INDIA QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP

Pakistan, the nation that conceived the World Cup, donated the Trophy designed by the Pakistan Army, won the World Cup a record 4 times, are OUT of the 2014 World Cup. The first time they miss a World Cup. Oh yes, the Korean win means India qualify for The Hague.

Pakistan lost their final chance when they were defeated in the semis of the Asia Cup, 2-1 by Korea.

KUANTAN TO HOST CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE 1

Main Pitch of the Kuantan Hockey Stadium

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce that the Hockey Champions Challenge 1 2014 events for men and women have been allocated to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation and Scottish Hockey respectively.

The Hockey Champions Challenge 1 is an international hockey event played every two years. Part of the Champions series of events, the Champions Challenge 1 is a key qualification route to the illustrious Champions Trophy which sees the world’s elite compete. Introduced in 2001, the event was set up by the FIH to broaden hockey’s competitive base at world level. The winners of the Champions Challenges 1 in 2014 qualify for the Champions Trophy in 2016.

Both Champions Challenge 1 events are set to be held during the same week starting at the end of April.  The men’s event will be held between 26 April and 4 May 2014, with the women’s event starting one day later and also finishing on 4 May 2014.

The men’s event will take place at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium in Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang on the Eastern coast of Malaysia. The venue features two arenas, with a capacity of 7.500 spectators for the main field of play and around 3.500 for the second pitch, with both blue colour turfs laid in April 2012. The venue has previously hosted the Asia Cup in 2009 and a Hockey World League Round 1 event in 2012.

The women’s event will be held at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green, a newly constructed venue specially designed to host the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games which will be held from 23 July to 3 August next year. The Women’s Hockey Champions Challenge 1 will be the first international event at the venue which features two hockey pitches.

The men’s competition will include the following teams

• New Zealand (currently 5^th in the FIH World Ranking)
• Spain (joint 6^th)
• Korea (joint 6^th)
• South Africa (12^th)
• Malaysia (13^th)
• Canada (14^th)
• Ireland (15^th)
• Japan (16^th)

The women’s competition will include the following teams

• Korea (currently 8^th in the FIH World Ranking)
• USA (10^th)
• South Africa (11^th)
• India (12^th)
• Belgium (13^th)
• Spain (14^th)
• Ireland (15^th)
• Scotland (19^th)

IS MHC ASLEEP OR DOING MOON LIGHTING

 

THIS IS WHAT THE MHC PRESIDENT WROTE AT A SEMINAR IN JB LAST NOVEMBER

Does the Malaysian Hockey Confederation still exist or are they busy moon lighting and enjoying life as they seem to ignore the domestic scnario.

For the 51st tun Razak Cup is scheduled to commence on September 5 and the closing of entries was on August 26. However till today, August 28, no information with regards to the number of teams nor groupings or schedules have been released to the media.

Rather MHC is busy in Ipoh for the Asia Cup and also at the launch ceremony for the SOJC that will be held in Johor Baru on Thursday.

Getting their priorities right has never been their forte but the fact that MHC have committeess and paid staff to carry out daily responsibilities and yet do not do what they are supposed to do is worrying.

An international media personality also highlighted a pertinent question as to why MHC does not provide daily reports to be posted at the FIH Website as with the case of other continental confederations.

It was also learnt that the FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather actually sent an email to the AHF as to why their website was not updated.

Here we have MHC looking to bid for the 2018 World Cup, but they cannot even provide proper news on the Asia Cup.

Get your act right or get out, that is what those in MHC should do. You have done enough damage.

TOUGH BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE SAYS ZIDANE

 

Malaysia is bidding to get into the final of the Asia Cup for the first time since the inception of the tournament in 1982.

 

However they face a daunting task in the semis against a new look India, as correctly stated by diminutive striker Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tg Jalil.

 

“It will be tough but not impossible for us to overcome India. They are under pressure to qualify for the World Cup whereas we are virtually there,” said the 27-year-old Kangar born player who has represented Malaysia in 185 international matches.

 

Read more in The Malay mail on Thursday

BRING ON THE KOREANS SAYS IMRAN

 

The last time Korea played Pakistan, it was by choice rather then by fate. For Korea wanted to meet Pakistan in the quarterfinals of the World League Round 3 held in Johor Baru in June.

 

And they went on to defeat the Pakistanis to book a place in the semis and virtually assured themselves of a place in the 2014 World Cup in The Hague, leaving the Pakistanis in bewilderment as their task to make the World cup all the more tougher.

 

More in The Malay Mail on Thursday

BETTER LATE THEN NEVER

The Asian Hockey Federation will look towards introducing the video referral technology in major competitions in Asia beginning 2014.

 

In revealing this, AHF Secretary General Tan Sri P. Alagendra said that logistic and financial constraints had made it difficult for such equipment to be provided for the ongoing Asia Cup.

 

Nonerheless Alagendra admitted that technology plays an important part in the development of the sport and hence the emphasis of having the referral video could see it making its debut in Asian tournaments next year.

 

“It was considered for the Asia Cup but the hosts were not able to provide such a facility after having discussed the matter with the host broadcasters,” said Alagendra.

 

“While we understand the feelings of the teams, much must be taken into consideration, like the financial implications as well as it is not cheap.

 

“Still the AHF will strive towards introducing this in our major events from next year.”

 

On the issue with regards not implementing the 45 second penalty corner rule and the stick above the shoulder, Alagendra said that they had written to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) seeking exemption to applying the regulations in the asia Cup.

 

“The FIH granted our request and it was done so that it does not favour any team as not all have played under the rule which was only introduced in June this year for the World League,” clarified Alagendra.

 

However he was non committal on whether the regulations and the video referral will be introduced at the forthcoming AHF Champions trophy o be held in Japan from the 1^st to 9^th November.

 

VIETNAM TO MAKE DEBUT IN MYANMAR SEA GAMES

Vietnam has served a surprise by confirming participation in both the men and women’s hockey competition in the SEA Games to be held in Myanmar this December.

 

However their participation hit a snag as they have yet to be affiliated to the Asian Hockey Federation.

 

But the matter is expected to be resolved at the AHF Council meeting to be held in Ipoh on September 1^st as Vietnam will be admitted as interim member of the AHF to facilitate their participation in the regional games.

 

A total of seven countries, including Vietnam have confirmed participation in the hockey event that will be contested in Yangon from December 11 to 20. The others are Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia and hosts Myanmar.

 

It is indded a pleasant surprise that Vietnam are keen to participate in the SEA Games and everything is being done to facilitate their participation, ” said AHF Secretary General Tan Sri P.Alagendra.

 

“WE at AHF will extend all our assistance in technical areas as well. However Vietnam will need to show us their progress plans in order for us to approve their interim membership into AHF.”

 

The participation of Vietnam is seen as the first step towards forming a competitive team to play in the 2019 Asian games that they will host.

 

In addition this will boost the developmemt of the sport and the Malaysian Hockey Federation could extend an invite to them to play in the forthcoming Razak Cup to be held in Kuantan from September 5-15.

 

Meanwhile Alagendra also revealed that Hockey Australia had written in to the AHF for consideration to be invited as a guest team for all Asian Indoor tournaments commencing 2014.

 

“This matter has been handed over to the Indoor and Competition Committees for consideration and a decision is expected at the Council meeting this Sunday,” added Alagendra.