International Olympic Committee : News

FHockey: Sultan Azlan Shah Cup results

3/17/2013 2:43:24 PM

Results from the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup men's field hockey on Sunday:

Final:

Australia 3 (Nick Budgeon 29, Craig Boyne 30, Trent Mitton 70) Malaysia 2 (Faizal Saari 3, Ahmad Tajuddin Jalil 49)

h-t: 2-1

3rd place playoff:

South Korea 2 (Hyun Hye-Sung 33, Nam Hyun-Woo 58) New Zealand 1 (Stephen Jenness 41)

h-t: 1-0

5th place playoff:

India 4 (Rupinder Pal Singh 10, 62, Akashdeep Singh 35, Malak Singh 43) Pakistan 2 (Muhammad Imran 8, Syed Kashif Shah 46)

h-t: 2-1

afp

European teams rise to the top - London 2012 - Hockey

8/12/2012 12:00:00 AM

For Germany coach Markus Weise, London 2012 brought a third successive gold medal, having previously led the women's side to victory in Athens in 2004 before switching to the men for Beijing 2008.

And the latest achievement meant Germany became only the second nation - the other being the Netherlands 12 years ago - since India in 1956 to retain their title.

The Dutch women were the most consistent team in the women's tournament and although world champions Argentina produced some exciting Hockey, they relied too heavily on star playmaker Luciana Aymar, which cost them when it came to the final.

The Netherlands became only the second team, after the great Australia side of the late 1990s, to win back-to-back Olympic titles

Germany's men began their defence slowly - losing to the Netherlands and drawing with New Zealand - but they came alive in the knockout phase, brilliantly dispatching world number ones Australia and then nullifying the attacking threat of the Dutch to clinch gold again.

Their semi-final against the Kookaburras proved pivotal as, in a classic performance, they twice came from behind before snatching a 4-2 victory with two goals in the last 12 minutes.

But their star in the 2-1 final victory was the unheralded midfielder Jan Philipp Rabente, who chose the most opportune moment to score his first goals of the tournament with a strike in each half.

Prior to that, the only player in the squad who had ever scored fewer was goalkeeper Max Weinhold, but Rabente's seventh and eighth international goals on his 78th appearance did the business either side of a penalty corner from Mink van der Weerden, who finished top-scorer with eight.

Australia consoled themselves with bronze after a 3-1 win over Great Britain to finish with a medal for the fifth successive Olympics.

On the other side, eight-time champions India produced their worst performance at the Games - discounting Beijing 2008 when they failed to qualify - as they lost all six matches to finish last.

The Netherlands' women enjoyed a 2-0 win over Argentina in the final having negated the effect seven-time world player of the year Aymar had on the game.

The form of captain Maartje Paumen, top-scorer at Beijing 2008 with 11, had been questioned but she came good in the knockout stages.

Having scored her first goals with two penalty corners against New Zealand in the semi-final, which thrillingly went to a shoot-out, she netted the clinching set-piece against Argentina after Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel's opener.

In doing so, she became the women's all-time leading Olympic goalscorer with 14.

Aymar had been due to retire after London 2012 but in the press conference after the final she produced comments which suggest she may yet carry on.

Hosts Great Britain claimed bronze after a comfortable 3-1 win over New Zealand, who recorded their highest Olympic finish having made their first semi-final after finishing last four years ago.

Rabente stars as Germany claim gold - London 2012 - Hockey

8/11/2012 12:00:00 AM

The 25-year-old struck in either half to make it a hat-trick of successive gold medals for coach Markus Weise, who also coached Germany's women to victory in 2004 and was in charge of the men at Beijing 2008.

Prior to the final, Rabente had scored only six times in 77 internationals, and the only player in the squad with fewer goals was goalkeeper Max Weinhold.

However, he produced a brilliant first just before half-time and, after penalty corner specialist Mink van der Weerden had equalised after the break, he deflected in a second five minutes from the end.

Earlier in the day, Australia claimed the bronze medal with a 3-1 win over Host Nation Great Britain.

Weise said: 'It was a super final full of good Hockey and fighting spirit from both sides - two top teams. A final always has one sweet part and one bitter part, today we got the sweet part of it.'

Player Max Mueller said 'It's unbelievable. After the hard pool matches, we never thought about it. We just thought about the next match and getting better in the tournament. Getting this medal is unbelievable.'

Floris Evers, of the Netherlands, said: 'I was really proud of the inexperienced players - I told them after the game that they need to do it in Rio. They really deserve a gold medal, but for now, compliments to the Germans that they did it again in the final.

'I think it was a 50-50 game. Maybe if Rabente did not make it 2-1, I would have scored one myself. I think we didn't play the best play we could, maybe because it was a final, that is the only disappointment I have.

