New Zealand men, women hockey teams pushing for gold at Delhi CWG
By ANITuesday, September 28, 2010
WELLINGTON - The New Zealand men’s and women’s hockey teams aim to win Commonwealth Games medals in order to take then back home as a metallic souvenir of New Delhi.
With the top four nations in women’s hockey not part of the Commonwealth, the side co-captained by Kayla Sharland and Emily Naylor are the Games’ third seeds behind England and Australia.
England, Australia and New Zealand occupy consecutive rungs on the world rankings, suggesting that the battle for medals will be a close one.
Naylor is certain about her targets. “Definitely a medal, and I guess our goal is to get a gold medal,” the NZ Herald quoted her, as saying.
“All the teams there are beatable if we play good hockey. I think we have as good a chance as anyone, so we’ll be pushing for gold,” she said.
Both the men’s and women’s hockey events have 10 teams split into two pools.
The New Zealand men haven’t been as consistent, but had won silver in Manchester in 2002.
New Zealand’s world ranking of seven puts them third among Commonwealth nations.
Coach Shane McLeod said: “You always need a bit luck and you have to play well and make sure your base is sound, but we give ourselves every chance of a medal.” (ANI)
