November 2012 - The Fans of Hockey

Ireland’s Green Machine march on to Champions Challenge Semi Final

Posted on November 30, 2012 by November 30, 2012

Ireland’s Green Machine marched into the Champions Challenge 1 Semi-Final in Quilmes, Argentina today with a convincing 4-0 Quarter Final win over European neighbours Poland.

Ireland, fresh from a 3-1 victory over South Africa on Tuesday started brightly and dominated possession in the early part of the contest but faced a Polish Keeper, Arkadiusz Matuszak, in inspired form. In a short space of time he made consecutive top drawer saves following strikes at goal from Ireland’s Caruth, Watt & O’Donohue.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, David Harte in the Irish goal was making his 100^th appearance for Ireland and despite being a spectator for large parts was called on to make important saves as Poland found their feet mid-way through the half. Surprisingly the half came to a close at 0-0 with Ireland on top but not being able to find a way past the magnificent Polish Keeper. Continue reading →

Author: ""; Last updated on November 30, 2012 01:29 .

Schedule and Results of Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Melbourne 2012

Posted on November 30, 2012 by October 26, 2013

The 34th Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy at Melbourne from Dec 1-9, 2012

Teams are divided into two pools:
Pool A: Germany, England, New Zealand & India
Pool B: Australia, Netherlands, Belgium & Pakistan

Venue: State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne

Final Standings:
1. Australia, 2. Netherlands, 3. Pakistan,
4. India, 5. Belgium, 6. Germany,
7. New Zealand and 8. England

Best Player: Shakeel Abassi (PAK)
Best Goalkeeper: Jaap Stockmann (NED
Top Scorer: Nicholas Wilson (NZL)
Fair Play Award: The Netherlands

The detailed Schedule of Champions Trophy Melbourne 2012 as following:

Match – Pool – Time (EST-GMT-IST) – Fixture: Score FT (HT)

Sat 1 Dec. (Report Here)
1 – B – 10:30 – 23:30^ – 05:00 – Netherlands v Pakistan: 3 – 1 (1 – 1)
2 – A – 12:30 – 01:30 – 07:00 – Germany v New Zealand: 3 – 2 (3 – 0)
3 – B – 14:30 – 03:30 – 09:00 – Australia v Belgium: 4 – 2 (2 – 0)
4 – A – 16:30 – 05:30 – 11:00- England v India: 1 – 3 (1 – 1) Continue reading →

Author: ""; Last updated on October 26, 2013 23:52 .

England Hockey captain Middleton is looking forward to Champions Trophy on Road to Rio

Posted on November 30, 2012 by February 27, 2013

Thursday, 29 November 2012: England men’s hockey captain Barry Middleton says he has no plans to retire and is looking forward to helping develop the international stars of the future in the build up to the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.

Great Britain v Argentina at London 2012 Olympic Games - Barry Middleton celebrates after scoring two goals at the Riverbank Arena (Photo Credit: Great Britain Hockey / Ady Kerry Photography)

File Photo: Barry Middleton (Photo Credit: Great Britain Hockey / Ady Kerry Photography)

Speaking to England Hockey TV ahead of the Champions Trophy in Melbourne, which starts on Saturday, the former Doncaster, Cannock and East Grinstead forward said “I’m looking to go to Rio. I want to play for four more years. Hockey’s my life; it’s what I’ve always done. I feel fit enough to carry on. As soon as I stop enjoying hockey or I feel I’m not helping the team then that’s when I’ll stop.”

“Four years is a long way to look,” admits Middleton, who is looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd again when England hosts the 2015 European Championships. “I’ll probably look a couple of years at a time but I want to help these young guys out and take England forward. We’ve got to fourth in the world but still want to go further and I think we can achieve that.”

Continue reading →

Author: ""; Last updated on February 27, 2013 02:23 .

Hockey India League names three Indians and three Overseas players as Marquee Players

Posted on November 29, 2012 by February 27, 2013

NEW DELHI, November 29: Hockey India League has named its Brand Ambassadors Sardar Singh (India) and Jamie Dwyer (Australia) as well as the world’s most capped player Teun de Nooijer (the Netherlands), Germany’s double Olympic gold medallist Moritz Fürste and Indians Sandeep Singh and SV Sunil as Marquee Players for the December 16 Hockey India League Auction.

Jamie Dwyer (2L) and Sardar Singh (2R) with Mr Rajat Sharma (L), Rajiv Shukla (Minister of State for Parilaimentary Affairs) (C) and Narinder Batra (Secretary General, Hockey India and Chairman, Hockey India League) (R)

“We are pleased to announce three players each from India and overseas as Marquee Players in the Hockey India League Players’ Auction set for December 16,” said Hockey India Secretary-General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra. “The six franchises will engage one each of these Marquee Players whose craft makes them huge crowd pullers. Continue reading →

Author: ""; Last updated on February 27, 2013 02:23 .

Ireland book Quarter Final date with Poland in Champions Challenge 1

Posted on November 28, 2012 by November 28, 2012

Ireland’s Green Machine got back on track and booked a Quarter Final showdown with fellow Europeans, Poland following a hard fought victory vs South Africa in hot & humid Quilmes, Argentina today. Ireland Coach Andrew Meredith grabbed his first competitive win having watched his new side lose their first two games in Champions Challenge 1 vs Argentina & Japan despite his team showing promising signs in both games.

In a frantic first half, Ireland grabbed the lead after only 8 minutes when Andy McConnell scrambled the ball home following good play from Mitch Darling. South Africa were back on level terms at 1-1 within 5 minutes though as Ireland failed to clear following a penalty corner and Miguel Da Garca pounced to score. The remainder of the half was played in a fast and furious manner around the centre of the field with neither team really opening the other up. The two best chances of the half both fell to Ireland though with Timothy Cockram & Michael Watt going close for the Green Machine before the sides headed for the break all square. Continue reading →

Author: ""; Last updated on November 28, 2012 01:10 .

HIL postponed to January 17, Players’ Auction is deferred to Dec 16

Posted on November 26, 2012 by November 26, 2012

NEW DELHI, November 26: The Governing Council of Hockey India League has decided to defer the Hockey India League Players’ Auction by a fortnight to December 16 and the start of the Hockey India League to January 17, 2013. The League will now conclude on February 17, 2013.

Hockey India Secretary-General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra said the decision was made in the best interest of hockey since some franchises are new to hockey and most of the coaches they were hiring were tied down with the FIH Champions Trophy in Melbourne and would not be able to take part in the Players’ Auction set for early December. Continue reading →

Author: ""; Last updated on November 26, 2012 17:57 .