Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report BHUBANESWAR:-India women put the disappointment of the previous day's shoot-out behind them to put in a convincing performance in the shoot-out to take the bonus point in this hard-fought match against Germany. While that was a huge improvement in performance, Head Coach Janneke Schopman will be concerned that the team couldn't make more of their opportunities in the 60 minutes of matchplay. India 1-1 Germany (women) (India win shoot-out 3-0) In the event, it was Germany who took the lead. Felicia Wiedermann was on the end of a penalty corner routine, which began with a running injection and ended with the ball flying past Devi Kharibam in the India goal. This was just ahead of half-time and both teams trooped off the pitch after an exhausting opening two quarters. Head Coach Akim Bouchouchi said, although he was happy to be in the lead, he was not happy with much of the build-up play by his young team. 'We are making too many faults in our build-up and allowing India to take possession too easily.' India had squandered their referrral in the first five minutes of the game and, when Germany won a penalty stroke there was the sense that this decision would come back to haunt them. However, Jette Fleschütz's hard shot hit the post and the score remained 1-0. India finally broke through in the third quarter when Nisha was on hand to bundle the ball over the German goal-line after some indecision by the German defence. Both teams had further opportunities to wrap the result up. India pushed and pushed for the winning goal but found a resilient German defence that maintained discipline despite an onslaught by the India attack. This included marshalling Devi Sharmila away from the danger area and preventing the ever-threatening Navneet Kaur from creating chances. Germany were awarded a penalty corner in the dying seconds of the game but were unable to find a way past Savita. The shoot out was a reverse image of the day before. This time it was India who looked the more confident and they quickly took an unassailable 3-0 lead through the excellence of Savita and the calmness of the scorers: Tete Salima, Kumari Sangita and Sonika. Speaking after the game, Player of the Match, Navneet Kaur (IND), said: ‘I am very happy, we did very well and worked hard over both matches.' Germany's captain Lisa Nolte said: 'The feeling in this stadium is awesome but we were unlucky to lose the game today. I am proud of my team. We did a great job but we were unlucky not to win today.' The result means India move to second position in the league table behind Argentina and ahead of Netherlands. Germany remain in sixth position just one point behind Spain. To see the current women’s FIH Pro League Standings, click here. Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) Result: Women's Match 18 India 1, Germany 1 (India win the shoot-out bonus point 3-0) Player of the Match, Navneet Kaur (IND) Umpires:Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Raghu Prasad (IND), Javid Shaikh (IND, Video Umpire)

Sports Bulletin Report BHUBANESWAR:-While the match ended 1-1, the visiting German players are more likely to be pleased with the result than their India counterparts. Not only did they take the bonus point when they won the shoot-out but, for many of the players, they performed with confidence on one of the iconic hockey stages, the Kalinga Stadium in India. India 1-1 Germany (Women)-(Germany win shoot-out 2-1): It was honours even at the end of the first half as Kaur Navneet for India and then Carlotta Sippel for the visiting German side, scored in quick succession. Navneet's goal followed a great build-up run by Sharmila Devi down the India left-side of the pitch. Her cross found Navneet who was able to guide it home. This was in the fourth minute and Head Coach Janneke Schopman will have been pleased by the way her team had countered after being put under pressure by the German side for much of the opening few minutes. Germany responded well and two successive penalty corners were eventually rewarded when Carlotta Sippel was able to fire the ball home after the ball had rebounded and bounced around in front of Savita for a few dramatic seconds. The remainder of the half continued in much the same vein, with Germany having a greater share of possession, including three penalty corners, to India's none. Neither side, however, were able to find a way past the two 'keepers; Savita for India and Mali Wichmann, who was making her debut for Germany. The third quarter saw India pushing forwards to a greater degree. Two penalty corners, both struck by Gurjit Kaur, brought two good saves from Wichmann. As the time counted down, there was a sense that some of the punchiness had left the German game, allowing India more time to run at the goal. However, it was Die Danas who came closest to breaking the deadlock when a shot seemed to have crossed the India goalline; eventually it was cleared to safety. The final quarter saw both teams digging deep to find the winning goal. The momentum looked to be with India as they responded to the encouragement from the stands. However, Germany dug deep and looked highly experienced as they managed the game well and kept tight discipline in the face of increased India pressure. In the shoot-out, Germany held their nerve to take the bonus point. While neither side showed great finishing in the shoot-out, credit should go to Mali Wichmann in the German goal as she saved four attempts and made a great video referral to get a penalty stroke overturned on a technicality.

