Jivan among shortlisted trio..

NATIONAL hockey chief coach Paul Revington yesterday named three players for the two remaining Asia Cup spots, as he wanted to utilise home ground advantage to the maximum.
   The tournament, in Ipoh from Aug 24-Sept 1, also doubles up as a World Cup Qualifier with only the champion making the grade.
   The South African had earlier named 16 players, all of whom had played in the World League Semi-finals in Johor Baru, and left two spots vacant -- one of which belonged to the late Chua Boon Huat.
    Yesterday, after completing a five-day training stint at the tournament venue, he named Azreen Rizal, Jivan Mohan and Ramadhan Rosli as the probables.
    “We completed our Training Camp in Ipoh where the full squad attended and worked very hard together.
   “We are playing at home and therefore want to make full use of this small advantage by naming the final two positions in the Asia Cup team as late as possible.
    “We will name the two players after completion of the warm-up game against India on Aug 21,” said Revington.
     South Korea might be the only Asian team who would have qualified for the World Cup before the start of the Asia Cup, depending on the Pan American Cup final between Argentina and Canada on Saturday.
    If Argentina, who have already qualified for the World Cup, win the Pan American Cup, World League Semi-finals fourth placed South Korea will be handed the ticket to the Hague, Netherlands World Cup next year.
    After Korea, the ball moves to Spain’s court and they need to be among the semi-finalists in the Euro Championships from Aug 17-25, for Malaysia’s turn to appear in the Oceania Cup list.
     Malaysian team manager George Koshy however, wants to live the World Cup dream by becoming Asia Cup champions for the first time.
    “When we failed to make the semi-finals of the World League, it became crystal clear to us  that we had two options to qualify for the World Cup -- either hope and pray that the teams that qualified via the World League (except Asia of course) will become continent champions or we needed to  win the Asia Cup.
   “Although the former will ease the pressure on the team but the latter is what the team is striving for. So, we must utilise home ground advantage to qualify and live our World Cup dream.”
    For the record, Malaysia has only touched bronze in the Asia Cup.
    However, the current qualification structure is much kinder to teams like Malaysia.
    “The current qualification structure is so much  fairer to teams like ours as compared to having to play in qualifying tournaments where only a single team qualifies,” said George Koshy.
    And with South Korea looking the best best to be qualifiers before the Asia Cup -- Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Japan, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Oman will be in an intense battle in Ipoh for the gold medal.

South Korea gets first bite..

THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed  yesterday that if Argentina win gold in the ongoing Pan  American Cup, the South Americans will also take South  Korea into the World Cup.
   Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) vice-president  Manjit Majid Abdullah said: “FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather  confirmed in a conversation with me that if Argentina win  gold in the Pan American, South Korea will qualify for the  World Cup.
    “After that, it is Spain’s turn followed by Malaysia.”
    This came about after South Korea finished fourth in the  World League Semi-finals in Johor Baru while Spain were  fifth in the World League in the Netherlands.
     Malaysia also finished fifth in Johor, but as Spain are  higher ranked than Malaysia, they will get the first bite at the  pie.
    “Argentina are on fire in the Pan American now, and  should win the gold with ease. After that, the Euro Championships start (Aug 17-25) and we will know if Spain make  the grade from there.
    “Spain can even finish fifth in Euro and still qualify as in  that continental championship, Belgium, Germany, England  and Netherlands have qualified for the World Cup.”
   And if Spain qualify by reaching the semi-finals before Aug  24, Malaysia need not break sweat in the Asia Cup on Aug 24- Sept 1 in Ipoh, as their place is cemented by the Oceania Cup  which will run from Oct 30-Nov 3.
   New Zealand and Australia, both of whom who have  qualified for the World Cup, will only be playing for ranking  against each other in the Oceania Cup.
   “So Argentina need to start the ball rolling with a win, and  before the start of the Asia Cup, we will know if Malaysia have  also qualified for the World Cup,” said Manjit.
     In the Johor World League, the top three qualified for the  World Cup --- Germany, Argentina and England.
    And in the World League in Netherlands; Netherlands,  Belgium, Australia and New Zealand made the grade to the  World Cup.
    And going by Argentina’s current form in the Pan Amer ican, only if they do not show up for the semi-finals or final,  will the gold medal go to another team.
   Argentina, in Group A, have hammered Mexico 13-0,  United States 8-0 and Uruguay 29-0 to sail into the semi- finals of the Pan American Cup.
   They will play Trinidad and Tobago, who in Group B had  beaten Brazil 5-2, Chile 5-1, and lost to Canada 3-1.
    Canada and United States square off in the other semi- finals.
    But the best route for Malaysia, who last played in the 2012  Kuala Lumpur World Cup, is to win the Asia Cup gold in Ipoh  and make the grade with flying colours.

