Possibly something to watch during the footy drought. My son's hockey group ("The Flyerz") had a festival yesterday morning in the National Hockey Stadium (Lea Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre). We were also given tickets for two "The Men’s World League Round 3" matches: The much fancied, India v Pakistan and England v, the Olympic champions, Argentina. These was the first ever men's hockey matches I have ever seen (the only other adult matches I've seen were the semi- and final of the Team GB Ladies in Rio). The Indians (Dutch coached as they were sitting in front of us taking vast amounts of audio and written notes)) were astonishing to watch - the speed and power with which they hit the ball was amazing - and they trounced Pakistan (who I can only imagine they were so poor because of Ramadan fasting - @Squibba ?) 7 -1. I thought that it would have been a real grudge match, but it wasn't. The large Sikh contingent in the crowd definitely added to the atmosphere (particularly the, words fail me, blokes doing the bird whistles). In the late afternoon when it had cooled down to just a zillion degrees was England and Argentina. England took an early lead, scoring three in the first quarter and still leading at half-time. After the break the pace was frantic and within a few minutes Argentina had levelled the score. For most of the final quarter Argentine were camped in England's half (actually around the "D") and it was only the brilliant goal-keeping of "our" keeper George Pinner that kept us in the match. I had a really great day and would definitely go again. It's also being shown extensively (and exclusively?) on BT Sport. England are through to the quarter finals (on Thursday) and their final group match is tomorrow (against South Korea - who can also qualify for the QF's so it's not a "dead rubber"). Some things I took away from the day. Sikhs really love their beer. Around the edge of the pitch was a display showing the history of hockey - notably its rules many of which have been ditched/changed to produce today's fast-paced, and dare I say it, exciting and skilful game. Hockey have a TV official and each side has a right to use him/her to question any umpire (referee) decision. If their TV appeal is upheld they keep their TV appeal right - if it's rejected the lose it for the entire match. It was very interesting to see how the TV official didn't really encroach on the speed and flow of the game. The use of green card for a minor offence (2 mins in sin bin) and yellow cards (time in sin bin set by umpire/ref and time increased for subsequent cards). I was told that a repeated offence doesn't merit another yellow but a red. Team captains will be shown yellow cards for team dissent.
For anyone (still) interested England came from 2 - 0 behind against to beat Canada (tbf not a great side) to get into the semis of the HWL (and thus have qualified for the "proper" World Cup in 2018). Well worth seeing England's first goal an exceptionally skilful/jammy piece of play (25" in). Next up the very good Dutch and, if they win, Argentine (probably) or Malaysia.
