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World Cup Countdown
We start the countdown to the World Cups with profiles of the teams seeded 10-12 in Mönchengladbach and Madrid.
Women
South Africa
Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: 11
WC Appearances: 2 (1998, 2002)
Best WC Finish: 7th (1998)
2002 WC: 13th
Major Tournaments
Olympic Games: 2000 (10th), 2004 (9th)
World Cup: 2002 (13th), 1998 (7th)
Champions Trophy: 2000 (5th)
Form
Due to their isolated geographical position and a lack of funding, South Africa rarely venture away from home. They consistently cruise through the Africa Cup to book their place in the World Cup but the lack of serious competition on the continent makes it difficult to judge their form and progress. They finished a creditable second to New Zealand in the Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge in 2005 but were poor at the Commonwealth Games coming seventh after beating Canada 5-2.
Coach
Jenny King, 39, is in charge of the team after taking over from Ros Howell in 2005. She gained experience as the national Under 21 coach but has not met with much success with the senior side.
Players
The team has struggled without the services of their prolific and experienced campaigner Pietie Coetzee who has had knee surgery although she expects to be fit for Madrid. Also, veteran Lindsay Carlisle retired after the Commonwealth Games, leaving a gaping hole in defence.
Players to watch
Vice-captain Marsha Marescia, 23, is highly respected and tipped as a player to lead the next generation, while midfielder Kathleen Taylor, 21, is a player with good skills and pace.
USA
Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: 12
World Cup appearances: 5 (1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
Best WC Finish: 3rd (1994)
2002 WC: 9th
Major Tournaments
Olympic Games: 1984 (3rd), 1988 (8th), 1996 (5th)
World Cup: 1986 (9th), 1990 (12th), 1994 (3rd), 1998 (8th), 2002 (9th)
Champions Trophy: nil
Form
USA positively eased through the qualifying tournament in Rome before losing 4-1 to Japan to finish fourth. They have a tough international build-up which includes a tournament in Virginia Beach involving the best teams in the world – Netherlands, Argentina and Australia.
Coach
Australian Lee Bodimeade believes his team “has the desire and are well positioned to make an attack on the top 10 in the world.” Bodimeade, 36, was a member of the Australia squad from 1991-1998 winning an Olympic silver medal in 1992 and a World Cup bronze medal in 1994. He is now based in Virginia Beach with his wife and son.
Players
Kate Barber, a forward, is the most experienced with more than 150 caps and will be playing in her third World Cup.
Goalkeeper Amy Tran, 26, was voted goalkeeper of the tournament at the 2005 Champions Challenge and the Samsung Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Rome.
Carrie Lingo has returned to midfield after several injuries and is described by Bodimeade as “one of our top recruits”.
Players to watch
Kelly Doton, defender, 26, and penalty corner specialist
Lauren Powley, midfielder, 22.
India
Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: =13 (with Ireland)
WC Appearances: 4 (1974, 1978, 1983, 1998)
Best WC Finish: 4th (1974)
2002 WC: Did not qualify
Major Tournaments
Olympic Games: 1980 (4th)
World Cup: 1974 (4th), 1978 (7th), 1983 (11th), 1998 (12th)
Champions Trophy: nil
Form
After failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup despite being Commonwealth Games champions, half the victorious team retired. But India have successfully rebuilt sealing their place in Madrid with a 1-0 win against Japan in the 2004 final of the Asia Cup in Delhi. Earlier this year they continued their encouraging form, capturing the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne when they lost to Australia in the final.
Coach
M K Kaushik, a former right wing who won a gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Games, remains in charge. He also coached the India men’s team to the gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
Players
The stars are midfielders Sumarai Tete and Sarita Lakra along with the strikers Mamta Kharab, Jyoti Sunita Kullu and Sanggai Chanu.
Men
South Africa
Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: 10
WC Appearances: 2 (1994, 2002)
Best WC Finish: 10th (1994)
2002 WC: 13th
Major Tournaments
Olympic Games: 1996 (10th), 2004 (10th)
World Cup: 1994 (10th), 2002 (13th)
Champions Trophy: nil
Form
Like their women’s squad, South Africa’s men struggle to overcome poor funding and political struggles. A strong core of their team has gained invaluable experience playing in the English Hockey League and in the Dutch League. Their gritty performances at the Athens Olympics earned them high praise but too often they flatter to deceive finishing 10th in Athens and a very disappointing 8th at the Commonwealth Games.
Coach
Paul Revington, 32, is one of the younger new breed of coaches on the international circuit and has made a favourable impact since taking over in 2003. A former Western Province and South Africa Under 21 player, he took up coaching aged 23 when injuries forced him into early retirement.
Players
Bruce Jacobs has played more than 100 internationals and is a key player in the midfield, while the team has two experienced defenders in Eric Rose-Innes and Ken Forbes.
Players to watch
Clyde Abrahams has been in and out of the side but found his best form at the Commonwealth Games delivering some good performances in the midfield.
Teenage left half Justin Reid-Ross, son of former SA goalkeeper David, is another with a promising future.
England
Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: 11
WC Appearances: 9 (1973, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
Best WC Finish: 2nd (1986)
2002 WC: 7th
Major Tournaments:
Olympic Games: nil (combine with Wales and Scotland to compete as Great Britain)
World Cup: 1973 (6th), 1975 (6th), 1978 (7th), 1982 (9th), 1986 (2nd), 1990 (5th), 1994 (6th), 1998 (6th), 2002 (7th)
Champions Trophy: 1981 (6th), 1995 (6th), 2000 (5th), 2001 (5th)
Form
Following a spate of retirements, this new look England side has begun to take impressive strides. They showed great determination to turn around what could have been a disastrous showing at the 2005 European Championships but faltered at the last hurdle in the Commonwealth Games, losing to Malaysia in the bronze medal play off. They continued to grow in stature at the BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier topping their group before beating Pakistan 3-1 to finish third.
Coach
Jason Lee is another of the young former internationals now taking charge of a team. He won 25 caps for Great Britain and 62 for England and played in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games and the 1998 World Cup. Thrown in at the deep end, he has taken time to impose his authority on the side but isn’t afraid to take criticism and stick with what he believes in.
Players
Captain and defender Brett Garrard and penalty corner specialist Ben Hawes have improved considerably since playing in the Dutch league and are key players. So too is the versatile Barry Middleton.
Players to watch
The Mantell brothers - Richard the penalty corner specialist and younger brother Simon, an exciting striker.
Japan
Sahara WorldHockey Team Ranking: 14
World Cup appearances: 3 (1971, 1973, 2002)
Best World Cup finish: 1971 (9th)
2002 World Cup: 12th
Major Tournaments:
Olympic Games: 1932 (2nd), 1936 (7th), 1960 (14th), 1964 (unclassified), 1968 (13th)
World Cup: 1971 (9th), 1973 (10th), 2002 (12th)
Form
Japan showed their determination and endurance when they clinched the fifth and final spot at April’s qualifying tournament with a 2-1 victory over France.
Since finishing last in the 2004 Olympic qualifying tournament, they have taken huge strides and deserve a second successive World Cup appearance. Like most Asian teams they play an attacking game at a fast pace and boast high individual fitness and skill levels.
Coach
Takahashi Akira
Players
Takahiko Yamabori, 32, is not only their most experienced player but a penalty corner specialist. Kenichi Katayama is another player Japan rely on after taking five uncapped players to Changzhou.
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