2021 MEN’S & WOMEN’S JUNIOR WORLD CUP – QUALIFICATIONS & FORMAT

Good Afternoon Everyone...

Today I would like to write about the upcoming 2021 FIH Junior World Cup and provide some latest development and the processes. 

The 2021 Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup - 16 Teams will be the 12th edition and it will be held in India from 24 November to 5 December 2021. Most probably it will be held in Odisha in sports bubble system.  India are the defending champions.

The 2021 Women's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup will be the 9^th edition of the Women's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, and it will be held from 5 to 16 December 2021 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Argentina are the defending champions and didn’t qualify for 2021 edition. Unbelievable!

What is interesting is the ongoing Junior Pan American Championship 2021 (M) held in Santiago where Chile Jnrs won the Championship by beating Argentina 1 - 1 (3-2 SO) and both teams qualified. Canada didn’t qualify for 2021 Jnr Men’s World Cup.

On Women Jnrs, Canada won the Championship beating Uruguay 1-0 and USA beat Chile 1 - 1 (3-2 SO). The top 3 teams that qualifies are Canada, Uruguay & USA.

Chile Men Jnrs & Uruguay Women Jnrs made it to 2021 Junior World Cup. It’s a historical achievements for both teams.

Uruguay Women Jnrs for the first time qualified for FIH Women’s Junior World Cup since 1989. And Chile Men’s Jnr making a return to Junior World Cup after missing in 2013 & 2016.

As for the Qualifications – only 2 Continental held their Championship – Euro & Pan Am. Other 3 – Asia, Ocenia & Africa decided on the teams. As for African – Men’s Jnr South Africa & Egypt & Women’s Jnr South Africa & Zimbabwe qualified. Asia used an unprecedented & unorthodox method to seed the teams as couldn’t host a qualifier where as for Mens Jnr India, Pakistan, Malaysia & Korea qualified and as for Women Jnr is China, India & Japan. Malaysia out & has never played in Women’s Junior World Cup since 1989. Oceania 2 slots will be Austrialia & N Zealand for Men & Women Jnrs.

Overall Qualified Teams:

Men’s Jnr – 16 Teams

Host -India with 3 Asia – Pakistan, Korea & Malaysia

6 European teams - Spain, Netherlands, Germany, England, Belgium & France

2 Pan Am – Argentina & Chile

2 Oceania – Australia & N Zealand

2 Africa – S Africa & Egypt

Women’s Jnr – 16 Teams

Host –S Africa with Zimbabwe

6 European teams - Spain, Netherlands, Germany, England, Belgium & Russia

3 Pan Am – Canada USA & Uruguay

2 Oceania – Australia & N Zealand

3 Asia – China India Japan

All players shall be under 21 years of age as of 31 December 2020 that is all players shall be born on or after 1 January 2000.

How Groupings will be done? The format will be 4 Pool of 4 teams each and seeding will be done based on Senior World rankings:

Pool A                   Pool B                   Pool C                    Pool D

WR 1                      WR 2                    WR 3                     WR 4

WR 8                      WR 7                    WR 6                     WR 5

WR 9                      WR10                   WR11                     WR 12

WR 16                    WR15                   WR14                     WR 13

There will be a total of 48 matches. 

• Top 2 from each group qualifies for QF and 3^rd 4^th in Pool plays for 9^th to 16^th placing. 

3 pool matches for each team - 24 matches

Quarter-finals & classification matches, places 9-16 - 16 matches 

Semi-finals & classification matches, places 5-8 - 6 matches 

Gold & bronze medal match - 2 matches

My next article will be about the obligation to host the 2023 Men's Junior World Cup in Malaysia. 

Thanking you and stay safe always...

 

THE UNSUNG HERO - MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY OFFICIAL – LT COL (R) B MUTHUKUMAR

LT COL (R) MUTHUKUMAR - FAR RIGHT
2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

Retired LT COL B Muthukumar is one of the rare breed that has served Malaysian & International Hockey over many decades as a player, Umpire, Judge, Technical Officer (TO) and Tournament Directors in both field & indoor hockey.

He is one of the few that has completed a cycle from a player to Official at Malaysia, Asia & FIH level. 

