FIH Pro League : Black Stick Men name side to take on Belgium

Vantage Black Sticks Men’s Coach Darren Smith has rewarded his side for a fantastic effort in their previous match against the Netherlands as he has made only one change to the side that competed in the opening match. Dominic Newman come into the side for George Muir, the Black Sticks will be looking for Dom to create space up front and put the Belgium defence under considerable pressure.

The Vantage Blacks Men came storming back into the match in the second quarter of Sundays match against the Netherlands tying the match at 3-3 after falling behind 3-0.

Unfortunately, a defensive lapse in the 3rd quarter cost them a chance at the upset. The Men will regroup and then be looking for more consistency on both ends of the field if they are going to challenge the World Champions.

Midfielder Nick Ross is lining up for his 100th match. In the opening match Nick showed some outstanding determination and was a constant threat on both ends of the field.

The Belgium Men have already played 2 matches in the FIH Pro League where they were shocked in their opening match by Spain where they lost in a penalty shootout. They however bounced back for a big win last weekend against the men from Argentina and look to be back to their formidable best.

The Belgium side which is led by Kiwi Shane McLeod who has taken this Belgium team to incredible heights over the past 3 years that has seen them rise to number one in the world, win the World Cup as well as collecting the Silver Medal at the Olympic Games.

The challenge ahead of the Vantage Black Sticks Men is going to be immense. These two sides met last year in the 4 Nations in New Zealand where the Black Sticks won one of the games and lost one, so this team knows what it takes to beat the Belgium Men.

Watch out for Arthur Van Doren, on his day which is looking to be every game recently he is the most feared defender in international hockey.

He creates so much of the Belgium attack through his long probing runs as well as his incredible long passing where he will often find a player on the other side of the field and give them a great go forward ball putting pressure on the opposition.

Vantage Black Sticks Men vs Belgium Men. Friday 1^st February at 7:10pm. Coverage is on TVNZ 2

Vantage Black Sticks Men’s Squad