Pools announced for 2014 Hockey World Cup; India in moderately tough group

Mandeep Singh of India celebrate the goal against Germay during the Hero Hockey World League Final, Ranking match at National Stadium on January 17, 2014 in New Delhi, India.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced the pools for this summer’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup following the conclusion of the inaugural edition of the men’s Hockey World League Final. India find themselves in a moderately tough pool, alongside defending champions Australia but away from Olympic champions Germany.

Here are the teams that will feature in the two pools:

Pool A

Australia (1)

England (4)

Belgium (5)

India (8)

Spain (10)

Malaysia (13)

Pool B

Germany (2)

The Netherlands (3)

New Zealand (6)

Korea (7)

Argentina (11)

Africa (12)

(The numbers in brackets indicate the world rankings of the teams)

“The pools for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup are based on the current FIH World Rankings, which have been updated to include the ranking points earned by the teams that competed in this month’s Hero Hockey World League Final.  The results have triggered some changes to the rankings, with Australia taking back the number 1 ranking spot from Germany who have been top of the table since their gold medal performance at London 2012,” FIH said in their official release.

“This summer’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup promises epic clashes bringing together twelve of the world’s greatest teams and players for the toughest, most skilful and entertaining international hockey imaginable. Serving as the climax of the world hockey calendar, the Rabobank Hockey World Cup provides a unique chance to achieve sporting immortality in the Hague,” the release went on.

The Rabobank Hockey World Cup schedule is expected to be announced next Friday (31st January 2014) in the Hague, Netherlands.