India finishes 8th in Hockey World Cup

India completed their Hockey World Cup campaign in disappointing manner, when they lost to Argentina for 7-8th place play-off.

India was down 1:0 at half time but bounced back with a goal through penalty stroke. However, Argentina scored 3 goals in next 3 minutes finishing any chances of a bounce back from India.

India has dominated the mid-field through all the matches in Hockey World Cup but looked out of sorts after crossing 25-yards line. This game was no different and Indians lacked co-ordination and finishing touch.

India's only win in the tournament came against Pakistan in their World cup opener but failed to make a mark since then. 8th place is still an improvement from 11th in last world cup. However, this is not a consolation enough for the home crown who would have expected a better show from the Indian team.

India vs RSA: Final score

Watch live telecast of 2010 Hockey World Cup match between India and South Africa.

Final score: India 3:3 RSA

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Pakistan vs Aus: Hockey World Cup live

Watch live telecast of 2010 Hockey World Cup match between Australia and Pakistan. With Australia almost certain to make to semi-final, the match is of little consequence to the Oz. However, Pakistan will be playing for Pride.

Coming up: India vs South Africa. Click here to watch the game live.

Final score: Pakistan 1:2 Australia

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Hockey World Cup live

Watch live telecast of 2010 Hockey World Cup.

Todays matches:

Korea vs Canada: Korea defeated Canada 9-2.
New Zealand vs Argentina: NZ lost to Argentina 0-1.
Netherlands vs Germany: Match Draw at 2-2.

Click here to see Pool B standings as of 6-Mar.

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Hockey World cup: Pool B: 6-Mar-2010

England have emerged stars amongst 6 team in Pool B of 2010 Hockey World Cup, while India was third team to be eliminated of the group after South Africa and Pakistan.

England scored their fourth straight win. The team has secured all 12 points from four matches.

The second semi final spot is all but decided with Aussies booking the berth.

The standings after third leg of league matches is as follows:

India knocked out of Hockey World Cup

India's campaign at Hockey World Cup ended on a disappointing note with 3 consecutive defeats.

Indians lost to England 3 goals to 2. The performance plummeted after a bright start of the world cup campaign against Pakistan. India lost 3 consecutive matches after that and looked out of sorts. They play South Africa on Monday but the match will be of little consequence.

Frustration of Indian players was evident as they man handled England team rather than focusing on the ball. Ultimately India had to finish with only 9 players on the field at the end of the game.

Live India vs England: Hockey World Cup

India has everything to play for in this match. It literally is a do or die situation for India who has lost last 2 games by same margin of 3 goals.

To make things difficult for India, England is in stellar form having won all three of its matches in convincing manner.

Match starts at 2035 hrs IST.

FINAL SCORE: India 2:3 England

Click here to see Pool B standings as of 6-Mar.

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Live telecast: Pakistan vs South Africa: Hockey World Cup

(Read: Commonwealth Games Live telecast)

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(Next Match: India vs England live at 2035 hrs India time)

Pakistan take on Republic of South Africa and they have everything to play for. With England having taken clear lead, race for second place is between Australia and Pakistan.

Match starts at 2005 hrs India time.

Final score: Pakistan 2:4 South Africa

Live telecast: Australia vs Spain: Hockey World cup

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Match starts at 1805 hrs India time.

Final score: Australia 2:0 Spain

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Next Match: Pakistan vs South Africa

Hockey World cup: Pool A: 5-Mar-2010

Pool A of 2010 Hockey World Cup has been dominated by Netherlands. The team has secured all 9 points from three matches. Also, they have conceded only 1 goal in 3 matches highlighting their strong defense.

Netherlands is closely followed by Germany who has also scored 12 goals in 3 matches. However, they have dropped 2 points in their match against Korea and are currently on second position with 7 points.

New Zealand is at third place with 6 points, followed by Korea (4 points) and Canada (0 point).


The standings after third leg of league matches is as follows:

Germany vs Argentina LIVE: Hockey World Cup

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Today's match: Germany vs Argentina

Final score: Germany 4: 3 Argentina

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India vs Spain: LIVE Hockey world cup match

Today it is a must win situation for both India and Spain to be in hockey world cup starting with Spain-India match. Both countries will look to win all the remaining three matches in order to keep itself safe in world cup.

It will take a lot of strategies and planning for India’s coach Jose Manuel Brasa to make the Beijing Olympics silver medalists lose. He also has to motivate his boys to deliver their best to continue the next lap at the Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup 2010.

From Pool B Australia and England are the front liners, therefore India need to improve its performance in the upcoming matches to make it to semi-final. We will bring live telecast of the match here on 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Final score: India 2:5 Spain

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Hockey World Cup: England vs Pakistan

England take on Pakistan in this crucial league game of 2010 Hockey World Cup. With stellar performance in last 2 shows, England are clear favorites.


