With less than a week left for the Dubai World Super Series Finals, Saina Nehwal is carefully working her way back from injury.
The
25-year-old, who last played at the China Open in the middle of
November, has been laid low by an Achilles tendon injury. At the KBA
courts here on Friday, Saina trained rather gingerly, playing only
standing strokes and trying not to put too much pressure on her right
ankle, which was lightly taped.
“The last three
weeks after the China Open, she’s been working with the physio and the
trainer, trying to strengthen that area,” her coach U. Vimal Kumar said
at the KBA courts here on Friday. “Not much of badminton (in her
preparation), only standing strokes. But since this is the year-ending
tournament and an important one, she has certain commitments, including
with the World Badminton Federation (BWF), so she needs to be there.
There’s been a lot of relief and improvement (so far) but it will take a
little more time for her to regain her full fitness.”
No-risk training
Saina's
training since her return from China has not involved any strain on the
injured area. “No risk (right now),” Vimal said. “Basically she’s doing
specifics so that she’s still in touch (with the game) because in
badminton, a lot of skills are involved and that feel is needed (all the
time). On the court, she can’t do the lunges and intense workouts at
the moment.”
Vimal was hopeful that Saina, who missed the Hong Kong Open and the Macau Open, would be able to play at full tilt in Dubai.
“That’s
what we are hoping for,” he said. “So far, she has not put pressure on
the leg as per the advice of the doctors. Over there (in Dubai) on
Monday and Tuesday, she will try to push and see how much she can take.
Then we will take it one match at a time. It is a league format and
there are four in a group.”
Heading into an Olympic
year, Saina will not want to aggravate her injury. She would not fret
over her condition or its impact on her performance, Vimal felt. “You
have to accept these things,” he said. “We can’t think too much on those
lines (how she will fare in Dubai). Then you get mentally affected.
Just go and play and have no expectations.
“When she
comes back she has a lot of work to do. January is important; it's when
she gets time. She has had continuous tournaments this year. I’m sure
it’s the same issue with other top players also. But being an Olympic
year, she has to be a little more careful.”
Australia beat Netherlands 3-2 in the first semifinal. (Source: HI)
World champions Australia got the better of defending champions
Netherlands 3-2 in a high-voltage first semifinal to progress to the
title clash of the ongoing Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium.
It was a match between world’s two top teams and it turned out to be an exciting affair as Australia scored through Dylan Wotherspoon (8th minute), Daniel Beale (22nd minute) and Matt Gohdes (42nd), while Constantijn Jonker (29th) and Mirco Pruijser (33rd) were the goal getters for Netherlands, who slumped to their first defeat in the tournament.
Australia started strongly and had the better share of possession and shots at the goal in the first 25 minutes of the game.
Australia secured as many as four penalty corners in the opening two quarters but utilised just one.
Australia earned their first penalty corner as early as in the second minute but Kieran Govers flick was saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann.
Stockmann again came to Netherlands rescue two minutes later when he denied Trent Mitton after he was set up by a fine pass from veteran Jamie Dwyer.
Two minutes later Dwyer again combined with Mitton to set up another scoring opportunity but the latter pushed the ball wide with only Stockmann to beat.
Australia continued to press hard and put pressure on the Netherlands defence which resulted in their second penalty corner but Stockmann came up with double save to first deny Jeremy Hayward and then Dwyer from the rebound.
But Australia finally tasted success in the eighth minute when Wotherspoon scored after some brilliant stick work by Dwyer.
Netherlands replied back strongly in the next minute but Roel Bovendeert’s effort was kept away by an alert Australian custodian Andrew Charter.
In the 13th minute, Pruijser’s shot from close range was saved by Charter to frustrate the Dutchmen.
Australia secured their third penalty corner in the 22nd minute and Beale scored from a rebound after Dwyer’s initial try from a variation was kept away by Stockmann.
Down by two goals, Netherlands made a strong finish to the second quarter and created a few chances but luck eluded them till the 29th minute when Jonker scored from second attempt after Bjorn Kellerman’s try was saved by Charter.
Three minute into the second half Netherlands equalised through Pruijser, who deflected in Jeroen Hertberger’s backhand hit.
Netherlands goalkeeper Stockmann made numerous saves to keep the team in the match and one of them came in the 40th minute when he denied Govers.
