English best woman hockey defender Crista Cullen eying on Olympic gold
After giving a remarkable performance in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, the legend defender of English Women hockey squad, Crista Cullen is now eying on victory podium in 2012 London Olympics. Britain’s top defender of women’s hockey team is
hopeful to accomplish the dream of Great Britain by winning the trophy in the home event. The English team obtained Bronze medal in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games after beating South Africa with 1-0.
Crista Cullen, who is considered best among the women defenders of the world, performed awesomely in CWG and helped her team to win Bronze medal. She was also part of the squad, which acquired the third place in the world Cup as well in the Champions Trophy
this year. The English women team is committed to upward its position in London Olympics by taking the advantage of home grounds.
Chay Crista Kerio Cullen, the experienced defender of England’s hockey squad said that it is right time to drive her team towards the leading position and prepare the squad for upcoming Olympics. She expressed,
“We started off at seventh position when the centralized programme was started and now we are knocking the fourth door, which is the best example to judge the hard work of the players”.
She was of the view that they got three semi-finals despite their inconsistency in the game and achieved third position in CWG, World Cup and the Champion Trophy. Praising the role of teammates, she said that the credit goes to girls, who put their hearts
and souls into the game. Crista Cullen comparing her squad with the men’s hockey team stated that the duo genders were quite successful in this summer and they are struggling hard to be the victors of 2012 Olympics.
Crista Cullen, England’s 50th cap player started her career at the age of 9 years in Kenya. She made her international entry in 2003 from England Women Hockey squad. Following the world cup 2006, Crista’s name was added in the FIH’s list of World Star XI
in young players’ category. She was also selected as the best hockey athlete of the year in 2006.
Crista also played for Leicester Club, which had won Super-Cup and Premier Division in 2006-07 period. It also acquired Bronze medal in Euro-Hockey Cup and selected as team of the season by BBC.
England’s Hockey team’s Performance Director, David Faulknar said in an interview that Crista like other players carried out a high level performance in the previous tournaments. The performance of the experienced defender was also recognized by the International
Hockey Federation (FIH), which is working to consider her as the best and strong defender of the world in women’s category, he added.
Following the tough session of Commonwealth Games, Crista rejoined Leicester Club, which is currently leading England Hockey League (EHL) without its six best players. Crista, basking her joining said that all was done by the club’s coach Chris Mayer, who
forced her to riposte Leicester. She stated that it would be great pleasure to play for the club, which taught her the basics of hockey.
Crista further said, "We are hoping to revive the performance of last session without top six players of the club, however we are trying to deliver our best”.
Commenting about the future of Club, she said that they were struggling hard to vivify the club by getting the domestic season. The main objective of the club is to chase Canterbury, which put the Leicester at the fourth place, she added.
Danny Kerry, the head coach of English Women Squad stated that the team would hopefully win a gold medal in Olympics 2012. Remarking the squad’s training, the head said that he is working to improve the attack and defence of the team as duo things made the
victory possible.
Kerry was of the view that the English squad is comprised of best players including Jennie Bimson, Melanie Clewlow and the world-class defender Crista Cullen. It would surely mark the year of 2012 as victorious in the women’s hockey category, he predicted.
Two years are remaining in the Olympics of 2012, which will decide, whether the English Women team can prove itself as the best team of the world or not.
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