Labrador lose Imer for clash

LABRADOR will be without Olympian Adam Imer for this weekend’s Brisbane Hockey League home match against Northern Suburbs with the 29year-old jetting out to represent his Brazil national team in Malaysia.

With the Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, Imer will join his Brazilian teammates in Kuala Lumpur for the Federation International Hockey finals series event, with the top two teams set to progress to the FIH Olympic qualifying tournament in November.

Although disappointed to be missing out on Labrador’s fifth match of the season, Imer said he was excited to resume national duties.

“It will be an exciting first game, with Brazil taking on hosts Malaysia,” he said.

“We are expecting a lively crowd at the National Hockey Stadium.

“Personally, I am focused on getting my foot right because I chipped a bone defending a short corner for Labrador three weeks ago so I am doing everything possible to be back at 100 per cent.”

After a 7-0 win in their Round 4 match against Valleys early this month, Labrador are looking to continue their good form against the winless Northern Suburbs today at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre at 4pm.

After a week off for Easter, the Gold Coast league is set to resume this weekend with Mudgeeraba and Burleigh to clash in the men’s Division 1 competition tonight at 8.10.

Last year’s grand finalists Kingscliff and Labrador will meet for the first time since Kingscliff prevailed in the 2018 decider, while Casuarina will play Capri.

In the women’s league, Burleigh and the Roosters will face off while Labrador will play Capri.