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The Indian men's hockey team displayed resilience in the fifth and final Test match against Australia in Perth, but ultimately fell short in a 2-3 defeat, resulting in a series whitewash.India started the match with determination, maintaining possession and earning penalty corners. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted one of these opportunities in the fourth minute, giving India an early lead. The visitors continued to press, but Australia equalized through Jeremy Hayward in the 20th minute.In the second half, India's Abhishek missed a golden chance to extend their lead, while Australia capitalized on counterattacks. Ky Willott and Tim Brand scored in quick succession, giving the hosts a 3-1 advantage.Undeterred, India fought back in the final quarter. Boby Singh Dhami scored his first international goal in the 53rd minute, reducing the deficit to 3-2. However, despite their efforts, India could not find an equalizer, and Australia secured the victory.Despite the loss, India showed signs of improvement compared to the previous matches. They maintained possession better, created scoring opportunities, and defended with more determination. The team will look to build on these positives in future matches.

Kodava Hockey Festival: A Month-Long Celebration of Unity and SportsmanshipNestled amidst the picturesque hills of Kodagu, Karnataka, the Kodava Hockey Festival is a month-long extravaganza that brings together around 300 Kodava families for a unique blend of hockey, tradition, and camaraderie.The festival was conceived by Pandanda Kuttappa, a retired banker, who sought to foster unity among the Kodava community. Recognizing the power of sport, he introduced the hockey tournament in 1997 with just 60 teams. Today, it has grown exponentially to include 360 teams, showcasing the passion and skill of Kodava hockey players.The festival is not merely a sporting event; it is a celebration of Kodava heritage. The families gather in traditional attire, sharing meals and stories, and participating in cultural activities. The tournament fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens the bonds within the community.For the younger generation, the festival is an opportunity to connect with their roots and learn about the importance of sportsmanship. Many young players have gone on to represent Kodagu and India at the national and international levels.The organizers are constantly striving to enhance the festival experience. They plan to introduce new categories, such as women's hockey and youth tournaments, to encourage wider participation. They also aim to improve the infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the growing number of teams and spectators.The Kodava Hockey Festival is a testament to the power of sport to unite communities and preserve traditions. It is a celebration of Kodava culture, a showcase of hockey talent, and a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

India's dismal performance in Australia continued as they suffered a 1-3 defeat in the fourth Test of the five-match men's hockey series. Despite an improved display, the Kookaburras proved too strong, securing their fourth consecutive victory.The match, delayed by lightning, saw all four goals scored from penalty corners. India took the lead through skipper Harmanpreet Singh in the 12th minute, but Jeremy Hayward's brace (19th, 47th) and Jack Welch's strike (54th) handed Australia another win.India had been decimated 1-5 in the opening Test and lost the second and third Tests 2-4 and 1-2 respectively. However, they showed signs of improvement in the fourth Test, matching Australia in the first quarter.Mandeep Singh had an early chance for India, but his shot was saved by the Australian goalkeeper. The Kookaburras responded with back-to-back penalty corners, but veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made twin saves to deny them.India used the midfield more effectively than in previous games, building attacks with fine ball transfer. They secured their first penalty corner in the 10th minute, but Jugraj Singh failed to convert.Australia earned their third and fourth penalty corners, but the Indians defended stoutly. India took the lead when Harmanpreet converted their second penalty corner with a low and hard flick.The Kookaburras responded quickly, with Hayward converting their fifth penalty corner. Rajkumar Pal's reverse hit hit the post for India, and Australia secured their sixth penalty corner, but reserve goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made a brilliant save.The second half saw India secure another penalty corner, but Harmanpreet failed to breach the Australian defense. Australia earned back-to-back penalty corners in the final quarter, with Hayward converting the second.The hosts kept up the pressure, securing two more penalty corners but failing to utilize them. Welch scored Australia's third goal from another penalty corner six minutes later.India had chances in the form of three penalty corners in the last four minutes but wasted the opportunities. The final Test of the series will be played on Saturday.