He showed & lead an exemplary of every Malaysian Hockey Officials that we have the capability to serve at International arena. He was our hockey official ambassador at Asia & World hockey tournaments. 

In 1978, Muthukumar played for Armed Forces hockey team, thereafter he took up Umpiring and attained International status in 1992. He blew many key domestic events such as MHL, Razak Cup, SUKMA & age group tournaments.

In 1996, he achieved his International Umpiring Grade 1. He umpired in few Sultan Azlan Shah Cups, 1993 Asia Cup, Indra-Gandhi Memorial Cup and World Masters & Senior Masters. He retired from International Umpiring in 2002.

Then he still believes that he could contribute more and that didn’t stop his retirement. Then he decided to pursue in Technical aspects of the game. His first major International event as an Official was being appointed as a Judge in 2007 FIH Champions Trophy in KL.

Thereafter, he grew in stature at Asia & International level and nothing could stop his achievements - Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world…

His notable achievements as an Officials at International arena are as follows:

Tournament/Technical Director (TD)

-          2^nd Asian Champions Trophy 2012

-          6^th Men’s Indoor Asia Cup 2015

-          Boys U18 Asia Cup

-          Assistant TD in 2018 Asian Games

-          ATD in Hockey India League (HIL)  

Technical Official (TO)

-          2016 Rio Olympics

-          2014 Men’s World Cup

-          17^th Asian Games 2014

-          16^th Asian Games 2010

Note: He was also appointed in many domestic tournaments as TD and TO. He also has served as a Chairman of MHC Umpires Committee.

The Lucky One!

Being a successful Official at International arena, he had the following criteria's:

• Proficient knowledge and consistent application of the relevant rules and regulations;

• The skills required to perform their roles effectively, and ensure adequate preparation;

• Maintain a professional attitude and have a calm conduct under pressure;

• Demonstrate a mutually respectful attitude towards all those involved;

• Build good working relationships with all stakeholders;

• Keep confidential any information entrusted to them as a result of their role;

• Enjoy all aspects of an event.

His mantra was always “Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular”. He stood & served well in Malaysian & International level.

Hockey has been in his blood for many years but it is sad that he has announced his retirement as an Official at International level on 12 July this year.

After Muthukumar in 2016 Rio Olympics, there is no any other Malaysian Officials nominated at recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics & 2018 Mens Hockey World Cup.

As of today, there is no Malaysian in Olympic Panel & Pro League Panel. The highest Malaysian Officials at International arena are as below:

Men:

Olympic Panel – None

Pro League Panel – None

International Elite – Brian Fernandez & Daljit Singh

Advancement Panel – Nesan

International Panel – Norazmi & Jusvir Singh

Women:

Olympic Panel – None

Pro League Panel – None

International Elite – None

Advancement Panel – None

International Panel – Nor Akma

There is 5 Men Officials out of overall 63 Officials and 1 Women Officials out of 72 at International level. This data shows where we are in International level compared to other top playing hockey nations.

Honestly, we hope that Muthukumar would not be the last person that served at Olympic & World Cup level. 

But seeing the current data, the gap is very wide and it will be a tough challenge for any Malaysian to emulate Muthukumar’s milestone of achievements. 

We have to accept the reality as we are losing the competitive edge at World Hockey in terms of all aspects of the game.

Games give you a chance to excel, and if you're playing in good company you don't even mind if you lose because you had the enjoyment of the company during the course of the game…

Happy Retirement Lt Col (Rtd) B Muthukumar -Be brave to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone…

Enjoy your time with your loved ones and we wish you the very best in your endeavors…

With that, the stickwithmike would like to bestow on Lt Col (R) Muthukumar Balakrishnan the title of “THE UNSUNG HERO - MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL”

Stay safe always…

THE LAST MOHICAN - MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY UMPIRE – AMARJIT SINGH JESSY

Amarjit Singh Jessy is one of the best known faces on the international & Malaysian hockey umpiring circuit and for the record, Amarjit has umpired in 154 international matches during his umpiring career.

He was the first Asian umpire and currently the only Malaysian to have received the FIH Golden Whistle in 2004 Athens Olympics. This award has further pushed the benchmark of achievements to all other Malaysian Umpires to follow suit.

