WC10 x DAY9 x AUS v PAK x KAVANAGH/HAMMOND VIDEO INTERVIEW

Knowing that a win would take Australia into Top position of the pool, but more importantly a win would continue good form taking them to four straight going into the Semi Finals.

Pakistan had only one win and wanted to push themselves up the world rankings. No team here is playing a filler role. And the game went that way. Pakistan were completely ready for a big game and to push the Aussies.

As always the Aussies dominated controlled possession and like past games basically mounted attacking move after attacking move. The Pakistani defence and keeper were on high alert BUT were able to keep up to the task. The next part was the Pakistan counter-attack and didn’t overly look like a team that was down the bottom end of the pool.

It was the team in dark green and white, with some local support, that took the first goal to stun the Aussies.  The half time score was Pakistan 1 – 0 Australia.

In the second, you could put money that the Aussies wouldn’t stop working hard. Fergus Kavanagh and Kiel Brown down back had to keep finding a way to stop the Pakistan counter getting through.

Gryphon and Australian defender, Graeme Begbie moved himself up the ground on the overlap and started to become the magazine in the Australia machine gun. Time after time he would reload the Australian attack and place massive pressure on the Pakistani defence once again. And just like the first half, it was an Aussie shot domination but this time they broke through with a field goal to take the game to a draw.

A win was the only result enough to place the Aussies on the top of the table, and twenty minutes were left to pop in another goal. They used up all of the time allocated as in the last few minutes, the Aussies created an amazing build up and goal. A lob pass over the attacking circle found Gryphon’s Rob Hammond alone, who then smoothly nailed a flat a pass into the circle for a deflection by Des Abbott right on goal.

It was all that was required.  Australia had done it the hard way, but had done it 2 goals to 1.

Pakistan took everything inch they could and heavily worked the Aussies. But the final result placed Australia at the top of the pool and Pakistan down the lower end.

Australia and England will now have to wait till tomorrow to find out who they play in the Semis.

Fergus Kavanagh joined me for a chat about the game, future and some past moments already in the video below:

Rob Hammond uses up the last of his media time to tell us how he’s traveling so far in this campaign and the drive for gold in this video:

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

WC10 x DAY7 x S.AFRICA v PAK

A down and out South Africa tonight faced Pakistan, both teams had very little or no chance of making the finals. South Africa came into the game without a win and a horrible Goal difference. Form into this game away from stats would actually indicate that the Africans looked better and playing a more entralling brand of hockey.

The higher placed team of Pakistan opened the scoring early and held that score for the entire first half with a 1 – 0 score.  The South African’s always looked like they were on the right track to score but were unable to convert.

In the second, the game came alive with six goals being scored. South Africa opened the scoring from a variation short corner as Gryphon’s Reid-Ross making the variation plausible and tying the game early.

From that point on the South Africans controlled possession through the mid-field and wings using Julian Hykes wide repeatedly to bust open the Pakistan defence. By the 54th minute South Africa was leading 4 goals to 1.

With 2 minutes to Pakistan would convert through a corner. And finally after the siren and thanks to another video referral Pakistan had three attempts at another corner and finally ending the game with another goal. It was too little too late and South Africa notched up their first win of the tournament and one very very well deserved.

Final score S.Africa 4, Pakistan 3

Both teams have no chance for the semi-finals but will be playing for higher positions in the final series and world rankings.

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

WC10 x DAY5 x ENG v PAK

Coming into the game knowing that a win for each team was still integral for a finals chance. A win for Pakistan would keep them alive, and well England wants to stay top and well clear of the Aussies.

The game opened fast with Gryphon and England striker James Tindall controlling a lob pass right into the D, and in one motion threw it into the goal past a defender and keeper.   It was then contested on the video and deemed too high and not allowed.

That moment was to set the pace in what wasn’t all that a structured half of hockey but netted two goals, all to England.

Right away Pakistan looked the more dangerous in the second half and scored the next two placing the game on high alert. Not like there was need of fire in the game, but during the second goal R.Mantell from England was horrifically taken down. His ankle was severely dislocated pointing 90 degrees away from its natural position.   The goal was allowed and the game went on 2 – 2.

All it seemed to do was spark the English, and they belted home 3 highly powerful and intense goals. There was a lot more behind the goals than just the score. Each was a taunt to all around, not just those in the game but anyone else in the tournament.

