IPOH:Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams remain part of the selection process for the FIH’s new home and away league expected to begin in January 2019. Hockey India were one of the 15 National Associations that met the FIH’s stringent selection process criteria.
“Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain submitted applications for both their men’s and women’s teams,” an International Hockey Federation (FIH) press release said. In addition to the above, Malaysia and Pakistan have submitted separate documents for the inclusion of their men’s teams. China, Japan and USA have done the same for their women’s teams.
Out of the 12 men’s and 13 women’s teams, only nine are expected to be part of the inaugural series. One can assume that both teams from India, Australia, Argentina, Netherlands, England and Germany will get in. The final list will be ratified by the FIH Executive Board in Lausanne on 9-10 June.
Given that the FIH have decided to do away with Champions Trophy and World League, the next stage is crucial. “To have 15 Associations in the running at this stage of the assessment process is fantastic,” FIH CEO Jason McCracken said.
But Express can reveal that one powerful nation is still waiting for the FIH to get back to them on the exact nature of the league.
Results
Great Britain 3 (Sam Ward 9th, Phil Roper 39th, Mark Gleghorne 49th) bt New Zealand 2 (Dominic Newman 30th, Kane Russell 58th); Japan 3 (Shota Yamada 44th, Koji Yamasaki 56th, 57th) bt Australia 2 (Aaron Kleinschmidt 7th, Trent Mitton 31st); Malaysia 1 (Shahril Saabah 51st) bt India 0.
Saturday’s matches: 5/6th: Japan vs Malaysia; 3/4: New Zealand vs India; Final: Australia vs Great Britain.