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[Blwe_torch]

Hockey World Cup: India beats Pakistan 4-1

NEW DELHI: Sandeep Singh scored twice to help India beat their arch-rival Pakistan 4-1 in the hockey World Cup clash at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on Sunday.

Whereas Sohail Abbas of Pakistan converted one penalty corner to bring a sigh of relief just after Sandeep scored his second goal.

India dominated the second-half of the match also when Prabhjot Singh scored the third goal as the hosts took 3-0 lead.

In the first-half, Sandeep Singh gave India an upper hand as he converted one penalty corner to a goal to give India 2-0 lead in the 35th minute.

Earlier in the 27 th minute, India took a 1-0 lead over arch-rival Pakistan when Shivendra Singh converted one penalty corner.

The World Cup clash between India and Pakistan got underway with the hosts missing their first choice goalkeeper Adrian D'souza, who has been replaced by PR Sreejesh.

The two nations, which ruled world hockey for years, are now shadows of their past, but they still evoke a lot of tension, excitement and suspense both on the field as well as in the overflowing galleries.

The recent track record of the two teams gives Pakistan a definite edge, their staggering 6-3 victory in the Champions Challenge semi-final in Salta, Argentina, staring India in the face. The Indians know that Sunday is a different day and it is going to be a different ball game altogether playing at home.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/top-stories/India-beat-Pakistan-4-1-at-hockey-World-Cup/articleshow/5628915.cms

[Cover Point]

awesome ... is this being streamed on the net?

[ramshorns]

Had been ages following Hockey closely.

This is a great result.  Any win over your arch rival in a WC game is awesome!!!!

Awesome.

[LosingNow]

Chak de, India.

---
My 20,000th post 

[ramshorns]

Chak de, India.

---
My 20,000th post 

Nice!!!!!  Congrats!!!!!!

[Cernunnos]

A good game with a decent crowd. Some brief moments of magic, nothing spectacular.

Indian hockey's GC, Ric Charlesworth, is now coaching the Aussies. Australia lost to England 2-3.

[justforkix]

Sandeep played spectacularly !! The difference maker. Pak looked totally out of sorts and disorganized, while we played as a team and controlled most of the game very well. Impressive start.

[dhruvdeepak]

PHIR DIL DO HOCKEY KO

CMON INDIA

DHAK DHAK GO

[Blwe_torch]

Win against Pakistan is our Holi gift to the country: Rajpal
Satya Siddharth Rath, TNN, Mar 1, 2010, 07.16pm IST

NEW DELHI: It called for a massive Holi celebration for the Indians. They had earned it; they had played out of their skins to get it. Only, the day after their memorable win over Pakistan, they had no time to get into the festive mood. Bigger and tougher tasks beckoned.

"When is the time to celebrate? We have the match against Australia coming up (on Tuesday), next we play Spain, then England. We can't relax now, we have begun well, we would like to carry on the good work," said midfielder Arjun Hallapa.

The team did have a small celebration at the team hotel on Sunday night, where they just sat together after dinner and poured out their emotions.

"That was no celebration actually, we just shared our thoughts. It was a very emotional moment for all of us. The stadium ambience was simply unforgettable!" added Dhananjay Mahadik, who had an excellent day in the deep.

After a sound night's sleep, the Indians were back for practice by 11 on Monday morning. One, though, could feel the jovial mood. There was a new spring in their steps as they went through the fitness drills.

"More than us, we are glad to have made the whole of India happy. This is our Holi gift to the country," chipped in Rajpal Singh, the Indian skipper.

What were the things they did right against Pakistan? "We had formed a strategy and we just followed it. We had identified the players we had to mark out. Like we managed to pin down Waseem (Ahmed), and that choked their midfield. We also managed to restrict the movements of Rehan Butt, who can be really dangerous upfront. We stuck to the gameplan," explained Halappa.

He added that India would play the same way against Australia. "We will finalise our tactics in the team meeting tonight. We know it would be a tough game. The Australians are known to be relentless in their attacks so we need to be solid in the midfield. We should be able to match them in physical fitness too. The mood in the team is very positive, we are confident of going the distance," said the Bangalore lad.

Vikram Pillay, too, voiced the same thoughts. "We are all very happy," he said, but added that there was a whole tournament left to play. "There are no celebrations. After all it's just one match and it is not a point for big celebrations as yet. There are tougher matches ahead."

