Hockey: Top-ranked Britain ignore expectations

By DAVID LEGGAT

Holding the top ranking going into the Olympic qualifying tournament is neither here nor there to world No 5 Britain.

Today they start their campaign for a trip to a fifth successive Olympic Games, playing New Zealand at Lloyd Elsmore Park, and they have a squad chockful of experience.

Three players, Jane Smith, Mandy Nicholson and Rhona Simpson, have played more than 200 internationals. Ten others are past their century. Only 18-year-old Christa Cullen has fewer than 75 caps.

That suggests there shouldn't be too many youthful jitters as the event rolls on with the bulk of the players well used to the foibles of international competition. Then again, this is the biggest event for all the players since 2000.

Still, it would be a major surprise if Britain are not among the top five teams at the end of the tournament, thereby gaining a spot in Athens.

Being the top-ranked carries no special pressures, says assistant coach Bobby Crutchley.

"I think we accept that's the way it is," he said. "We play a lot of tournaments, like the Champions Trophy, where we're not that highly ranked.

"For all teams the biggest pressure will be qualification for the Olympics. New Zealand probably have a bit of pressure being at home, with expectations and a lot of support. That's what we won't have," he quipped.

Britain have had close to two weeks in Auckland getting attuned to the job at hand, and Crutchley said they were happy with their progress.

The trick for coach Trish Heberle and her staff was getting the right blend of players who are drawn from the four "home" countries: the powerful English, who make up the bulk of the squad, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"We've had to look at a number of players and different formations," Crutchley added.

The success of their deliberations will become evident today.