Hockey

A total of 135 Indian and 142 foreign players will go under the hammer when the players auction for the fourth edition of the HIL on September 17.

He was expected to be the most happening player of last season but Boon turned out to be a big disappointment having scored just one goal.

Sardar admitted that the rhythm of the team is affected by such changes. "When a coach is replaced, the players face difficulty."

'Oltmans has been with the team for some time and he is the most logical choice to take over as coach,' Special Committee member BP Govinda told CNN-IBN.

"We ought to take the lessons learnt from this game into the quarterfinal contest with Malaysia," said van Ass

Australia crushed India 6-2 in the last league fixture of the FIH World League Semi-finals on Sunday.

Indian hockey coach Paul van Ass was satisfied at the way his team played in the 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Pakistan in the preliminary league of the World League Semifinals.

Rani (20th, 29th minute), Vandana Katariya (53rd) scored for world No.13 India, who earlier lost to Belgium and New Zealand. World No.23 Poland got their sole goal from Magdalena Zagajska (50th).

India's defence caved in against a strong NZ as they suffered a 0-5 loss for their second successive defeat in the league stage of the women's Hockey World League semi-finals.

There is little at stake for the Indian team in the current tournament, despite their assured spots in the 2016 Olympic Games as well as the World League Finals later in the year.

Indian hockey team striker Akashdeep Singh on Tuesday said the upcoming Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-final assumes an important step in the team's overall development in regards to the 2016 Olympic Games.

I think we will miss him on the field as he is the speed demon of the team. The way he tears through the heart of the opponents defense is remarkable, says forward Yuvraj Walmiki.

The New Zealand women's hockey team thrashed India 4-1 in the Hawke's Bay Cup quarter-final at the Hastings Sports Park on Thursday.

"It's all in the mind. The players tend to relax at times and that's when they committ mistakes," said Van Ass.

The action-packed ceremony culminated with the legendary Balbir Singh receiving the trophy for Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.

As per the agreement, India will tour Australia for a six-match Test series in the coming three years.