Latest news with #NationsCup
The Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Northern areas celebrate Seale's place in SA hockey team
Sport Trip to Malaysia for Nations Cup was a tremendous experience, young star says Premium By Bryan Goliath - 14 July 2025 Jamie Seale has become the pride of the northern areas after representing the SA men's senior hockey team in the Nations Cup in Malaysia recently. Seale, 20, who went to school at Triomf Primary in Salsoneville, has described the trip as a tremendous experience. ..
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan rugby triumphs over Uganda in Africa Cup of Nations ranking match
The Moroccan rugby union team defeated Uganda 24–12 on Sunday in Kampala, in a placement match for fifth to eighth place in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which runs until July 21 in Uganda. With this victory, Morocco retained its spot in Africa Group A. The team will next face Senegal in the fifth-place playoff. The Atlas Lions had previously been knocked out of the quarter-finals by Zimbabwe, suffering a 43–8 defeat last Tuesday. Morocco qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Tunisia 26–12 in a repechage match held last February at Père Jégo Stadium in Casablanca. The winner of the 2025 CAN will earn direct qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The runner-up will compete in the Nations Cup for a chance to claim the second African spot at the World Cup.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
A flicker of hope: Pakistan hockey's slow return to the global stage
For a nation that once ruled the hockey world with an iron grip, Pakistan's recent back-to-back final appearances in the FIH Nations Cup and the Men's U18 Asia Cup in 2025 have reignited a spark of hope. After decades of underachievement, these runner-up finishes in 2025, while not yielding trophies, mark a shift in momentum for a sport that has languished far from its glorious past. The Green Shirts, for the first time in years, are being discussed not just in terms of legacy, but also in terms of possibility. The weight of history Pakistan's hockey pedigree is unmatched in Asia. Four World Cup titles, three Olympic golds, and a host of continental triumphs once positioned the country as a field hockey superpower. The 1980s in particular saw dominance under players like Hassan Sardar, Islahuddin, and Shahbaz Ahmed Sr., whose influence extended well beyond the field. But the decline has been sharp. The last major title, the 1994 World Cup in Sydney, is now over three decades old. Since then, the national team has missed out on World Cups and Olympic Games, dropped in rankings, and watched its domestic infrastructure erode. The National Hockey Stadium in Lahore, once the largest of its kind, now reflects this neglect. Turning a corner The FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, where Pakistan beat France in the semifinal before falling to New Zealand, marked the senior team's first final appearance in a major FIH event in more than ten years. Captain Ammad Butt called it a 'revival' of the sport. While perhaps premature, the performance did signal tactical improvement and competitive intent. The Under-18 squad followed closely in China, reaching the final of the Asia Cup after dominant wins in the group stage. Despite losing to Japan in the final, the emergence of players like Ali Hamza and Hasan Shahbaz has given observers reason to hope for a more sustainable pipeline of talent. The campaigns were far from perfect, but in the context of Pakistani hockey's broader decline, reaching two finals in the span of a month is a notable achievement. Why this moment matters Pakistan's entry into the 2025-26 FIH Pro League, made possible after New Zealand withdrew, presents an unprecedented opportunity. For years, Pakistan's biggest handicap has been its absence from consistent high-level competition. The Pro League could bridge that gap, but only if backed by adequate preparation, financial support, and institutional consistency. These appearances also suggest a deeper, if tentative, recovery. The senior team's Nations Cup run showed a return to structure and belief. The U18 team's progress reflected the potential of younger players even under difficult circumstances, including limited training time and logistical delays. Persistent challenges However, systemic issues continue to threaten any long-term revival. Reports of players going unpaid for weeks after the Nations Cup and the absence of central contracts reflect the Pakistan Hockey Federation's financial instability. Private donors temporarily filling the gap is not a sustainable model. Pakistan still lacks a professional domestic league, an essential platform for developing match-ready talent. Facilities remain underfunded, and administrative turnover has made long-term planning difficult. Political tensions in the region are another factor. Pakistan's participation in upcoming tournaments in India, including the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup, remains uncertain due to visa restrictions and unresolved diplomatic issues. If unresolved, these barriers could again limit international exposure for emerging players. A fragile opportunity There is no shortage of goodwill. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and national cricket captain Babar Azam have both publicly supported the hockey team. But symbolic gestures alone will not revive the sport. A professional structure, improved facilities, and guaranteed financial backing remain critical. The recent visit by Germany's U21 team, the first in 21 years, was a positive sign, but Pakistan needs more than isolated events to rejoin the international elite. Veteran Hassan Sardar, a legend of the 1980s era, sees potential in the current squad. 'These boys have the heart to fight,' he said. 'But heart alone won't win World Cups. They need structure, support, and belief from the system.' The way forward For Pakistan hockey's revival to be more than a moment, it needs structure beneath the sentiment. As former captain Islahuddin suggested earlier, 'Rebuilding must start from the grassroots.' Reviving club hockey and restoring school and college competitions is crucial to developing young talent. 'Without a proper pipeline, we'll keep recycling the same problems,' he warned. A major gap continues to be the lack of consistent exposure to high-level international competition. Without opportunities to face top-ranked teams or participate in overseas leagues, players miss out on the experience needed to raise their game beyond local standards. Equally pressing is the absence of financial incentives. The phasing out of institutional jobs, contracts, and long-term benefits has made hockey an increasingly unattractive career path for young athletes. Without financial stability, many are turning away from the sport altogether. Governance is another central concern. Years of internal politics and ad-hoc decision-making have eroded confidence in the system. Any meaningful progress will require professional management, transparency, and long-term planning. Pakistan has the talent, but without systems to support it, that talent will continue to be wasted.
