Malaysia desperate to qualify

By Ajitpal Singh

MALAYSIA face a desperate last chance to reach the World Cup in New Delhi in a winner-takes-all qualifying tournament in Ivercargill, New Zealand) on Nov 7-15.

Malaysia, ranked third in the qualifying tournament, have been drawn with favourites New Zealand, China, Austria, Scotland and Wales.
Based on hockey tradition and recent results, the Kiwis, ranked eighth in the world to Malaysia's 16th, are favourite to win the single World Cup spot.
For the record, Malaysia last played in the World Cup when it was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2002 and on merit, have only made it to the World Cup twice since 1980 -- in 1982 in Bombay and 1998 in Utrecht.

National coach Tai Beng Hai picked New Zealand and China as Malaysia's main rivals in the qualifying tournament.
"However, we cannot take other teams lightly as I believe Scotland, Wales and Austria are also good teams," said Beng Hai yesterday.
"European teams are fast improving and their basic hockey is extremely good. We defeated Austria (3-2) in the Champions Challenge II (July) and have not faced Scotland and Wales for a long time."
As for China, Beng Hai said they have been making steady progress of late.
The last time both teams met, China, the World No 13, beat Malaysia on penalty strokes to finish third in the Asia Cup in May.
"China are fast progressing as a hockey power. They play the speed-and-power game and it has worked for them," Beng Hai said.
With regards to the Kiwis, Beng Hai said home advantage will boost their confidence. Malaysia have only won once against the Kiwis in six encounters this year.
The national team beat them 2-0 in a friendly early this year, and drew 1-1 in the Azlan Shah Cup in April.
Last month, Malaysia lost three times and drew twice in a five-test series in New Zealand. However, the national team were without several regulars including Chua Boon Huat, Kelvinder Singh and Azlan Misron.

On the national team's preparations ahead of the Qualifiers, Beng Hai said the team will likely go on a six-match tour to China on Sept 28 on the invitation of the China Hockey Association

"There are several plans in the pipeline and they will be revealed after it's finalised," added Beng Hai.
There are 30 trainees in the national squad.
QUALIFYING Groups -- Lille (France): France, Pakistan, Japan, Poland, Russia, Italy (Oct 31-Nov 8).
Ivercargill (New Zealand): New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Austria, Scotland, Wales (Nov 7-15).
Quilmes (Argentina): Argentina, Belgium, Ireland, US, Czech Republic, Chile (Nov 14-22).
Countries already qualified for the 2010 New Delhi World Cup (Feb 28-March 13): Canada (Pan American Cup); South Korea (Asia Cup); South Africa (Africa Cup of Nations); Australia (Oceania Cup); England (Winners -- EuroNations); Germany (second -- EuroNations); Netherlands (third -- EuroNations); Spain (fourth -- EuroNations).

Scotts in our group

Scotland’s senior men face a World Cup qualifier in Invercargill, New Zealand this Autumn, with a place at the FIH World Cup in New Delhi, India in 2010 up for grabs.
The team will be coached in New Zealand by junior men’s coach Russell Garcia, whose assistant coach Derek Forsyth also steps up from his role with the junior men for the qualifiers, which take place 7-15th November.
The Scots’ fifth place finish at the EuroHockey Nations Trophy in Wrexham last month secured their spot in a qualifier. The qualifier will take place in Invercargill New Zealand this Autumn, with Scotland playing in a round-robin tournament along with China, Malaysia, Austria, New Zealand and Wales. The winners will take their place at the FIH World Cup in New Delhi in February 2010.
Coach Russell Garcia said: “I’m happy to be taking on this role, and we’re taking a long term view on it in terms of giving younger players the chance. We’ll be using these qualifiers as an opportunity to get to the World Cup, but also as a stepping stone for the European Trophy squad for 2011 as well as the Commonwealth Games in 2014.”
Scottish Hockey’s Performance Manager Callum McLeod said: “I'm delighted that both Russell and Derek have agreed to lead the programme as they bring a huge amount of experience with them. Both are fully committed and highly motivated to deliver the best possible programme in the short space of time.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Australia, of course....

