AZLAN SHAH CUP IPOH
World No 1 Australia, who had already qualified for the final, went on to beat Canada 3-0 in their final pool match.
The Australian goals were scored by Mark Knowles (16th), Blake Govers (33rd), Flynn Ogilvie (36th).
Canada won a 60th minute penalty stroke but Scott Tupper failed to beat goal keeper Tyler Lovell.
Friday, April 15, 2016
FIH plan to make a mess again...
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Friday made another mockery, and mess of their tournaments, when they, for the umpteenth time plan to change the Olympics and World Cup qualifying format.
And they also officially killed the Champions Trophy --- as it would not be held after 2018. The Champions Trophy made its debut in 1978, and was the brainchild of Pakistan.
FIH president Leandro Negro made the announcement in Ipoh yesterday.
"We will do away with the Champions Trophy after 2018, and also have a new format for the World League. There will no longer be a World League Semifinals and Finals, but after the World League Round One and Round Two, we will hold direct qualifying tournaments for World Cup and Olympics," said Negre in Ipoh Friday.
Pakistan 4 Japan 1
AZLAN SHAH CUP IPOH
Pakistan beat Japan 4-1 to play against Canada in the fifth-sixth classification on Saturday.
The Pakistan goals were scored by Ali Shan (20th), Rizwan Ali (24th), Arslan Qadir (48th, 57th).
Shota Yamada scored for Japan in the 48th minute.
Pakistan beat Japan 4-1 to play against Canada in the fifth-sixth classification on Saturday.
The Pakistan goals were scored by Ali Shan (20th), Rizwan Ali (24th), Arslan Qadir (48th, 57th).
Shota Yamada scored for Japan in the 48th minute.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Impossible eight...possible bronze
TO PLAY in the final of the Azlan Shah Cup, Malaysia must beat India by an eight-goal margin in Ipoh Friday.
Its an impossible task for coach Stephen van Huizen's charges, as the last meeting between the two teams in the World League Semifinals in Antwerp, saw India winning 3-2 in the quarter-finals to shut Malaysia out of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
However, for India to pip defending champions New Zealand into the final, they only need a win against Malaysia.
"It's almost impossible to play in the final, but we need to win this match against India, and then play them again in the bronze medal match," concurred van Huizen.
A draw will see New Zealand play a repeat final against Australia.
"Like I said before, the Azlan Shah Cup is our first step towards team-rebuilding. The Antwerp 'disaster' has placed us about five years behind other teams and it is pertinent that we start rebuilding in Ipoh for the World League challenge," said van Huizen.
Malaysia only lost one match in Ipoh, 5-1 against Australia, but that too was a close match and the World No 1 only broke free when they went on a three-goal blitzkrieg inside three minutes.
The two draws, 3-3 against New Zealand and 2-2 against Canada, dented Malaysia's hopes of playing in the final.
"Both the draws and defeat were against teams who are preparing for the Olympics and even though we should have collected full points aganst Canada, mistakes crept into the our late game.
"We can't afford this against India tomorrow (today)," said van Huizen.
However, the statistics change for Malaysia if Canada beat Australia in the earlier match, and the hosts lose to India, which will force the national team to play in the fifth-sixth classification.
Razie Rahim is the top-scorer of the fournament with five goals, and Malaysia's penalty corner battery might just be the secret to beat India today.
For the record, Malaysia and India have played 20 matches in 25 editions of the Azlan Shah Cup and India won 13, lost three and drew four.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
AUSTRALIA 5 5 0 0 18 3 15
N ZEALAND 6 3 2 1 15 10 11
INDIA 5 3 0 2 12 10 9
MALAYSIA 5 2 2 1 11 13 8
CANADA 5 1 2 2 8 10 5
PAKISTAN 5 1 0 4 7 16 3
JAPAN 5 0 0 5 7 16 0
April 14: REST DAY.
April 15: Japan v Pakistan (4pm), Australia v Canada (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).
April 16: Classifications and Final.
Its an impossible task for coach Stephen van Huizen's charges, as the last meeting between the two teams in the World League Semifinals in Antwerp, saw India winning 3-2 in the quarter-finals to shut Malaysia out of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
However, for India to pip defending champions New Zealand into the final, they only need a win against Malaysia.
"It's almost impossible to play in the final, but we need to win this match against India, and then play them again in the bronze medal match," concurred van Huizen.
A draw will see New Zealand play a repeat final against Australia.
"Like I said before, the Azlan Shah Cup is our first step towards team-rebuilding. The Antwerp 'disaster' has placed us about five years behind other teams and it is pertinent that we start rebuilding in Ipoh for the World League challenge," said van Huizen.
Malaysia only lost one match in Ipoh, 5-1 against Australia, but that too was a close match and the World No 1 only broke free when they went on a three-goal blitzkrieg inside three minutes.
The two draws, 3-3 against New Zealand and 2-2 against Canada, dented Malaysia's hopes of playing in the final.
"Both the draws and defeat were against teams who are preparing for the Olympics and even though we should have collected full points aganst Canada, mistakes crept into the our late game.
"We can't afford this against India tomorrow (today)," said van Huizen.
