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Belgium men and Netherlands women hold strong

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There has been little movement in the FIH World Rankings, with the Red Lions of Belgium and Netherlands Oranje holding onto top spot in their respective tables.

And, as we approach a busy few months of hockey competition, including continental championships and, of course, the rescheduled Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the FIH World Rankings can provide a snap-shot of how the nations are performing.

Despite the recent match cancellations, due to Covid-19 restrictions, there have still been some scintillating matches played in the FIH Hockey Pro League, not least the 5-3 thriller between the national men’s teams of Great Britain and Germany; the fiercely contested 2-3 match in Buenos Aires again featuring Germany men as they defeated Argentina; and three consecutive draws in the test matches between Oceania rivals Australia and New Zealand (Women).

The most recent FIH Hockey Pro League matches saw both the men’s and women’s teams of Netherlands and Belgium go head-to-head in a one-off match billed ‘Winner’s Day’. It was here that Netherlands women and Belgium men were crowned FIH Hockey Pro League champions for this season. It was a double triumph as both sides also retain their places at the top of the FIH World Rankings.

Alyson Annan’s side signed off in style with a 3-0 win but Max Caldas managed to spoil Shane McLeod’s final FIH Pro league match of Season Two as he masterminded a 4-0 win.

In the women’s FIH World Rankings, Netherlands (2772.084 points) have extended their lead at the top of the world rankings to 537 ranking points ahead of second placed Argentina (2235.598). Australia (2117.490) climbed to third position after their recent test matches against New Zealand at the Trans-Tasman series. Germany (2115.185) slipped to fourth position, while England (2111.857) are ranked fifth.

The top 10 is completed by New Zealand in sixth position (1916.268), Spain in seventh position on 1902.126, Ireland (eighth place – 1683.086), India (ninth place – 1643.00) and China (tenth place – 1621.00).

Just outside the top ten, the Belgium Red Panthers (1579) are piling pressure on Korea (1580) as they move to within one ranking point of the Asia team.

In the men’s FIH World Rankings, reigning world and European champions Belgium (2533.830 points) sit at the summit in front of 2019 FIH Hockey Pro League winners Australia (second place – 2496.978), Netherlands are in third place on 2301.044, ahead of India who are just 78 points below on 2223.458.

Germany (2112.568) have jumped to fifth, courtesy of recent performances in the FIH Pro League, and England/Great Britain have also moved up a spot to sixth on 1976.092. Both sides have leapfrogged the reigning Olympic champions Argentina (1923.420).

In eighth place are New Zealand on 1672.689, with Spain in ninth position on 1636.865 and Canada in tenth on 1509.191.

The South African Men are at 14th place whilst the women are at 16th place.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.