Flying start for Germany and Great Britain men in Oman, as Red Lions qualify for semi-final in Valencia

Germany’s men's side made a terrific start to their Olympic qualifying campaign - putting 9 past Canada in Oman. World number 2 ranked Belgium made it 2/2 wins to qualify for the semi-final in Valencia. China pulled off the shock of the day - beating Malaysia 3-2, scoring the winner with 1 second left on the clock. Pool A in Valencia was blown wide open after Belgium women’s side put 10 past Korea and Ireland won 8-0 against Ukraine.

Oman (Men’s)

Olympic qualifying got underway in Oman with a comfortable 9-0 win for Germany. In Martin Zwicker’s 300th appearance the world number 5 ranked side had too much for Canada, scoring freely throughout the quarters with little resistance. New Zealand got their campaign underway with 3 points against Chile, in Kane Russell’s 200th appearance. A fast start for the Black Sticks saw them 2-0 up after the first quarter, adding a field goal in the 3rd quarter. Chile fought until the end - grabbing a consolation in the dying moments of the tie.

After the first round of games in Pool B Germany lead the way with 3 points and a healthy goal difference - New Zealand also claimed 3 points and sit second, with Chile in 3rd and Canada 4th.

Pool A action got underway in stunning fashion, with China upsetting the odds with an eye-catching win over Malaysia. Despite Malaysia taking the lead in the second quarter China rallied to lead 2-1 heading into the final quarter. Just as it looked as though the sides would share the points after a Malaysia equaliser, Gao Jiesheng took full advantage of a penalty corner and won it for China 3-2 in the dying moments of the game. Great Britain rounded out the day’s action from Oman with a professional display with 6 goals against a youthful Pakistan. Ranked 4th in the World, GB held their opposition at arms length throughout the contest - winning every quarter - and while Pakistan grabbed a late consolation, the game ended 6-1.

With every team in Pool A now underway Great Britain lead the way with China in second place after their shock win against third place Malaysia. Pakistan will be looking to bounce back and get points on the board as they sit in fourth.

Valencia (Women’s)

Action from Valencia began with a convincing 8-0 win for Ireland over Ukraine. Despite some early defiance from Ukraine the Irish were able to open the scoring in the second quarter - heading into halftime 2-0 to the good. A clinical second half saw a further 6 goals without reply, securing the Irish’s first win of the tournament. Belgium struck 10 past Korea in the second game of the day - claiming their first victory in their bid for Olympic qualification. Korea - full of confidence after a win in their opening game - were blown away by the Belgians, who put on a show with 5 field goals and 5 strikes from Penalty Corners.

The day’s results mean Pool A has been blown wide open - with Belgium rising to top the table on goal difference ahead of Ireland. Korea sit in 3rd on 3 points with Ukraine in 4th - still searching for their first points of the tournament.

Valencia (Men’s)

Men’s action in Valencia started with a come-from-behind victory for Japan. Ukraine raced into a 2 goal lead after the first quarter - but Japan rallied to score 4 times in the second period, taking a 4-2 lead into halftime. It was a quieter second half, with just 1 more added to the score by Japan, via a field goal in the third quarter, securing a 5-2 win. The final qualifying action of the day came from Ireland and Belgium. The Belgians asserted themselves in the tie early, taking the lead in the first quarter. Despite some Irish resistance the world number 2 ranked side continued to assert themselves and came away with a 4-2 victory.

The day’s results see Pool A’s standings remain the same. Belgium lead the way with 6/6 points qualifying for the semi-finals, with Ireland holding on to second despite their loss. Japan sit in third with 3 points - only behind Ireland on goal difference. Ukraine remains at the bottom of the pool.

There’s plenty of action to come tomorrow (January 16) with action from Muscat, Valencia and Ranchi. With 24 sides in action the race to Paris 2024 is heating up.

To see the current pool standings for the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Muscat, please click here.

To see the current pool standings for the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Valencia, please click here.

For more information about the qualifiers and the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024, visit Olympics.Hockey.

FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024

Muscat, Oman - 15 January

Result Match 1 (M)

Germany 9 - 0 Canada

Player of the match: Teo Hinrichs (GER)

Umpires: Paul Walker & Hideki Kinoshita

Result Match 2 (M)

New Zealand 3 - 1 Chile

Player of the match: Scott Boyd (NZL)