Top five defenders in international men's hockey in 2022

These players are not only good blockers of the ball, but also lethal from set pieces.

In hockey, scoring goals is important. The side with the most number of goals in the stipulated time wins the game. Thus, a hockey team needs able forwards who can score goals and help their side win. These forwards are fast, skillful and opportunistic. They are always searching for chances to penetrate the opposition defence.

At the other end, there are defenders. These defenders are endowed with the responsibility of holding off the attackers. These players need to have good game-reading and positioning skills. Moreover, they have to be precise with their tackles. Because an ill-timed one will likely result in a foul and a card for the player. The worse case scenario would most definitely be a penalty-corner or a stroke. The defenders are also the first line of defence ahead of the goalkeeper, so their movements have to be in constant sync with one another.

Today, we are going to talk about the best defenders in men's hockey right now. These athletes or rather man-made walls don't crumble under pressure and thwart the oncoming onslaught in a jiffy.

5. Jip Janssen ( Netherlands)

Dutch defender Jip Janssen plays his club hockey at Kampong and is a very capable defender. The 24-year-old has so far made 57 appearances for his country and held up the Dutch defence in style. Janssen made his debut for the senior team in 2017 and has been a regular in the squad since 2019.

In addition to providing solidity to the defence, the young man from Naarden is also adept at goalscoring. Janssen scored three goals in the inaugural season of the FIH Pro League in 2019, winning a bronze for his team. He added another bronze at the EuroHockey Championship in Antwerp the same year. Janssen bettered this record last year in Amstelveen, winning gold.

The Netherlands also had the meanest defensive record in Amstelveen. They conceded just two goals in the group stages, the lowest by any team.

4. Jeremy Hayward ( Australia)

One of Australia's most experienced defenders, Jeremy Hayward is indispensable for the Australian hockey team. The Darwin-born player has proudly represented his nation more than 160 times. The 29-year-old's defensive skills came to the fore at the 2014 Men's Hockey World Cup. He was awarded the Young Player of the Tournament at this event, at 21-years- old.

Hayward was also part of the Kookaburras' Olympic squad at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Coincidentally, the Australians too managed to reach the finals of the event for the first time since 2004. However, they lost to Belgium in a penalty shootout. Despite that, Hayward's performance definitely stood out. Australia also had a great defensive record in Tokyo thanks to him.

3. Matias Rey ( Argentina)

Matias Rey is probably the oldest on this list of best defender's in men's hockey right now. The 37-year-old hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Rey started his senior career in 2006 and is still going strong. The old-stager has played a record of over 230 games for the Los Leones. His career is one of the most decorated in the game.

The San Fernando defender is a triple gold medalist at the Pan American Cup. He is also a gold medalist at the 2016 Olympics, a bronze at the Champions Trophy and a silver at the Hockey World League among many others. The 2022 Men's Pan American Cup needs a special mention. Matias was adjudged Player of the Tournament there.

Matias is currently busy defending at the ongoing FIH Pro League. Courtesy of his exploits in the backline, Argentina also happen to have the lowest number of goals conceded in the tournament at four.

2. Harmanpreet Singh ( India)

India's Harmanpreet Singh is next on this list of the best defenders in men's hockey . We all know about Harman's lethal drag-flick skills, but today we are solely going to focus on his ability as a defender. The 2020-2021 FIH Player of the Year is one vigilant gatekeeper as well.

Harman can slow down any opposition attack and is quick at marking players in the D-box. His chemistry with the goalkeepers, especially PR Sreejesh, has helped India many times in saving crucial penalty-corners as well as field goals. He sweeps the ball away from danger whenever the need arises and provides excellent support to the midfield.

Singh is one of the most important players in the Indian squad right now. The defender from Amritsar is also the top scorer at the ongoing FIH Pro League, with 10 goals.

1. Alexander Hendrickx ( Belgium)

Alexander Hendrickx is without a doubt the best defender in the world right now. Moreover, Hendrickx is so good at taking penalty-corners that even if he messes up in defence, he can be allowed to play in the team. His defending skills are also on point.

The 28-year-old has made over 140 appearances for his country and accumulated nearly 50 goals. The Y1 Hockey ambassador is a triple gold medalist at the EuroHockey Championship, World Cup and Olympic Games. Alex's 14 goals at the Tokyo Olympics paved the way for Belgium's dominance in Tokyo.

Hendrickx is going through a golden patch in his career and making the most of it. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here. The Belgian team will definitely need his services, if they want to keep their form going.

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