The seventh edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey tournament will take place in Poreč, Croatia from 3 to 9 February and the anticipation and excitement is palpable. Twelve teams will be competing in both the men’s and women’s competitions The countries in contention are host Croatia, Namibia, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Iran, Malaysia, Poland, South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago. The Namibian men will face Belgium at 14h30 on Monday, Trinidad & Togabo at 10h30 on 5 February and Australia on 6 February at 22h20. Here is the Namibian men’s squad.
Team coach: Trevor Cormack
Team manager: Mary Jansen
1.Full name: Liam Hermanus
Age: 24
Position: Midfield
Motto in life: Be better than you were yesterday.
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: My goal is to set a platform for Namibian hockey for the next generations to not only build on, but thrive from
Song before a game: Hall of Fame by The Script
2. Cody van der Merwe
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Motto in life: Galatians 2:20
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: I want to experience what it feels like to be a world champion
Song before a game: It is well by Senor Oat
3. Richter van Rooyen
Age: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Motto in life: Give your best, and God will do the rest
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: I want to honour God, and play for his glory
Song before a game: The battle is yours
4. Brynn Cleak
Age: 32
Position: Forward
Motto in life: Don’t try and fit in when you were born to stand out
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: I want to win
Song before a game: Can’t hold us by Macklemore
5. Pieter Ernest Jacobs
Age: 28
Position: Defender
Motto in life: I can do everything through Christ, who strengthens me
What do you want to learn in the Hockey World Cup: I want to taste a win
Song before a game: Imagine dragons by Warriors
6. Fagan Hansen
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Motto in life: Isaiah 40:31
What do you want to learn/achieve in the Hockey World Cup: I want to taste how it feels like to be a world champion
Song before a game: Show me love by Sam Feldt
7. Johannes Rudolf
Age: 23
Position: Right back
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: To make the country proud in the way we play, and to give the future of Namibian hockey hope to achieve more
Song before a game: Can’t hold us by Macklemore
8. Dakota Hansen
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Motto in life: Pressure is a privilege
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: A medal at the World Cup
Song before a match: Sthandwa Sam by 2 point 1
9. John-Paul Britz
Age: 20
Position: Defender
Motto in life: Work hard, play hard
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: I would like to achieve a medal at the World Cup.
Song before a game: Hot by Young Thug, featuring Gunna and Travis
10. David Britz
Age: 22
Position: Midfield
Motto: You are the author of your own story
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: I want a taste of what it feels like to win at the highest level
Song before a game: Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean
11. David Jacobus Strauss
Age: 33
Position: Goalkeeper
Motto in life: Be strong, stay honourable, have faith, love without limits
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: To bring back a medal for Africa
Song before a game: Collapse by Eminem
12.Matukaramove McCartney Kavikairiua
Age: 23
Position: Right back
Motto in life: You can’t let what you can’t control stress you out
What do you want to achieve in the Hockey World Cup: I want to win a medal
Song before a game: Biri Marung