Ritu Rani to skipper India in Asia Cup..

 
New Delhi (PTI): Veteran midfielder Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member Indian women's hockey team in the eighth Asia Cup to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 21 to 27.
    "Hockey India Selectors BP Govinda, Surinder Kaur, Mamta Kharab, chief coach Neil Hawgood, coach IS Gill and scientific advisor Matthew Tredrea, alongwith government observer Harbinder Singh, selected the 18 players and six standbys during the trials conducted in Patiala on August 30 and 31," HI said in a press release.
   Ritu has 157 India appearances to her credit. The 18-member squad will have another midfielder Chanchan Devi Thokchom (88 caps) as the vice-captain.
   The team's training camp is has been underway in Patiala since August 8 as final preparations for the tournament. The team will depart for Malaysia on September 16.
    India are placed in Pool A with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China while Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are placed in Pool B.
   India will open their campaign against Hong Kong China on September 21 followed by China on September 22 and hosts Malaysia on September 24.
    The Women's Asia Cup is the continental qualification tournament for the FIH Women's World Cup 2014 to be played in The Hague, The Netherlands, from May 31-June 14, 2014.
   Squad: Goalkeepers: Rajani Etimarpu, Savita Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Joydeep Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Sunita Lakra, Deepika, Namita Toppo, P Sushila Chanu, M N Ponnamma Midfielders: Ritu Rani (Captain), Chanchan Devi Thokchom (Vice-Captain), Soundarya Yendala, Lily Chanu Forwards: Poonam Rani, Rani, Vandana Katariya, Anuradha Devi Thokchom. Standbys: Sanarik Chanu, Asunta Lakra, Monika Malik, Navjot Kaur, Lilima Minz, Anupa Barla.

Cindy, Michelle claim sponsors tickets..

MALAYSIAN’S Cindy Lee-Pridgen and Michelle Koh  claimed the sponsor’s exemptions to the Sime Darby LPGA  Malaysia which  will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and  Country Club (KLGCC) on Oct 10-13.
   The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is a 72-hole stroke play, no  cut event, featuring a total of 62 stars from the LPGA Tour and  10 sponsor invites making up one of the strongest fields in  Asian golf.
     They achieved the feat at the end of the Local Qualifying  Tournament, played over 36 holes, which featured nine of  Malaysia’s top female golfers fighting for the coveted op portunity with 21 regional hopefuls.
    After recording a score of par 71 on the first day, the 37- year-old Cindy clinched victory with a final round score of 75  to finish with an aggregate total of 146 on the East Course at  the KLGCC.
    Coming in four shots behind, 23-year-old Michelle Koh  claimed her opportunity to play with the big stars after  scoring two consecutive rounds of 75, wrapping up with an  aggregate total of 150.
   Cindy, who received a sponsor invite to compete in the  tournament in 2010, said: “I shot two bogies and then a  double on 9 so not a great start but then made the turn and  am just really glad I a had such a good caddy this week. He  kept saying ‘I’ll pull the club and you just hit it’ so off we went  and it seemed to work.”
     “I’ll be looking to erase some bad memories of 2010 but will  focus on trying to get a little bit more distance on the drives  and work on my alignment between now and the tour nament. But I’m just delighted to be playing,” added the US  based Cactus Tour player.
    Michelle, a graduate from the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA  Development Programme was in cloud nine.
   “I couldn’t believe it when I was told that I had qualified –  I was just speechless. I find it a really tough course so I’m just  so excited to be playing here”.
    Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman of Sime Darby Foundation  said: “We are very proud to have Cindy and Michelle rep resenting Malaysia against the very best women golfers at the  Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
    “Their achievement illustrates the hard work and prepa ration that they have put in for the qualifying tournament. As  they continue to train for the tournament, I hope this  opportunity will spur them to work even harder and show  themselves to be the true champions they are capable of.”
    Both players are joined by Yu-Shin Chang and Pei-Yun  Chien from Taiwan who both guaranteed their places after  winning the Regional Qualifying Tournament following a  three-way play-off with last year’s winner Ssu-Chia Cheng.  All three players carded 143 after 36 holes, with Ssu-Chia  Cheng dropping one shot to her compatriots on the 18th hole  play-off.
    The tournament will also see international golf stars  China’s Shanshan Feng, Norwegian Suzann Pettersen,  American Cristie Kerr and Korean stars So Yeon Ryu and  Jiyai Shin.
    Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No 1 and defending  champion Inbee Park will also defend her crown.

Sad state of Razak Cup..

THE Razak Cup starts today in Kuantan, and the usual  player-hunting and pinching is at its ugliest state, as the  quality pool is not big enough to cater for all states.
   And this has peeved national juniors coach K. Dharmatraj,  who feels states should just go with their youth, and not recall  old hands when there is not enough talent available.
    “My hockey career started at the Razak Cup when I was 16  years old, thanks to the vision of my late coach Razak  Leman.
    “He was brave enough to take teenagers for the tour nament, and even though Malacca did not win, but the real  winner turned out to be the country, as many youth from this  squad were noticed, and broke into the junior squad and  National B team, and eventually played for the country,” said  Dharmaraj.
   The timing of the Razak Cup is also incredible, as the  Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) fixed it right after  the Asia Cup, and two weeks from now the juniors would be  involved with the Sultan of Johor Cup.
    “Luckily I named my 18 players for the Sultan of Johor Cup  early and blocked them from playing in the Razak Cup for  fear of injury and fatigue.
    “It was also a move to give other players, especially youth,  a chance to represent their states and looking at how  intensely states are chasing for players now, it is sad that  some of the teams are going to rely on players who can’t even  make the MHL (Malaysia Hockey League) teams but don’t  want to field youth.
    “Sure, the old hands can keep the tournament running, but  youth would inject hope for a better future. We need state  administrators who are brave enough to field their youth  side, as this is what the Razak Cup should be all about in the  near future.
    “Give the youngsters a break. At least the officials can then  be proud of helping hockey, and can consider themselves as  part of the success of the national team when they do well,”  said Dharmaraj.
    The Division Two, with six teams, starts today, while the  Division One matches begin on Sunday.
   Division One A: Terengganu, Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan; Group B: Perak, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Penang.
    Division Two: Armed Forces, Selangor, Police, Sabah,  Kedah, Perlis.