Argentina v Canada final ..

Argentina out-powered Trinidad & Tobago in the second half of their semi-final to finish with a comfortable win (8-0); Canada had to fight to the very end to keep a narrow one-goal lead over the USA. The two continental arch-rivals Argentina and Canada will meet in the Final of the Pan American Cup on Saturday.

Match 16 – Semi-final - Canada vs. USA: 1-0 (half-time: 1-0)

This match between Canada and the USA was a rematch of the Final of the 2009 Pan American Cup in Chile, when the Canadians narrowly edged the American 2-1 after overtime.

The Americans started at full speed, challenging Dave Carter in the Canadian goal twice in the opening minute of play and forcing a penalty-corner, but the Canadian goal-keeper was on the ball with a diving stick save.  USA kept their momentum going for the opening 7 minutes, then Mark Pearson forced a penalty-corner for Canada, but Scott Tupper’s low flick was well guarded by Sean Harris on the post.

The tone of the match was clearly given, with fast attacking hockey from both teams. Canada opened the scoring in the 10th minute by rooky Sukhpal Panesar, receiving a cross from the left, pivoting away from his guard and hammering a bullet out of reach of Chris Rea in the USA goal.

The high tempo of play continued relentlessly, much to the entertainment of the crowd. There was not much build-up in midfield, and balls were travelling quickly to high attackers at both ends of the pitch, with neither team managing to take control of the proceedings.

Matthew Guest had a strong attempt after powering his way into the circle, then Iain Smythe, then Scott Tupper on penalty-corner but the Americans weathered the storm and suddenly surged forward in the final minutes of the period, besieging the Canadian circle and earning two penalty-corners in the final minute of play. Scott Tupper managed a fantastic high stick save on Pat Harris’ flick and the break was reached with the one-goal lead for Canada, but the clear feeling that the match could go either way.

Second period started with the same scenario of both teams going wildly at each other without holding back anything. Play was entertaining for the spectators, but messy at times with unforced errors and passes going astray on both sides. With time passing and neither team able to make a meaningful move on the scoreboard, emotions started to boil up, both on the pitch, in the stands and on the team benches.

The USA forced a penalty-corner in the 50th minute but could not capitalize, then were hindered by a yellow card. Clock was slowly ticking down, although probably too slowly for the nervous home fans realizing that a one-goal lead could evaporate quickly in this kind of match.  Canada however was not trying to protect their lead and kept pushing for the break. It never came but a yellow card to Dave Jameson allowed a late surge from the Americans who had replaced their goalkeeper with an extra attacker. Under intense pressure and despite their tiring legs, the Canadians managed to hold the fort until the end.

Canada will play against their arch-rivals Argentina in the Final on Sunday; the USA will play for Bronze against Trinidad & Tobago.

Match 15 – Semi-final - Argentina vs. Trinidad & Tobago: 8-0 (half-time: 2-0)

First semi-final of 2013 Pan American Cup was played under bright summer sun in Brampton, with Trinidad & Tobago starting cautiously to avoid exposing their circle to the powerful Argentinean armada (with 4 of their strikers in the top 5 goal scorers of the tournament!). First chance was however for Trinidad & Tobago on a penalty-corner earned by Mickell Pierre, but Kwan Browne’s powerful attempt was well handled by Juan Vivaldi, facing his first serious challenge in this competition.   

Both teams did not bother much about patient built-up in midfield and the ball was flowing quickly from one end to the other, with frequent long aerial balls. Argentina were denied on their first two penalty-corners by Andrey Rocke in the Trinidadian goal, and seemed to struggle at time to find their rhythm in front of skillful opponents, well organized in defense around Kwan Browne.

Argentina were denied again on penalty-corner by Andrey Rocke, and Trinidad & Tobago had a golden chance on their swift counter-attack but Christopher Scipio’s diving deflection in front of the Argentinean keeper went just wide. Argentina were finally successful on their fifth penalty-corner in the 29th minute, powered out of reach of the goal-keeper by Gonzalo Peillat. Peillat immediately doubled his tally on another penalty-corner, and Argentina were suddenly seating on a two-goal lead going into the half-time break.

Argentina scored early in second period after a lengthy sequence of pin-ball in front of Andrey Rocke, finally tapped in by Argentinean captain Lucas Rey. Then Lucas Vila inherited a ball alone on the penalty-stroke point and made no mistake to add another goal. With the gap widening, Trinidad & Tobago seemed to realize that they would not come back and their tempo declined a notch. They had a chance on penalty-corner but Kwan Browne’s low attempt did not have the same intensity as earlier in the match.

