Hockey: Parag to equal record in vital clash with Belgium

By TERRY MADDAFORD and NZPA

Wellington striker Umesh Parag is poised to join Jamie Smith as New Zealand's most-capped male hockey player.

When 30-year-old Parag runs on to the turf this afternoon for New Zealand's last match in pool play at the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur - against Belgium - he will equal Smith's 160-match record.

The match is crucial for the New Zealanders. Victory over Belgium, the bottom team in pool A, will ensure a top-six finish and with it the chance to compete in the ninth to 12th playoffs.

"That is vital because the teams finishing between seventh and 12th here will get to play in the Champions Challenge, with the winner of that tournament gaining a place in the pre-Olympic Champions Trophy for the top six teams in the world," captain Simon Towns said yesterday.

"The game against Belgium is huge for us. We have played some good hockey, but that has not always been reflected in the scores.

"Before I came here, I felt we sat somewhere in the top 12," said Towns as he and the team reflected on their 3-1 loss to Argentina in a game that fell apart in the latter stages.

"If we can get things right in the attacking third, I'm sure we can beat Belgium."

If New Zealand beat Belgium they will probably play either India or Japan in their first cross-over match.

Towns said the Indian camp was in turmoil, with their coach already back home.

"He was asked to stand down for two games, but refused and went home. They have had something like 13 coaches in 11 years."

Germany beat defending champions the Netherlands 1-0 yesterday to move to the top of pool A.

Their victory sets up the "pool of death" for some tight matches today, when any two of five teams could reach the semifinals.

Germany have 15 points, the Netherlands 13, Pakistan and Argentina 12 and Spain 11, with each having a game to play.

In other pool A games, Pakistan took full advantage of a tired-looking Spanish side to win 2-0, and South Africa gained their first victory, 3-0 over Belgium.