Amarjit began his career as a hockey player in the 90s, representing the Malaysian B team in 1992. He then took up umpiring and never looked back. 

To his distinction, Amarjit has umpired in four senior World Cups – Utrecht (1998), Kuala Lumpur (2002), Moenchengladbach (2006) and New Delhi (2010).

Amarjit also officiated in three Olympics – Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) – Amarjit has also umpired in two Champions Trophy, two Commonwealth Games and numerous other prestigious international meets.

Former World Cup and Olympic Games hockey umpire Amarjit Singh Jessy has created history of sorts and his milestones:

SENIOR WORLD CUPS 1998 Utrecht, Holland 2002 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2006 Munchengladbach, Germany 2010 Delhi, India & JUNIOR WORLD CUP 2005 Junior World Cup (Finals) Rotherham, Holland

OLYMPICS 2000 Sydney, Australia 2004 Athens, Greece 2008 Beijing, China

COMMONWEALTH GAMES 1998 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2002 Manchester, London (FINALS)

FIH CHAMPIONS TROPHY IN Kuala Lumpur & Amsterdam, Holland

European Nations Cup (Finals)

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournaments & Various other World level tournaments

Amarjit in action...

Upon retiring from International Umpiring, he started as the umpires’ manager for the 2013 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup followed by the 2013 World League Semi-finals in Johor Bharu. He also played a role in MHFUB. 

He also played as Umpires Manager at Asia Cup, the Sultan of Johor Cup and the Junior World Cup levels.

Currently he is an appointed Educator and has managed FIH / AHF Umpires Courses done in Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Italy & Japan.

There is a saying - Take pride in your work at all times. Remember, respect for an umpire is created off the field as well as on. As of today, he is the Secretary of Perak Hockey Association.

He is well versed of the rules and would take time to answer any disputes. He also goes beyond reach to assist in the technical aspects of hockey in any hockey tournaments that he is invited or involved in. Whatever he does, he undertakes with total commitment and always gives his best.

He always wanted young Malaysian Umpires to emulate and follow to his standards and the closest who has come to him was Eric Koh. 

It was indeed a proud moment for Malaysia as well as Eric when he blew in his first 2018 World Cup hockey in Bhubaneswar. Other major tournaments he umpired at were the World League Semi-Finals in Antwerp, Belgium in 2016 and in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Eric cited that renowned international umpire Amarjit Singh was his role model and inspiration. Unfortunately, Eric Koh dreams was dashed when he was not listed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. And we hope that Eric not to give up hope and makes it to 2023 World Cup & 2024 Paris Olympics.

There is no any Malaysian listed on the FIH Olympics Games Panel. And currently the highest Malaysian Umpire is Eric Koh with 68 Matches & Rawi Anbananthan with 59 matches in Pro League panel. Others are in International Elite Panel - Illango (70 matches) & Nazmi (51 matches). 

As for women, the gap is very wide and none in Olympics or Pro League panels, closest is Nur Hafizah in International Elite Panel with 68 matches.

And we must understand that the performance of National Teams at World level plays a critical role in our Malaysian Umpiring promotions and available slots at International level. Both has a relationship and must progress in tandem. Since we are no longer an Olympic status team, then our Malaysian Umpires would suffer the consequences too. 

Looking at current FIH Umpiring level, is going to be tough for any Malaysian Umpires to come close to Amarjit's achievements or to Umpire in Olympics level.

With that, the stickwithmike would like to bestow on Amarjit Singh Jessy the title of “THE LAST MOHICAN - MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY UMPIRE”

We wish you the very best in your endeavors…

P/S - wrote a wish list for MHC Umpires Board in July 2020 and the link https://stickwithmike.blogspot.com/2020/07/wish-list-for-malaysian-hockey-umpires.html

OVERALL SUMMARY – MEN’S HOCKEY TOKYO OLYMPICS

OVERALL SUMMARY – MEN’S HOCKEY TOKYO OLYMPICS

Good Afternoon everyone…

Today I intend to write a summary of the Men’s Tokyo Olympics and provide the statistics for each team with overall summary of the tournament.

Will break into 2 segments – each team & overall with final rankings.

