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International : Tournaments : Men's World Cup Qualifier

MWCQ Game Reports: Day 11

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Canada vs India - Photo: Philippe Demaret

July 29, 2001

Andrew Griffiths
> Page Views 4208

Japan 1 (0) NZ 0 - Golden goal Japan scored in the first period of extra time.

Umpires: Xavier Adell, Henrik Ehlers

Goalscorers:
Jap: Tobita

This was a tense game and both teams played like there was a lot on the line. NZ especially did not attack with the confidence they have shown for much of the tournament, and it looked like a game that both NZ and Japan were afraid to lose.

An injury to NZ fullback Dion Gosling hurt NZ, as did yellow cards to Towns and Hari, and Japan gained some confidence as the game went on. But the game ended scoreless in normal time.

In the first period of extra time, Japans free hit from just outside the right of the NZ circle passed too easily through three lines of NZ defenders, and two Japanese players were unmarked at the far post. Tobita deflected it into an open goal, touching off Japanese celebrations as NZ realised that they have work to do tomorrow, a do-or-die game against Canada at 12:30.

Players of the game:
Japan: Tobita
NZ: Hopping

------------------------

Canada 1 (0) India 2 (1)

Umpires: Hamish Jamson, Peter Elders

Goalscorers:
Can: R Short
Ind: Halappa, Fernandez

India put Canada on the back foot after only 4 minutes on a smart reverse stick goal from Halappa after he had created space on the left of the circle. Canada settled into their rhythm though, forcing India to attack down their left. Canada absorbed the pressure well and created good scoring opportunities of their own, but were unable to score before a defensive error allowed Fernandes to put India 2-0 up early in the second half.

As India looked content to defend this 2-goal lead, Canada squandered several chances on penalty corners until they finally scored on their 7th corner a rebound by Rob Short with 12 minutes to go in the game.

Canada pressured late but were unable to get the equaliser. India qualifies for the World Cup and takes the weight of a famous hockey nations anxiety off their shoulders for now.

Canada, disappointed, went back to the changing room to begin recharging the batteries for tomorrows key qualification game against NZ. But to compound the Canadians misery, when they arrived they found their changing room had been looted many players losing their wallets, watches and jewellery.

Players of the game:
Can: Kullar
Ind: Halappa

--------------------------

Other games today:

Bangladesh 2 (1) Russia 4 (2)

Chile 4 (1) Scotland 5 (1) (Golden Goal in extra time)

Egypt 2 (1) USA 1 (1)

Wales 1 (1) France 2 (0)

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Comments on this article

NZ SUPPORTER
07-29-2001 5:54 am Report this post

NZ v JAPAN Oh NZ , Osaka has come back to haunt you ! You make it so hard for yourselves - playing with 9 is not a reflection of your composure - to win you must be able to steel yourselves from these pressures - time for cool heads. As in golf players you must get in the zone-- do not get a dose of the ' YIPS " at the crucial time!!! Well done Japan but NZ DESERVE to be in the World Cup. How crucial was the Spain / Belgium game !!! Format does not reward performance? NZ must be stronger for the experience - now must make it happen to fulfil our dream to be at KL in 2002!!!!

Olegario Hernandez (Chile) 07-29-2001 9:30 am	Report this post
`Felicitaciones Chile!! Felicitaciones Chile, lucharon hasta el final y lo hicieron muy bien. El gol de oro? ... son cosas del hockey. Saludos a toda la delegacion, en especial a los jugadores y al equipo tecnico.`

Olegario Hernandez (Chile) 07-29-2001 10:42 am	Report this post
`Day 12 - Argentina Campeon!! Tremendous, extraordinary, it was a fantastic performance. Congratulations to all argentinien team for this gold medal.. You are the best. Regards to everybody from Chile.`

Jesse Owen Aust 07-29-2001 9:23 pm	Report this post
`Go Canada Go Canada I hope the looters were caught! How could that have ever happened?`

Paul B. 07-30-2001 11:20 am	Report this post
`Sad Day What a sad day for Canadian Hockey. It looks like we are back to where we were in the late 80's and early 90's.`