Australia restored their lead soon through Gohdes, who’s slightest of touch from a Beale hit from outside the circle found the back of the Dutch net.
In the final minute of the third quarter, Netherlands earned as many as three penalty corners in succession but to no use.
With 15 minutes remaining in the game, Netherlands did everything they could to scored the equaliser but the Australian defended in numbers to thwart any threat to their goal.
Australia will play the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between hosts India and Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/hwl-final-2015-australia-enter-final-to-meet-either-india-or-belgium/#sthash.MZYGyaHK.dpuf
It was a match between world’s two top teams and it turned out to be an exciting affair as Australia scored through Dylan Wotherspoon (8th minute), Daniel Beale (22nd minute) and Matt Gohdes (42nd), while Constantijn Jonker (29th) and Mirco Pruijser (33rd) were the goal getters for Netherlands, who slumped to their first defeat in the tournament.
Australia secured as many as four penalty corners in the opening two quarters but utilised just one.
Australia earned their first penalty corner as early as in the second minute but Kieran Govers flick was saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann.
Stockmann again came to Netherlands rescue two minutes later when he denied Trent Mitton after he was set up by a fine pass from veteran Jamie Dwyer.
Two minutes later Dwyer again combined with Mitton to set up another scoring opportunity but the latter pushed the ball wide with only Stockmann to beat.
Australia continued to press hard and put pressure on the Netherlands defence which resulted in their second penalty corner but Stockmann came up with double save to first deny Jeremy Hayward and then Dwyer from the rebound.
But Australia finally tasted success in the eighth minute when Wotherspoon scored after some brilliant stick work by Dwyer.
Netherlands replied back strongly in the next minute but Roel Bovendeert’s effort was kept away by an alert Australian custodian Andrew Charter.
In the 13th minute, Pruijser’s shot from close range was saved by Charter to frustrate the Dutchmen.
Australia secured their third penalty corner in the 22nd minute and Beale scored from a rebound after Dwyer’s initial try from a variation was kept away by Stockmann.
Down by two goals, Netherlands made a strong finish to the second quarter and created a few chances but luck eluded them till the 29th minute when Jonker scored from second attempt after Bjorn Kellerman’s try was saved by Charter.
Three minute into the second half Netherlands equalised through Pruijser, who deflected in Jeroen Hertberger’s backhand hit.
Netherlands goalkeeper Stockmann made numerous saves to keep the team in the match and one of them came in the 40th minute when he denied Govers.
Australia restored their lead soon through Gohdes, who’s slightest of touch from a Beale hit from outside the circle found the back of the Dutch net.
In the final minute of the third quarter, Netherlands earned as many as three penalty corners in succession but to no use.
With 15 minutes remaining in the game, Netherlands did everything they could to scored the equaliser but the Australian defended in numbers to thwart any threat to their goal.
Australia will play the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between hosts India and Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/hwl-final-2015-australia-enter-final-to-meet-either-india-or-belgium/#sthash.MZYGyaHK.dpuf
Australia beat Netherlands 3-2 in the first semifinal. (Source: HI)
World champions Australia got the better of defending champions
Netherlands 3-2 in a high-voltage first semifinal to progress to the
title clash of the ongoing Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium.
It was a match between world’s two top teams and it turned out to be an exciting affair as Australia scored through Dylan Wotherspoon (8th minute), Daniel Beale (22nd minute) and Matt Gohdes (42nd), while Constantijn Jonker (29th) and Mirco Pruijser (33rd) were the goal getters for Netherlands, who slumped to their first defeat in the tournament.
Australia started strongly and had the better share of possession and shots at the goal in the first 25 minutes of the game.
Australia secured as many as four penalty corners in the opening two quarters but utilised just one.
Australia earned their first penalty corner as early as in the second minute but Kieran Govers flick was saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann.
Stockmann again came to Netherlands rescue two minutes later when he denied Trent Mitton after he was set up by a fine pass from veteran Jamie Dwyer.
Two minutes later Dwyer again combined with Mitton to set up another scoring opportunity but the latter pushed the ball wide with only Stockmann to beat.
Australia continued to press hard and put pressure on the Netherlands defence which resulted in their second penalty corner but Stockmann came up with double save to first deny Jeremy Hayward and then Dwyer from the rebound.
