OLYMPICS/ flash
Field hockey teams aspire to win big
By Yu Yilei / Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-31 14:25
Men's side
For China's men's team, ranked outside the world top 10, the Beijing tournament offered an ideal opportunity to take on top-notch teams like Australia and Pakistan, ranked world No 2 and No 5 respectively.
China's team didn't accomplish anything noteworthy before South Korean coaching guru Kim Sang-ryul took over two years ago.
Sang-ryul's arrival brought immediate improvement to the team that led to an impressive performance at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. China, the tournament's underdog, rattled big field hockey names such as India and Pakistan and won a silver medal.
The silver medal at Doha was something of a miracle and it boosted China's ambitions. Uncharacteristic optimism had descended on the Chinese men's team after it took the scalps of several top-ranked teams in the past two years.
Confidence grew uncontrollably after China finished the first two matches of the tournament -- it came back from 2-0 down to tie with Pakistan and 1-0 to beat world No 16 Malaysia 2-1.
A win against Australia in the final was in sight although China, ranked 17th in the world, lost to the Kookaburras 6-1 in the last group match after both secured a place in the final.
However, the world's No 2 team showed China what it meant to be the world's best field hockey team.
The Aussies demonstrated that they were a class above with superb ball control, speed and team play. They took a 2-0 lead in the first half and demolished the Chinese defense in the second by scoring seven more. By contrast, the host hit just two dangerous shots among several flurries.
"Look at how they moved the ball and how they played together," Sang-ryul said. "They taught us many things."
Thanks to the Beijing tournament, China met Australia for the first time - a rare match up in a sport where lowly ranked teams barely get opportunities to take on top flights.
"It's very important to get experience playing against top teams before the Beijing Olympics," Sang-ryul added.
The level of the Beijing tournament was far from the world's top class represented by European powerhouses like Germany and the Netherlands. China's Asian neighbors, such as South Korea, India and Japan, are also ranked much higher in world standings.
However, Sang-ryul believes China could replicate the success of South Korea, the world and Olympic silver medalist.
"Keeping our style is important," Sang-ryul said. "I believe China can become as successful as the Koreans."
His players are also upbeat.
"I am disappointed with the results today," team captain Hu Huiren said. "But no one knows what will happen in the future. As we keep on improving, I promise we will take everything back."
At the Olympic Hockey Tournament, 12 men's and 12 women's teams will participate.
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