Sophie Devine optimistic to deliver against Argentina: Hockey News
Sophie Devine, the woman hockey player of New Zealand, is confident to display impressive game against Argentina in the home series and to get into the national squad for London Olympics. But she believed that she would have to do lot of work to achieve
in this regard.
The 21-year-old defender has had eight caps in her credit and is planning to impress the national coach Mark Hager in the day-far three-match Test series against defending champions Argentina. She is aspiring to come out with her best against the world
number one to ensure her inclusion in the mega event.
She described herself as clown, driven, and energetic; qualities that make her prominent into the recently-inducted youngster players.
She was of the opinion that she would have to be ready to deliver in the 70-minute game. She expressed her position by saying, “The Olympics are a huge draw card for me and I have set my sights on being there. But I know there is a lot work to be put
in before I make it. As a defender, I know I have to be ready to play hard-out for 70 minutes.”
During the recently-concluded series against Japan, the defenders could not get regular breather due to game pressure, but it was not practised every time, she maintained.
It is vital to mention here that the Black Sticks had won two back-to-back home series against Korea and Japan. Now it is preparing for the third series against Argentina, which is going to start from March 26. Mark Hager, the coach of the women’s
hockey team of New Zealand, is regularly rotating the players for bench-marking their level.
Hager is looking for high fitness in his team’s players as they are going to face world’s best team.
The coach stated that Devine is quite a mature player and understands the technicalities of the speedy game.
Hager stated, “I definitely see some potential in what she is showing us. But she just needs to play more hockey. She is very well organised and understands the game well and, as a bonus, she is deceptively quick over 10m.”
Devine is working to improve her defence under the experienced training of her team's defender, Clarissa Eshuis, who had played some eighty-two games so far. She is also thinking to represent Canterbury in the upcoming winter National
Hockey League (NHL).
The series against Argentina is the best opportunity for Wellington-based Devine to impress the coach. If she succeeds to deliver outstanding performance against Argentina, she will have the chance to be in the team in the future mega events, including
Champions Trophy, European Tour and the Olympics.
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