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Bahrain Hockey Association’s international six-a-side tournament concluded last weekend under the watchful gaze of Bahrain Olympic Committee general secretary, Abdulrahman Askar, with the visitors from Oman, UTSC, claiming the trophy at St Christopher’s School in Isa Town.
Former Indian hockey captain and coach, Jude Felix, who spent as much time having his photograph taken as watching the action, praised the organisation of the event, facilities and umpiring, encouraging the organiser, Jude D’Souza and his team, to continue their ‘positive approach to the development of hockey in Bahrain’.
He added: “The template for this tournament has now been set extremely high and really puts Bahrain hockey on the regional map at a time when Asian hockey is making a greater impact globally.”
D’Souza said that he had never seen so many current and former internationals take the field in Bahrain, with the winners, UTSC, containing five current internationals, their veterans team all being former national players and several Bahrain teams boosting their local ranks with a number of overseas imports specifically for this tournament.
The invitation of top FIH umpire, RV Raghu Prasad, was a masterstroke as it set the officiating bar extremely high, ensuring the games flowed and were largely well mannered.
Bahrain’s own, Francis Treadgold and David Axtell, were also in charge of the whistle with the latter given the honour of umpiring the final alongside the Olympic legend. Axtell described the occasion as ‘a great experience and wonderful opportunity to officiate a quality final alongside an umpire so well respected on the international stage’.
The final was initially a cagey affair with former victors of the Bahrain Open, Qatar Wanderers, content to soak up pressure and concede possession without over-committing to their attack. However, that all changed after a patient exchange of passes exploded into an attack that saw the ball ricochet back-and-forth across the pitch before Ashraf converted at the far post.
As the Wanderers pushed forward seeking an equaliser the game became more open although it was always UTSC creating the better chances. Their pressure finally told when RV Prasad awarded a penalty stroke, which was confidently converted by Azi. UTSC held on to claim the trophy with a 2-0 win.
The top-performing Bahrain side was ironically one without any imports, that of the Ministry of the Interior. Demonstrating good organisation and some wonderful individual skills they appeared demoralised in the semi-final after UTSC scored two early goals. However, reorganised at half-time, they fought back, scoring one of only two goals conceded by Oman in the whole tournament, although only after UTSC had netted a third. In addition to the goal by Shahid, Asif, Waheed and Sajed impressed. The feeling from fans was that the MoI could have really stretched the eventual winners if they had believed in their abilities from the outset.
The only Bahrain team to claim any silverware was the Hungry Hamours who took the lead in their Plate final against Dadabhai Saudi through a penalty stroke converted by Ronald Lloyd. However, as the Hamours floundered through over-exertion Saudi went fishing for goals and were rewarded with the Hamours ’keeper left flapping allowing Hamza to find the net.
The Hamours, playing in deep-sea blue shirts, were revitalised, unleashing wave after wave of attack yet they were unable to make the pressure count, occasionally leaving holes at the back.
In one memorable moment Justin Xantho single-handedly repelled a three-man overload before launching the next attack with a leap that was more salmon than hamour! This thrilling match finished in a 1-1 draw before being decided by a single goal in the penalty shoot-out.
Lloyd, described by guest of honour, Felix, as the ‘best player in India to have never played for the national side’, went on to claim the award as the tournament’s best player although this was scant consolation.
Not all sides arrived to embrace the friendly and sociable nature of the tournament. It was unfortunate for the neutral observer that Dadabhai Saudi claimed the plate trophy, albeit by the narrowest of margins after two successive penalty shoot-out victories.
They had made it through after attempting to physically steam-roller their opposition while taunting their counterparts from Bahrain when successfully converting penalties in their semi-final. As the final became tense, FIH-umpire Raghu, had to intervene as they contested a decision. The game was only able to continue after Raghu had ejected Dadabhai representatives from the field of play.
This type of behaviour, which tarnishes the game and the name of the sponsors, is rarely seen in a sport that prides itself on discipline and respect, standing out for the wrong reasons in a tournament that was otherwise good-natured and competitive.
Aside from the main event there were two exhibition matches comprising opposite ends of the age spectrum. The first was an U15 game between St Christopher’s School and Public Security with the former running out winners thanks to four goals from Oliver Bloodworth. Charlie Axtell scooped the best Young Player Award with chief adjudicator, Indian hockey icon, Felix, citing her technique and clever play as the reasons for his decision.
There followed a match between a Bahrain Hockey Association Select Veterans team against the visiting veterans team from Oman. Despite Oman taking the lead, in a game that ebbed and flowed, Bahrain recovered to put themselves into a winning position with minutes remaining. However, from nowhere, they conceded a penalty stroke to give Oman the chance to equalise. Fittingly, the ball was passed to Darwish Hamdan, the oldest veteran on the pitch, whose cleverly weighted attempt deceived the Bahrain ’keeper who dived over the top of the ball.
This was an emotional moment for Darwish who had last played in Bahrain at Awali in 1968 and brought with him his player registration card from that time.
The event was sponsored by GulfWeekly, Mathias Tourism, Marvel Technology, Next Black Computers, Tariq Pastries, Sirma, Power Horse, Aster Medical Centre, White Paper Media (ME) and www.ahockeyworld.net
Results
Bahrain Hockey 6s Cup Winners - UTSC Oman
Bahrain Hockey 6s Cup Runner Up - Wanderers Qatar
Bahrain Hockey 6s Plate Winners - Dadabhai Saudi
Bahrain Hockey 6s Plate Runner Up - Hungry Hamours Bahrain
Best Player - Ronald Lloyd (Hungry Hamours)
Best Goalie - Asim Dawood (Oman Veterans)
Best Young Player - Charlotte Axtell (St Christopher’s School)
Team Fair Play - Dubai Republicans