The Indian men's hockey team faced a narrow 1-2 defeat against Australia in the third match of their five-match Test series in Perth. Despite a valiant effort, India's lone goal by Jugraj Singh (41') was overshadowed by Jeremy Hayward's brace (44', 49') for the hosts.India began the match with possession, while Australia opted for a counter-attacking strategy. Australia's approach paid off as they earned the first penalty corner, but Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh's exceptional reflexes kept the score level. Australia continued to press, earning three consecutive penalty corners in the 10th minute, but Sreejesh's brilliance denied them again.India responded with swift passing and penetrations into the Australian defense, earning a penalty corner of their own. However, they failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The opening quarter ended with both teams unable to break the deadlock.Australia launched a relentless attack in the second quarter, but India's resilient defense and Sreejesh's performance thwarted their efforts. India intensified their offensive efforts, but neither team managed to score, leaving the score at 0-0 at halftime.Australia earned an initial penalty corner in the third quarter, but failed to convert. India seized the opportunity to break the stalemate when Jugraj Singh unleashed a potent shot from a penalty corner, giving India the lead. However, Australia responded quickly with a penalty stroke converted by Jeremy Hayward, restoring parity.Australia won back-to-back penalty corners early in the fourth quarter and this time they were finally able to convert one as Jeremy Hayward scored again through a powerful shot to put the hosts in lead. With the score in their favor, Australia put India under pressure, preventing them from finding the equalizer and winning the match 2-1.

Hockey is undergoing a significant transformation as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) transitions from water-based synthetic turfs to environmentally sustainable dry pitches. This shift aims to reduce the sport's water consumption, which currently stands at approximately 6,000 liters per match.The move towards dry turfs was prompted by the need to address the excessive water usage associated with hockey matches, particularly in water-stressed regions like India. Despite advancements in turf technology, the amount of water required to lubricate a hockey field remains substantial.To ensure a seamless transition, FIH has established innovation standards for dry turfs, focusing on factors such as speed, gripping, bounce accuracy, and aerial ball performance. These standards aim to replicate the playing conditions of watered surfaces.GreenFields, an FIH supplier, has developed a dry turf called Pure EP, which has been installed in the Netherlands. Additionally, dry turfs have been inaugurated in South Africa and Namibia. The recent FIH Hockey5s World Cup was played on a dry turf, providing valuable feedback on its performance in warm climates.The transition to dry turfs requires adjustments in footwear and equipment. Players may need protective undergarments to prevent injuries when sliding on dry surfaces. Stick manufacturers may also need to incorporate coatings to reduce friction.FIH is targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a potential milestone for the widespread adoption of dry turfs. In India, where there are approximately 150 hockey turfs, the new technology is expected to gain traction due to its water-saving and cost-effective benefits.

The Indian women's hockey team's failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics has left a profound impact on captain Savita Punia. The team's fourth-place finish in Tokyo just three years ago had raised hopes, but the recent setback has shattered those dreams.Punia, known as the "Great Wall" of Indian hockey, has been grappling with the disappointment. "Losing the Olympic qualifiers is such a bad moment that we will probably not be able to forget our entire life," she said. "I haven't been able to get over it yet."In the aftermath of the qualifiers, Punia sought solace in yoga and meditation. She also returned to the field quickly, competing in the FIH Pro League and the ongoing Nationals in Pune. "The good thing about sports is that you have to forget the past and move forward very quickly," she explained.Despite her efforts to move on, Punia admits that the pain of missing out on the Olympics lingers. "We were confident and well-prepared, but you cannot predict anything in sports," she said. "We all did our best and our preparation was very good. It's a lot about luck also."Punia's husband has been a source of support during this difficult time. "He said that we could not change what happened but can look ahead and play as long as you want to play," she said.The Indian team will now focus on the upcoming Pro League matches in Belgium in May-June. Punia believes that a new core group will emerge after the Nationals, and she is prepared for the changes. "Now a new core group will be formed and some new players will also come," she said. "The focus will be on fitness and drag flicks."Despite the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics, Punia remains committed to hockey. "Hockey is my passion and the more I stay away from the field, the more it will bother me," she said.

India's men's hockey team has slipped one spot to fourth in the latest FIH world rankings, while Germany has moved up to third place following their impressive performance at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. India had already qualified for the Paris Olympics through an Asian Games gold last year and did not participate in the Olympic Qualifiers.Germany, on the other hand, went unbeaten at the Olympic Qualifiers in Oman and followed that up with two wins and two draws against Argentina and a young Belgian side during the Santiago del Estero mini tournament in the FIH Pro League to surpass India.Netherlands continues to sit at the top of the rankings, while Belgium holds on to second place. Australia has leapfrogged England into fifth place, while Argentina and Spain remain in seventh and eighth positions respectively.In the Women's Rankings, India is ranked ninth, while Netherlands remains clear of the chasing pack. Argentina and Germany have moved ahead of Australia into second and third places, while Australia is now fourth. Belgium has dropped a place to fifth, while England remains sixth. Spain has closed the gap to England thanks to a strong showing at the Olympic Qualifiers in Valencia, where they finished second to qualify for Paris.The closely contested nature of international women's hockey is evident, with less than 100 points separating England on sixth and India on ninth.

