‘Killer instinct’ still lacking in hockey team

Press, 16 August 1985, Page 10

‘Killer instinct’ still lacking in hockey team

KEVIN TUTTY

looks at the individual and collective

performances of the New Zealand players in the two internationals against Japan last week-end.

Two comfortable wins, patches of sparkling hockey, and an improved ability to capitalise on half-chances in the circle, were positive aspects of New Zealand’s wins against Japan at Mount Albert Park in Wellington last week-end.

the interval. For the last 15 minutes of the first half, and much of the second half, New Zealand lost the urgency and rhythm that had made it look so menacing earlier. That must be the most worrying aspect for Mr Blake as the team prepares for Barcelona.

work on the attitude of some players, too. There was a tendency for some to take the stance that: “An international win is an international win” when a closer analysis of the two tests might have been more fruitful. The team will be boosted in Barcelona and on the pre-tournament tour of Europe by the addition of three players living overseas — Stuart Grimshaw, Jon Tanner and Peter Miskimmin. Miskimmin and Tanner will give more flexibility and control to the attack. Miskimmin, in particular, is an elusive dribbler and when combined with Ramesh Patel, Peter Daji and the other forwards, will form a competent attack. Missing at the week-end was consistent short passing inside the Japanese 25m area, which was needed to break the defence. On the few occasions the simple one-two passing move was employed by two players, it had devastating results. Daji and Patel were the most consistent of the New Zealand forwards. Daji was closely marked but still managed one of his opportunist goals late in the second test. Patel, as usual, worked industriously, although he had one dreadful patch late in the second test when his skills seemed to desert him. That lasted about five minutes before Patel set himself back on the rails.

There were hints that New Zealand possesses the talent to win the InterContinental Cup in Barcelona in October, but there is no room for over-confid-ence. The team still has faults to eliminate.

The first test, which New Zealand won, 3-1, was a typical shakedown. It started energetically but soon lost its rhythm. The second test produced a more positive display and some entertaining hockey. The 5-0 win was a convincing margin but one had the feeling that without too much effort the margin could have been extended by three or more goals.

New Zealand spent a good deal of that indecisive period passing the ball across field and back in an attempt to draw the stacked Japanese defence out of its circle area.

Trevor Blake, the New Zealand coach, summed up the second test and the series when he said that New Zealand still lacked the “killer instinct.” It had Japan at its mercy in the second test but was not ruthless enough in its desire to score goals. One of the satisfying aspects for Mr Blake was that all four field goals that were scored were the result of half-chances taken in the circle. This aspect of forward play has worried Mr Blake since he assumed leadership of the national side last December. Indeed it worried several of Mr Blake’s predecessors. Besides the four goals scored there were two other occasions when players came close to scoring what would have been spectacular goals. Players are finally becoming aware, and more adept, at attempting chances in the circle. The first 20 minutes of the second test were a delight for the handful of spectators who made the effort to watch only the second international in New Zealand on an artificial surface.

The ploy worked, but the swiftness of passing and running off the ball which had been apparent on attack earlier, was absent, and the Japanese were able to gather their defence again before it was pierced. The overwhelming feeling was that the standard of hockey in New Zealand was to blame for the lapses in concentration and urgency of the players. Often in club, and even provincial games, the New Zealand players can operate below optimum level. When they advance to international level the speed required in the execution of skills is greater, and it thus takes players time to settle into that higher gear. Until the standard of club and provincial hockey in New Zealand can be improved, New Zealand teams are likely to struggle when thrown into international play fresh. Mr Blake may have to

Laurie Gallen had a day he would probably prefer to forget at inside left in the first test, but on the left wing the next day he was not recognisable as the same player. He dribbled with authority and his eye for an opportunity brought him two goals from defensive errors in the first 14 minutes.

Chris Leslie played the first game at left wing where he made good progress down the flank, but often without support. He played the second game at inside right but looked unfamiliar in the position in the early stages. He worked energetically though,, especially assisting the defence.

New Zealand was in total control and had the Japanese flummoxed with its crisp, swift, and accurate passing. New Zealand was three goals ahead after 14 minutes and double that number looked possible by

Jim Smith played at right wing and centre forward and used his strong running and close dribbling effectively. His confidence grew in each match, and he came close to scoring a spectacular reverse stick goal after weaving through three defenders.

Simon Norton, a late inclusion in the squad, was used as a substitute in both games. His stickwork lacked some finesse, but his strong, direct dribbling was his greatest asset.

The defence was rarely under pressure. The goalkeepers, John Melhuish in the first test, and Don Davis, who played his first international in the second test, both made some good saves from penalty corners but were otherwise un troubled.

Dave Peterson played his first international in the first test at right back. His tackling was sound, but some of his passing was a little astray.

Grant McLeod scored four goals from penalty corners, but some of his tackling was rusty. He had played only one game in the previous month, perhaps accounting for his lack of timing in tackles. Robin Wilson played the first test at centre half, and the second at right back where he appeared more at home. His tackling and clearing from deep defence was very safe. Jeff Archibald was steady without being spectacular at

right half (first test) and centre half. The accuracy of his passing was, as always, his strongest point. He did tend to dally at times before making passes. Greg Pierce had one and a bit games at right half and was the epitome of consistency. He was substituted late in the first test and nearly scored a spectacular goal. In the second he was in command on his flank and always in close support of his forwards. He played so well that he could well make that position his in Barcelona, leaving Archibald to contest the centre half position with Grimshaw, or move to inside right where his services would be better applied. Chris Brown was caught out of position a couple of times early in the first test by the speedy Japanese wing, Minoru Sakamoto. He quickly compensated, and for the remainder of the two tests played safely. In the early stages of the second test he featured in some neat passing moves down the left flank with Patel and Gallen.

Both tests were virtually incident free and that was due to strong umpiring by Bruce Nimmo from Greymouth and lan Faulkner from Auckland who controlled the first and second tests respectively with Masatomo Kawakami, the umpire touring with the Japanese.

the internationals were Mr Kawakami’s first and for a 25-year-old he handled them like a veteran.

He was decisive, firm on any hint of trouble, and showed a fine understanding of the advantage rule. The most disappointing aspect of the week-end was the lack of spectators for the first tests on the artificial surface. Unfortunately the lack of facilities — apart from a shelter for about 100 people in one corner of the ground — will not encourage people to the park. Perhaps when New Zealand next plays a home series — and the New Zealand Hockey Association hopes that will be next year — the opposition will be stronger. New Zealand has won its last three home series — against Ireland (1979), India (1983) and Japan — and will have a proud home record to defend.