With the Commonwealth up and running and a good chance for goalkeepers to test their mettle against some of the best teams in the world (Australia being the main one!!). So with all things goalkeeping related, here's a quick rundown of the first choice goalkeepers for each of the men's teams:
- David Kettle (Wales)
Wales have juggled around their goalkeepers in recent years, but David is definitely leader of the pack right now, and rightly so. His performances at Surbiton are the reason they have gotten into Europe with the EHL and climbed the table in the NOW Pensions league in spite of them struggling in his first season; the key reason for righting the ship and shoring up their defensive line. I'd go so far as calling him the hockey equivalent of NI's Pat Jennings, in the sense that with David at the helm, Wales could really go the decent (not to say that Wales aren't up there or anything in world rankings or ability!). Even if Wales struggle offensively, I'm sure David will pull off some cracking stops that will help his ambitions regards GB selection!
- George Pinner (England)
Given his chance to shine after waiting in the wings behind McGregor and , this tournament will be a good chance for him to get some more caps and experience under his belt in the build up to bigger tournaments (i.e. Rio Olympics). After doing so well in the upset against Belgium and starting to earn his colours, the expectation is for him to lead England to a final match-up against Australia. As I have written about his move to Holcombe previously (so not going to repeat myself!), but still feel this will have a huge (and not under stated) impact on his international play as he drops down a level, as compared to Cachia, so we'll see how this goes for him...
- Jamie Cachia (Scotland)
With Allan stepping out of Scottish selection and away from international commitments, Jamie is given his first chance to shine at a serious competitive tournament (with the cameras and home arena adding to the pressure no doubt!). Taking Pinner's place at Beeston, he really is in a great position to impress at the highest levels of hockey; playing in the upcoming EHL tournament for the coming season, where he will get the chance to test himself against . Making some ridiculous saves in his time with Sheffield (standing on his head at is were quite a few times) as he tried to help them avoid relegation, I'm sure he will do well going forward.
- David Carter (Canada)
Canada's choice is an interesting one, since Kindler is seen as the heir apparent for Canada's Olympic ambitions. Whilst this is the case, as his move to play in England with Canterbury for the season goes to show, David Carter has been a stalwart performer for Canada in helping these ambitions come about. Experienced, with a wise head on his shoulders (oh so important to being a quality elite goalie!), he also has great reflexes. Splitting starts with Antoni, he actually started in place of him in the Calcup final, showing how much that experience counts for those crunch games. Interestingly, he isn't the tallest of goalies (especially compared to the giant frame of Rocke), which on a technical point proves height isn't everything and his athleticism and read skills more than make up for this (sure Tommy Alexander will back me up on this, if he ever reads this!!).
- Sreejesh (India)
Coming off a tournament at the World Cup that saw him prove his worth for an Indian side that have struggled with quality goalkeeping for a while now, he seems to have fixed their problem and give them something to base off a resurgent push on the international scene. Making some great saves that made it into the highlight reels, Sreejesh has really worked on refining his technical basis with well known coach Martin Drijver. And this hard work has really paid off, and building off the confidence of recent outstanding performances, I expect him to have a great tournament.
- Rassie Pieterse (South Africa)
Although Rassie didn't have such a great World Cup, with him being caught out a few times with awkward shots between the legs (a bane of tall 'keepers) and out of position a few times, that is not the Rassie we have come to know. And I'm sure this will be a great chance for him to bounce back, rejuvenate and show why he is such a strong 'keeper, as his displays in London showed. Another goalkeeper that fights for his team, he is sure to 'put it on the line' to get the job done!
- Andrew Charter (Australia)
Australia have been switching goalkeepers for quite some time within the Olympic window four year build up, seeing Andrew Charter share games even with a fair few competitors, most recently Tyler Lovell and before that 'Clemo' and Bazeley. With most squads only taking the one goalkeeper with them, it would seem the vote of confidence goes in Andrew's favourite in relation to future selection of first choice. Taking over the reins from Nathan Burger (who was also at the same club side!), he is well on his way to staking his name in Australian hockey history for upcoming tournaments and Olympic campaigns.
- Devon Manchester (New Zealand)
Like Charter, Manchester has been splitting starts with Hamish McGregor, another youngster looking to take over the spot previously filled more than adequately by Kyle Pontifex, but has been the go to guy at the World Cup and now selected to be so again for the CWG. The limited number of players allowed for the squads have helped push this, and Manchester can be happy with having the coaching staff's confidence. Still young and hungry, he will be looking to continue to carve out a name for himself.
