Hockey: Harbour out for vengeance in crucial semifinal

By TERRY MADDAFORD


Ian Woodley is not letting the 5-3 win by his Auckland team over North Harbour in round-robin play two weeks ago cloud his judgment ahead of this afternoon's crucial national league semifinal.

The northern sides go into the match separated by three points on the table, but with North Harbour taking confidence from the 19 goals they have scored in their last outings.

"The games before the semifinals don't count," said Woodley, coaching Auckland for the first time. "Of all the teams, North Harbour have been the more clinical in the attacking circle. As they proved against Canterbury, any of the top four teams are capable of winning this."

Woodley agrees that in goalkeeper Paul Woolford, who last night was named New Zealand Hockey's male player of the year, he might have the ace in what promises to be a tight game.

"But it is up to the other players to work well around him. We have done well defensively."

A little surprisingly, in a team boasting an international defensive quartet - Dion Gosling, Sunil Unka, Wayne McIndoe and Brett Leaver - Woodley singled out left-half Michael Gunn as his most consistent player.

"One player [Woolford] does not necessarily make a difference. In Brent Livermore, Wellington have arguably the best centre-half in the world, but he has to have support."

Auckland will be without Dharmesh Puna, who has work commitments. Woodley has also left out Rakesh Parsotam, Sanjay Patel and, surprisingly, reserve goalkeeper Ashley Lowry, which means Auckland will take Woolford and 15 outfield players into the weekend.

North Harbour coach Darren Smith, who missed the 12-2 rout against Southern on Thursday night, will be back for this crucial clash and will play a key role.

"Auckland will be tough," Smith said. "But I think we are playing better than we played them last time."

In the second semifinal, favourites Canterbury should be too strong for Wellington, who have done well defensively, conceding eight goals in their seven games. On attack they have not been as strong, scoring 22 - 16 fewer than Canterbury, who have averaged more than five a game.

The women's semifinals will be just as tight.

Canterbury, the only unbeaten team in the NHL, face a tricky semifinal against ever-improving Central, who have coupled a strong attacking effort led by Kayla Sharland with a strong defensive game.

The clash between North Harbour and Wellington may well come down to the availability of two key players for Harbour. Leisen Jobe, who sat out Thursday night's win over Southern, should be ready to play for North Harbour, but a big question mark remains over Lizzy Igasan, named women's player of the year at last night's awards dinner. Her injured knee may not be sufficiently healed.

Today's Draw (All Lloyd Elsmore Park).

Women.- 5th/8th: Auckland v Midlands noon, Northland v Southern 4pm. Semifinals: North Harbour v Wellington 10.30am, Canterbury v Central 2.30pm.

Men.- 5th/8th: Midlands v Southern 10am, Northland v Central 2pm. Semifinals: Auckland v North Harbour 12.30pm, Canterbury v Wellington 4.30pm.

Finals and play-offs tomorrow from 8.30am.