Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-It was a bitter sweet moment for USA's Lauren Moyer as she celebrated 100 international caps for her team but then suffered a 4-0 loss at the hands of an impressive India team. For the Eves this was a great result as it meant they finished their first season in the FIH Pro League in third place. United States v India (women) – HC Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NED) The first quarter was goalless although Devi Shamila had a golden opportunity to score when she received the ball with only goalkeeper Kelsey Bing to beat. Shamila scuffed the shot and USA breathed a sigh of relief. For their part, USA won two penalty corners were unable to convert. The second quarter also remained goalless although India created a number of chances, mainly in the form of penalty corners. Three penalty corners in quick succession were all wasted as either the injection or the trap were not good enough to provide Gurjit Kaur with a clean shooting opportunity. The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when Katariya Vandana was on the scoresheet for the second consecutive day. She got the slightest deflection to a Gurjit Kaur penalty corner strike. The shot was hard and on target and the touch from Vandana was just enough to send the ball home past Kelsey Bing. That goal opened the door for India. There were two more goals in quick succession, firstly from Vandana and then Sonika. In both cases, the ball was played swiftly from player to player and the final pass put the striker in front of the goal. The fourth goal came courtesy of a fabulous surging run down the Indian left hand side of the pitch by Nikki Pradhan. Her pass found Kumari Sangita, who only had the goalkeeper to beat. A good advantage by the umpire Bruce Bale, meant Sangita was able to continue the move and slot the ball home. Player of the Match,  Tete Salima (IND), said: 'That was a tough game. Today was our last [FIH Pro League] match so we wanted to finish well. The second half we played much better and the result was four goals.' China v Netherlands (women) - HC Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NED) The first half of the match between China and Netherlands was all about the Netherlands as they romped to a 3-0 lead. China were far less solid in defence compared to the previous day and they added to the pressure by repeatedly losing possession, often in their own defensive quarter. The opening goal was scored by Maria Verschoor, adding to her goal from the previous day. That was followed just three minutes later when Felice Albers picked up the ball on the Netherlands' defensive 25 and then ran the length of the pitch before firing past Li Xinhuan who was starting in the China goal. Frederique Matla scored the next three goals. The first was a fierce penalty corner in the second half and then the tall striker sent two beautifully taken penalty strokes into the goal at the start of the third quarter. The pressure from the Dutch was unrelenting for the remainder of the third quarter. Only some great running at penalty corners by Li Hong prevented a stream of goals. Just before the final break China's woes were increased when the goalkeeper made the decision to try to challenge Lidewij Welten outside the circle. Welten inevitably nicked the ball, before rounding the stranded 'keeper and scoring an easy goal. Player of the Match Felice Albers (NED) said: 'It was a great performance, we scored some nice goals. We discussed about defending on the right and we did that well today. Eva de Goede is a great player and we are very happy that she is back.' Result: Women’s Match #70 USA 0, India 4 Player of the Match: Tete Salima (IND) Umpires: Liu Xiaoying (CHN), Bruce Bale (ENG) Laurine Delforge (BEL -video) Result: Women’s Match #69 China 0, Netherlands 6 Player of the Match: Felice Albers (NED) Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL), Bruce Bale (ENG-video), Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-Argentina became the first women’s team to go undefeated in Pro League play after their 3-2 win over India today. Meanwhile, the USA showed the result of their constant improvement with a 2-1 win over China, also the Americans’ first win in the season. The Belgian women also dropped England 4-1 to overcome yesterday’s result. The standings are set as a 2-1 win for the Dutch men over India secured them the top of the FIH Pro League, while Belgium sit second and India finish third. Belgium had a convincing 5-0 win over England in today’s match after scoring three goals in the final minutes on an untended English goal. Results (FIH Pro League June 19, 2022)  HC Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NED) Result: Women’s Match #65 China 1, USA 2 Player of the Match: Lauren Moyer (USA) Umpires: Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL), Ivona