Island 07-30-2001 2:55 pm	Report this post
`Politics Well at least this loss to canada would get rid of all the politics in canadian hockey. This is a very sad day for canadian field hockey, just when you think we were going in the right direction the tide turns.`

Steve 07-30-2001 4:18 pm	Report this post
`RE :Sad Day I wouldn't say it was a sad day for Canadian Hockey but just another stage in it's development. A new group of young players beginning to develop again as a team, and now, with a new coach. As with any new team we will see the results in a year or two. Keep your heads high guys and ignore those who are part of the problem and not part of the solution!`

Sandeep 07-30-2001 10:43 pm	Report this post
`Ouch Canadian hockey is hurt by the loss. Yo think we have fallen out of the top 16 is sad. Specailly after the tremendous groundwork layed down after the last world cup. Qualification would have meant many more invititations and with the two pool 8 team set up we would have seen some great touring opportunites. Oh well new Caoch Muller has wome work to do.`

Optimist
07-31-2001 10:49 am Report this post

Re: Ouch Hmmm...... let's see who were missing from the last WorldCup: Shiaz,PM,AG,HK,IB,SM,AB.... Let's be realistic! We have got a new batch players who are trying to fill huge voids left by those above. Give this team an opportunity to gel with their new coach and start moving up in the rankings. Did you expect the old veterns to stick around untill their late 30's? Don't you have any positive comments?

Observer Van
07-31-2001 11:40 am Report this post

No prep Has anybody realized that Canada was probably the only team there that hadn't played a match since last SEPTEMBER!! Most teams averaged 20 top matches in their preparation. Thanks to the last regime that was allowed to burn up all the money on the 10th place finish at the Olympics, there was nothing left. Even though they knew in June 2000 that they would need to go to the qualifier after losing to Cuba. They knew there would be retirements and need prep, but the squeaky wheel gets grease. As for invites, there is a chance for Canada to build on the experience gained from Scotland at the event in India. Gene has a great base now to work from.

HockeyfaninNewmarket
07-31-2001 2:40 pm Report this post

Hey what are going to do, sure it is a dissapointment but lets take a look at the big picture, this team went there without a coach(interim just doesnt cut it) It had a group of players that had little or no experience and relied very heavily on Shorty and Mahood(both played admiraly from what I see in game reports). This is just a speedbump in Canadian Hockey, we have lured a top-notch foreign coach and we have an amazing group of young talent and I'm sure anything less than top eight will be a disaapointment for this bunch at the Olympics. Good luck boys

Canadian Observer
07-31-2001 2:48 pm Report this post

Needed more experienced players Canada's team was too inexperienced for this trip. Everyone kinda knew that. You still would have expected them to do better than teams like Belgium and New Zealand. It's unfortunate to lose. We must however reflect on how too many resources had been used to develop the Seniors. Many of the players that went to Sydney also went to Seoul in 88, aka: PM CG IB. Alot of the other players are veterens; aka AB, AG, HK, RS, RR. After these players retire, we must expect a slow transition. Maybe we should ponder a regular Canada B team consisting primarily of Juniors. Then the transition phase would not be to harsh.

Optimist
07-31-2001 5:26 pm Report this post

Common Thread It's refreshing to see comments from those who view this more pragmatically than others. A more realistic approach would be to do well in India, Commonwealth Games, defend our Pan American Gold, qualify for the Olympics and so on. I am enthusiastic about our future and hopefully we can give this team the financial support they need and the infrastructure to do well in the coming years.... AG/HK maybe we should have an article on this site explaining the changes to the team and prospects for the future? Coaches ( Men & Women) Corner? Unless you are closely involved in the National Program it is difficult for the hockey community to be in touch with National Team Developments. I am not relying on FHC to keep us all informed. Thanks From Vancouver Island

Naeem Ahmed, Vancouver
08-01-2001 10:35 am Report this post

I would agree with the comments from Observer Van.Canada did not prepare well for the challenge.There might be a little over confidence.But the fact is we could not beat any of the seven teams that qualified for 2002 WC.So we did not deserve to qualify. Putting up young players should not be used as an excuse for poor planning and performance, How come India qualified with lots of young players?