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Pakistan will be looking to win this match to stay in contention for knock out stage.

Half time score: England 2:0 Pakistan

Full time score: England 5:2 Pakistan

With England taking clear lead in the group, there is a crowding happening for second spot. India and Spain have to fight out in their encounter today. Watch India vs Spain LIVE.

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Live Hockey World Cup: India vs Aus

Watch India vs Australia Hockey World Cup Group-B match. India is on a high after beating Pakistan on 28-Feb. On the other hand, Australia would come into the game smarting from defeat against England in their tournament opener.

WATCH India vs England Hockey World Cup.

Half time report:
At half time, Australia took 3:1 lead over India. This one is going to be crucial for both to stay in the Hockey world cup.

10 minutes into the second half:
India is looking out of sorts as Australia pumped 2 more goals after second half.
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Hockey World Cup: England defeats South Africa

England recorded their second successive win in the men's field hockey World Cup (FIH) with a 6-4 thriller against South Africa on Tuesday.

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The European champions, who had stunned hot favourites Australia in their first match, edged past the South Africans in a game where both sides suffered defensive lapses.

Richard Mantell scored two penalty corners, while Rob Moore, Ashley Jackson, Nick Catlin and Iain Mackay chipped in with a goal each for England.

Marvin Harper scored twice for South Africa, and Lloyd Norris-Jones and Thornton McDade netted one each.

The first 25 minutes produced four goals as South Africa and England took turns to take the lead, before the two sides took the break deadlocked at 2-2.

England scored thrice in quick succession when play resumed to make it 5-2, before Harper reduced the margin for the Africans. Two more goals ensued -- one from either side -- before the final whistle.

It was the first time in World Cup history that England pumped in six goals in a single match. They had scored five against Pakistan in 1998, but still lost the match as their rivals netted seven.

"Scoring six goals means a lot and I am happy with the win, but we were not consistent enough," said England captain Barry Middleton.

"We should have played well throughout the 70 minutes, but we did not do that against the South Africans. Our defence was not up to the mark.

"We have a tough game against Pakistan on Thursday and really need to work on our game," he said.

South African captain Austin Smith said his team made the same mistakes as they did in the 2-4 loss against Spain.

"We competed well in the first half and I was delighted with the 2-2 scoreline," said Smith. "But we let ourselves down in the second half.

"England were very good after the break and scored too many goals. We were left chasing the equaliser which was not easy against a quality team like England."

Hockey World Cup to start amidst unprecedented security

The Hockey World Cup returns to India after 28 years as India take on arch-rival Pakistan in a potential humdinger here on Sunday amid very tight security.


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Nearly 6,000 security men will be guarding the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium as almost double the number of spectators are expected to turn up for the event. There will be 5,000 policemen, 100 commandos and 1,000 paramilitary forces around the stadium.

Ahead of the India-Pakistan tie at 8:35 pm on Sunday, Australia will take on England (6.35pm) as the pristine new Dhyan Chand National stadium in the Capital gears up for the 12-team tournament.

The FIH president Leandro Negre judged the security on Saturday and is satisfied with the arrangements put forth by India. The protection at the stadium is so intense that Negre had a hard-time convincing the security guards at the gates to prove his crdentials.

"We in the FIH are equally helpless as the Pune terror attack has worsened the situation. We have the responsibility of convincing the hockey family that everything is alright. So, when certain measures are spelt out to ensure their safety, we have to follow what the police say.”

Negre was, however, disappointed by the media boycott of a news conference here on Saturday. He said, “We apologise for what happened. We have been working towards making things easy for them and in the next few days, we assure you everything will be okay."

NZ Labour party stands up against terror threat

The Labour Party has backed the New Zealand hockey team’s decision to go to India next week and participate in October’s Commonwealth Games. This is despite of a threat made against every competing country’s athletes from militant Kashmiri groups with links to Al Qaeda.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Chris Carter said recent terror attacks in India, including last week’s bombing in Pune, meant threats have to be taken seriously in that country.

“However we have to recognise that almost every large international gathering now has some security risks,” Chris Carter said.

“Last night I spoke to the Secretary General of India’s ruling Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi, and he assured me that internal security is a key priority of India’s Government, and he believes they are making good progress in spite of last week’s attack.

“The National-Act Government will need to liaise closely with India’s Government to ensure that all security measures have been taken to keep our visitors safe.

“Naturally our athletes and visitors to India will have to make a judgement call as to whether they are prepared to travel. However Labour believes that boycotting sporting events in India this year would give the terrorists the victory they are seeking, to disrupt India’s international sports programme.”

