The Australian Men’s Hockey Team has touched down in Bhubaneswar, commencing their journey in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24. Set to compete at the renowned Kalinga Hockey Stadium from February 10th to 16th, the league will later shift to the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, continuing the action from February 19th to 25th. This crucial leg of the Pro League will witness five prominent national teams – Ireland, The Netherlands, India, Spain, and Australia – engaging in thrilling contests, facing each other once in both Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
In the previous Pro League campaign, the Australian Men’s Hockey Team, also known as the hockeyroos, secured the 7th position with 19 points. Eager to make their mark in the current season, they kick off with a clash against Spain on February 11th, followed by a showdown with Ireland on February 13th. The team will then face the host nation, India, on February 15th, before concluding the Bhubaneswar leg against the Netherlands on February 16th.
Goalkeeper Andrew Charter highlighted the significance of the Pro League, emphasizing its pivotal role in their preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Charter expressed confidence in their conditioning and stressed the importance of this mini-tournament to fine-tune their strategies, experiment with new approaches, and provide valuable exposure to younger team members.
Discussing the competition, Charter acknowledged the challenging nature of the upcoming matches against all teams, particularly highlighting the formidable status of the Netherlands. Anticipating tough encounters, he emphasized the significance of facing India in Bhubaneswar, known for its fervent home support. Charter conveyed the team’s eagerness and determination as they prepare to navigate this high-stakes leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League, aiming to make crucial strides in their Olympic preparations.