At the final whistle a little bit of a biffo broke out between the two teams including some serious finger pointing, which we all know is the top of the aggression tree.

The end result was England 5, and Pakistan 2.

England stay undefeated after three games. Pakistan continue with a single win.

PHOTOS: DANIEL CARSON | DC IMAGES

WC10 x DAY1 x IND v PAK VIDEO

Since getting here in New Delhi, the only talk from the locals has been revolving around what we know as game 3 of the opening day. To the locals, there was only one game on the first round of the World Cup.

India v Pakistan

Old rivals in all forms of sport. Add in political and friction of many other types, this game was always going to bring out an amazing atmosphere. Something that is really more about the fanatical India crowd than the players in the middle. The only way I can try and explain what this is like was to take some snippets of video from pitch-side tonight.

With around 10,000 people at the stadium tonight to witness the Indian win, the air wasn’t only visually thick but electrifying. The noise at any point an Indian player touched the ball let alone scored a goal was deafening.

Final score: India 4, Pakistan 1.

PHOTOS: DANIEL CARSON | DC IMAGES

WCQ ONE – LILLE – FINAL DAY x PAKISTAN WIN

So, Pakistan are through the the 2010 World Cup. They finished the tournament in which they dominated off with a 3-1 victory over Japan to secure their spot in next years World Cup.

Poland edged host France for 3rd place (5-4) and Russia finished 5th in front of Italy (2-0)

5th-6th – Russia – Italy 2:0 (2:0)
RUS  12mn  Alexandre PLATONOV (FG)  1:0
RUS  19mn  Alexander ZHIRKOV (FG)  2:0

3rd-4th – Poland – France 5:4 (1:3)
FRA   5mn  Martin GENESTET (FG)  0:1
POL  16mn  Maciej JANISZEWSKI (FG)  1:1
FRA  29mn  Max LANOS (FG)  1:2
FRA  30mn  Tom GENESTET (FG)  1:3
POL  38mn  Dariusz RACHWALSKI (FG)  2:3
POL  40mn  Artur MIKU?A (FG)  3:3
FRA  41mn  Olivier SANCHEZ (FG)  3:4
POL  57mn  Karol SZYPLIK (PC)  4:4
POL  59mn  Dariusz RACHWALSKI (PC)  5:4

1st-2nd – Pakistan – Japan 3:1 (2:1)
PAK  12mn  Abdul Haseem KHAN (FG)  1:0
PAK  24mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  2:0
JPN  27mn  Kazuhiro TSUBOUCHI (PC)  2:1
PAK  41mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  3:1

Final Standings:
1) Pakistan (Qualify for  the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010)
2) Japan
3) Poland
4) France
5) Russia
6) Italy

Player of the Tournament: Matthieu DURCHON (France)
Goal-keeper of the Tournament: Mariusz CHY?A (Poland)
Fair Play: Russia

This now takes the qualified teams in the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010, New Delhi, India, 28 February-13 March 2010 to 10 out of the 12 spots available. These teams are:

India (Host)

Canada (Champion of the 3rd Men’s Pan American Cup)

Korea (Champion of the 8th Men’s Asia Cup)

South Africa (Champion of the Africa Cup of Nations, 2009)

Australia (Champion of the 6th Men’s Oceania Cup)

England (Champion of the 12th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)

Germany (Silver medalist of the 12th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)

Netherlands (Bronze medalist of the 12th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)

Spain (Fourth ranked team of the 12th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship)

Pakistan (Winner of the Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournament – No. 1)

2 vacancies left:

Winner of the Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournament – No. 2

Winner of the Men’s World Cup Qualification Tournament – No. 3

WCQ ONE – LILLE – DAY 5 WRAP

The round-robin phase of the FIH World Cup Qualifier in Lille, France, ended with Japan defeating France (3-2) in a hard-fought battle to reach the final on Sunday against Pakistan, who suffered a surprising defeat against a valiant Polish team (2-3). Winner takes all in Sunday’s final so stay tuned for the results and updates.

