In-form Aussies Set Sights On Gold
Sun Herald
Sunday February 24, 2002
SEVENTEEN months after their bid for Olympic gold was cruelled in a heartbreaking penalty shootout, the Kookaburras are determined to prove themselves the best team in the world.
Tonight, in Kuala Lumpur, Australia's most ill-fated sporting outfit will meet Malaysia in the first round of the World Cup the second most coveted prize in hockey.
The giants of the game Cup favourites Germany, reigning Olympic and World Cup champions the Netherlands, Pakistan, India, Korea are there, but Australia coach Barry Dancer is unfazed.
The team he rebuilt from the ruins of Sydney 2000 won a medal at every tournament they contested in 2001, including gold at the East Asian Games, bronze at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and silver at the Champions Trophy.
With this form on the board, and a patient approach, Dancer is confident of further improvement in Kuala Lumpur.
``My ambition is for us to play seven consistent games and improve our performance through those games to get us into the semi-finals," he said.
``Hopefully, we will be in a good position physically to play our best hockey in the medal round."
If the Kookaburras are to succeed then vice-captain Brent Livermore will be the key in midfield.
``We've had a really good build-up and we've done everything we can to prepare," he said.
Also vital to the Kookaburras' chances will be Troy Elder. The 24-year-old striker recently made the move to the midfield, where he knows he will have to curtail his inclination to run free.
``I think that's been my major hurdle to get over working in tightly contested areas, thinking what to do and knowing where my players are going so that I could get the pass off," he said.
Meanwhile, news that former Kookaburra Michael Brennan is intending to make a comeback should give the team a boost.
The Sydney Olympian will play for the Queensland Blades in the Australian Hockey League in a bid to force selectors to include him in the Commonwealth Games squad.
Brennan, who retired in June feeling he needed to establish a life outside hockey and have a break from the sport, has set up a base in Wagga Wagga, where he recently received his licence to train and drive harness race horses.
Should he earn a recall to the national team, he would remain in Wagga Wagga and train in Canberra, while playing with club side Essendon.
``A lot of people have convinced me that I still have a lot to get out of hockey and I'm still fairly young," he said. ``I feel comfortable now having another go and having something to come back to."
Dancer is leaving the way open for Brennan to return.
``It's always a disappointment to think that this sport can't hold on to its talented players and that Michael's decided to change his mind certainly gives me confidence," he said before leaving for Malaysia.
``Michael knows that he still has a lot to achieve in hockey and I'm glad he wants to do it."
AUSTRALIA'S ROAD TO THE CUP
Sunday, Feb 24: v Malaysia (8.35pm*)
Tuesday, Feb 26: v England (6.35pm*)
Wednesday, Feb 27: v Poland (6.05pm*)
Friday, March 1: v Cuba (4.05pm*)
Saturday, March 2: v Japan (4.05pm*)
Monday, March 4: v Korea (8.05pm*)
Tuesday, March 5: v India (6.35pm*)
Thursday, March 7: Preliminary finals
Friday, March 8: Preliminary finals
Saturday, March 9: Final
(* Malaysian time. Add three hours for AEDT)
© 2002 Sun Herald