England women’s hockey team has been drawn against Argentina (world ranked 2), Germany (6), China (7), USA (10) and South Africa (11) in Pool B of the hockey World Cup in the Netherlands May 31-June 14, 2014.
The draw is based on world rankings, and Netherlands victory in the World League competition in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina on Sunday lifted the Dutch back into number one spot at the expense of the hosts.
England retained their number three ranking after finishing third in Argentina. They are followed in the rankings by Tucaman finalists Australia who leapfrog New Zealand, now fifth.
Pool A will consist of reigning Olympic and World League champions the Netherlands (1), Australia (4), New Zealand (5), Korea (8), Japan (9) and Belgium (12).
The announcement of the men’s World Cup pools will be made after the completion of January’s Hero Hockey World League Final in New Delhi, India, while a full match schedule for the stunning showpiece in The Hague being announced in the coming months.
Women’s Pools – Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014
Where: Kyocera Stadium, The Hague (NED)
When: 31 May – 15 June 2014
|
Pool A |
World Ranking
|
|
Netherlands |
1 |
|
Australia |
4 |
|
New Zealand |
5 |
|
Korea |
8 |
|
Japan |
9 |
|
Belgium |
12 |
|
Pool B |
World Ranking |
|
Argentina |
2 |
|
England |
3 |
|
Germany |
6 |
|
China |
7 |
|
USA |
10 |
|
South Africa |
11 |
How they qualified
Netherlands: Hosts
Germany: Continental Champions Europe
Argentina: Continental Champions Pan America
Japan: Continental Champions Asia
Australia: Continental Champions Oceania
South Africa: Continental Champions Africa
England: 2nd place – Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final, London (ENG)
Korea: 3rd place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED)
New Zealand: 4th place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final, Rotterdam (NED) *
China: 4th place – Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final, London (ENG) **
USA: 5th place – Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final, London (ENG) ***
Belgium: 6th place – Rabobank Hockey World League Semi Final, Rotterdam (NED) ****
* Netherlands finished second in the Hockey World League Semi-Final event in Rotterdam. As they are already pre-qualified as the host, this meant that the highest ranked fourth place finisher from both Semi-Final events earned direct qualification to the Rabobank Hockey World Cup. This place was given to New Zealand, who were fourth in Rotterdam and higher ranked than China at the time the event took place.
** China qualified as first reserve courtesy of Germany’s victory in the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships.
*** With second reserves Japan and the already qualified Argentina winning the respective continental championships in Asia and Pan America, the World Cup ticket was handed to third reserves USA.
**** Belgium qualified as fourth reserve courtesy of Australia’s victory in the Oceania Cup 2013
