ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday moved back into the top ten of the latest FIH world rankings released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The rankings have come after the completion of the Hockey World League Round One, the 2014 Champions Trophy and the Champions Challenge events, says a press release.

In the FIH men’s world rankings, Australia, the Netherlands and Germany retain their top three spots respectively. Below them, England move up into fourth place and Argentina whose team includes the recently-crowned 2014 FIH Rising Star of the Year Gonzalo Peillat move up to their highest ever ranking (6), ahead of New Zealand.

However Pakistan moves back into the top ten at the expense of Spain who drops one place.

The men’s world rankings are joined for the first time by Tanzania (73) and Iran (70) following their participation in the Hockey World League Round One. Other notable moves are Azerbaijan who are up three places to 31 which is their highest ever ranking and both Bulgaria (55) and the Dominican Republic (57) move up five places each.

The FIH women’s world rankings see no movement in the top 10 as the Netherlands maintain their place at the top of the rankings leading by 250 points over nearest rivals Australia who are closely pursued by Argentina.

The Netherlands also finished the year with two winners of the 2014 FIH Player of the Year Awards – midfielder Ellen Hoog and goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek. The Women’s World Rankings have swelled to 68 places which include Ranking debutants Myanmar and Guatemala joint 67.

Meanwhile, Turkey have moved to their highest ever ranking (36) with Kenya (37) and Thailand (46) moving up seven places, respectively. All took part in the Hockey World League Round One with Turkey and Thailand qualifying for Round Two later this year.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2015

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