Hockey: Space left for injured Archibald on Athens flight

1.00pm

One place has been left vacant for injured New Zealand hockey midfielder Ryan Arhibald as he races time to be fit for the Olympic Games in August.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) and the New Zealand Hockey Federation today confirmed 15 members of the 16-strong party to be taken to Athens.

The selectors have left open one place for Archibald, who broke his leg in a training mishap in Auckland on June 6.

He has been bracketed with North Harbour striker David Kosoof, and the 16th player will be named as late as possible within International Olympic Committee rules.

NZOC secretary general Barry Maister, an Olympic gold medal winner with the New Zealand hockey team in 1976, is excited by the talent available for Athens.

"This team proved their worth at the Manchester Commonwealth Games when they won the silver medal," Maister said.

"I am sure that they have matured even further as a group of people and will perform with great credit in Athens."

Internationally recognised striker Phil Burrows spearheads the attack while the team's most-capped player, Wellington striker Umesh Parag, has played 204 games for his country.

The New Zealand side boast considerable experience in the midfield, with centre half and captain Simon Towns having 193 caps, vice-captain Darren Smith 163 caps and Mitesh Patel 98 caps.

Left half Blair Hopping has 75 caps and is well respected internationally while Auckland striker Bevan Hari, with 123 caps, can also provide rotation in the midfield.

New Zealand will also boast a key attacking weapon in Athens in the form of Hayden Shaw.

"This will be the first time that New Zealand has taken a penalty corner weapon to an Olympic Games," coach Kevin Towns said.

"Hayden Shaw is ranked one of the top four penalty corner drag flick specialists in the world."

Two players have broken into the side.

Canterbury striker Gareth Brooks went to the 2002 Commonwealth Games as a video operator and has since impressed with his dedication and goalscoring ability.

Also, Wellington midfielder James Nation, who debuted for New Zealand in 2001, will act as a back-up penalty corner attacking option to Shaw and provide support at centre half and left half.

The team are vastly experienced, with the average age being 27 and the players averaging just under 100 caps.

"There is huge resolve within the team to do well," Towns said.

The team will play a three-test series against Australia in Cairns on July 13, 15 and 17.

Auckland defender Dharmesh Puna has been included in the team to travel to Cairns.

Dean Couzins, who has been named in the Olympic side, is recovering from a broken ankle, suffered in mid May. He will also travel to Cairns, but is not yet fully recovered.

The team will fly from Cairns to Barcelona on July 19, to begin a pre-Olympic tour in Spain, beginning with a practice match against Spain on July 20.

Practice matches are also scheduled against Great Britain and Egypt.

Team:

Dean Couzins (Auckland)

Bevan Hari (Auckland)

Wayne McIndoe (Auckland)

Simon Towns (Auckland)

Paul Woolford (Auckland)

Dion Gosling (Auckland)

Gareth Brooks (Canterbury)

Hayden Shaw (Canterbury)

Blair Hopping (North Harbour)

Darren Smith (North Harbour)

Phil Burrows (Wellington)

James Nation (Wellington)

Umesh Parag (Wellington)

Kyle Pontifex (Wellington)

Mitesh Patel (Wellington)

David Kosoof (North Harbour) or Ryan Archibald (Auckland)

- NZPA