Top five forwards to watch out for in FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023

These players will be in close eye for the quadrennial tournament.

In just a few days Men's Hockey’s biggest event will begin in India. India will be hosting FIH Men's Hockey World Cup for the 4th time. For the first time in history, one country will be hosting Hockey’s most prestigious event for consecutive times. From 13th January teams will take on each other for the glory. 16 teams are participating in this event with a galaxy of stars on their side.

For any team to reach pole position, strikers will play a crucial role in their campaign. Teams like Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and India bank on their Top strikers to provide them with top performance. These teams have proven themselves in their attacking game in most of the games they have played in past.

In the current setup, there are few names in the World dominating in the forward line with their game. Players like Mandeep Singh, Jeron Hertzberger, Tom Boon and a few others have won praise with their clinical finishes in the games. There are a few other names that make this game interesting.

Teams like Belgium, Germany, Australia, Netherlands and India are among the top contenders with their previous year’s performance in FIH Pro Hockey League, Olympics and other big events. Let’s have a look at the Top 5 forward to watch out for in FIH Hockey World Cup 2023.

5. Mandeep Singh (India)

Among India’s top goalscorer, Mandeep Singh is the team’s biggest hope. Team India is banking on this 27-year-old forward. Built tall, Mandeep has not disappointed whenever performances were expected from him. After making his debut in 2013 for India, Mandeep has peaked in the last few years with his performance.

Mandeep was brilliant with his game in the Olympics 2020 where India won the medal after a long time. Mandeep has played in 189 games since he made his debut and has scored 96 goals. Goals are needed with a strong defensive game and Mandeep Singh is a crucial name in India’s forward line for the goal-scoring job.

4. Blake Govers (Australia)

Australians are the hot favourite to lift the Championship. Blake Govers is amongst the top goal scorer for the team. Govers' game has been brilliant in making Australia the current World No. 1 in FIH Men’s World Hockey ranking. Considered one the finest forward in the world right now, 26-year-old Govers will have huge expectations on his shoulder.

Blake in the previous World Cup edition was the joint top scorer with 7 goals. Govers in his 7 years long career in International Hockey has played 131 games and has scored 121 goals. His conversion rate is among the best in the current list of top strikers.

3. Christopher Ruhr (Germany)

Germany’s mainstay in the forward line Christopher Ruhr is another player to have our eyes on this FIH Hockey World Cup 2023. Christopher Ruhr established himself as a big name in Hockey World in his initial career. Starting at 19 He won FIH Rising star of the year twice in 2013 and 2015. Since then he has made himself counted among the top.

In the Olympics 2020, Ruhr was brilliant for Germany scoring 3 goals in the competition. Christopher Ruhr in his 10-year-long career has played 169 games and has scored 66 goals in his career. He will be a crucial player for Germany in this tournament.

2. Theirry Brinkman (Netherlands)

Netherland’s captain Theirry Brinkman is another forward on this list to watch out for in FIH Hockey World Cup 2023. Brinkman’s experience also comes in handy as playmaker too. Brinkman made his debut in 2015 as a 20-year-old. He in the last World Cup had a good run of form in goal-scoring. Brinkman in the last edition played in all 7 games and scored 4 goals.

The Netherlands missed out on the championship in the final against Belgium. Now as a leader, Brinkman will be looking to wipe off the disappointment they faced in 2018. Theirry Brinkman in his career has played 140 games for the Netherlands and has scored 55 goals.

1. Tom Boon (Belgium)

Tom Boon was an X-factor in Belgium’s first-ever World Cup victory in 2018. Belgium with its current run of form will look to repeat their magic in FIH Hockey World Cup 2023. Tom Boon in the previous edition helped Belgium with his 3 strikes in the net. Tom Boon is Belgium’s top striker and among the top experienced players.

Boon will be crucial for Belgium’s quest for the second consecutive title. Tom Boon in his career has played 203 games and has scored 149 goals. Belgium is among the top contender for the championship.