'I'm proud of the silver medal, it is my second. They call me 'silver medallist' - that's a shit name. I wanted to change that here, but it's still an Olympic medal.'

Golden night for Netherlands - London 2012 - Hockey

8/10/2012 12:00:00 AM

Olympic gold is the only medal Argentina captain Luciana Aymar has not won, and the seven-time world player of the year admitted victory in the final would give her 'eternal glory'.

However, arguably the greatest player in the history of the women's game bowed out having won two silvers and two bronzes in her four Olympic appearances.

A cagey game was settled midway through the second half as world number ones the Netherlands scored two penalty corner goals in relatively quick succession from Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel and captain Maartje Paumen.

Even the legendary Aymar could not inspire world champions Argentina into a fightback as the Dutch collected the third Olympic gold medal in their history.

Earlier in the day, Great Britain's women emulated the groundbreaking side of 1992 in becoming only the second team to win Olympic bronze with a 3-1 win over New Zealand.

The squad showed impressive fortitude to bounce back less than 48 hours after most of the players left the pitch emotionally distraught having lost a close semi-final to Argentina.

But the burden of expectation did not weigh heavy as, spurred on by a vociferous 16,000-strong crowd, they dominated the game against New Zealand - even if they had to wait until 10 minutes into the second half for their nerves to ease.

Reading striker Alex Danson scored her fifth of the tournament as she dived in to convert a well-practised penalty corner routine, Leicester defender Crista Cullen joined her on that tally with a set-piece of her own and Wales international Sarah Thomas rounded off the scoring from another corner move.

Stacey Michelsen scored late on for New Zealand.

Medal hopefuls sound a warning - London 2012 - Hockey

8/7/2012 12:00:00 AM

The Australians re-established their reputation as the team to fear with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Pakistan to confirm their place in the semi-finals as Group A winners.

For the third time in five matches, the Kookaburras scored five or more in a match - hitting seven for a second time - to finish with 23 goals to their tally.

Not content with having the best attacking record in the tournament, they also are the strongest defensively, having let in just five goals, which all came as they conceded leads to draw with Argentina and Great Britain.

Liam de Young turned in a fifth-minute penalty corner rebound before Matt Butturini, on his 25th birthday, was fouled and Mark Knowles converted from the penalty spot.

In a six-minute spell before half-time Chris Ciriello powerfully flicked home a penalty corner before smashing a brilliant reverse-stick shot past static goalkeeper Imran Shah from the top of the circle.

Pakistan had a chance to get on the scoresheet early in the second half but Muhammad Rizwan Snr's shot was saved by Nathan Burger in goal.

Australia were at their clinical best, however, and when Russell Ford cleverly chipped the ball past Muhammad Irfan his shot flew past Shah and in off the underside of the crossbar.

Jamie Dwyer's reverse-stick shot on the turn from the top of the circle was nowhere near as powerful but the goalkeeper misjudged the bounce and conceded a sixth.

Glenn Turner completed the scoring two minutes from the end when he slid in to convert Eddie Ockenden's cross after a swift passing move.

Australia will now play Germany, the runners-up from Group B, who signed off their preliminary campaign with a thrilling 5-5 draw against New Zealand.

The Black Sticks raced into a 5-2 half-time lead with two goals from Simon Child and one each for Nick Wilson, Richard Petherick, Stephen Jenness, with Oskar Deecke and Florian Fuchs briefly making it 2-1 and then 3-2.

Goals continued to flow after the break but all went in Germany's favour with two for Christopher Zeller and one for Thilo Stralkowski to level things up in the tournament's highest-scoring match.

Earlier in the day, the Netherlands finished their Group B campaign with a 100 per cent record after a fifth successive victory, 4-2 against the Republic of Korea.

The Dutch had already made the last four but they were 2-0 up at half-time after Mink van der Weerden scored his sixth goal of the tournament from a penalty corner and Valentin Verga added the second.

Only after Roderick Weusthof had converted a penalty stroke after he had been fouled in the circle did Korea start to play.

Nam Hyun Woo converted a penalty corner midway through the half, although he injured his back in the process and had to be carried off, while Jang Jong Hyun's set-piece was turned in by Lee Nam Yong before Billy Bakker turned in a cross.

Argentina ensured they avoided the last-place play-off as they came from behind to win 6-3 against South Africa, while eight-time Olympic champions India's poor run continued as they were beaten 3-0 by Belgium.

In the evening, there was another thrilling encounter at the Riverbank Arena involving the host nation, as Great Britain survived a tense finish to hold out for a 1-1 draw with Spain.

The result meant they secured the point they needed to finish second in Group A and now go on to meet the Netherlands in the last four.