“Labour is standing by our athletes. We want them to be safe, but we also believe that they should participate in the various sporting events that will be occurring in India this year.”

UK intelligence team to provide inputs to Delhi

Amid concerns over possible terror threat to mega sporting events in the country, a special squad of London Police will visit India for three days beginning February 10 to share its expertise in securing venues ahead of the hockey World Cup and Commonwealth Games

Though there is no `specific threat' to either hockey World Cup or Commonwealth Games (CWG), the London Police team will visit stadiums and interact with the organisers, Delhi Police and home ministry officials.

Sources in the home ministry said the security experts from London would be briefed about steps being taken to have foolproof security of players and officers of the participating foreign teams. They will also be taken to the places where players will be lodged, they added.

Around 400 players and delegates will be in the capital for the tournament, which is to be held between February 28 and March 13.

Other mega sporting events which are lined up include Commonwealth Shooting Championship from February 17 to 28, IPL cricket matches to be held between March 13 and April 25 in different cities across the country.

Later this year, more than 8000 players will take part in Delhi Common Wealth Games in Oct.

Cops face WC test before Common Wealth Games

The Hockey world cup from February 28 to March 13 will work as security dress rehearsal for the Delhi Police in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games slated for later this year.

13 countries will participate in the tournament. The World cup will also give the traffic police ample opportunity to test their strategy.

Providing dedicated lanes for the officials and athletes on the city's busy roads will be part of the agenda. The world cup venue, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, has already been refurbished and is ready.

"It will give us a great opportunity to test as well as show to the world our preparedness to host the Commonwealth Games. The world cup couldn't have happened at a more opportune time," a Delhi Police officer said.

"Though the number of participants will be less during the world cup in comparison to the Commonwealth Games, but we will press in the same amount of men that we would deploy during the Games. This will help us test and gauge our strength and weaknesses, if any. This will also send the right signals to tourists as well as the participants who will be here during the Games," he added.

Allaying security fears, he added: "We have a good security system in place. We are also going to conduct trials on dedicated lanes for athletes." The lane plan would be first implemented during public holidays to avoid inconveniencing the citizens, Chadha said.

He said the strategy wouldn't trouble the general populace even in real-time. "The opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games are likely to be declared holidays. Schools and colleges will remain closed during the Games," he added.

National Hockey stadium to be opened today

The Maj. Dhyan Chand National Stadium will be open on 24-Jan by sports Minster M.S Gill. The National hockey stadium named after India's hockey legend, has been remodeled and reconstructed to host 12th Hockey World Cup, and also to host 2010 Commonwealth Games later this year.

It will be the first stadium among the various Commonwealth Games 2010 venues in the capital to be opened. Delhi is slated to host the Games in October this year.

The new-look stadium spread over 37 acres, has been completely renovated and upgraded for the Commonwealth Games at a cost of Rs 262 crore and will the venue for hockey.

Before the Commonwealth Games, the stadium will be the venue of the XII World Cup Hockey from February 28 to March 13.

The stadium has three synthetic hockey pitches, two conforming to international match standards and one a practice facility. It has new poly grass turf, fitted with sprinkler systems.

Its main field has a seating capacity of 16,200. The second pitch outside the main arena has 900 permanent seats and with a provision of 1600 temporary seats.

The stadium has hinged mast lights to provide 2200 lux illumination and is equipped with a state-of-the-art acoustic system. It has two scoreboards.

The entire stadium is centrally air-conditioned and fitted with lifts and barrier-free provisions. It has facilities for players such as changing rooms, relaxing lounges and VVIP lounge. It is equipped with electronic surveillance through fixed and PTZ cameras connected to central control room, which will have integrated network for connecting various facilities, to meet the operational requirement of various tournaments. The stadium where Commonwealth Games will be held, also has a two-tier underground parking facility in addition to open area parking facilities.

According to an official press release, the stadium has got power supply from two grids with a back-up based on generator sets and battery uninterrupted power supply to ensure that power failure never disrupts the games.

Among other things, the stadium will have a walk-through museum displaying portraits of hockey legends, their dresses and other artefacts related to India's position in the world of hockey.

The release said care had been taken, during the renovation, not to cause any alteration or disturbance to the heritage portion of the stadium facing the India Gate, whereas the Yamuna side of the stadium has been completely renovated on three sides, as earlier it was based on earth mound. The entire new construction has been done in a manner to merge with the old heritage structure.

The stadium was originally built in 1933 as an amphitheatre and was named as Irwin amphitheatre. It was renovated for First Asian Games held in 1951 and also for the 1982 Asian Games.