Indian men rise to 8, eves stay put at 13th in FIH rankings

India climbed up a rung to occupy the eighth spot in the men’s section, while the eves remained static at 13th position in the latest International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings issued on Thursday.

The FIH on Thursday released the latest world rankings following the completion of four events comprising the Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Buenos Aires and Antwerp (men); Valencia and Antwerp (women).

India men’s hockey team’s rise can be attributed to their fourth place finish in the World League Semi-Finals in Antwerp earlier this month.

World Cup holders Australia men and the Netherlands women remain at the top of the chart after both teams won their respective Hockey World League Semi-Final events, beating Belgium and Korea in the finals.

In the men’s rankings, the Netherlands, who won silver in the 2014 World Cup remain in second place, while Olympic gold medallists Germany, who also won their Hockey World League Semi-Final, are in third place.

The battle for fourth spot continues between Belgium (4) and England (5) as just 27 points separate the two teams.

Argentina (6) and New Zealand (7) remain unchanged followed by India, while Korea and Pakistan complete the top 10 list in the men’s category. Meanwhile, it is getting tight in the battle for top spots in the women’s rankings as just 14 points separates Germany (5), China (6) and England (7).

While Australia (2), Argentina (3) and New Zealand (4) remain unmoved, USA women have dropped from fifth to eighth.