The FIH Pro League is an international field hockey tournament organized by the International Hockey Federation, and one of the most famous leagues in the world. A few match windows in, the league table is starting to take a more obvious form as top teams seek a breakaway.
| Rank | Team | P | W | SO W | SO L | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 14 | 16 | 22 |
| 2 | Australia | 8 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 21 |
| 3 | Argentina | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 18 | 11 | 17 |
| 4 | Netherlands | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 18 | 8 | 15 |
| 5 | England | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 15 |
| 6 | Germany | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 22 | -2 | 9 |
| 7 | Spain | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 21 | -9 | 5 |
| 8 | India | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 25 | -16 | 4 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 37 | -24 | 0 |
Defending champions Belgium are currently top from a brilliant record of seven wins in eight games. Australia, who have also been in impressive form, are close behind and keep the title race going. Elsewhere, cementing their place in contention are Argentina and the Netherlands with steady rates across both home and away fixtures.
The plight of some formerly strong sides is also indicated in the FIH Pro League standings. They now sit close to the bottom of the table alongside India and Pakistan, both in need of a serious turnaround in the remainder of their matches. Official updates from the FIH Pro League website and reports of each match in their website highlight how goal difference and shootout bonus points have been critical in determining the shape of the mid-table tussle.
Due to the above factors, we can firmly expect the FIH Pro League points table redrawing every match window as the season unfolds. With teams attempting to earn valuable points and secure a top position on the global hockey hierarchy, it is sure to be an exciting run-in for fans.
Also read: India vs Australia FIH Pro League: Men in Blue Stun Kookaburras in Heart-Stopping Shootout Thriller