Makar (CRO), Jakub Mejzlik (CZE-video) Result: Women’s Match #64 India 2, Argentina 3 Player of the Match: Eugenia Trinchinetti (ARG) Umpires: Liu Xiaoying (CHN), Laurine Delforge (BEL), Ivana Makar (CRO-video) Result: Men’s Match #69 Netherlands 2, India 1 Player of the Match: Lars Balk (NED) Umpires: Jakub Mejzlik (CZE), Bruce Bale (ENG), Laurine Delforge (BEL-video) Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London (ENG) Result: Women’s Match #66 England 1, Belgium 4 Player of the Match: Stephanie vanden Borre (BEL) Umpires: Alison Keogh (IRL), Michelle Meister (GER), Coen van Bunge (NED-video) Result: Men’s Match #70 England 0, Belgium 5 Player of the Match: Victor Wegnez (BEL) Umpires: Coen van Bunge (NED), Alison Keogh (IRL), Michelle Meister (GER-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-It was a busy day of FIH Pro League action both at HC Rotterdam and the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. In women’s competition, two goals from Hong Li propelled China 3-2 over the USA on neutral soil, while the Indian women charged back to take the Argentina Leonas to a 2-2 tie and ultimately earn a 2-1 shootout victory. The England women rallied back with an exciting second half to beat Belgium 2-1. On the men’s side both games of the day needed a shootout to decide the winner. Netherlands and India went to a 2-2 tie after a last second Harmanpreet drag flick forced the tie. Four-straight shootout goals gave the Dutch the 4-1 shootout win and extra point. In London, England drew 2-2 with Belgium and then the home side put on a classy shootout performance to score three and take the bonus point. FIH Pro League – 18 June 2022 HC Rotterdam, Rotterdam (NED) Result: Women’s Match #62 China 3, USA 2 Player of the Match: Hong Li (CHN) Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Ivona Makar (CRO), Bruce Bale (ENG-video) Result: Women’s Match #61 India 3, Argentina 3 (2-1 shootout) Player of the Match: Lalremsiani (IND) Umpires: Liu Xiaoying (CHN), Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL), Ivona Makar (CRO-video) Result: Men’s Match #67 Netherlands 2, India 2 (4-1 Shootout) Player of the Match: Thijs van Dam (NED) Umpires: Jakub Mejzlik (CZE), Bruce Bale (ENG), Laurine Delforge (BEL-video) Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London (ENG) Result: Women’s Match #63 England 2, Belgium 1 Player of the Match: Fiona Crackles (ENG) Umpires: Alison Keogh (IRL), Michelle Meister (GER), Coen van Bunge (NED-video) Result: Men’s Match #68 England 2, Belgium 2 (3-0 shootout) Player of the Match: David Goodfield (ENG) Umpires: Paul Walker (ENG), Coen van Bunge (NED), Michelle Meister (GER-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-After completion of the bidding process for hosting the 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s and Women’s World Cups, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced that bids from four continents (Africa, Americas, Europe and Oceania), to host either one or both World Cups, have been received. 2026 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup: Australia (host city: Melbourne/Geelong, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane /Gold Coast – to be confirmed) South Africa (host city: Potchefstroom) Uruguay (host city: to be confirmed) 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup: England, in partnership with Wales (host cities: to be confirmed) Germany (host city: to be confirmed) South Africa (host city: Potchefstroom) 2026 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup and 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup combined (= being played at the same time): Belgium/Netherlands (host cities: Wavre and Amstelveen) South Africa (host city: Potchefstroom) The hosts will be decided at the Executive Board meeting on 3 November and announced at the FIH Congress which will be held virtually on 4-5 November this year. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “On behalf of FIH, I’d like to thank all National Associations who are bidding for our flagship events. We’re looking at really strong, and also diverse, bids here. We will now conduct a thorough analysis of each dossier so that the Event Bidding Task Force is fully informed of all aspects when making their recommendation to the Executive Board.” The FIH Hockey World Cup, for Women like for Men, is the pinnacle of FIH events. Being played every 4 years, both the Men’s and the Women’s World Cup involve sixteen teams amongst the best ones in the world. It will be the sixteenth edition of the World Cups in 2026. The next FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup will be played next month (from 1 to 17 July) in Terrassa, Spain and Amsterdam, Netherlands, whilst the next FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup