I had planned to attend California
Cup each year for the past 7 years and have returned with
some medal each time (my first California Cup I played
in Social divison after arriving the first time some years
back I did not have a team to play for and was picked
up by Morepark Bulldogs and since than I had different
team experiences).
This years like last year played
with California Thunders. California Thunders is based
on individuals from different part of Country. Mostly
are from West Coast and about 7-8 guys play together and
play leagues in there areas. California Cup also knows
as "Calcup" is a International tournament involving
Different skill and age level players from around the
Globe.
I flew out to Los Angeles on May
26th.
May 27th:
California Thunder is Men's team
for Competetive level games, We had our first game on
27 May with Yuba Brothers, who also consist of skilled
individuals from India and Pakistan. We lost to Yuba Brothers
by 2-1. Our game was at 1130am with 25 minutes game time.
I played left or Right half in the entire tournament.
Our second game was at 530 pm with
team consist of all 16-19 years age team from Cinese Taipei
under name of "Chung Ganng H.S" and we beat
them 2-0. Again very skilled fellows with stopping and
passing techniques and of course made us run around a
lot, but we felt they seemed very down losing to us with
this margin.
That evening we were invited for
dinner at local resident who's son is a member of US National
team who played for us. Dinner was good as we couldn't
do much that evening as we had a early game next morning
at 730 am.
May 28th:
We played our game with Phoenix
Scorpions and beat them by 1 goal (I don't remember actual
score). After the game went back to hotel for breakfast,
keeping in mind we had our final of the day at 130 pm
with San Jose Khalsa - another team with guys of different
ages well experienced, but older than our team (mostly).
We beat them 2-1 to secure our spot for Semi-Final, we
did not wanted to play Chinese Taipei in Semis but ended
up with them for May 29th showdown at 1030 am.
This evening we were again invited
for BBQ at Tikka House (BBQ restaurant) it was fabulous.
And free. Again hungry for medal after food, we ended
up back to the hotel around midnight.
May 29th:
Chinese Taipei (Chung Gaang H.S.)
came out strong with 4 goals in first ten minutes (I was
not on the field) we kind of lost what we were doing but,
able to group ourselves and manage to score 2 goals but,
till last minute unable to pass or equalize with them.
After beating us we fell to play for 3rd place automatically.
We had gold medal pass us so quickly in that 1 game.
So, 3rd place was played between
us Califonia Thunder and Yuba Bothers, and we beat them
2-0 for Bronze medal in Men's Competitive Division in
California Cup International Field Hockey Tournament.
Further, in 2007 I hope we will
form a team from Chicago to play California Cup. Or pick
up individuals interested in higher competitive game to
represent Chicago and the Midwest. I am hoping to play
in Super Men's Division for 1 time but, for that I need
more commited individuals as game level is close to playing
Olympics or World Cup quality game.
