Netherlands won back-to-back FIH Pro League titles on Wednesday after beating Belgium 4-2 in their final game of the season at Wilrijkse Plein Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium.
The Dutch side finished with 35 points from 16 matches and topped the table. They are followed by Great Britain (32 points) and Belgium (30 points). India finished fourth on the league table with 30 points from 16 games.
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With their second title on the trot, Netherlands are now the most successful team in the history of the competition. The other teams who have won the league are Belgium (2020-21) and Australia (2019).
Where did India finish in the FIH Pro League 2022-23?
India, who at one point were at the top of the table, eventually finished fourth with 30 points from 16 outings. They directly won 8 matches, won after penalty shootout on 3 occasions and lost 5 times.
It hurts but we will use this as fuel. Onwards and Upwards 🔝
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 6, 2023
With just 5 points off the top India finish 4️⃣th in the FIH Pro League 2022/23.#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #FIHProLeague @FIH_Hockey pic.twitter.com/RpGYlaTA1D
India's last game in the FIH Pro League was against Argentina on June 11 which they won 2-1.
This was the second time in history that India finished fourth in the Pro League. Their highest-ever finish was in 2021-22 when they finished third.
FIH Pro League 2022-23 points table
| Pos. | Team | M | W | Shoot-out win | Shoot-out loss | L | GF | GA | GD | Ponts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 16 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 46 | 31 | 15 | 35 |
| 2 | Great Britain | 16 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 46 | 27 | 19 | 32 |
| 3 | Belgium | 16 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 42 | 37 | 5 | 30 |
| 4 | India | 16 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 51 | 42 | 9 | 30 |
| 5 | Spain | 16 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 37 | 40 | -3 | 27 |
| 6 | Germany | 16 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 31 | 35 | -4 | 22 |
| 7 | Australia | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 19 |
| 8 | Argentina | 16 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 28 | 36 | -8 | 18 |
| 9 | New Zealand (R) | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 26 | 60 | -34 | 3 |
*R stands for relegation. New Zealand have been relegated to FIH Nations Cup.
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When are the Indian men's hockey team playing next?
The Indian men's hockey team will be next seen in action in the Asian Champions Trophy. Their first match is scheduled on August 3 against China.
