Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs and international cricketer Wahab Riaz inaugurated the laying of modern FIH-approved synthetic turf at the National Hockey Stadium on Sunday. Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Shahid Zaman, Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail, Director Youth Affairs Syed Umair Hassan, Director Sports Nadeem Qaiser, Project Director PMU Qaiser Raza, International Synthetic Turf expert Usman Afridi, Deputy Director Planning Rauf Bajwa and District Sports Officer Tanveer Shah were also present on this occasion. Project Director PMU Qaiser Raza and Deputy Director Planning Rauf Bajwa briefed Adviser to CM Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs Wahab Riaz about different features of modern synthetic turf. Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs Wahab Riaz along with Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Shahid Zaman and Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail inspected the laying procedure of modern synthetic turf. Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs Wahab Riaz, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Shahid Zaman and Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail were given souvenirs from representative of International Synthetic Turf Company on this occasion. Talking to media on this occasion, Adviser to CM Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs Wahab Riaz said that laying of modern synthetic turf at world’s largest venue - National Hockey Stadium is a first major step towards true revival of hockey in the country. “After laying of modern synthetic turf at National Hockey Stadium, we are quite confident to bring back top international hockey teams to Pakistan”. Adviser to CM Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs Wahab Riaz said that an international hockey event will be organized at National Hockey Stadium after the approval of FIH. “The project of modern synthetic turf is completed with the cost of Rs 16 crore. The synthetic turf is an international level facility which will definitely help a lot in improving the game skills of our hockey players”. Adviser to CM Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs Wahab Riaz announced that a national level hockey tournament is being planned at National Hockey Stadium in which hockey teams from all over the country will participate. “National Hockey Stadium will be further upgraded with the collaboration of private sector. Hockey is our national game and modern synthetic turf is a gift for young talented hockey players of the country,” he added. Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Shahid Zaman on this occasion gave a suggestion to utilize the space under different bridges of the city for sports activities with the collaboration of International Synthetic Turf Company upon which the representative of International Synthetic Turf Company expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with Punjab Sports Department for this unique project    

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Lahore Division edged out Faisalabad Division by 4-3 on penalty shootouts in the nerve jangling title clash of First Ramzan Sports Series 2023 Hockey Championship on Monday night. Both the teams played a goal-less match in the stipulated time but in penalty shootouts, Lahore’s strikers and goalkeeper exhibited better performance and eventually emerged triumphant in the thrilling title clash. The winning team of Lahore was awarded a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh while the runners up Faisalabad got Rs 15 lakh. Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs Wahab Riaz, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Shahid Zaman, Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail, Director Youth Affairs Syed Umair Hassan, Director Sports Nadeem Qaiser were also present on this occasion. In Ramzan Sports Series Table Tennis Women’s Singles final match, Lahore’s Kalsoom Khan defeated Lahore’s Pernia Khan by 3-1. Kalsoom won the title with the scores of 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 and 11-9. The title of Table Tennis Men’s Singles went to Lahore Asim Qureshi who defeated Faisalabad’s Hafeez ur Rehman by 3-2. The score of the final match was 11-9, 11-4, 6-11, 8-11 and 11-9. In Ramzan Sports Series Badminton Women’s Singles final match, Lahore’s Ghazala Siddique toppled Faisalabad’s Zubaira 2-0 with the score of 21-18, 21-6. Gujranwala defeated Multan by 2-1 in Ramzan Sports Series Men’s Singles Badminton Final. Azeem Sarwar of Gujranwala thrashed Multan’s Jalees in the title clash.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Secretary General, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Haider Hussain has said that Sufian Khan would participate in the ongoing camp, which was organized for the preparation of the upcoming Asia Cup Hockey Tournament. “We are thankful to the Naval Chief who took interest in ending this matter. We are assured that all issues will be resolved one by one. All players and officials are focusing on the preparations for the Asia Cup. Sufyan is our national asset, he could not be ignored from the camp, “he added