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

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.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland:-With so many FIH Hockey Pro League matches taking place in the past few weeks there has been a flurry of movement in the men’s FIH World Rankings. Matches in Potchefstroom, South Africa; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Bhubaneswar, India have involved eight men’s teams, including new comers to the Pro League, France and South Africa. Since the re-start of the league in February there has been 21 FIH Hockey Pro League matches. Unsurprisingly, this means less movement in the women’s FIH World Rankings, with Netherlands still sitting at the top on 3115.356 points, some way ahead of nearest rivals Argentina who have 2610.650 points. Australia (2434.048), England (2384.971) and Germany (2226.153) are next in the rankings with Belgium in seventh position, New Zealand eighth, India ninth and Japan making up the top 10. In the men’s World Rankings, Netherlands and France are the main beneficiaries of the recent FIH Hockey Pro league adventures. While Australia continue to lead the table on 2642.258 points, and Belgium continue to be in second place on 2563.486, Netherlands has changed place with India, courtesy of three wins and a draw (with a shoot-out bonus point) in the recent campaign in South Africa. The results mean Netherlands has 2265.707 points and India are on 2140.110. The table then unfolds thus: Germany are in fifth place, ahead of Argentina in sixth. These two teams have leap-frogged England who are in seventh, ahead of New Zealand (8) and Spain (9). The other big mover is France who now entered the top 10 for the first time in recent years, thanks to two wins and a draw in South Africa. The rankings calculations model that FIH introduced on 1st January 2020 moved away from the previous tournament-based rankings system to a dynamic, match-based method where opposing teams exchange points in official, FIH sanctioned games. The number of points exchanged depends on the result of the match, the relative ranking of the teams and the importance of the match.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have jointly announced the 20 national teams that will participate in the upcoming Commonwealth Games hockey tournaments scheduled from 29 July to 8 August at the University of Birmingham, England. Women: Australia, Canada, England, Ghana, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Wales              Men: Australia, Canada, England, Ghana, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Wales FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “With such an impressive line-up, we’re looking forward, together with fans around the world, to hockey tournaments which will once again belong to the greatest events to enjoy at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. On behalf of FIH, I’d like to thank the Commonwealth Games Federation for their intense preparations as well as their support. And I wish already all teams every success in Birmingham!” CGF CEO Katie Sadleir said: “We are delighted that 20 outstanding teams have confirmed their spots for the Birmingham 2022 hockey tournament. We have an incredible line up for both the men’s and women’s competition and hockey fans across the Commonwealth are set to see a truly world class competition in Birmingham. I would like to thank the International Hockey Federation for their ongoing support and we look forward to working closely with them and Birmingham 2022 to stage a tournament that will showcase the very best of Commonwealth sport.” Hockey has been part of the Commonwealth Games since 1998. Australian Men have won all six editions! In the Women’s tournament, Australia is also leading the all-time records with 4 Gold medals, followed by India and New Zealand (1 each), with the Black Sticks winning the last Commonwealth Games hockey tournament in 2018 in The Gold Coast, Australia. Matt Kidson, Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, said: “It’s great news that we now know all of the hockey teams that will be taking part in Birmingham 2022. We are currently finalising the match schedule for the men’s and women’s tournaments, and we are looking forward to unveiling this information very soon. “The University of Birmingham will be an excellent venue for hockey and a new pitch has just been installed at our training venue at Wyndley Leisure Centre, so we will have world-class facilities available for all of the teams.”

