Defending hockey champs seek to start dynasties

Sydney: The first Olympic Games of the new millennium provide the defending men's and women's hockey champions, the Netherlands and Australia, with a gilt-edged opportunity to start dynasties.

No men's team has won back-to-back gold medals since the all-conquering Indian teams put together a remarkable sequence of six straight Olympic titles between 1928 and 1956.

And, since the women's event was introduced in 1980, four nations have shared the five gold medals, with Australia in 1988 and 1996 the only dual winners.

A third Olympic gold in front of their home crowd in Sydney would be the crowning glory for the Australians.

But neither defending champion will have things all their own way in Sydney. In the men's event, the Netherlands have lost Atlanta hero Floris-Jan Bovelander and can expect stiff opposition from Pakistan, 1992 Olympic champions Germany, Australia and 1996 silver medallists Spain.

Right midfielder Stephen Veen, the 1999 international player of the year, is a key player for the Netherlands, along with Bram Lomans and Teun De Nooyer.

Host nation Australia, winners of the 1999 Champions Trophy, will be expecting big things from striker Michael Brennan, Jay Stacey, the 2000 player of the year, and captain Michael York, a steadying influence at fullback.

Proud Pakistan missed the Champions Trophy for the first time this year and were forced to qualify for the Olympics.

With short corner ace Sohail Abbas as their trump card, the 1960 and 1968 Olympic champions will be out to restore their pride in Sydney.

Medal fancies

Pakistan's pool contains medal fancies Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Britain, Canada and Malaysia.

Pool B comprises hosts Australia, Spain, South Africa, India, South Korea and Poland, making their first appearance since 1980 after qualifying at a regional tournament in Osaka, Japan.

Competition begins on Saturday, with the Netherlands taking on Britain, Spain tackling Korea, Canada playing Pakistan, and Malaysia facing a daunting assignment against Germany.

The two top nations in each pool qualify for the semi-finals. The winners of the semis will play for gold and silver, with the beaten semi-finalists playing off for the bronze.

In the women's competition, gold medal favourites Australia are pitted against Argentina, Germany, Britain and China, who have qualified for their first ever Olympic tournament.

The Netherlands are the testing material in Pool B, which also includes 1996 silver medallists South Korea, Spain, South Africa and New Zealand.

Coached by five-time hockey Olympian Ric Charlesworth, the Australian women boast some of the world's finest talent. Alyson Annan is the game's most prolific goalscorer and was voted international player of the year in 1999, while Rechelle Hawkes and Katrina Powell are also key contributors.

In May, Australia lost their first Champions Trophy in six years, providing some encouragement for rivals left in their wake during the 1990s. The major threats to Australia's chances of repeating their Atlanta triumph appear to be Germany and the Netherlands, while South Korea and Argentina, who meet in the first match of the tournament, are also expected to perform well.

In the women's, the top three teams from each pool advance to a medal pool round. The top two teams after the medal pool matches play off for the gold and silver, while the third and fourth ranked sides meet for the bronze.

(c) Reuters Limited.