Hockey hopes shattered

Press, 23 April 1979, Page 30

Hockey hopes shattered

NZPA Perth Great Britain virtually ended New Zealand’s hopes of a semi-final berth when it beat New Zealand 2-0, in the world hockey tournament at Perth, on Saturday. Pakistan assured itself of a place in the semi-finals when it beat Great Britain, 5-3, yesterday, and so it is left to Great Britain and the Olympic gold medalist, New Zealand, to fight out the order. Great Britain still has a distinct advantage, but although the New Zealand camp is disappointed, it will not admit defeat. “We are back in the same position we were in durh.g the champions trophy in Lahore —we must beat Pakis-

tan to have any chance,® said New Zealand’s manager, Mr Bruce Turner. “We are in a difficult position but it is not totally hopeless and we now have to hope that Great Britain gets knocked over by either Kenya or Malaysia and we beat Pakistan,” he said. Turner admitted that New Zealand was tod slow in taking the chances that came its way, while Great Britain seized every opportunity. “We were slow for the most part but I think the in-side-right, John Christensen, deserves a special mention. He had an outstanding game and never gave up trying,” Mr Turner said. The hero for Great Britain was its goal-keeper, lan Tay-

lor, who showed outstanding form to keep his net intact. Time and again Taylor frustrated the New Zealand attack, coming off his line to smother a dangerous break or showing superb reflexes to parry penalty-cor-ner shots. New Zealand’s goalMaurice Marquet, also played well and saved many situations for his team, but the day belonged to Taylor. The early part of the was highlighted by the skills of both goal-keepers, supported by savage tackling in midfield. In spite of numerous shots at goal it was not until the twenty-ninth minute that the ball found the net. Great Britain’s centre-for-

ward, Terry Gregg, converted a penalty stroke which resulted from a short corner.

Then five minutes after half-time Bob Cattrall added to Great Britain’s score with a successful short corner. Late in the game New Zealand had its chances with seven short corners to Great Britain’s five, but it was the brilliance of Taylor which haunted them to thend. Australia leads Group A after an explosive, 5-0, win over Canada in the final match on Saturday. Although three teams in Group A, Australia, the Netherlands and Canada, have won a match, Australia leads the group on goal differences.