Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-A two-goal opening quarter haunted South Africa as they dropped at 4-1 decision to France in the teams’ first-ever meeting in the FIH Pro League. Gaspard Baumgarten was named Player of the Match as he buried two goals, while teammates Blaise Rogeau and Timothée Clément also tallied in the win. South Africa’s Dayaan Cassiem was unlucky to only tally once as he also hit a cross bar in the final quarter. France’s Baumgarten said after the win: “I’m not too much a striker but happy to score today and even more happy for the win of the team. We are really happy (with their overall performance in South Africa). We played great hockey and tried to play better and better each game which was the purpose for being here.” It was clear from the opening whistle that France was keen to pick up from their second and third games last week that saw them tie the Netherlands and beat the Olympic bronze medalists, India. They wasted little time getting to work as three minutes in and France had a penalty corner. Moments later a flurry of shots put the South Africans under pressure. The final shot by Baumgarten took a touch off South African Nduduzo Lembethe and the ball popped through the legs of keeper Gowan Jones for the opening marker. South Africa’s Nqobile Ntuli had the best chance of the half for the hosts but the back-hand shot pinged off the post in the seventh minute. France doubled their lead in the 11th minute. Eliot Curty charged alone down the right side and his sweeping pass was deflected well by a diving Francois Goyet’s reverse stick. Blaise Rogeau was there at the near post to finish the pretty counterattack play and seal the 2-0 lead for France. Estiaan Kriek subbed into the South African net after the opening break and he punched away a brilliant shot from Baumgarten in the 17th minute to leave the game still 2-0 by half time. France, though clinical in execution, looked to relax their tempo in the third quarter. South Africa forced a number of turnovers and created lots of counter-attack play but failed to find any kind of finish. Despite the casual play of France, they were nonetheless clinical when they entered the South African circle. Matéo Desgouilllons forced a close-range save out of Gowan Jones in the 34th minute. The teams then spent a good seven minutes trading away sloppy turnovers but France were able to find their strides in the 41st. A brilliant deceptive pass from Stanislas Branicki paced the ball out to the right side and the pass came firing in to Baumgarten. The shot needed a deflection from defender Leneal Jackson to give France a 3-0 lead. Dayaan Cassiem had a chance to get South Africa on the board with minutes to go in the third quarter but his blast booked for the top shelf was seen the whole way by the blocker of Arthur Thieffry. The final quarter really sided with South Africa. Nqobile Ntuli and Cassium brothers Dayaan and Mustapha were combining dangerously up, but still without result. Dayaan then put on a show dancing his way with 3D skills past four French defenders only to leave Ryan Julius with a shot at goal but the ball blasted wide left of the net. France found their fourth goal on an aerial ball that allowed a baseline entry for Gaspar Xavier. His pass was sent into traffic for Clément to knock in and France took the lead 4-0. South Africa stayed in it and denied Timothée Clement’s penalty corner with a goalline save from Nicholas Spooner, while Dayaan Cassiem hit a cross-bar moment. It was a sign of what was to come as Mustapha set up his brother Dayaan to break the France shutout with three minutes to go in the game. It was too little, too late and France finished with the 4-1 victory and their second set of three points in their opening tour of the FIH Pro League. South African captain Horne said after the loss: “We had a quite a few chances and it’s a pity they didn’t go in. The French are very clinical and they did well and if you can’t score you can’t win. We will do our analysis after the game. There’s lots to take out of it. We had a lot of soft turnovers but they were just very clinical.” The two teams will dual again on Sunday, February 20 after playing games against Germany who join them in Potchestfstroom. To see the current men’s FIH Pro League Standings, click here. The FIH Hockey Pro League Season 3 will be back in action on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 with the France men playing Germany and then South Africa hosting Germany at Potchestfstroom, University of North West, South Africa. To see the complete FIH Hockey Pro League match schedule, please click