Analyse of the teams that participated in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
Argentina (world rank : 7)
Pan American hockey’s falgbearer is Rio Olympics champions Argentina, who have won the continental title 14 times. Los Leones have a unique combination of technical skill and swagger, and can easily beat any team anywhere in the world. This was evident in their 2-1 win over Belgia, reigning Olympic and World champions.
The team, coached by Mariano Ronconi (ex-Argentina goalkeeper) has not been able to make it to the semifinals in 13 World Cups. They reached the semifinals in 2014 when they were third.
They won their group last time but fell to England 3-2 in quarterfinals. After playing over 100 matches for Argentina, Gonzalo Peillat, a star penalty corner specialist, will be missed by the German team.
Agustin Mazzilli and Lucas Vila, as well as team captain Matias Rey, were named Player of the Tournament when their team won the 2022 Pan American Cup Santiago, Chile. This was to secure their World Cup.
Australia (world number 1)
The Kookaburras have been in the top four of FIH World Rankings over the past 30 years and are the most consistent team in men’s hockey. They have won every prize, including the Olympic, World Cup and Oceania Cup titles.
Colin Batch, a former striker, has not played many matches since a shootout loss to Belgium at the Tokyo Olympics 2021. However, they won a stunning seventh Commonwealth Games title by thrashing India 7-1 in the final in Birmingham last August. They have only played five matches against India since then, and won 4-1 in a high scoring home series in November-December.
Australia, unlike many other teams at the World Cup, has not yet started its Pro-League campaign. However, Australia is well-known for their fast-paced, attacking hockey and compact defense, so it is likely that they will be seeking a fourth-place record.
They lost to eventual runners-up Netherlands, but beat England in the third-place match.
Captain Eddie Ockenden and Blake Govers, penalty corner specialist, Jake Harvie, defender, and Aran Zalewski, midfielder, will all be part of the Kookaburras to be watched.
Belgium (world number: 2)
Belgium’s rise from European not-rans to the top of global hockey has been one the most memorable stories of the last two decades. The Red Lions have won all major titles in the last few years, including the World Cup (2018) and Olympic Games (2021), European Championship (1919), and FIH Hockey Pro League (1921-21).
They are the favorites to win the title again, alongside Australia and the Netherlands.
Michel van den Heuvel, a Dutch coach, has coached a team that is strong and deep in all departments. It includes some of the best players around the world, as well as proven winners who have won the most prestigious titles on the most prestigious stages.
However, they have relied on the proven and trusted players who have played more than half the team’s matches and are over 30 years old.
Vincent Vanasch, who lost to India’s PR Sreejesh for the FIH Goalkeepers of the Year award, and Loic Van Doren are two of their world-class goalkeepers. Arthur Van Doren and Victor Wegnez, Felix Denayer and Florent Van Aubel, John John Dohmen and Alexander Hendrickx, Arthur de Sloover, and Tom Boon – the latter two being shortlisted for the FIH Hockey Stars player of the year Award for 2022 – both of the FIH Hockey Stars of the Year Award for the FIH Hockey Stars Hockey Stars Hockey Stars player of the Year Award for the FIH Hockey Stars.
Germany (world number: 4)
Germany has a proud history of international hockey, with four Olympic gold medals, two World Cups, and eight European titles. The German national hockey team, Die Honamas, is tactically savvy and technically brilliant. This will be something they hope to do here in Odisha.
Germany hired Andre Henning as their new coach after losing to India in the bronze medal play-off at the Tokyo Olympics. After a lengthy preparation, the team won 13 of 18 matches over the past year. They will now be trying to repeat that performance at the World Cup.
Niklas Wellen, forward — who was also one of the nominees for the FIH best player award — and Alexander Stadler goalkeeper, who was in contention for the FIH best goalkeeper award — would be key players in this German team.
Other star players would include Christopher Ruhr, another forward, and Mats Grambusch the captain. Gonzalo Peillat, the star penalty corner specialist and man who helped Argentina win the Rio 2016 Olympics gold, would be a great addition to the team.
India (world number: 6)
India won the World Cup in 1975. They have not qualified for the semifinals since. In 1971, they won a bronze medal and in 1973 they took home a silver. They did not win the quarterfinal match against the Netherlands in the previous edition. They failed to reach the group stage from 1978 through 2014.
India is back at the top of the table after years of falling in the world game.
The team won a bronze medal at Tokyo Olympic Games, which was followed by a third-place finish at the 2021-22 edition FIH Hockey Pro League.