Re: NAeemAhmed 08-01-2001 12:23 pm	Report this post
`India made the top 7 but i have been following there progress and they have been touring as a team for 3 month straight prior to this tourney.Even a team like Bangladesh had more prep for the wcq. Very disapointing! My heart goes out to the players. I dont know how you feel but i can imagine.`

Sandeep
08-02-2001 6:09 am Report this post

Optimist Did I say I wasn't optimistic about the future? I think in other threads I have pointed out many many times that the loss of 1200 caps in experience would be difficult to bear for sometime. My point was that the events leading up to the qualifier should have been handled with more intelligence. No fault of the players we have many talented hard-working athletes who will make an impact on the world scene eventually. Your point is give them a chance to gel with their new coach....how are they supposed to do that with their coach sitting in Canada while an interim coach takes the team to Scotland? Are you saying we should be happy with falling out of the top 16 even with a young team? We have had young teams in the past but it has been more than 20 years since we fell out of the top 16. We will regroup we will return but right now its a step backwards one that could have been avoided....all we needed was one more win against India, Belguim or NZ and we would have had the opportunity to play many more international matches leading up to the world cup. There is a difference between optimism and blind faith.

Sandeep 08-02-2001 6:16 am	Report this post
`Video Clips www.scottishsport.tv if you have a high speed connection these clips are great for the starved hockey fan....choose "high quality"`

ots 08-02-2001 11:28 pm	Report this post
`Canadian observer - What exactly do you mean by "still expected them to do better than teams like...and New Zealand" ? Just a reminder NZ soundly beat Canada in both games, haven't lost to them in ten years. Also recently beat India in a series and drew a test with Australia. Get off your high horses and get with the real world !`

please clarify 08-03-2001 12:51 am	Report this post
`the new coach Is it true that Gene was not with the team because Field Hockey Manitoba would not release him from his contract in time? If so, this is a classic example of why our country is such disarray. We can talk about supporting our athletes on and on, but if one province is not then how can we as individuals be expected to do so. Good Luck to all the new guys and the coach.`

Pres. ADIF 08-03-2001 2:17 am	Report this post
`Forgive me interrupting but how come there are no articles about the National tournaments in your home and native land. Are we not good enough for the rest of the planet. Gubbar is a spectacle on the field, he's gettin' all the props in AB.`

Gubbar Fan 08-07-2001 2:22 pm	Report this post
`Gubbar I saw gubbar play and i was impressed, he is so good,he has so much class. He is the best striker in canada today. But i heard some of the canadian players saying he cant adopt to the program thats crap, they could of got his visa and he could of played instead they didnt.`

Observer 08-07-2001 5:13 pm	Report this post
`Gubbar He is not the same guy who broke his teammate's arm @ CalCup?`

Its true Its true 08-08-2001 12:45 am	Report this post
`Yes that is the same guy there all talking about. The guy who in the middle of the game took out his own player. Lets add him to the team!`

sandeep 08-08-2001 6:18 am	Report this post
`NZ NZ owns us, we have not beaten them in years and that's what I have said many times. I said we needed a win over one of those teams not all of them. NZ team is similar to Canada's hard working and tough, I have a great deal of respect for them, so please do not twist what I said.`

Sandeep 08-08-2001 6:21 am	Report this post
`Gubbar Gubbar will be at the next Canadian Camp. The guy is a bullet with a killer shot and no passport. His time will come .......`

Manitoban 08-08-2001 9:34 am	Report this post
`Re: the new coach Just to clarify, Gene was originally hired by Field Hockey Manitoba for their provincial teams. He was then hired by Field Hockey Canada for the Men's National team. Gene chose to stay with Manitoba until November and the end of the CIAU season- he was not forced by FHM`

el Presidente 08-09-2001 4:27 am	Report this post
`Gubbar, If you ever plan a move to calgary, I have a team ready and willing to be amazed. Simba, we'll make you famous. Actually, you'd make a good combination with our goalie, AD. If you're out there, think about it. #9`