The unassuming right-half felt it was teamwork that led to the emphatic win. "Every player did his job. Everyone worked hard and wanted to win, all 16 of us. We played focussed hockey, minute by minute," Pillay, part of the 2001 Junior World Cup-winning squad at Hobart, added.

But he ended the retrospection then and there. "We play Australia in our next match and they will come hard at us," he said. "It's a new match, a new day and like us, Australia want three points badly."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/top-stories/Win-against-Pakistan-is-our-Holi-gift-to-the-country-Rajpal/articleshow/5630941.cms

[Blwe_torch]

Shivendra Singh suspended for three matches
PTI, Mar 1, 2010, 02.58pm IST

NEW DELHI: In-form Shivendra Singh has been slapped a three-match suspension for deliberately hitting a Pakistani player last night and the Indian team management on Monday appealed to the World Cup tournament director against the suspension.

"Shivendra was found deliberately hitting a Pakistani player in the eye in last night's match which earned him a three-match suspension," International Hockey Federation (FIH) spokesman Arjen Meijer said.

"India, however, is free to appeal against the ban and if they do so, an appeal jury would be set up to look into their appeal," Meijer explained.

A Hockey India official said an appeal has already been lodged against the suspension.

"We already have made an appeal to tournament director Kean Read against the appeal. We have deposited the Euro 600 as appeal fee," the official added.

Shivendra is a crucial cog in the forward-line and he opened India's account against Pakistan on Sunday by scoring from a rebound.

India play Australia in the next Pool B match on Tuesday, followed by ties against Spain (Thursday) and England (Saturday).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/top-stories/Shivendra-Singh-suspended-for-three-matches/articleshow/5630493.cms

[Cernunnos]

Typical. The Aussies in hockey will make the Pontings/GCs look like schoolyard bullies.
The FIH must be dismantled if hockey is to be saved, and replaced by a cabal of top
hockey nations like the ICC. Imagine, India has the same vote in the FIH as Bermuda!

People should appreciate the contribution of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the way he banished
Denness into oblivion after he messed with us. That's the only language they will
understand.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/top-stories/Ex-players-smell-conspiracy-behind-Shivendras-suspension/articleshow/5631026.cms


Ex players smell conspiracy behind Shivendra's suspension

NEW DELHI: Former India players smelt a rat behind inform Shivendra Singh's three-match suspension, alleging that it was done intentionally to weaken the hosts ahead of their second match against Australia on Tuesday.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) tournament director Ken Read, who himself is an Australian, slapped Shivendra with a three-match suspension for deliberately hitting a Pakistani player last night even though the Zeeshan Ashraf-led side did not bring the incident to the notice of the world body.

Former India captain Zafar Iqbal criticised the decision and said such unfair rulings were not surprising for the sub-continent teams.

"It was a very harsh decision and I don't know on what basis they have given it. There was hardly any protest by the Pakistani players. The suspension for three matches is a big blow to India," Zafar said.

"It was not such a big matter, it was part of the game. The match between England and Australia was also very tough and witnessed such incident. The umpire himself has not seen it even though he was very close.

"We Asian countries always have to go thorough such incidents, there is no doubt about it. They always think that we deliberately do it," he said.

Former player Aslam Sher Khan, who was a member of the 1975 World Cup winning side, agreed with Zafar, saying it was deliberately done to down India's morale ahead of the match against Australia.

"Such a harsh decision should not have been given to Shivendra. He is one of our best strikers and his absence in the next three matches will definitely affect India. It's a big blow to us.

"I think it's a conspiracy to make us weak psychologically before the Australia match. For Australia the match against us is a do-or-die game and Shivendra's absence will definitely help them," he said.

He also said that such decisions were not new with India as the eight-time Olympic champions have faced it on many occasions before.

"They (FIH) used to do it earlier in umpiring but with the video referral system in place this time, they opted for other means," Aslam said.

Shivendra is a crucial cog in the forward-line and he opened India's account against Pakistan yesterday by scoring from a rebound.

India has appealed against the suspension and the FIH has set up a jury, which will come out with its decision by Tuesday.

India play Australia in the next Pool B match on Tuesday, followed by ties against Spain on Thursday and England on Saturday.

