Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has called 15-player to join the training camp aiming to prepare the national squad for forthcoming five-a-side hockey tournament that will be taken place in Switzerland. Tournament will start on June 4, 2022 in Lausanne, Switzerland. According to an official of PHF, all 15 selected players for the training camp have been instructed to report to head coach Olympian Rehan Butt at National Hockey Stadium Lahore by the afternoon of May 8. Olympian Waqas Sharif will be assistant coach. Pakistan team will leave on June 2 for Switzerland. Names of players: Mohammad Waqar (goalkeeper), Haider Manzoor (goalkeeper), Mohibullah Khan, Omar Mustafa, Mohammad Ehtesham, Hassan Amin, Aqeel Ahmed, Tazeem Al Hassan, Abdul Rehman, Murtaza Yaqoob, Mohammad Afraz, Arshad Liaqat,  Abuzar, Shahzeb Khan, Mohsin Hassan

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland: A super opening goal from German forward Charlotte Stapenhorst signalled her team's intent as Germany put four goals past England to reverse the previous day's results. Later, in the men's match between the two nations, Germany showed their character as they clung onto a 3-2 lead despite spending most of the final quarter with 10 players on the pitch at Sparkassen Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany. Germany beat England (women) 4-1 A fantastically taken goal from Charlotte Stapenhorst in the second minute put England on the back foot in the second encounter between the two teams within 24 hours. Stapenhörst burst into the circle and slammed the ball without preamble past Miriam Pritchard in the England goal. Four minutes later and Germany were on the attack again. Cecile Pieper scrambled the ball towards the goal but it was Nike Lorenz who dragged the ball out of the melee and lifted it into the goal. England came back into the game in the second quarter, creating their own chances. A series of penalty corners saw England captain Hollie Pearne-Webb attempting to slap the ball past Julia Sonntag in the German goal but at the end of the quarter it was still Germany who held a 2-0 lead. The England penalty corner routine finally found the mark in the fourth quarter when Grace Balsdon's shot was deflected into the goal by Hannah Martin. This raised the tension on the pitch as England looked to build on the momentum provided by the goal. Germany's answer however, was two goals in the final quarter. First Hannah Gablac was on hand when a German penalty corner broke down. The initial shot by Leena Micheel was scuffed but the loose ball fell kindly for Gablac, who fired home. The match was put beyond any doubt when Pia Maertens picked up the ball on the edge of the England circle and drove into the danger area before attempting to unleash a shot. The fact she scuffed the top of the ball meant the speed fooled the defence and Maertens had the grace to smile wryly at the outcome. Player of the Match Sonja Zimmermann (GER) said: 'That was a really good game by us today, we had the right focus and the right mentality. We tried to do what the coach asked us and it worked.' The results from these two matches mean that Germnay move to fourth in the FIH Pro League, two points behind Argentina, while England are in fifth, eight points behind Germany but having played four fewer matches. Germany beat England (men) 3 -2 England took the lead in the opening minutes of this match when David Condon was on hand to tip the ball past Niklas Garst in the German goal after a super ball into the circle from Will Calnan. That lead lasted until the 18th minute but a series of penalty corners to Germany asked plenty of questions of the England defence. On the third attempt, Malte Hellwig was on hand to deflect Tom Grambusch's penalty corner strike into the goal past James Mazarelo. The next 20 minutes of action saw both teams working to take control of the game. The momentum swung as first Germany and then England put together some patient build-up play to try and work a way into the opposing circle. It was Germany who got the breakthrough when Tom Grambusch made another penalty corner count. His shot squeezed past England captain Tom Sorsby and snuck into the corner of the goal. England drew back level when Sam Ward was able to steer a penalty corner shot past Jean Danneberg who was now in the German goal. Seconds later Germany answered in emphatic style when Gonzalo Peillat sent a rocket of a shot high into the England goal to give his side a 3-2 lead. The atmosphere ramped up in the final 18 minutes of the game. Christopher Ruhr was given a 10 minute yellow card and England withdrew their 'keeper to gain a two player advantage on the pitch. Both sides were now bursting with the effort of scoring the all-important next goal. For England, it was the need for an equaliser; for Germany it was to cushion their lead, particularly as they were a player down. Ruhr returned to the pitch but first Johannes Grosse received a green card and then Michel Struthoff received a yellow, meanng Germany comntinued to player with fewer men on the pitch. Jean Danneberg pulled off a tremendous save from a shot by Ward and then James Albery stepped in to prevent an almost certain goal from Grambusch. Despite the best endeavours of both teams, there were no more goals but viewers and spectators could be forgiven for feeling breathless at the end of this encounter. Player of the Match Martin Zwicket of Germany said: 'I am happy because we won that tough game. I don't know why I got the award because it was a team performance. We keep looking forward and we have to improve a lot of things as we have Argentina and Netherlands next.'

