Latest news with #FIHMen'sHockeyWorldCup
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Big chance to qualify for WC through Pro League: Hardik
New Delhi: Placed in a strong third position on the points table as they resume their campaign in the away leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–25 (Men), India vice captain Hardik Singh emphasised the importance of finishing the prestigious tournament on top. 'We have spoken about this within the squad and believe that if we stick to the plan, accumulate enough points, and push for wins - even securing points from draws and subsequent shootouts - we stand a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup through the Pro League,' said a confident Hardik. Putting things into perspective, he added, 'Belgium (currently ranked No.2) and the Netherlands (placed behind India at No.4) qualify automatically as co-hosts of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2026. That leaves England, who are on top, along with Germany and Spain, as the key competitors vying for qualification. Our matches against Argentina will also be crucial. This is a good challenge for us to have, and qualifying early would give us more time to prepare for the World Cup.' As of now, Australia (placed No.6 in the ongoing Pro League) have qualified for the World Cup as winners of the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Belgium and the Netherlands qualify as hosts. Germany, currently placed fifth, still have six matches left and can potentially pose a threat to India's qualification plans. Meanwhile, the Indian team's focus and precision in preparation for their European campaign has been evident during the multiple red, orange, and green training sessions at the centralised training camp in SAI, Bengaluru over the past three weeks. 'The sessions have been nothing short of rigorous,' laughed Hardik, highlighting the hard yards the team has put in, particularly in terms of fitness and conditioning. 'We have really been put through the grind by the coach and Alan (Scientific Advisor). Our strength and conditioning have been on point—mainly because we want to be at our peak for back-to-back matches. We practically have no rest days between games, and even when we do, we'll be travelling from the Netherlands to Belgium,' he explained. India will begin their European leg with back-to-back matches against the Netherlands on June 7 and 9, followed by a double-header against Argentina on June 11 and 12 at the Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen. The team will then travel to Antwerp to face Australia on June 14 and 15, before concluding their campaign against hosts Belgium June on 21 and 22. 'Every point in these six matches will matter. Another exciting aspect of this campaign is that the matches are being played at the same venues where the World Cup will be held next year. This gives us a better understanding of what to expect. We're treating this like a World Cup simulation, and that makes this outing even more important for our squad,' Hardik signed off.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"There's a realistic chance to qualify for World Cup if we stick to the plan in FIH Hockey Pro League," says India VC Hardik Singh
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Placed in a strong third position on the points table as they resume their campaign in the away leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 (Men), India Vice Captain Hardik Singh emphasized the importance of finishing the prestigious tournament on top. On June 7, India will continue its FIH Hockey Pro League campaign against the Netherlands at Amstelveen. Currently, India is in the third spot, with five wins and three losses. 'We have spoken about this within the squad and believe that if we stick to the plan, accumulate enough points, and push for wins--even securing points from draws and subsequent shootouts--we stand a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup through the Pro League,' said Hardik as quoted by a Hockey India press release. Putting things into perspective, he added, 'Belgium (currently ranked number two) and the Netherlands (placed behind India at number four) qualify automatically as co-hosts of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2026. That leaves England, who are on top, along with Germany and Spain, as the key competitors vying for qualification. Our matches against Argentina will also be crucial. This is a good challenge for us to have, and qualifying early would give us more time to prepare for the World Cup.' As of now, Australia (placed at number six in the ongoing Pro League) have qualified for the World Cup as winners of the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Belgium and the Netherlands qualify as hosts. Germany, currently placed fifth, still has six matches left and can potentially pose a threat to India's qualification plans. Meanwhile, the Indian team's focus and precision in preparation for their European campaign has been evident during the multiple red, orange, and green training sessions at the centralized training camp in SAI, Bengaluru over the past three weeks. 'The sessions have been nothing short of rigorous,' laughed Hardik, highlighting the hard yards the team has put in, particularly in terms of fitness and conditioning. 'We have really been put through the grind by the coach and Alan (Scientific Advisor). Our strength and conditioning have been on point, mainly because we want to be at our peak for back-to-back matches. We practically have no rest days between games, and even when we do, we'll be travelling from the Netherlands to Belgium,' he explained. India will begin their European leg with back-to-back matches against the Netherlands on June 7 and 9, followed by a double-header against Argentina on June 11 and 12 at the Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen. The team will then travel to Antwerp to face Australia on June 14 and 15, before concluding their campaign against hosts Belgium on June 21 and 22. 'Every point in these six matches will matter. Another exciting aspect of this campaign is that the matches are being played at the same venues where the World Cup will be held next year. This gives us a better understanding of what to expect. We are treating this like a World Cup simulation, and that makes this outing even more important for our squad,' Hardik signed off. (ANI)
