Hockey: Men's cup team off to great start

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand got the start they wanted at the men's World Cup qualifying tournament in Edinburgh last night with a 3-1 win over Egypt.

The pool A match at the 16-team tournament was the best so far, with New Zealand always in control against the quick, skilful Egyptians.

New Zealand must finish in the top seven at Edinburgh to qualify for next year's World Cup in Malaysia.

Last night's win kept those hopes firmly alive.

Going into the game with a full-strength line-up, New Zealand had the upper hand from the outset. Brett Leaver, back in the team after missing last month's home series against India, quickly proved his worth.

The veteran defender, playing his 143rd international, gave his side the lead in the seventh minute from the second penalty corner they forced.

Leaver was also successful with a penalty stroke nine minutes later after Phil Burrows had played the ball to Bevan Hari, who was tackled illegally in front of the Egyptian goal.

The stroke was awarded by umpire Richard Wolter, controlling his 100th international.

The Egyptians had shown pace in breaking quickly, but had trouble getting through the solid New Zealand midfield. However, they got a goal back just before halftime.

New Zealand scored their third goal in the 58th minute after Umesh Parag had been brought down. He bounced back to deflect home after Leaver had dragged the ball from the resulting penalty corner.

New Zealand had some anxious moments in the latter stages when Ryan Archibald was shown a yellow card and spent the last six minutes of the match on the sideline.

New Zealand are back in action tonight (11 o'clock NZ time) when they play India in what is seen as the most crucial pool game of the tournament.

India played Wales in their opening game early today.

There will be no excuses if New Zealand do not qualify. They have had an ideal build-up.

In the last 11 weeks they have played 12 internationals against top-quality teams, including Australia, India, England and Malaysia.

New Zealand knew little about Egypt, who arrived in Edinburgh on Tuesday, five days late.

It was vital that New Zealand won the first game.

The first round is four pools of four, with the top two from each going into a second round of three games.

New Zealand will also need to finish in the top two in the second round to ensure themselves a place in the semifinals, and avoid a dogfight for fifth to eighth places.

In the biggest upset so far, the United States beat Russia 1-0 in pool D, while Bangladesh, who were awarded a place at the tournament ahead of New Zealand, went down 1-8 to Argentina in the tournament opener.