here. Results (FIH Pro League 15 February 2021): Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA) Result: Men’s Match 17 France beat South Africa 4-1 Player of the Match: Gaspard Baumgarten (FRA) Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Sean Rapaport (RSA), Wanri Venter (RSA-video)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Results sided with World rankings down in Potchestfstroom, South Africa with convincing victories for the Netherlands and India. Harmanpreet Singh buried four goals from specialty plays to lift India 10-2 over the hosts, despite a gutsy opening half where South Africa only trailed 3-1. The Dutch were also kept at bay in their match up against the recently impressive French side and it wasn’t until the third quarter that their scoring cylinders started firing. Captain Thierry Brinkman’s composure in the circle put two goals to his name in the 5-1 victory, while teammates Jorrit Croon and Joep de Mol both celebrated their 100th internationals. Back at the Cenard in Buenos Aires, the Leonas looked even more potent today as Agustina Gorzelany found her strides at the top of the penalty corner battery with all three Argentina goals for a the 3-1 victory and a weekend sweep of Belgium. To see the current women’s FIH Pro League Standings, click here. For the men, the weekend was split as Belgium really displayed their craft to earn a 2-0 redemption win over Argentina. Penalty corner aces Alexander Hendrickx and Loïck Luypeart each converted. South Africa v India (men) – Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA) Four second-half goals from Harmanpreet Singh helped India put away South Africa 10-2, an identical score line to their match up on Feb. 9. Daniel Bell and Connor Beauchamp notched goals for South Africa. It was a game of two halves in Potchefstroom when South Africa took on India for the second time. For the first 30 minutes, South Africa were hugely competitive, and it was only a less than clinical performance in front of goal – including a saved penalty stroke – that prevented them being on equal terms. South Africa drew first as the Cassiem brothers, Mustapha and Dayaan, combined for a penalty corner that Bell converted home past keeper Bahadur. Before the end of the quarter Surender Kumar tallied while Matt d’Souza was taking a rest with a green card. A great build up in the second quarter allowed Manpreet Singh to create space for Shilanand Lakra and he scored his first goal for India to give his side a 2-1 advantage. India enjoyed a third goal on a counterattack after a broken-down South African penalty corner. Brilliant work by Dilpreet Singh sets up Mandeep Singh for India’s third. As it was, at half-time it was 3-1 and could have gone either way. But, ahead of the game, Head Coach Graham Reid had asked for his team to 'execute' in front of goal and in the second half his players responded unequivocally. Pick of the crop was four-goal Player of the Match Harmanpreet Singh. His shots rifled in past Gowan Jones in the South Africa goal– it was a masterclass in power and precision. To start the third quarter South Africa was awarded a penalty stroke as Dayaan Cassiem was pushed on route to goal by Jarmanpreet Singh. Jethro Eustice’s stroke was saved well by Bahadur.  South Africa had more chances as they hit the bar in the 33rd minute and it was after this that India started to turn things on. Harmanpreet buried a penalty corner and Sumit tallied before the end of the third. From there, India continued with goals coming late in each of the third and fourth including three more for Harmanpreet. France v Netherlands (men) – Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA) The Netherlands found their scoring strides in the third quarter to win 5-1 over France. The day was also marked special for both Jorrit Croon and Joep de Mol, both celebrating their 100th international game. Icing on the cake for Croon who also notched a brilliant goal in the fourth quarter. Thierry Brinkman also tallied twice, while the younger Brinkman, Jasper, scored the opener. A sloppy tackle from Timothée Clément in the 21st minute left France short-handed at a critical time. It paid dividends as Thierry Brinkman was there to tap in at the far post to double the Dutch lead. An errant clear by the French defence then gave the Netherlands back-to-back penalty corner opportunities but Saunier’s left glove denied both attempts.    