World Series Hockey (WSH)

[PKBasu]

Any updates of results? Those in India must have watched the first few games...anything worthwhile to report?

[jaydeep]

PKB, u can follow all results, stats and matches on their site.

World Series Hockey

3 Mar, 2012 Chandigarh Comets 3 - 5 Chennai Cheetahs
3 Mar, 2012 Sher-E-Punjab 6 - 1 Karnataka Lions

2 Mar, 2012 Mumbai Marines 1 - 0 Bhopal Badshahs
2 Mar, 2012 Delhi Wizards 3 - 2 Karnataka Lions

1 Mar, 2012 Mumbai Marines 5 - 7 Pune Strykers
1 Mar, 2012 Sher-E-Punjab 5 - 2 Chennai Cheetahs

29 Feb, 2012 Chandigarh Comets 3 - 4 Bhopal Badshahs

[sameerph]

HI effectively dealt a big blow to IHF organised WSH by at last minute increasing their list of probable from 34 to 48 & calling for olympics preparatory camp from March for 5 these 48 players . In effect these premier 48 Indian players are out of WSH & they have excluded the likes of Rajpal & Arjun Hallapa from that list. So, Rajpal who was the Indian captain few months back in now not good enough to be part of 48.

Sports minister Ajay Maken also expressed surprises at this move by HI yesterday. It is sad that just when some spectator interest is returning to Hockey following olympic qualification, such blatant & dirty politics is being played between 2 organisation & government is a silent spectator & can only express surprise but not take any action.

[ssp]

Expected disgraceful antics from HI & FIH.
FIH should p*ss off back to Europe and let us organise our domestic hockey as we like.
I really hope the WSH thrives despite the stupidity of the HI. Let's hope we uncover some great talent and the crowds flock to all the matches and television viewing numbers are enormous.
For next year, the hope is that the FIH will have been 'persuaded' ( I posted a link on another forum about IHF's option to sue the FIH) to 'sanction' this league. Unfortunately, the HI has no common sense at all and will continue to be obstructive.

[PKBasu]

Ah, politics the bane of India as usual -- but an absolute disgrace in the hockey arena

How is the quality of play in the WSH matches so far, though? Some of the matches seem to have been electrifying, judging from the score lines...

[depleter]

This is turning out into a bizzare now....now the wsh is going against the Indian players with legal notices...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 127809.cms

[usaindian]

here is the latest standing ,goal scorers from wikipedia page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_World_Series_Hockey

[PKBasu]

Interesting to see veterans like Gagan Ajit Singh and Prabhjot still able to perform at a good level for their Punjab side. Lots of goals suggest that the WSH, perhaps because of the lack of national pressure, is encouraging open and attacking play. Should be a good laboratory for skills development, although politics is standing in the way.

[usaindian]

Impressive Opening for WSH: 6.3 Million tune-ins for opening games, 137% more than EPL
http://thefansofhockey.com/2012/03/09/i ... 1oqA4F6s6w

[PKBasu]

I managed to watch a couple of games from yesterday -- Karnataka Lions vs Bhopal Cheetahs (is that Bhopal's name?), and Sher-e-Punjab vs someone (Delhi?). The former was totally one-sided, with a lot of the foreign players (particular Pakistan's Warsi) dominating the action, and the defense on the other side utterly hapless. The other game was of a higher standard; in general, the Indian players (especially in the Karnataka-Bhopal game) were inferior to the foreign players in terms of both hockey skills and fitness. Quick action was a feature of both games, with a lot of attacking moves. But wide variations in skill levels was evident among the players.

I'd be interested in the observations of those who have watched more matches.

[sameerph]

Karnataka Lions vs Bhopal Cheetahs (is that Bhopal's name).

It is Bhopal Badhshah . I have watched only few minutes of matches on TV to really comment on quality of play. However, I would be watching a WSH match live this Friday night between Mumbai Marines vs. Karnataka Lions . ( in fact watching a hockey match live after a long long time. ) So, will be able to comment more after that match.

[vidhyashankar]

I have been following the matches on TV but haven't watched a full match yet. I dont know much about Hockey to comment on the matches but most of the matches had good crowd.

[sameerph]

Watched yesterday's match between Mumbai Marines & Karnataka Lions live at Mahindra stadium in Mumbai. Mumbai lost 2-4. Arjun Hallapa was the star for Karnataka with 2 goals & setting up others . His level of play seemed to be very good as compared to others. That was probably because he was the only one among the players who has played international hockey in recent times. Otherwise quality of play was decent although not anything special. But, you cannot expect anything more with the players turning up being either those who were part of India team few years back like Adrian D'souza, Devesh Chouhan, Prabodh Tirkey, Hariprasad, Len Aiyappa etc. or raw youngsters. A couple of youngsters did look promising. However, what was heartning was the response of the crowd . The stadium was almost full & it is clear that India's recent performace in olympic qualifiers has created enthusiasm for Hockey.

If only HI & IHF can bury their differences & host a full scale league ( like IPL) with quality foreign players & all the Indian players,it would surely be a great success. But, I guess that is too much to hope for.

[jaydeep]

Great Sameer that u was there in the stadium ... Thanks for inputs about this match.

While watching on TV some matches were damn boring ... So many silly mistakes from all the teams.

[gautam]

The recent action of HI dropping the juniors is disgusting but what is more saddening to see if the lack of unity amongst the players . During last world cup when the seniors protested against non payment of fees, the juniors were called to replace them but they refused to fill in for their seniors. However now that the juniors are facing a possible ban, it was the time for the seniors to step in and show that a federation cannot hold them at ransom but unfortunately that has not happened. Even Pakistani players are better in this regard. All their top players are playing in the league thus it would be very difficult for PHF to ban these players.