 rankings backs Upadhyay’s analysis with the Dutch, England (Britain), Belgium, Australia, Germany and Argentina all bunched ahead of India. India, who have five debutants and eight Singhs in their 16-man squad, will need to finish in the top four of a pool also featuring reigning champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland to get into the quarter-finals. “We are working on our fitness and defensive structure because we all have the mantra ‘defend for the win’,” Upadhyay added. “India is especially known for our counterattack, so we are looking to defend first. And if you have a good defense then definitely we can definitely have a good attack.” The word hockey derives from the French word hocquet, meaning ‘shepherds crook’, and the July 27 to Aug. 9 tournaments will take place in Colombes at what was the main stadium for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Women’s hockey had an inauspicious start at the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when all five teams invited to join the Soviet hosts boycotted the Games and stand-ins Zimbabwe won their only title. The dominant Dutch women triumphed at the first attempt in 1984 and have won three of the last four gold medals, including in Tokyo when the Oranje beat Argentina 3-1 in the final. The Netherlands have won nine of 15 World Cups and currently top the rankings ahead of Argentina and Germany. Their 26-game winning streak since a loss to Australia’s Hockeyroos in June 2023 was snapped in Utrecht on June 24, however, when Belgium beat them 2-1 at the FIH Hockey Pro League to claim their first victory over their neighbours in a top competition. “I think certainly in preparation for the Olympics, it’s nice to come here and win the game, so really cool,” said Belgium’s Helene Brasseur, who was named Player of the Match.){kind=link}
India ended a 41-year watch for an Olympic males’s hockey medal by profitable bronze in Tokyo three years in the past, elevating hopes for a possible ninth gold in Paris.
India’s glory days in hockey had been when matches had been performed on grass fields, typically following soccer video games, and neighboring Pakistan additionally excelled.
Within the trendy period of quick, flat astroturf, Germany has dominated with three Olympic titles. Different prime contenders embrace the Netherlands, Britain, Australia, Argentina, and most not too long ago, Belgium, who received gold in Tokyo.
The development is analogous on the World Cup, the place Pakistan initially dominated and Germany secured their third title in 2023.
India boasts Hardik Singh, the present World Participant of the 12 months in hockey, with midfielder Singh profitable the award after his captain Manpreet Singh held the title for 2 consecutive years.
Manpreet, generally known as top-of-the-line drag glints globally, not too long ago talked about that the Tokyo bronze has reignited perception within the Indian hockey staff. His teammate Lalit Kumar Upadhyay emphasised their clear mission for the Paris Olympics.
“We’re wanting ahead to altering the color of our medal from bronze to gold,” ahead Upadhyay advised Reuters.
“Proper now hockey is completely modified and anybody can beat anybody relying on the day. It relies on what number of probabilities you create.”
The crowded prime 10 of the Worldwide Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings backs Upadhyay’s evaluation with the Dutch, England (Britain), Belgium, Australia, Germany and Argentina all bunched forward of India.
India, who’ve 5 debutants and eight Singhs of their 16-man squad, might want to end within the prime 4 of a pool additionally that includes reigning champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Eire to get into the quarter-finals.
“We’re engaged on our health and defensive construction as a result of all of us have the mantra ‘defend for the win’,” Upadhyay added.
“India is particularly identified for our counterattack, so we need to defend first. And you probably have a great protection then positively we will positively have a great assault.”
The phrase hockey derives from the French phrase hocquet, which means ‘shepherds criminal’, and the July 27 to Aug. 9 tournaments will happen in Colombes at what was the principle stadium for the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Ladies’s hockey had an inauspicious begin on the Moscow Olympics in 1980 when all 5 groups invited to affix the Soviet hosts boycotted the Video games and stand-ins Zimbabwe received their solely title.
The dominant Dutch girls triumphed on the first try in 1984 and have received three of the final 4 gold medals, together with in Tokyo when the Oranje beat Argentina 3-1 within the closing.
The Netherlands have received 9 of 15 World Cups and at present prime the rankings forward of Argentina and Germany.
Their 26-game profitable streak since a loss to Australia’s Hockeyroos in June 2023 was snapped in Utrecht on June 24, nonetheless, when Belgium beat them 2-1 on the FIH Hockey Professional League to say their first victory over their neighbours in a prime competitors.
“I believe definitely in preparation for the Olympics, it’s good to come back right here and win the sport, so actually cool,” stated Belgium’s Helene Brasseur, who was named Participant of the Match.