Some clever work from Etienne Tynevez into the Dutch circle gave youngster Antonin Igau a hopping blast at goal but the ball went just wide of the net in the 30th minute. The French pair combined seconds later with a baseline run that gave Igau an open look at goal but he couldn’t finish to leave the French still trailing 2-0 at half time. The third quarter piled on the goals, starting with the Dutch. Pieters curled and beat two French defenders and then an unmarked Thierry Brinkman calmly tapped in his second of the game. The very same Brinkman bravely saved a rocket of a drag flick off the stick of Victor Charlet in the 33rd minute. The rebound fell for Amaury Bellenger who one-timed the ball high into the net to deny a Dutch shutout. Another moment of Dutch brilliance came on their fourth marker as Croon brought down a Tjep Hoedemakers aerial with one hand only to then dazzle with a volley on his back hand for the 4-1 Netherlands go-ahead. Argentina v Belgium (women & men) – Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG) At the Cenard a hat-trick from Agustina Gorzelany gave the Leonas a convincing 3-1 victory over Belgium to complete the two-game sweep. On the men’s side, it was a turn of the tides as the Red Lions put on a midfield show only to finish on two penalty corners and take the game 2-0. Gorzelany finally tallied on a penalty corner but it needed a slight deflection from Belgium’s Louise Versavel at the post to tie the game 1-1. Belgium were not without opportunity as late in the third quarter Breyne had a back-hand shot sail just over the cross bar. Gorzelany gave Argentina the lead on a second penalty corner ace in the 43rd minute. Her flick went low and hard, this time stick side, to reward the Leonas for their offensive efforts. Late in the fourth quarter, Gorzelany paced another penalty corner flick stick side and to complete her hat trick and shake any apprehensions she might have had in the opening half. FIH Pro League – 13 February 2021 Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA) Result: Men’s Match 14 South Africa 2, India 10 Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Singh (IND) Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA), Wanri Venter (RSA-video) Result: Men’s Match 16 France 1, Netherlands 5 Player of the Match: Thierry Brinkman (NED) Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Sean Rapaport (RSA), Aneelize Rostron (RSA-video) Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG) Result: Women’s Match 10 Argentina 3, Belgium 1 Player of the Match: Maria Jose Granatto (ARG) Umpires: Irene Presenqui (ARG), Catalina Montesino (CHI), German Montes de Oca (ARG-video) Result: Men’s Match 14 Argentina 0, Belgium 2 Player of the Match: Victor Wegnez (BEL) Umpires: Diego Barbas (ARG), German Montes de Oca (ARG), Catalina Montesino (CHI)

Sports Bulletin Report GUJRANWALA:-Punjab Colours and Pakistan Navy claimed victories in the All Pakistan Commissioner Gujranwala Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, the match between Mari Petroleum and Punjab Whites ended in a 2-2 draw at Ghaggar Sports Complex Gujranwala on Sunday. The tournament is being played under the supervision of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and organized by Punjab Hockey Association (PHA). The first match of the second day of the event was played between Mari Petroleum and Punjab White that ended 2-2 draw. Wasim Akram and Ghazanfar scored one goal each for Mari Petroleum while Amir Ali and Bilal Aslam scored one goal each for Punjab White. The duties were performed by Zahid Hameed and Mahmood Ali. The reserve umpires were blessed. The duties of judges were performed by Sheikh Abid, Mirza Javed, Javed Sadiq and the duties of technical officer were performed by Zaheer-ul-Haq. The second match was played between Pakistan Navy and KPK. Pakistan Navy won 3-0. Zulqarnain, Babar Hussain and Mohammad Sufyan scored one goal each for Pakistan Navy. While the duties of judges are Hafiz Arshad, Munawar Hussain, Allah Dutta Bhatti and the duties of technical officer are Shafqat Mil. The third match of the event was played between Punjab Colours and Port Qasim. Punjab won the match by 2-1. Abu Bakar scored both the goals for Punjab while Abdul Rahim scored the lone goal for Port Qasim. Duties of Allah Daad, Hafiz-ur-Rehman Haroon Saeed and duties of Technical Officer were performed by Rafiq Khan. Five provincial and five departmental teams are participating in the event which is being held at Sports Arena Ghakhar (Gujranwala). Col. R. Asif Naz Khokhar has been appointed as Organizing Secretary, Olympian Danish Kaleem as Tournament Director and Rana Liaqat Ali (Attock) as Assistant Tournament Director. Umpires Manager FIH Umpires Manager Rashid Mehmood Butt (Railways) has been posted while former International Hockey Umpire Dilawar Bhatti is performing the duties of Assistant Umpires Manager.