[LosingNow]

Typical. The Aussies in hockey will make the Pontings/GCs look like schoolyard bullies.
The FIH must be dismantled if hockey is to be saved, and replaced by a cabal of top
hockey nations like the ICC. Imagine, India has the same vote in the FIH as Bermuda!

People should appreciate the contribution of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the way he banished
Denness into oblivion after he messed with us. That's the only language they will
understand.

Money talks.. the answer is to make hockey popular in India and then takeover the "influence" in FIH. I dont think the current hockey administration in India has the vision and wherewithal to do it.. they are pie-splitters not pie-growers. 

Donno where the money for FIH is coming from today.. but if India is a big contributor..step 1 is to control the money and start knocking "unfavorable" persons in FIH out, one by one.

[cricinfo]

Typical. The Aussies in hockey will make the Pontings/GCs look like schoolyard bullies.
The FIH must be dismantled if hockey is to be saved, and replaced by a cabal of top
hockey nations like the ICC. Imagine, India has the same vote in the FIH as Bermuda!

People should appreciate the contribution of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the way he banished
Denness into oblivion after he messed with us. That's the only language they will
understand.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/top-stories/Ex-players-smell-conspiracy-behind-Shivendras-suspension/articleshow/5631026.cms


Ex players smell conspiracy behind Shivendra's suspension

NEW DELHI: Former India players smelt a rat behind inform Shivendra Singh's three-match suspension, alleging that it was done intentionally to weaken the hosts ahead of their second match against Australia on Tuesday.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) tournament director Ken Read, who himself is an Australian, slapped Shivendra with a three-match suspension for deliberately hitting a Pakistani player last night even though the Zeeshan Ashraf-led side did not bring the incident to the notice of the world body.

Former India captain Zafar Iqbal criticised the decision and said such unfair rulings were not surprising for the sub-continent teams.

"It was a very harsh decision and I don't know on what basis they have given it. There was hardly any protest by the Pakistani players. The suspension for three matches is a big blow to India," Zafar said.

"It was not such a big matter, it was part of the game. The match between England and Australia was also very tough and witnessed such incident. The umpire himself has not seen it even though he was very close.

"We Asian countries always have to go thorough such incidents, there is no doubt about it. They always think that we deliberately do it," he said.

Former player Aslam Sher Khan, who was a member of the 1975 World Cup winning side, agreed with Zafar, saying it was deliberately done to down India's morale ahead of the match against Australia.

"Such a harsh decision should not have been given to Shivendra. He is one of our best strikers and his absence in the next three matches will definitely affect India. It's a big blow to us.

"I think it's a conspiracy to make us weak psychologically before the Australia match. For Australia the match against us is a do-or-die game and Shivendra's absence will definitely help them," he said.

He also said that such decisions were not new with India as the eight-time Olympic champions have faced it on many occasions before.

"They (FIH) used to do it earlier in umpiring but with the video referral system in place this time, they opted for other means," Aslam said.

Shivendra is a crucial cog in the forward-line and he opened India's account against Pakistan yesterday by scoring from a rebound.

India has appealed against the suspension and the FIH has set up a jury, which will come out with its decision by Tuesday.

India play Australia in the next Pool B match on Tuesday, followed by ties against Spain on Thursday and England on Saturday.

While we are all going gaga over this win. I wonder how well prepared Pak team was with concerns around security of the team etc.

[Cernunnos]

Typical. The Aussies in hockey will make the Pontings/GCs look like schoolyard bullies.
The FIH must be dismantled if hockey is to be saved, and replaced by a cabal of top
hockey nations like the ICC. Imagine, India has the same vote in the FIH as Bermuda!

People should appreciate the contribution of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the way he banished
Denness into oblivion after he messed with us. That's the only language they will
understand.

Money talks.. the answer is to make hockey popular in India and then takeover the "influence" in FIH. I dont think the current hockey administration in India has the vision and wherewithal to do it.. they are pie-splitters not pie-growers. 

They are a bunch of buffoons starting from that Ramaswamy moron who was party to the astro-turf vote. Overnight Indian hockey was stabbed to death.

I've written about this here before. All FIH presidents have been white Europeans when historically India & Pakistan OWNED the game. Why the f*** should we give any credence to this institution? Not a single honor is named after hockey's greatest player Dhyanchand, and you can barely find his name mentioned on the FIH website. Imagine FIFA website without Pele's name.

