Hockey team in semi-final

Press, 17 December 1982, Page 30

Hockey team in semi-final

NZPA Melbourne The pocket-sized dynamo, Peter Daji, carried New Zealand into its first tournament semi-final in six years in the Esanda world hockey series at Royal Park Stadium, Melbourne, yesterday.

Two goals- in 32 seconds by the tiny 22-year-old Daji inspired New Zealand to a thrilling 3-2 win over England after it had led. 2-1. at half-time.

Daji's goals came in the first half after England led. 1-0. through an excellent goal by Kulbir Bhaura in the twenty-third minute.

Bhaura capitalised on excellent lead-up work by the left-wing. Richard Leman, who dribbled his way through several defenders before squaring a magnificent pass across the face of the goal. But England's joy was short-lived and less than a minute later Daji intercepted a cross from his right wing. Peter Miskimmin. to make it 1-1. '

The cheers were still ringing in England's ears when New Zealand swept straight into attack from the re-start and Ramesh Patel burst through the centre to find Daji on his inside and in position to put, away a superb goal through the legs of England's champion goalkeeper, lan Taylor. Daji capped a magnificent performance for New Zealand when he provided the spade work for New Zealand's third goal four minutes into the second half.

The dashing Aucklander cut the England defence to shreds with another withering burst that forced a penalty stroke after a misunderstanding between, the England full-back. Jim Duthie. and Taylor. Miskimmin made no mistake with his shot from the mark to give New Zealand a 3-1 lead and England's semifinal hopes were all but dashed.

England bounced back to narrow the gap with a goal from a penalty stroke by Shean Kerly in the seventythird 'minute — but it came far too late for England to present any real threat."

An elated New Zealand coach. Brian Maunsell, was choked with emotion after seeing his side win through to New Zealand's first major tournament semi-final since it won the gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. “It was a gutsy effort and I'm very proud of the boys, particularly the way they bounced back against the run of play to snatch that first goal,” said Mr Maunsell. "The quick recovery is what broke England's spirit and lifted us sky .high.” Said England’s coach. David Whittaker: "We paid the supreme penalty for being too defensive.

‘All too often we resorted

to the back pass to rebuild our attack when we should have been pressing forward at every opportunity. "In hindsight I think we prepared ourselves adequately for the match but were unable to handle the added pressure. "It was a match we had to win to make the semi-finals and I don't think our lads are quite ready for that kind of pressure in this stage of their development.” China, meanwhile, put in its best tournament performance yesterday to go down narrowly to the more experienced Indian team, 0-2.

China's coach. Hou Zhengoing, said that the match was the team's best performance since a 2-1 victory over Malaysia in the recent Asian Cup and its best ever against the top team.

China has lost all four of its round-robin matches but showed potential with some good individual skills and some top flight players. “The experience we have gained here in Melbourne will be of great development to the Chinese hockey and we will be much stronger next time," said Mr Zhengoing. China plays its last match today against Canada in a game to decide ninth and tenth places at the tournament.