JONATHAN COOK
in Randburg

With 55 seconds left in a thrilling Champions Challenge gold medal match at Randburg Hockey Stadium late Sunday afternoon, a tough-as-nails Belgium came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat an unlucky India 4-3.

A fired-up South Africa upset world number eight Argentina 3-1 after leading 2-1 at half-time to win the bronze medal.

World number 13 SA scored through a trademark penalty corner from  top tournament scorer Justin Reid-Ross of Northern Blues while field goals came from Taine Paton of KZN Raiders and Western Province’s Lloyd Norris-Jones.

SA dominated the match and deserved to win by more, although that could also be said of their semi-final defeat to India.

Just for getting to the final the India side had already been awarded R400 000 by a hotel chain that doesn’t even sponsor the team.

The bronze medal will also do much for the amateur SA team’s morale as they contemplate an expensive trip of over R1 million for the final Olympic Qualifier tournament in Japan in April, where they will have a last chance to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics, provided they win the gold medal there.

The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) are not satisfied with the quality of opposition that champions South Africa face in their Africa continent Olympic Qualifier tournaments, which is the route accepted by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The FIH and IOC stipulate that the winners of the Africa continent tournament automatically qualify for the Olympics. However, the final decision rests with the individual country’s Olympic governing body.

SASCOC said if SA reached the Champs Challenge final, that would prove their worth, and despite a performance that saw SA lose narrowly to Olympic qualifiers Belgium – and then India in two fantastic matches – before comfortably beating world number eight Argentina, who are also already qualified for London, the failure to achieve silver in Randburg has now led to a last-chance opportunity should captain Austin Smith’s team win gold in Japan.

CLASSIFICATION MATCHES

(7/8) Japan 7 Canada 2; (5/6) Malaysia 3 Poland 0; (3/4) South Africa 3 Argentina 1; (1/2) Belgium 4 India 3.

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: David van Rysselberghe (Belgium)

Player of the Tournament: Sandeep Singh (India)

Joint Top Goalscorers (8): Justin Reid-Ross (SA) and Tom Boon (Belgium)

Fair Play Trophy: South Africa

JONATHAN COOK
in Randburg

Just 70 minutes separates the South African men’s hockey team from earning a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

SA meet eight-time Olympic Games gold medallists India in the 4 pm Champions Challenge semi-final at Randburg Hockey Stadium Saturday (live on SuperSport) and are just one win away from fulfilling the stringent requirements of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

SA’s Olympic governing body, not satisfied that winning the Africa Olympic Qualifier tournament was sufficient proof of the team’s ability to compete for a medal in London, set a further hurdle for the team. Reach the final of Champs Challenge and your ticket to London is assured.

Failing that, SA have one last chance for London if they win the final Olympic Qualifier tournament in Japan in April/May. An onerous task indeed.

If last Sunday’s epic 11-goal Pool A thriller between India and SA is anything to go by, this semi-final tussle for a berth in Sunday’s 4.30 pm final is set to be another heart-stopping affair.

SA lost that one 7-4 after the sides were locked 4-4 until the last 10 minutes. Penalty corner star Justin Reid-Ross, the leading tournament goalscorer, is the ace in SA’s pack. Crucially, the men in green and gold can’t afford to go walkabout, as they did in allowing a 3-0 quarter-final lead against Japan degenerate into a nerve-jangling 3-2 final score.

It will require an extraordinary all-round performance from every single player if SA are to beat India. No one is exempt, as too often in the preliminary rounds SA mixed the outstanding with the preposterous.

It simply can’t happen against an India side that will explore and then punish any chinks in the home side’s armoury. In set-piece specialist Sandeep Singh, midfielder Saravanjit Singh and a host of others, India have potential match-winners who can turn a game on its head in an instant.

SA captain Austin Smith’s leadership skills will be needed like never before, as tensions are likely to reach fever pitch, such is the importance of this match for the home country.

The 1.30 pm semi-final (also live on SuperSport) sees two sides who have already qualified for London – the Pan-American Games champions Argentina, and Belgium, who qualified in Europe – up against each other in a clash that is likely to be equally as explosive.

TV: both matches live on SuperSport.

