Hockey: One last challenge remains for Clarke

By DAVID LEGGAT

If you are going to retire from top international sport, short of an Olympic final what's the next best finale for a New Zealander?

How about a game against Australia to sort out transtasman bragging rights for the next four years? That's what is in store for Black Sticks goalkeeper Helen Clarke, who ends her 13-year international career on the Olympic stage tonight.

And Clarke can be happy she's bowing out with her form intact.

She was a key figure in Tuesday's 3-2 extra time thriller against Korea, which ensured New Zealand would finish no worse than sixth, and therefore be at November's Champions Trophy, contested by the world's top six teams in Argentina.

Clarke pulled off a series of fine saves to keep New Zealand alive as they wilted in the second half heat before Lisa Walton's close range stab won the game five minutes from the end of sudden death.

There was a personal satisfaction as well. Clarke was in goal in the World Cup match in the Netherlands in 1998 when New Zealand surrendered a 3-0 lead to Korea, losing 4-3.

A bad memory; and when they squandered a two-goal lead on Tuesday and went into extra time they had to dig deep to make sure there would be no repeat.

"I was just starting to think about what penalty strokes they'd have up their sleeve so I was pretty happy we didn't get that far," the 33-year-old Auckland schoolteacher said.

"We were very determined that this was our game and we weren't going to give it up."

Giving it up has never been part of Clarke's makeup.

Her old team-mate and opponent, former Black Sticks captain Anna Lawrence, has huge praise for Clarke's contribution to the national side.

"She's always been a huge strength and we've had to rely on her many times," said Lawrence, who is in Athens as part of the New Zealand athletes services group and watched the win over Korea.

"I don't think the girls would be where they are without her.

"You can have 10 good field players but if you've got an average keeper you won't be in the top six - and she's been among the world's best keepers."

So why stop now? Simple really, and the answer is in two parts.

Quit when you are at the top of your game - and confident that the bulky keeper's clobber will be in good hands.

"You always hope that you haven't gone one tournament too far," Clarke said.

"I was playing well last year and at the beginning of this year I was pretty happy with my form.

"So I'm just concentrating on the basics, letting it flow and not getting caught up in the moment.

"The next game is going to be pretty emotional for me.

"If I can finish another good game that'll be a great way to bow out."

Clarke, who plays her 166th international today, knows what it has been like for reserve keeper Beth Jurgeleit of Wellington.

Clarke went through the same bench-warming role at the first of her three Olympics in Barcelona 12 years ago when Elaine Jensen was first choice.

"We've got some fantastic young keepers coming through and Beth is sitting on the bench and can't wait to get a game."

What if she gets some arm twisting from coach Ian Rutledge to stay on until the Champions Trophy?

"No. This is a great way to finish.

"I'd love to stay involved with the keepers, pass on some experience and knowledge, do some coaching, but no, they're ready to take over now."

Since drawing 2-2 in Christchurch 10 years ago, New Zealand have recorded just one win against 26 losses to the Australians. The sole victory, 3-0, was in a pre-Olympic tournament in Sydney four years ago.

Both New Zealand and Australia will go to the Champions Trophy, so pride and having a five instead of a six beside the team name on the Games finishing order will provide the inspiration tonight.