will take place in January 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced a 36-player physical fitness camp in Abbottabad from June 15 in preparation for the Commonwealth Games Birmingham, which will continue for two weeks. Players are directed to report Camp Commandant Olympian Khawaja Junaid. The Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham, England from July 28 to August 8. Camp Officials: Manager Olympian Khawaja Junaid, head coach Siegfried Aikman, physical trainer Daniel Berry, video analyst Nadeem Lodhi, physiotherapist Adeel Akhtar Names of players: Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, goalkeeper (Mari Petroleum), Akmal Hussain and goalkeeper (WAPDA), Waqar goalkeeper (WAPDA), Muneeb-ur-Rehman Goalkeeper (Sui Southern), Mubashir Ali (WAPDA),Ammad Shakeel Butt (National Bank), Mohammad Abdullah (Mari Petroleum), Mohammad Hammad Anjum (WAPDA), Rizwan Ali (Pakistan Air Force), Abdul Manan (Sui Southern), Umar Bhatta (WAPDA), Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf (WAPDA), Ghazanfar Ali (Mari Petroleum), Muhammad Salman Razzaq (WAPDA), Romaan Khan (WAPDA), Moin Shakeel (WAPDA), Junaid Manzoor (National Bank), Ejaz Ahmed (WAPDA), Abdul Hanan Shahid (WAPDA), Afraz (Mari Petroleum), Arbaaz Ahmed (Mari Petroleum), Ahmed Nadeem (Mari Petroleum), Ehtesham Aslam (Mari Petroleum), Hassan Amin (Multan) Aqeel Ahmed (WAPDA),Tazeem Al Hassan (WAPDA), Abdul Rehman (WAPDA), Murtaza Yaqub (WAPDA), Arshad Liaqat (Bahawalpur), Abuzar (National Bank), M Shahzeb Khan (Karachi), Noheez Zahid Malik (National Bank), Rana Sohail Riaz (Sui) Southern), Azfar Yaqub (Sui Southern), Muhammad Sufyan (Pakistan Navy), Umair Sattar (Mari Petroleum).  

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland:-It was a day of drama, late goals, sublime skills, mesmerising teamwork and magnificent individual performances. As the FIH Hockey Pro League nears its final stages, the hockey action on offer has reached extraordinary levels. Whether it is the sheer power of a Stephanie vanden Borre penalty corner, the precision of a Xan de Waard pass or the teamwork that led to the India men's opening goal, the choice of best moments runs long following this weekend of hockey. Spain kicked things off by overcoming a spirited and resolute USA team. Netherlands women looked ominously good as they outplayed Germany, while Germany men turned the tables on the Netherlands when they grabbed the momentum and all three points after a sparkling second half performance. Belgium men and women both found success against India, albeit in very different ways. Belgium Red Panthers seemed to hit a new gear as they strode to a comprehensive 5-0 victory. The men had to battle to the final seconds of a game that was full of everything that is good about hockey – pace, skill, teamwork and the courage to take risks. FIH Pro League (Results): Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein-Antwerp (BEL) Result: Men’s Match 65 Belgium 3, India 2 Player of the Match: Arthur de Sloover (BEL) Umpires: David Tomlinson (NZL), Coen van Bunge (NED) Caroline van de Leur (BEL) Result: Men’s Match 64 Germany 4, Netherlands 1 Player of the Match: Teo Hinrichs (GER) Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG), Jakob Mejzlik (CZE), Ivona Makar (CRO - Video) Result: Women’s Match 58 Spain 3, USA 2 Player of the Match: Georgina Oliva (ESP) Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Liu Xiaoying (CHN), David Tomlinson (NZL -video) Result: Women’s Match 59 Germany 1, Netherlands 3 Player of the Match: Laurien Leurink (NED) Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Ivona Makar (CRO),  Jakub Mejzlik (CZE-video) Result: Women's Match 60 Belgium 5, India 0 Player of the Match: Umpires: Hannah Harrison (ENG) Liu Xiaoying (CHN) Michelle Meister (GER- video)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-It was another two goals for Tom Boon as Belgium beat South Africa 4-2 and inched ever closer to the top of the FIH Pro League. Their rivals for the second place in the league, India, who play Belgium on Saturday were watching in the stands. Boon's brace means he is four goals behind Harmanpreet Singh at the top of the goalscoring table. In the women's match between Belgium and China, umpire Celine Martin-Schmets won her golden whistle as she took charge of her 100th senior international match. The match itself was a tepid affair with both teams playing cagey hockey. A 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of the match. China's recent experiences and wins in the shoot-out against England and Spain gave the team the edge in this shoot-out, which they won 2-0. . Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein-Antwerp (BEL) Result: Men’s Match 61 Belgium beat South Africa 4-2 Player of the Match: Florent van Aubel (BEL) Umpires: David Tomlinson (NZL), Coen van Bunge (NED) Liu Xiaoying (CHN-video) Result: Women’s Match 54 Belgium 1, China 1 (China won shoot-out 2-0) Player of the Match: Zhang Zindan (CHN) Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Liu Xiaoying (CHN), David Tomlinson (NZL -video)  

