South Africa ready to get stuck in Egypt  x6
 |
| South Africa |
March 23, 2005
The South African Star, South Africa
> Page Views 2846
By Karien Jonckheere
There's nothing like a bit of enthusiasm to inject some excitement into a tournament.
And with a podium finish well within their capabilities, the SA men's hockey team are itching to taste first blood at the Champions Challenge which takes place in Egypt from April 1-9.
"Our team is shy on experience, there's no doubt about that," admitted coach Paul Revington who has lost the services of the likes of Craig Jackson, Gregg Clark and Greg Nicol since last year's Olympics.
"But what they lack in experience I think they make up in their attitude which is terrific. Maybe it's naive but they don't fear any team and they just want to play and win.
"Sometimes as a coach I think they need a reality check but at the same time it can be dangerous to curb enthusiasm. I won't hold this group back."
The South Africans will be taking on Argentina, Belgium, Egypt, England and Korea in next week's tournament, and Revington is confident of a good showing.
"We have beaten all these teams in the last 16 months so we're hoping for some form of medal. And if this team can get it right, we can possibly aim higher and contest the final," added the coach who's side finished as bronze medallists at the last Champions Challenge held in Randburg in 2003.
The SA team assembled in Pretoria yesterday and before they leave for Cairo on Saturday will fit in a number of training sessions. "The aim is primarily to recap all the things we did in January and go over several moves and penalty corner variations," explained Revington who last had the group together for the Test series in which they defeated England 2-1 earlier this year.
The squad has remained largely unchanged since the January Tests with only Wayne Denne, who has recently retired, and England based Bruce Jacobs not present. Lungile Tsolekile, brother of Western Province wicketkeeper Thami, will be the only player earning his first international cap.
The South Africans' first game will be next Friday against Belgium, the team they defeated on penalty strokes at last year's Olympic qualifier to earn their berth in the Athens line-up.
SA team: Gareth Carr, Andrew Cronje, Francois du Plessis, Ken Forbes, Darryn Gallagher, Roscoe Katz, Wayne Madsen, John McInroy, Lyall Meyer, Jodie Paul, John Paul, Steve Phillips, Ryan Ravenscroft (captain), Eric Rose-Innes, Austin Smith, Dave Staniforth, Ian Symons, Lungile Tsolekile
Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.
|
