Hockey - Int News
Hockey: Hosts Belgium defeat Pakistan 5-1
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.
Pakistan beat Netherlands 5-3 in hockey
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.
Pakistan Hockey Federation names 20-man squad for European tour
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.
Qualification pathway approved for Paris 2024
Raja Hafeez
Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the qualification pathway for the Paris 2024 Olympic hockey tournaments, as submitted by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The qualification process per gender will be as follows:
Host Nation: 1 team (on the basis that both teams – Men and Women - have satisfied the FIH criteria of achieving a ranking of 25 or better in the FIH World Rankings since the end of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, which is the case for both French teams)
Continental Qualifications: 5 teams
The winning team of each of the following continental competitions will qualify:
African Hockey Road to Paris 2023
Pan American Games 2023
Asian Games 2022
EuroHockey Championship 2023
Oceania Cup 2023
FIH Hockey Olympic Qualification Tournaments: 6 teams
There will be 2 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualification tournaments, consisting of 8 teams each (16 teams in total), held in early 2024. The number of teams from each Continent participating in these tournaments will be based on Continental quotas, which will be determined according to the FIH World Rankings on 31 January 2023. The teams filling each quota, and therefore invited to participate, will be based on performance at the Continental Championships. The top 3 teams in each of these tournaments will qualify.
FIH CEO Thierry Weil said:
“On behalf of FIH, I’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to the IOC for having approved the qualification pathway that we suggested. This will provide for absolutely thrilling matches all over the world, which is wonderful for athletes and fans alike”.
Uruguay and Austria hope for dream debut performances
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Uruguay and Austria hoped that they would perform well on debut in the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup Hockey Tournament, which will be started from April 1, 2022 at Potchefstroom, South Africa.
It was inconceivable that the title holders might not qualify and defend their title but this was nearly the case with Argentina. The young Lionesses finished behind Canada, USA and Uruguay at the Junior Pan Am Championship and so failed to qualify for the Junior World Cup. The withdrawal of a number of teams opened up a space and there is little doubt that the Argentinians will be seeking to defend their title. Las Leoncitas has a good record in the event. As well as their 2016 title, they also won gold in 1993, silver in 2001, 2009 and 2013 and bronze in 1997.
Korea is another team with a good record at this event, winning in 2001 and 2005. Captain Seona Kim said her team had been working incredibly hard to prepare for this event and would be ‘making things very difficult’ for their opponents. After failing to qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Korea women’s hockey has been rebuilding, and were impressive when they won the silver medal behind Japan at the Asia Cup in January of this year. The junior team will be looking to prove that the future of hockey is bright in Korea.
Like Ireland, this is a first appearance for Uruguay and the South American team will be keen to strut their style. Uruguay are one of the fastest developing hockey nations, with the recent opening of a new national base, complete with new turf, a real boon for hockey in the country. At the Pan Am Championships, Uruguay showed they could defend with real strength and they will have been focused in on developing their goal scoring abilities since that event in January.
Talking ahead of the competition, Agustina Martinez of Uruguay said: ‘It is the first time we are going to a World Cup. We qualified in August, which was historic, so for us this was very emotional. It was like a dream that came true. I think that we didn’t even dare to think about it but once we made it, it was very moving, also because we could live this moment with our families and see the emotions this provoked among people in Uruguay.’
The most recent addition to the roster of teams lining up in Potchefstroom is Austria. The European team were invited to participate after the exclusion of Russia by FIH. This will be Austria’s first appearance at a Junior World Cup and the squad has a baptism of fire as they face Argentina on the opening day. “I really think that we don’t have any big expectations because we don’t know how our opponents are going to be, especially Korea, since I think none of us has ever played against this team. We all know that Argentina in our group is going to be a big opponent and that it will be very tough, but we’re just going to give 150% and we will be happy with our game”, says Austrian player Fiona Felber.
The first Pool C matches take place on the opening day of competition. Korea will face Uruguay, while Argentina will play Austria.
Zimbabwe face Canada in the opening match of FIH Junior World Cup for women
RAJA HAFEEZ
Lausanne, Switzerland: As we build up towards the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, which springs into action on 1 April in Potchefstroom, South Africa, here is a preview of the teams that comprise Pool A.
