Sorry folks, the corporate world has caught up with me, and now I can only upload stories which I write for the New Straits Times after they appear in Print form.
However, I can still write a short take, and provide with results of local tournaments.
Have a nice year....
Monday, January 19, 2009
Juniors impress against Singapore
THE National Under-17 hockey team lost 4-2 to Singapore Junior World Cup trainees at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
But they had already wrapped-up the three-series friendly, as they beat Singapore 4-2 and 1-0 in the first two match es.
And team manager Mirnawan Nawawi feels his charges showed promise in the series: “This team is being trained for the 2013 Junior World Cup, and from what I saw in the three matches, the boys have great potential.”
Mirnawan, a former national skipper, said their com mitment in training was also refreshing.
“We only called-up the boys four days before playing Singapore, and even then, their commitment in training and discipline was at the highest level, and the sport certainly has a good future if we keep them together,” said Mirnawan.
Singapore, according to their coach Lim Chiow Chuan, are having difficulties finding opponents to spar before the Junior World Cup in June 7-21.
“Funding is limited, and so we will not be playing as many matches as I want before the World Cup. I am in the midst of arranging for a playing Tour of Australia, and would also like to play the Malaysian Juniors if they are available.
“And once the pitch in Singapore is ready to be tested, I hope a few teams will come there and play with us,” said Lim.
The Under-17 team will next play a series of friendlies with a visiting Under-17 team from Punjab.
But they had already wrapped-up the three-series friendly, as they beat Singapore 4-2 and 1-0 in the first two match es.
And team manager Mirnawan Nawawi feels his charges showed promise in the series: “This team is being trained for the 2013 Junior World Cup, and from what I saw in the three matches, the boys have great potential.”
Mirnawan, a former national skipper, said their com mitment in training was also refreshing.
“We only called-up the boys four days before playing Singapore, and even then, their commitment in training and discipline was at the highest level, and the sport certainly has a good future if we keep them together,” said Mirnawan.
Singapore, according to their coach Lim Chiow Chuan, are having difficulties finding opponents to spar before the Junior World Cup in June 7-21.
“Funding is limited, and so we will not be playing as many matches as I want before the World Cup. I am in the midst of arranging for a playing Tour of Australia, and would also like to play the Malaysian Juniors if they are available.
“And once the pitch in Singapore is ready to be tested, I hope a few teams will come there and play with us,” said Lim.
The Under-17 team will next play a series of friendlies with a visiting Under-17 team from Punjab.
No medal, and chinks exposed
MALAYSIA will return without a medal from the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, but coach K. Rajan gained valuable inside information to better prepare his charges for the Junior World Cup in June 7-21.
In the bronze play-off yesterday, Malaysia lost 5-2 to Great Britain. Malaysia’s scorers were Kavin Kartik and Falzal Saari, while Britain won the bronze with goals from Kenny Bain, Martin Scanlon, Chris Gregg (2) and Simon Faulkner.
Australia won the gold when they beat India 2-1.
It was a tale of missed chances, as Malaysia took the lead in all three pool matches, but crumbles in the final minutes of every match.
Against Britain, they were five seconds from victory, but let in a silly goal and the match ended 4-4.
And against Australia, the Juniors were leading 1-0, but let in two goals in the second half to lose 2-1.
India was no different, as Malaysia matched them 3-3 at the half-time hooter, and were leading 5-3 but collapsed and the match ended 5-5.
“This is an Under-20 tournament, while the Junior World Cup is Under-21. I have 10 players who were sitting at the sidelines because they were overage for the AYOF, but will field them in the four friendlies against senior Australian sides next week.
“I am happy with the boys progress, in all the matches as they followed instructions and pressed their opponents hard. They were always snapping at their opponents, but could not sustain the pace for 70 minutes.
“I will work on their fitness further, and they should put up a good performance in the World Cup,” said Rajan.
There will be 20 teams in four groups for the World Cup, with Malaysia hosting two groups, and Singapore two groups.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) will release the groupings by the end of the month, while the qualified teams are defending champions Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Chile, US and New Zealand.
In the bronze play-off yesterday, Malaysia lost 5-2 to Great Britain. Malaysia’s scorers were Kavin Kartik and Falzal Saari, while Britain won the bronze with goals from Kenny Bain, Martin Scanlon, Chris Gregg (2) and Simon Faulkner.
Australia won the gold when they beat India 2-1.
It was a tale of missed chances, as Malaysia took the lead in all three pool matches, but crumbles in the final minutes of every match.
Against Britain, they were five seconds from victory, but let in a silly goal and the match ended 4-4.
And against Australia, the Juniors were leading 1-0, but let in two goals in the second half to lose 2-1.
India was no different, as Malaysia matched them 3-3 at the half-time hooter, and were leading 5-3 but collapsed and the match ended 5-5.
“This is an Under-20 tournament, while the Junior World Cup is Under-21. I have 10 players who were sitting at the sidelines because they were overage for the AYOF, but will field them in the four friendlies against senior Australian sides next week.
“I am happy with the boys progress, in all the matches as they followed instructions and pressed their opponents hard. They were always snapping at their opponents, but could not sustain the pace for 70 minutes.
“I will work on their fitness further, and they should put up a good performance in the World Cup,” said Rajan.
