|
|
by Bruce Hamilton
Trinidad and Tobago ranked 24th was overwhelmed 12-0 by 10th ranked New Zealand on the first day of the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
New Zealand took a 7 goal lead into the break through penalty corner conversions by Hayden Shaw and Phillip Burrows, two field goals to Simon Child and three field goals to David Kosoof.
Hayden Shaw's goal put him into the record books as the only player in New Zealand hockey history to have scored 100 goals for New Zealand.
“It is a remarkable achievement for Hayden given the high calibre of players who have played for New Zealand in the past and added to that is the fact that Hayden was out of the squad for a while and we really noticed the difference with him away,” said Shane McLeod, New Zealand’s coach
Trinidad and Tobago started the second half with aggression, putting pressure on New Zealand’s deep defence and earning a penalty corner. New Zealand was kept scoreless for the first 14 minutes of the second half then another 5 goals were scored through David Kosoof, Ryan Archibald, another penalty corner to Phillip Burrows and two more goals to Simon Child.
The statistics show New Zealand had 30 shots on goal for its 12 goals from 37 circle penetrations and 6 penalty corners.
Trinidad and Tobago had three shots on goal, including the penalty corner, and 10 circle penetrations.
Shane McLeod praised the performance of Trinidad and Tobago captain Kwandwane Browne. “I wish he was a New Zealand citizen because he would be in our team,” McLeod said.
Shane McLeod reflected on the lack of impact by Phillip Burrows in general play.
“We have high expectations of Phillip and there were a couple of occasions when he should have converted and he will be disappointed with his game today,” McLeod said.
New Zealand meet Ireland on Sunday in a game New Zealand must win if it is to progress to the Beijing Olympics.
“It is a crunch game for us,” McLeod said.
Fieldhockey.com Exclusive