Hockey

Under pressure Indian women's hockey team produced a spirited performance to come back from a goal down and hold higher-ranked USA to a 1-1 draw in their last Pool B match and progress to the knock-out stages of the World Cup on Sunday.

Indian women's hockey captain Rani Rampal feels abundance of experience will give her team an advantage in the Vitality World Cup 2018 to be held between July 21 and August 5 in London.

India went down to Australia in the final game of the two-match series 4-3. Playing with 10 men for large periods of the third quarter, India defended stoutly but were finally outlasted by the home side in a pulsating match on Wednesday.

John has previously worked with the senior national men's team as an exercise physiologist and scientific adviser prior to 2012 London Olympics.

A reliable source in the PHF said that the ministry of inter-provincial coordination has informed the federation that the government has given the NOC for participating in the December 8-18 Junior World Cup.

India’s recent 3-2 win over Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament comes at a time when political tension between the two neighbours is at its height.

PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed told the media that the junir hockey team would only travel to India if the government gives the green signal.

Belgium set up an intriguing men's Olympic hockey final against Argentina after they dumped out the world's second-ranked team the Netherlands with a resounding 3-1 semi-final victory on Tuesday.

The mixed doubles tennis pair of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna also reached the quarterfinals, but Deepika Kumari and Bombayla Devi's defeat in the individual event ended the archery campaign for Indian women at the Rio Olympics.

India are now on third spot in the Pool B standings with six points from four matches. Even if they lose against Canada in their last group match on Friday, India are certain to make it to the last eight stage.

Unceremoniously dumped from the Rio Olympics squad last week, a crestfallen Ritu Rani has hit back at Hockey India selectors and dismissed the allegations of poor attitude and performance levelled against her as false and baseless.

The Union Sports minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for ailing Olympic gold medallist Mohammed Shahid, who is undergoing treatment for serious liver and kidney ailment in Gurgaon.

Stephen Jenness scored the only goal in the 18th minute to guide New Zealand to a much-needed win over India.

The Indian men's hockey team qualified for their maiden Champions Trophy final after Great Britain came from behind to draw 3-3 against Belgium in London.

India are clubbed with defending champions Germany, European champions Netherlands, Pan-American Games champions Argentina, Ireland and Canada in Pool B at the Rio Olympics.

Wanting his wards to learn from the outing against the world's top side, Oltmans said the young members of the squad ought to have learnt several lessons on finishing touches while scoring.