Sports Bulletin Report BARCELONA (Spain):-Spain defeated Pakistan 5-3 in the last fixture of the Europe tour of the Green Shirts and leveled the two-match series 1-1, as Pakistan had won the first match 4-1 that played at Barcelona, Spain. In the first half, Spain were leading 1-0. Later in the second half of the game, Mubashir Ali and Mohammad Rizwan scored one goal each with the help of a short corner for Pakistan while Rana Waheed scored a field goal. The Spanish team scored two more goals and defeated Pakistan by five goals to three.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne (Switzerland):-Darcy Bourne opened her senior side scoring account with two goals against Germany, as England women defeated their European rivals in a close 4-3 encounter at Sparkassen Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany. In the men's game, it was again England who took all three points as they took an early 1-0 lead and then somehow kept the door shut on a continuous German onslaught at the same venue. England beat Germany 4-3 (women): This was a closely-contested match from start to finish with the two teams matching each other at every turn. The opening salvos saw Germany pressure Miriam Pritchard's goal and both Sonja Zimmermann and Katharina Kiefer saw shots just missing the mark. While Germany had the ascendency in the opening minutes, it was England who finished the quarter stronger. The goal count, however, remained at zero. The second quarter began in much the same fashion. Nike Lorenz sent a shot high over Pritchard's crossbar, while Hollie Pearne-Webb's penalty corner strike was deflected wide. The ever-busy Charlotte Stapenhorst created a chance for Hannah Gablac but that was also sent harmlessly wide of the post. It was Gablac who broke the deadlock however. In the 25th minute the England defence stopped as they anticipated a whistle. Gablac however took the opportunity to neatly twist past Pritchard and slot the ball home. This galvanised England and just a minute later Grace Balsdon fired home a trademark penalty corner shot, which flew past Noelle Rother in the German goal. Just before half-time, a great run and pass by Jette Fleschutz found Kiefer. The subsequent foul earnt Germany a penalty stroke, which Lorenz sent home without hesitation to give her side a 2-1 lead going into the break. England pulled level three minutes into the second half. This was the first of Bourne's double as she picked up on a cross from Alexandra Malzer and created herself the space to fire the ball home. For Germany, Anne Schroeder was unlucky to hit the side post, and Germany began to really pile on some pressure but the sides went into the third quarter break with the scores locked at 2-2. England took the lead for the first time in the match when Tessa Howard received a beautifully weighted pass from Grace Balsdon. For Howard this was a sweet moment as she has missed a year of international action after a knee injury. Germany answered through a penalty corner from captain Zimmermann but Bourne's second, scored three minutes from full-time gave her side a 4-3 lead and three more points on the FIH Pro League table. Player of the Match Darcy Bourne (ENG) said: 'I am absolutely thrilled. We had a downhill start but we came together really well. We are a side that are just coming together now.' England beat Germany 1-0 (men): This match started evenly enough with both teams showing flair and creativity, particularly in the midfield, and the game seemed to promise a lot of goals. England took the lead in the 12th minute when Nick Bandurak was the recipient of a skilful standing reverse stick pass from David Goodfield. Bandurak only had to place his stick on the floor to deflect the ball past Alexandra Stadler in the German goal. This galvanised Germany but the attempts by the higher ranked side (Germany are ranked 5th in the world; England are ranked 7th) were spectacular but not effective. On several occasions Christopher Ruhr burst through the England defence only to see his shots fly wide, while Oliver Payne was putting in an outstanding performance in the England goal as he parried and cleared shot after shot from the German team. After the half time break, Germany increased the pressure further and England were subjected to a barrage of aerial balls across the goal circle plus the ever-present threat of Gonzalo Peillat from the penalty corner spot. In all, Germany had 23 circle penetrations to England's 11 and more than double the number of shots. A dispirited Christopher Ruhr said after the game: 'You cannot win games without scoring goals. It will be different in tomorrow's match.' Player of the Match Oliver Payne (ENG) said: 'I'm super happy. This (winning Player of the Match) doesn't happen very often, so I will enjoy this one. Germany are a good side but our lads put in one hell of a shift. In the second half it felt like wave after wave of pressure.'

