sunday, in conjunction with the USM Penang- International Sixes and Sevens, but could not reach a concrete decision.
“We only had a brief discussion because National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkeples Embong cold not make it for the meeting.
“The MHF is still keen to hire a foreign coach, but until we do so, Tai Beng Hai remains as the interim coach,” said MHF secretary Hashim Yusoff.
Hashim said the MHF has short-listed three coaches, and the coaching committee has been told to submit their recommendations.
“I know that it has been a year that Beng Hai has been an interim coach, but I believe we should be able to get a reply from the coaches that we have contacted by the end of this year.”
Oltmans has a contract with clubside Larens until 2012, and the MHF will have to pay a bomb to secure his release, and then pay him and his assistant at least Euro 16,000 per- month.
Malaysia will be involved in the Asian Champions Trophy, the Azlan Shah Cup, Asian and Commonwealth Games next year and the MHF are keen to seal a foreign deal as soon as possible.
Kiwis polish off Pakistan
11:35 5-6 RSA : CHN 5:0 (2:0)
14:05 3-4 ARG : IND 2:3 (2:1)
16:35 1-2 NZL : PAK 4:2 (2:2)
2. Pakistan
3. India
4. Argentina
5. South Africa
6. China
7. Belgium
8. Canada
Game 20 – Final – New Zealand v. Pakistan: 4-2 (half-time: 2-2)
Statistics between the two teams before this final (compiled by B.G.Joshi, Bhopal, India):
Matches played: 43 - Pakistan won 34, New Zealand won 4 - 5 draws
Goals for Pakistan: 149 - Goals for New Zealand: 65
Biggest Wins for Pakistan: 12-3 in 1982 World Cup in Mumbai
Biggest Wins for New Zealand: 7-1 in 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games
Last played: 2009 Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh: New Zealand won 2-1
The much expected Final between New Zealand and Pakistan, the top two ranked teams in the competition, started immediately at high pace. New Zealand had to concede a penalty-corner in the 7th minute, and Sohail ABBAS scored it dutifully although Kyle PONTIFEX got a piece of the shot. New Zealand replied with a penalty-corner of their own, using an option with Ryan ARCHIBALD deflecting on the post.
The game was back to square one and the initial nerves shaken. New Zealand then scored a sumptuous goal by Phillip BURROWS diving full length to deflect a cross from the left, then read well the second penalty-corner for ABBAS. Pakistan could not penetrate the compact New Zealand defense and tried to use long passes but they seldom came close enough to be dangerous, let alone win the coveted penalty-corner for ABBAS to officiate. It is finally in the last minute of the period that Rehan BUTT pounced on a ball in the crowded circle and acrobatically managed to shoot it out of reach of PONTIFEX.
Second half started under hot summer sun finally arrived over Salta. New Zealand were consistently dangerous upfront by Simon CHILD, Phillip BURROWS and Ryan ARCHIBALD, circulating the ball with speed and accuracy. Their best chance was for Nicholas WILSON, deflecting the ball from close range on the crossbar, but the score did not evolve. Pakistan had three additional unsuccessful penalty-corners then New Zealand scored two goals in quick succession in the last five minutes, first by Steven EDWARDS then Phillip BURROWS, both at the conclusion of fast offensive moves that swept away the Pakistani defense.
Sohail ABBAS missed another penalty-corner and New Zealand could soon celebrate their first Champions Challenge victory with their traditional haka.
BDO Champions Challenge I (men) –
(7-8) Belgium - Canada 2:0 (1:0)
BEL 24mn Alexandre DEPAEUW (FG) 1:0
BEL 50mn Renaud PANGRAZIO (FG) 2:0
(5-6) South Africa - China 5:0 (2:0)
RSA 8mn Thornton McDADE (FG) 1:0
RSA 26mn Julian HYKES (FG) 2:0
RSA 38mn Justin REID-ROSS (PC) 3:0
RSA 42mn Gareth CARR (FG) 4:0
RSA 68mn Austin SMITH (FG) 5:0
(3-4) Argentina - India 2:3 (2:1)
ARG 22mn Facundo CALLIONI (FG) 1:0
ARG 29mn Facundo CALLIONI (FG) 2:0
IND 35+mn Vokkaliga RAGHUNATH (PC) 2:1
IND 54mn Gurbaj SINGH (FG) 2:2
IND 69mn Dhananjay MAHADIK (PC) 2:3
(Final) New Zealand - Pakistan 4:2 (2:2)
PAK 7mn Sohail ABBAS (PC) 0:1
NZL 15mn Ryan ARCHIBALD (PC) 1:1
NZL 20mn Phillip BURROWS (FG) 1:2
PAK 35mn Rehan BUTT (FG) 2:2
NZL 65mn Steven EDWARDS (FG) 3:2
NZL 66mn Phillip BURROWS (FG) 4:2
Final Standings: 1) New Zealand (qualify for the 2010 Champions Trophy) 2) Pakistan 3) India 4) Argentina 5) South Africa 6) China 7) Belgium 8) Canada
Individual Awards:
Player of the Tournament: Sardar SINGH (India)
Goal-keeper of the Tournament: Kyle PONTIFEX (New Zealand)
Top goal scorer: Pedro IBARRA (Argentina), 8 goals
Fair Play: Argentina
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