New Zealand captain Lizzy Igasan and midfielder Kayla
Sharland have come through torrid back-to-back workouts to
confirm their fitness for the Olympic Games hockey opener
against Japan on Sunday.
Both played in a final hitout against South Africa today
without mishap, an early morning practice game played hours
after an evening training session.
Igasan had been lowered by a sinus infection and a root canal
operation, while Sharland pulled a hamstring in a match
against Great Britain in Hong Kong last month.
Coach Kevin Towns had been without both for three practice
games going into the Olympic tournament, saying that had been
"a bit disruptive".
He was probably even more relieved that both had recovered in
time than he let on, as all three games -- against China, the
Netherlands and Australia -- had been lost.
Igasan was "about a yard short" of her best in the 2-2 draw
with South Africa, while Sharland had nursed her hamstring,
Towns told NZPA.
Although South Africa nailed a last minute goal in the final
dress rehearsal, Towns proclaimed himself reasonably happy
with the way his side played.
He has yet to name his lineup for the Japan game but said all
of the 16-strong squad would play, apart from suspended
defender Sheree Horvath, and possibly one of the goalkeepers
-- Anita Wawatai or Beth Jurgeleit.
The Blacks Sticks concentrated on playing Asian sides this
year to prepare for the Games.
New Zealand have played China 10 times this year, and Korea
five times. Japan have a Korean coach, so with all that Asian
experience Towns expected the Black Sticks to be well
equipped to counter their style.
"It should be tight," he said.
New Zealand lost 1-2 to Japan the last time they met, two
months ago in the Four Nations tournament in Beijing.
Other sides in the group are world No 3 Germany, No 10 Great
Britain, No 11 the United States and No 2 Argentina.
Germany beat New Zealand 3-0 at the Champions Trophy in
Amsterdam in July, 2006, when the sides last met.
In their last encounter, the United States beat the Black
Sticks 1-0 in the Champions Challenge tournament in
Azerbaijan in June, 2007.
The top two sides from each pool go through to the
semifinals.
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