MALACCA are primed to host their first international
hockey tournament, as their stadium received an RM1 million face-lift,
while the opening ceremony will be a first of its kind.
The
Junior Asia Cup, which also doubles up as a World Cup Qualifier, will
be held on May 3-13 with players and officials ferried by boats along
the Malacca River to the venue of the Opening ceremony.
“We are
proud to play host to the tournament and have worked hard to ensure
that all preparations are of in ternational standards,” said Datuk Nur
Azmi Ahmad, deputy president of Malacca HA and senior vice president of
the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.
“It is a honour for Malacca
to play hosts as this is the first time we are given the opportunity
to host a top class tournament and that is why we want the opening
ceremony to be a first of its kind.
“And another pride is that
Malaysian coach K. Dharmaraj, manager Mirnawan Nawawi and assistant
coach Nor Azlan Bakar are all from Malacca as well,” said Nur Azmi.
Eight teams will battle for two slots to the World Cup, with India claiming the third as hosts next year in New Delhi.
The eight are -- Malaysia, South Korea, Iran and Japan in Group A,
while in Group B are India, Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka.
The
MBM Hockey Stadium has undergone renovations that cost more then RM1
million and the after effects are there for all to admire.
The
grandstand has been upgraded with dedicated media and broadcast rooms
and seats fitted as well on the terraces. Even the changing rooms have
been done up, truly reflecting a world class venue.
And that is not all, as the lighting system has been upgraded, enough for telecasting matches in high def inition.
And fans are also in for a treat, as host broadcaster Astro Arena are planning to telecast all Malaysian matches live.
As for Pakistan, among the favourites to claim a slot in the final, seasoned forward Umar Bhutta will lead them.
Skipper Umar Bhutta is a regular with the Pakistan senior team in
several international events, along with Kashif Shah, Ali Shan, Tousiq
Ahmed and Muhammad Rizwan.
“This is an important event for us and
we are looking to book a berth in next year’s Junior World Cup,” said
team manager cum coach Rana Mujahid.
“We have a strong
combination in presence of five senior players and we are hoping to see
boys performing well to reach the final,” he said.
Pakistan
squad: Mazhar Abbas, Amjad Ali (goalkeepers) Muhammad Khalid Bhatti,
Syed Kashif Shah (full-backs), M. Rizwan Jr, Kashif Javed, Muhammad
Tousiq, M.Faisal Qadir, Tawasar Abbas, Zohaib Ashraf, Ammad Shakeel
Butt (half- backs), Muhammad Irfan, Ali Shan, Muhammad Dilbar, Muhammad
Umar Bhutta, Muhammad Suleman, Hafiz Umar Sardar, Hafiz Rizwan,
Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Jaffar (forwards).
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Malaysia salvage draw
THE Malaysian women’s team salvaged a draw against Belarus in the Olympic Qualifiers in Kakamigahara, Japan, yesterday.
Coach Nasihin Nubli’s ladies were down 2-0 by the 27th minute and it looked like they were heading for another hiding, but a second half show saw them salvage a point.
Siti Rahma ignited the fight-back with a field goal in the 41st minute, while Siti Noor Amarina salvaged the game with a penalty corner attempt in the 68th minute.
Japan, who beat Malaysia 8-0, were held in a surprise 0-0 draw by Chile.
“The first half was very panicky as my players failed to settled down after being pressed from the start. However, they were more disciplined in the second half and since Belarus beat Chile 3-1 (last Wednesday) and Chile held Japan 0-0, there are no easy teams in this tournament,” said Nasihin.
Malaysia next play Chile on Tuesday.
Meanwhile defender Sebah Kari, who got injured during the Azerbaijan match, is back in Malaysia and will undergo surgery today.
Sebah fractured the front and side of her jaw in that gruelling match and was flown home on Saturday.
RESULTS: Malaysia 2 Belarus 2, Chile 0 Japan 0, Austria 0 Azerbaijan 5.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
India claim favourites tag
INDIA have claimed the favourites tag, as they attempt a hat-trick of Junior Asia Cup titles in Malacca from May 3- 13.
