Hockey squad selection puzzle
By
KEVIN TUTTY
The absence of the Wellington left-half. Hus Bhikha. and a third goal-keeper, were the unfathomable exclusions from a New Zealand hockey squad of 23 announced yesterday.
Bhika was the outstanding left-half at the NewmansAdidas national tournament in Mosgiel last week, and one of the most consistent defenders over all but somehow has missed the squad. Two goal-keepers will travel with the team, to the international tournament in Melbourne in December. The two announced in the squad. Graeme Sligo (Manawatu) and Maurice Marquet
(Otago), can approach the trials in Palmerston North on October 8. 9 and 10 knowing their places in the . eventual team are secure. . Because there is competition for the other positions in the team, it would have seemed logical to include a third goal-keeper. Dave Stuthridge. the Canterbury goalie, who had an outstanding tournament, warranted a trial. It was a .remarkable comeback by Stuthridge. who missed the national tournament last year after breaking a thigh in a car accident. Any doubts about his agility or fitness were dispelled at
Mosgiel. He was Canterbury's "saviour more than once with his- razor-sharp reflexes. The selectors (Messrs Brian Matinsell., Trevor Blake and Bob Campbell) perhaps-discounted him because of his age — he is 34 — but two of New Zealand’s best goalies since World War 11. Bill Schaffer and Ross McPherson. had ' barelyreached their peak by that age. The squad is: Goal-keepers. Sligo. Marquet. Defenders: Andy Innes. Robin Wilson. Greg Pierce (Canterbury): Grant McLeod (Northland): Wayne Buckingham. Stuart Grimshaw. Brent .Miskimmin.
Keith Btnnie (Wellington). Mohan Patel. Chris Brown (Auckland). Forwards: Balvant Bhana. George .Carnoutsos. lan Riach. Mark Burtt (Canterbury); Peter Daji. Arthur Parkin. Ramesh Patel. Jeff Archibald (Auckland): Peter Miskimmin. Laurie Gallen ( Wellington): Jon Tanner (Otagm. The squad indicates the selectors are still at a loss for a centre-half. The inclusion of so many voung plavers is an indication the selectors are attempting to build a team for the 1984 Olympics, but the coach. Mr Maunsell. has a tremendous amount of work ahead to mould a team that will perform creditably al Los Angeles.
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Press, 9 September 1982, Page 32
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348Hockey squad selection puzzle Press, 9 September 1982, Page 32
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