DAY FIVE (Saturday 7th Nov)

Pakistan – Poland 2:3 (1:0)

PAK  29mn  Muhammad WAQAS (FG)  1:0

PAK  42mn  Muhammad ZUBAIR (FG)  2:0

POL  45mn  Artur MIKU?A (FG)  2:1

POL  58mn  Bartosz ?YWICZKA (FG)  2:2

POL  60mn  Krzysztof KMIE? (PC)  2:3

Russia – Italy 2:2 (0:2)

ITA  11mn  Massimo LANZANO (PC)  0:1

ITA  17mn  Massimo LANZANO (PC)  0:2

RUS  48mn  Evgeny MOKROUSOV (FG)  1:2

RUS  60mn  Alexander KOROLEV (FG)  2:2

France – Japan 2:3 (1:2)

JPN 6mn Manabu HATAKEYAMA (PC) 0:1

FRA 21mn Tom GENESTET (FG) 1:1

JPN 28mn Manabu HATAKEYAMA (PC) 1:2

JPN 65mn Hiroki SAKAMOTO (FG) 1:3

FRA 67mn Frédéric SOYEZ (FG) 2:3

Round-Robin Final Standings: 1) Pakistan 12pts (22-6)  2) Japan 12pts (14-10)  3) Poland 10pts  4) France 7pts  5) Russia 1pt (6-17)  6) Italy 1pt (3-17)

Schedule for Day 6: Sunday 8 November 2009
11:05 – 5th-6th – Russia v. Italy
13:35 – 3rd-4th – Poland v. France
16:05 – 1st-2nd – Pakistan v. Japan – FINAL ** Winner of the final qualifies for the 2010 Honda FIH World Cup, March, New Delhi, India

WCQ ONE – LILLE – DAY 4 WRAP x VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Pakistan were impressive on Day 4 of the FIH World Cup Qualifier in Lille, France, with a decisive 6-1 win against Japan; Poland took the better of Italy (4-1) while France kept alive their possibility to reach the final on Sunday with a hard earned win against Russia (4-3)

DAY FOUR (Thursday 4th Nov)

POLAND – ITALY 4-1 (1-0)

POL  33mn  Artur MIKU?A (FG)  1:0
POL  46mn  Micha? KUNKLEWSKI (FG)  2:0
POL  61mn  Krystian MAKOWSKI (FG)  3:0
ITA  66mn  Jacopo LUNETTA (FG)  3:1
POL  68mn  Tomasz MARCINKOWSKI (FG)  4:1

JAPAN – PAKISTAN 1-6 (0-2)

PAK  19mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  0:1
PAK  30mn  Rehan BUTT (FG)  0:2
JPN  42mn  Katsuyoshi NAGASAWA (PC)  1:2
PAK  52mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  1:3
PAK  54mn  Muhammad ZUBAIR (FG)  1:4
PAK  56mn  Rehan BUTT (FG)  1:5
PAK  61mn  Shakeel ABBASI (FG)  1:6

RUSSIA – FRANCE 3-4 (1-2)

FRA   4mn  Arnoud JANSEN (FG)  0:1
RUS  11mn  Alexander LIKOV (FG)  1:1
FRA  16mn  Martin GENESTET (FG)  1:2
RUS  49mn  Nikolay YANKUN (PC)  2:2
FRA  55mn  Frédéric SOYEZ (PC)  2:3
FRA  56mn  Tom GENESTET (FG)  2:4
RUS  68mn  Alexander ZHIRKOV (FG)  3:4

Standings DAY 4: 1) Pakistan 12pts  2) Japan 9pts  3) Poland 7pts (10-7)  4) France 7pts (11-9)  5) Russia 0pt (4-15)  6) Italy 0pt (1-15)

WCQ ONE – LILLE – DAY 3 WRAP x VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

At the FIH World Cup Qualifier in Lille, France, as the wind and rain continued on Day 3 there were wins for Japan over Italy (3-0), Poland over Russia (2-1) and Pakistan over France (4-2). Both Pakistan and Japan now have three wins, but France and Poland could mathematically still qualify for the Final on Sunday.

