SAHA

PRESS RELEASE

The South African Hockey Association today announced the Senior Men’s Hockey team that will be participating in the Hero Honda FIH World Cup tournament, which is to take place in New Delhi, India from the 28th February to 13th March 2010.

Cash-strapped but desperate to participate in the World Cup in India, SA team has got the requisite finances from a nationally-licensed lottery.

The South African team will participate in the World Cup that starts on February 28 in Delhi after earlier concerns that a lack of funding would keep them out.

Chief executive of the South African Hockey Association Marissa Langeni confirmed that the necessary funding had been secured from an allocation made by the National Lottery.

Africa Youth Olympic Qualifier
Tournament date: 21-28 February 2010

Teams: 

Boys: RSA, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Namibia

Girls: RSA, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Namibia, Botswana

South African U17 Girls Youth Team:

Germany defeat South Africa in first 2010 match

The German men’s team defeated South Africa (7-3) in the Bloemfontein event, a Hero Honda FIH World Cup preparation tournament featuring South Africa, Germany and Netherlands.

After leading 2-1 at half time, Germany proved to be the better team in the second half. Oliver Korn, Florian Fuchs, Moritz Fürste, Jan Marco Montag, Philip Witte, Max Müller and Martin Zwicker scored for the Olympic and World Champion. Justin Reid-Ross (2 goals) and Paul Blake scored for South Africa.

GOALKEEPERS: Phumelele Mbande (KZN Inland), Zimisele Shange.

DEFENDERS: Sinethemba Zungu (KZN Inland), Bronwyn Kretzman (Border), Kirsty Gibbings (KZN Coastals), Keisha Arnolds (EP), Toni Van Niekerk (KZN Coastals), Hlubikazi Sipamla (KZN Inland).

MIDFIELDERS: Jenna-Leigh Du Preez (SG), Sarah Ive (Border), Charne Van Biljon (NG), Stephanie Baxter (SG).

STRIKERS: Jacinta Jubb (KZN Coastals), Quanita Bobbs (WP), Tiffany Jones (Border), Marlene Wessels (Mpumalanga).

For the fourth year in a row, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) created the Men’s and Women’s WorldHockey All Star Teams. As for the previous editions, only the best players in the world were selected for these elite formations.

The WorldHockey All Star Teams 2009 were selected by visitors of the official website of the FIH www.worldhockey.org. Out of the hundreds of people voting, the FIH created the Men’s and Women’s All Star Team. The composition of each team is 18 players and two coaches.

New Zealand triumph at Champions Challenge in Salta

At the BDO Champions Challenge in Salta, New Zealand triumphed over Pakistan after an excellent Final (4-2), India won the bronze with a last minute goal over Argentina (3-2), South Africa convincingly beat China for 5th place (5-0) while Belgium edged Canada (2-0) for 7th place.

Game 20 – Final – New Zealand v. Pakistan: 4-2 (half-time: 2-2)

Statistics between the two teams before this final (compiled by B.G.Joshi, Bhopal, India):

New Zealand and Pakistan through to the Final in Salta

At the BDO Champions Challenge in Salta, New Zealand displayed experience to beat Argentina (3-2) and Pakistan outscored India (6-3) to qualify for the Final on Sunday. South Africa edged Belgium (4-3) with a last second goal, and China won over Canada (3-1) in the cross-over 5-8.

Despite losing to arch-rivals Canada (2-3), Argentina qualified for the semi-finals of the BDO Champions Challenge in Salta, where they’ll joins India (winner over Belgium 4-2), Pakistan (who edged South Africa 4-1) and New Zealand (held to a 2-2 draw by China)..

Game 9 – Pakistan v. South Africa: 4-1 (half-time: 1-1)

Argentina only team with two wins in Salta

At the BDO Champions Challenge in Salta, Argentina is the only team with two wins after a decisive result over Pakistan (3-1). India, New Zealand and South Africa all won their games on the same score of 4-1.