FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024: Pools Preview
The FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 are almost upon us. With action starting in Ranchi on January 13, find out how the first stage of the matches are shaping up in our pool preview below.
Please note that Netherlands (men & women), Australia (men & women), Argentina (men & women), South Africa (men & women), India (men) and China (women) have already qualified for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, by claiming gold at their respective continental qualifiers. They will be joined by the teams finishing in podium places at each of the three competition venues in Valencia (men & women), Ranchi (women) and Muscat (men).
Ranchi, India
Women’s Pool A: Germany, Japan, Chile, Czech Republic
Germany, ranked 5th in the world, will be favourites to qualify from the group. They narrowly missed out on making it to the finals of the EuroHockey Championships and comfortably got the better of England to finish with the bronze medal. Japan, with their disciplined defence-first style are a threat against any opposition, while Chile have been going from strength to strength in international hockey over the past couple of years and a first-ever qualification to the Olympic Games would really cap off their brilliant recent run. Czech Republic have a tall task ahead of them, against three highly ranked opponents in their pool, but their performances at the EuroHockey Championships II, where they finished with the silver medals, are proof that they are ready to take a step up and challenge their higher ranked opponents.
Women’s Pool B: India, New Zealand, United States, Italy
As hosts, India will be hoping to give their passionate fans a lot to cheer for, by finishing inside the top-2 places in the pool and qualifying for the semi-finals. New Zealand and USA, both ranked inside the top-15 in the world, will also be expected to be in the mix for not just qualifying but also vying for the top spot in the group. Italy have produced some great results over the past year, but will have their task cut out against the three higher ranked opponents in the pool B. But with the likes of Lara Oviedo, Sara Puglisi and Federica Carta in the side, Italy can prove to be the dark horses that can cause multiple upsets in the group.
For more information about the 2024 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifer Ranchi, visit the event page.