As we build up to the sixth edition of the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup, which is set to take place in Belgium early next year, we look at the teams that will compete for the title at the intense, action-packed competition that will be played at Country Hall de Liège from 2-6 February 2022.
Following strong performances in the Indoor Asia Cup 2019 competitions in Chonburi, Thailand, both Kazakhstan’s women’s and men’s teams will be in action in Liège. Kazakhstan women will take to the Indoor Hockey World Cup stage for a fourth occasion after a gold medal-winning display in Chonburi, winning all six of their matches to claim the title.
The men’s team finished second behind Iran in the Indoor Asia Cup 2019 in Chonburi, Thailand, comfortably winning their pool before beating Malaysia 4-3 in the semi-final to secure their ticket to the 2022 Indoor World Cup. It will be their second Indoor Hockey World Cup appearance, following a 12th place finish at the 2018 event in Berlin.
Guzal Bakhavaddin and Daulet Urmanov, the respective captains of the Kazakhstan teams, provide a quick update on their team preparations as the excitement for this always epic competition continues to grow.
The statements were recorded in mid-November.
Guzal Bakhavaddin — captain / goalkeeper, Kazakhstan women
“The Indoor Hockey World Championship is a very big event in the sport's world. And it is a great honour to be a part of it and among the twelve strongest teams competing. The Kazakhstan women’s team has actively started physical and mental preparation and will perform with a new young roster. We will do our best to perform well in Belgium. Our team has waited for a long time for this event. It is a joy and pride for the team of Kazakhstan and for me personally.”
Daulet Urmanov – captain, Kazakhstan men
“We are looking forward to competing and it promises to be a wonderful event for the fans of our sport. We qualified in the Asian men’s competition, with Iran first and Kazakhstan second. After three weeks of physical and hockey training and hockey, it is a time to really work hard to be a good competitor. You need to train hard every day because training can be having fun, a good way to relieve tension and get together at the same time.”
More details on the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup are available here.
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