Give me a break 08-09-2001 11:36 pm	Report this post
`Shut up Sandeep Hey Sandeep, you do a lot of talking for someone that can't play, and that has done nothing for the program but bash it. Why don't you get off your butt and put some time into to trying to make the program better rather than bashing it all the time??`

Re: Give me a break 08-10-2001 6:58 am	Report this post
`Look who's bashing So your reply is to bash Sandeep back? For the last 20 years Sandeep has been playing, coaching, umpiring, and organizing tournaments. Get your facts straight.`

Mr. Yike!
08-10-2001 3:14 pm Report this post

Yikes... We are straying off path again. Let's look at the facts: 1. 1991 Canada fails to qualify for Olympics. Releases coach Kanjee.FHC takes time to ponder new direction. Tick, Tick Tick.. 2. 1993 Canada fails to qualfiy for WC. Coach quits. FHC ponders new directions - Tick, Tick, Tick. 3. 1996 Canada fails to qualify for Olympics but has moved closer under new management. Stays on plan! 4. 1997 Canada Qualifies for WC 5. 1998 Canada finishes 8th in Utrecht - Best Ever 6. 1999 Canada qualifies for Sydney 2000. 7. 2000 Canada finishes 10th in Sydney. Coach retires, FHC ponders directions - tick,tick, tick. 8. 2001 Canada fails to qualify for WC with new format permitting 16 teams. They have an interm coach, no planning and a rookie management team with NO Experience at the International level in the last 10 . tick,tick,tick. 9.

Mr. Yikes
08-10-2001 3:36 pm Report this post

Yikes... Sorry computer bonked there at the critical moment: 9. If you care to look back! 2001 suddenly looks like 1991 -1993. Why? is the question. 10. The answer: Each time the team has failed, including most recently the players are thrust into the limelight as being not capable and having failed. The reality is the players are definitley willing and able but the administration has failed them time and time again. 11. For Canada to return FHC needs to be cleansed!

Sandeep 08-10-2001 7:49 pm	Report this post
`Shut Up Bash the program? Why don't you straighten me out? Please let me know which points are incorrect. Of course that may require some thought on your part......and if that's not enough to scare you the next step is to be logical in your approach, oh maybe I should stop and let you run to get your dictionary....er... pictionary.`

Gubbar Fan 08-14-2001 10:11 pm	Report this post
`Gubbar All you people sayin gubbar broke his players arm at cal cup, he probably did it for a reason, do you know the reason no so shut up.`

One more word... 08-15-2001 9:22 pm	Report this post
`re:GubbarFan Here is a guy with all the qualities you say he has .... takes out his own player....at a tournament w/thousands of $$$$$ for placing in the top 3.....yep, I would want him on my team... when everything is on the line....Boys watch your backs! By the way, there is no possible reason for that type of action in any sport. I guess his teammate just got in the way of winning?`

Alberta
08-22-2001 1:10 pm Report this post

Gubbar and Sandeep Gubbar by far is the most lethal striker in Canada besides Andrew Griffiths. I saw him play last year and he controlled the whole tournment. If you Canadian guys would watch how he plays and his mental ability to read the game and quit the political BS you guys might have a change. Gubbar would put alot of Strikers in Canada to Shame. Just give him a chance and see what kind of damage this superstar can do!!! For Sandeep, he is a coach and mentor when he was in Alberta and am sure he is still coaching the juniors. Keep it up Sandeep....

Gabbar Fan 08-22-2001 5:29 pm	Report this post
`re: Alberta That was well said. Gabbar is the most dangerous striker in canada today and alot of players should learn from him.`

Alberta defense
08-28-2001 4:48 pm Report this post

Gubber All the players on our team agree that Gubbar is truly a fantastic striker that Canada could use to strengthen the forward line. As soon as his immigration comes through he should be given the opportunity to represent Canada. He is the most lethal striker this country has. Give him a chance in the D and its in the net. During warm up against the finals against India club, every shot was top corner. He effortlessly seems to strike the ball with such trajectory. Gubbar, you can come play for Alberta anytime. Does any other player /team agree with me, or is it just Alberta that knows Canada has a field hockey gem emerging? Dont let this player slip through the cracks!!!!

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