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland): The Pan American hockey teams, in both men’s and women’s category, will compete from April 10 to 18 in the 2023 Junior Pan American Championships at Bridgetown, Barbados with three spots, in each gender, up for grabs in the upcoming FIH Junior World Cups 2023. Argentina, Canada, Chile, Guyana and USA will join hosts Barbados in both men’s and women’s tournaments, with Brazil (men) and Uruguay (women) rounding out the competing teams, with 7 sides playing in both tournaments. The men’s competition will get underway on the morning of 10 April with Argentina taking on Brazil, while the women’s competition will get underway on the same afternoon with Argentina taking on Uruguay in the opening encounter. The teams will be split into two pools, with Pool A comprising 3 teams and Pool B comprising 4 teams. In the men’s competition the Argentina, Brazil and Chile will play in Pool A, while Barbados, Canada, Guyana and USA are placed in Pool B. In the women’s competition Argentina, Uruguay and USA are placed in Pool A, while Barbados, Canada, Chile and Guyana will compete in Pool B. Each team in the pool stage will play the other teams in the pool once. The top two teams in both pools will qualify for the semi-finals, while the team in third position in Pool A will play the team in fourth position of Pool B, with the losing team ending their tournament in the seventh place, while the winner will play the third placed team in pool B in a fifth/sixth place playoff. The losing semi-finalists will play in the bronze medal match. The two finalists and the bronze medalists in each gender will qualify for the corresponding FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2023. The finals in the men’s tournament will be played on 17 April in the afternoon, while the women’s final will be played at the same time on the afternoon of 18 April. The FIH Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 will be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 5-16 December 2023. Malaysia have qualified as the hosts of the competition. Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain have qualified from Europe as the teams that were classified in the top-5 at the EuroHockey Junior Championship 2022. Australia and New Zealand have also qualified through the Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifiers 2022. South Africa and Egypt are the qualifiers from Africa finishing as the top two teams at the Junior Africa Cup 2023. Apart from the three qualifiers from Pan America, three more teams from Asia will qualify for the World Cup through the Junior Asia Cup 2023 which will be played later in the year. The FIH Junior Hockey Women’s World Cup 2023 will be played in Santiago, Chile. The new dates for the World Cup have been released and the event will now run from 29 November to 10th December 2023. Chile have qualified as the hosts of the competition. Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands and Spain have qualified from Europe as the teams that were classified in the top-5 at the EuroHockey Junior Championship 2022. Australia and New Zealand have also qualified through the Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifiers 2022. South Africa and Zimbabwe are the qualifiers from Africa finishing as the top two teams at the Junior Africa Cup 2023. Apart from the three qualifiers from Pan America, three more teams from Asia will qualify for the World Cup through the Junior Asia Cup 2023 which will be played later in the year.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Over 1000 players showed their keen and reached the stadium from trials, which Lahore Qalandar started in Karachi on Friday. According to an official, the registration started at 9 am and continued till the last minute of the trials. Due to the enthusiasm and large number of players, Chief Executive Lahore Qalandars, Atif Rana said: “The enthusiasm has surprised me, it wwill be unfair to the players not to extend it by one day, the enthusiasm and passion expressed by the secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation has been proved right by seeing the number of players here, after Karachi, Lahore, Open trials will also be held in Peshawar and Quetta. Like cricket, the mission to bring heroes ahead under the Qalandar Players Development Program”. Provincial Labor and Labor Minister Sindh Saeed Ghani said: “Lahore Qalandar, Federation and the government are doing their work, hockey is a sport for all of us, but unfortunately it has gone too far, but I am sure that like the Lahore Qalandar cricket, hockey will also flourish. The arrival of Shaheen Shah and his colleagues