Hockey: Nine new hockey caps

By TERRY MADDAFORD

David Kosoof's solid season with national hockey league winners North Harbour has been rewarded with a call-up to the New Zealand team for the series against Pakistan.

Kosoof is one of nine uncapped players in the 25-strong squad for the four-test series - the first against Pakistan here since 1994.

In naming his first squad since being recalled as national coach, Kevin Towns has opted for a mix of experience and promise.

"This is a good chance to look at a number of players," he said. "It is the first time we have attempted what is pretty much a trial against international opposition and the chance for younger players to experience the demands of international hockey.

"Our focus is on July 17 next year - the start of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Edinburgh - and we must take every opportunity we can to ensure we have the best players ready for that."

Towns has put a proposed programme to the New Zealand Hockey Federation, including plans for a goalkeeping clinic for eight to 10 of the most promising keepers.

He also hopes to take a squad to Australia for 12 days early next year for some concentrated coaching and match play.

"We will then have to follow that up with whatever we can afford in the buildup to the World Cup qualifiers," Towns said.

Recent internationals Scott Anderson and Craig Russ have confirmed their retirements, while Brett Leaver (injured) and goalkeeper Michael Bevin (overseas) are unavailable.

The matches against Pakistan are on August 29 (Auckland), August 31 (North Harbour), September 2 (Hamilton) and September 3 (Auckland).

The squad is: Ryan Archibald, Kieren Daji, Dion Gosling, Michael Gunn, Bevan Hari, Troy Hari, Greg Russ, Simon Towns, Sunil Unka, Paul Woolford (Auckland), Hugh Biss, Phil Burrows, Wayne McIndoe, Umesh Parag, Mitesh Patel (Wellington), Bevan Gibbs (Northland), Hymie Gill, David Kosoof, Darren Smith (North Harbour), Andrew Hastie, Craig Reynolds, Andrew Timlin (Canterbury), Blair Hopping, Alpesh Puna, Dharmesh Puna (Waikato).

The new caps are: Biss, Daji, Gunn, Troy Hari, Gibbs, Kosoof, Hopping, Alpesh and Dharmesh Puna.