Raja Hafeez Ahmed Lausanne (Switzerland):-FIH CEO Thierry Weil reflects on the Hero FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022 which took place in the Olympic Capital on 4 and 5 June. Thierry, what do you keep in mind from this first Hero FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022? What I particularly enjoyed was the fact that people having a walk at the Place de la Navigation around the lake in Lausanne, stopped, looked at what was going on and eventually decided to move into the stadium and watch the games! This was exactly the purpose of this event: bringing hockey to people. Then of course the huge enthusiasm of the players to play this format – for some of them for the first time – as well as the intensity of the matches were a blessing. India men – considered as pre-tournament favourites – won. But for the women, the winners were Uruguay, therefore confirming that Hockey5s enables nations who are not necessarily regarded as powerhouses of world hockey to excel. How do you look at this? Here again, this is fantastic since one of the main reasons why FIH has decided to boost the promotion of Hockey5s is precisely because this format enables some smaller nations to play at the same level as the traditionally bigger ones and even beat them! Extrapolating from this, it means that numerous nations in the world could start hockey with Hockey5s, which it’s simpler and cheaper to put in place. Speaking of India, what do you think of the current situation with Hockey India? It’s 100% clear that every National Association has to make sure that its Statutes are compliant with the sports code of the local authorities. Therefore, if this is not the case for Hockey India at the moment, then this has to happen. However, this situation does not affect FIH’s full trust in Hockey India. Indeed, Hockey India has been and continues to be a key actor of the development of our sport, not only in the country, but also for the world, as an outstanding organiser of numerous FIH events. How can Hockey5s support the overall growth of hockey? Hockey5s is a great lever to boost the growth of hockey at the global level. Thanks to its less restrictive infrastructure – smaller field – but also to the required number of players, the practice of Hockey5s can be a real development asset for many nations in the world. Developing the sport is the number 1 mission of any international federation. The same goes for FIH. This is why, among other things, the FIH has decided to create a Hockey5s World Cup (first edition in 2024). In addition, the size of the field also makes it possible to anchor the Hockey5s in the heart of cities, giving it an urban dimension that is very fashionable and attractive, especially among young people. Finally, Hockey5s is an excellent springboard, a "gateway", to 11-a-side hockey.

Raja Hafeez Ahmed Lausanne (Switzerland):-After 2 days of swashbuckling Hockey5s action through 22 total games, we have our first ever winners of the Hockey5s event, with Uruguay, who won every match they played at the event, overcoming hosts Switzerland in the women’s final to become the Women’s Champions; while India who started the event as favourites in the men’s event, lived up to the billing prevailing over Poland to become the inaugural Champions in the Men’s event. Overcast conditions in Lausanne proved to be a foreshadowing of the day to come as it rained goals throughout the day with teams getting more familiar with the format of the game and the tactics best suited to prevail in it. India, the eventual champions set the tone for the day with an offensive masterclass in a 7-3 win over Malaysia and from there the barrage of goals never ceased with a total of 78 goals scored in the 10 games! Switzerland men caused the biggest upset of the day with a 7-5 win over Pakistan in a game that they trailed for most parts but kept finding ways to come back! India defeated Poland with another clinical attacking performance in the group stage match which left Pakistan to win their final match against Malaysia to seal their place in the finals. Malaysia, who had just 1 point from their first 3 games, brought their A-game into their last match and played out a thrilling 5-5 draw against Pakistan in a game where the lead swung from every couple of minutes! The draw for Pakistan meant Poland finished over them in the 2nd position with 2 wins and 2 losses, and moved to the finals against India who ended the group stage with 3 wins and a draw. On the women’s side, Uruguay won their 3rd and 4th match of the pool stage against South Africa and Poland