Hockey: Whole-hearted support from coach

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Frustrated New Zealand men's coach Kevin Towns will spend a lot of time in front of a screen during the next week or so.

Forced by minor heart surgery to stay at home while his team play the Champions Challenge tournament in Randburg, South Africa, Towns will monitor progress through regular updates on the internet.

"I would love to be there," he said. "It's an exciting time, especially with the Olympics looming so large. I'm sure Charlie [Oscroft, assistant coach] will do a great job."

Towns and Oscroft are aware that the Australians will be in South Africa to watch New Zealand's every move.

"We know they will be there, but I don't think they will learn much they don't already know," Towns said.

"Sure, this tournament is important, but everything is about Australia. There seems to be some nervousness across the Tasman. I have already spoken to their coach, Barry Dancer, and he has told me he is keen to involve New Zealand in any build-up they might have to the Olympic qualifying tournament. That suggests they are not overly confident of beating us in September to book their place in Athens."

Towns said that beyond the Champions Challenge, he was keen to get games against his target teams - Germany, Spain and Holland.

"We haven't done well against European teams. They are significantly ahead of us at this point."

For that reason, the games against England and Spain in South Africa and the four tests against Britain in November were particularly important.

The team

Goalkeepers: Paul Woolford (Auckland) aged 26, 42 caps; Kyle Pontifex (Wellington) 23, 5.

Defenders: Dion Gosling (Auckland) 32, 126; Dean Couzins (Auckland) 22, 38; Hayden Shaw (Canterbury) 22, 33.

Midfield: Simon Towns (Auckland) 30, 171, captain; Mitesh Patel (Wellington) 27, 76; Darren Smith (North Harbour) 29, 142; Wayne McIndoe (Auckland) 30, 67; Blair Hopping (North Harbour) 22, 53; Casey Henwood (North Harbour) 22, 8; Ryan Archibald (Auckland) 22, 103; Bryce Collins (Canterbury) 25, 2.

Strikers: David Kosoof (North Harbour) 24, 46; Umesh Parag (Wellington) 31, 180; Bevan Hari (Auckland) 28, 114; Phillip Burrows (Wellington) 23, 75; Gareth Brooks (Canterbury) 24, 7.

Matches, times

Tomorrow v Korea, 11pm (NZ time).

Sunday v Malaysia, 3am.

Wednesday v Spain, 2.30am.

Thursday v South Africa, 4.30am.

July 26 v England, 12.30am.

July 27: Playoffs (8pm-1am).

Recent results

v England, July 2001, won 5-1.

v Korea, March 2003, won 3-2, won 3-2.

v Malaysia, March 2003, won 4-2.

v Spain, March 2002, lost 3-1.

v South Africa, July 2002, won 5-2.

* This is the first time New Zealand have played in the Champions Challenge.