Latest news with #FIHNationsCup
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIH Pro League 2024-25: India goes down 2-3 against the Netherlands
The Indian men's hockey team on Monday went down fighting 2-3 against the Netherlands in an FIH Hockey Pro League at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Abhishek (20') and Jugraj Singh (54') netted a goal each for India, while Thijs van Dam (24'), Tjep Hoedemakers (33'), and Jip Janssen (57') were the opposition goalscorers. India began the first quarter with a clear intent to control the game, maintaining possession and executing quick passes to penetrate the opposition's defence early on. In the sixth minute, forward Abhishek nearly put India ahead when he found space inside the D and unleashed a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target. The Netherlands responded with a switch to counter-attacking play, creating a few scoring chances of its own. However, the Indian defence held firm under pressure, calmly absorbing the attacks while continuing to challenge the Dutch backline at the other end. Despite the fast-paced, end-to-end action, the opening quarter ended goalless. The second quarter saw the Netherlands ramp up the intensity, adopting a more aggressive approach and nearly taking the lead with two close chances in quick succession. But India remained composed, sticking to its possession-based strategy and dictating the tempo through midfield control. The visitor also won the first penalty corner of the match, but Harmanpreet Singh's shot was deflected out. India's persistence finally paid off when Abhishek, playing his 100th international, broke free from his marker and finished clinically after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Shilanand Lakra. READ: Cash-strapped Pakistan to send national team for FIH Nations Cup However, the advantage was shortlived as just four minutes later, Dutch skipper Thierry Brinkman showcased his class with a dazzling run into the circle before setting up Thijs van Dam (24'), who calmly slotted the ball home to make it 1-1. The remainder of the quarter saw both sides probing for openings, but the defences held firm as the teams went into the half-time break level. The Netherlands came out with intent in the third quarter, pressing high and disrupting India's rhythm by intercepting passes in midfield. Its aggressive approach paid off when Floris Wortelboer delivered a sharp cross from the left flank to Tjep Hoedemakers, whose tame shot narrowly slipped past Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak to give the host a 2-1 lead. India, meanwhile, shifted to a counter-attacking strategy and earned a flurry of penalty corners in quick succession, yet couldn't find the equaliser. ALSO READ: India junior women's hockey team defeats Belgium 3-2 The fourth and final quarter saw India intensify its efforts, stringing together quick passes and making several entries into the Dutch circle in pursuit of an equaliser. When India was eventually rewarded with its fourth penalty corner, Jugraj Singh stepped up and made no mistake, hammering the ball into the net to level the score again at 2-2. Moments later, India had a golden chance to take the lead when Lalit Kumar Upadhyay found himself one-on-one with Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser. Attempting a cheeky scoop over the keeper, Lalit was denied by Visser's alert reflexes. The Netherlands responded swiftly and made the most of a penalty corner earned in the dying moments of the game as Jip Janssen (57') converted it to restore the home side's lead. India threw everything forward in the final minutes, but the Dutch defence held firm. India is currently fourth in the points tally having accumulated 15 points from 10 games. It will be seen in action against Argentina on June 11 next.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
Cash-strapped Pakistan to send national team for FIH Nations Cup hockey
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation has managed to send its national team for the FIH Nations Cup being held in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia from June secretary Rana Mujahid said that the federation president, Mir Tariq Bugti had got grants from the government, sponsorships and even individual donations to ensure the senior team plays in all its international events in the calendar year."The PHF is going through a financial crunch but we are managing somehow because unless our players don't compete regularly they will never move forward," the Olympian is currently ranked 15th in the FIH rankings, an improvement from the 20th position in Green Shirts didn't qualify for the last World Cup and last feattured in the 2012 London said the current federation was trying its best with its limited resources to first and foremost ensure players had no complaints about financial were facilitated properly and given the best training and preparation before each event."I have been a player myself and I know when the federation takes good care of a player he focuses completely on his game," he a first, the PHF has allowed head coach Tahir Zaman to select the 20-member squad himself without the help of any Imad Butt has been retained as captain for the eight-nation competition, which also features hosts Malaysia, France, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Waheed was named as vice-captain for the squad includes goalkeepers Muneer-ur-Reh-man and Abdullah Ishtiaq, alongside field players Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Abdul Manan, Hamad Anjum, Arshad Liaquat, Mo-een Shakeel, Zakrya Hayat, Ghazanfar Ali, Salman Razaq, Junaid Manzoor, Afraz Khan, Abd-ul Rehman and Ahmed and Rana Waleed will travel as reserves."The selected team is a balanced one and we are hopeful that this team will produce desired results," Tahir said."I picked the players based on their camp and recent performances in international events," he said the FIH Nations Cup was a major event for Pakistan as a win would mean a promotion to the FIH Pro League next year and also prepare the players to qualify for next year's World Cup from other events like the Asia Cup and qualifying tournament.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Cash-strapped Pakistan to send national team for FIH Nations Cup hockey
The cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation has managed to send its national team for the FIH Nations Cup being held in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia from June 15-21. PHF secretary Rana Mujahid said that the federation president, Mir Tariq Bugti had got grants from the government, sponsorships and even individual donations to ensure the senior team plays in all its international events in the calendar year. "The PHF is going through a financial crunch but we are managing somehow because unless our players don't compete regularly they will never move forward," the Olympian said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This 'Invisible Workout' Is Quietly Replacing Diets in the UK dailybuzzreport Undo Pakistan is currently ranked 15th in the FIH rankings, an improvement from the 20th position in 2022. The Green Shirts didn't qualify for the last World Cup and last feattured in the 2012 London Olympics. Live Events Mujahid said the current federation was trying its best with its limited resources to first and foremost ensure players had no complaints about financial hardships. They were facilitated properly and given the best training and preparation before each event. "I have been a player myself and I know when the federation takes good care of a player he focuses completely on his game," he said. In a first, the PHF has allowed head coach Tahir Zaman to select the 20-member squad himself without the help of any selectors. Shakeel Imad Butt has been retained as captain for the eight-nation competition, which also features hosts Malaysia, France, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Wales. Rana Waheed was named as vice-captain for the campaign. The squad includes goalkeepers Muneer-ur-Reh-man and Abdullah Ishtiaq, alongside field players Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Abdul Manan, Hamad Anjum, Arshad Liaquat, Mo-een Shakeel, Zakrya Hayat, Ghazanfar Ali, Salman Razaq, Junaid Manzoor, Afraz Khan, Abd-ul Rehman and Ahmed Nadeem. Mohib-ullah and Rana Waleed will travel as reserves. "The selected team is a balanced one and we are hopeful that this team will produce desired results," Tahir said. "I picked the players based on their camp and recent performances in international events," he added. He said the FIH Nations Cup was a major event for Pakistan as a win would mean a promotion to the FIH Pro League next year and also prepare the players to qualify for next year's World Cup from other events like the Asia Cup and qualifying tournament.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Embracing the role of a veteran: Onthatile Zulu looks ahead to the Nations Cup
SA hockey star Onthatile Zulu is looking forward to her first big tournament experience since the Paris Olympics, as she embraces her role as one of the veterans in a young national team brimming with exciting talent. The SA women's national hockey team is gearing up for the FIH Women's Hockey Nations Cup 2 tournament in Poland from June 16 to 22 that includes Uruguay, Malaysia and hosts Poland. It is a platform for emerging national teams to showcase their talent on the international stage, with the opportunity to gain promotion to the FIH Nations Cup. 'Preparations are going well. Although I haven't been centralised with the team, playing league games weekly and training have helped me prepare physically and mentally,' said the 25-year-old hockey player who is based in Cape Town. 'I'm excited to head to an international competition, especially since the last big tournament dynamic I experienced was at the Olympic Games in Paris last year.' That was a second Olympic Games, the other being Tokyo, for a player whose storied hockey journey has also taken her to a World Cup and Commonwealth Games. 'The Olympic experience has elevated my game and experience. Competing against the best allows you to perform better and has greatly enhanced my knowledge of the game and tactics,' she said. She admits that being one of the senior members of the team brings with it extra responsibility, 'but the most important thing for me is to do my best for the team and lead by example on the field'. Her 64 caps is second only to Quanita Bobbs (180) in a squad where three players – Cerian Fourie, Daniela de Oliveira and Shanna Mendonca – will be in line to make their debuts. Three others have less than 20 caps. Fellow Paris 2024 Olympians such as Edith Molikoe, Hannah Pearce, Ntsopa Mokoena, and Ongeziwe Mali also add valuable experience to head coach Inky Zondi's team. Zulu fondly recalls the role players like Celia Seerane, Lilian du Plessis and Erin Christie played in supporting her as a young player coming through the ranks and is ready to pay it forward. 'I've learnt that nothing will be given to you; you need to work hard for the team to add value and contribute to its success. Playing with pride for my country is also a big lesson I aim to pass on,' she said. Hockey has been a significant part of Zulu's life since she first stepped onto the field at 6 years old, and she has been representing South Africa since 2019.
The Star
7 days ago
- General
- The Star
Battle-hardened Speedy Tigers ready to push for honours at Nations Cup
PETALING JAYA: The Speedy Tigers are setting a clear goal ahead of the FIH Nations Cup, which will be held from June 15-21 in Kuala Lumpur. They want to reach the semi-finals and then go all out. Having finished fourth in South Africa in 2022 and seventh in Gniezmo, Poland, last year, coach Sarjit Singh believes this time, with a stronger, more battle-hardened squad, the team are ready to make a serious push for honours.
