Hockey: More to it than a result

There is a lot more than just results at stake for the New Zealand men when they hit off against the Dutch in their first game at the Champions Trophy in Lahore tomorrow.

This will be an acid test for the New Zealanders who are without drag flick expert Hayden Shaw, who is spending his summer playing cricket for Canterbury.

Given the importance of penalty corners, the pressure will be on David Kosoof - the leading scorer in this year's NHL - and James Nation to provide the drag flick option.

There is a wealth of experience in this team. Captain Simon Towns has joined recently-retired Umesh Parag in the "200 club" and Darren Smith and Dion Gosling have played more than 150 internationals.

Ryan Archibald's much-awaited return after a broken leg, which robbed him of a first Olympic appearance, will add much-needed experience in midfield.

Phillip Burrows and Bevan Hari - both centurions - will lead the strikeforce, with Burrows in particular expected to add to his already healthy goal haul.

Coach Kevin Towns has hinted he is likely to share the goalkeeping duties between Paul Woolford and Kyle Pontifex and will almost certainly name both for each match leaving two outfield players from the named 16.

A top-four finish would guarantee a spot in next year's tournament in India. They could make it by finishing fifth provided India does not finish sixth.

Beyond that, the New Zealand Hockey Federation are keen to host a future Trophy tournament, which is the domain of the top six teams in the world.

 

New Zealand hockey stocks are riding high at international headquarters following the success of the women's Olympic qualifiers at Lloyd Elsmore Park this year.

"We have already put it on record with the FIH [world body] that we are keen to host another major tournament," said federation chief executive Ramesh Patel. "They know we are capable, but we still have to be mindful of the financial commitment."

For Towns and his team, the Champions Trophy is new ground. New Zealand last played at this level 20 years ago where they finished fifth. All three previous appearances have been in Pakistan.

The top-six finish at the Athens Olympics has thrown a lifeline to a number of players who were considering their international futures. Now, it seems, only one or two might call it quits after the Lahore tournament.

"There are a couple who are saying they are available for everything but they could still pull the plug," Towns said. "Dion Gosling, Wayne McIndoe and Simon Towns are among those who might have a look at things.

"In many ways this tournament is the first step on our long build-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We are looking for a long term commitment but that, of course, does not mean we will not be looking elsewhere.

"For players like James Nation and Dharmesh Puna this is the chance for them to play well and hold their spot."

The tournament caps a busy year for New Zealand hockey - a sport which exists without the support many of the so-called major sports enjoy.

"There are no big contracts for sure," said Towns. "The players can apply for performance enhancement grants from the Academy of Sport and Sparc. That certainly helps but it is nothing like the $30,000 the domestic cricketers can earn."

Money will be the furthest thing from the minds of Towns and his players as they head into their six games in the eight-day tournament.

They are more interested in results and take the confidence of a warm-up win over Olympic bronze medallists Germany into the games against the Dutch, Pakistan, Spain, Germany and India in their efforts to keep the momentum rolling.