Argentina – played total 6 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 55; Total 265 substitutions; 6 times seek for Video Referral & 1 upheld; PC for 20 and PC against 26.

Scored total 11 goals – 5 Field Goals & 6 PC.

Top Scorer – for PC is No 9 Casella 3 goals & No 13 Tolini 3 goals & for FG is No 7 Keenan with 2 goals     

Total 14 cards – 10 Green & 4 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 11/37 & Against was 10/21.

PC ratio – 6/21 - 28.6%

FG ratio – 5/16 - 31.25%

Australia – played total 8 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 150; Total 739 substitutions; 7 times seek for Video Referral & 6 upheld; PC for 33 and PC against 40.

Scored total 28 goals – 17 Field Goals & 10 PC & 1PS.

Top Scorer – for PC is No 13 Blake with 5 goals & for FG is No 29 Tim Brand with 5 goals     .

Total 11 cards – 10 Green & 1 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 28/98 & Against was 13/71.

PC ratio – 10/37 - 27%

FG ratio – 17/60 - 28%

Belgium – played total 8 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 167; Total 740 substitutions; 9 times seek for Video Referral & 6 upheld; PC for 52 and PC against 21.

Scored total 35 goals – 17 Field Goals & 16 PC & 2PS.

Top Scorer – for PC is No 16 Hendrickx 12 goals & for FG is Toon Boom with 3 goals

Total 11 cards – 7 Green & 4 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 35/123 & Against was 13/61.

PC ratio – 16/54 – 29.6%

FG ratio – 17/67 – 25.4%

Canada – played total 5 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 51; Total 494 substitutions; 7 times seek for Video Referral & 4 upheld; PC for 11 and PC against 34.

Scored total 9 goals – 7 Field Goals & 2 PC

Top Scorer – for PC is No 19 Mark Pearson 3 goals & for FG one goal

Total 8 cards – 7 Green & 1 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 9/26 & Against was 27/100.

PC ratio – 2/12 – 16.7%

FG ratio – 7/14 -50%

Spain – played total 6 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 123; Total 512 substitutions; 8 times seek for Video Referral & 5 upheld; PC for 32 and PC against 28.

Scored total 10 goals – 3 Field Goals & 6 PC & 1 PS

Top Scorer – for PC is No 25 Pau Quemada 4 goals & for FG is No 10 Alegre with 2 goals

Total 4 cards – 3 Green & 1 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 10/70 & Against was 13/51.

PC ratio – 6/30 - 20%

FG ratio – 3/39 – 7.7%

Great Britain – played total 6 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 114; Total 453 substitutions; 11 times seek for Video Referral & 9 upheld; PC for 35 and PC against 24.

Scored total 12 goals – 8 Field Goals & 4 PC

Top Scorer – for PC is No 13 Samuel Ward 4 goals  & for FG is No 21 Ansell with 4 goals

Total 7 cards – 6 Green & 1 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 12/68 & Against was 14/52.

PC ratio – 4/33 -12%

FG ratio – 8/35 – 22.6%

Germany – played total 8 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 185; Total 755 substitutions; 8 times seek for Video Referral & 2 upheld; PC for 50 and PC against 19.

Scored total 27 goals – 14 Field Goals & 13 PC

Top Scorer – for PC is No 4 Windfeder 7 goals  & for FG is No 23 Fuchs with 1 goal

Total 15 cards – 10 Green & 5 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 27/140 & Against was 19/57.

PC ratio – 13/55 – 23.6%

FG ratio – 14/85 – 16.5%

India – played total 8 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 166; Total 670 substitutions; 16 times seek for Video Referral & 9 upheld; PC for 38 and PC against 57.

Scored total 25 goals – 12 Field Goals & 10 PC & 3 PS

Top Scorer – for PC is No 13 Harmanpreet 7 goals  & for FG is No 10 Simranjeet with 3 goals

Total 9 cards – 7 Green & 2 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 25/86 & Against was 23/124.

PC ratio – 10/37 - 27%

FG ratio – 12/46 - 26%

Japan – played total 5 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 58; Total 398 substitutions; 10 times seek for Video Referral & 8 upheld; PC for 11 and PC against 28.

