8 Apr 2009

McLeod predicts comfortable win over Egypt

7:04 am on 8 April 2009

The New Zealand mens hockey coach Shane McLeod is eyeing a comfortable victory over Egypt this evening, but is warning his young side not to mistake confidence with complacency.

The Black Sticks are competing at the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia with McLeod opting to leave a number of established players at home including captain Ryan Archibald and drag-flick specialist Hayden Shaw.

McLeod says while the 22nd-ranked Egyptians have a couple of players capable of causing trouble, they don't have the quality of an India or Pakistan, so for some of the younger players it should be a more gentle introduction to the test match arena.