Comebacks throw last-four race open - London 2012 - Hockey

8/5/2012 12:00:00 AM

Veteran Teun de Nooijer marked his 450th appearance with a goal as the Netherlands won the battle of the European heavyweights against Germany 3-1 in Group B to qualify for the men's Hockey semi-finals.

The 36-year-old's 218th international strike was pivotal, coming just 25 seconds after half-time to give the Dutch a lead they never let slip.

It leaves defending Olympic champions Germany requiring a point from their final match against New Zealand to join them in the last four.

Elsewhere, Great Britain produced a brilliant second-half comeback to stun world number ones Australia, who appeared to be coasting towards the semi-finals.

The hosts were 3-0 down early in the second half before they made their charge in exhilarating fashion to leave the Kookaburras wondering what had hit them.

Two goals from Russell Ford and another from Mark Knowles had seemingly put Australia in control but Jonty Clarke began the fightback before captain Barry Middleton and James Tindall completed the recovery as it ended 3-3.

There was arguably even more drama in the late game, as Spain produced an astonishing last six minutes to score three times and keep alive their own semi-final hopes, beating Argentina 3-1.

Trailing to Lucas Vila's 55th-minute goal, the Europeans were heading out of medal contention in Group A until a sudden turnaround thrust them back in.

Spain scored three goals without reply as Pau Quemeda, Miguel Delas and Eduard Tubau snatched victory.

New Zealand's 1-1 draw with Belgium was unsatisfactory for both sides as it ended any distant hopes they had of making the semi-finals, while Pakistan snatched a 5-4 victory with two late goals in the highest-scoring match of the tournament against South Africa.

India's miserable run at the Olympic Games continued as they slumped to a fourth successive defeat, 4-1 against the Republic of Korea, to remain the only team in the tournament without a point.

Black Sticks, Argentina head into semis - London 2012 - Hockey

8/5/2012 12:00:00 AM

The Black Sticks booked their place in the knockout stages in the first game of the day, but a goalless draw ended Athens 2004 champions Germany's chances of a medal.

The Europeans needed to win by three goals to overtake New Zealand and then hope for a positive result in the final match of the day between Argentina and Australia.

However, they barely raised a challenge and when Celine Wilde missed an open goal from two yards early in the second half it looked like Germany, who were fourth at Beijing 2008, were not going to get lucky.

Germany thought they had finally scored when Julia Mueller hit in a high reverse-stick shot from a penalty corner but the ball had not travelled five yards out of the circle for her to be able to do that.

The Netherlands edged out Great Britain 2-1 at the Riverbank Arena, but with semi-final qualification already secured for both by then they were only playing for position.

Had the Host Nation beaten the Dutch they would have topped Group A and faced the second-placed side in the other group, but now they will take on Argentina, who claimed the last semi-final spot on offer in the late game as an unconvincing 0-0 draw put Australia out of contention.

The South Americans required only a point to win Group B and they achieved that but the Hockeyroos, who had to win to make the last four, made life difficult for them.

Earlier, China's 1-0 defeat to Japan ended their chance of making the semi-finals while South Africa stunned the USA with a 7-0 victory to lift themselves off the bottom of Group B.

Republic of Korea secured fourth spot in Group A with a 3-1 win over Belgium which means they will play off for seventh place on Wednesday.

Netherlands and Argentina claim wins - London 2012 - Hockey

8/4/2012 12:00:00 AM

The Netherlands edged out the Republic of Korea 3-2 in Pool A, making it four successive wins.

Korea took a fifth-minute lead through Cheon Seul Ki's penalty corner but the Netherlands bounced back quickly with a simple goal as Maartje Paumen's straight free-hit was deflected in by Lidewij Welten.

Goals from Ellen Hoog and Carlien van den Heuvel gave their side a two-goal advantage before Cheon converted her second corner with six minutes to go to set up a tense finish.

Argentina overcame Germany 3-1, helping them move back to the top of Pool B on goal difference.

If Argentina and third-placed Australia draw in Monday's final match, then Germany will miss out on the top four irrespective of their result against New Zealand.

Australia overcame South Africa 1-0 thanks to Jade Close's goal in the seventh minute.

Pool A's bottom-of-the-table clash ended all-square as Japan fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Belgium.

Great Britain suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat against China.

Second-half penalty corner goals from Fu Baorong and Zhao Yudiao - Crista Cullen pulled back a late set-piece - did the damage as the Chinese took advantage of a lacklustre performance from the Host Nation.

New Zealand boosted their chances of making the semi-finals and ended the USA's in an entertaining Pool B encounter, which the Black Sticks edged 3-2.