The 2013 Junior World Cup hosts, who are automatic qualifiers, won the last two editions in Karachi 2004 and Chennai 2008 respectively, and will arrive in Malacca to day.
India will be captained by striker Akashdeep Singh, and if they advance to the final, the bronze medallists will also book a spot in the Junior World Cup.
Malaysia are in Group A with South Korea, Japan and Iran, while in Group B are India, Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka.
In the Sultan of Johor Cup, where Malaysia became champions, India finished fourth but they have listed 11 new players for Malacca.
Both their goalkeepers are new, as well as the captain. The seven who played in Johor are Amit Rohidas, Pardeep Mor, P. Thimmanna, Satbir Singh, M. Gnasekar, Sukhdev Singh and Mylaram Sampath.
“India have made a big change in their team after the Sultan of Johor Cup and it looks like their match against Pakistan would be the highlight of Group B as both of them fight for the top spot,” said Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj.
If Malaysia meet India in the semi-finals, Dharmaraj’s boys will have two lives. This is because if India beats Malaysia, the bronze medal will carry its weight in gold.
“Out first match is against Iran, and we need to score as many goals as possible but I would not pressure my players by setting too high a target. The goals would come, that is for sure,” said Dharmaraj.
To date, six team have sent in their team lists while Sri Lanka have been playing hard to get.
The Asian Hockey Confederation (AHF) have been in contact with officials in Sri Lanka who promised a team list, but until yesterday, it was still not available.
The Lankans have also made a request to stay in a dormitory or hostel and organsiers in Malacca are having a tough time trying to accommodate them.
FIXTURES: May 3 (Group A): Korea v Japan, Malaysia v Iran.
May 4 (Group B): Pakistan v China, India v Sri Lanka.
May 5 (Group A): Japan v Iran, Malaysia v Korea.
May 6: China v Sri Lanka (Group B); India vs Pakistan (Group B); Korea v Iran (Group A).
May 7: China v India (Group B); Pakistan v Sri Lanka (Group B); Japan v Malaysia (Group A).
The 2013 Junior World Cup hosts, who are automatic qualifiers, won the last two editions in Karachi 2004 and Chennai 2008 respectively, and will arrive in Malacca to day.
India will be captained by striker Akashdeep Singh, and if they advance to the final, the bronze medallists will also book a spot in the Junior World Cup.
Malaysia are in Group A with South Korea, Japan and Iran, while in Group B are India, Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka.
In the Sultan of Johor Cup, where Malaysia became champions, India finished fourth but they have listed 11 new players for Malacca.
Both their goalkeepers are new, as well as the captain. The seven who played in Johor are Amit Rohidas, Pardeep Mor, P. Thimmanna, Satbir Singh, M. Gnasekar, Sukhdev Singh and Mylaram Sampath.
“India have made a big change in their team after the Sultan of Johor Cup and it looks like their match against Pakistan would be the highlight of Group B as both of them fight for the top spot,” said Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj.
If Malaysia meet India in the semi-finals, Dharmaraj’s boys will have two lives. This is because if India beats Malaysia, the bronze medal will carry its weight in gold.
“Out first match is against Iran, and we need to score as many goals as possible but I would not pressure my players by setting too high a target. The goals would come, that is for sure,” said Dharmaraj.
To date, six team have sent in their team lists while Sri Lanka have been playing hard to get.
The Asian Hockey Confederation (AHF) have been in contact with officials in Sri Lanka who promised a team list, but until yesterday, it was still not available.
The Lankans have also made a request to stay in a dormitory or hostel and organsiers in Malacca are having a tough time trying to accommodate them.
FIXTURES: May 3 (Group A): Korea v Japan, Malaysia v Iran.
May 4 (Group B): Pakistan v China, India v Sri Lanka.
May 5 (Group A): Japan v Iran, Malaysia v Korea.
May 6: China v Sri Lanka (Group B); India vs Pakistan (Group B); Korea v Iran (Group A).
May 7: China v India (Group B); Pakistan v Sri Lanka (Group B); Japan v Malaysia (Group A).
21 goals in three games...
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.
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.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Boy kicked off girls' hockey team...
"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
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