What would a team of the best current hockey players look like? With the men's World Cup starting on January 13, where the world's best players will compete in Odisha, we drew up a fantasy XI.
The team (plus seven substitutes) is chosen based on current form, big-tournament experience and performances over the last four years. There are a few obvious big names but also some talented youngsters.
Goalkeeper - Vincent Vanasch (Belgium)
It was a toss-up between the two best goalkeepers in the world -- Vanasch and India's PR Sreejesh. Both have plenty of experience and are often at their best in the big tournaments. Vanasch, a three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, was vital in Belgium winning the Tokyo Olympics gold medal and the World Cup.
Maybe the head coach (we'll get to him shortly) could use Sreejesh and Vanasch alternately every quarter.
Defenders - Jake Harvie (Australia), Arthur Van Doren (Belgium), Harmanpreet Singh (India), Alexander Hendrickx (Belgium)
Harvie was outstanding in the recent series against India, exploiting the space on the right to penetrate the circle. He's quick on the ball and reliable when it comes to defence as well.
Van Doren is one of the astute readers of the game. Give him the ball and space and he'll always pick the right pass from the defence to initiate the attack.
Harmanpreet and Hendrickx is a dream combination when it comes to penalty corners. Imagine the terror when both these players stand on the double battery to execute those dragflicks of theirs.
Midfielders: Hardik Singh (India), Aran Zalewski (Australia), Zach Wallace (England)
Hardik over his teammate and former captain Manpreet Singh mostly because his recent form has been really good for India. Be it pressing or tracking the attackers or bypassing the defenders with a pinpoint pass, Hardik can do it all.
Zalewski, co-captain of Australia, will lead this team. He has played more than 200 matches for his national team, won many tournaments and medals and is rock solid in the middle of the pitch.
Adding a bit of creativity, intensity and 3D skills in the midfield and on the flanks is Wallace. He's just 23 and maybe short on experience, but his technical ability makes up for it.
Forwards: Blake Govers (Australia), Thierry Brinkman (Netherlands), Tom Boon (Belgium)
Govers + Brinkman + Boon = a combined total of 325 international goals. That's just huge; with both Govers and Boon each scoring more than 100.
The added advantage is that they can also make goals for each other and their teammates.
Substitutes: PR Sreejesh (India), Abhishek (India), Gonzalo Peillat (Germany), Sean Findlay (New Zealand), David Condon (England), Lucas Toscani (Argentina), Martin Zwicker (Germany)
The concept of substitutions has changed since hockey started rolling substitutions. Each player in the line-up is expected to be involved and play their parts.
Like we'd earlier mentioned, Sreejesh and Vanasch can play two quarters each in the match. Abhishek can be a good addition in the midfield or as an attacker, can play the right passes and is a superb finisher. Peillat is known for his legendary penalty corner exploits with Argentina but will now play for Germany. Peillat's addition will make it four specialists for penalty corners (including Govers), which is indeed a dream. Condon and Zwicker (a combined total of 400+ matches) will make the midfield more functional.
Head coach: Graham Reid (current India coach)
Reid has played a massive role in improving the Indian men's senior team. They finished last at the London Olympics and eighth at Rio, but under Reid, they clinched the bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and finished third in the last Pro League season.
Reid is a perfect candidate to coach this dream team, although there shouldn't be much 'coaching' to be done with these players. Reid does excellent man management, and this team will need more of that than pure technical coaching.