4 days ago
- Sport
Darcy Graham red-carded as Fiji beats Scotland 29-14 on the 2nd match of its Pacific tour
SUVA, Fiji -- Fiji conceded a try after two minutes but rallied to score four tries and beat 14-man Scotland 29-14 in a one-off test match on Saturday. Scotland was a man down from the 66th minute when winger Darcy Graham was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Graham was first sent to the sin-bin in the 35th minute for an early tackle. The TMO ruled out a penalty try on that occasion but Fiji immediately scored its first try through captain Tevita Ikanivere. The second yellow card came when Graham was ruled to have deliberately impeded Fiji and prevented a certain try from being scored. The penalty try that resulted gave Fiji its final 15-point margin. Scotland also lost hooker Ewan Ashman to a yellow card in the ninth minute in an undisciplined performance. Winger Kyle Rowe scored the first try of the match only two minutes after the kickoff and New Zealand-born flyhalf Fergus Burke converted for a 7-0 lead. Fiji, which lost 21-18 to Australia last weekend, narrowed the lead with a penalty to flyhalf Caleb Muntz in the 20th minute, then took its first lead at 8-7 with Ikanivere's try. Kalaveti Ravouvou sawed through the Scotland defense to score in the 39th minute and Fiji took a 15-7 lead to halftime. Scotland opened the second half with a slick try to center Tom Jordan, converted by Burke, which cut the lead to a point at 15-14. Fiji replied with a superb try to the Toulon winger and Olympic sevens gold medalist Jiuta Wainiqolo to increase its lead to 22-14 before the penalty try sealed its win. The win was Fiji's second over Scotland in five official tests and adds evidence that Fiji deserves to be included among the top 12 nations in world rugby in next year's inaugural Nations Cup. Scotland beat New Zealand Maor i 29-26 at Whangārei, New Zealand.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Akmal Rizal comments on Malaysia's heritage footballers
KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia bask in their highest world football ranking in 19 years, which is No. 125, the inevitable question is how much of this success is due to the foreign-born players in the national team. Former international Akmal Rizal Rakhli attributed Malaysia's rise to both development programmne and the inclusion of heritage players. "This is the outcome of a long-term project that started under Tan Cheng Hoe (former national coach) and continues with Peter Cklamovski," he said. "The addition of heritage players has also helped us get results against stronger teams." Akmal believes that Harimau Malayia are well-positioned to continue their ascent. Malaysia will debut in the Cafa Nations Cup (Aug 29-Sept 8) and also play three Asia Cup qualifiers in October and November. Akmal said if Malaysia meet Iran in the Nations Cup and achieve a good result, this could significantly boost their world ranking. "We could even reach world No. 120 by the end of the year if we build on what we showed against Vietnam (Malaysia won 4-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier last month). "Strong performances in these competitive matches will give us more ranking points and better international standing," said Akmal, who scored 17 goals in 47 appearances for Malaysia, On fans' concerns over the rising number of foreign-born players in the national team, Akmal said the naturalisation route is necessary. "If we're being honest, this is something we needed to do. The heritage players are quality footballers who were developed in strong systems abroad. "It opens our eyes to what's required to compete in Asia. But yes, it does reduce chances for local boys. Our local players can't be comfortable anymore. "The message is clear, no spot is guaranteed. Some players who were regulars before are now out of the squad. It's a wake-up call," he said.
