Hockey: Coach has India in his sights

(Left to right) Hayden Shaw, David Kosoof and Simon Child. Photo / Dean Purcell

Black Sticks' coach Shane McLeod is not saying as much but there is a feeling he senses an upset when the national men's side goes head to head with Australia in the winner-take-all Oceania Cup final in Invercargill this month.

The winner of that August 30 final - the culmination of a round-robin tournament also involving Samoa - claims automatic entry into the March 7-20 World Cup in India. There will be a second chance, through a qualifying tournament, for the loser but McLeod, understandably, would prefer the short route to next year's showdown for the best 12 teams in the world.

Before turning his attention to the Oceania series, McLeod puts 20 players through their paces in a five-test showdown with Malaysia starting tomorrow in Palmerston North. After that he will name 18 to travel to Invercargill.

"The tests against Malaysia are much more than just deciding which two players will not make the Oceania squad," said McLeod. "We want to use those matches to prepare for how we want to play against Australia."

For McLeod the bonus is in having his best players available for the first time since last year's Olympics.

"It is great to be back at full strength as it not only ensures we have our best players back playing but also the competition within the squad picks up. We also have one of the most capped New Zealand squads ever."

In new captain Phil Burrows (216 caps) and Ryan Archibald (213) the team has two of the most experienced players in international hockey. Blair Hopping (194) is closing on the 200 mark with Dean Couzins (177) not far away.

Dave Kosoof (147), at 31 years the oldest in the squad, and Hayden Shaw (145) are set to join the "150 club" during the Malaysian series while Simon Child (98) and, at 21 still one of the youngest in the 20-strong squad, should become the youngest New Zealander to reach 100 caps in the second match in Palmerston North on Tuesday night.

The experience the players bring, coupled with the bonus of having seven players back from spells of club hockey in the hotbed of European competition, gives McLeod added confidence.

"They have all benefited from having to perform week in week out in both training and playing in such an environment," he said. "They are no longer scared of the Europeans and feel we are probably closer to the Australians than we have been in the past."

McLeod also has the added bonus of being able to spend time with Black Sticks' women's coach, Australian Mark Hager.

"That has been really useful," said McLeod. "He has been able to give me an insight on not only what we can expect from them but also on how they are likely to think we will play. He has given us some useful inside information."

New Zealand go into the series ranked eighth in the world - eight places higher than the Malaysians. In seven meetings since 2005, both teams have won twice with three matches drawn.

BLACK STICKS v MALAYSIA

1st test, tomorrow, Palmerston North 2.30pm
2nd test, Tuesday, Palmerston North 6.30pm
3rd test, Thursday, Napier 6.30pm
4th test, Friday, Napier 6.30pm
5th test, Sunday (August 16), Taupo 1.30pm

SOME OF THE BLACK STICKS

Hayden Shaw

* DOB: August 31, 1980
* Caps: 145
* Debut: v Australia, Kuala Lumpur 2002
* Most memorable: v Pakistan, semifinal 2002 Commonwealth Games, won 7-1
* Most important goal: 2-1 win over India at 2004 Athens Olympics

Dave Kosoof

* DOB: July 26, 1978
* Caps: 147
* Debut: v Pakistan 2000
* Most memorable: Olympic qualifier v Argentina 2008 won in extra time
* Most important goal: 1-0 win over Wales in 2001 World Cup qualifier

Simon Child

* DOB: April 16, 1988
* Caps: 98
* Debut: v Malaysia, Auckland 2005
* Most memorable: Olympic qualifier v Argentina 2008 managed to win in extra time
* Most important goal: "My first" - against Canada at Lloyd Elsmore Park