This tournament is a platform to build up towards the World Cup; Captain Dean Couzins

New Delhi, 14 January 2014: Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium witnessed the Practice session of New Zealand team today, who geared up for the match tomorrow. With a detailed practice session the players worked on the basics as well as the strategy.

Speaking on the sidelines of the match played against England and the further approach, Coach, Colin Batch said,
“Out of the three matches we played in the Pool games, only one of them was good. The First half of the last match against England was going fine, but the game fell away in the second half. Here on, our focus is to improve the Penalty Corners and defense, and also work on the passing. It will be a cut throat competition in tomorrow’s match and we will get on the field all prepared.

Talking about the so far performances, Captain Dean Couzins said, “Our performance in the last match was disappointing. Only England has won all the matches and rest of the teams have lost at least once. It is a close tournament, as all the teams are giving their best in the game. And this makes the tournament interesting. The best part is that this tournament is helping us in building towards the world cup.  We are analyzing all the matches and trying to improve our consistency.”

About the team

New Zealand coached by ex-Belgium coach and former Australian international player Colin Batch, qualified for this event thanks to a fourth place finish at the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi Final in Rotterdam, Netherlands. A highlight of that event was hugely impressive3-3 draw with host nation the Netherlands on the first weekend, although the side fell to a 4-1defeat in the 3-4 placement game at the end of the tournament. Although the sqad had not been confirmed as we went to the press, it is expected that experienced campaigners ace striker Simon Child and solid midfielder Steve Edwards will be included once again following their return to international hockey at the recent Oceania Cup continental championship. Both players took a break from the team after the London 2012 Olympic Games.