Latest World Hockey Rankings: Indian men continue to languish at no. 11 spot, Pakistan slip to 8th spot
Sardar Singh (in blue) is the captain of the Indian hockey team
The Indian men continue to languish in the 11th spot in the latest FIH world hockey rankings.
The Blueshirts, who failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup after finishing sixth in the second men’s Hockey World League Round 3 event in Rotterdam, have one last opportunity to seal their berth in the marquee event by winning the ninth Asia Cup, which will be played in Ipoh, Malaysia from August 24.
The Sardar Singh-led Indian side would kickstart their Asian Cup camp in Bengaluru on July 16.
Olympic gold medallist Germany continue to occupy the number one spot. London Olympics bronze medallist Australia are placed second, while 2012 Olympics runners-up the Netherlands are placed third.
England – who reached the semifinals of the London Olympics clung on to their number four spot. New Zealand moved up one spot to be placed fifth, while Pakistan who are placed at number five when the last rankings were released, slipped three places to eight position.
Korea advanced two spots to be ranked joint sixth with Spain.
Belgium and Argentina continue to be remain at number nine and ten positions respectively despite their impressive performances in recent times.
Meanwhile, the Indian women continue to hold the number twelve spot. In fact, they are lucky not to slip further after a hugely disappointing Hockey World League campaign.
Current Olympic champions Netherlands continue to occupy the numero uno position. Reigning world champions Argentina are placed second while New Zealand are ranked third.
England, Germany and Australia occupy the number fourth, fifth and sixth spots respectively.
Among the Asian nations, China and Korea occupy the seventh and eight positions respectively.
Japan made a significant leap, breaking into the top-10 holding the ninth spot following a string of impressive performances in recent times.