Sticks
News
Day 9
posted on 10/03/2010
The new rules have been much under discussion here. The so called Self pass in reality has been introduced as a self run by most players. Players are sent off for 2 minutes for a green card. There is a lot of activities that go on behind the scenes during the World Cup. FIH officials from all over the World turn up to attend various committee meetings during the second part of the tournament to discuss the direction that the game of hockey should be taking over the next for years. Issues involving Rules, Marketing, Media and Coaching all get aired and discussed with suggested new improvements being implemented for the next World Cup cycle. In the days opening game England were the only team that were assured of a semi final spot and were surprisingly not fully focused during their match against Spain. Playing within themselves they failed to reproduce some of their exciting attacking hockey in the previous games. Spain however had much to play for knowing that a win would secure their place at least in the World's elite group by ensuring their place at this Champions Trophy in Germany in August. A goal in each half secured the vital three points for Spain. In the second match Pakistan took the lead against in form Australia frpm a rocket like penalty corner. However the Australians resilience was there for all to see and they equalised and scored a winner two minutes from time. This was an improved Pakistan performance in a closely contested match In the days final game South Africa followed up their win against Pakistan by drawing with hosts Indiia in a highly entertaining 3-3 draw. The gritty South Africans have displayed that the quality of their hockey has definitely improved from the teams performance at Munchengladbach four yeaqrs ago where they did not win a game. Pool B Final placings Australia - 12 pts England - 12pts Spain - 9 pts India - 4 pts South Africa - 4 pts Pakistan - 3 pts
