Hockey: Borren: We're not too worried

By TERRY MADDAFORD

There is the feeling that Jan Borren and the Black Sticks are heading into their opening World Cup game very much determined to kick a couple of poor dress-rehearsals into the "don't want to know" basket.

They would rather look forward with a "it will be all right on the day" attitude after a scratchy 3-0 win over non-cup side Canada, and a just as unimpressive 1-1 draw with Ireland in their final tune-up in Perth on Thursday night.

To be fair, the game with the Irish was not a true contest.

With no umpires turning up, they had to fossick around in the crowd to find a couple to do the job, and then had their turf time cut to under an hour.

"Again, though, we did not play particularly well," Borren said. "We controlled both games and don't want to get too anxious because we haven't done better.

"We gave away only one penalty corner. "But, yes, we were a bit flat."

The team have had a couple of penalty corner sessions away from the spotlight, and have had a look at other teams in warm-up mode as the momentum builds.

After yesterday's opening ceremony, all teams have the day off today.

The first match, between England and Ireland, hits off at 2.05pm (NZ time) tomorrow. New Zealand meet top seeds Argentina at 11.05pm. "Any result - win or draw - against them would be a huge bonus," Borren said. "Argentina, Holland, Australia and China are seen as the teams to beat, with New Zealand, Korea and Germany next best ahead of England and Japan.

"It is an excellent venue and there is no doubt it will be a good tournament. We know that to get into the top four we will have to play very well."

While he will not reveal his starting XI until tonight, Borren said he and assistant coach Selwyn Maister would consider naming only one goalkeeper, which would give him an extra field player on the substitutes' bench.

"Because we don't have the standout players we have had in the past, the competition for places is very keen.

"As far as goalkeepers are concerned, we will look at taking just one into the match."