Bhubaneswar: Olympic champions and currently ranked World No.1 Argentina are determined to retain their top ranking when the Hockey World League Finals (HWLF) gets underway here, December 1.
Argentina, more famed for their success on the football pitch, are keen to prove that their Olympic success has not been a fluke. They want to win this event which has the top eight ranked hockey nations participating.
“Despite a long journey and the tiredness, we are extremely excited to be here in India. This is a big competition and for us it’s important to stay at No.1 in the world which means we have to ensure best results in every match,” stated senior player Agustín Mazzilli.
Having been here earlier this year for the Hockey India League, Mazzilli said, “It’s is always a pleasure returning to India. People here love hockey and it’s a great atmosphere to play in Bhubaneswar.”
Speaking about the Indian line-up, Mazzilli said, “I have played with everyone in the Indian team and some of the youngsters who have come into the mix are extremely good. We hope to play them again in the knockout stage.”
Argentina are grouped with Belgium, Netherlands and Spain in Pool A. They will face Belgium in their tournament-opener, December 2.
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