New Zealand remains as Fiji’s biggest threat in the 2008 Oceania Hockey Pacific Cup set to kick off at the National Hockey centre in Laucala next month says Fiji women’s coach Duane Underwood.

Underwood indicates that their toughest challenge will come from the New Zealand Maori side that will be competing at the weeklong meet.

The visitors are coached by former NZ international Tina Bell-Kake.

“We have a lot to do in terms of preparation and right now our biggest threat comes from the New Zealand Maori side,” Underwood said.

“I have a lot of respect for their coach Tina Bell-Kake who was a former New Zealand international. She has had excellent results in coaching the Auckland representative from bottom place in 2007 to finalist in 2008 and I believe she still has the passion for job.

“The positive side about our preparation is retaining core of our experienced players and I think it’s most likely a results of an 18 months preparation in 2006 to the 2007 South Pacific Games in Samoa and the Olympic qualifying tournament in Buderim.

“I will need the service of these experienced players to play instrumental role in leading the team and guiding the young players who will make their international match debut.”

The Men’s team failed to feature in the 2007 Pacific Games due to unfavourable response from the Pacific Islands countries and coach Hector Smith highlighted that most of the young players have opted to take the challenge.

Smith said that his new recruits will be a force to reckon with in the coming competition.

“The Australian country will be our biggest opponent having played them in the Arafura Games during our recent tour to Australia. There will also be some unknown quantities like the New Zealand Indians and I’ve advised the players to be on the edge.”

10 teams have confirmed their participation after Papua New Guinea pulled out of the competition due to financial constrain.

The program begin on the November 13 with a technical briefing while four games will be hosted a day. November 17 will be a rest day while the November 19-20 will be the semis and the final.

Fijilive

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