Soviets Were Scared Off By Spaniards, Says Coach

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday May 1, 1990

HEATHER SMITH

Jose Brasa, coach of the Spanish women's hockey team, believes the sudden withdrawal of the Soviet Union from the World Cup is an indication of form for the tournament, which starts in Sydney today.

Brasa said the Soviets, ranked No7 for the Telecom-sponsored World Cup, spent most of March in Spain playing matches with domestic sides but were beaten convincingly by the 11th-ranked national team in three consecutive internationals, 4-2, 4-1 and 5-1.

Soviet Union hockey officials told the Australian Hockey Association that"economic reasons" were behind the team's decision to pull out 12 days ago .

"I'm not sure that is true," Brasa said. "They were talking to us about their flights and preparations for coming to Australia not so long ago.

"We beat them easily in Madrid - maybe they thought that it was not such a good preparation for the World Cup having those losses and decided not to come.

"I wasn't surprised that we beat them but I was a little surprised how easily we did it. I feel we have improved a lot since the World Cup four years ago."

Hockey in Spain received a welcome boost when Barcelona won the right to host the 1992 Olympics, according to the Spanish coach. "There is a lot of money for Spanish sports right now because of Barcelona," he said.

"After the European Championships in 1987 there were big changes to the Spanish hockey team, like all sports. We now have a special training program, very close to the one you have at the Australian Institute of Sport in Perth.

The Spanish contingent of 19 arrived in Sydney 2 1/2 weeks ago intent on familiarising themselves with the Australian pitches and climate.

The tournament starts today at the State Sports Centre, Homebush, with an interesting pool B match between Canada and New Zealand. The 10th-ranked Kiwis finished a creditable fourth at the last World Cup, held in Amsterdam four years ago, one place behind Canada.

Australia plays the mysterious Chinese side at 5pm, a game which will be watched by many representatives from the top eight countries. China qualified for the World Cup last November at the Intercontinental Cup in New Delhi, finishing second to Korea, but few of the top teams have seen them in action.

Chinese coach Zhao Shutian doesn't believe his team is good enough to trouble the talented locals but Australian coach Brian Glencross is leaving nothing to chance.

"Their (the Chinese) style is very similar to the Koreans' and they are very skilful," he said. "We'll just make sure we play our own style and we've got the confidence to adjust to our opponents, whoever they are."

TODAY'S PLAY:

11am, Canada v New Zealand. 1pm, Spain v Korea. 3pm, Netherlands v US. 5pm, China v Australia.

* Controversial Queensland forward Mark Hager has been recalled to the Australian men's team to tour Europe next month despite receiving a one-match suspension at the Australian titles in Melbourne last week.

The 25-year-old was dropped from the World Cup side in February but his recent good form has him back in the 16-man squad.

THE TEAM IS:

Craig Davies (c), Warren Birmingham (v-c), Greg Corbitt, Dean Evans (WA); Lachlan Dreher, Jay Stacy, David Wansbrough (Vic); Darren Bannerman, Stephen Davies, Stewart Dearing, Ken Wark, Michael York (NSW); Ashley Carey, Mark Hager, Graham Reid (Queensland) and Andrew Deane (ACT).