BHUBANESWAR: There is a quaintness about Bhubaneswar, the temple city, which is hard to miss. The stillness of the place - it shuts down by 11pm - is startling for city slickers. Over the next three weeks though, the time between the city's early eastern sunset and bedtime will be fast, furious and action-packed as the Hockey World Cup unfolds here.
In the 13 previous editions since the inaugural World Cup in Barcelona in 1971, only five countries - Pakistan, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany and India - have won the coveted trophy. Pakistan has taken home the crown four times, while Australia and The Netherlands are just a step behind on three occasions each.
This year, Australia and The Netherlands will have a chance to catch up as they are among 16 teams from around the globe vying for the premier trophy. However, the past - and rankings too - will count for little. Belgium serves as a reminder. Pushovers until recently, they finished runners-up in the Olympics and will take on Canada in the inaugural contest of the event here on Wednesday.
Belgium, along with The Netherlands, Germany and Argentina, are expected to run defending champions Australia close, but it's a formidable task. The Kookaburras are a big-tournament team and are coming off title triumphs at the Commonwealth Games and the Champions Trophy. Although they lost 1-2 to Argentina in the final of the Darwin International Hockey in September, they look a well-rounded team.
The Australians, who haven't slipped below the third spot in the world rankings in over a decade, have a relatively easy passage into the quarterfinals with Ireland, China and England being their Group B opposition in the league stage. With a mix of young exciting talent like 19-year-old striker Tim Brand, dragflick ace Blake Govers and the experienced co-captains Aran Zalewski and Eddie Ockenden, the team from Down Under are the one to beat.
Olympic champions Argentina, ranked second in the world, who lost their warm-up game against India a couple of days ago, will look to add to their trophy cabinet after the Rio triumph. The South American side has had its share of woes coming into the competition with their hugely successful coach Carlos Retegui having quit and made way for German Orozco. For Argentina, who finished fourth at the Champions Trophy and third at the Azlan Shah Trophy this year, Gonzalo Peillat, Lucas Villa and Maico Casella hold the key to their success.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, will look to make amends for the 6-1 trashing their received from Australia on their home turf in Hague four years ago. Max Caldas coached side have come to India with an experienced side although they will miss the services of their mainstay dragflicker Floris Wortelboer who has been ruled out due to injury. But Mink van der Weerden, Billy Barker and Mirco Pruyser in the ranks, the Dutch could well look to add the fourth world crown, their last coming at home in 1998.
The Oranje are joined by Germany in Group D along with Pakistan and Malaysia. The Germans, the big-stage performers, have been relatively low-key over the past couple of years. That said, Martin Haner's men are dangerous customers with Florian Fuchs and Timm Herzbruch leading the attack.
16 nations, 36 matches and 1 trophy to fight for, irrespective of the favourites, the next 19 days promise to be a festival of hockey.
In the 13 previous editions since the inaugural World Cup in Barcelona in 1971, only five countries - Pakistan, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany and India - have won the coveted trophy. Pakistan has taken home the crown four times, while Australia and The Netherlands are just a step behind on three occasions each.
This year, Australia and The Netherlands will have a chance to catch up as they are among 16 teams from around the globe vying for the premier trophy. However, the past - and rankings too - will count for little. Belgium serves as a reminder. Pushovers until recently, they finished runners-up in the Olympics and will take on Canada in the inaugural contest of the event here on Wednesday.
Belgium, along with The Netherlands, Germany and Argentina, are expected to run defending champions Australia close, but it's a formidable task. The Kookaburras are a big-tournament team and are coming off title triumphs at the Commonwealth Games and the Champions Trophy. Although they lost 1-2 to Argentina in the final of the Darwin International Hockey in September, they look a well-rounded team.
The Australians, who haven't slipped below the third spot in the world rankings in over a decade, have a relatively easy passage into the quarterfinals with Ireland, China and England being their Group B opposition in the league stage. With a mix of young exciting talent like 19-year-old striker Tim Brand, dragflick ace Blake Govers and the experienced co-captains Aran Zalewski and Eddie Ockenden, the team from Down Under are the one to beat.
Olympic champions Argentina, ranked second in the world, who lost their warm-up game against India a couple of days ago, will look to add to their trophy cabinet after the Rio triumph. The South American side has had its share of woes coming into the competition with their hugely successful coach Carlos Retegui having quit and made way for German Orozco. For Argentina, who finished fourth at the Champions Trophy and third at the Azlan Shah Trophy this year, Gonzalo Peillat, Lucas Villa and Maico Casella hold the key to their success.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, will look to make amends for the 6-1 trashing their received from Australia on their home turf in Hague four years ago. Max Caldas coached side have come to India with an experienced side although they will miss the services of their mainstay dragflicker Floris Wortelboer who has been ruled out due to injury. But Mink van der Weerden, Billy Barker and Mirco Pruyser in the ranks, the Dutch could well look to add the fourth world crown, their last coming at home in 1998.
The Oranje are joined by Germany in Group D along with Pakistan and Malaysia. The Germans, the big-stage performers, have been relatively low-key over the past couple of years. That said, Martin Haner's men are dangerous customers with Florian Fuchs and Timm Herzbruch leading the attack.
16 nations, 36 matches and 1 trophy to fight for, irrespective of the favourites, the next 19 days promise to be a festival of hockey.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com
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