21 goals in three games...

China's Yixian Liu had a hat trick in his team's 8-0 win against Brazil(Photo: Stantislas Brochier)

By FIH

 

South Africa 6, Czech Republic 2

Top-seeded South Africa stayed unbeaten at the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Kakmigahara, Japan after earning a 6-2 win against the Czech Republic. Justin Reid-Ross continued to be the South African scoring machine, this time scoring twice in the victory.
    It was a game of spurts for the South Africans, who were only able to solve the stoic Czech defense in for a few minutes at a time, but nevertheless those quick surges were enough to power the South Africans through to their second victory.
   Early on, it looked like South Africa would walk all over the Czechs with two goals in the first five minutes. Reid-Ross picked up right where he left off against Brazil, firing in an early penalty corner for the 1-0 lead. Timothy Drummond double the lead a few minutes later with a sprawling effort. But a defensive lapse by South Africa gave the Czechs a window to march downfield and put in the 2-1 marker.
   That goal stalled the South African offense, which spent the next 20 minutes fruitlessly trying to find a way past the Czech defense. In the last five minutes of the half, Lloyd Norris Jones and Lance Louw put in rapid fire goals to give the South Africans a convincing 4-1 lead at the break.
   The Czechs had a strong start to the second half and once again frustrated the South African offense, The defensive stand allowed the Czechs to climb back into the game when Stepan Bertanek scooped up a rebound to make it a two-goal game early in the second half. But with the focus on defense, the Czechs couldn’t make up the lead that South Africa built in the first half. Reid-Ross put in a goal midway through the half and Thornton McDade scored in the last minute to bring the final to 6-2.
  
Japan 4, Austria 1

Host Japan joined South Africa and China as the three co-leaders of the Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament after earning its second win in as many games with a 4-1 win against Austria. The loss leaves Austria looking for its first win and on the brink of elimination from contention for a place in the final.
    Austria was lucky to escape the first half with just a 2-0 deficit as the Japanese applied extraordinary pressure. Austrian goalkeeper Michale Manthler was kept busy in net and made an amazing save just as time expired to keep things close at the break. Japan also hit the post during the half and had several other near misses.
    The two goals that did go in during the first 35 minutes was a penalty corner marker by Katsuyoshi Nagasawa and a thrifty chip in from Toshiro Tachibana.
   Austria had a more settled second half and Japan found itself with fewer scoring chances. Hiroki Sakamoto got things started with his solid shot five minutes into the half but after the initial strike, Japan was held scoreless for more than 20 minutes. Austria had one glimmer of hope when Michael Korper put in the lone Austrian goal of the game, but Japan put in one last goal to restore the three-goal lead and bring the final to 4-1.
   Austria will play a key game against the Czech Republic on Monday. Basically the winner of that will keep a slim chance alive of making it to London. Japan will look to stay unbeaten with its game against Brazil.

Brazil 0, China 8

China earned its second shutout victory, although today’s 8-0 decision over Brazil was definitely more convincing than the 1-0 win against Austria on the opening day
    China’s penalty corner was lethal, accounting for five of the eight goals. Especially strong on the penalty corner was drag flicker Yixian Liu, who fired in three short corner goals in the win. Liu put in the opening goal four minutes into action and back-to-back markers in the last three minutes.
   In between Liu’s bookend goals, it was all China as they controlled virtually every aspect of the game. The Japanese fans rallied around the Brazilian team for their fighting spirit, but China was technically the dominant team and there was little Brazil could do to stop them.
   Both teams have the day off tomorrow before resuming round robin action. Brazil has another tough test on Monday when they take on Japan, while China will also have its hands full with current tournament leader, South Africa.

 

 

Boy kicked off girls' hockey team...

THE attorney for a 13-year-old Long Island boy who was kicked off his high school’s girls’ field hockey team for being too dominant says his client will most likely be reinstated.
     "We are confident that a court will see the discrimination in this case," Frank Scagluso, the attorney for Keeling Pilaro said.
   Scagluso said Keeling has support from his school district, other coaches and players in the league and that he has not heard any criticism about the boy’s participation in games.
   Keeling, who played for Southampton High School's varsity girls' field hockey team for the past two years, was told he could no longer play next year after becoming the team's star.
   Section 11, which oversees Suffolk County's high school sports, determined that as a boy, Keeling had too significant an advantage over the other players.
   "(Keeling is) having a significant adverse effect on some of his opposing female players," Section 11 claimed, according to MyFoxNY. "The rules state he would be allowed to play if he wasn't the dominant player."
    Section 11's executive director, Ed Cinelli, told MyFoxNY, "As a sport, it's a girls sport. When a boy plays, it leads the way for other male players to come in and take over."
    Andrew Pilaro, Keeling’s father, said his son was raised in Ireland and played field hockey most his life. In many European countries, the sport is widely popular. But on Long Island, there were no field hockey leagues with boys available for Keeling compete, his father said.
     At 4 feet, 8 inches tall and 82 pounds, Keeling says he does not feel he is at an advantage, or that he is even significantly better than his opponents. He says some of the girls he has played against are faster and stronger than he is.

http://www.foxnews.com

Pakistan name four Champions Trophy boys

Syed Kashif Shah of Pakistan traps the ball during the match between Pakistan and India on day four of the International Superseries at Perth Hockey Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Perth, Australia.