Pool A: Canada, Netherlands, United States and Zimbabwe
As runners-up at the Junior EuroHockey Championships (beaten by Spain on shoot-out), and the team with the highest number of wins at this tournament (3), Netherlands will be the team to beat in this pool. Head Coach Dave Smolenaars will have a host of players at his disposal who have been part of a national structure that produces wave after wave of quality hockey players. The Netherlands open their account with a match against USA on the first day of competition.
The most intriguing meet-up in this pool will be the Pan Am clash between USA and Canada. The Canadians will be full of confidence after they won the Junior Pan Am Championship for the first time in their history. USA have been very much in a rebuilding stage so it will be interesting to see how the players respond to this challenge. USA Head Coach Tracey Paul will be looking for the experience of players such as Hope Rose and Charlotte de Vries to lead her team through to the knock-out stages. USA’s highest ever finish in their eight previous appearances was seventh in 2013. Canada’s last appearance was in 2013, when they finished 14th. Like USA, the Canadian team’s previous best was a seventh place in 1989.
For Canada, nine of the team that won the Junior Pan Am Cup will be making the trip to South Africa. Head Coach Jenn Beagan is delighted at the prospect of both the junior and senior Canada teams competing in World Cups this year, saying: ‘This is an exciting time and I have no doubt the athletes will rise to the occasion.’
Zimbabwe are a country that has been really focused on developing their national teams in the past few years, and they could spring a surprise on their more experienced opponents. Their previous three appearances have seen the African team finish in last place, but, with the event taking place on African soil for the first time, they will be aiming much higher this time around.
Mutsa Bera, the Zimbabwe captain said: ‘We are going to learn a lot from playing at such a big event. It is about taking up the challenge, just going in there and putting up a fight.
‘It is such a big thing to be able to go out there and make a mark for Zimbabwe hockey and show how ready we are to do this.’
Zimbabwe face Canada in their opening Pool A match on 1 April.
Stars of the future head to Potchefstroom
Sports Bulletin Report
Lausanne, Switzerland:-With just a few days to go before the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup South Africa 2021 springs into action in Potchefstroom the squads for the participating nations are now known.
Among the athletes from the 16 teams are Olympians, Olympic medallists and players that have already seen top class action through the FIH Hockey Pro League. This is also the stage upon which new stars are revealed to hockey fans. It was back in 1997 that an unknown junior called Luciana Aymar led Argentina to a Junior World Cup bronze medal – we all know how that story unfolded. Today’s crop of Las Leoncitas will be hoping to retain the gold medal that the 2016 squad won in Santiago, Chile.
For teams such as Netherlands, Germany and Korea, the Women’s Junior World Cup has been a traditional hunting ground for medals. Those three teams between them have won 12 medals, and all three will want to be adding to their tallies.
For Germany, players such as Pauline Heinz and Jette Fleschütz will be bringing a huge amount of experience of top flight hockey, having already experienced Olympic and FIH Hockey Pro League action. In addition, the German U21 squad played two senior FIH Hockey Pro League matches against India, gaining a wealth of experience the process.
Also on the hunt for medals will be the India women’s side. Having observed the rapid rise of their women’s senior team through the rankings, and the adulation to which the squad returned on the back of an Olympic fourth place finish, the India team will want to take advantage of the momentum surrounding women’s hockey in the country right now.
At the other end of the experience continuum are teams such as Ireland and Uruguay who will be experiencing their first ever foray into Women’s Junior World Cup territory. Ireland's athletes are already bringing a sense of joy to the show, with their revelation that the team managers included pool-based flamingo racing as part of their early morning warm-up routines.
And then there is the emotion that will be so very present at this event. For South Africa, this is the momentous occasion when they hold the continent’s first ever FIH World Cup event. For Canada, this is the place where they were caught in limbo for a while in December as a result of pandemic movement restrictions – they will be looking for a happy return to Potchefstroom.
FIH Hockey World Cup for Women: 100-day countdown starts
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Lausanne, Switzerland: There are just 100 days to go until the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain & Netherlands 2022 springs into life at the joint venues of the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam in the Netherlands and the Terrassa Olympic Stadium in Terrassa, Spain.
