Road to Seoul made easier

Press, 24 February 1987, Page 40

Road to Seoul made easier

By

KEVIN TUTTY

Qualification for the Olympic Games in Seoul next year will not be as difficult for the New Zealand men’s hockey team as first thought, but it will still require some good results in Argentina next month to strengthen its claim to one of the 12 places. The International Hockey Federation has ’released the criteria it will use to decide the 12 teams in the Olympic tournament. Two teams have already qualified — South Korea as the host, and Pakistan as the defending gold medallist.

There are four continental groupings which will provide a further four teams automatically. They are Oceania, Africa, the Americas and Europa.

Australia, because of its superior international record to New Zealand in the last three years, will take the Oceania spot. That will leave New Zealand to fight with about 10 other countries for the final six places. The grouping of the remaining Asian countries, including India and Malaysia, with the European countries will not please the Asians, but it ha.; made one more place available on the open market.

Assuming West Germany takes the place for the Europa qualifier and Argentina is the Americas qualifier, that would leave Great Britain, the Netherlands, the Soviet Union, Spain, Poland, India, Malaysia, Canada and New Zealand to fight for the final six places.

No other African countries are likely to be considered for the final six places.

England was second at the World Cup last October, but at the Olympics it ust become Great Britain. It has played few games as Great Britain, but it seems sure to be one of the final six. The Netherlands and the Soviet Union should take two further places. Spain and Poland finished ahead of New Zealand at the World Cup, but New Zealand will have a chance to improve its position when it plays Spain in Argentina next month.

The I.H.F. is almost certain to select India for the Olympics, in spite of its finishing last at the World Cup. New Zealand then could

find itself in a four-way battle — with Spain, Poland and Canada — for two places. The I.H.F. has told national associations that it will select, in January next year, the remaining 10 teams for the Olympics.

They will consider results from Olympic qualifying. tournaments when they make their choices, and the New Zealand Hockey Association understands that the tournament in Argentina next month is one of the qualifying tournaments. Because it will be the only Olympic qualifying tournament New Zealand will contest before team selection for the Olympics is made, good results are imperative in Argentina next month.