PAKISTAN named their players for the Junior  Asia Cup with a surprise inclusion of four players who played  in the 2011 Champions Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand on  Dec 3-11.
    The four did not come down to Malaysia for the three series  they played against Malaysia where Pakistan won the first  two 5-3 and 4-3 before Project 2013 won the third 5-3.
    The four Pakistan stalwarts are Syed Kashif Shah (19),  Muhammad Tousiq (17), Ali Shan (19) and Muhammad  Rizwan (18).
     “I expected Pakistan to include the four players to strength en their team. The four also did not play in the Sultan of Johor  Cup, but since they are in another group, the possibilities of  playing them is only in the semi-finals,” said Project 2013  coach K. Dharmaraj.
    India, automatic qualifiers, are in Group B with Pakistan,  China and Sri Lanka. In Group A are Malaysia, South Korea,  Japan and Iran.
    PLAYERS: Mazhar Abbas, Syed Kashif Shah (Vice-Capt), Muhammad Khalid, Aleem Bilal, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Tousiq, Tasawwar Abbas, Kashif Javed, Zohaib Ashraf, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Umar Bhutta (Capt), Muhammad Dilber, Ali Shan, Muhammad Suleman, Muhammad Umair, Hafiz Umer Sardar, Muhammad Jaffar and Hafiz Rizwan Ali.
    OFFICIALS: Rana Mujahid Ali (Manager/Head Coach), Danish Kaleem, Anjum Saeed & Ahmed Alam (Coaches), Asad Abbas Shah (Team Doctor) & Syed Abu Zar Umrao (Video-Analyst).

Malaysian women receive 8-0 drubbing

 PIC: By http://www.malaysianhockey.blogspot.com/
  
....The floodgates opened in the second half as the Japanese scored six unanswered goals. The hosts spent nearly the entire half camped in front of the Malaysian net and used the experience to craft some fancy plays that included tic-tac-toe goals and spinning behind the back moves. Malaysia could do little to stop the onslaught as they were visibly frustrated and worn out. ... FIH


THE Malaysian women’s hockey team were hammered 8- 0 by Japan in the Olympic Qualifier in Kakamigahara  yesterday.
    The whitewash, at the back of a 4-0 defeat to Azerbaijan,  shattered Malaysia’s dream of playing in the London  Olympics.
   Now, they will play for fourth to sixth placing, to strengthen  their world rankings.
     Japan, ranked ninth in the world, took a 2-0 lead at the  half-time against 23 ranked Malaysia.
   And six more goals, including a penalty stroke, came  Japan’s way in the remaining 35 minutes. Malaysia next play  Belarus tomorrow, and it is expected to be another uphill  battle for the ladies.
   RESULTS: Azerbaijan 3 Belarus 0; Japan 7 Malaysia 0;  Austria 0 Chile 3.
   TOMORROW: Chile v Japan; Austria v Azerbaijan; Belarus  v Malaysia.

PIC: FITRI SAARI

PROJECT 2013 named their final 18 for the Junior Asia Cup  yesterday, with coach K. Dharmaraj keeping his eyes firmly  on the gold medal.
    The tournament, from May 3-13, also doubles up as the  Junior World Cup Qualifier with two seats up for grabs in  Malacca.
    India as hosts are automatic qualifiers, while the seven  other teams will battle for the two finalists spots to make the  grade for New Delhi next year.
    In Group A with Malaysia are South Korea, japan and Iran.  While in Group B are defending champions India, Pakistan,  China and Sri Lanka.
    “I was in two minds whether to name two goalkeepers or an  extra outfield player in the final squad of 18. And after  playing a series of friendlies with Pakistan, South Korea and  Australian County sides, I have decided to opt for two  goalkeepers in case one gets injured,” said Project 2013  coach K. Dharmaraj.
    And that was the toughest decision the coach had to make  on his line-up, as the rest were easy to pick.
    “Against Pakistan and South Korea I played mixed teams  and that is why the results were erratic. However, when I  used the final 18 for the Australian County side, we won 7-1,  9-2 and 7-0 (match stopped at 55th minute after both parties  agreed).
    “The Country team is a matured side which is better than  their Australian Juniors, and it was a big boost in the run-up  to the Junior Asia Cup,” said Dharmaraj.
    Against Korea, the Project team lost the first 2-1 but then  thrashed them 9-1. They lost the third 5-3 but won the final  match 6-5.
    And against Pakistan, they lost the first two 5-3 and 4-3  before winning the third 5-3.
   In the 18 named yesterday, five players who helped  Malaysia win the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup were  dropped, as seniors like Faizal Saari made their debut.
     Meanwhile, the National Under 16 tournament received a  boost of RM 35,000 in cash and kind from main sponsors  Nestle.
    The tournament will be held on April 27-May 4 at two  venues -- Sungai Petani and Alor Star.
    “Twelve teams have registered for the tournament and we  will be hosting it again next year, as the Malaysian Hockey  Confederation (MHC) have decided to award two consecutive  rights for age-group tournaments,” said Organising Chair man S. Satish Kumar, who is also the Kedah HA deputy  president.
    Kedah are in Group B with runners-up Malacca, Perak,  Negri Sembilan, Penang and Perlis.
    Four-time consecutive champions Kuala Lumpur are in  Group A with Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Tereng ganu,
     “We have set a target of reaching the semi-finals, and I  believe it will be a tough tournament as all states have been  preparing for months for it,” said Satish.
    MALAYSIA: Azrul Faiz (gk), Shahrul Azaddin (gk), Izad  Hakimi, Noor Faez Ibrahim, Kavin Kartik, Shahrul Imran,  Faiz Helmi, Aslam Hanafiah, Fitri Saari, Azri Hassan, Ra madan Rosli, Nor Hizzat Sumantri, Shazril Irwan, Amir  Farid, Firhan Ashaari, Faizal Saari, Syamim Yusof, Deddy  Aryadi.