Sunday, 19 March 2023

TNBMHL23 & it's Future!

Congratulations to THT & Negeri Sembilan for winning treble and creating the history. 

Normally, after every MHL, there should be a post-mortem not to address the organisation aspect (we are known for best in organising events) but on how to improve the quality and increasing the domestic competitiveness to churn high quality international players, Coaches, TO and Umpires.

There must be new innovative ideas on how to enhance the League standards in which would be close to EHL standards. Might be privatising the League could be a good idea but this idea needs proper brainstorming and defining the duties and responsibilities between parties is a prerequisite prior to privatision.

On Coaching segment of MHL teams, there is a need for this Coaches to be updated with latest training methodology and modern hockey of play with sports science and usage of technology to make informed and real time decision. Most Coaches are playing the similar tactical and structure from start till the end of the League. This Coaches needs more exposure and Courses conducted by top renowned coaches.


The glaring tactical issues during MHL..

1. Lack the idea in PC Attack 

2. No variation in structural of play in each match

3. Most teams lack depth in bench

4. Goalkeeping aspect still poor

5. Similar play in all 4 quarters

6. No sheet on rolling subs timing

7. Depended too much on National Senior players to perform

8. Fitness strength was poor as rest in between a day is insufficient due to back to back.

9. Some players are overweight

10. Most teams played the same structure and pattern which easy to counter and not many of variations was implemented.

Overall the big top 3 - THT, TNB and Maybank overides the poor bottom 5 teams - NurInsafi, UiTM, Young Tigers, ATM and TNB Thunderbolt who are just in for participation and some teams should just play at state leagues.

Even at women segments, the gap is too wide between teams and which 2 teams KPT Uniten & N Sembilan are dominant due to engaging 7-9 National players. Women League needs a total overhaul and proper short and long-term approach.

 To certain extent, the Young Tigress did well and improved by matches. Young Tigers team needs serious soul searching as left with 7 months towards JWC 23 in KL which target is Semifinals.

It was a good idea to have both this teams to play in MHL23 as a team and allow the Coaches and support team to gauge the strength and weaknesses of the team.

The Organiser needs to:

1. Post-mortem - on quality and future

2. Rules - no away goal decision if playing same venue

3. More new teams - tough as we lack large pool of talented players anymore

4. Video Referral for all matches not only for Live.

5. More matches at League level min 3 rounds with 3 months event

6. Reduce Foreign players (just 2) to allow priority given to local talent but National player on the field should be unlimited - not 6 combined rules.

8. More Teams must give employment rather than playing contracts to stir the interest of other young players to play in MHL.

9. Quality & Pool of Umpires need to be enhanced and only about 6-8 good umpires we have at this juncture.

10. There is a need for MHL Div 2 to be the incubator and a stepping stone for small clubs to grow.

11. To have defined dates of MHL for 2024 & 2025 for teams to be well prepared and managing their budget & sponsorship.

12. Certain teams do not deserve to play in Premier League due to lack of competitiveness.

13. Demerit points to be reviewed depends on how many matches or round of league.

We hope the Organiser would take some suggestions and move forward to make our Malaysian Hockey League as one of the best Leagues in World hockey.

All stakeholders must look into these matters with an open heart with the interest of the sports...

We want Malaysian hockey to achieve the best in years to come and we have all the support and resources to do so.

Malaysia Boleh...

Wednesday, 4 January 2023

WHERE TO WATCH LIVE - 2023 FIH MENS HOCKEY WORLD CUP

The 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup will be the 15th edition of the Men's FIH Hockey World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's national field hockey teams organized by the International Hockey Federation. It will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and at the under-construction 20,000 seat Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, India from 13 to 29 January 2023.

THERE IS 2 CATEGORIES - PARTICIPATING NATION & NON PARTICIPATING NATIONS.

AS FOR MALAYSIA, IT WILL BE SHOWN ON ASTRO AS OFFICIAL BROADCASTER, BUT STILL PENDING THE LIVE SCHDELUE FROM ASTRO WHICH MATCHES WILL BE SHOWN LIVE...

SEE BELOW THE IMAGES....




Wishing our Malaysian Team the very best...

Have fun folks...

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)

MALAYSIAN MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM - GROUPINGS, FORMAT & SCHEDULE - 2023 FIH ODISHA MEN'S HOCKEY WORLD CUP

The Groupings:

Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023

Group A: Australia, Argentina, France, South Africa

Group B: Belgium, Germany, South Korea, Japan

Group C: Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia, Chile

Group D: India, England, Spain, Wales

Format

As mentioned, 16 teams are divided into pools of four. The single round-robin format will decide the standings. Also, Toppers from each pool will directly go through to the Quarterfinal. While the remaining four teams will be decided through Crossovers. The rest will go on, as usual, i.e., quarterfinals, then semifinals, and finally the final. There will be classifications going on further down which will decide the exact position a team finishes the tournament.