29/08/2009

Kookaburras advance to World Cup with Oceania Cup victory

Kookaburras 3 New Zealand 1 (2-1 half time) Goals New Zealand – Nick Wilson Kookaburras – Grant Schubert 2, Jamie Dwyer 1

The Kookaburras have booked their spot at the Hero Honda FIH 2010 World Cup by defeating New Zealand 3-1 today at Invercargill, New Zealand to win the Oceania Cup. After watching the Hockeyroos go down to New Zealand earlier in the day for the women’s division of the Oceania Cup, the Kookaburras were determined to begin the match well. Unfortunately New Zealand had plans of their own, with Nick Wilson scoring the first goal of the match after a nice breakaway. Veteran and Olympic gold medallists Grant Schubert provided the spark needed for the Kookaburras, scoring two first half goals, the second coming just moments before half time. Continuing their momentum, the Kookaburras controlled the tempo after half time, but were unable to make the most of their various opportunities and further extend their one goal lead. With this New Zealand continued to grow in confidence as they remained within striking distance. A sustained period of New Zealand possession followed but the Black Sticks were unable to peg back the much needed goal. With just over a minute to play New Zealand forced their first penalty corner of the match but Hayden Shaw’s drag flick attempt was wide of the left post. Jamie Dwyer hammered the final nail into New Zealand’s coffin in the final play of the match, a cracking shot from a penalty corner. The Kookaburras will now plan their program towards the 2010 World Cup which will be played in New Delhi, India from February 28 – March 13, 2010. However their focus for the remainder of the year will be towards the ABN AMRO Hockey Champions Trophy which will be played in Melbourne from November 28 – December 6.

England crowned European King

The English men’s team pulled off a major upset in the final of the EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amstelveen, Netherlands on Sunday. The English team defeated Olympic and World Champion Germany (5:3) to become the new European Champion.

Host Netherlands finally claimed the bronze medal after a disappointing tournament. The Dutch secured a podium place after a 6:1 win over Spain. England, Germany, Netherlands and Spain earned direct qualification for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 in New Delhi, India.

Results Sunday 30 August 2009

Final:
England-Germany 5:3

Bronze medal match:
Netherlands-Spain 6:1

Classification 5-8:
Austria-Poland 5:4
Belgium-France 7:0

Final Ranking:

1. England (Qualified for Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010)
2. Germany (Qualified for Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010)
3. Netherlands (Qualified for Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010)
4. Spain (Qualified for Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010)
5. Belgium
6. France
7. Austria
8. Poland

Malaysia to play in NZ Qualifier?

Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010, New Delhi, India, 28 February-13 March 2010

A SMART GUESS on probable World Cup Qualifiers:

In France:
Pakistan, France, Japan, Egypt, Austria, Chile

In New Zealand
China, New Zealand, Malaysia, Poland, Scotland, Italy

In Argentina
Belgium, Ireland, Argentina, Czech Rep, Russia, USA.

THOSE WHO HAVE QUALIFIED

• India (Host)
• Canada (Champion of the 3^rd Men’s Pan American Cup)
• Korea (Champion of the 8^th Men’s Asia Cup)
• South Africa (Champion of the Africa Cup of Nations, 2009)
• Australia (Champion of the 6^th Men’s Oceania Cup)
• England (Champion of the 12^th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)
• Germany (Silver medalist of the 12^th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)
• Netherlands (Bronze medalist of the 12^th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)
• Spain (Fourth ranked team of the 12^th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)

3 vacancies left:

• Winner of the Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournament – No. 1
• Winner of the Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournament – No. 2
• Winner of the Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournament – No. 3

Quotas for Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournament

Africa: 1 (EGY)
Asia: 4 (CHN, JPN, MAS, PAK)
Europe: 9 (AUT, BEL, CZE, FRA, IRL, POL, RUS, SCO, WAL)
Oceania: 1 (NZL)
Pan America: 3 (ARG, CHI, USA)