Good morning,

Thursday 18 February 2010

The last week before the World Cup is almost there and means that most teams will set the final dots.

Despite all the threats and terror alerts the teams will not let the World Cup just go by and made firm statements to join the Hero Honda WC in India.

Many articles in the newspapers went about the same issue, will terror come in between or not. Yesterday it felt that all the threats go influence the good mood of the players, but today is passed by.

News from some of the teams in the different websites who will not be at any article today. South Africa feels they had not good preparation because of all the financial issues and lack of sponsors.

Despite that they think they can end at no. 4 in their pool.

Netherlands however lost one of their best forwards, Nick Meijer of Bloemendaal had to give up due to late injury and was replaced by one of the youngest talents in Netherlands and also active at WC Juniors last year, Valantin Verga.

Pakistan announced their arrival in India at 22nd, next monday, and will play several top matches before they are finally ready.

And from India no news, nothing, no further test matches, no training reports as the media reacted in a very silence way.

About another 9 days before the start at the 28th February.

Have a nice day,

Hockey Asia