INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY Dutch, Pakistanis and Poles have wins

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33453, 7 February 1974, Page 14

INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY Dutch , Pakistanis and Poles have wins

Poland beat Canada. 5-2, in an international hockey match at Palmerston North yesterday in a arm-tip match lor the international hockey tournament at Christchurch. In Invercargill, Pakistan beat Australia. 2-1.

The Polish team was very fit. and its hard hitting on the dry ground soon had Canada in trouble. After about 15 minutes. Poland had i two goals. Poland continued with hurrying tactics, and up- . setting any pattern of play Canada might have used. Canada’s two goals were scored by individuals breaking through the Polish defence, and at half-time the score was 2-alI. I In the second half, Poland ! plaved as a team, trapped I well. and held the upper hand, scoring three more goals. INVERCARGILL GAME Pakistan scored two goals '■early in the match at Inver- | cargill and never looked in danger of being beaten. Pakistan showed greater ! speed, both in covering the [ground on attack or defence, -'and in the quickness of stickwork. Often the Australians appeared to mount a dangerous attack only to have the Pakistan defence sweep into position from nowhere. RUGBY PARK The ground had been plough-drained, and both [teams had trouble in counterling the rising ball from the ridges, and the flaying sticks ‘intended to meet the ball in flight caused scuffles between I the players. Goals for Pakistan were [scored by the captain, Rashid, land the left wing, Sumilar, and Australia’s goal was [scored by B. Glencross. DUTCHMEN WIN >1 The Netherlands fought 'hard for a narrow 1-0 vic- . tory against Malaysia before i a crowd of almost 2000 at Hobson Park, Auckland. The Dutch players took a ; long time to settle. For I the first 10 minutes all the attacking was by the Asians. However, when the Nether- ■ lands’ mid-field pair, R. . Steens and T. Pierik, adjusted

to the pace of the ground, the side’s play improved markedly. The Netherlands players kept play open, and body contact was no more robust than in a typical club game Only two card warnings had

to be issued and late in the game, the umpire. Mr D. Lloyd, flashed the vellow card at T. Kruise, suspending him temporarily behind the Dutch goal. The Malaysian defence not always sound at (rapping and clearing, but the forwards showed good mid-tield control, and lacked onlv th? lability to finish attacks wnli strong goal-shooting. The Netherlands goal was scored by R. Steens