Knockouts in sight - London 2012 - Hockey

8/3/2012 12:00:00 AM

World number ones the Netherlands continue to frustrate and disappoint in equal measure but a third successive victory in Group A puts them well on track for the semi-finals.

Plenty is expected of the Dutch but they have so far failed to live up to their billing, with all three of their wins solid rather than impressive.

Their match against China was at least settled by a single moment of brilliance when, in the 10th minute, Maartje Goderie brilliantly dribbled her way along the left byline before cutting inside and firing across the goalkeeper and in off the far post.

The Netherlands continued to dominate in the second half but were unable to press home their advantage and this was reflected in their penalty corner statistics which saw them fail to convert any of their nine attempts.

The Netherlands now need a point from Saturday's match with Republic of Korea to qualify for the semi-finals, while Great Britain are also on the verge of a spot after their 3-0 win over Belgium. Goals from Ashleigh Ball, Laura Bartlett and Crista Cullen were enough to secure a win despite a late rally by their opponents.

The Host Nation now require only a point against China on Saturday to be sure of a place in the last four and are still on course to top Pool A.

Australia made it back-to-back wins as they moved into semi-final contention with a 1-0 victory over the USA to go three points clear of their opponents in Group B, while Republic of Korea kept alive their medal hopes with a first win of the tournament, 1-0 over Japan.

Germany bounced back from their defeat to Australia with a win over pointless South Africa, but the 2-0 result was not without the odd scare for the Athens 2004 Olympic champions.

The world number threes dominated for the first 50 minutes as they took a two-goal lead but then they sat back and were almost made to pay, before holding out to win.

In the final game of the night Argentina dug deep to beat New Zealand 2-1 with a couple of goals from Carla Rebecchi.

Goals galore for Hockey men - London 2012 - Hockey

8/3/2012 12:00:00 AM

The Netherlands strengthened their position at the top of Pool B with their first convincing victory of the tournament, 5-1 against New Zealand.

New Zealand began well when Nick Wilson crossed for Simon Child to score from close range.

The Netherlands thought they had equalised when Sander de Wijn, sliding on his knees, brilliantly turned in Teun de Nooijer's lifted shot, but his effort was ruled out as his stick was above his shoulder.

It did not take long for the Dutch to ease past the Black Sticks, though, as De Wijn's short corner rebound hit Blair Hopping's body on the way to goal and Roderick Weusthof converted the penalty stroke.

The Netherlands scored again from the spot in the 27th minute after a foul by Ryan Archibald allowed Mink van der Weerden to slot home his fourth of the tournament.

Within three minutes, the advantage became three as Rogier Hofman picked up a long through-ball to race into the circle and square for Billy Bakker to force the ball home.

Bob de Voogd then hit the post as the Netherlands finished the half strongly, but after the break the game evened out and New Zealand briefly threatened before the Netherlands made certain of victory with 15 minutes remaining.

Picking up the ball in midfield, the Dutch launched a quick attack in which Hofman slipped the ball to Bakker, who beat goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex with a low flick.

Robbert Kemperman rounded off the scoring with a ferocious low reverse-stick shot across the goalkeeper and inside the far post.

Germany produced their best performance of the tournament so far as they blew away eight-time champions India 5-2, thanks to a four-goal first-half display.

Florian Fuchs was the star of the show with a hat-trick, completing it seconds after the interval as India slumped to a third successive defeat and out of medal contention.

Earlier in the day, Argentina sprang a major surprise by taking a point off Australia from a 2-2 draw as the world number ones showed they were not infallible in conceding a 2-0 half-time lead.

Even five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer breaking the Kookaburras all-time goalscoring record with his fourth of the tournament - taking his tally to 180 in 281 matches - was little consolation for dropping two points. Having scored 11 goals without conceding in their opening two Pool A victories, everything seemed to be going to plan again at the interval.

Matt Butturini picked up a penalty corner rebound to open the scoring in the 11th minute and then Dwyer added his record-breaking goal in unspectacular style seconds before half-time. But Argentina, who have only ever beaten Australia once before at the Olympic Games in 1976, produced a rally after the break on the back of some impressive goalkeeping by Juan Manuel Vivaldi.

Great Britain midfielder Ashley Jackson inspired his side to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Pakistan with a performance befitting his stature as one of the world's top players.

The 24-year-old was at the heart of almost everything as the hosts rediscovered their attacking flair, contributing two second-half goals to ensure there was no repeat of their late capitulation against South Africa.

Injury-hit Spain survived a late rally by South Africa to record their first victory, 3-2, which keeps alive their slender semi-final hopes in Pool A, while Belgium's Cedric Charlier scored a fine winning goal as his side belied their low world ranking to stun Republic of Korea 2-1.