Sports Bulletin Report BARCELONA (Spain):-Pakistan national hockey team outclassed hosts Spain 4-1 in the first fixture of the 2 Test-Match Tie in Barcelona on Tuesday. It was the 5th match of Europe tour, as earlier Green Shirts encountered Netherlands and Belgium, the Pakistan hockey team played an excellent game with the Spanish hockey team and defeated them by four goals to one. Rizwan scored the first goal for Pakistan in the first quarter of the game through a short corner. Ijaz Ali scored the third field goal for Pakistan. At the end of the first half, Pakistan took a three-goal lead over Spain. In the fourth quarter of the second half, Pakistan's Roman scored the fourth goal. The Pakistan team is accompanied by Manager Olympian Khawaja Junaid, Head Coach Siegfried Ekman, Assistant Coach Olympian Wasim Ahmed, Drake Flicker Coach Richard Snatcher, Goalkeeper Coach Bob John Weldeff, Video Analyst Nadeem Lodhi. Pakistan will play the second match of the two-match series against Spain on May 4 in Barcelona.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland:-Hero (Hero MotoCorp), the world's largest manufacturer of two wheelers and a long-time partner of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and hockey in general, has been named title sponsor of the first-ever senior World Hockey5s event organised by FIH, which will take place on 4 and 5 June 2022, in Lausanne, Switzerland. ‘Hero FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022’ will combine a thrilling competition involving some of the powerhouses of international hockey (Women: Switzerland, India, Poland, South Africa and Uruguay; Men: Switzerland, India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Poland) with an initiation to hockey offered to the public and a musical entertainment throughout both days. Bharatendu Kabi, Hero MotoCorp, said: “Hero MotoCorp has been one of the largest corporate promoters of sports across the world. In keeping with this commitment, we are glad to support Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) in staging the inaugural Hockey 5s, a brand-new format added to the sport of Hockey. As the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero has always been at the forefront of sustainable technology and innovation. We congratulate FIH for introducing a new format with a fast-paced game that involves high levels of skill and aimed at further increasing the reach and popularity of the sport. With 5s, fans around the world will get to watch a great exhibition of hockey in action over the course of two days in Lausanne in the summer.” FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “We’re delighted to have Hero as title sponsor of our inaugural Hockey5s international tournament in Lausanne. This demonstrates once more the deep commitment of Hero to be a leader in the development of hockey worldwide. FIH is determined to grow hockey globally and we’re convinced that Hockey5s has a great potential to contribute significantly to the fulfillment of this objective. It is therefore particularly encouraging to be supported in our vision by such a strong and faithful hockey partner. On behalf of FIH, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to Hero.” In 2019, in order to further boost the development of hockey globally through Hockey5s, the FIH Executive Board decided to create an FIH Hockey5s World Cup - with the inaugural edition planned in 2024 in Oman - and, in the near future, a Hockey5s World Tour, which will consist of events similar to Lausanne’s.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Hosts Belgium defeated Pakistan 5-1 in the 3rd fixture of the ongoing Europe tour. According to the details, during the tour of Europe, the Belgian hockey team defeated the Pakistan hockey team 5-1. Belgium scored one goal in the first quarter while in the second quarter Belgium scored the second goal and took a two goal lead in the match against zero. In the second quarter Pakistan played aggressively and unfortunately lost several chances. Rizwan scored first goal for Pakistan in the third quarter with the help of a short corner. Later, Belgium scored three consecutive goals to take a 5-1 lead and win the match. The national hockey team will have a practice session in Belgium on April 30 and will leave for Spain on May 1 to play a two-match series against the Spanish team. The national team will return home on May 5.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan hockey team defeated hosts Netherlands 5-3 in their 1st match of Europe tour, as Rizwan was the star after scoring three goals to make a hat trick. According to the media department of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Green Shirts overcame Netherlands 5-3 in the first match on the tour of Europe. At the beginning of the game, Pakistan's Ijaz scored a goal to give his team 1-0 lead. Hosts Netherlands scored two goals in a row to take a one goal lead. The second match of Pakistan's tour of Europe will be played on April 27 against the Netherlands in Breda.