By Xinhua,
Beijing : Australian women’s hockey coach Frank Murray predicts a close competition for the coveted Olympic gold in Beijing.
“There are six or seven teams that can win. Besides us, the Netherlands, South Korea, Argentina, Germany, China, and even Japan could win,” Frank told Xinhua at the training course.
Murray says that all these teams have the strength to win the gold.
“South Korea and the Netherlands are the favourites, and there’s not much difference,” he added.
The Aussies had two consecutive gold medals at Atlanta and Sydney Olympics but their dream for the third straight gold at Athens was dashed by the Germans. They are hoping for a comeback in Beijing.
The Australians arrived here Monday, and have already trained twice in the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
“The girls all think me too old,” the 57-year-old man laughed.
Murray coached the Australian men’s team at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics and led the women’s team to gold in 2000 Sydney Olympics. This is his fourth Olympic tour.