Final Up to date: January 08, 2023, 11:53 IST
Australian Hockey participant with Indian hockey gamers (IANS Picture)
As Hockey World Cup is simply across the nook, hosts India face a robust problem within the qualifying spherical as they’re within the firm of two formidable groups — England and Spain — in Pool D
Hockey followers in India and world wide are eagerly ready for the FIH Males’s Hockey World Cup 2023 which begins on January 13. Sixteen elite hockey groups from the world over will take part in 44 matches at two Odisha venues.
The mega sporting spectacle will start with Argentina and South Africa dealing with one another on the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Hosts India face a robust problem within the qualifying spherical as they’re within the firm of two formidable groups — England and Spain — in Pool D.
| From Sreejesh to Mats Grambusch: A Take a look at Prime Hockey Stars to Function in World Cup 2023
Right here’s a have a look at the highest 4 visiting sides to look out for.
Belgium
Because the defending Champions, Belgium arrived in Odisha for the World Cup on Friday and there was a particular buzz on the Biju Patnaik Worldwide Airport with a big gathering of followers to welcome a number of the greatest stars in world hockey. Belgium are positioned in Pool B together with Germany, Japan and Korea, and can start their marketing campaign on January 14 towards Korea in Bhubaneswar.
Led by captain Felix Denayer, the Purple Lions are hoping to repeat their efficiency of the FIH 2018 Males’s Hockey World Cup and retain the trophy. If they’re able to accomplish that, they’ll turn out to be solely the fourth nation after Pakistan (1978, 1982), Germany (2002, 2006), and Australia (2010, 2014) to win two consecutive editions of the Males’s Hockey World Cup.
Germany
Germany will enter the competitors with a comparatively extra skilled squad than the others. The Germans have a wealthy hockey historical past with vital achievements within the earlier century as properly. They’ll vie so as to add a 3rd World Cup trophy to their cupboard — having beforehand gained it in 2002 and 2006.
They wil start their marketing campaign towards Japan on January 14 after which they face Belgium of their second match on January 17. Each the matches will likely be performed at Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar. The ultimate match of the group stage towards Korea will happen on January 20 and will likely be performed in Rourkela.
The Netherlands
Three-time Males’s Hockey World Cup champions, the Netherlands, led by Thierry Brinkman, will full their ultimate preparations in Bhubaneswar earlier than travelling to Rourkela on January 10, the place they’ll face Malaysia of their first match of the event on January 14.
| Manchester United Introduce ‘Ronaldo Rule’ to Keep away from ‘Tradition of Dressing-Room Jealousy’
The Dutch group is likely one of the most adorned within the sport, having gained the World Cup in 1973, 1990, and 1998, in addition to reaching the Finals within the final two editions. The Netherlands are positioned in Pool C, together with Chile, Malaysia and New Zealand.
Australia
Australia, who’re also called the Kookaburras, are in Pool A together with Argentina, France and South Africa, and can kick begin their event in Bhubaneswar on January 13 towards France, earlier than taking part in Argentina on January 16, on the Kalinga Stadium. It could be truthful to say that the present FIH top-rank holder Australia is the hardest contender within the event.
The 3 times champions maintain the most effective profitable and goalscoring document within the 48 years of the World Cup. Out of 92 matches they performed, they gained 69 with a profitable share of 75. Their common of scoring 3.31 targets per recreation sees them on the prime of the goalscoring chart by fairly a distance.
Australia, who gained back-to-back World Cup titles in 2010 (New Delhi) and 2014 (The Hague, Netherlands), had bagged their first title in 1986 (England) after they defeated England.
Learn all of the Newest Sports activities Information right here
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)