Hockey: 'Cage' rivals share goal of keeping the top spot

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand's chances at the men's World Cup qualifying tournament in Scotland could well be determined by the efforts of goalkeepers "Hairy" or "Monster."

"Hairy" (Paul Woolford) and "Monster" (Michael Bevin), both 24, are locked in a head-to-head battle to establish just who will emerge as the top dog.

"We don't have a No 1 at this stage, although they are always asking who I regard as that," said New Zealand coach Kevin Towns, whose team leave this afternoon for Britain. The tournament starts on July 17.

"Really, I have no preference at this stage," he said.

"They bring different things into the game."

Bevin was the "elastic man" - tall, with long limbs - and Woolford was strong.

Three warm-up games - against England under-21, England and Japan - will give Towns and assistant coach Charlie Oscroft further chances to assess the two.

"Depending on that, and if I felt it was still an impasse, I would be comfortable with playing them in alternate games," Towns said. "But they might not like that."

Bevin and Woolford give the impression that either would accept being understudy.

"There is a healthy rivalry between me and Mike," Woolford said. "That has to be good, not only for us but the team as well. Of course, I would rather be playing, but I will accept whatever happens.

"We get on really well. We swap ideas and often sit together to analyse videos of matches. There is definitely no back-stabbing. As long as the team is winning, I'm grinning."

Bevin admitted the rivalry brought an added edge.

"I find it difficult not knowing whether I will be playing or not, but it does make sure you work hard in training," Bevin said. "In the long term, I feel it would be better if one of us was established as the No 1. But, having said that, we get on fine."

A key defensive element in any team, the goalkeeper also plays a vital tactical role. Predecessor Scott Anderson, for example, combined keeping and captaincy with a fair degree of success.

Keepers might appear vulnerable to injury, but Bevin said he had "no real fear." "I go out with the attitude of this [the goal] being my cage and I'll do all I can to protect it."

Bevin, a 12-test veteran, was a relative latecomer to goalkeeping, switching from soccer (where he was also a goalkeeper) to hockey in his sixth-form year at Palmerston North Boys' High. He now represents Canterbury.



Woolford has been in "the cage" for almost 10 years since starting out at Auckland's Howick-Pakuranga Club. He has to juggle his hockey with his work as a plumber at Auckland University.

He made his debut in the third test against Great Britain in 1999 (a 4-4 draw) and has now played 14 times for the national side.

On the verge of what both regard as their most important test, "Hairy" and "Monster" retain a healthy regard for one another's ability.

The feeling is that the niceties might soon be over in the battle to be "numero uno" by the time the team return from Scotland with, hopefully, a place in next year's World Cup in Malaysia.

New Zealand's first warm-up is against England under-21 in London on Wednesday. They then play a full international against England on Friday in Cannock, before meeting Japan in Edinburgh tomorrow week.

Their first qualifier is against Egypt on July 18 followed by the crucial clash with India the next day. Their last pool game is against Wales on July 21.

New Zealand must finish in the top seven (of 16) to qualify for the World Cup.

New Zealand: Michael Bevin, Paul Woolford, Dion Gosling, Dean Couzins, Brett Leaver, Alpesh Puna, Simon Towns (capt), Mitesh Patel, Darren Smith, Wayne McIndoe, Blair Hopping, Ryan Archibald, Hymie Gill, David Kosoof, Umesh Parag, Bevan Hari, Phil Burrows.