NOTE: SA/INDIA GAME SCHEDULED FOR 16:00

JONATHAN COOK
in Randburg

In what was the match of the tournament to date, eight-time Olympic Games gold medallists India beat an incredibly committed and brave South Africa 7-4 after leading 3-1 at half-time in the Champions Challenge match at Randburg Hockey Stadium late Sunday afternoon.

This exceptional exhibition of hockey drama and skill had the crowd on the edge of their seats throughout as top-class goalkeeper saves and exhilarating goals came thick and fast.

SA scored through Justin Reid-Ross, Marvin Harper, Miguel da Graca and Tim Drummond while India’s seven of the best came from Sardar Singh, Sandeep Singh (2), Tushar Khandker, S.V. Sunil (2) and R.P. Singh.

After 40 seconds SA had a great chance after Justin Reid-Ross’s right-left diagonal overhead found Ian Haley but the striker lost control of the ball. Then Danish Mujtaba hit the post, confirming SA captain Austin Smith’s prediction that the game would have goalmouth action galore.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 27, Justin Reid-Ross of South Africa scores his goal during the FIH Champions Challenge 1 match between South Africa and India from Randburg Hockey Stadium on November 27, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa.Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 27, Timothy Drummond of South Africa and Saravanjit Singh of India during the FIH Champions Challenge 1 match between South Africa and India from Randburg Hockey Stadium on November 27, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa.Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

In the seventh minute Haley made amends by winning the first penalty corner (PC) and Reid-Ross beat the keeper after a neat variation (1-0). Alert SA keeper Brendon Botes was then called on to make two saves in quick succession.

Sandeep Singh drew the scores level from a PC five minutes later and at 1-1 India’s pace down the flanks and close control was beginning to count. With nine to half-time Miguel da Graca won SA’s second PC and a Reid-Ross rocket was palmed over the crossbar by keeper P.R. Sreejesh but with six left Shivendra Singh won a turnover and Sardar Singh put India in front (2-1).

Just before half-time Thornton McDade and Haley came close before India won their second PC after another dangerous run down the left and Sandeep Singh made it 3-1 with 25 seconds left on the clock.

Soon after the re-start a superb Reid-Ross pass found Marvin Harper  in the strike  zone but India survived until Lloyd Norris-Jones made a superb run down the right and Harper made no mistake from the pass (3-2). A minute later the on-fire Norris-Jones brought a save from the keeper, but India’s Tushar Khandker restored the two-goal margin soon after (4-2).

Gareth Carr was then struck a fearful blow to the forehead, accidental, and left the pitch with the blood streaming. SA spirits were restored when SA Player of the Year Taine Paton cracked a stunning cross with little space to work with on the right-hand baseline and Miguel da Graca slid it home (4-3). Then it was McDade’s turn to gather and thread a visionary pass to Tim Drummond who dived full-length to steer in the equaliser (4-4).

Midway, SA came agonisingly close from a PC variation and India won a turnover from which S.V. Sunil smashed past Botes (5-4).  Then Reid-Ross brought a PC save from the keeper before Botes saved at the other end. Wade Paton made a great run and pass but Haley’s shot was blocked before the latter won another PC, and then another, from which Lloyd Madsen’s shot was turned away for a long corner following the initial play.

But Shivendra Singh was adjudged by Australian umpire Tim Pullman to have brought down Shivendra Singh in the circle and R.P. Singh made no mistake from the penalty spot (6-4). And with three left S.V. Sunil smashed in a PC rebound to make the game safe (7-4).

Madsen received an accidental but heavy blow to the head with seconds left and it summed up a clean but exceptionally competitive match in which no favours were asked or given.

Earlier Sunday, tournament favourites Argentina shaded Canada 3-2, Malaysia drew 2-2 with Japan and Belgium beat Poland 7-3.

Monday is a rest day before SA meet London 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers Belgium at 5 pm Tuesday (live on SuperSport) and this will be another massive test.

RESULTS

Day 1: Canada 3 Malaysia 1; Argentina 2 Japan 2; India 3 Belgium 3, SA 3 Poland 1.

