Ryan Archibald missed out on the Athens Olympics after breaking his leg, while the team did not qualify for Sydney in 2000. Photo / Dean Purcell
New Zealand hockey captain Ryan Archibald is hoping for better Olympic luck in 2008 than he had four years ago.
The 27-year-old 200 test veteran was set to play at the Athens Olympics in 2004 but broke a leg during the year and frantic efforts by the medical
team weren't enough to get him on the field.
He had to watch from the sidelines as the Black Sticks finished sixth and wait four years for another chance.
Though the qualifying road was tougher this year, Archibald and the team earned a slot at Beijing with an extra-time win over Argentina yesterday.
"This was my third attempt. Sydney we didn't qualify, we weren't good enough, Athens we did qualify and I was injured and couldn't go so from my own personal point of view it's a dream come true really and fingers crossed I'll be fit for Beijing."
Despite his poor luck in 2004, Archibald says he won't be taking things too easy to ensure he plays at the Olympics.
"Freak things can happen and you can't avoid them, but I'm pretty determined I'll be fit and strong come Beijing time."
Archibald, who was named in the world all stars team in 2007 and has improved his game since a stint in Dutch professional leagues, was impressed at his side's composure yesterday despite twice going behind to the higher-ranked Argentinians.
"We didn't get too frantic or try to win the game from the wrong areas of the field, we moved the ball around and worked our way up the field and then were able grab our penalty corners when they presented themselves, which was excellent.
"Good composure and good guts to make sure we just stuck at it."
- NZPA