To make hockey popular, the highest competition has to return on grass, that's where the real skill lies. Then see how the game will thrive. It's the biggest travesty to play on only one type of surface. Tennis is played on different surfaces, cricket is played on different surfaces - that's what gives them it's vibrancy.

Donno where the money for FIH is coming from today.. but if India is a big contributor..step 1 is to control the money and start knocking "unfavorable" persons in FIH out, one by one.

FIH is penniless, but that is what suits the mediocres who rule there.

I suspect they are funded by the patent holders of astro-turf, who have colluded with them to force poor countries like India to buy their crappy turfs at 2-3 crores + huge overhead on maintenance (the same funda as Bt-brinjal).

Potentially hockey can become as big a sport as soccer. An IPL like concept is ideal for hockey.

[LosingNow]

I thought there was a PHL ...along the lines of IPL. What happened to that?

[dextrous]

A good game with a decent crowd. Some brief moments of magic, nothing spectacular.

Indian hockey's GC, Ric Charlesworth, is now coaching the Aussies. Australia lost to England 2-3.

And, pray tell, why is Charlesworth India's GC? RC is probably one of the best things that could have happened to Indian hockey and he was genuinely interested in helping Indian players. What's your theory?

[keep-it-cool]

A good game with a decent crowd. Some brief moments of magic, nothing spectacular.

Indian hockey's GC, Ric Charlesworth, is now coaching the Aussies. Australia lost to England 2-3.

And, pray tell, why is Charlesworth India's GC? RC is probably one of the best things that could have happened to Indian hockey and he was genuinely interested in helping Indian players. What's your theory?

He is an Aussie.

[keep-it-cool]

This was a good result and what better way to start the competition.

But looking at some of the other matches, I think both India and Pakistan have cause for worry. You cant concede so many penalty corners in today's game and hope to get away with it. In the India - Pak match, India capitalised and Pak could not. They hit the crossbar some 2-3 times though ...so, it was a close shave. I think both teams will struggle against better converters such as Holland or Australia or Korea unless they get their defence right.

[dhruvdeepak]

I thought there was a PHL ...along the lines of IPL. What happened to that?

nobody watches it. just the names of the teams are nice

[keep-it-cool]

I thought there was a PHL ...along the lines of IPL. What happened to that?

nobody watches it. just the names of the teams are nice

it folded up after two seasons

[keep-it-cool]

And why do we look for conspiracy theories everywhere?

If Shivendra Singh hit an opposition player deliberately, he should be punished. End of the matter. How does it matter whether the Pak team complained or not when there is a provision for video footage to be used to decide on such incidents after the match?

I dont see anyone denying that Shivendra Singh is guilty. If the Aussies were so scared of him, they did not need a 3 match ban. One match would do as India plays Australia next.

[dhruvdeepak]

i saw this. it was not intentional - unfair ruling.

[dextrous]

And why do we look for conspiracy theories everywhere?

If Shivendra Singh hit an opposition player deliberately, he should be punished. End of the matter. How does it matter whether the Pak team complained or not when there is a provision for video footage to be used to decide on such incidents after the match?

I dont see anyone denying that Shivendra Singh is guilty. If the Aussies were so scared of him, they did not need a 3 match ban. One match would do as India plays Australia next.

conspiracy aside...the ban was not justified

[Cernunnos]

A good game with a decent crowd. Some brief moments of magic, nothing spectacular.

Indian hockey's GC, Ric Charlesworth, is now coaching the Aussies. Australia lost to England 2-3.

And, pray tell, why is Charlesworth India's GC? RC is probably one of the best things that could have happened to Indian hockey and he was genuinely interested in helping Indian players. What's your theory?

GC was also said to be one of the best things to happen. Can you name a single good thing that RC did, besides cribbing about his salary? Later it was shown that he did in fact receive his $13000 per month salary (genuine interest?) on time, and then later he backtracked and said he left India for security reasons.

[Blwe_torch]

And why do we look for conspiracy theories everywhere?

If Shivendra Singh hit an opposition player deliberately, he should be punished. End of the matter. How does it matter whether the Pak team complained or not when there is a provision for video footage to be used to decide on such incidents after the match?

I dont see anyone denying that Shivendra Singh is guilty. If the Aussies were so scared of him, they did not need a 3 match ban. One match would do as India plays Australia next.

conspiracy aside...the ban was not justified

I hope, the umpires maintain some consistency. This is like penalizing the French Rugby guys in the earlier part of International tournaments.

