Lovell using Brabo rhp

Just a quick kit geek post here, but been interesting to spot more goalkeepers using their brand gloves rather than 'bespoke' playing style approach on the international stage. I spotted Lovell making use of the Brabo rhp during the Azlan Shah tournment rather than the Mazon/Gryphon one he was using before.

Obviously this comes with playing adjustments as the visual connection between glove and saving changes with a larger/diagonal face rather than vertical face to connect eye co-ordination and glove hand physically when making saves in the upright and diving. Little things like this can make all the difference in playing confidence and save making...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi8t0lmWy4A

Malaysia's future in goal earning praise

As mentioned before, Malaysia has had to call upon its young goalkeeping stars to fill in for their injured normal choices. And with their usual starters getting to the point of age meaning the body can't stand up to the impact of such regular training sessions etc., coaches are going to have to find replacements sooner or later! And luckily for Malaysian hockey and its fans, it looks like this is the case, with the U21 World Cup goalkeepers earning praise from coaching staff and journalists in their Azlan Shah matches, proving to be a challenge to Malaysia's well trusted incumbents.

You can find read more via Malaysian press here:

http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Hockey/2014/04/02/Roslan-feeling-the-heat-from-juniors-challenge/

NZ's McGregor ditches elbow pads at Azlan Shah

Just goes to show that coverage of some tournaments isn't that great (unfortunately) and also that I need to work on being more investigative when reporting on hockey!

Anyhoo... a little late, but nonethless, sighting of New Zealand's McGregor going "Dutch" fully. Not sure if it's weather conditions or humility of playing in that heat, but interesting to see.

Internestingly, it's not common for New Zealand goalkeepers. Not really seen any of New Zealand's internationals ever using that set-up as of late, as the right elbow covered by elbow pad and left arm free seems to be the most popular. Pontifex always uses it and I think Paul Woolford prefered the right arm pad of Obo and no arm padding on his left.

Also proves that McGregor was splitting starts with Manchester again in the tournament, which I was struggling to find out! Not sure who the starter is as not clear yet but they've got a few years until Rio for it to be decided! Previously he was wearing elbow pads on both arms, which were Mazon (as much as I remember!); Manchester is also using them, being in Mazon form.

http://hockeynz.co.nz/News/ArtMID/3654/ArticleID/1412/Black-Sticks-Men-to-play-Korea-for-bronze

Kumar goalkeeper of Azlan Shah tournament

Malaysia's Kumar picked up the goalkeeper of the tournament award for the recent Azlan Shah series. Just goes to show that his ability as a goalkeeper is drawing recognition on the international stage, having been a stalwart member of the international team for quite some time, providing them with quality shot stopping to tighten up their defence.

Azlan Shah round-up

Bazeley and Charter STILL splitting starts!

With Australia playing in the Azlan Shah, it has been interesting to note the continuance of rotation between the two goalkeeping choices, carrying on from the Champions Trophy late last year. Obviously with only seeing highlights of only a single match, it is not definite (d'oh!) but still obvious. It's a little strange to be seeing goalkeepers take halves at international level, considering you would expect rotation between matches rather than during! And I wonder how long it will continue. In the game against Malaysia, Charter started and Bazeley then played the second half. As things progress into the four year Olympic build-up, it will be interesting to see how man management continues and the competition remains. Good to have competition like this so the goalkeeper really has to perform and 'up their game' to prove themselves, but with the back four having to play with a different goalkeeper, who plays and communicates differently, each half, surely it's a little confusing and has an impact on the game?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZYbruzHMZg

Charter also seems to be continue to switch between Mazon pads, with moving from the flat pad design that he was worn featuring in the AHL previously, to the more curved design:

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/charter-aims-to-stick-around-until-rio-2016-20121101-28nex.html

to

http://mazonhockey.com/andrewcharter

Sreejesh continues to start for India

With Chetri being dropped internationally and within the HIL, it looks like Sreejesh is the current number one choice. But whilst he was putting in good performances with his shot stopping, he has still made errors and poor choices, when analysing critically. However, it is his first time as the full starter, having played in international friendlies (against Canada for example), so making that jump is obviously a big step, although if things continue may find himself undesired in the goalkeeping merry-go-round of Indian hockey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gRR7h7qyBI

Lee Myung Ho still starting for Korea

Having been the starting goalkeeper for the London Olympics, it looks like Myung Ho is retaining his starting spot for Korea, making the starts for them at the Azlan Shah tournament.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMg-aJTWMW8

Obviously well remembered for his triple save against Australia in the Champions Trophy a while back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqNxT5ot2VQ

But whilst being great against drag flicks on corners and very athletic, is still prone to remarkable errors, such as coming out of position and out of goal unnecessarily to concede in a game at the London Olympics (can't remember which team it was against!).

Azlan Shah underway

Shows how much I remember when I forget that the Azlan Shah tournament is underway in Asia! You can see match coverage thanks to good ole Youtube and get a chance to observe and analyse some international goalkeepers at the highest levels of the sport:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gRR7h7qyBI