There will be 20 teams in four groups for the World Cup, with Malaysia hosting two groups, and Singapore two groups.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) will release the groupings by the end of the month, while the qualified teams are defending champions Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Chile, US and New Zealand.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Australia gold, Malaysia blow bronze
AUSTRALIA have risen to the occasion in another extra-time hockey thriller at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney.
But Malaysia lost 5-2 to Great Britain in the bronze play-off, after showing some promise in the pool matches.
With a capacity crowd in the main grandstand, it was a perfect afternoon free of the heat, rain and thunder that plagued the earlier days of hockey competition.
They made their mark early in the gold medal match with Kieren Govers scoring in the third minute to put pressure on the Indian gold medal favourites.
India was unsuccessful in several penalty corners awarded in the first 20 minutes, and the Australian attack kept them moving around.
The Aussies forced an error in the 29th minute and were awarded a penalty corner, but a desperate save from India’s goal keeper Mrinal Chaubey kept them from scoring.
The young Australian men had the height advantage, but the speed of the Indian players was a challenge throughout the first half.
There was a close call for Australia in the 43rd minute, but some excellent defence, and a bit of luck kept India at bay.
Govers was a force in the Australian forward line, showing exceptional ball control and speed with several intercepts to break Indian defence but Indian Pramod Kumar evened the score in the 55th minute.
With a score of 1-1 at full time, the game went into two periods of extra time and it was Jason Donohoe of Australia who became a national hero in the 76th minute with a goal that thrilled the crowd.
“I’m really proud to be an Australian at the moment,” Josh White, captain of the side said. “More so to be with this group of guys.”
But Malaysia lost 5-2 to Great Britain in the bronze play-off, after showing some promise in the pool matches.
With a capacity crowd in the main grandstand, it was a perfect afternoon free of the heat, rain and thunder that plagued the earlier days of hockey competition.
They made their mark early in the gold medal match with Kieren Govers scoring in the third minute to put pressure on the Indian gold medal favourites.
India was unsuccessful in several penalty corners awarded in the first 20 minutes, and the Australian attack kept them moving around.
The Aussies forced an error in the 29th minute and were awarded a penalty corner, but a desperate save from India’s goal keeper Mrinal Chaubey kept them from scoring.
The young Australian men had the height advantage, but the speed of the Indian players was a challenge throughout the first half.
There was a close call for Australia in the 43rd minute, but some excellent defence, and a bit of luck kept India at bay.
Govers was a force in the Australian forward line, showing exceptional ball control and speed with several intercepts to break Indian defence but Indian Pramod Kumar evened the score in the 55th minute.
With a score of 1-1 at full time, the game went into two periods of extra time and it was Jason Donohoe of Australia who became a national hero in the 76th minute with a goal that thrilled the crowd.
“I’m really proud to be an Australian at the moment,” Josh White, captain of the side said. “More so to be with this group of guys.”
Extra Time AUS 2 – 1 IND
Full time score: AUS 1 – 1 IND
Half time score: AUS 1 – 0 IND
AUS 2, Govers 3”, Donohoe 76”
IND 1, Kumar 55”.
Georgia Gilson
AOC
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Malaysia crumble to a draw
A strong Indian men’s hockey team have drawn with Malaysia today in a crowd stunner that saw a 5-3 Malaysian lead stolen in the final minutes of the match.
India scored in the seventh minute off a sound penalty corner, and Malaysia looked to have scored immediately after, but after some consideration from the umpires, the goal was denied.
Throughout the first half, as India scored, Malaysia was close behind, until the score was 3-3 at half time.
Malaysia surprised the crowd with two quick goals in the opening minutes of the second half to take the score to 5-3, and then in the 61st minute the Indian team managed to narrow their losing margin off a penalty corner.
In the final minutes, India scored an equaliser off a short corner. It was a case of déjà vu for Malaysia, who also missing a win in the final minutes on Wednesday against Great Britain.
India will go on to the men’s gold medal match tomorrow against Australia, and Malaysia will play Great Britain for the bronze.
Full time score: MAS 5 - 5 IND
Half time score: MAS 3 – 3 IND
IND 5, Karan 9”, Diwakar 19”, 24”, 61”, 67”.
MAS 5, Abdul Gaffar 7”, 33”, Ahmad Tajuddin 21”, Makbul Singh 39”, Abdul Hamid 39”.
In the second women’s match of the day, India and USA were both keen to notch up their first win for the AYOF.
Strong ball skills from India gave them an initial advantage, but the American girls showed a hunger for possession, which they maintained throughout the game.
A dangerous high ball early in the first half secured India a penalty corner, but they were unable to score.
At the half-time siren, the patient crowds were yet to see a goal from either team, leaving everything up to the final 35 minutes of the game.
India was unlucky in the 41st minute with a strong attempt on goal hitting the cross bar and denying them the first point of the game.
It was a relief for India to score the first goal of the game in the 56th minute of the game, which gave them an obvious morale boost, driving them to attack USA’s goal with renewed vigour.
A flawless series of short passes took India through to the US goal to increase their lead by another point just seconds before full time.
Full time score: IND 2 – 0 USA
Half time score: IND 0 – 0 USA
IND 2, Thockchom 56”, Tindal 69”.
USA 0.
Georgia Gilson
AOC
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And in a friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia's Under-17 team beat Singapore Junior World Cup trainees 1-0. In the first friendly on Friday, Malaysia won 4-2.
The last friendlly will be held today (18-01-09).
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