[Cernunnos]

And why do we look for conspiracy theories everywhere?

If Shivendra Singh hit an opposition player deliberately, he should be punished. End of the matter. How does it matter whether the Pak team complained or not when there is a provision for video footage to be used to decide on such incidents after the match?

I dont see anyone denying that Shivendra Singh is guilty. If the Aussies were so scared of him, they did not need a 3 match ban. One match would do as India plays Australia next.

conspiracy aside...the ban was not justified

It is justified because it was handed by an Aussie, nevermind that a single Pakistani didn't complain about it.

[keep-it-cool]

i saw this. it was not intentional - unfair ruling.

DD, the interpretation of "intentional" is different in hockey. Raising the stick when the ball is on the ground is something that can be penalised.

In any case, the appeal will be heard before the India-Aus match. I can understand if the protest is about how unfair the penalty is (this is what the Indian coach has also been saying - he expects the penalty to be reduced) ...what I do not understand is why everything has to have a conspiracy theory (Aussies wanting Shivendra Singh out of the way) behind it.

[keep-it-cool]

And why do we look for conspiracy theories everywhere?

If Shivendra Singh hit an opposition player deliberately, he should be punished. End of the matter. How does it matter whether the Pak team complained or not when there is a provision for video footage to be used to decide on such incidents after the match?

I dont see anyone denying that Shivendra Singh is guilty. If the Aussies were so scared of him, they did not need a 3 match ban. One match would do as India plays Australia next.

conspiracy aside...the ban was not justified

Fair enough. And that can be overturned on appeal ...which, incidentally, takes place before India's match against Australia.

[Cernunnos]

The ban has been reduced to two - convenient.

Of course all those who are writing these articles are fools and cannot differentiate between an OBVIOUS accident (apparent to anyone who saw it) and intentional foul play.


http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/86292/Sports/WC:+Shivendra's+3-match+suspension+raises+eyebrows.html

Striker Shivendra Singh's jubilation after India's emphatic win over Pakistan in the Hockey World Cup has been cut short. Shivendra, who scored the opening goal for India in the match, has been suspended for three matches. The punishment was handed for a regulation move to surge ahead of his Pakistani opponent. It has left the Indian coach and former players crying foul.
 
"I have never seen a punishment of three matches in any tournament," said Jose Brasa, chief coach of the Indian hockey team.
 
But the International Hockey Federation (FIH) disagreed.
 
Anyone who has played hockey would know that Shivendra was only trying to run faster and that he needed to hold his stick in both hands to generate speed. His contact with Pakistan's Fareed Ahmed was absolutely accidental, which is what Shivendra also told Ken Read, the tournament's director.
But Read has still banned the striker for three games. "A four-match ban was probably appropriate but I gave a one-match reduction considering the good history of the player," said Read. (Cern: roflmao)
 
The punishment doesn't make sense considering how Read himself eulogised Shivendra's brilliant record. The striker has played 110 games over six years for India and has not a single suspension to his name.

Read didn't even want to hand out the minimum punishment of two matches. Given how obvious an accident this incident was, FIH's decision smacks of an anti-India bias.

[keep-it-cool]

Basic fact - In hockey, you are not supposed to raise your stick above waist level unless it is to reach for the ball that may be in the air. That is a rule.

The only question is whether this was deliberate or not. The appeals panel has ruled that it was not deliberate and I agree with that.

Yet, it was reckless and any player worth his salt should know that there is no excuse for the same. The same minimum penalty applies for reckless play - ban of 2 matches. The only event in which this can be brought down is if the player was penalised during the match (with a green or yellow or red card). Given that Shivendra Singh was not penalised during the match, it is a fair call.

I still cant figure out any conspiracy theory that benefits the Aussies ...if that was Read's intent, he could very well have slapped just a one or two match ban. That would have sufficed for the match against Australia tonight. Moreover, if it was so blatantly wrong, the ban would have been overturned rather than just reduced to two matches by the three member appeals committee.

[Cernunnos]

Right, only the rule book gets chucked out of the window when other teams, for example Taeke Taekama yesterday, do the same thing.

Once it has been deemed unintentional, the whole point of the ban doesn't stand. You don't ban someone three games for bowling a waist high no-ball which slipped out of your hand. I mean, unbelievable!

