World hockey cup bid

Press, 9 December 1981, Page 48

World hockey cup bid

By

KEVIN TUTTY

The New Zealand hockey team leaves Auckland this morning on the first leg of its World Cup campaign with two good practice results to boost its confidence. On Sunday and Monday evenings the team played an Auckland XI consisting of Auckland players not in the national side, and Auckland members of the New Zealand junior side. New Zealand won both games comfortably, 8-0 and 6-1, and the coach, Brian Maunsell, was pleased with the team’s performance, particularly the defence. It is acknowledged by Mr Maunsell that if New Zealand has a problem area it would be in defence, but he felt that in the two Auckland games, the rearguard was well organised, and denied the opposition attacking opportunities. “The defensivee organisation was much more secure, and if we can develop this further in our remaining build-up games, it will allow us to go into our matches in Bombay with greater security,” said Mr Maunsell. Mr Maunsell was pleased with what he saw of the attacking ability in the two games. “The forward line showed tremendous flair and variation.” “Players were popping up out of their positions and giving the opposition all sorts of problems. But it was not overdone, and not done to the detriment of the rest of the attack,” said Mr Maunsell. He said the attack is the most even and versatile he has had in his five years as national coach. In the 10 games New Zealand has overseas before the tournament starts Mr Maunsell will have to sort out what will be his No. 1 side to line up at the start of pool games in Bombay. “That will be difficult because everyone is pulling their weight. No-one can be regarded as a certainty for inclusion, and no-one can say definitely they will be excluded.” Mr Maunsell is satisfied the team is as fit as any he has prepared in the past, and he was the trainer responsible for the fitness of the 1976 Olympic team that won the gold medal.