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-It was an exciting day of Pro League action as the No. 13 world ranked France toppled the No. 3-ranked Indian side in an exciting 5-2 game in South Africa. While the France defence were outstanding, it was the firing offence that put on a show. India struggled to convert on penalty corners and could only tally from the stroke mark. In the game following, Dennis Warmerdam buried two fantastic goals to lead the Netherlands to a 6-2 victory and pick up Player of the Game honours. France v India (men) – Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA) France’s impenetrable defence powered the team to a 5-2 win, after taking Netherlands to a 2-2 tie just days earlier. Victor Charlet lead in scoring with a pocket of set pieces, while Viktor Lockwood, Charles Masson and Timothée Clément also got on the scoresheet. Penalty strokes from Jarmanpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh were all India could muster despite 13 penalty corner attempts. France found their go-ahead goal in the 35th minute when Baumgarten’s quick free pass found its way to Lockwood on the left baseline. Lockwood crafted his way through the Indian defence and blasted a tight-angled shot out of the air and through the legs of Sreejesh. Speaking of his goal, Player of the Match Viktor Lockwood said: 'It was crazy, I don't really strike on anything but my reverse, so that was a surprise. We had a difficult first game but now we are in the competition. We brought a lot of energy which made up for lack of prep.' South Africa v Netherlands (men) – Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA) The Netherlands dominated the game to a 6-2 victory over hosts, South Africa, in the second game of Pro League play today. Dennis Warmerdam buried two goals and was named Player of the Match as the Dutch showed fine form in their build up all night, while it was their final moves as they entered the circle that were as if someone was pulling a trigger – piercing and direct. After the game Warmerdam said: 'I preferred my first goal of the two, it was great counter and all I had to do was tap it in. [Referring to his recovery from cancer] It is a medical miracle that I am standing here.' To open the scoring, Jorrit Croon’s aerial into the circle was mishandled between South Africa’s Daniel Bell and keeper Estiaan Kriek. Thijs van Dam scooped up the loose ball and put it in the untended net for a 1-0 Netherlands lead just before the first quarter break. South African captain Keenan Horne said after the match: 'It was about small margins. If we had scored the penalty stroke it may have been a different game. But it was much better than our previous two games. We have gone back to basics and defended well. Defence is the cornerstone of our play.’ Argentina v Belgium (women & men) – Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG) The Leonas were out in fine form as they dropped Belgium 3-1 in front of a roaring home crowd. Eugenia Trinchinetti’s pair of goals lead the way for the home side, while Maria Granatto, recently Pan American Cup’s Player of the Tournament, netted the game-winner. Skipper Alix Geniers was the lone Belgian scorer in the match. After the game Trinchinetti said: ‘We think that the key was that we kept on trying to play our game. We know that Belgium is a really good team and their defence is really good so we are going to see the [video] of this match and prepare for tomorrow.’ After the game Gerniers said: ‘The three first quarters were quite okay but then we let go a bit in the last quarter and I think we are quite disappointed about the result. We need to see the video and see what we can do better and tomorrow is another day and another game.’ Speaking after the game Argentina’s Agustin Bugallo was named Player of the Match and said: ‘It was a really nice result in Argentina with [a home crowd] and we are very happy with that. I think we are improving as a team but we have another fight for tomorrow. We have to rest tonight.’ FIH Pro League – 12 February 2021 Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA) Result: Men’s Match 11 France 5, India 2 Player of the Match: Viktor Lockwood (FRA) Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Annelize Rostron (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA-video) Result: Men’s Match 13 South Africa 2, Netherlands 6 Player of the Match: Dennis Warmerdam (NED) Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Wanri Venter (RSA), Sean Rapaport (RSA-video) Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG) Result: Women’s Match 9 Argentina 3, Belgium 1 Player of the Match: Maria Granatto (ARG) Umpires: Irene Presenqui (ARG), Catalina Montesino (CHI), Diego Barbas (ARG-video) Result: Men’s Match 12 Argentina 2, Belgium 1 Player of the Match: Agustin Bugallo (ARG) Umpires: German Montes de Oca (ARG), Diego Barbas (ARG), Irene Presenqui (ARG-video)