United News of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
There's a realistic chance to qualify for World Cup if we stick to plan in FIH Hockey: Hardik
New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) Placed in a strong third position on the points table as they resume their campaign in the away leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–25 (Men), India Vice Captain Hardik Singh emphasized the importance of finishing the prestigious tournament on top. 'We have spoken about this within the squad and believe that if we stick to the plan, accumulate enough points, and push for wins—even securing points from draws and subsequent shootouts—we stand a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup through the Pro League,' said a confident Hardik. Putting things into perspective, he added, 'Belgium (currently ranked No.2) and the Netherlands (placed behind India at No.4) qualify automatically as co-hosts of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2026. That leaves England, who are on top, along with Germany and Spain, as the key competitors vying for qualification. Our matches against Argentina will also be crucial. This is a good challenge for us to have, and qualifying early would give us more time to prepare for the World Cup.' As of now, Australia (placed No.6 in the ongoing Pro League) have qualified for the World Cup as winners of the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Belgium and the Netherlands qualify as hosts. Germany, currently placed fifth, still have six matches left and can potentially pose a threat to India's qualification plans. Meanwhile, the Indian team's focus and precision in preparation for their European campaign has been evident during the multiple red, orange, and green training sessions at the centralized training camp in SAI, Bengaluru over the past three weeks. 'The sessions have been nothing short of rigorous,' laughed Hardik, highlighting the hard yards the team has put in, particularly in terms of fitness and conditioning. 'We have really been put through the grind by the coach and Alan (Scientific Advisor). Our strength and conditioning have been on point—mainly because we want to be at our peak for back-to-back matches. We practically have no rest days between games, and even when we do, we'll be traveling from the Netherlands to Belgium,' he explained. India will begin their European leg with back-to-back matches against the Netherlands on June 7 and 9, followed by a double-header against Argentina on June 11 and 12 at the Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen. The team will then travel to Antwerp to face Australia on June 14 and 15, before concluding their campaign against hosts Belgium on June 21 and 22. 'Every point in these six matches will matter. Another exciting aspect of this campaign is that the matches are being played at the same venues where the World Cup will be held next year. This gives us a better understanding of what to expect. We're treating this like a World Cup simulation, and that makes this outing even more important for our squad,' Hardik signed off. UNI BM
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan unlikely for Asia Cup hockey, may miss junior WC too
Kolkata: The Pakistan hockey team 's participation in Asia Cup, scheduled in Rajgir, Bihar, from Aug 27 to Sept 7 is unlikely following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and left scores wounded. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Not only the continental meet, which will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, Pakistan's participation in Junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai later this year, is also under cloud. Speaking exclusively to TOI, Hockey India (HI) secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said they are awaiting every move by the govt on its foreign policy on Pakistan. "We are continuously reviewing it and will await further guidance from the govt before taking any decision at the appropriate time," Singh said. According to the sources, HI also had to move the Junior Men's World Cup pool draw, which was scheduled on May 5, to a later date because of likely visa issues for Pakistan-born Tayyab Ikram, the current FIH president. After the Apr 22 attack in Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian govt gave a 'Leave India' notice to Pakistani nationals on short-term visas in the country and has also suspended issuing new visa services. While Pakistan's non-participation in the tournament will be embarrassing for Hockey India, it is unlikely to have any effect on the upcoming two events. Even in 2016, Pakistan were unable to take part in Junior World Cup held in Lucknow because of visa issues and Malaysia had replaced them on the basis of ranking. International Hockey Federation (FIH) had then said in a statement, "Earlier today the FIH invited the Malaysian junior men's team to take part in the Uttar Pradesh Hockey Junior World Cup Men, Lucknow 2016, being held in India from 8 to 18 December. The late invitation came after FIH had to officially withdraw Pakistan's invitation to the event." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Something similar is also expected to happen this time around. "If Pakistan withdraws from the Men's Hockey Asia Cup, Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) would likely replace them with the next highest-ranked team from the Asia region. This is solely upto AHF," the source added. The Pakistan men's hockey team last played in India in 2023 when they took part in Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai and fans and the administrators were certainly looking forward to their participation in the tournament this time around. They had also visited the country to take part in the 2018 World Cup, 2014 Champions Trophy and Junior World Cup in 2021. But as things stand, it's not going to happen again anytime soon.
