Dixon’s eager to break free
ADAM DIXON has urged England’s hockey team to shake off the shackles when they face New Zealand today for a place in the World Cup last eight.
England head into the encounter – a first meeting since winning bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
– unbeaten in three previous World Cup matches with the Kiwis.
Midfielder Dixon, 32, is playing in his third World Cup at a venue he knows well havng played for Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League.
He believes England are ready “to ride out big-pressure moments” after coming through a stern test in their last pool match against Ireland. “We prepared mentally for it,” he said. “That’s one of the big parts of our progression through this tournament. We’re still quite new and young as a team.” Thinking clearly is one of coach Danny Kerry’s mantras, which has rubbed off on a men’s side chasing a first world title. Dixon added: “The pressure is off a little bit. We embraced those nerves against Ireland and to get them out the way means we can take our shackles off against New Zealand and put our best game out there.”