Hockey: Men have an anxious wait for Games decision

By TERRY MADDAFORD

With their place in next year's World Cup now secure, the New Zealand men's team must play another waiting game as the eight-team list for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games is drawn up.

New Zealand's 4-0 win over Canada in their final match, for seventh and eight place, at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Edinburgh early yesterday assured New Zealand of a place in the February-March World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

But in finishing two places behind India, the New Zealand men might miss out on the opportunity of joining the New Zealand women in Manchester.

"We are still awaiting the final selection criteria for the Commonwealth Games," said New Zealand Hockey Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel yesterday.

"The international body, who have a hand in naming the teams for these tournaments, are pressing for the hosts [England], the previous winners [Australia] and the top countries in the six Commonwealth regions.

"That would ensure New Zealand's place as the top Oceania team behind Australia."

The problem is that the Commonwealth Games Federation wants to invite the hosts, the top-placed six regional teams, including Australia, and the highest-ranked Commonwealth country at the World Cup qualifiers, which would have India in ahead of New Zealand. That decision is expected this week.

New Zealand's win over Canada - they led 1-0 at halftime after Umesh Parag's 18th-minute goal and added three, to Wayne McIndoe, David Kosoof and Parag, in the second spell - will give them a ranking of 16 in the 16-team World Cup.

"We feel we will do much better than 16th in Kuala Lumpur," said coach Kevin Towns. "Of the teams we saw here, we feel we can beat at least Poland and India and compete with Argentina, who we were pleased to see beat Spain [5-4] in the final."

Towns said there might be question marks over one or two players, but he would wait until after the September-October national league before seeking a long-term commitment.

"We have used a lot of players in our matches against Pakistan, Argentina and India as well as this tournament," said Towns. "I'll continue to develop young players at every opportunity."

Patel said his association was already looking at possibilities for the World Cup build-up.

"We have heard the Malaysians are planning to play the 2002 Azlan Shah tournament in January.

"We have already told them we would definitely be keen to play if that was the case," said Patel.

"We are also looking at hosting a four-test series here in late January-early February. Likely opponents include Argentina, Japan or South Korea, depending on the World Cup draw."

The full list of teams for the World Cup is: Malaysia, Holland (defending champions), Australia, South Korea, Cuba, South Africa, Germany, England, Pakistan, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Belgium, India, Japan, New Zealand.