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) can now confirm the 16 teams that will participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup taking place from 1 to 12 April 2022 at the North-West University (NWU) of Potchefstroom, South Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe (Africa) India, Korea, Malaysia (Asia) England, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, Wales (Europe) Argentina, Canada, United States, Uruguay (Pan Americas) The event was scheduled to be played in December 2021 but had to be postponed due to the Omicron outbreak. Japan, Belgium and Spain had qualified for this tournament but have decided not to take part in the rescheduled event. They’ve been replaced by Malaysia, Ukraine and Wales. Australia, New Zealand and China had withdrawn already last year due to COVID-related reasons and were replaced by Argentina, Ireland and Korea. In order to support all teams, FIH has decided to extend the number of players to 20 per team. However, only 18 players will be allowed on the start list of any match. Furthermore, the event will start and finish one day earlier than initially planned. This move will help players getting back earlier to their respective clubs and therefore being available for domestic fixtures. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The FIH Hockey Junior World Cup is such an important milestone in international players’ careers that we’re really happy to be able to stage the upcoming edition, in South Africa, after we were left with no other option than postponing it last year. We’re looking forward to seeing so many of hockey’s rising stars in action in just a few weeks time!” It will be the ninth edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. Argentina won the last edition in 2016 in Santiago, Chile. In the final, they overcame the Netherlands, who won three FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cups - a record to date – in 1997, 2009 and 2013.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland:-A scintillating first half performance from India; a resilient response from South Africa; a calm shoot-out performance from the Netherlands; and a first FIH Hockey Pro League point for France. This was how Day Two FIH Hockey Pro League action panned out in Potchefstroom, South Africa. India men marched on with a 10-2 victory over South Africa, to add to the 5-0 victory they enjoyed over France the preceding day. The win moves them to third in the FIH Hockey Pro League table. All the damage was done in the opening quarter as two fantastically taken penalty corners were sent home by Jugraj and then Abhishek added a fourth goal. Four more goals in the second quarter saw Jugraj seal his hat trick before Gursahibjit, Dilpreet and Mandeep all added to the score sheet. The fourth quarter saw India regain a little of their first half pace and Dilpreet scored India’s final goal to take his team into double figures. After the game, Player of the Match Jugraj said: ‘Jugraj Singh: 'I am really happy to have scored a hat trick. I was feeling good when I got the opportunity to take the penalty corners.' In the second match France could have been forgiven for lacking confidence after their 5-0 loss to India the previous day. However, the men in blue came out to challenge the Netherlands and their aggressive approach and willingness to run at the Dutch paid dividends. The first goal was scored by France, from the stick of Stanislaus Branicki. The Dutch team rallied and started to make forays into the French circle but it was one of those days when shots went wide, passes were misplaced and the French goalkeeper Arthur Thieffry was on top of his game. The equaliser came in the second quarter when captain Thierry Brinkman was on hand to slam the ball home after some good build up by Jorrit Croon. At this point, observers would have expected the Netherlands to ramp up their attack but for every period of Dutch domination, the French responded with their own attacking play. The third quarter was goalless as was much of the fourth quarter. Then, the deadlock was broken by an absolute cracker of a goal from Koen Bijen. The Dutchman received an aerial in the centre of the French circle, pulled it under control and then volleyed it into the French net. The result keeps Netherlands at the top of the FIH Pro League table and France move to fifth place. Player of the Match Thierry Brinkman said: ‘That was not so good for us. The first quarter we were not aggressive enough in our 1v1s. We made too many mistakes both on the ball and defensively. There is a lot to improve for us. France played very well.’ Results: RSA 2-10 India Player of the Match: Jugraj Singh (IND) Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA) Wanri Venter (RSA - video umpire) France 2-2 Netherlands (Netherlands won 4-2 in the shoot-out) Player of the Match: Thierry Brinkman (NED) Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Sean Rapaport (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA - video umpire)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland: Both the Netherlands and India men's teams showed master-classes in their particular styles of hockey in the first of a series of FIH Hockey Pro League matches taking place in Potchefstroom, South Africa. India tormented France with their free running and swift changes in the direction of attack, while the Dutch were the epitome of elegant, clinical and relentless hockey as they contained and then overwhelmed the ambitions of South Africa. The national men’s team of India men hit the ground running in their first match of Season Three in the FIH Hockey Pro League. A cagey first quarter was followed by 45 minutes of creative, controlled and entertaining hockey that left France with few opportunities to open their own scoring account in their first FIH Pro League outing. Head Coach Frederic Soyez explained ahead of the match that his team had only had limited time to prepare for their entry into the competition but his players were very aware that this is an invaluable learning opportunity ahead of a World Cup and a home Olympic Games (Paris 2024) Certainly, the India side put on a masterclass in attacking hockey during this encounter. The damage was done in the second quarter. Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a beautifully taken penalty corner that evaded the outstretched foot of Arthur Thieffry in the France goal. Speaking after the game, India captain Manpreet Singh said: ‘We are really happy because France are a good team and we knew we couldn’t give them any opportunities. In the first quarter we were a bit sloppy but after that we played a good game and scored goals. With that, we grew in confidence.’ Player of the Match Thijs van Dam (NED) said: 'Today we played a really great match. We have been here 10 days already and we have trained hard and finally we can play some matches.' Results put Netherlands on the top of the table, one point ahead of Belgium. India, with one win from one match sit in fourth place. FIH Hockey Pro League Result:  Men’s FIH Hockey Pro League France 0-5 India Player of the Match: Akashdeep Singh (IND)) Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Wanri Venter (RSA) Sean Rapaport (RSA - video umpire) South Africa 1-11 Netherlands Player of the Match: Thijs van Dam (NED) Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA) Annalize Rostron (RSA - video umpire)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced that the draw ceremony and the draw for the pools of the next FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Spain and the Netherlands 2022 will be held on 17 February, at the facilities of the Museu Nacional de la Ciència i de la Tècnica de Catalunya (MNACTEC), in Terrassa, Spain. The draw will define the pools of the pinnacle of the FIH women’s tournaments, which will be held from 1 to 17 July 2022 and involve 16 participating national teams. Those include Spain and the Netherlands, as hosts of the competition, whilst Belgium, England, Germany and Ireland are the other European teams. Africa is represented by South Africa, recent winners of the Africa Cup of Nations. From Asia, the four following teams have qualified: China, India, Japan and Korea. Argentina, Canada and Chile are the three American teams having booked their ticket for the prestigious tournament, while Australia and New Zealand, from Oceania, complete the draw. The draw will be conducted by FIH CEO Thierry Weil, accompanied by Spanish international player Berta Bonastre as well as coach – and former international player - Santi Freixa. The Olympic Stadium of the Catalan town and the Wagener Stadion of the Dutch capital area will host the matches of the group stages and the cross-overs, with the semifinals and the final taking place exclusively in Terrassa. In the last edition, in 2018, the Netherlands claimed the title by winning the final against Ireland, while Spain achieved third place.