Kiwis polish off Pakistan

Sunday 13 December9:05 7-8 BEL : CAN 2:0 (1:0)
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)

Final Standings
1. New Zealand
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) – Salta, Argentina
Results Day 5: Sunday 13 December 2009

(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

NSTP lift Nazrin trophy

By K. Kandiah

NEW Straits Times Press (NSTP) defeated Felda Hockey Club by a single goal in the Classic Men's Open final to lift the Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Challenge Trophy in the 36th USM Penang-International Sixes and Sevens Hockey Fest 2009 at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Synthetic Turf Hockey Stadium in Minden yesterday.
This was the first time that NSTP, who play in the KL Division One hockey league, lifted a silverware after participating at the competition for many years said its team manager K. Jayakumar.
Both teams were playing cautiously, and ended the first half scoreless and with about 90 seconds left in the clock before the final whistle, NSTP's P. Sivanesan picked up the ball from a free hit and tapped it to Medrianto in their own half.
Medrianto collected the ball and ran solo with none of his opponents near to challenge him, drew the goalkeeper out and slammed the ball home for the winning goal. NSTP collected RM1,000 while Felda Hockey Club received RM700.
A hat trick by Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin helped KL Hockey Club trash defending champion Nur Insafi 4-0 in the Men's Open Premier final and lift the Sultan Azlan Shah Challenge Trophy. The other goal was by Azli Misron.
For their win, KL Hockey Club received RM2,000 while their opponent, Nur Insafi settled for RM1,400 in cash prize money.
In the Women's Open final, KL Senior Ladies defeated Perak's RPS Blues 3-1 to capture the Governor Of Penang Challenge Trophy. Kannagi Arumugam, Nur Hafizah Azman and Nuraini Rashid scored for the champions while Norzuliana Hamzani replied for RPS Blues.
The KL Seniors collected RM1,200 while the runner-up RPS Blues received RM800.
RESULTS - (all finals) Men's Premier League: KL Hockey Club 4 Nur Insafi Penang `C' 0.
Classic Men's Open: New Straits Times Press `B' 1 Felda Hockey Club 0.
Institutions of Higher Learning Men: Universiti Putra Malaysia `A' 1 Universiti Putra Malaysia `C' 0.
Men's Veteran: Jolly Lads KL 3 KL Irrigation 2.
Classic Women's Open: KL Senior Ladies 3 RPS Blues 1.
Institutions of Higher Learning Women: Universiti Putra Malaysia `B' 2 Universiti Putra Malaysia `A' 1.

A worn out Maria shoe, signed by Maria...

TV3 presenter Azura Zainal will be among the celebrities in the CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis this Sunday at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

TENNIS balls, a shoe and pictures signed by famous players will go under the hammer to raise funds for the CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis this Sunday at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
The event is jointly organised by NSTP and Bursa Malaysia, and held in conjunction with the ECM Libra Foundation and Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia Junior Tennis Cham pionships.
Last year, a total of RM75,000 was raised, and it looks like at least RM100,000 will be collected for charity this year.
“We have a used tennis shoe signed by Maria Sharapova, a framed set of four tennis balls signed by Roger Federer, James Blake, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg; photos of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras with their signatures which were all given to us by IMG.
“And we also have a jumbo tennis ball signed by Anna Kournikova courtesy of Dunlop. All the items will go under the hammer during the tournament, and we hope to raise a substantial sum,” said NSTP Corporate Communication and Events senior manager Wan Abdillah Wan Nawi.
DLP Sporting Goods director Alan Tang said they are happy to be associated with this glamorous event.
“This year other than tennis balls, we will also be providing T-shirts and a jumbo ball sighed by Anna for auction. And next year, we hope to get more items for auction, like memorabilia from Thailand’s Tamarin Tanasugam,” said Alan.
Sixty-four players have confirmed for the fun-filled event, where a lucky draw will decide who-partners-who.

Azura's fling with Brazilian Capoeira

PETITE TV3 presenter Azura Zainal will be making her charm felt for the second time in the CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis this weekend at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Last year she did better off court, in making acquaintances, than on the court, but the fun-filled event has reeled her in again.
“I just hit some balls last year and did not progress much, but I made many friends and had a fantastic time. That is why I am looking forward to competing in the event again,” said Azura.
She hung her racquet for almost a year, and dusted off he cobwebs recently, and does not expect to make an impact.
However, she has been keeping herself in good shape, and is capable of landing a killer knock-out kick, as her current passion is a Brazilian by the name of Capoeira.
“I am into Capoeira right now, and the Brazilian martial arts is not only good for self defense, but also a good exercise,” said Azura.
The wikipedia lists Capoeira as: Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. It was created in Brazil by slaves brought from Africa, es pecially from present day Angola some time after the 16th century.
Azura will surely be an added kick to the CEO & Celebrity Charity Tennis event, jointly organised by NSTP and Bursa Malaysia, and held in conjunction with the ECM Libra Foundation and Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia Junior Tennis Championships.

Make a date with Sania

INDIA tennis starlet Sania Mirza will be the drawcard in the Showdown of Champions on Dec 19-20 at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam.
The showdown will also feature China’s Zheng Jie and Russians Elena Dementieva and Maria Kirilenko and the tennis babes are not only set to dazzle with their skills, but also their attire.
Sania became a rage in her country when she reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2005, and personifies the emerging India, and is just behind the Bollywood stars and cricket players in term of popularity.
Zheng Jie holds the distinction of becoming the first China player to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam singles in Wimbledon in 2008.
Elena is the Beijing 2008 Olympic champion, while Maria is said to be one of the most attractive and sexiest stars on the planet.
And two lucky ladies will also get the chance to become Liaison Officers, and spend four days with two of the skilled and glamorous etnnis stars during their exhibition stint.
The first day of the tournament will be on a singles format, while the second day will be a doubles partnership of Asia versus Russia.
Yesterday, Firefly were unveiled as the Showdown’s Plat inum Partner.
“LD Sports is excited to have Firefly aboard, as their regional and international network that is further supported by Mas and MASwings is well suited to deal with the anticipated increase in tourist flow for the Showdown,” said LD Sports deputy chairman Adlin Zabri.
Angelina Fernandez, head of marketing and commu nications of Firefly said: “This tournament will offer a once- in-a-life chance for a tennis fan to be close to her idol, as we will be selecting a candidate soon. The candidate we are looking for must have a good knowledge of the country as she will assume the role of an ambassador as well.”
LD sports will also sponsor a liaison officer.
“LD Sports will award our winner a three nights stay at the Royal Chulan and RM1,000 spending allowance.
“Interested candidates can come to the Pavillion in Kuala Lumpur this Friday between 6 to 8pm, and come dressed in chic, classy or creative tennis attire in heels.”
Tickets can be purchased via www.tickethotline.com..my and are priced at RM48 to RM208 for court-side seats.