has encouraged the players associated with the national game. Sindh Government supports hockey. Sindh government is going to rebuild the Abdul Sattar Hockey Stadium”. Secretary General PHF Haider Hussain said: “I thank Lahore Qalandar and the Sindh government. Lahore Qalandar is the last ray of hope for the revival of hockey. Qalandar talent hunt program will be held in the city, I pray that the efforts of Lahore Qalandar and Atif Rana will pay off and once again the green crescent flag will be seen the hoist in the hockey field, provincial minister Saeed Ghani in bringing Lahore Qalandar to Karachi Sindh government has an important role, if the Sindh government does not give grant and does not support hockey, then maybe no one will even mention the name of hockey”. The trials were supervised by the Chairman of the Selection Committee of Pakistan Hockey Federation Olympian Kaleemullah and other members Olympian Nasir Ali, Olympian Shakeel Abbasi and Mohammad Naeem Khan is doing it himself. The Lahore Qalandar team led by Shaheen Shah Afridi arrived at the KHA Sports Complex when the players gave them a warm welcome. The players described the arrival of the Lahore Qalandar team as a memorable moment for them. On this occasion, Olympian Hanif Khan, KHA Patron General, and Vice President PHF Major General Retd. Test cricketer Sadiq Mohammad and other officials of KHA were also present

Sports Bulletin Report Pretoria (South Africa): After 80 matches and seven days of rousing action, Austria’s men successfully defended their world title while the Netherlands regained the women’s crown as the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup came to a gripping end in Pretoria, South Africa. Michael Körper got the defending champions off to a great start in the men’s final, putting his side ahead in the ninth minute. Less than a minute later the Dutch struck back, Max Sweering slotting one in off a penalty stroke for the equaliser just before the first break. But it didn’t take long for the Austrians to regain their lead, Körper once again adding his name to the scoresheet with a magnificent, lifted effort. The Dutch once again came back at them though, to level matters before halftime. The Netherlands then led twice in the second half, but the prolific Körper completed his hattrick to once again draw level at 4-4, sending the title decider to a shootout, which the Austrians edged 3-2 for a memorable victory. https://sports-bulletin.com/single?id=4548 While the Austrian men were crowned world champions for a second time, the women were seeking a first-ever world title when they also took on the Netherlands in their final. But the Dutch were in rampant mood in what turned into a completely one-sided match. Mabel Brands scored a hattrick as the Dutch romped to a third world title with a 7-0 victory. With that, they also climbed to the top spot in the world rankings while Austria moved up from seventh to fourth. In a first for a Hockey World Cup, both the men’s and women’s finals featured one male and one female umpire in each. Meanwhile, the women’s third-place playoff saw hosts South Africa taking on the Czech Republic. Having dropped from third at the 2015 World Cup to seventh in 2018, the Czechs were determined to make a return to the podium and they put in the ideal performance to do just that. Adela Lehovcova scored a brace and Anna Kolarova added another before the home side could breach the Austrian defence. Tegan Fourie’s consolation goal in the 26th minute was not enough to prevent the 1-3 loss for the South Africans, who nevertheless achieved their highest-ever World Cup finish with fourth place. Their unprecedented progress also saw them climbing up the world rankings from 12th place to sixth. The men’s bronze medal match between Iran and the USA produced another fast-paced showdown which included several spectacular goals. It was all square on 4-4 by the final hooter after Aki Kaeppeler found the final equaliser in the 37th minute. Results (men’s event): New Zealand 2 – 7 Australia Player of the match: Ben Staines (AUS) Austria 8 – 3 Iran Player of the match: Fabian Unterkircher (AUT) Netherlands 7 – 3 USA Player of the match: Nicki Leijs Kazakhstan 2 – 5 Czech Republic Player of the match: Lukas Plochy (CZE) Iran 4 (3) – 4 (2) USA Player of the match: Reza Norouzzadeh (IRI) Austria 4 (3) – 4 (2) Netherlands Player of the match: Michael Körper (AUT) Results (women’s event): Austria 1 – 0 Czech Republic Player of the match: Marianne Pulter (AUT) Netherlands 6 – 1 South Africa Player of the match: Lieke van Wijk (NED) South Africa 1 – 3 Czech Republic Player of the match: Barbora Cechakova (CZE) Netherlands 7 – 0 Austria Player of the match: Mabel Brands (NED) Final tournament standings (Women): Netherlands, 2. Austria, 3. Czech Republic, 4. South Africa, 5. Belgium, 6. Ukraine, 7. Australia, 8. Canada, 9. USA, 10. Kazakhstan, 11. New Zealand, 12. Namibia   Men’s Teams standings: Austria, 2. Netherlands, 3. Iran, 4. USA, 5. Belgium, 6. South Africa, 7. Argentina, 8. Namibia, 9. Czech Republic, 10. Kazakhstan, 11. Australia, 12. New Zealand Individual Awards (women) Best Player: Donja Zwinkels (NED) Hero Top Scorer: Donja Zwinkels (NED) Best Goalkeeper: Barbora Cechakova (CZE) Best Junior Player: Reese D'ariano (USA) Individual Awards (Men) Best Player: Fabian Unterkircher (AUT) Hero Top Scorer: Michael Körper (AUT) Best Goalkeeper: Mateusz Szymczyk (AUT) Best Junior Player: Mustaphaa Cassiem (RSA)

