Hockeyroos’ opponents determined for Women’s World Cup 2022
Published Thu 17 Feb 2022
The Hockeyroos will take on Belgium, Japan and South Africa in the Pool Stage of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 after the draw for the tournament was conducted in Terrassa, Spain tonight.
As the current fourth ranked team in the world, the Hockeyroos were placed in Pool D prior to the official draw which was broadcast LIVE on Watch.Hockey.
Hockeyroos Head Coach Katrina Powell said it is an exciting prospect being pitted against three countries all from different continents.
“I really like that in a World Cup you get to play a variety of opposition teams, which is what we have got in our Pool…so in terms of a World Cup experience you couldn’t ask for more,” said Powell.
“Belgium are going to be tough. They have been doing really well in the current FIH Pro League.”
“While Japan had a disappointing result at a home Olympics last year, they had some really close matches including against us, so they are not to be taken lightly.”
“South Africa are the African champions and know how to win at a continental level, so we are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
The Hockeyroos played out a scoreless against Belgium at the last World Cup, their most recent meeting being at the FIH Pro League in Sydney in January 2020.
The Hockeyroos secured a narrow 1-0 win over Japan at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, while the last time Australia took on South Africa in women’s hockey at a major tournament was the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Hockeyroos will play their three Pool matches in Terrassa, Spain together with Pool C for the 15th edition of the prestigious event. Pool A and Pool B will be situated in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Having won the World Cup twice (1994, 1998), the Hockeyroos finished fourth at the previous tournament in 2018. The Netherlands are the defending champions.
The FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 involves 16 countries and will be held in Spain and the Netherlands from 1-17 July 2022.
More information on the tournament can be found on the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 website.