[feverpitch]

A good game with a decent crowd. Some brief moments of magic, nothing spectacular.

Indian hockey's GC, Ric Charlesworth, is now coaching the Aussies. Australia lost to England 2-3.

Was there in the stadium, behind the Paki goal (in the 1st half). Good game, typified by lack of basic skills in the modern fast and astroturfed game with subcontinentals -- abysmal trapping skills at times, lack of vision about utilizing open spaces, particularly behind a defense line trying to "press".

India were also served well by the 2 PC's taken by Sohail Abbas, probably the greatest drag-flicker in the history of hockey, which hit the crossbars. Pakis were also subdued by the crowd, which was deafening.

The stadium was a fab experience... First time ever I felt proud inside a sports stadia in India.

BTW, yea Chandi is team me kya kar raha hai? Is he a mascot or something. Cabbagehead can't trap, cant shoot and can't pass.

[Blwe_torch]

Lighter ban but it's still injustice: Shivendra Singh
PTI, Mar 2, 2010, 02.31pm IST

NEW DELHI: The ban on him has been reduced by a match but Indian forward Shivendra Singh on Tuesday said even the lighter penalty amounts to "injustice" on him as he has been punished for no fault.

During India's World Cup opener against Pakistan on Sunday, Shivendra's stick hit rival player Fareed Ahmed who suffered a cut on his eye as a result.

Tournament Director Ken Read, while handing out the initial three-match suspension to Shivendra, said the act was "deliberate".

The Indian player, who after the reduced ban will sit out of the matches against Australia and Spain, however, insisted that he had no intention to hurt the Pakistani player and it was just an accident.

"I am very disappointed with the decision. The penalty is injustice to me because I never committed the fault intentionally. I was running for the ball and while I was in motion the stick suddenly hit the Pakistani player. But it was never deliberate," Shivendra said.

The seasoned forward, who had scored a goal in India's 4-1 win in the tournament opener, said the slight relief hardly matters to him as he would be sitting out of two crucial matches.

"It does not matter to me because at the end of the day I would be missing the crucial match against Australia. It hardly matters," he said.

Shivendra said the episode has only made him more determined to make a strong comeback.

"Now I am even more determined to perform better when I return to field after suspension," he said.

India coach Jose Brasa was also livid with the harsh penalty imposed on his ward.

"The three-match suspension penalty was very harsh and in that sense wrong. I don't say he (tournament director) does not have the power under FIH rules. He has the authority but the decision was wrong. It was an enormous penalty for an unintentional foul," Brasa said.

"If Mr Read wants to send a message why did he pick the Indian team. My players were struck on the face in that match against Pakistan and matches involving Australia, England and other countries were much more physical involving graver offences by their players.

"I have never ever experienced a player being handed a three-match penalty in my life -- be it Olympics, World Cup or Champions Trophy. Three match is half of the World Cup. To penalise a player by suspending him half of a World Cup for an unintentional foul was enormous," Brasa had said on Monday.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/top-stories/Lighter-ban-but-its-still-injustice-Shivendra-Singh/articleshow/5632994.cms

[keep-it-cool]

Right, only the rule book gets chucked out of the window when other teams, for example Taeke Taekama yesterday, do the same thing.

Once it has been deemed unintentional, the whole point of the ban doesn't stand. You don't ban someone three games for bowling a waist high no-ball which slipped out of your hand. I mean, unbelievable!

Nope. The min penalty of 2 games is for reckless play ...not for deliberate reckless play ...for deliberate reckless play it can go to a max of 4 games. The appeals committee deemed it not to be deliberate and reduced it to the minimum penalty.

[Cernunnos]

Right, only the rule book gets chucked out of the window when other teams, for example Taeke Taekama yesterday, do the same thing.

Once it has been deemed unintentional, the whole point of the ban doesn't stand. You don't ban someone three games for bowling a waist high no-ball which slipped out of your hand. I mean, unbelievable!

Nope. The min penalty of 2 games is for reckless play ...not for deliberate reckless play ...for deliberate reckless play it can go to a max of 4 games. The appeals committee deemed it not to be deliberate and reduced it to the minimum penalty.

Rubbish.