Sports Bulletin Report Pretoria (South Africa): History was made by the USA men and South African women as they secured their first-ever semifinal spots at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Pretoria, South Africa. After a thrilling day of quarterfinal clashes, the final four places were determined with defending champions Austria up against Iran while the Netherlands will take on the USA for a spot in the men’s final. 2018 bronze medallists Iran earned their semifinal spot in dramatic fashion, coming from 0-3 down in the third quarter to beat eighth-ranked Belgium in a shootout. The Iranians managed to level the scores at 5-5 in the 37th minute and it then took an incredible 18 shots to decide the winners in the subsequent shootout. Austria were next to secure their safe passage through to the final four with a 2-0 victory over Argentina, but it wasn’t until well into the third quarter that they first found the back of the net. Meanwhile, both the USA and Namibia were looking to extend their history-making runs at the World Cup – with the quarterfinals being unchartered territory for both teams. It was the Americans who had the edge. Namibia scored in the final minute of the match, but it was not enough to prevent a 3-2 win for the USA. The Dutch were in rampant mood against hosts South Africa in the last men’s quarterfinal. The 2015 world champions racked up a 5-0 lead by half time. The home side suddenly came alive in the final quarter, scoring three goals of their own. But when the Dutch added another one to their own tally, the fightback fizzled out. In the women’s tournament, the Czech Republic were the first side to book their place in the semifinals with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Australia. Both Belgium and South Africa were seeking their first-ever appearances in the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup semifinals when they met in the third women’s quarterfinal of the day. It was the host nation who benefited from the backing of a fervent home crowd to produce their best World Cup result to date. A goal from South African captain Jess O’Connor off a penalty corner edged her side in front and Tegan Fourie doubled their lead just before halftime. But the Belgians came back through a final-quarter goal, and they were a nervous final few minutes until the 2-1 home win was secured. In the final matchup of the day, it took 15 minutes for the Netherlands to breach the Canadian defence. But two hattricks, from Lieke van Wijk and Donja Zwinkels, steered the two-time world champions to a resounding 6-1 victory. The Dutch will take on South Africa in Saturday’s semifinals while Austria will play the Czech Republic. Results (Men’s Event): Iran 5 (6) – 5 (5) Belgium Player of the match: Reza Norouzzadeh (IRI) Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Adam Barry (AUS) Austria 2 – 0 Argentina Player of the match: Michael Körper (AUT) Umpires: Sean Edwards (ENG), Rachel Williams (ENG) USA 3 – 2 Namibia Player of the match: Aki Kaeppeler (USA) Umpires: Lee Barron (ENG), Diego Barbas (ARG) Netherlands 6 – 3 South Africa Player of the match: Boris Burkhardt (NED) Umpires: Andres Ortiz (ESP), Sophie Bockelmann (GER) Results (Women’s Event): New Zealand 4 – 3 Namibia Player of the match: Kirsten Pearce (NZL) Umpires: Ornpimol Kittiteerasopon (THA), Cathy Wright (WAL) USA 5 – 1 Kazakhstan Player of the match: Hannah Miller (USA) Umpires: Narongtuch Subboonsong (THA), Lyndal Robertson (RSA) Czech Republic 6 – 0 Australia Player of the match: Katerina Lacina (CZE) Umpires: Cathy Wright (WAL), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL) Austria 3 – 1 Ukraine Player of the match: Stella van Rahden (AUT) Umpires: Melina Illanes (ARG), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL) Belgium 1 – 2 South Africa Player of the match: Tegan Fourie (RSA) Umpires: Emily Carroll (AUS), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL) Netherlands 6 – 1 Canada Player of the match: Lieke van Wijk (NED) Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Lyndal Robertson (RSA)