With the Trinidadian defense starting to fade under the pressure, Argentina ran away with the score, adding 6 goals to finish on the impressive mark of 8-0. They missed the final of the 2009 Pan American Cup after losing in semi-final against Canada, but will walk into Saturday’s final in Brampton without having been challenged much, except by Trinidad & Tobago in the first half of this semi-final.

Schedule for Saturday August 17:
9h00 (7-8): Brazil vs. Uruguay
11h30 (5-6): Mexico vs. Chile
16h30 (3-4): Trinidad & Tobago vs. USA
19h00 (Final): Argentina vs. Canada

Canada beat T&T 3-1..

Canada pleased the home crowd with a strong performance against Trinidad & Tobago to grab first place of Pool B; despite a win against Brazil (5-0), Chile is relegated to the second tier of the competition.

Match 12 - Canada vs. Trinidad & Tobago 3-1 (half-time: 3-1)

Before the last match of pool play, Trinidad & Tobago were leading Pool B with 6 points (2 wins), with Canada and Chile just behind with 4 points (1 win and 1 draw). Trinidad & Tobago were qualified for the semi-final whatever the result of the game, but Canada needed a win (to qualify in 1st place) or a draw (to qualify in 2nd place then face Argentina in the next round). The Chilean team was cheering for Trinidad & Tobago, as a Canadian loss would push them into a semi-final berth!

Antoni Kindler was called into action early in the Canadian goal, on a deflection from close range, and Canada were dangerous at the other end following a powerful circle penetration by Matthew Guest, to set the attacking tone of the match. Trinidad & Tobago were first on the scoreboard in the 7th minute on an own-goal by a Canadian defender on a long ball hit in the crowded circle. This set-back triggered an immediate reaction from the Canadians and they forced a penalty-corner but, as seems to be very much a trend on this pitch, could not trap the ball properly.

A long period of Canadian domination followed, but the Trinidadians were doing a good job frustrating them before they reached a shooting position. Trinidad & Tobago were dangerous on swift counter-attacks, forcing Canada to keep some deep defenders. Play was flowing back and forth in an entertaining way, but with no shooting opportunity at either end, until the 21st minute when Iain Smythe managed to find the ball in a goal-mouth scramble and propel it in the roof of the net to level the score at 1-1.

With the two teams back on par, Canada seemed to regain confidence and Andrey Rocke in the Trinidadian goal had to manage some hot situations in front of him. Canada expertly defended a penalty-corner with 5 minutes to go in the period and on the next action forced a penalty-corner which they, for once, executed perfectly to take the lead with 2 minutes left in the period. They had time to add a third goal by Matthew Sarmento and went into the break with a two-goal lead (3-1), much to the relief of the home crowd.

Trinidad & Tobago seemed to have lost the spring in their pace at the beginning of second period and Canada were all over the Trinidadian circle, but they could not increase their tally past their two-goal lead, despite some clear chances. That allowed Trinidad & Tobago to progressively come back into their game, with the tireless work of veteran Kwan Browne who seemed to be everywhere on the field, and Canada had to defend a few critical situations.

Canada seemed to go back into a defensive shell with ten minutes to go, conceding 3 penalty-corners in a row, and the ghost of the late Chilean comeback hovered on the Canadian side of the pitch, especially when Mark Pearson received a yellow card. The last minutes of the match were all played in the Canadian defensive end, but they held tight to grab the top spot in pool B and a semi-final berth against the USA on Thursday, while Trinidad & Tobago will face Argentina in the other semi-final.

For more information and pictures of CAN vs. TTO, click here.

Match 9 - Brazil vs. Chile: 0-5 (half-time: 0-1)

Brazil have played well in this competition but still lost their first two matches (1-3 vs. Canada and 2-5 to Trinidad & Tobago). Chile started well with a draw against Canada but were surprised by Trinidad & Tobago, conceding a hefty loss (1-5) that forced them to win this last pool match with a wide margin to have a slim chance to qualify for the semi-finals.

Both teams started tentatively, possibly because of the strong cold wind sweeping the pitch in this early morning. Chile had most of the ball possession but Brazil was well regrouped in defense around their captain Ernst Rost Onnes, not leaving any space for the Chilean attackers to penetrate the circle. Chile earned their first penalty-corner in the 18th minute and Martin Rodriguez deflected the ball at the right post to open the scoring.

Chile had another penalty-corner soon after and tried a combination on the other side of the goal, but to no avail. The Brazilians did not lose their structure and kept frustrating the Chilean attackers around the circle. They pushed forward in the last ten minutes of the period and forced a series of three penalty-corners, but could not make them count, with 2 big saves by Adrian Henriquez in the Chilean goal.