But Australia finally tasted success in the eighth minute when Wotherspoon scored after some brilliant stick work by Dwyer.
Netherlands replied back strongly in the next minute but Roel Bovendeert’s effort was kept away by an alert Australian custodian Andrew Charter.
In the 13th minute, Pruijser’s shot from close range was saved by Charter to frustrate the Dutchmen.
Australia secured their third penalty corner in the 22nd minute and Beale scored from a rebound after Dwyer’s initial try from a variation was kept away by Stockmann.
Down by two goals, Netherlands made a strong finish to the second quarter and created a few chances but luck eluded them till the 29th minute when Jonker scored from second attempt after Bjorn Kellerman’s try was saved by Charter.
Three minute into the second half Netherlands equalised through Pruijser, who deflected in Jeroen Hertberger’s backhand hit.
Netherlands goalkeeper Stockmann made numerous saves to keep the team in the match and one of them came in the 40th minute when he denied Govers.
Australia restored their lead soon through Gohdes, who’s slightest of touch from a Beale hit from outside the circle found the back of the Dutch net.
In the final minute of the third quarter, Netherlands earned as many as three penalty corners in succession but to no use.
With 15 minutes remaining in the game, Netherlands did everything they could to scored the equaliser but the Australian defended in numbers to thwart any threat to their goal.
Australia will play the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between hosts India and Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/hwl-final-2015-australia-enter-final-to-meet-either-india-or-belgium/#sthash.MZYGyaHK.dpuf
It was a match between world’s two top teams and it turned out to be an exciting affair as Australia scored through Dylan Wotherspoon (8th minute), Daniel Beale (22nd minute) and Matt Gohdes (42nd), while Constantijn Jonker (29th) and Mirco Pruijser (33rd) were the goal getters for Netherlands, who slumped to their first defeat in the tournament.
Australia secured as many as four penalty corners in the opening two quarters but utilised just one.
Australia earned their first penalty corner as early as in the second minute but Kieran Govers flick was saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann.
Stockmann again came to Netherlands rescue two minutes later when he denied Trent Mitton after he was set up by a fine pass from veteran Jamie Dwyer.
Two minutes later Dwyer again combined with Mitton to set up another scoring opportunity but the latter pushed the ball wide with only Stockmann to beat.
Australia continued to press hard and put pressure on the Netherlands defence which resulted in their second penalty corner but Stockmann came up with double save to first deny Jeremy Hayward and then Dwyer from the rebound.
But Australia finally tasted success in the eighth minute when Wotherspoon scored after some brilliant stick work by Dwyer.
Netherlands replied back strongly in the next minute but Roel Bovendeert’s effort was kept away by an alert Australian custodian Andrew Charter.
In the 13th minute, Pruijser’s shot from close range was saved by Charter to frustrate the Dutchmen.
Australia secured their third penalty corner in the 22nd minute and Beale scored from a rebound after Dwyer’s initial try from a variation was kept away by Stockmann.
Down by two goals, Netherlands made a strong finish to the second quarter and created a few chances but luck eluded them till the 29th minute when Jonker scored from second attempt after Bjorn Kellerman’s try was saved by Charter.
Three minute into the second half Netherlands equalised through Pruijser, who deflected in Jeroen Hertberger’s backhand hit.
Netherlands goalkeeper Stockmann made numerous saves to keep the team in the match and one of them came in the 40th minute when he denied Govers.
Australia restored their lead soon through Gohdes, who’s slightest of touch from a Beale hit from outside the circle found the back of the Dutch net.
In the final minute of the third quarter, Netherlands earned as many as three penalty corners in succession but to no use.
With 15 minutes remaining in the game, Netherlands did everything they could to scored the equaliser but the Australian defended in numbers to thwart any threat to their goal.
Australia will play the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between hosts India and Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/hwl-final-2015-australia-enter-final-to-meet-either-india-or-belgium/#sthash.MZYGyaHK.dpuf
Australia
will play the winner of Saturday's second semifinal between hosts India
and Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday. - See more at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/hwl-final-2015-australia-enter-final-to-meet-either-india-or-belgium/#sthash.MZYGyaHK.dpuf
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
No comments:
Post a Comment