Thaindian News

Chennai, Nov 2 (IANS) India are placed 10th and 13th among men and women in the latest International Hockey Federation World rankings released Tuesday.

World champions Australia (men) and 2008 Olympic gold medalists the Netherlands (women) occupy the top spots in the rankings.

The Indian men’s team has had a dismal run during the ranking cycle. In 2007, they finished third in the Champions Challenge; in 2008, runners-up to Britain in the Olympic qualifier and thus failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games; in 2009, third in Champions Challenge; in 2010, eighth in the World Cup that they hosted in New Delhi.

In the Asian region, India are currently ranked fourth behind Pakistan, Malaysia and Korea following regional competitions.

The women’s team’s performance during the same four-year period runs parallel to that of the men’s.

Ranked fourth behind China, Korea and Japan in the Asian region, the Indians were third in 2007 Champions Challenge; failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics; first in 2009 Champions Challenge - II; ninth at the 2010 World Cup and seventh in 2011 Champions Challenge - I.

The top 10 rankings are:
Men - Australia 1 (2,620 points); Germany 2 (2,470); The Netherlands 3 (2,213); Spain 4 (1,990); England 5 (1,947); Korea 6 (1,788); New Zealand 7 (1,610); Argentina 8 (1,470); Pakistan 9 (1,460); India 10 (1,385).

Women - The Netherlands 1 (2,063 points); Argentina 2 (2,030); Germany 3 (1,765); England 4 (1,696); China 5 (1,675); New Zealand 6 (1,615); Australia 7 (1,548); Korea 8 (1,423); Japan 9 (1,318); United States 10 (1,233).