Rival Watch: India to face Argentina in away leg of FIH Men's Hockey Pro League 2022-23

The action shifts to Netherlands as teams fight it out for every point on offer.

During the FIH Men's Hockey Pro League 2022-23, the Argentina Men's Hockey squad will be seeking to imitate the heroics of their excellent football team, which won the 2023 FIFA World Cup. However, it would be easier to accomplish because South Americans will face stiff competition throughout the event.

The fifth installment of the FIH Pro League will be contested in a typical style; however, relegation guidelines will be implemented for the first time in history. The team that finishes last in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-23 season, which ends in July, will be replaced by the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2022 champions. 

The calendar for the fifth edition of the Professional Hockey League has been broken into seven date blocks where multiple teams will convene at one site to play games opposite their rivals.

The Indian team will begin their forthcoming leg in London, England, where they will take on defending Olympic champions Belgium (May 26 and June 2) and host Great Britain (May 27 and June 3).

They will next go to Eindhoven for their final two matches, which will be in opposition to the national team of the Netherlands (June 7th and 10th), and face Argentina on June 8th and 11th.

About the team

Argentina's national field hockey squad is overseen by the Argentine Hockey Confederation (CAH). Mariano Ronconi is the current coach, who took over after German Orozco was fired in 2020. The squad is presently ranked fifth in the world, according to the FIH.

Except for the 1998 edition, Argentina has competed in every Hockey World Cup since its inception in 1973. In 2014, they won the bronze medal, their highest finish in the event. They also won bronze at the 2008 Hockey Champions Trophy and silver at the 2016-17 Hockey World League.

Coach

Mariano Ronconi took over as head coach of the Argentinian Men's Hockey Team following the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Los Leones (The Lions - nickname) wrapped up seventh.

Ronconi, a former goalkeeper, marked his professional debut as Argentina Men's Hockey Team coach in the 2022 Pan American Cup in Santiago, when the South American superpower crowned itself in gold, defeating hosts Chile 5-2 in the final. Argentina culminated fifth in the Pro League in 2021-22 under Ronconi.

Argentina's players to watch against India

Agustin Mazzilli - Midfielder

Agustin Mazzilli is a veteran athlete who has been an element of the national team of Argentina since 2009. He was a member of the Olympic team that achieved the Gold Medal in 2016. Maziili, who plays both midfield and striker, has appeared in 180 matches for his country, scoring 43 goals and accumulating over 90 victories.

Maico Casella - Forward

Maico Casella is a young player to keep an eye on in the competition. After helping Argentina win gold at the 2019 Pan American Games, the 25-year-old was nominated for the FIH Rising Star of the Year award. With ten goals, he finished as the tournament's leading scorer. Casella has scored 55 goals and 61 won in 111 games played.

What to expect?

The team led by Mariano Ronconi would surely bring a spark to the ground with its rising talents, such as Maico Casella in the forward position. They also have a home advantage over India to enhance their confidence.

However, the Indian hockey team will give a tough battle to the South Americans under the vice-captaincy of Hardik Singh, senior goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, former captain Manpreet Singh and newly appointed coach Craig Fulton. The Indian men's hockey team adopts a more skilled and strategically organized style focusing less on physicality.