The 16 teams know both their pools and the opponents that stand between them and World Cup glory. The officials are primed and ready to ensure a smooth running and fairly contested tournament. The fans are busily purchasing tickets ready to roar on the athletes in this blue riband event, that will not only set pulses racing in the stands, but will captivate global audiences.
Ahead of the event, fans across the international community were asked to suggest names for the competition’s mascot. Showing some truly astonishing creativity 400 names were suggested, which was eventually whittled down to just three. More than 600 votes were cast and the final, winning name for the 2022 World Cup mascot was revealed as Lyla. Look out for Lyla as she makes starring appearances over the duration of the tournament and at both venues.
Both Spain and the Netherlands are experienced hosts when it comes to hockey competition. The Hague was the venue for the Men’s and Women’s World Cups in 2014, with Utrecht hosting the Men’s and Women’s events in 1998. Amstelveen was the venue for the Men’s World Cup in 1973 and the Women’s World Cup in 1986. Madrid was host to the Women’s World Cups of 1978 and 2006, while Barcelona hosted the first ever Men’s World Cup in 1971.
Xan de Waard of the Netherlands says: 'In 100 days the World Cup starts in Amsterdam and Terrassa. The next few months see us play several games in the FIH Pro League to prepare as well as possible. We are really looking forward to start the World Cup and we hope to see you there.'
Spain's captain Georgina Oliva says: 'I would like to encourage all the fans and the crowds to come to Terrassa because there are a lot of activities waiting for you. I would love to see you all in the stadium, enjoying the hockey and the spectacle of a World Cup. We will welcome you with a lot of sunny days.'
Teams:
Pool A: Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Chile
Pool B: England, New Zealand, India, China
Pool C: Argentina, Spain, Korea, Canada
Pool D: Australia, Belgium, Japan, South Africa
Hockey: Pakistan to meet South Africa in Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022
Sports Bulletin Report
BIRMINGHAM:-Pakistan will meet South Africa in their opening fixture of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, as International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the schedule on Wednesday, as hosts England’s men’s and women’s teams will both face Ghana in their opening match and have group games against India, Canada and Wales
Both the women’s and the men’s competitions will begin on Friday 29 July, with the opening session of the women’s tournament featuring reigning champions New Zealand against Kenya and South Africa playing Scotland. Hosts, England, will face Ghana in the first match of the men’s competition with New Zealand facing Scotland in the same session.
There will be 54 hockey matches in total, with 40 group games, six classification matches, four semi-finals, four medal matches and all of these matches will be played at the University of a Birmingham, the official competition venue for hockey at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The 20 hockey teams taking part in the Games will also use the University of Birmingham’s world-class hockey facilities for training until competition gets underway and then the teams will be able to make use of the newly upgraded pitch at Wyndley Leisure Centre in Sutton Coldfield for training.
Matt Kidson, Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, said:
“We are excited to be unveiling the official hockey match schedule today as it brings us another step closer to the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It’s going to be an exciting tournament with an impressive line-up of teams, featuring all of the medallists from the last edition of the Commonwealth Games.
Pool A: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Scotland
Pool B: India, England, Wales, Canada, Ghana,
Schedule (Men’s Hockey):
July 29, 2022: England vs Ghana, New Zealand vs Scotland
July 30, 2022: South Africa vs Pakistan, Canada vs Wales
July 31, 2022: New Zealand vs Pakistan, Australia vs Scotland, England vs Wales, India vs Ghana
August 1, 2022: Scotland vs South Africa, England vs India, Canada vs Ghana, New Zealand vs Australia
August 3, 2022: Canada vs India, Wales vs Ghana, Pakistan vs Scotland, South Africa vs Australia
August 4, 2022: India vs Wales, Canada vs England, South Africa vs New Zealand, Australia vs Pakistan
August 6, 2022: Semifinals
August 7, 2022: Final
Austria joins FIH Hockey Women Junior World Cup
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Lausanne, Switzerland: Following last week’s decision by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to exclude Russia from the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, the national team of Austria will now join this top-flight event scheduled from 1 to 12 April in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Austria will take the place of Russia in Pool C, therefore joining Argentina, Korea and Uruguay. It will be Austria’s first-ever participation in a FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. Furthermore, FIH continues to be in contact with the Hockey Association of Ukraine and is still hopeful that the Ukrainian team will be able to participate in the event in South Africa.
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