Report on the Kabelvision International 8-a-side Hockey Festival 2004

Over the weekend 22/23 May 2004, at the Hockey Pitch in Gelora Bung Karno Senayan Jakarta, the Kabelvision International 8-a-side Hockey Festival 2004 was run, featuring 12 Men’s club teams from Hong Kong (“Pirates”, Hong Kong Football Club; Valley Hockey Club; Gils Gonads, Valley HC), Singapore (‘Devils’, Singapore Cricket Club; ‘Angels’, SCC; Ceylon Sports Club), Malaysia (Royal Selangor Sports Club, KL; Kelab Aman, KL), Mandala from Bandung, and 3 teams from Jakarta (International Sports Club of Indonesia; Sekolah Tinggi Ekonomi dan Ilmu; Syznazyet HC, Alumni SMA16).

This is the fifth time this tournament has been run, although ISCI has been organising international hockey tournaments for the past 16 years (with a break during the crisis). Once again the major sponsor was Kabelvision, with other sponsors being Le Meridien Jakarta, Rolls Royce, Hardrock Café, MS Taxes, Coca-Cola, Bir Bintang, Ades and Bugils.

Pool A

Team STEI Syznazyet Ceylon SC RoyalSelangor SCC Angels Gils Gonads

STEI N/A 0-1 0-3 0-0 0-1 3-1

Syz 1-0 N/A 0-3 2-0 1-0 0-1

CSC 3-0 3-0 N/A 3-0 3-0 3-0

RSC 0-0 0-2 0-3 N/A 0-3 1-3

Angels 1-0 0-1 0-3 3-0 N/A 1-1

Gonads 1-3 1-0 0-3 3-1 1-1 N/A

+ 6 4 0 11 5 8

- 3 4 15 1 5 6

Beda +3 0 -15 +10 0 +2

Poin 10 6 0 13 7 7

Rank 2 5 6 1 4 3

Pool B

Team SCC Devils ISCI Mandala Pirates Valley Kelab Aman

Devils N/A 0-0 0-1 2-0 1-1 2-0

ISCI 0-0 N/A 0-1 1-2 1-1 2-1

Mand 1-0 1-0 N/A 1-2 0-2 1-0

Pirates 0-2 2-1 2-1 N/A 3-0 2-0

Valley 1-1 1-1 2-0 0-3 N/A 3-2

Aman 0-2 1-2 0-1 0-2 2-3 N/A

+ 2 5 4 4 6 10

- 5 4 4 9 6 3

Beda -3 +1 0 -5 0 +7

Poin 5 8 6 3 5 15

Rank 5 2 3 6 4 1

Finals

Cup

RSC

RSC 2-0

ISCI

RSC 2-0 (Jindi 2)

Aman

STEI 1-0

STEI

RSC from Malaysia played ISCI in the first semi-final and whilst ISCI mounted some spirited attempts on goal and could have scored early with a diving attempt by Paul Noonan from an Ichang cross. The RSC team had a blend of youth, speed and some wise old heads who have obviously played hockey at a high level and they controlled the ball making ISCI do all the work. Eventually RSC wore ISCI down and ran out comfortable winners, 2-0.

The second semi-final pitted perennial finalists, STEI of Jakarta, against Kelab Aman of Malaysia, who had gone through their pool games undefeated. STEI however raised the level of their game with Armo and Ucok setting up many chances, and they proved worthy winners with a well taken goal near the end by John Anelka.

The Cup Final was a high quality affair with RSC showing their class and experience to run out comfortable winners 2-0 (Jindi scoring both goals) and leaving local team, STEI, to rue, yet again (this is their fourth Cup final in a row that they have failed to convert into victory !) a series of missed chances to score. Armo played well and set up many opportunities but once again a lack of passing around the ‘D’ and poor quality finishing was their undoing.

Plate

Mandala

Mandala 1-0

Angels

Mandala 1-0 (Edwin)

Valley

Valley 4-3

Gonads

Manadala had been out of sorts this tournament with some up and down performances but were intent on making the Plate final. Against lively and physical opposition they pushed forward often and were rewarded with a goal to Edwin near full time.

