Harte happy with underdogs tag

Pembroke Wanderers will seek to exploit any potential overconfidence in the Rot-Weiss Köln camp ahead of their EuroHockey League last 16 clash in Rotterdam today (4pm Irish time). While Köln’s talismanic Zeller brothers, Christopher and Phillip, have been keen to pay due respect to Pembroke, the German powerhouses may already have one eye on a quarter-final berth. This was evident in the langauge used in a recent EHL interview: Pembroke were referred to, bizarrely, as ‘The Wanderers’, while the duo were, somewhat paradoxically, keen to not focus on who they “will” play in the last eight.

Whether things just got lost in transaltion or not, Pembroke’s Irish international goalkeeper David Harte is hopeful his side can cause a stunning upset – giving he and twin brother Conor, who turn 22 on Saturday, an early birthday present. “As Köln are German champions, and have six-plus German internationals, we do expect an extraordinary challenge,” he said. “We saw them in round one of the EHL and it’s clear to see they like very fast free flowing, counter attack hockey but this brings weaknesses with their game too. “We are not fearing them by any means but they must and will be respected if we are to seriously compete. “We are the underdogs, so much that others are already talking about who Köln play in the quarter-finals, and we will hope to use this to our advantage and take our chances when they fall to us. In a one-off game like this, especially in the EHL, anything is possible.” The Zeller brothersespouse all that has been good about Köln in the competition thus far; drag-flick expert Christopher hit 10 of his side’s 14 goals in the pool stages, while Philip’s defence leaked just two goals. Harte acknowledges as much: “The Zeller brothers are (particularly) highlighted as key players; especially Christopher, with his short corner prowess and ability to score goals for fun, so he will be looked after closely” Nonetheless, Pembroke boast the tournament’s second-top goalscorer in Alan Sothern. He scored the fastest goal in tournament history against Kelburne in round one, hitting the backboard and going on to complete his hat-trick inside 15 minutes before netting his side’s fourth in a 4-2 victory over the Scots. He also scored the Dubliners’ consolation in a 6-1 defeat to Rotterdam which highlighted the extent of the challenge Pembroke also face this weekend, as they bid to become the first Irish team to reach the last eight. Three Rock Rovers were edged out at this stage of the competition by KHC Leuven last year, and the Belgians are in the mix again this time around against England’s Beeston HC, with two former Rovers players – Irish internationals Mitch Darling and Phelie Maguire – in their ranks. Further Irish interest is provided by the inclusion of Warren McCully in the umpires’ panel for the weekend. For more info, please visit the EHL side here. Those on Leeside looking to watch the game can do so at Cork Harlequins HC, former club of the Hartes, where it will be shown live in the clubhouse from 4pm as part of ‘Harlequins Good Friday’. Their men’s thirds compete their season with a 5.30pm home clash, while the bar is open from 7-11pm to facilitate those wishing to watch the Munster vs Leinster Magners League rugby encounter.