Sports Bulletin Report Pretoria (South Africa): The quarterfinal lineup was completed after several scintillating performances on the final day of pool matches at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Pretoria, South Africa. The men’s Pool B clash between the Czech Republic and Iran produced a 16-goal thriller. The Czechs led 6-3 by the 25th minute but the feisty Iranians came back at them. Just like they had done against South Africa the day before, a final-minute goal clinched a dramatic, last-gasp draw for Iran. The 8-8 draw was enough to see the Iranians through to the quarterfinals, but there was disappointment for the fourth-ranked Czech Republic who are now left to fight it out for the minor places. The other Pool B battle, between South Africa and Argentina, was another entertaining, high-scoring affair, which saw the hosts snatching a 5-4 win with another Mustapha Cassiem goal in the final minute. Despite the loss, Argentina are also through to the quarterfinals thanks to their earlier victories over Iran and Australia. In the other men’s pool it was Namibia who booked the final top-four spot despite a 4-4 draw with New Zealand. Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic had already secured their quarterfinal places before the final pool matches of the women’s tournament but the other spots were yet to be determined. There was double joy for the home crowd when the South African women claimed their second victory of the tournament, beating New Zealand 6-3 to qualify for the top eight. Australia went down 2-4 to Austria in their final pool match, but still progressed thanks to their earlier victories against the USA and New Zealand. In Pool B, it was Belgium, Ukraine and Canada who joined the already-qualified Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. Belgium defeated Canada 1-0 thanks to a third-quarter goal from Claire Barry, and the Canadians then faced an anxious wait for the outcome of the final pool clash between Ukraine and Kazakhstan to discover whether they’d done enough to progress. That match ended in a 3-3 draw, with one point not enough to see the Kazakhs through ahead of Canada. Friday’s men’s quarterfinal clashes will see Belgium facing Iran while defending world champions Austria are up against Argentina, the USA take on Namibia, and the Netherlands play South Africa. In the women’s tournament, the Czech Republic face Australia, Austria take on Ukraine, Belgium play South Africa and the Netherlands are up against Canada in a bid to reach Saturday’s semifinals. Results (Men’s Event): South Africa 6 – 5 Argentina Player of the match: Chad Futcher (RSA) Umpires: Adam Barry (AUS), Sean Edwards (ENG) USA 4 – 2 Australia Player of the match: Stuart Kentwell (USA) Umpires: Lee Barron (ENG), Ayden Shrives (RSA) Czech Republic 8 – 8 Iran Player of the match: Tomas Prochazka (CZE) Umpires: Diego Barbas (ARG), Rachel Williams (ENG) Belgium 1 – 7 Netherlands Player of the match: Boris Burkhardt (NED) Umpires: Lee Barron (ENG), Adam Barry (AUS) Austria 9 – 2 Kazakhstan Player of the match: Michael Körper (AUT) Umpires: Sophie Bockelmann (GER), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL) Namibia 4 – 4 New Zealand Player of the match: Liam Hermanus (NAM) Umpires: Diego Barbas (ARG), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL) Results (Women’s Event): Netherlands 3 – 2 USA Player of the match: Elizabeth Tamburro (USA) Umpires: Ornpimol Kittiteerasopon (THA), Cathy Wright (WAL) South Africa 6 – 3 New Zealand Player of the match: Daniela de Oliveira (RSA) Umpires: Sophie Bockelmann (GER), Rachel Williams (ENG Australia 2 – 4 Austria Player of the match: Katharina Bauer (AUT) Umpires: Lyndal Robertson (RSA), Cathy Wright (WAL) Belgium 1 – 0 Canada Player of the match: Claire Barry (BEL) Umpires: Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL), Ornpimol Kittiteerasopon (THA) Namibia 0 – 6 Czech Republic Player of the match: Anna Vorlova (CZE) Umpires: Lyndal Robertson (RSA), Sean Edwards (ENG) Ukraine 3 – 3 Kazakhstan Player of the match: Karyna Leonova (UKR) Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL)

Sports Bulletin Report Pretoria (South Africa): Day four also featured two top-of-the-table clashes between Austria and the Netherlands, with the Austrian men and Dutch women emerging victorious in the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Pretoria, South Africa. Making his scoring debut in the tournament was Austria’s Michael Körper, who flew in later than the rest of the team after helping his Harvestehuder THC side land the German Indoor Championship title over the weekend. Körper made up for lost time, scoring all four of Austria’s goals in their 4-1 victory over the Netherlands. Meanwhile, there was joy for Kazakhstan’s men’s side as they claimed their first win of the tournament. Having notched up a four-goal lead against New Zealand, the Kazakhs managed to hit the left and then the right post within a matter of seconds in their bid for a fifth goal. It was eventually Yerkebulan Dyussebekov who slotted it in off a penalty corner to seal the 5-0 win. Earlier in the day, the Belgian men’s side secured their place in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 victory over Namibia. In the other men’s pool, a 7-4 victory for the United States over Argentina