DAY THREE (Tuesday 3rd Nov)

Italy – Japan 0:3 (0:1)

JPN  17mn  Manabu HATAKEYAMA (PC)  0:1
JPN  61mn  Hiroki SAKAMOTO (FG)  0:2
JPN  65mn  Yoshihiro ANAI (PC)  0:3

Poland – Russia 2:1 (2:0)

POL   2mn  Bartosz ?YWICZKA (FG)  1:0
POL   5mn  Artur MIKU?A (FG)  2:0
RUS  46mn  Alexander LIKOV (FG)  2:1

France – Pakistan 2:4 (1:2)

PAK   8mn  Akhtar ALI (FG)  0:1
FRA  23mn  Frédéric SOYEZ (FG)  1:1
PAK  26mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  1:2
PAK  37mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  1:3
PAK  55mn  Rehan BUTT (FG)  1:4
FRA  67mn  Arnaud BECUWE (PC)  2:4

Standings: 1) Pakistan 9pts (14-2)  2) Japan 9pts (10-2)  3) France 4pts (7-6)  4) Poland 4pts (6-6)  5) Russia 0pt (1-11)  6) Italy 0pt (0-11)

WCQ ONE – LILLE – UN JOUR DE REPOS

Monday is a lay-day in the FIH World Cup Qualifier. The Action will continue on Tuesday 3rd November in Lille when Italy meet Japan, Poland face Russia, and host France lock horns with Pakistan.

Standings at present: 1) Pakistan 6pts  2) Japan 6pts  3) France 4pts  4) Poland 1pt  5) Italy 0pt  6) Russia 0pt

WCQ ONE – LILLE – DAY 1 & 2 WRAP x VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

The World Rankings leading into this crucial WCQ have Pakistan (7) as the overwhelming favourites, then Japan (14) France (17) Poland (22) and Italy (26). The relevance of these rankings is mealy a formality as they grind through the round matches and approach the finals where 1 + 2 on the ladder will have a one-off chance at qualification and World Cup glory in 2010 in New Delhi, India.

DAY ONE (Saturday 31st Oct)

The favourites started smoothly with Japan cleanly dispatching Russia (4-0) and Pakistan having no problem to defeat Italy (5-0), but host France had an unexpected setback, tying a hardly contested game against Polan (2-2)

Japan – Russia 4:0 (1:0)

JPN   6mn  Kenta TANAKA (FG)  1:0
JPN  44mn  Kazuhiro TSUBOUCHI (FG)  2:0
JPN  52mn  Kenta TANAKA (FG)  3:0
JPN  67mn  Kenta TANAKA (FG)  4:0

Pakistan - Italy 5:0 (1:0)

PAK  31mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  1:0
PAK  43mn  Muhammad IMRAN (PC)  2:0
PAK  47mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  3:0
PAK  52mn  Muhammad ZUBAIR (FG)  4:0
PAK  68mn  Abdul Haseem KHAN (FG)  5:0

France – Poland 2:2 (1:1)

POL  17mn  Marcin STRYKOWSKI (FG)  0:1
FRA  35mn  Matthieu DURCHON (PC)  1:1
FRA  45mn  Frédéric SOYEZ (PC)  2:1
POL  58mn  Marcin STRYKOWSKI (FG)  2:2

Standings: 1) Pakistan 3pts  2) Japan 3pts  3) France and Poland 1 pt  5) Russia 0pt  6) Italy 0pt

DAY TWO (Sunday 1st Nov)

Day 2 welcomed heavy, cold, windy and rainy conditions as Pakistan earned their 2nd win of the tournament over Russia (5-0), Japan scraped through in a tight encounter with Poland (3-2) and France finally started their challenge dispatching Italy (3-0).

Pakistan – Russia 5:0 (3:0)

PAK  23mn  Rehan BUTT (FG)  1:0
PAK  31mn  Shakeel ABBASI (FG)  2:0
PAK  33mn  Sohail ABBAS (PC)  3:0
PAK  37mn  Muhammad IMRAN (PC)  4:0
PAK  43mn  Abdul Haseem KHAN (FG)  5:0

Japan – Poland 3:2 (3:2)

JPN   2mn  Kenta TANAKA (FG)  1:0
POL   9mn  Tomasz DUTKIEWICZ (PC)  1:1
JPN  14mn  Tomonori ONO (FG)  2:1
JPN  34mn  Katsuyoshi NAGASAWA (PC)  3:1
POL  35mn  Maciej JANISZEWSKI (PC)  3:2

Italy – France 0:3 (0:1)

FRA   9mn  Martin GENESTET (FG)  0:1
FRA  50mn  Frédéric SOYEZ (PC)  0:2
FRA  58mn  Frédéric SOYEZ (PC)  0:3

Standings: 1) Pakistan 6pts  2) Japan 6pts  3) France 4pts  4) Poland 1pt  5) Italy 0pt  6) Russia 0pt

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