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland:-It was bright skies in Valencia for England men and that wasn’t just the weather. The FIH Hockey Pro League newcomers recorded a second win over Spain, despite the home side playing a much more structured and attacking game. In the women’s match, the Netherlands were rocked as Spain refused to back down from the on-pitch battle and forced a draw. The subsequent shoot-out success means Netherlands leave Valencia with five points but Spain will be happy with their performances over the two days. In the opening encounter between Spain and England men, a match-winning goal in the dying seconds of the game topped off a good weekend for England interim Head Coach Zak Jones and his new look England team. The England team, which included six debutants, took all six points in their first appearance in the FIH Hockey Pro League. Several of the England players will have played in the Pro league for Great Britain, but this is the first time England has lined up to compete. In the first match, Spain didn’t really get out of bottom gear and England cruised to a 6-1 win. Spain’s Head Coach Max Caldas will have been relieved at the significant levels of improvement in the second game – if not pleased with the scoreline, a 3-2 loss. Spain men took to the pitch determined to put in an improved performance on the previous day, where they had suffered a 6-1 loss at the hands of an energetic England team. Certainly, the opening exchanges reflected this determination and England will count themselves lucky not to be facing a goal deficit in the first quarter as Spain ran through the midfield to create multiple chances. Despite the chances created by Spain, it was England who drew the first blood. Nick Bandurak was on hand to tap a rebound home to register his first international goal. Spain looked certain to equalise through a penalty corner strike but a fine mid-air save by Tom Sorsby kept the ball from the net. It was inevitable that the pressure exerted by Spain would pay off. It was from the stick of another player making his Pro League debut this weekend, Alejandro Sanz. This meant the scores were level at half-time and both coaches were relatively happy, with Jones asking for his players to place greater value on possession and Caldas asking his players to capitalise on chances. It was England who took the lead again, with Duncan Scott continuing his great start to his international career and following up on his goal from the previous day. Into the final quarter and a rocket of a goal from Xavier Gispert, scored with a back-hand shot that whipped past Oliver Payne, brought the scores level again. The match seemed destined to go to shoot-out when a last minute goal from David Goodchild on his second appearance for England meant his team would leave Valencia with six points. Speaking after the game, Player of the Match David Ames said: ‘It was really nice to win, it finishes our weekend nicely. Delighted fr while squad but particularly the new caps. 'We played exceptionally well yesterday, today we were a bit scrappy but we played right to the end.’ In the women’s match, Spain put in an energetic and spirited performance to craft a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands. For the opening 15 minutes it appeared that the Netherlands were going to hit a gear that they hadn’t managed in the previous day’s play. Yibbi Jansen showed her ability from the top of the circle with a magnificent drag flick to give the World Cup, Olympic and FIH Hockey Pro League champions the lead. However, Patricia Alvarez put Spain back on even terms when she pounced on a rebound from a penalty corner. Jansen struck again just before half time to give the Netherlands a 2-1 lead but just six minutes into the second half, a rocket from Gine Xantal from a Spain penalty corner brought Adrian Lock’s team right back into the game. The final quarter saw the Spanish team defend with passion and the Dutch were just unable to find a way through the red shirts. The game went to shoot-out, where the Netherlands prevailed 3-2. For Head Coach Adrian Lock, there would have been an awful lot to like about his team’s performance in both these matches on their FIH Hockey Pro League debut weekend. Speaking after the match, double goalscorer and Player of the Match Yibbi Jansen said: 'We started very well but in the third quarter we had a dip and we had to defend. But we were happy we won the shoot-out. It is an honour to win the award and we had two good games.' FIH Hockey Pro League Saturday 5 February 2022 - Valencia (ESP) Men’s match Spain 2-3 England Player of