Hockey: One down, but New Zealanders brace for a tougher two

By DAVID LEGGAT

Kevin Towns has no fears of over-confidence in his New Zealand team before their second game, against Canada, at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Madrid tomorrow morning.

And he's hoping that after starting with a 1-0 win over Malaysia yesterday, the quality of New Zealand's play will step up against more attack-minded opposition.

Malaysia's policy of defending in depth and whacking 50-metre balls upfield failed to undo a New Zealand team still recovering from the effects of a bug which laid low several players.

Towns was satisfied that the points were won - New Zealand's strategy is to collect maximum points in their first three games before facing pool heavyweights Pakistan and India next week - but is expecting improvements against Canada.

"The players made a nervous start [against Malaysia], so I don't think there will be any over-confidence."

He's also hoping the remaining games are more open than yesterday's, as teams know draws are not good enough in the battle to finish in the top seven of the 12-team tournament, and thereby go to Athens.

"Canada did us a favour when they last played us in Wellington by beating us 4-2," Towns said.

"They will come at us, which is good for us, and they need the points."

Canada lost 4-2 to Pakistan yesterday. New Zealand generally have had the wood on the Canadians, including a 4-1 series win 10 months ago.

Hayden Shaw's third-minute goal from a penalty corner decided yesterday's game.

Both teams had half chances in the second spell, and New Zealand goalkeeper Paul Woolford pulled off a string of tidy saves as Malaysia pressed for an equaliser.

New Zealand used only 12 players in the game, played on a dry, bumpy pitch.

With the back half of the side settled - Woolford, Shaw, Dion Gosling, Wayne McIndoe and Blair Hopping - it's likely the only tinkering will come in the halfback line and up front.

Belgium pulled off one of two surprise results yesterday, holding India to a 1-1 draw.

In the other pool, Spain and the Netherlands had easy wins, 6-1 over Japan and 5-1 against South Africa respectively. But world No 17 Poland beat world No 8 Britain 2-1.