The word "reckless" doesn't appear anywhere in the tournament regulations.
http://www.fihockey.org/vsite/vfile/page/fileurl/0,11040,1181-200305-217528-160518-0-file,00.pdf

The action can at worst be deemed:
- Throwing a stick or ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and/or
dangerous manner.
- Inappropriate physical contact between players in the course of play.

Which are Level 1 offenses (Appendix 5). Given that Shivendra hasn't even been carded for his 110 appearances, let alone breached the Code of Conduct, this should in the maximum have invited a reprimand.

Level 2 deals with assault, and since it is already established that the action was not deliberate, therefore it cannot be treated at the level of assault.

Only the most one-eyed would defend this travesty of natural justice.

[Cernunnos]

A good game with a decent crowd. Some brief moments of magic, nothing spectacular.

Indian hockey's GC, Ric Charlesworth, is now coaching the Aussies. Australia lost to England 2-3.

Was there in the stadium, behind the Paki goal (in the 1st half). Good game, typified by lack of basic skills in the modern fast and astroturfed game with subcontinentals -- abysmal trapping skills at times, lack of vision about utilizing open spaces, particularly behind a defense line trying to "press".

Exactly. While drag-flicking might be a new skill, I prefer the good old trapping and dribbling. Beighton Cup or school hockey matches on grass used to be such a pleasure to watch.

India were also served well by the 2 PC's taken by Sohail Abbas, probably the greatest drag-flicker in the history of hockey, which hit the crossbars. Pakis were also subdued by the crowd, which was deafening.

The stadium was a fab experience... First time ever I felt proud inside a sports stadia in India.

Good to know. Btw, great job by the Govt. in 2001 to re-name this wonderful stadium after Major Dhyanchand and not Gandhi/Nehru/Kalmadi.

BTW, yea Chandi is team me kya kar raha hai? Is he a mascot or something. Cabbagehead can't trap, cant shoot and can't pass.

Didn't he leave the ground bleeding?

[keep-it-cool]

Right, only the rule book gets chucked out of the window when other teams, for example Taeke Taekama yesterday, do the same thing.

Once it has been deemed unintentional, the whole point of the ban doesn't stand. You don't ban someone three games for bowling a waist high no-ball which slipped out of your hand. I mean, unbelievable!

Nope. The min penalty of 2 games is for reckless play ...not for deliberate reckless play ...for deliberate reckless play it can go to a max of 4 games. The appeals committee deemed it not to be deliberate and reduced it to the minimum penalty.

Rubbish.

The word "reckless" doesn't appear anywhere in the tournament regulations.
http://www.fihockey.org/vsite/vfile/page/fileurl/0,11040,1181-200305-217528-160518-0-file,00.pdf

The action can at worst be deemed:
- Throwing a stick or ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and/or
dangerous manner.
- Inappropriate physical contact between players in the course of play.

Which are Level 1 offenses (Appendix 5). Given that Shivendra hasn't even been carded for his 110 appearances, let alone breached the Code of Conduct, this should in the maximum have invited a reprimand.

Level 2 deals with assault, and since it is already established that the action was not deliberate, therefore it cannot be treated at the level of assault.

Only the most one-eyed would defend this travesty of natural justice.

Again, repeating a basic fact - holding your stick above your waist is a strict no no in hockey unless it is a play for the ball. You cant hide behind "accidentally it just happened to be up there" - that would open up the doors to a whole lot of such "accidental" stick raising.

This qualifies under level 2, as there was no reason for Shivendra to have the stick up there, especially given that the ball was never up in the air and had already passed on forward.

Even if one agrees that the tournament director imposed the penalty in order to benefit the Aussies, the 3 member appeals committee also upheld the level (level 2) of the offence that Shivendra was charged with. It does indicate that there is some basis for levying that charge.

[justforkix]

Thrashed by the Aussies 5-2 !!!!!

[keep-it-cool]

Poor show yesterday by India against a well organised Aussie team. The weaknesses (poor trapping, giving away the ball easily deep inside our own half, holding on to the ball too much without passing while moving forward, the tendency among forwards to look for penalty corners rather than goals) were all visible in the first match itself but did not hurt us, as Pakistan was not very well organised and a few of their PCs hit the crossbar. With this kind of game, it is unlikely we'll go too far in this tournament.

[justforkix]

We have to be SA and at least one of Eng or Spain to have any hope of advancing !!! Aussies killed us with organized play and controlling possession !!!