Evaluation of groups taking part within the FIH Males’s Hockey World Cup, starting right here from Friday. Argentina (world rank: 7) Rio Olympics champions Argentina are Pan American hockey’s falg bearer, having gained the continental title on 14 events. With a swashbuckling fashion and unbelievable technical capability, Los Leones can beat any group on the planet on their day, one thing they confirmed of their 2-1 victory over reigning Olympic and world champions Belgium in November.
However the group coached by former Argentina goalkeeper Mariano Ronconi has struggled within the World Cups, having reached the semifinals solely as soon as of their 13 appearances to this point — within the 2014 version after they had completed third.
Final time, they topped their group however misplaced to England 3-2 within the quarterfinals.
The lack of star penalty nook specialist Gonzalo Peillat to the German group after taking part in greater than 100 matches for Argentina will probably be felt.
Agustin Mazzilli, Lucas Vila and group captain Matias Rey — named Participant of the Event as his group swept to victory within the 2022 Pan American Cup in Santiago, Chile to seal their World Cup — are among the many gamers to be careful for regardless of being nicely into their 30s.
Australia (world no: 1)The Kookaburras are essentially the most constant males’s hockey group within the final 30 years, having remained within the prime 4 of the FIH World Rankings during that interval. They’ve gained each prize accessible, together with the Olympic, World Cup, FIH Hockey Professional League and Oceania Cup titles.
The group coached by former striker Colin Batch has not performed too many matches after a shoot-out loss to Belgium within the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. They, nonetheless, claimed a sensational seventh Commonwealth Video games title, thrashing India 7-0 within the ultimate in Birmingham in August final yr.
Since then they’ve performed simply 5 matches towards India, successful 4-1 in a high-scoring residence sequence in November-December.
Not like many different groups on this World Cup, Australia haven’t began their Professional-League marketing campaign this season however recognized for fast-paced, attacking hockey with compact defence, there is no such thing as a doubt that the Australians will go searching for a record-equalling fourth world title.
They’d misplaced to the eventual runners-up Netherlands within the semifinals within the shootout and beat England within the third-place match.
Captain Eddie Ockenden, penalty nook specialist Blake Govers, defender Jake Harvie, midfielder Aran Zalewski will probably be among the many gamers to look at our for the sensible Kookaburras.
Belgium (world no: 2) Belgium’s rise from amongst European also-rans to the summit of world hockey has been one of many standout tales of the previous 20 years. Prior to now final years the Crimson Lions have gained each main title on provide, together with the World Cup (2018), Olympic Video games (2021), European Championship (2019) and FIH Hockey Professional League (2020-21).
They’re once more the favourites to win the title, together with Australia and the Netherlands, and defend the title they gained on the Kalinga Stadium 4 years in the past.
The group coached by Dutchman Michel van den Heuvel has energy and depth in each division and comprises a few of the world’s best gamers, confirmed winners who’ve claimed the largest titles on the best of levels.
They, nonetheless, have relied on the tried and examined gamers with greater than half of the squad above 30 years and over (or almost) 200 matches to their kitty.
In Vincent Vanasch — who misplaced to India’s PR Sreejesh within the FIH Goalkeeper of the 12 months award — and Loic Van Doren, they’ve two world class goalkeepers, whereas Arthur Van Doren, Victor Wegnez, Felix Denayer, Florent Van Aubel, John-John Dohmen, Alexander Hendrickx, Arthur de Sloover and Tom Boon – the latter two each shortlisted for the FIH Hockey Stars Participant of the 12 months Award for 2022 – are all extraordinary skills.
Germany (world no: 4)With 4 Olympic gold medals, two World Cups and eight European titles, Germany have an enviable historical past in worldwide hockey. Tactically astute and technically very good, Die Honamas — because the German nationwide group is named — have a behavior of hitting type at Olympic Video games and World Cups, one thing they are going to be hoping to repeat right here in Odisha.
After dropping to India within the bronze-medal play-off within the Tokyo Olympics, Germany bought a brand new coach in Andre Henning. The group had an extended preparation of greater than eight months, successful 13 out of 18 matches previously yr and can look to duplicate the identical efficiency within the World Cup.
Ahead Niklas Wellen — who was one of many nominations for the FIH Finest Participant award — and goalkeeper Alexander Stadler, who was within the operating for Finest Goalkeeper award, could be among the many key gamers on this German group.