Rules for pool classifications based on new tie-breaker rules.

Before moving to the knockouts, one should understand a complicated term called “Crossovers”. Crossovers can be seen as the pre-quarterfinals, except half the teams for the next round are already decided. This is something one can only see in Hockey. The second and third teams from each pool will form the four crossover fixtures. January 22 will see C2 vs D3 (Crossover 1) and C3 vs D2 (Crossover 2) while the next day will see A2 vs B3 (Crossover 3) and B2 vs A3 (Crossover 4). Crossover fixtures are abbreviated as C1, C2 etc.

The first quarterfinal will be played between A1 vs Winner C1. The second will be played between B1 vs winner C2 and so on. The winner of the first and fourth and second and third quarterfinals will face each other in the semifinal on January 27 at Kalinga Stadium.

The final and third-place encounters will take place on January 29 at the same venue.

Deciding rest positions

Fourth-placed teams of each pool and losers of each crossover will form M33-M36. The matchups will be like A4 vs Loser C1, B4 vs Loser C2 and so on. Losers of each of these games will face a one-off (L-M33 vs L-M34, L-M35 vs L-M36) to form the 13th-16th place classification. While the winners will face one-off to form the 9th-12th place classification. The order for that will be decided by the scoreline and margin of the result.

As for full event schedule kindly click the following link to see the standings, official scores etc.

https://www.fih.hockey/events/world-cup/men/fih-odisha-hockey-mens-world-cup-2023-bhubaneswar---rourkela-1389

Thanking you.

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)


 

Friday, 30 December 2022

Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 - the lesser-known facts about the Men’s World Cup.

The upcoming Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 is less than 2 weeks away. It will be held at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneshwar and the Birsa Munda international hockey stadium in Rourkela, India. It will kick off on the 13th of January and wrap up on the 29th of the same month. A total of 16 teams are going to participate this year divided into four groups. Four groups will consist of four teams each.

 


This will the 15th edition of the tournament which has a very rich history. So today we are going to divulge some of the lesser-known facts about the Men’s World Cup.

 

-          The tournament changed its format

The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup started off as a biennial tournament. After its inception in 1971, the successive World Cup happened in 1973. In 1978 the tournament happened after a gap of three years for the first time. However, in 1982 the tournament went to be contested in the format we know today.

 

However, after many years that continuity got broken because of the better bid from Hockey India to host the event in January 2023, instead of in 2022. As a result, the FIH had no other alternative but to reschedule the event from 2022 to 2023.

 

-          More inclusion of teams over the years

The FIH has set no requirements or limitations on the size of the competition. The 1971 Cup included only 10 nations. It was the smallest World Cup. The 1978 Cup featured 14 nations. 2002, and 2018 Cups featured 16 nations. The remaining 10 World Cups have featured 12 nations.

 

There were talks about raising the number of teams to 24 in the 2023 edition of the World Cup. However, that change will not be happening.

 

-          Pakistan’s Nur Khan conceived the idea of the World Cup

Pakistan’s Air Marshall Nur Khan made his proposition of the World Cup to the FIH via the editor of the World Hockey Magazine, Patrick Rowley. Their idea was approved on 26 October 1969 and adopted by the FIH Council at a meeting in Brussels on 12 April 1970. The FIH decided that the inaugural World Cup would be held in October 1971, in Pakistan.

 

-          The Hockey World Cup trophy was designed by Bashir Moojid

Bashir Moojid created the Hockey World Cup trophy. Moojid was an Air Marshall in the Pakistani Army. The trophy was formally handed to FIH President Rene Frank by Mr H.E Masood, the Pakistani Ambassador to Belgium on 27th March 1971. The trophy comprises a silver cup with an intricate floral design, surmounted by a globe of the world in silver and gold.

It is placed on a high blade base and inlaid with ivory.  At its peak is a model hockey stick and ball.

-          New Tie Breaker Rules for 2023 World Cup

It should be noted that for each win in the pool stage, the team will be rewarded 2 points. However, in case the match ends in a draw- both sides will be given 1 point each. However, if two or more teams remain unseparated on more than one parameter in the table then the tie-breaker rule will come into the picture.

Supposing the teams end on equal points, in this case the team with more number of wins will be given the higher rank in the group. But if there emerges a scenario when both the points as well as the number of matches won for two teams are equal, in that case, the goal difference will differentiate the teams implying the difference between the number of goals scored and conceded will be the tie-breaker.