the Match: David Ames (ENG) Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG), Ivona Makar (CRO) Michelle Meister (GER- video umpire) Women’s match Spain 2-2 Netherlands (Netherlands won shoot-out 3-2) Player of the Match: Yibbi Jansen (NED) Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG), Michelle Meister (GER) Ivona Makar (CRO - video umpire) Next FIH Hockey Pro League matches: On Tuesday 8 February, the action switches to the African continent for the first time as the next FIH Hockey Pro League matches will take place in Potchefstroom, South Africa on with two further newcomers to the competition making their debut performances. In the opening match France men take on India, followed by South Africa men versus the Netherlands. On Wednesday 9 February, South Africa men will face India, and France men will take on the Netherlands.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland:-The Estadio Betero in Valencia provided the perfect conditions for two FIH Hockey Pro League matches featuring the host nation Spain as they took on the challenge of FIH Hockey Pro League newcomers England men and the mighty force of the Netherlands women in the first of two matches in the respective men’s and women’s leagues to be hosted in the Spanish city. Valencia proved a fruitful hunting ground for the visiting sides as first England men showed pace and imagination to outperform their Spanish rivals and then the Netherlands women wore down  a spirited Spanish team to win 1-0. The three points allowed the Dutch women, now under the leadership of Jami Mülders, to regain their position at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League table. England men began their first foray into the FIH Hockey Pro League with a display of aggressive, attacking hockey as they beat host nation Spain 6-1. Player of the match David Condon spoke of the ‘aggressive and open style of play’, that his team showed for the majority of this match. The first quarter was goalless as the two teams tested each other out, but then one of six debutants in an England shirt – Duncan Scott – opened the scoring with a finely taken penalty corner. David Condon doubled the score in the latter stages of the quarter and then two goals in the third quarter from captain Zach Wallace and James Oats put the game effectively out of Spain’s reach. Condon scored a fifth and then a lovely interchange between Wallace and the experienced Phil Roper created an opportunity for David Goodchild to fire home. Spain scored a consolation goal through Ignacio Rodriguez, but the Red Sticks were unable to repeat some of their earlier Pro League recoveries. Speaking after the game David Condon said:‘We haven’t been together that long as a squad but in some ways that allowed us to play with freedom. We set out to play aggressive hockey and that was what we did.’ In the women’s match between Spain and the Netherlands, a single goal from the reliable goal machine Frederique Matla was the difference between the two sides. While Anne Veenendaal in the Dutch goal didn’t have to make a save, this was far from a walk over by the reigning FIH Hockey Pro League, World Cup and Olympic champions. A combination of a hard-working defence and a well-structured midfield saw Spain keep the Dutch at bay for large parts of the game. This was also a Netherlands team that didn’t seem to hit top gear for much of the match. Both sides fielded a number of inexperienced players and Player of the Match Maria Verschoor referred to the fact the players were still getting to know each other, which would explain the breakdown of many attacking moves that would usually end in a Dutch barrage against an opposition’s goal. The winning goal, scored in the third quarter, was a case of Matla showing her forward’s instincts. The ball bounced clear and Matla struck it goal wards. Clara Ycart, who had played a strong game in defence was unfortunate to turn it past Melanie Garcia in the Spanish goal. Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Maria Verschoor, who had played an intelligent and understated role at the heart of the Dutch midfield, said: 'I am really happy to be on the pitch with the team. We needed to get used to each other. It was a good match to get started with FIH Hockey Pro League: Results Friday 4 February 2022 - Valencia (ESP) Men’s match Spain 1-6 England Player of the Match: David Condon (ENG) Umpires: Michelle Meister (GER), Bruce Bale (ENG) and Ivona Makar (CRO - video umpire) Women’s match Spain 0-1 Netherlands Player of the Match: Maria Verschoor (NED) Umpires: Ivona Makar (CRO), Bruce Bale (ENG) and Michelle Meister (GER - video umpire)