Deadly South Africa

10/09/2003

MALAYSIA open their Champions Challenge campaign against hosts South
Africa at the Randburg Hockey Stadium on the outskirts of Johannesburg on
July 19, and the retirement of the hosts' star striker Greg Nicol (pic)
comes as a small consolation.
Nicol, who decided to retire due to recurring injuries, holds a
phenomenal record of scoring 209 goals in 165 matches.
The South Africans still have their most capped player, the skilled
Gregg Clark, but he lacks Nicol's deadly finishing.
"I have heard that South Africa, South Korea and Spain will be parading
young players for the Challenge. But we will not know their true strength
until we face them, or see them in action in Randburg," said national
chief coach Paul Lissek after putting his charges through a gruelling
sand-pit workout.
The sand-pit exercise is to enhance muscular endurance, something which
is dearly needed by the national players.
"I did not get enugh time to prepare them physically because they were
playing in the Malaysia Hockey League. That is why I had to cramp a
gruelling schedule which will end this Friday (tomorrow) when the team is
named," said Lissek.
While Lissek has yet to name his squad, an 18-man South Africa squad
were assembled in Johannesburg on Monday for a gruelling 12-day training
camp.
"There has already been an improvement in the first two days. The
purpose is to spend as much time on the field understanding each other,"
said South Africa coach Paul Revington on the website.
"Realistically, I would be thrilled if we could finish mid-table, but we
have to overcome the likes of Spain, Korea and New Zealand to do that.
It's not going to be easy," he added.
Fixtures - July 19: South Korea v New Zealand; England v Spain; Malaysia
v South Africa; July 20: Spain v South Korea; South Africa v England; New
Zealand v Malaysia; July 21: Rest Day; July 22: Malaysia v England; New
Zealand v Spain; South Korea V South Africa.
July 23: Spain v Malaysia; South Korea v England; South Africa v New
Zealand; July 24: Rest Day; July 25: England v New Zealand; Malayaia v
South Korea; South Africa v Spain; July 26: Rest Day.
July 27: Final and placing matches.
(END)