KARACHI, Oct 11: There have been more changes to World Hockey Team Rankings after completion of Africa Cup of Nations and a decision to redistribute points earned by Great Britain.
After penalty stroke victory over Egypt in men’s final of Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa earned enough points to break into top 10. Egypt’s second placing sent them falling two spots to 13th as they could not defend rankings points earned in 2003.
While Africa Cup of Nations played a role in new order of rankings, a decision by International Hockey Federation (FIH) Executive Board to redistribute rankings points earned by Great Britain according to number of representatives from each country also had an effect.
Since rankings were established, England has gained all points awarded to Great Britain, but new calculations take into account number of representatives supplied by Scotland and Wales at major tournaments where rankings points are earned.
Men top 20 rankings:
1 Australia, 2 Netherlands, 3 Germany, 4 Spain, 5 Pakistan, 6 India, 7 Korea, 8 Argentina, 9 New Zealand, 10 South Africa, 11 England, 12 Belgium, 13 Malaysia, 14 Japan, 15 Egypt, 16 Canada, 17 Poland, 18 France, 19 Chile, 20 Scotland.—PPI