4 Nations Hockey Tournament in Australia 2016

[rahul1117kumar]

VR Raghunath to lead India in Australia tour, PR Sreejesh out with injury

Goalkeeper P R Sreejesh have been left out due to an injury and in his place experienced drag-flicker V R Raghunath will return to the squad to lead the Indian men’s hockey team in the four-nation tournament in Australia later this month.

Raghunath, who was rested in last month’s Asian Champions Trophy, will captain the 18-member squad in the absence of Sreejesh, who is recuperating from a knee injury sustained during the semi-final of the ACT against Korea in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Defender and drag-flicker colleague Rupinder Pal Singh, who was the top scorer in ACT, will be Raghunath’s deputy in the tour Down Under.
Akash Chikte will shoulder the responsibility of goalkeeping in Sreejesh’s absence while Uttar Pradesh’s Abhinav Kumar Pandey will be the second custodian in the squad.

Chikte came up with an outstanding performance in the final of ACT to help India clinch the title by beating arch-rivals Pakistan.

“Abhinav has been in and out of the camps. He has had a knee injury for a while but has made a strong comeback and we are pleased with his performance in this camp,” said India’s chief coach Roelant Oltmans.

Besides Sreejesh, senior strikers SV Sunil and Ramandeep Singh too will miss the tournament due to injuries.

While Sunil is yet to fully recover from the wrist injury he sustained at the Rio Olympics, Ramandeep, who replaced Sunil in ACT, too have been sidelined because of health issues.
“Both Sreejesh and Sunil will remain in SAI for rehabilitation. Also Sreejesh has willingly stepped up to spend some time with the junior team goalkeepers. He has already starting working with them and will assist Dave Staniforth who is joining us next week. This is great for the young boys and sharing his experience with them ahead of the Junior World Cup,” stated Oltmans, who will work with the junior team while strategic coach Roger Van Gent will accompany the senior team to Australia.

Ace midfielder Manpreet Singh and forward Akashdeep Singh, however, have made comebacks to the squad after being rested in the Asian Champions Trophy.

Besides India and hosts Australia, the four-nation tournament, starting November 23, will feature Malaysia and New Zealand.

VR Raghunath to lead India in Australia tour, PR Sreejesh out with injury | The Indian Express

 

[royceferns2000]

Broadcaster?

 

[Karthik]

No live telecast

 

[rahul1117kumar]

India beat Malaysia 4-2 in four Nations Invitational tournament

Nikkin Thimmaiah scored a brace as the Indian men’s hockey team got the better of Malaysia 4-2 to register its first win in the round robin encounter of the 4 Nations Invitational tournament here today.

In a closely-fought contest, India scored two goals in the final quarter of the match to earn their first points at the tournament.

India got off to a dominating start in the opening periods of the game, pressing high and consistently effecting turnovers to keep Malaysia in their own half.

However, despite the overwhelming possession, there weren’t many clear chances created as Malaysia’s deep defence held firm and the two teams went into the first break locked in a stalemate.

In the second quarter also the Indians dominated in the midfield but were unable to find a breakthrough in the final third. This lasted till the 24th minute of the match before Sardar Singh capitalised on a Malaysian mistake to launch an attack. His pass found Satbir Singh, who laid it off to Thimmaiah at the edge of the circle.

Nikkin dummied the defender and cut into the circle, before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner to give India a 1-0 lead, which they held on to as the match went into halftime.

Nine minutes into the third quarter, Malaysia hit back with an equaliser with Faizal Saari converting a penalty corner.

The parity didn’t last long though, as India won their first PC almost from the restart. From the PC, Rupinder Pal Singh made no mistake and once again gave India the lead. The teams went into the final break with India leading 2-1.

Malaysia had a flurry of PCs in the opening minutes of the final quarter. Shahril Saabah converted the second to draw level again, setting the stage for an exciting finish.

The equaliser from Malaysia served as a blessing in disguise for India as they stepped up their game and started being more assertive with their possession, making more penetrations into the Malaysian circle.

The dominance paid off in the 55th minute with Nikkin scoring his second goal of the game.
India stepped up a gear and within a minute as Akashdeep Singh scored the fourth goal for India.

India will next play New Zealand on Saturday.

India beat Malaysia 4-2 in four Nations Invitational tournament | The Indian Express

 

[Sai Jai]

India lose to Kiwis by 2-3 .. And fail to qualify for final :s:nj ..

 

[rahul1117kumar]

Four Nations Hockey Tournament: India Thrash Malaysia, Clinch Bronze

India put up a dominating performance to beat Malaysia 4-1 in the bronze medal play off match to finish at third position in the Four Nations Invitational Tournament here.

The Indians managed to control the proceedings from start to finish, scoring twice in the final quarter to post a much deserved victory.

Shrugging off Saturday's disappointment, India were looking to strike and consolidate early to avoid any pressure from the Malaysians. They started off with several quick turnovers and passes, before scoring as early as in the second minute of play.

Birendra Lakra picked up the ball near centre field and drove his shot diagonally into the circle. The cross evaded everyone, before falling to Akashdeep Singh lurking at the far post. Akashdeep showed great awareness and superb skill to deflect the ball in and give India the lead.

India kept control throughout the quarter and had several more chances, most notably with a flurry of four consecutive Penalty Corners right at the death, but the Malaysians defended stoutly to go into the first break down by one goal.

In the second quarter, India forward Affan Yousuf came closest to scoring a goal, expertly steering past three Malaysian defenders before unleashing a reverse hit towards the goal.

However, Malaysia's goalkeeper Kumar Subramiam was up to the challenge as he put it away to deny India a goal.

Malaysia picked up the pace in the final minutes of the second quarter but despite several circle penetrations, they failed to create any real chances.

The teams went into half time separated by the single goal scored by India.

The game opened up more in the third quarter as Malaysia chased the game, India were happy to sit back and work on the counter.

Despite several circle penetrations, neither team created any real opportunities almost till the end of the 3rd quarter.

In the final minute though, VR Raghunath capitalised on a pair of PCs to convert one and extend India's lead.

Malaysia hit back almost from the restart, catching India's defence unaware as Joel van Huizen scored a goal to take them into the final break 1-2.

India kept up the pressure in the final quarter, desperate not to repeat the mistakes of yesterday.

They constantly pressed high and won several turnovers.

Akashdeep was at the thick of things, first getting away a smart shot from inside the circle which was parried away by Kumar Subramiam. Soon after though, he again dribbled away from Malaysia's defence to cut back a pass to Talwinder Singh, whose first time chip deflection beat the goalkeeper to give India their third goal of the game.

With India in complete control and adamant to not let Malaysia get back into the match, Rupinder Pal Singh netted the ball once again in the 58th minute through a PC.

Rupinder made no mistake in slotting the ball to the bottom right corner to eventually help India bag the bronze medal.

Four Nations Hockey Tournament: India Thrash Malaysia, Clinch Bronze - News18