The Black Sticks Men are on fire and primed for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in Delhi next month.
Currently ranked eighth in the world, Black Sticks Men’s Coach, Shane McLeod, says the team is hungry to go to the next level and are at their peak.
“We’ve got a depth of talent and experience in this side, and they’re ready – both physically and mentally – to take on the best in the world.
“Coming off the back of a solid performance in 2009, our build up has been intensive with a centralised programme of training camps in Auckland, every week until we leave. This will culminate in a gruelling test series against Australia later this month. [Sub’s note: Australia Series Feb 16-20, Perth]
McLeod has picked a team of five strikers, six midfielders, five defenders and two goalkeepers to give him the flexibility to field the best combination for each of the five World Cup pool games.
The World Cup kicks off an outstanding year of hockey for the Black Sticks Men, who will also compete in the prestigious Champions Trophy in August (Monchengladbach, Germany) and the Commonwealth Games in October (Delhi, India).
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TEAM LIST & WORLD CUP MATCH SCHEDULE
ENDS