One other ahead Christopher Rühr and captain Mats Grambusch could be the opposite star gamers. The addition of star penalty nook specialist Gonzalo Peillat -– the person who fired Argentina to Olympic gold at Rio 2016 — would solely lend efficiency to the facet.
India (world no:6) India gained the World Cup as soon as in 1975, and since then have did not qualify for the semifinals. They gained a bronze within the inaugural version in 1971, clinched a silver in 1973. Within the earlier version, additionally held in Bhubaneswar, they did go previous the group spherical however did not win a quarterfinal sport towards the Netherlands.
From 1978 to 2014 they may not go previous the group stage.
After years of sliding down on the planet sport, culminating to the failure to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Video games — a contest that they had gained a document eight occasions — India are again on the prime desk.
A bronze medal on the Tokyo Olympic Video games was a landmark second for the group, following it up with a third-place end within the 2021-22 version of the FIH Hockey Professional League.
Since Graham Reid took over the pinnacle coach’s place, India’s stature has grown up. He has been capable of get one of the best out of the gamers, injecting a tactical self-discipline to their trademark skilful, fluid taking part in fashion, making them a group that’s revered and feared in equal measure.
After dropping to Australia 0-7 within the Birmingham Commonwealth Video games ultimate, India had improved lots within the away sequence towards the Kookaburras. India misplaced 1-4 within the high-scoring sequence however contested on equal footing in three matches and notched up a uncommon win towards their formidable opponents.
Captain and FIH Participant of the 12 months Harmanpreet Singh, a wonderful defender and among the best drag glints within the sport, would be the key participant whereas goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, midfield ace Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh, and striker Mandeep Singh are all able to bringing about game-changing moments.
Defender Amit Rohidas, who has captained the group previously and in addition takes penalty corners, and ahead Akashdeep Singh will probably be among the many different gamers to be careful for.
Netherlands (world no:3) Below head coach Jeroen Delmee, the legendary Dutch defender who as a participant gained two Olympic gold medals, the Netherlands have discovered consistency of their efficiency. Since taking cost within the latter a part of 2021, Delmee has injected a big quantity of contemporary expertise into the Oranje squad.
The younger weapons rose to the problem in fashion, successful 12 of their 16 matches within the 2021-22 version of the FIH Hockey Professional League to win the title for the primary time.
Having suffered painful defeats within the final two FIH Males’s World Cup finals, the Netherlands will probably be aiming to make it third time fortunate this time round and win a fourth world crown, a feat solely Pakistan have managed to realize.
Captain Thierry Brinkman, striker Koen Bijen, penalty nook ace Jip Janssen and goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak will probably be among the many gamers to be careful for.
England (world no:5) England performed in World Cup ultimate solely as soon as, in 1986, after they misplaced to Australia 1-2 in entrance of their residence crowd in London. They completed fourth within the final three editions and the present group underneath new head coach Paul Revington will probably be hoping to win its maiden title.
However they’ve come on this World Cup with a younger squad, with 10 gamers having zero expertise at this stage.
Zach Wallace, Condon David, Martin Harry and Roper Phill will probably be among the many England gamers to be careful for.
Spain (world no: 8)Spain hosted the first-ever World Cup in 1971. Thus far in hockey’s most prestigious occasion, Spain have performed within the finals twice, in 1971 and 1998, however did not win the crown.
They would be the darkish horse in Pool D which additionally has India, England and wales. Latest wins towards groups like India and New Zealand will certainly make them consider {that a} younger squad can beat one of the best groups on the planet.
Below coach Max Caldas, Spain will count on Alvaro Iglesias, Ricardo Sanchez and Enrique Gonzalez to play the playmaking function.
Korea (world no: 10)After failing to qualify for the 2018 version, Korea return to World Cup motion courtesy of an outstanding victory on the Asia Cup, the place they defeated Malaysia within the ultimate.
The group has been concerned in two high-profile competitions in current months, ending runners-up to Malaysia within the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in November.
Evergreen 39-year-old captain Namyong Lee will probably be among the many key gamers.
New Zealand (world no:9) New Zealand are all set to compete of their eleventh World Cup, with the Odisha occasion being their seventh in succession. They’re but to complete larger than seventh, a putting they’ve achieved on 4 separate events, however that would all change this time round.
The Black Sticks are at all times a power to reckon with, being blessed with some genuinely world-class gamers of their ranks.
Defender Blair Tarrant, veteran striker Simon Youngster, penalty nook skilled Kane Russell, defensive midfielder Nick Ross and 19-year-old debutant Charlie Morrison might be the gamers to be careful for.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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