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has expressed a deeply concerned about the safety of the members of Ukraine’s hockey community and ensures all of them of its full solidarity at this terrible time. FIH is in regular contact with the Hockey Association of Ukraine and is doing its utmost to offer any support it can, in the hope that the Ukrainian team will be able to participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup scheduled from 1 to 12 April in Potchefstroom, South Africa, for which it qualified.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-It was to be Spain's day in Bhubaneswar as the Red Sticks men and women's teams put in resilient performances to defeat the host nations in the second day of FIH Hockey Pro League action between the two nations. Spain beat India 4-3 (women) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) Spain started the first quarter in dominating fashion. Begona Garcia in particular seemed to be everywhere and her energetic running was rewarded with a goal in the fourth minute of the game. At this stage, Spain were in the ascendency and India seemed to be overwhelmed by the pace of the Red Stick’s game. That changed in the 10th minute when debutant Sangita Kumari showed her strength and ability to find the goal as she beat two defenders and then shot with precision to bring the scores level. For an athlete in her first senior match, Sangita showed some cool-headed skill. The Garcia show continued as the quarter counted down. A clever ball into the circle by Georgina Oliva, who celebrated her 250th cap, found an Indian foot to win a penalty corner. Following the initial shot, it was Maialen Garcia who deflected the penalty corner shot into the goal to restore the Spanish lead. Salima Tete answered Head Coach Janneke Schopman’s request for speedier play. The forward brought the scores level as she burst forwards into the Spain circle and unleashed a reverse stick shot that proved unstoppable. Just two minutes later, in the 24th minute, we saw the moment of the match as Belen Iglesias used tremendous skill and vision to lob the ball over Savita’s head, into the goal. Just when it looked as if the match was going to shoot-out, up stepped one of the more experienced of the Red Sticks team – Xantal Gine – to fire home the penalty corner that gave Spain their first win of the FIH Hockey Pro League. The result means India are in third position in the league table behind Argentina and Netherlands. Spain, with a win and a draw are in fifth place, just behind Belgium. Spain beat India 5-3 (men) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) India took a lead in the sixth minute through Abhishek; the striker running the backline and then flicking past Adrian Rafi. Eight minutes later, Pau Cunill scored from Spain’s first penalty corner in the 14th minute and just seconds later eventual Player of the Match Joan Tarres looked almost casual as he struck an upright, reverse stick shot past Suraj Karkera in the India goal to put Spain ahead as they went into the break. A rocket from Pau Cunill was the first score of the second quarter and it was against the run of play as India had enjoyed more possession and more meaningful attacks to that point. But Cunill’s shot was accomplished and confident as it flew past PR Sreejesh in the India goal. Sreejesh was celebrating his 250th match for India and this was not the way he would want to remember the occasion. India responded through Harmanpreet Singh, again from a polished penalty corner routine. The goal makes Harmanpreet the first player to reach double figures in this year’s goal scoring tally. With the score at 3-2, the second half was all set to mimic, if not exceed, the excitement and drama of the previous day’s action. The third quarter was intense but neither side managed to find a goal-scoring breakthrough, although India were definitely playing with more energy and ideas than their European counterparts. The question was whether Max Caldas’ men could hold onto the lead and, if possible, extend it. The answer came with nine minutes left on the clock. Sukhjeet Singh, who was playing his first senior game, made the dream start on his debut, dribbling through the Spanish defenders before slotting the ball home to bring the scores level. For the Spanish team, the spectre of once again losing in the final moments was looming large. With just over six minutes left there was yet another twist in the this tale. Pepe Cunill joined his brother Pau on the score-sheet after rifling home a penalty corner – for his first senior international goal. The shot was subject to a long video review but the goal stood and Spain took the lead again. India took their ‘keeper from the field with three minutes left and Spain were able to capitalise when they won another penalty corner. Marc Miralles was able to fire home for his fourth goal of the weekend. The 5-3 scoreline with just 90 seconds left gave the Red Sticks breathing room as they headed to their first FIH Hockey Pro League win of the season.