to go 4 for 4 and finish top of the table with comfortable ease. The 2nd final’s spot was up for grabs for all the other 4 teams however. Hosts Switzerland who started the day in the 2nd place lost their opening encounter to India and had to rely on other results to make it to the finals. India and South Africa played the final pool stage game and after a thrilling 4-4 draw, it was the Swiss fairytale that continued to the final. The women’s final started off with an early goal from the home team on the back of a booming crowd that certainly believed in their team. But Uruguay showed no nerves and went about their business in the calmest of manners and within 5 minutes of going behind they had not only restored parity, but also found a second and third goal to take a comfortable 2 goal lead into the half time. Skipper Manuela Vilar found the goal twice and Teresa Viana, who finished as the Top Goal Scorer and Best Player overall, found the third. The second of the game was a clinic in game management from Uruguay as they bossed possession and killed off any hopes of a Swiss comeback to win the finals by a 3-1 margin, becoming the inaugural champions of the Hero FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022! If there were any doubts about the ability of the Hockey5 format to upset the pecking order, it was erased within 4 minutes of the Men’s finals, as Poland, who were the distinct underdogs, shocked India with 3 goals before India could find their feet in the game! But with 16 minutes left in the game, Indian nerves were settled by a thumping goal by Sanjay that got them going. Captain Gurinder got a second goal before the half time, that allowed India to trail by just 1 goal going into the half, and the game was anyone’s to win! India had all the momentum going into the half and they started the second half in a similar vein. Boby Singh Dhami got India the leveller in the 1st minute and that was followed by some genius from the Player of the Tournament and Top Goal Scorer Raheel Mohammed scoring 2 goals to give India a 2-goal lead. Poland got a 4th goal that could have got them a way back into the game, but once again it was Raheel Mohammed who brilliantly set up another goal for Boby Singh Dhami that effectively ended the game with just 1 minute left. Awards: Best Goalkeeper (Women): Ursina Fazis (SUI) Best Player (Women): Teresa Viana (URU) Top Scorer (Women): Teresa Viana (URU) Best Goalkeeper (Men): Lars Kleikemper (SUI) Best Player (Men): Mohammed Raheel (IND) Top Scorer (Men): Mohammed Raheel (IND)

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-A three minute, three goal burst by the Netherlands turned the second match against Argentina on its head after the South American team had taken an early lead. Argentina took the lead after Agustin Mazilli played a lovely ball into the circle and Martin Ferreira was able to send a reverse shot past Pirmin Blaak in the Dutch goal. Going into the half-time break, Argentina looked the more comfortable. Unlike the previous day’s encounter, their defence had looked strong and in control and the goal from Ferreira had given the team a cushion. However, the Dutch team that trooped off the pitch at half-time came back with a renewed vigour and a sense of attacking purpose that swiftly paid dividends. First, Jonas de Geus was able to deflect home a penalty corner. This gave the host nation attacking momentum and 60 seconds later Steijn van Heijningen scored his first international goal. It is one that will be long remembered by both the player and the spectators. Van Heijningen took the ball wide to the left and at the very edge of the Argentina circle, before unleashing a shot that flew past Tomas Santiago’s left shoulder. The third goal was tame in comparison but vital to give the host nation a comfortable lead. Koen Bijen latched onto a ball that was threaded into the circle. He then dinked it over the keeper to give his team a 3-1 lead. That lead deserved to be extended in the final minute of the third quarter as Terrance Pieters and Derck de Vilder wove their way through the Argentina defence with a neat series of passes that showed a level of understanding between the two players that belied their relatively few number of caps. No further goals were scored although Argentina's Nicolas della Torre will rue some missed penalty corner opportunities as Argentina really piled on the pressure in the final quarter. Player of the Match Joep de Mol (NED) said: 'The win was good but the three points were more important. We played well but went 1-0 down. We picked it up in the second half. We attacked the circle far more and with far more aggression in the second half.' Result: Men’s Match 56 Netherlands 3, Argentina 1 Player of the Match: Joep de Mol (NED) Umpires: Dan Barstow (ENG), Christian Blasch (GER) Jonas van t'Hek (NED-video)