The contest will be very close and this will engage Australians who delight in the Hockeyroos' contests.
The Hockeyroos with two World Cups under their belt has found itself in a tough pool group of six nations. The top two teams from each Pool, (A and B), go through to the semi-final round.
The 2010 Women's World Cup started yesterday (29 August) and runs through to September 11 in Rosario, Argentina.
Pool A
The Hockeyroos find themselves in Pool A. And look who is in Pool A with them.
The Netherlands who have won six World Cups (1974 France, 1978 Spain, 1983 Malaysia, 1986 Netherlands and 1990 Sydney Australia).
Germany have won twice (1976 in Germany and 1981 in Argentina) like Australia who have won on two occasions (1994 Ireland and 1998 Netherlands).
The other three teams are archrivals New Zealand, who are never easy to toss at any time. India whose girls are getting closer and closer to the mark. And Japan who are Asian giant killers.
If there was ever a close Pool group to be lumped into, Pool A is a deal clincher. Moreover, as only the top two teams make it through to the semi-finals, it appears to me that 'goals for and against' will become critical in such a close knit contest.
Pool B
First up is host nation Argentina. Gold in the 2002 World Cup held in Perth Australia, and Bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and in the last World Cup, 2006 held in Spain), Argentina finished with the Bronze.
Then comes China, the Silver medallists in the 2008 Beijing Olympics who had invaluable home ground advantage.
Spain is next, the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Gold Medallists, another home ground situation.
England is on the Pool B list, the Bronze medallist from the 2010 Champions Trophy.
Korea and South Africa make up Pool B and we know the strength of the Koreans, the great powerhouse hockey nation of Asia and South Africa who are never easy to defeat.
There you are, Pool B is just as tough as Pool A. .
Keeping you posted will be my privilege over these next two weeks with updates on this Women's Hockey World Cup and perhaps the Hockeyroos might follow the men with top performances and finish with Gold.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Women%27s_Hockey_World_Cup
I'm pleased to direct the reader to Christian Today Australia's story today on the Australian Missionary News IPTV interview of 'Andrew Smith' the retired Beijing Olympic Bronze Medallist and Assistant Coach to the Young Kookaburras who last week won the Junior Olympics Gold Medal in Singapore by defeating Pakistan 2-1 in the final.
tv.bushorchestra.com/Sport/videopages/andrew_smith.html