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India men enjoyed a magnificent comeback after they went 4-1 down to Spain with 15 minutes left of their match. But somehow the host nation drew on every reserve of energy to score four goals, including a dramatic penalty stroke in the final five seconds to win the match 5-4 and move to second in the FIH Hockey Pro League. India 2-1 Spain (women) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) The first half may have finished equal in terms of goals but the 30 minutes belonged to Spain in terms of possession and circle penetrations. The Red Sticks ended the half with 69 per cent possession and 19 incursions into the India ‘D’. India had managed only five meaningful attacks in response. As against the Netherlands in their earlier matches, much of the driving force for Spain came from the non-stop running of Georgina Oliva. In the second half, the momentum switched as India changed tactics and began to pressure the Spanish midfield and defence with a sustained high press. The hard-work of Player of the Match Sharmila Devi, alongside the skills of Navneet and Nikki Pradhan, began to test the Spanish side’s ability to hold the ball. Player of the Match, Shamila Devi said: ‘We played every well and I am very excited because we are playing at my home ground.’ Spain’s captain Maria Lopez said: ‘We played a really good game, especially in the first half. We have to keep improving our performance but tomorrow it will be better. India took advantage of their opportunities and that was difference.’ India 5-4 Spain (men) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND) India thought they had taken an early lead when Harmanpreet rifled home India’s first penalty corner attempt. A review saw that goal overturned and it was actually Spain who took the lead in the 14th minute when Pau Cunill scored his first goal in the FIH Pro League. A minute later Harmanpreet once again stepped up for a penalty corner after a clever move in the circle by Lalit earned India their second penalty corner. Once again Harmanpreet found a way past Mario Garin in the Spanish goal and there was no argument this time. The second quarter saw Spain begin to find new levels of energy and innovation, personified by their captain Marc Miralles. It was Miralles who found his way onto the scoresheet, with a penalty corner and a penalty stroke in the 20th and 23rd minute. The two goal buffer not only built the Spanish team’s levels of confidence, it also served to create a sense of frustration amongst the Indian players. The second half burst into life as Marc Miralles scored his hat trick with a beautifully taken reverse stick shot following a penalty corner rebound. At first, the goal was disallowed as it appeared to be outside the circle, but the decision was reversed and Spain took a 4-1 lead. It was this action that galvanised India and suddenly, with the small group of spectators roaring them on, the home side were on the come-back trail. In the 41st minute Lakra Shilanand scored following a jinking run through the left-side of the Red Sticks defence and just two minutes later Shamsher Singh rattled home a penalty corner after Lalit Upadhyay drew a foul with some clever movements in the circle. However, with four minutes left, Spain gifted India a penalty corner with a slip at the top of the circle and Kumar Vuran - on his 100th appearance for the senior team – was able to draw his team level with a fantastic turn and shot. Player of the Match: Jaskaran Singh said: ‘We were losing in the first half but in the second half we made our chances, took them and won the match.’ Spain's captain Marc Miralles said: ‘It is tough for us because it is the same thing that happened against England, we lost in the final minutes. But, we played well and if we play like this tomorrow, we will be in a position to win.’ Result: Women's Match India 2, Spain 1 Player of the Match, Devi Sharmila (IND) Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Deepak Joshi (IND), Javed Shaikh (IND, Video Umpire) Result: Men’s Match 2 India 5, Spain 4 Player of the Match: Jaskaran Singh (IND) Umpires: Raghu Prasad (IND), Javed Shaikh (IND), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL-video).

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has invited 32 players to join the national training camp, which is scheduled to be kicked off from March 1, 2022 at Lahore. According to an official of PHF, the players will be trained for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, as the all players are advised to report in the camp on 1st March to manager Kawaja Junaid. Also, trainer Daniel Berry and foreign goalkeeping coach Bob John Weldhoff will be part of the coaching staff. Camp will be organized for one month. Names of Invited Players: Goalkeepers (4): Amjad Ali (Sui Southern Gas), Waqar Ali (WAPDA), Abdullah Ishtiaq (Mari Petroleum), Akmal Hussain (WAPDA), Defenders (10): Mubashir Ali (WAPDA), Emad Shakeel Butt (National Bank), Abu Bakar Mahmood (National Bank), Hamad Anjum (WAPDA), Tazeem Al Hassan (WAPDA) ), Rizwan Ali (PAF), Aqeel Ahmed (WAPDA), Mohammad Abdullah (Mari Petroleum), Arbaaz Ahmed (Mari Petroleum), Abdul Manan (Sui Southern Gas) Midfielders / Forwards (18): Mohammad Umar Bhatta (WAPDA), Mohammad Azfar Yaqub (Sui Southern Gas), Rana Waheed (WAPDA), Ahmad Nadeem (Mari Petroleum), Ghazanfar Ali (Mari Petroleum), Salman Razzaq (WAPDA), Abdul Rehman (WAPDA), Roman Khan (WAPDA), Hassan Amin (Multan) , Moin Shakeel (WAPDA), Ali Shan (Sui Southern Gas), Junaid Manzoor (National Bank), Afraz (Mari Petroleum), Ejaz Ahmed (WAPDA), Abdul Hanan Shahid (WAPDA), Noheez Zahid Malik (National Bank), Shahzeb Khan (Sindh) and Abu Dhar (National Bank). Officials: Khawaja Junaid (Camp manager) Ahmed Alam (Goalkeeper Coach) Syed Sameer Hussain, Wasim Ahmed and Ajmal Khan Lodhi (Assistant coaches) Mohammad Aslam (Physiotherapist).