However, the statistics change for Malaysia if Canada beat Australia in the earlier match, and the hosts lose to India, which will force the national team to play in the fifth-sixth classification.
Razie Rahim is the top-scorer of the fournament with five goals, and Malaysia's penalty corner battery might just be the secret to beat India today.
For the record, Malaysia and India have played 20 matches in 25 editions of the Azlan Shah Cup and India won 13, lost three and drew four.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
AUSTRALIA 5 5 0 0 18 3 15
N ZEALAND 6 3 2 1 15 10 11
INDIA 5 3 0 2 12 10 9
MALAYSIA 5 2 2 1 11 13 8
CANADA 5 1 2 2 8 10 5
PAKISTAN 5 1 0 4 7 16 3
JAPAN 5 0 0 5 7 16 0
April 14: REST DAY.
April 15: Japan v Pakistan (4pm), Australia v Canada (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).
April 16: Classifications and Final.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Fitness 1 Pakistan 0...
FITNESS helped Malaysia beat Pakistan 1-0 to keep their hopes of a medal finish alive in the 25th Edition of the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday.
Armed with a single goal scored in the fourth minute, Malaysia stopped every trick the Pakistan team threw at them to have a better chance of playing for the bronze medal.
Malaysia took an early lead off their first penalty corner in the fourth minute, but bungled many sitters after that.
It was Razie Rahim's drive that gave Malaysia some breathing space until the half-time hooter.
Pakistan's best chance to equalise came in the 33rd minute when Ajaz Ahmad found himself alone with goalkeeper Hairi Rahman after a break-away 20 meter sprint.
However, Hairi saved the first attempt, and a follow on attempt from Ajaz to deny Pakistan the equaliser.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) technical director Terry Walsh said the national team have completed their Phase One of training, and fitness is now at a higher level.
"As you can see in all the matches so far, the Malaysian team has been playing on high gear and fitness is no longer a problem. This is the first step towards preparing the team for the World League (which is a World Cup qualifier)," said Walsh who is down in Ipoh.
Walsh also feels that even though Malaysia have their own style of play, 'it has not been effective in recent tournaments'.
"The Malaysian style of playing has its own good and bad points, and the next step will be to keep the good and work on eliminating the bad points which have been hindering progress. This will take time, and I believe if we work hard for the next two years there will be results.
"But for comprehensive results, it will take at least 10 years to work from the bottom to the top. This is because the base (youth) is still the weakest point.
"We need to have a strong base, and this will take at least a decade," said Walsh.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
AUSTRALIA 5 5 0 0 18 3 15
N ZEALAND 6 3 2 1 15 10 11
INDIA 5 3 0 2 12 10 9
MALAYSIA 5 2 2 1 11 13 8
CANADA 5 1 2 2 8 10 5
PAKISTAN 5 1 0 4 7 16 3
JAPAN 5 0 0 5 7 16 0
RESULTS: New Zealand 2 India 1, Australia 3 Japan 1, Malaysia 1 Pakistan 0.
April 14: REST DAY.
April 15: Japan v Pakistan (4pm), Australia v Canada (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).
April 16: Classifications and Final.
Armed with a single goal scored in the fourth minute, Malaysia stopped every trick the Pakistan team threw at them to have a better chance of playing for the bronze medal.
Malaysia took an early lead off their first penalty corner in the fourth minute, but bungled many sitters after that.
It was Razie Rahim's drive that gave Malaysia some breathing space until the half-time hooter.
Pakistan's best chance to equalise came in the 33rd minute when Ajaz Ahmad found himself alone with goalkeeper Hairi Rahman after a break-away 20 meter sprint.
However, Hairi saved the first attempt, and a follow on attempt from Ajaz to deny Pakistan the equaliser.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) technical director Terry Walsh said the national team have completed their Phase One of training, and fitness is now at a higher level.
"As you can see in all the matches so far, the Malaysian team has been playing on high gear and fitness is no longer a problem. This is the first step towards preparing the team for the World League (which is a World Cup qualifier)," said Walsh who is down in Ipoh.
Walsh also feels that even though Malaysia have their own style of play, 'it has not been effective in recent tournaments'.
"The Malaysian style of playing has its own good and bad points, and the next step will be to keep the good and work on eliminating the bad points which have been hindering progress. This will take time, and I believe if we work hard for the next two years there will be results.
"But for comprehensive results, it will take at least 10 years to work from the bottom to the top. This is because the base (youth) is still the weakest point.
"We need to have a strong base, and this will take at least a decade," said Walsh.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
AUSTRALIA 5 5 0 0 18 3 15
N ZEALAND 6 3 2 1 15 10 11
INDIA 5 3 0 2 12 10 9
MALAYSIA 5 2 2 1 11 13 8
CANADA 5 1 2 2 8 10 5
PAKISTAN 5 1 0 4 7 16 3
JAPAN 5 0 0 5 7 16 0
RESULTS: New Zealand 2 India 1, Australia 3 Japan 1, Malaysia 1 Pakistan 0.
April 14: REST DAY.
April 15: Japan v Pakistan (4pm), Australia v Canada (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).
April 16: Classifications and Final.
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