Scored total 10 goals – 9 Field Goals & 0 PC & 1 PS

Top Scorer – for PC is nobody  & for FG is No 9 Kenta Tanaka with 5 goals

Total 6 cards – 5 Green & 1 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 10/376 & Against was 18/76.

PC ratio – 0/10 - 0%

FG ratio – 9/26 - 35%

Nederland – played total 6 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 115; Total 470 substitutions; 6 times seek for Video Referral & 4 upheld; PC for 29 and PC against 23.

Scored total 15 goals – 11 Field Goals & 2 PC & 2 PS

Top Scorer – for PC is No 30 Mink Weerden 1 goal & for FG is No 25 Brinkman 3 goals     .

Total 5 cards – 3 Green & 2 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 15/67 & Against was 15/67.

PC ratio – 2/30 -6.7 %

FG ratio – 11/34 - 32%

New Zealand – played total 5 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 79; Total 321 substitutions; 6 times seek for Video Referral & 3 upheld; PC for 28 and PC against 20.

Scored total 11 goals – 3 Field Goals & 8 PC

Top Scorer – for PC is No 21 Kane Russel 5 goals & for FG is No 27 Jennes with 2 gaols

Total 5 cards – 4 Green & 1 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 11/44 & Against was 16/51.

PC ratio – 8/28 – 28.5%

FG ratio – 3/15 – 20%

South Africa – played total 5 Matches

Attacking Circle Penetration 64; Total 333 substitutions; 5 times seek for Video Referral & 1 upheld; PC for 15 and PC against 34.

Scored total 16 goals – 13 Field Goals & 3 PC

Top Scorer – for PC is No 13 Matthew 3 goals & for FG is No 15 Dayaan with 3 goals    .

Total 2 cards – 1 Green & 1 Yellow

Total Goals/Shot – For was 16/47 & Against was 24/83.

PC ratio – 3/15 - 20%

FG ratio – 13/32 -40.6%

 

Overall Summary:

Total of 209 goals scored over 38 matches. 119 Field Goals, 80 PC & 10 PS.

Total of 104 cards – 76 Green, 28 Yellow & No Red Card

Total Substitutions of 6,150

Total 99 Video Referrals - 58 Held Up 41 Refused

Top Scorer is No 16 of Belgium Hendrikx with 14 goals

 

Final Standings

Gold BEL – Belgium Silver AUS – Australia Bronze IND - India

4 GER – Germany 5 GBR - Great Britain 6 NED – Netherlands 7 ARG – Argentina 8 ESP – Spain 9 NZL - New Zealand 10 RSA - South Africa 11 JPN – Japan 12 CAN - Canada

Thanking you and stay safe everyone...

Regards to all...

THE NEED FOR CLASSIFICATION MATCHES IN OLYMPICS

Since 2016 Rio Olympics and 2018 World Cup, FIH has discarded the classification matches and the final position will be decided based on the pool matches data. 

Previously the World Ranking points were based on 4 years cycle and not by each match results - algorithm mode.

New Rankings tabulation was rolled out in Jan 2020 by FIH. To understand it, please read at 

https://stickwithmike.blogspot.com/2020/07/new-fih-world-ranking-points-model.html?m=1

With this new roll out of rankings, then it makes more sense to have classification matches which will provides fair burden and equitability approach.

In coming 2024 Olympics there must be classification matches (9-12 & 5-8) for teams who are out of QF and SF slots due to rankings points based on algorithm & fair play in number of matches.

Look at quantity of Matches played or to be played by teams in ongoing Tokyo Olympics doesn't justify the fairness for teams who fail to pass the Knockout stages.

1. Teams out of QF played 5 matches

2. Teams out of SF played 6 matches

3. Teams that qualifies for SF/F/3&4 plays 8 matches.  

Sometimes, you're lucky if you are placed in an easier pool. Like in Tokyo Olympics - Group A was easier than Group B. With classification matches, it will give you a true picture of where you finish in Olympics.

It's just my suggestion for betterment of competition format which carries fair play and allow teams to collect as much world ranking points and each team plays min of 7 matches as done previously in every Olympics before 2016 Rio Olympics.

Thanking you....