Day 2: Argentina 3 Canada 2; Japan 2 Malaysia 2; Belgium 7 Poland 3; India 7 South Africa 4.

JONATHAN COOK
in Randburg

South Africa put together a high-quality performance to beat a game but outclassed Poland 3-1 after leading 2-0 at half-time on day one of the Champions Challenge tournament at Randburg Hockey Stadium Saturday evening.

SA scored through two brilliantly taken penalty corner drag-flicks in each half by Justin Reid-Ross of Northerns Blues with a field goal going to outstanding Western Province striker Lloyd Norris-Jones.

It was the strangest of matches as SA created dozens of golden scoring opportunities but somehow the ball stayed out, not least because of a stunning display of goalkeeping by Mariusz Chyla.

Superb build-up in the second minute, the ball going through seven sticks, brought SA’s first penalty corner and Reid-Ross made perfect use of the textbook push-out and trap to rifle his drag-flick into the roof of the net (1-0).

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 26, Justin Reid-Ross of South Africa scores his goal during the FIH Champions Challenge 1 match between South Africa and Poland from Randburg Hockey Stadium on November 26, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa.Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

SA were putting the Poland defence under enormous pressure and SA Player of the Year Taine Paton came within inches of making it two when keeper Chyla somehow got in the way

SA were relaying the ball with ingenuity and precision with 12 minutes left Taine Paton probably had too much space and he mistimed his slap-shot with the keeper to beat.

Poland finally brought a save from SA keeper Brendon Botes after 26 minutes and it would have been a travesty of justice had a penalty stroke decision not been overturned a little later.

With five left Clint Panther won the ball, fed a quick pass duplicated by Thornton McDade and the upshot was the Norris-Jones goal.

Poland started the second half strongly but Botes was up for the challenge while at the other end SA continued to keep the superb Chyla exceptionally busy, with the outstanding Norris-Jones in particular wondering what more he needed to do. However, on the few times the Poles got away, they were winning the odd penalty corner and Artur Mikula pulled the score back to 2-1.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 26, Timothy Drummond of South Africa scoops his pass past Artur Mikula of Poland during the FIH Champions Challenge 1 match between South Africa and Poland from Randburg Hockey Stadium on November 26, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa.Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

SA defender Lloyd Madsen was stringing together some defence-splitting passes but still the side were only separated by one goal as the match reached the final quarter

It was ironic, given their dominance, that SA only got their second penalty corner with 12 left, and even more ironic that Reid-Ross’s screamer hit the crossbar. A minute later he opted to go low and the sound of the ball slamming into the backboard drew a massive punch in the air from the South African kingpin (3-1).

Yet Poland were still winning corners on the rare occasions they penetrated the SA circle and post man Tim Drummond stopped one on the line. SA pressured the Poles to the end and frustration was evident in the fact they had not made the winning margin even more.

Sunday sees the mouthwatering match between South Africa and eight-time Olympic gold medallists India at 5 pm, a real test for the South Africans against the stickwork wizards.

In the earlier matches, underdogs Japan drew 2-2 with tournament favourites Argentina, India were unfortunate when Belgium equalised with 26 second left to draw 3-3 and Canada beat Malaysia 3-1.

RESULTS
Canada 3 Malaysia 1; Argentina 2 Japan 2; India 3 Belgium 3, SA 3 Poland 1.

SUNDAY’S FIXTURES
11 am: Argentina vs Canada
1 pm: Malaysia vs Japan
3 pm: Belgium vs Poland
5 pm: South Africa vs India

The SA men’s hockey team’s Pool A matches at the Champions Challenge tournament in Randburg will be shown on SuperSport.

While Tuesday’s 5 pm match against Belgium will be televised live, the matches on Saturday against Poland and Sunday versus India will be screened later in the evening.

The screening of South Africa’s playoff matches later next week has still to be confirmed.