The NHL witnessed a thrilling weekend of action, with several teams making significant strides in the playoff race.In Buffalo, the Sabres overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in a shootout. Alex Tuch scored the decisive goal, while Jacob Bryson tied the game late in the third period. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves for Buffalo.The Florida Panthers continued their dominance, defeating the Calgary Flames 5-1. Vladimir Tarasenko, acquired from Ottawa, scored his first two goals as a Panther. Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, and Kevin Stenlund also found the net for Florida, who now have won 17 of their last 20 games.The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to four games with a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. David Pastrnak reached 40 goals for the third consecutive season, while Pavel Zacha had two goals and an assist. Linus Ullmark made 38 saves for Boston.The New York Rangers shut out the St. Louis Blues 4-0, with Igor Shesterkin making 26 saves for his 13th career shutout. Vincent Trocheck and Jimmy Vesey scored in the first period, while Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko added goals later.The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-2, with Jesperi Kotkaniemi scoring the game-winning goal in the third period. Pyotr Kochetkov made 24 saves for Carolina, who have now won eight of their last 11 games.The Toronto Maple Leafs edged out the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, with John Tavares scoring the game-winning goal in the third period. Max Domi and Bobby McMann also scored for Toronto, while Ilya Samsonov made 29 saves.The Nashville Predators extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Luke Evangelista scored the game-winning goal in the third period, while Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves.The Tampa Bay Lightning routed the Philadelphia Flyers 7-0, with defenseman Darren Raddysh recording five assists. Victor Hedman scored twice and added an assist, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves for his second shutout of the season.The Washington Capitals defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1, with Tom Wilson scoring for the second consecutive game. Charlie Lindgren made 29 saves for Washington, who are now within striking distance of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.The San Jose Sharks snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Thomas Bordeleau scored two power-play goals, while Magnus Chrona made 31 saves for his first NHL win.

Alex Ovechkin's relentless pursuit of hockey history continued on Thursday night as he scored his 840th career goal, propelling the Washington Capitals to a resounding 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Russian superstar's milestone goal, coupled with an assist, elevated him past Hall of Famer Paul Coffey into 15th place on the NHL's all-time scoring list.Ovechkin's 10th goal in his last 15 games brought him within 54 goals of Wayne Gretzky's untouchable record of 894 career goals. The 38-year-old's unwavering determination and exceptional scoring prowess continue to captivate the hockey world.The Capitals' triumph was a collective effort, with Tom Wilson contributing a short-handed goal and an assist. Nick Jensen, Sonny Milano, Hendrix Lapierre, and Ivan Miroshnichenko also found the back of the net for Washington, who are desperately clinging to their playoff hopes in the Eastern Conference.Charlie Lindgren, filling in for the ailing Darcy Keumper, turned in a stellar performance, stopping all 39 shots he faced for his sixth career shutout. Tristan Jarry, on the other hand, endured a rough outing for the Penguins, allowing four goals on 22 shots before being pulled in the second period.The Penguins' loss further dampened their fading postseason aspirations, as they have now dropped four of their last five games. Sidney Crosby, the team's captain and perennial superstar, was held without a point for the third consecutive game, marking the first such occurrence this season.Pittsburgh's struggles have prompted speculation that they may become sellers before Friday's trade deadline, with star forward Jake Guentzel potentially on the move to division rival Carolina. The Penguins, the NHL's oldest team, are looking to rejuvenate their roster and focus on the future, with this season appearing to be a lost cause.The Penguins' woes have been exacerbated by their abysmal power play, which ranks 28th in the league and has been prone to surrendering short-handed goals. Wilson's early goal in the game marked the 10th time Pittsburgh has allowed a goal while on the power play this season, the third-highest total in the NHL.Despite their struggles, the Penguins remain hopeful that they can turn things around and make a late push for the playoffs. However, with 21 games remaining in the regular season, time is running out for the once-mighty Penguins.