The second Plate semi-final was a local derby with the two Valley FC teams set to clash in the field of combat. Wise heads, or perhaps sore heads, however decided that an equally enthralling fixture would be a penalty shoot out - 6 on 6 (plus they only had the one goal keeper !). An entertaining few minutes followed with some big names unable to score and a 3-3 scoreline with 1 penalty each left. Kiwi Matt duly completed his goal to give Valley the lead, but the Gonads missed, handing the game to Valley.

Completely out of the Department of Meteorology’s ‘Weird Weather Manual’, another torrential downpour (just slightly heavier than Saturday’s) drenched everyone in sight, shut down the electronics and created little lakes to wade through both on and off the pitch. Aware of the time constraints of some teams (airplanes to catch), Valley sportingly set out in driving rain prompting Mandala to brave the elements as well. The first 10 minutes were played on a sodden pitch that reduced massive hits to gentle pushes and pin-point passes to soggy miscues. However the pitch drained well and the final 10 minutes was a high standard with Mandala’s Edwin managing to slot a goal seconds from time as the Valley boys struggled for breath and another Bintang.

Bowl

Pirates

Pirates 2-1

Syznazyet

Pirates 2-1 (John Banks 2/John Ashwood 1)

Devils

Devils w/o

CSC

The first Bowl semi-final saw the Pirates, normally an unruly rabble from Hong Kong that usually do not score goals, nor attempt same, on Tour, produce an electric display that had the local side wondering where the energy had come from (must be the Bintang). With Keith running around like a madman, as always, he provided a focal point of energy that was eventually rewarded with 2 goals (possibly his first ever on tour).

Unfortunately Ceylon Sports Club did not attend the tournament as planned (for reasons unknown) and the Devils walked into the Bowl final without putting down their beers.

Uncharacteristically, the Pirates had for some reason come to play hockey this year and another masterful display reduced the Singapore ‘Devils’ to mildly naughty boys with attention disorders. Piers Brunner and Will combined well and John Banks stepped up and nailed two cracking goals that had to be seen to be believed (because when he tells you about them, ad nauseum, you won’t believe him !). The carefully chosen Bowl trophy should have been perfect for the ensuing fine session.

Cup Winners: Royal Selangor Club (Malaysia)

2^nd : STEI (Jakarta)

Plate Winners: Mandala (Bandung)

2^nd : Valley (Hong Kong)

Bowl Winners: Pirates (Hong Kong)

2^nd : Devils (Singapore)

Most Promising Player: Edwin (Mandala) [the Jamie Watts Memorial Award]

This tournament was a ‘fun game’ format with 8-a-side but only 15 minutes per game, one way. Final games that were drawn at full time were decided after removing goal keepers and 2 players from each team. The teams then play an extra five minutes or until a ‘golden goal’. If no result an extra two players are removed and so on.

All in all a great tournament enjoyed by all. A pity it rained on both days but apart from the minor inconvenience to spectators and a brief period without electricity for announcements, there was only one game really affected and that provided a spectacle the kept everyone amused for the 10 minutes or so that the rain/water on the pitch really affected the game.

Many thanks to Kabelvision – Mr. Marshall Copper, CEO, and Mr. Rahadi Arsyad, Vice President, for their support, and all of our other sponsors, (Le Meridien, Rolls-Royce, Hardrock Café, Bir Bintang, Coca-Cola, MS Taxes, Ades and Bugils); Chris Wren who co-ordinated the Umpires, all those who umpired, Steve Dodgson for his organisation of the foreign teams, Deny Fahruddin for doing the trophies, Mike Gray and Ichsan Mohamad for their efforts in organising the Junior tournament on Friday, Armunanto of PHJ, Pak Ihun and Unyil for organizing the pitch and water, Lulu, Ari, Roro, Laura, Dian, Lina, Vera and the other girls for helping out with the hospitality tents, and to all participants and spectators.

Ken Allan

Captain – ISCI Hockey