India’s standing has increased since Graham Reid became the head coach. His ability to bring out the best in the players and add a tactical discipline to India’s trademark fluid, skilful playing style has made them respected and feared alike.
India’s performance against the Kookaburras was much better than the final in Birmingham Commonwealth Games. India lost 0-7 to Australia. India lost the series by a score of 1-4, but they fought on equal terms in three matches and won a rare victory against their formidable rivals.
Harmanpreet Singh (FIH Player of Year) is the captain. He is a fantastic defender and one the most skilled drag flickers in the game. PR Sreejesh (goalie), Hardik Singh and Manpreet Singh (midfield ace) and Mandeep Singh (striker) are all capable of creating game-changing moments.
Amit Rohidas, a former captain of the team, will lead the defense and Akashdeep Singh, the forward, will be the players to keep an eye on.
Netherlands (world number: 3)
The Netherlands have been consistent under Jeroen De Mee, the legendary Dutch defender and player who won two Olympic gold medals. Delmee took over the Oranje team in the second half of 2021.
The challenge was met with style by the young players, who won 12 of 16 matches in the 2021-22 edition FIH Hockey Pro League to claim the title.
The Netherlands, which has suffered two painful defeats in the FIH Men’s World Cup finals last year, will try to win a fourth world title this time. This feat is only possible with Pakistan.
You should be on the lookout for Captain Thierry Brinkman and striker Koen Bijen as well as penalty corner ace Jip Jassen, Pirmin Blaak, and Pirmin Blaak, goalkeeper.
England (world number: 5)
Only once did England reach the World Cup final, in 1986 when they were defeated by Australia 1-2 in front their London home crowd. They were fourth in the previous three editions, and the current team headed by Paul Revington will be looking to win their maiden title.
They have arrived at the World Cup with a young team, 10 of whom have never played at this level.
England’s top players will include Condon David, Zach Wallace, Martin Harry, and Roper Phill.
Spain (world number: 8)
In 1971, Spain hosted the first ever World Cup. Spain has played twice in the finals of hockey’s most prestigious event. However, they failed to win the title in 1998 and 1971.
They will be the dark horse of Pool D, which also includes England, India and Wales. Recent victories against India and
They will be convinced by New Zealand that a young team can beat the best in the world.
Spain’s coach Max Caldas expects Spain to have Ricardo Sanchez, Alvaro Iglesias and Enrique Gonzalez play the role of playmaker.
Korea (world no. 10)
Korea’s victory at the Asia Cup was a great win, and they beat Malaysia in the final, despite not qualifying for the 2018 edition. In recent months, the team was involved in two highly-publicized competitions. They finished runners-up to Malaysia at the Sultan Azlan Shah cup in November. Namyong Lee, Evergreen’s 39-year-old captain, will be one of the key players.
New Zealand (world number: 9)
New Zealand is all set to compete at their 11th World Cup. The Odisha event will be their seventh consecutive. They have not finished higher than seventh on four occasions but this could change.
The Black Sticks are a formidable force, blessed with world-class players.
The players to watch are defender Blair Tarrant, veteran striker Simon Child and Kane Russell. Kane Russell is a penalty corner expert, Nick Ross, defensive midfielder Nick Ross, Charlie Morrison, a 19-year-old debutant, and Kane Russell is a penalty corner expert.
From Friday, the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup will begin in Bhubaneswar or Rourkela. Teams from all over the globe will compete for the top prize. We will be looking at the chances of each team participating in the tournament and taking a closer look at their chances.
Argentina is currently 7th in the world and has won the Pan American title 14 times. Argentina is known for its technical prowess and swashbuckling style. They have not reached the semifinals in 13 of their previous World Cups, and they have failed to make it past the first round. Gonzalo Peillat (star penalty corner specialist) will not be available for the team as he has now joined the German team. Agustin Mazzilli and Lucas Vila are players to keep an eye on, as well as Matias Rey, team captain.
Australia is currently ranked 1st worldwide in men’s hockey. The Kookaburras have won every major title including the Olympic Games, World Cup and FIH Hockey Pro League. They are a force to reckon with. They are known for their fast, aggressive style and compact defense. They are currently chasing a fourth world record. The key players to keep an eye on are captain Eddie Ockenden and Blake Govers, penalty corner specialist, Jake Harvie, defender Jake Harvie and Aran Zalewski, midfielder.
