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US Field Hockey Women to Join Belgium, Kazakstan and Scotland in World Cup Qualifier Pool

The U.S. Field Hockey Women's National Team will meet a trio of unfamiliar opponents when the team begins its quest for a 2002 World Cup berth at the 10th Women's World Cup Qualifier, Sept. 18-30, 2001 in Amiens/Abbeville, France.

      The U.S. will join Belgium, Kazakstan and Scotland in Pool B of the 16-team tournament.  The tournament also includes Canada, England, Ukraine and Zimbabwe in Pool A; Japan, Lithuania, Russia and Uruguay in Pool C; and France, India, Ireland and Kenya in Pool D.  The top seven teams at the tournament will qualify for the Women's World Cup, Nov. 26-Dec 8, 2002, in Perth, Australia.

      "I think the teams that are attending are a real mixed bunch," said U.S. head Coach Tracey Belbin. "It is always difficult to prepare when you haven't seen the style these countries play. At a tournament like this, it just takes one goal against the run of play to make things difficult."

      The U.S. hasn't played Belgium since 1994 (a 7-0 US win) and last met Scotland at the 1998 World Cup (a 2-1 US win). The U.S. and Kazakstan have never met in international play.

      "The last time I saw Belgium, they were a very physical team, with a lot of strength," said Belbin. "It is important in these games to be able to contain their playmakers. Hopefully, we will have a chance to determine their strengths and weaknesses before we actually meet them in an official match."

      Belgium earned its way to the Qualifier with an 11th place finish at the 5th European Nations Cup in 1999, while Scotland placed 6th at the tournament. Eleven of the 12 teams competing at the European Nations Cup have either already earned their tickets to the World Cup (The Netherlands, Germany, Spain) or will compete in the World Cup Qualifier.

      "Scotland, like England and Ireland, play on passion and persistence, and will also be difficult to beat," added Belbin.  "We will need to play at our highest level in every match, and be ready for anything."

      Scotland placed third in the last World Cup Qualifying Tournament in 1997 and went on to finish 10th at the 1998 World Cup. Scotland also appeared in the World Cup in 1983 (8th) and 1986 (10th). Belgium has appeared in four World Cup tournaments, but has not qualified for the sport's premier event since 1981. Belgium's best World Cup finish was a third place tie in 1978.

      A former Soviet Republic bordered by Russia, China and the Caspian Sea, Kazakstan earned its spot in the tournament after placing 5th at the 1999 Asia Cup behind Korea, India, China and Japan. The Qualifier marks Kazakstan's first major world tournament.

      "Kazakstan is an unknown for us," says Belbin. "I hope that we can see them either early in the tournament or in a practice match before we meet them officially. If they are anything like the countries in that area, they will be quick with several skillful players. We will need to be on our toes for the entire game."

      Earning its spot at the Qualifier by the virtue of a second place finish at the Americas Cup, the U.S. has competed in five straight Women's World Cups and placed 8th at the 1998 World Cup in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The best World Cup showing for the U.S. was a third place finish in 1994. The U.S. has appeared in two previous World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, earning fifth place finishes in 1989 and 1993.

      In preparation for the Qualifier and future events, Belbin and the 20 members of the U.S. team have recently begun a residency program in Virginia Beach, Va. where the team will live, work and train over the next four years. The team will conduct an open tryout in June to supplement the current roster before selecting the team for the Qualifier. Prior to the Qualifier, the U.S. will join Korea, Australia, China, England and Spain at the 3rd Korea Telecom Cup in Seognam, Korea, June 27-July 1.

      "For the U.S., no game is easy," says Belbin. "Although we are improving we still struggle with consistency throughout a tournament and with putting away lesser teams. We need to play as much as we can in tournament situations to simulate these processes."