The team, in this, which has a better goal difference will be the higher placed side in the group. In a rare scenario if even than the teams remain tied then the team which has scored more goals will get the preference. Assuming the two teams are still tied then the result of the head-to-head clash between them will determine which team will get the higher rank.

Overall Winners

The Continent of Europe has the greatest number of World Cup medals in their tally. They have a total of six titles to their name. Out of which the Netherlands won three, Germany won two and Belgium. The Red Lions were in fact the latest addition after winning the world cup in the last edition in 2018.

Europe is followed by Asia which has won five titles. Out of these four titles belong to Pakistan and one to India. Oceania is next with its three titles. Ironically all those titles belong to Australia. America and Africa are yet to open their account.

Pakistan holds the record for having the greatest number of World Cup wins in their resume. They won the inaugural edition in 1971 beating Spain 1-0 in their opponent’s backyard in Barcelona.

The Green Machines won consecutively after that in 1978 and 1982 beating the Netherlands and West Germany respectively. Their last victory came in 1994. Pakistan beat the Dutch yet again in this encounter to capture their fourth World Cup.

Malaysian Men’s Hockey Team participation and final standings as below:

Out of 15th edition, Malaysian team played 9 times and didn't qualify for 6 times. Previously it was 12 teams World Cup (except for 2002 KL WC) and 16 teams was introduced for 2018 World Cup onwards. 

Spain 1971                       Did not qualify

Netherlands 1973             Eleventh place

Malaysia 1975                   Fourth place

Argentina 1978                 Tenth place

India 1982                       Tenth place

England 1986                   Did not qualify

Pakistan 1990                   Did not qualify

Australia 1994                  Did not qualify

Netherlands 1998             Eleventh place

Malaysia 2002                  Eighth place

Germany 2006                 Did not qualify

India 2010                       Did not qualify

Netherlands 2014             Twelfth place

India 2018                      Fifteenth place

India 2023                      Qualified – FIH Odisha World Cup in January 2023.

 

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year 2023. And always stay blessed.

Thanking you.

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)

Monday, 26 September 2022

FIXTURES & FORMAT - 2022 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022 Ipoh 1 - 10 Nov 2022


The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup has been an annual feature in the FIH calendar since 1998, although it initially started life in 1983 as a biennial event. The event is named after legendary hockey fan and former FIH Executive Board Member HRH Sultan Azlan Shah.

The tournament is making a return after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 2022 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022 will be held in Ipoh from 1 - 10 Nov 2022.

The Six Teams are Malaysia, Japan, Canada, Korea, Pakistan & South Africa.

Based on current world rankings - Malaysia will be the highest ranked team with 10 and followed by Korea (12), South Africa (14), Canada (15), Japan (17) and Pakistan (18). Malaysia best position runners up 3 times - 2007, 2013 & 2014. 

The Format - 6 teams will play 5 matches each and then classifications after 15 matches where 5/6, 3/4 & 1/2 will play. Interesting this time the sole final match will be played on the last day 10th Nov whereas 3/4 & 5/6 will be played a day before 9th Nov 2022.


The Fixtures Based on Malaysian Time:

1 Nov 2022 16:00JPN v CAN (RR)

1 Nov 2022 18:00PAK v RSA (RR)

1 Nov 2022 20:00MAS v KOR (RR)


2 Nov 2022 16:00RSA v CAN (RR)

2 Nov 2022 18:00JPN v KOR (RR)

2 Nov 2022 20:00PAK v MAS (RR)

3rd Nov - Rest Day

4 Nov 2022 16:00JPN v PAK (RR)

4 Nov 2022 18:00CAN v KOR (RR)

4 Nov 2022 20:00RSA v MAS (RR)


5 Nov 2022 16:00KOR v PAK (RR)

5 Nov 2022 18:00RSA v JPN (RR)

5 Nov 2022 20:00MAS v CAN (RR)

6th Nov - Rest Day

7 Nov 2022 16:00KOR v RSA (RR)

7 Nov 2022 18:00CAN v PAK (RR)

7 Nov 2022 20:00MAS v JPN (RR)

8th Nov - Rest Day

9 Nov 2022 18:00 5th v 6th 

9 Nov 2022 20:15 3rd v 4th

10 Nov 2022 20:00 1st  v 2nd (Finals)

Malaysia has never win this Cup and this year as highest ranked team that could end the run and without top teams from Europe and Oceania as clashes with FIH Pro League favours Malaysia to do well this time. This is the best opportunity to win this maiden title.

Last time Azlan Shah tournament held in 2019 which was won by South Korea beating India in the final, which was there 3rd title. Best player of the tournament was Surender Kumar.