- Hafiz (Malaysia)
With Roslan and Kumar having seen better days, Malaysia really need to look for a solid replacement for the future. Given how long Kumar has played for his country 'in between the posts', it will be difficult for a youngster to get the playing time to develop in aid of taking his crown; a bit like being stuck on the bench behind Buffon. And this is a great chance for the 22 year old to put his name in the hat for the future, getting some quality game time to help his decision making and awareness to play at this level.
http://www2.nst.com.my/business/latest/hockey-hafizuddin-one-for-the-future-1.515043
- Andrey Rocke (Trinidad & Tobago)
Andrey Rocke has been the main choice for T&T for quite some time now and whilst competition for his spot on the team may not be so hotly contested (or as close a battle as others), there is no doubt he is capable of playing at this level. A goalkeeper that can keep his team in the game; he is a battler who can make the textbook and the triple save, he is sure to prove his worth, even if his team are unable to make it out of the group stages.- David Kettle (Wales)
Wales have juggled around their goalkeepers in recent years, but David is definitely leader of the pack right now, and rightly so. His performances at Surbiton are the reason they have gotten into Europe with the EHL and climbed the table in the NOW Pensions league in spite of them struggling in his first season; the key reason for righting the ship and shoring up their defensive line. I'd go so far as calling him the hockey equivalent of NI's Pat Jennings, in the sense that with David at the helm, Wales could really go the decent (not to say that Wales aren't up there or anything in world rankings or ability!). Even if Wales struggle offensively, I'm sure David will pull off some cracking stops that will help his ambitions regards GB selection!
- George Pinner (England)
Given his chance to shine after waiting in the wings behind McGregor and , this tournament will be a good chance for him to get some more caps and experience under his belt in the build up to bigger tournaments (i.e. Rio Olympics). After doing so well in the upset against Belgium and starting to earn his colours, the expectation is for him to lead England to a final match-up against Australia. As I have written about his move to Holcombe previously (so not going to repeat myself!), but still feel this will have a huge (and not under stated) impact on his international play as he drops down a level, as compared to Cachia, so we'll see how this goes for him...
- Jamie Cachia (Scotland)
With Allan stepping out of Scottish selection and away from international commitments, Jamie is given his first chance to shine at a serious competitive tournament (with the cameras and home arena adding to the pressure no doubt!). Taking Pinner's place at Beeston, he really is in a great position to impress at the highest levels of hockey; playing in the upcoming EHL tournament for the coming season, where he will get the chance to test himself against . Making some ridiculous saves in his time with Sheffield (standing on his head at is were quite a few times) as he tried to help them avoid relegation, I'm sure he will do well going forward.
- David Carter (Canada)
Canada's choice is an interesting one, since Kindler is seen as the heir apparent for Canada's Olympic ambitions. Whilst this is the case, as his move to play in England with Canterbury for the season goes to show, David Carter has been a stalwart performer for Canada in helping these ambitions come about. Experienced, with a wise head on his shoulders (oh so important to being a quality elite goalie!), he also has great reflexes. Splitting starts with Antoni, he actually started in place of him in the Calcup final, showing how much that experience counts for those crunch games. Interestingly, he isn't the tallest of goalies (especially compared to the giant frame of Rocke), which on a technical point proves height isn't everything and his athleticism and read skills more than make up for this (sure Tommy Alexander will back me up on this, if he ever reads this!!).
- Sreejesh (India)
Coming off a tournament at the World Cup that saw him prove his worth for an Indian side that have struggled with quality goalkeeping for a while now, he seems to have fixed their problem and give them something to base off a resurgent push on the international scene. Making some great saves that made it into the highlight reels, Sreejesh has really worked on refining his technical basis with well known coach Martin Drijver. And this hard work has really paid off, and building off the confidence of recent outstanding performances, I expect him to have a great tournament.
- Rassie Pieterse (South Africa)
Although Rassie didn't have such a great World Cup, with him being caught out a few times with awkward shots between the legs (a bane of tall 'keepers) and out of position a few times, that is not the Rassie we have come to know. And I'm sure this will be a great chance for him to bounce back, rejuvenate and show why he is such a strong 'keeper, as his displays in London showed. Another goalkeeper that fights for his team, he is sure to 'put it on the line' to get the job done!
- Andrew Charter (Australia)
Australia have been switching goalkeepers for quite some time within the Olympic window four year build up, seeing Andrew Charter share games even with a fair few competitors, most recently Tyler Lovell and before that 'Clemo' and Bazeley. With most squads only taking the one goalkeeper with them, it would seem the vote of confidence goes in Andrew's favourite in relation to future selection of first choice. Taking over the reins from Nathan Burger (who was also at the same club side!), he is well on his way to staking his name in Australian hockey history for upcoming tournaments and Olympic campaigns.
- Devon Manchester (New Zealand)
Like Charter, Manchester has been splitting starts with Hamish McGregor, another youngster looking to take over the spot previously filled more than adequately by Kyle Pontifex, but has been the go to guy at the World Cup and now selected to be so again for the CWG. The limited number of players allowed for the squads have helped push this, and Manchester can be happy with having the coaching staff's confidence. Still young and hungry, he will be looking to continue to carve out a name for himself.
- Hafiz (Malaysia)
With Roslan and Kumar having seen better days, Malaysia really need to look for a solid replacement for the future. Given how long Kumar has played for his country 'in between the posts', it will be difficult for a youngster to get the playing time to develop in aid of taking his crown; a bit like being stuck on the bench behind Buffon. And this is a great chance for the 22 year old to put his name in the hat for the future, getting some quality game time to help his decision making and awareness to play at this level.
http://www2.nst.com.my/business/latest/hockey-hafizuddin-one-for-the-future-1.515043
No comments:
Post a Comment