saw the Americans finishing the day on top, also ensuring their passage through. Aki Kaeppeler scored three of those goals, his contribution crucial against the determined Argentinians, who have made an impressive impact on their tournament debut. The Czech Republic women booked their place in the final eight with a 4-2 victory over Ukraine, while the South African women claimed their first victory of the tournament with a 1-0 win over Australia. Results (February 8, 2023-Men’s Event): Namibia 1 – 4 Belgium Player of the match: Philippe Simar (BEL) Umpires: Diego Barbas (ARG), Emily Carroll (AUS) Kazakhstan 5 – 0 New Zealand Player of the match: Daulet Urmanov (KAZ) Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA) Melina Illanes (ARG)  Netherlands 1 – 4 Austria Player of the match: Umpires: Diego Barbas (ARG), Sean Edwards (ENG) USA 7 – 4 Argentina Player of the match: Aki Kaeppeler Umpires: Adres Ortiz (ESP), Sophie Bockelmann (GER) Iran 4 – 4 South Africa Player of the match: Mustapha Cassiem (RSA) Umpires: Adam Barry (AUS), Sean Edwards (ENG) Player of the match: Benjamin Rennie (AUS) Umpires: Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL) Results (February 8, 2023-Women’s Event): Republic 4 – 2 Ukraine Player of the match: Barbora Cechakova (CZE) Umpires: Lyndal Robertson (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA) Belgium 2 – 1 Namibia Player of the match: Laurine Delforge (BEL) Umpires: Adam Barry (AUS), Ornpimol Kittiteerasopon (THA) Kazakhstan 4 – 4 Canada Player of the match: Samantha McCrory Umpires: Andres Ortiz (ESP), Emily Carroll (AUS) Austria 1 – 5 Netherlands Player of the match: Donja Zwinkels Umpires: Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL), Lyndal Robertson (RSA)  USA 9 – 0 New Zealand Player of the match: Sydney Mandato (USA) Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Ornpimol Kittiteerasopon (THA) South Africa 1 – 0 Australia Player of the match: Tegan Fourie (RSA) Umpires: Sophie Bockelmann (GER), Melina Illanes (ARG)  

Sports Bulletin Report Sydney: The FIH Hockey Pro League returns on 10 February as Australia will host China and Germany in the women’s competition at Olympic Park Hockey Center in Sydney, to start off the second phase of the 2022/23 season. The men’s competition will resume on 28 February in Hobart with the Kookaburras hosting Argentina and Spain in the first mini-tournament following the conclusion of the men’s World Cup. Season recap (women’s) In the women’s competition, reigning champions Argentina currently sit at the top of the table having taken 14 points from their 8 games thus far. Argentina’s quest to defend their title faces great threat from Olympic and World Champions Netherlands, who have stayed perfect so far registering 4 wins in their 4 games to sit second in the table with 12 points. Belgium, Germany and Great Britain are the other 3 teams to have also played 4 matches so far this season. Belgium and Germany have both registered 5 points thus far, but the Red Panthers sit a spot above the Danas thanks to their superior goal difference. Great Britain are yet to register any points this season having lost all 4 of their contests, but have three quarters of the season left to make their climb up the table. With the mini-tournament starting in Australia on 10 February, Australia and China will play their first set of matches alongside Germany, who will be playing in their second mini-tournament. New Zealand will then host USA and China in Wellington, in a mini-tournament starting on 18 February, which will be the first set of matches for the hosts and the Americans, while China will be playing in their second mini-tournament. Season recap (men’s) In the men’s competition, positions 1 to 7 are separated by just 4 points, as the competition has been incredibly stiff so far. Great Britain hold the top spot with 9 points as they remain unbeaten in the competition, having won one match and drawing three, managing to win the bonus points in all three shoot-outs. India, Germany, Spain and Argentina all find themselves on 8 points, but Argentina have already played 8 matches, while India, Germany and Spain have played 4 matches each. Defending champions Netherlands currently find themselves in seventh place, having taken 5 points from their 4 games, one spot below season 3 runners-up Belgium, whose 2 wins and 2 losses sees them occupy the sixth place on 6 points. With the mini-tournament being played in Australia from 28 February to 5 March, the hosts will become the final team to play their first set of matches in the 2022/23 season, alongside Spain, who will be playing their second mini-tournament and Argentina, who will play their penultimate set of 4 matches. Following the conclusion of games in Australia, the action will shift to the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela where India will host Australia and world champions Germany, with all teams playing their second mini-tournaments.