Most Azlan Shah tournament is won by Australia (10 times) then comes India with 5 titles. And Pakistan, South Korea with 3 titles each.

So mark down your calendar guys it will be an exciting event.

Wishing the very best to our Malaysian Men's Hockey Team for the event and target should be playing in the finals and winning it will be a great booster for the FIH Nation Cup & 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup. This events also carries ranking points in play.

All the best..

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)

Former International..

Saturday, 3 September 2022

Teams & Fixtures - 2022 Sultan of Johor Cup Johor, Malaysia 22 - 29 Oct 2022

2022 Sultan of Johor Cup Johor, Malaysia 22 - 29 Oct 2022

The Sultan of Johor Cup is an annual, international under–21 men's field hockey tournament held in Malaysia.

The Six Teams are Malaysia (Host), Australia, Japan, Great Britain, India & S Africa.

The Fixtures:

Match #               Date/Time          Details  Scoreline            

1              22 Oct 2022 16:05            AUS v JPN (RR)                                 

2              22 Oct 2022 18:05            GBR v RSA (RR)                 

3              22 Oct 2022 20:35            IND v MAS (RR)                

4              23 Oct 2022 16:05            JPN v GBR (RR)                 

5              23 Oct 2022 18:05            IND v RSA (RR)                                  

6              23 Oct 2022 20:35            AUS v MAS (RR)               

7              25 Oct 2022 16:05            GBR v AUS (RR)                                

8              25 Oct 2022 18:05            JPN v IND (RR)                                  

9              25 Oct 2022 20:35            RSA v MAS (RR)                                

10           26 Oct 2022 16:05            IND v AUS (RR)                                 

11           26 Oct 2022 18:05            MAS v GBR (RR)                                

12           26 Oct 2022 20:35            RSA v JPN (RR)                  

13           28 Oct 2022 16:05            GBR v IND (RR)                                 

14           28 Oct 2022 18:05            MAS v JPN (RR)                                

15           28 Oct 2022 20:35            AUS v RSA (RR)                 

16           29 Oct 2022 15:35            5th RR v 6th RR (5th-6th Place) 

17      29 Oct 2022 18:05  3rd RR v 4th RR (3rd-4th Place)                                 

18           29 Oct 2022 20:35            1st RR v 2nd RR (Final)  

 

Best wishes to our Malaysian U21 Team as we are preparing to host the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup will be the 13th edition of the Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, the biennial men's under-21 field hockey world championship organized by the International Hockey Federation. It will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Godspeed.

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)

3rd September 2022

Friday, 2 September 2022

Malaysian Men’s Hockey Fate in which Pool - The Draw for 2023 FIH Men’s World Cup

Malaysian Men’s Hockey Fate in which Pool - The Draw for 2023 FIH Men’s World Cup

The 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup will be the 15th edition of the Men's FIH Hockey World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's national field hockey teams organized by the International Hockey Federation. It will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and at the under-construction 20,000 seat Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, India from 13 to 29 January 2023.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is pleased to announce that the draw ceremony to determine the pools of the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela will be held on September 8, at noon IST (2.30pm Malaysian Time), at the Convention Centre, Lok Sewa Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

The 16 participating teams include India, as the hosts of the competition, whilst Malaysia, Japan and Korea are the other Asian teams. Africa is represented by South Africa, the recent winner of the Africa Cup of Nations. From Europe, the following teams have qualified: defending champions Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France and Wales. Argentina and Chile are the two American teams having booked their ticket for the prestigious tournament, while Australia and New Zealand, from Oceania, complete the draw.

The Draw Format:

The 16 teams will be divided into 4 Rows based on June World Ranking points:

Row 1 – India (host), Australia, Belgium & Holland

Row 2 – Germany, England, Argentina & New Zealand

Row 3 – Spain, Malaysia, France & Korea

Row 4 – S Africa, Wales, Japan & Chile

This is for a first time this type of draw is done and live telecasted. Previously it was done based on seeding and plot into each group based on the Tournament Regulations.

Process:

The draw will start with Row 4 of each Pool, involving the following teams: South Africa, Wales, Japan and Chile.

It will then continue with Row 3 of each Pool (involving Spain, Malaysia, France and Korea) and conclude with Row 2 of each Pool (with Germany, England, Argentina and New Zealand).

The four top teams which include host India, Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands will be placed on the first row of their corresponding Pools.

Format of Tournament:

Top spot each seal 4 QF slots

2&3 in pool plays for crossover (A&D with B&C pools) for another 4 slots of OF. Losing teams plays for 9-12th placing.

Last in each pool plays for 13-16th placing.

Hope for a good draw and at least target top 10 finish for our Malaysian team.

Godspeed.

Maninderjit Singh (Mike)

2nd September 2022