Chile started to show frustration and Brazil had a few late chances, including a penalty-corner on the buzzer, but score did not evolve and the break was reached with a slim one-goal margin for Chile.

Chile knew that they needed to score more goals. They immediately set to the task at hand, and Felipe Eggers managed to pick up the rebound from a penalty-corner originally mistrapped. They added a 3rd goal soon after by Alexis Berczely, again on penalty-corner, and things were suddenly looking brighter for them. 

Brazil however nearly scored on the next action after stealing a ball from a sloppy defensive clearance, and had a chance on the subsequent penalty-corner, but Adrian Henriquez was again up to the task in the Chilean goal. Chile were more efficient at the other end and scored a 4th goal, once again on penalty-corner, this time by Jaime Zarhi, to push the score to 4-0.

After a 5th goal by Thomas Krussig on penalty-stroke, Brazil had a good reaction and caught the Chilean defense flat-footed to force another penalty-corner, but they still could not convert it. Chile seemed satisfied with the 5-0 scoreline and did not show the same urgency in the final minutes of play. They will have to wait for the results of the match between Canada and Trinidad & Tobago later tonight to know if they are qualified for the semi-finals.

Argentina hammer Uruguay 29-0..

Schedule for Thursday August 15:
9h00 (cross-over 5-8): 3A Mexico vs. 4B Brazil
11h30 (cross-over 5-8): 3B Chile vs. 4A Uruguay
17h00 (semi-final): 1A Argentina vs. 2B Trinidad & Tobago
19h30 (semi-final): 1B Canada vs. 2A USA

Argentina continued their march forward with another relax win against Uruguay (29-0); they will be joined in semi-finals by the USA, who had to battle until the last minute to edge out an exciting young Mexican team (3-2).

Match 11 - Argentina vs. Uruguay 29-0 (half-time: 13-0)

If there was any doubt in the result of this match, the suspense did not last long: top scorer of the competition Facundo Callioni increased his personal tally to 6 goals in the 2nd minute of play with a bouncing ball that baffled Jose Lasa in the Uruguayan goal.

Gonzalo Peillat added a penalty corner a few minutes later, Agustin Mazzilli inherited a ball in front t of the keeper with no defender in sight for the 3rd goal, and the Argentinean had a commanding lead after 7 minute and without even breaking a sweat.

With 10 minutes to go in the period, Argentina were up 10-0 and not showing any sign of slowing down their scoring spree. Uruguay could only manage some sporadic raids forwards and Juan Vivaldi was having a quiet afternoon in the Argentinean goal. Half-time was reached with a hefty lead for Argentina (13-0).

Even if there was logically a deep difference between the two teams (one ranked 10th in the world and the other ranked 47th), the crowd was treated to a spectacular display of individual and collective skills by the Argentineans, who cruised to a 29-0 win, very close to their record of 30-0 against the Dominican Republic during the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo.

For more information and pictures of ARG vs. URU, click here.

Match 10 - Mexico vs. USA: 2-3 (half-time: 1-1)

Both teams arrived into this match with one win and a loss, and therefore still with the possibility of making the semi-finals with a win in this last pool match. However, Mexico lost heftily to Argentina (2-13) and a draw would favour the USA.

Match was balanced to start, the American attackers facing a well-organized and disciplined Mexican defense. The USA could not capitalize on their first penalty-corner, shot just wide, and Mexico were also unsuccessful at the other end after a swift counter-attack. The young Mexicans became progressively more entrepreneurial and stunned the Americans in the 17th minute with a goal by Francisco Aguilar after good pressure on the American defense.

The USA tried to build opportunities patiently but generated few shots on goal, with their best chance a strong shot by Pat Harris from close range well handled by Moisés Vargas in the Mexican goal. Harris was however on target in the 33rd minute with a diving deflection to tie the score going into the half-time break (1-1).

Mexico knew that they needed to score and immediately set to the task, forcing a penalty-corner in the 39th minute. Aguilar was impeded illegally while shooting and converted himself the resulting penalty-stroke to give back a narrow one-goal lead to Mexico. The USA thought that they had once again closed the gap in the 48th minute but the goal was denied and the subsequent penalty-corner shot wide.

 The USA played with more and more urgency, but the Mexicans managed to keep their compact defensive structure for a while. There was however only so much pressure they could sustain and Pat Harris scored a superb goal, his 2nd of the match, to bring back the score level with 10 minutes to go. The end of match was exciting, with the Mexicans pushing desperately for a third goal and Francisco Aguilar creating havoc in the American defense, but they had to play short the final minutes of the match after a yellow card to one of their defenders, and Pat Harris completed his hat-trick in the final minute of play with a phenomenal penalty-corner that shaved the crossbar.

With the win, the USA move on to the semi-final and will have to wait until later today to know their opponent.