Despite the huge win which kept England remain unbeaten and at the top of the Pool, England coach Bobby Crutchley was not happy with the team’s play. He said: “We were sloppy, particularly in the first half. In fact I would say that the scoreline flattered us. Our penalty corners went well, which meant New Zealand had to step out and chase the game. This left us with space.”
England’ star striker and drag-flick specialist who came back after a long lay-off of over a year due to an ankle surgery was back in goals immediately. He is now joint top scorer with three goals. When queried he said that he did not expect to stay as top scorer for long. “Tom Boon will soon overtake me. He is a specialist penalty corner taker,” Jackson added.
Jackson also felt that the games in this tournament should be used to develop the strategies and tactics. “We have to use the tournament to test and improve our skills and develop for the World Cup,’’ he added.
But he felt that despite winning all the three pool games, the team still made too many mistakes. “We have to improve these areas and we have to rise our game,’’ he said.
Talking about the Black Sticks’ consolation goal from a penalty corner New Zealand player Burrows said; “Hope came back but unfortunately we didn’t add another one.”
“This is a very disappointing result. We gave up at the end and this is not what we should have done,” Burrows felt.
ends