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-After a very even and scoreless opening half England was able to capitalize and take down the United States, 3-1, in North Carolina. Holly Pearne-Webb and Grace Balsdon capitalized from penalty corners while Elena Rayer, also named Player of the match, tallied on a brilliant deflection for England. Despite the score line both teams had quality opportunities. It was a bright moment for USA captain Amanda Magadan celebrating her 100th international at home, while both teams were able to give some youngsters an opportunity to get some experience including several just returned from the FIH Junior World Cup. United States beat England (women) 3-1 It was a scoreless and even opening half. Both teams traded penalty corner options while youth on both sides gave way for several counter-attack plays. England set the pace early on with a series of penalty corners earned. Hollie Pearne-Webb put a deceptive sweep wide of the right post and her second attempt was cleared by USA defender Julianna Tornetta. USA found their strides and had chances of their own. Ashley Sessa was the first to force a save out of England keeper Sabbie Heesh. Periods of brilliance did emerge in the scrappy affair including a fantastic off-ball lead from Hope Rose. Rose looked to find Erin Matson in front of the goal but Heesh calmly denied the cross. Late in the second quarter, Matson poached a ball and went in solo into the England circle but good defensive work by Grace Baldson and Pearne-Webb sparked a quick counter-attack. Holly Hunt fed Darcy Bourne who took to her back-hand to send a rocket cross. Elena Rayer came sliding in at the far post just missing at the far post. USA came out of the break with a strong attack. Captain Amanda Magadan, playing in her 100th international, did all the hard work on the right baseline but her cross trickled through traffic inches away from but parallel to the goal line and out the other side. Matson and Ashley Sessa had a nice combination play after a quick aerial from Tornetta but the ball was shot wide of the England goal. Against the rush and down a player, England turned the tides. Bourne and Rayer battled through traffic to earn a penalty corner. Pearne-Webb finished brilliantly in the bottom corner to lift England 1-0. USA’s Paityn Wirth nearly drew the game level on an open net but the ball was painfully touched wide. Kealsie Robles was then kept busy in the USA circle battling a few England attacks including another set of penalty corners. Following a long video review, England got to work and Bourne took to the baseline and fed Rayer who effortless one-touched the ball past Robles to double England’s lead. Grace Balsdon then converted on her fourth penalty corner attempt. A flick high, glove side beat Robles to make it 3-0 for England. Matson was able to bury a consolation goal in the final minute of the game to break the shutout and the 3-1 loss will give the USA something to improve on in the teams’ match up tomorrow. Argentina beat South Africa (men) 4-3 Argentina came out of the gate with two goals in the first five minutes of play. Federico Monja deflected a penalty corner with extreme precision after a perfect delivery from Lauraro Ferrero to give the home side the 1-0 lead. Nicolas Acosta was able to find Federico Fernandez unmarked for the tap in to make it 2-0 in the fifth minute. Before the end of the quarter, hard work from Keenan Horne gave Nqobile Ntuli a chance to get on the board. Ntuli dug the ball out of Emiliano Bosso’s pads and calmly rolled the ball in to the net for South Africa to now trail 2-1. After half time the game seemed to sit heavily in favour of the home side, but things started to heat up after Argentina took a 3-1 lead. In the 38th minute, Ferrero scored Argentina’s third goal off a powerful flick through the legs of keeper Estiaan Kriek. It also marked Ferrero’s first international goal. With nothing to lose, South Africa’s press started to creep higher and it paid dividends. The Argentine back line uncharacteristically saw themselves panicking in their outlet allowing South Africa to show their precision on attack. In the 43rd minute Matthew Guise-Brown stepped up to the penalty corner battery and without hesitation flicked a low shot past Bosso to cut Argentina’s lead to one. But as they do, Argentina wasted no time in responding. A Juan Catan and Acosta combo set up Facundo Sarto at the stroke mark, for the tap in and Argentina’s fourth goal.  South Africa never let up and were back in the game on another penalty corner flick from Guise-Brown to bring South Africa trailing again by one, down 4-3. Ntuli thought he might draw the game level after a high press earned them a circle entry but the reverse stick shot was denied by a sliding Emiliano Bosso. Guise-Brown was then denied on back-to-back penalty corner flicks with outstanding goalkeeping from Bosso to protect Argentina’s 4-3 victory.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-The National Selection Committee (NSC) of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) named the 20-man squad for the upcoming Europe tour, as Umer Bhutta would be the skipper of national Pakistan hockey team. According to an official of PHF, the team will be headed by Umar Bhutta, whereas Ali Shan will vice-captain. The duties of goalkeepers will be performed by Mohammad Akmal and Abdullah Ishtiaq. For the tour, the other players comprised Mubashir Ali, Amad Shakeel Butt, Abubakar Mahmood, Mohammad Abdullah, Moin Shakeel, Umar Bhutta, Ali Shan, Rana Abdul Waheed, Ghazanfar Ali and Ajaz Ahmad. Besides this, Hammad Anjum, Junaid Manzoor, Salman Raziq, Roman Khan, Abdul Hannan Shahid, Abdul Mannan, Arbaz Ali and Rizwan Ali are also part of the team for the European tour. Olympian Khawaja Junaid will be the team manager, while Siegfried Aikman will be the head coach. The national hockey team will be headed to Holland and will play one match each with Holland and Belgium, respectively. The team will also take on the Belgium hockey team in three matches.