Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 Pool A: Australia's quest to regain title begin

The Kookaburras are the undoubted favourites to top the table.

The FIH Men's World Cup is just around the corner. The 15th edition of the tournament will kick off on 13th January and will feature a clash between Argentina and South Africa from Pool A. The tournament will be played till the 29th of January on which a new champion will be crowned. Hosts India will surely look to use this home advantage and hope to capture their second Men's Hockey World Cup in the process.

As always the teams have been segregated into pools. This time as well the teams have been divided into four pools. Pools A, B, C and D. Today we will concern ourselves with Pool A and look at the teams that comprise the group. Pool A comprises heavyweights like Australia and Argentina along with promising contenders like France and South Africa.

So let's have a look at the teams of Pool A and analyse their chances at the World Cup.

Fact Sheet

Teams

Argentina

History at World Cup

Australia are the second most successful team after Pakistan. The Kookaburras have a decorated history at the FIH World Cup. They have won the trophy in 1986,2010 and 2014. Their last exploit in 2018 saw them finishing 3rd. The Aussies dismantled England in that encounter (8-1). Had the Aussies won the last edition it would have made them champions for the third consecutive time. However, that was not to be.

Despite that Australia has hardly finished out of the top three in all these years. They are two-time runners-up in 2002 and 2006. Moreover, they have also finished in 3rd position five times in this competition. It's safe to say that Australia is definitely here for the long run.

Coach & key players

Team Australia is managed by veteran coach Colin Batch. Batch took up that role in January 2017. The Australian men have played 131 games under him. They have won 101 of them, lost 15 and drew 15. So his record overall is quite impressive. Apart from that the presence of some experienced campaigners makes his squad quite dangerous. Blake Govers upfront is lethal with the stick. On top of that goalkeeper Andrew Charter too is hard to beat under the post.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Australia's biggest strength is their ability to win clutch games. The team knows how to perform on big stages. In addition to that their recent form was clearly demonstrated in their recent test match versus India. The Aussies decimated India and sealed the series in style. The only thing going against them would be the loss of momentum after getting knocked out in the semis in the last World Cup.

Expectation

When the Aussies are involved the expectations are always sky-high. This time too it is no different. The least you can expect from them is to reach the semi-finals. Even if they do manage that and somehow crash out it would still fall short of their standards.

Argentina

History at World Cup

Despite being a top 10 squad Argentina's journey in the World Cup has not been smooth. Out of their 13 overall appearances they have only managed to finish in the top three just once. Argentina finished first in 2014 in Hague, Netherlands. Quite surprising for a side who are a big name in hockey on the international stage.

Coach & key players

Mariano Ronconi is the newly appointed coach of the Los Leones. He took charge of the Argentina Men’s Hockey Team from illustrious and three-time Olympian Carlos Retegui after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics where Los Leones had finished seventh. He made his debut at the 2022 Pan American Cup at Santiago, where the South American powerhouse crowned themselves in glory, pipping hosts Chile 5-2 in the final. Under Ronconi Argentina finished fifth in the 2021-22 Pro League.

Ronconi's ace players would certainly be star defender and captain Matias Rey in the Men's Hockey World Cup. Other than that the presence of midfielder Agustin Mazzilli too would be a key asset for the team.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Argentina's strength definitely lies in the inclusion of many new and talented players. It's a new breed for the blue and white and that will provide the team with the power and energy of the youth. On the other hand, its history at the World Cup isn't promising. The team has next to nothing success ratio in this particular event which shows a lack of aptitude and consistency.

Expectation

Keeping everything into perspective Argentina's chances at the Cup looks quite grim. Nevertheless, the team certainly has the ability to surprise us. As such we can definitely expect the team to make it to the crossovers. Now whether Argentina will go beyond that is yet to be seen. All the Argentina fans would certainly hope so. More so now after the grand success of the football team and Leo Messi's exploit at the recently concluded World Cup in Qatar.

France

History at World Cup

France would certainly be the underdogs in the group. The 12th-ranked squad is going to make their 4th appearance at the grand stage of the tournament. They finished 8th in the last edition of the Hockey World Cup in 2018. Before that their last two appearances were way back in 1990 and 1971 respectively. In both these times, Les Bleus were placed seventh.

Coach & key players

The France team is managed by Fred Soyez. Soyez managed the Spanish national team in the 2016 summer Olympics where they finished 5th. On top of that, his team is laden with talent. Timothee Clement is one of the players to watch out for. Clement won the Player of the Tournament in the FIH Junior World Cup in 2021. In defence, the inclusion of veteran Victor Lockwood will also provide the French with that tactical defensive edge.

Strengths & Weaknesses

France's advantage definitely lies in its attacking prowess. The French have some strong forwards in their ranks. The likes of Timothee Clement and Corentin Sellier can become a nightmare for defenders. The only thing that would go against them is their inexperience in the tournament.

Expectation

France will definitely expect to go past the group stage but things won't be that easy. Their main competition would be against South Africa and that would be a match they would be hoping to win. Of course, they would like a win over Australia and Argentina too but that's easier said than done. So France's chances of survival depend on how they play on that fated day against the Ama Stokke.

South Africa

History at World Cup

South Africa have been quite a regular presence at the Hockey World Cup. Right from 2002 they have played every World Cup to date. However, they have found it hard to break into the top five. Their best finish till now is their 10th spot finish in 1994 and 2010. This year they certainly would hope to better that.

Coach & key players

South Africa is currently under the management of interim coach Cheslyn Gie. Their key players would definitely be Austin Smith who is a defender as well as an exceptional penalty corner specialist and forward Nqobile Ntuli. Ntuli is a 25-year-old forward who has already amassed 25 goals in his 58 appearances.

Strengths & weaknesses

South Africa's strength definitely lies in their experience in the tournament. The multiple-time African Cup of Nations winner know the big teams and have played against them many times. So they won't be intimidated by their strong opposition. On the other hand, their defence is their weak point. The team conceded 11 goals in their 2018 exploit at the event which hampered their chances of winning.

Expectation

South Africa are in a tough group but despite that, we can expect them to qualify at least for the crossover of the Men's Hockey World Cup. Their main rival in the group France does not have the experience they have and so the Africans might end up being the third team to progress to the next rounds. However, that is all speculation and everything might change overnight.