With the FIH Hockey Pro League season 5 nearing its midway point, there has been action and drama aplenty that has led to major ups and downs for teams throughout. While we wait for the action to resume from Antwerp, Belgium on 22 May, here’s a breakdown of how things currently stand in the men’s competition as we head towards the business end of the tournament.
Standings
Defending champions Netherlands currently lead the league, but have also played the most number of games so far, with 12 of their 16 games already completed. 26 points from the 12 games present a very solid return, but on a points-per-game basis, Australia in second place, with 20 points from their 8 games are on a better trajectory. The two sides played each other recently in the mini-tournament in India and came away with one win apiece, foreshadowing the close battle to the finish that will be coming up over the second half of the season.
India and Argentina sit in third and fourth positions on the points table respectively, having arrived at the mid-way points of their season, at 8 games each. India hold a 2-point lead over Argentina, with 15 points compared to 13 for the South Americans. Germany are in fifth position, having played just 4 games for their 8 points. They are undefeated in the regulation times of their 4 matches, winning 2 and drawing the other 2, but dropped crucial bonus points in both shoot-outs against Argentina.
Spain had a tough outing in India, securing 7 points from their 8 games in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, and occupy the sixth place on the table. 6 of those points came from two wins against last placed Ireland, and another from a shoot-out loss against India. Following behind them are Great Britain, who haven’t been in action since 10 December 2023. 4 points from 4 games in Argentina agianst the hosts and Netherlands is less than what they would have liked, given their title challenge in season 4, but with 12 games in hand, GB have plenty of time to turn things around.
Belgium, also having played just 4 games so far this season, with a young and inexpeereinced team in Argentina, sit in eighth place, with 3 points. Much like GB though, Belgium will also have the opportunity to turn things around with 12 games in hand and senior players returning to the squad in the upcoming Antwerp mini-tournament. Newly promoted Ireland, have come close to securing points on multiple occasions, but haven’t quite been able to get across the finish line. With 0 points from 8 games, Ireland face a serious relegation threat, but have half a season to change their fortunes.
See the complete league table by clicking here.
Stats at a glance
A total of 152 goals have been scored through 32 matches so far with an average 4.75 goals per game, which is a shade lower than the previous season, where the matches averaged 4.88 goals per game.
Netherlands have scored the most goals this season with a tally of 36 goals through 12 games. Australia are the next highest scoring team, with 30 goals, but boast of a much better scoring rate, with their 30 goals coming from just 8 games.
Of the 152 goals scored so far in the competition, 56 goals came from the penalty corners and 11 from penalty strokes. A total of 85 goals have been scored from open play across 32 games, accounting for over 2.6 field goals scored per game.
To access more in-depth team and player stats, visit datahub.hockey and create your account for FREE!
Top Goal Scorer
Yip Janssen is the current holder of the FIH Pro League Top-Scorer Armband, with 12 goals scored in his 12 games so far. The ace drag-flicker from the Netherlands has never won the scoring title in the Pro League before and will face stiff competition from Australian forward Blake Govers, who is matching Janssen’s scoring rate, with 8 goals scored in the Kookaburras 8 games so far.
Up Next
Men’s FIH Hockey Pro League action will resume on 22 May in Antwerp, Belgium, with Argentina, Belgium, India and Ireland playing in the first mini-tournament.
The complete schedule for the FIH Hockey Pro League season 5 can be found here.
#FIHProLeague