SA MEN’S HOCKEY TEAM TELEVISION SCHEDULE

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    South Africa Vs Poland    26-Nov-11    19:00    20:30    SS7 / SS7N    Delayed    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    South Africa Vs Poland    27-Nov-11    8:00    9:30    SS5 / SS5A / SS5N    Delayed    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    South Africa Vs India    27-Nov-11    23:00    0:30    SS5 / SS5A / SS5N    Delayed    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    South Africa Vs Poland    28-Nov-11    9:15    10:45    SS6 / SS6A    Repeat    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    South Africa Vs India    28-Nov-11    18:30    20:00    SS7 / SS7N    Repeat    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    South Africa Vs India    28-Nov-11    23:00    0:30    SS2 / SS2A    Repeat    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    South Africa Vs India    29-Nov-11    11:30    13:00    SS7 / SS7N    Repeat    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    Belgium Vs South Africa    29-Nov-11    17:00    18:30    SS6 / SS6A    Live    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    Belgium Vs South Africa    29-Nov-11    23:30    1:00    CSN    Delayed    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    Belgium Vs South Africa    29-Nov-11    23:30    1:00    SS2 / SS2A    Delayed    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    Belgium Vs South Africa    30-Nov-11    17:00    18:30    SS7 / SS7N    Delayed    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    Belgium Vs South Africa    30-Nov-11    23:45    1:15    SS6 / SS6A    Repeat    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

Fih Champions Challenge    2011    Belgium Vs South Africa    1-Dec-11    4:00    5:30    SS5 / SS5A / SS5N    Repeat    Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Astro    Johannesburg – South Africa

The WPHU is in the process of appointing coaches, managers and video analysts for the 2012 season.

Should you wish to be considered for selection please send a brief, relevant  CV before Friday 25 November.

2011 Coaches and Managers who have already indicated their availability need not respond to this.

E-mail:                  manager@wphockey.org.za

Fax:                        086 513 8348

The Western Province Sports Council, in conjunction with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport held their annual awards evening on Friday night.

Congratulations to Dennis Perkins who received an award.   He was acknowledged for his dedication to hockey and received a Life Time Sports Achiever Award.

Well done Dennis for your time, enthusiasm, interest and hard work during the last 15 years affiliated to the WPHU Executive.

See photo in the Gallery – with Movember, nogal!

The South African Hockey Association held their annual awards evening on Friday 28 October, and WP people almost swept the boards!

A very proud President, Jane McKenzie,  had her work cut out collecting the awards on behalf of the recipients:

Tarryn Bright – Women’s Player of the Year

Wayne Denne – Coach of the Year

Marelize de Klerk – Malik Umpire Award.  ( Also a cetificate acknowledging her achievment of 200 International Caps!)

Noreen Wonnacott – SAHA President’s Award

Dennis Perkins – SAHA President’s Award

Well done to all of you – WP Hockey is alive and well!

The 24-player squad comprises seven players from KZN Coastal, six from Southern Gauteng, five from Western Province, four from Northern Blues and one each from Eastern Province and Amatole (Border).
The Champions Challenge features the eight countries ranked from ninth to 16th in the world and is a vital tournament for head coach Gregg Clark’s side as the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has stipulated that the African continent’s champions must reach the final in order to be considered good enough to join Team South Africa at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

FINAL SA MEN’S HOCKEY TRAINING SQUAD

Thornton McDade (Southern Gauteng), Jacques le Roux (WP)
Rassie Pieterse (Southern Gauteng), Andrew Cronje (WP)
Lance Louw (Southern Gauteng), Ian Haley (WP)
Ricky West (Southern Gauteng), Austin Smith (capt) (WP)
Clinton Panther (Southern Gauteng), Lloyd Norris-Jones (WP)
Miguel da Graca (Southern Gauteng), Justin Reid-Ross (Northerns)
Tim Drummond (KZN Coastal) Rhett Halkett (Northerns)
Gowan Jones (KZN Coastal) Jonty Robinson (Northerns)
Lloyd Madsen (KZN Coastal) Nic Gonsalves (Northerns)
Gareth Carr (KZN Coastal) Julian Hykes (Amatole-Border)
Wade Paton (KZN Coastal) Brendon Botes (EP)
Taine Paton (KZN Coastal)
Marvin Harper (KZN Coastal)

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WP PLAYERS – WE ARE PROUD OF YOU !!

The 2011 Executive Report, presented at the AGM of 20 October is available for download.

Please go to the Download link.