Malaysia qualify for World Cup 2014

Korean success at Asia Cup guarantees Malaysia ticket to The Hague

BY FIH -- Malaysia men have become the latest team to achieve qualification for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014, the International Hockey Federation’s showpiece event which takes place in The Hague, Netherlands.

The joint men’s and women’s competition takes place from 31^st May to 15^th June next year, with the 15,000-seater Kyocera Stadium playing host to the finest international hockey teams in the world.

Malaysia’s berth at the summer spectacular was guaranteed following Korea’s dramatic 4-3 triumph over India in the final of the men’s Asia Cup 2013 in Ipoh (MAS).

Like all of the continental championships, the big prize on offer at the Asia Cup was direct World Cup qualification to the event winner. However, with Korea having recently been promoted from first reserves to confirmed World Cup qualifiers thanks to Argentina’s victory in the Pan American Cup, the door was opened to the other reserves for the tournament. Last weekend, second reserves Spain were confirmed for the event courtesy of Germany’s success in TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, meaning that third reserves Malaysia become the team to benefit from Korea’s Asia Cup victory.

Malaysia are the tenth men’s team to qualify for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, with two more places up for grabs at the upcoming continental championships in Oceania and Africa. Eight women’s teams have also been confirmed for the event, with the remaining places going to the winners of the Asian, Oceania, Pan American and African continental championships.

More information about the World Cup qualifiers and qualifying process can be found below.

Rabobank Hockey World Cup – Men’s Qualifiers 

Netherlands: Hosts.
Germany: Continental champions Europe
Argentina: Continental champions Pan America
Korea: Continental champions Asia
England: 3rd place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johor Bahru (MAS)
Belgium: 1st place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED)
Australia: 2nd place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED)
New Zealand: 4th place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED) *
Spain: 5^th place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED). **
Malaysia: 5^th place – Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johor Bahru (MAS) ***

* Netherlands finished third in the Hockey World League Semi-Final event in Rotterdam.  As they are already pre-qualified as the host, this means that the highest ranked fourth place finisher from both Semi-Final events earns direct qualification to the Rabobank Hockey World Cup. This place goes to New Zealand, who were fourth in Rotterdam and currently sit fifth in the FIH World Rankings.
** Spain qualified as second reserve courtesy of Germany’s victory in the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships. Spain (5^th in Rotterdam) were named second reserve ahead of Malaysia (5^th in Johor Bahru) courtesy of a superior placing in the FIH World Rankings.
*** Malaysia qualified as third reserve courtesy of Korea’s victory in the Asia Cup 2013.

World Cup Qualification - The Next Stage

The remaining places at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup for men will be filled by the winners of the final two continental championships. However, if any of the above listed teams also becomes continental champion it will open the door to the team that finished outside the top three at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals that has not yet qualified for the World Cup. This team can be found below.    

India: 6^th in Rotterdam / 4th reserve for World Cup.

Fitri to skipper Sultan of Johor Cup..

NATIONAL senior player Fitri Saari has been named as skipper for the six-nation Sultan of Johor Cup, which will be played at the Taman Daya Stadium on Sept 22-29.
   Yesterday, national Juniors coach K. Dharmaraj selected 18 players, and two more reserves, for the tournament which will also serve as a Junior World Cup warm-up.
   The other teams in the Sultan of Johor Cup are Argentina, England, Pakistan, India and South Korea.
    "And with England and Pakistan in our World Cup group, it would be a valuable match to prepare for our quest to play in the semi-finals in new Delhi," said Dharmaraj.
   The other team in Malaysia's group is South Africa, but they pulled out of the Sultan of Johor Cup due to lack of money.
    The 20-year-old Fitri, from Terengganu, has 58 caps, and also played in the just concluded Asia Cup in Ipoh.
    Dharmaraj's side will also be powered by four other national players – defenders Faiz Jali and Izad Hakimi, midfielder Meor Azuan and forward Firhan Ashaari.
    All except for Meor featured in the Asia Cup team and Firhan scored four goals in the tournament.
    The national juniors, minus the four who played with the seniors in Ipoh, just returned from a playing Tour in Australia where they got whipped.
   "We lost  all four matches, but took the Aussies to the wire in our last match where we took the lead, then went down 1-3 before scoring another to lose narrowly 2-3.
   "However, in the earlier matches, we lost 6-2, 1-0 and 7-1 to the 2009 Junior World Cup bronze medallists," said Dharmaraj.
   The juniors named for the Sultan of Johor tournament in Johor will not feature in the Razak Cup, which begins on Thursday in Kuantan. 
Sultan of Johor Cup
Goalkeepers: Hazrul Faiz, Hafizuddin Othman
Defenders: Faiz Helmi , Izad Hakimi, Kavin Kartik, Zulhairi Hashim, Nor Aqmal Ghaffar
Midfielders: Fitri Saari (captain), Azri Hassan, Meor Azuan Hassan, Shazril Irwan, Haziq Samsul
Forwards: Firhan Ashaari, Syamim Yusof, Rashid Baharom,  Shahril Saabah, Azwar Abdul Rahman, Hafiz Zainol
  The two reserves: Joel Samuel van Huizen, Shazrul Imran Nazli.