argentina

Pan American Champions Argentina have always produced international teams with plenty of talent, but over the past 18 months the current men’s team has developed into a side that can challenge the very best in the world. Coach Carlos Retegui is overseeing the revolution, helping “Los Leones” (The Lions) to realise their massive potential. Retegui is the man who guided Argentina women to World Cup glory in 2010 and, following his recent reappointment to head coach of “Las Leonas” (The Lionesses), will be targeting podium finishes with both the men’s and women’s teams. If he manages to pull it off it will be a truly staggering achievement, but it certainly promises to be a busy two week period for the charismatic former Argentine international.

The South Americans may be among the lowest ranked teams in the competition, but their superb recent form and fearless attacking style provides plenty of evidence that they should not be underestimated. They have shown glimpses of sheer brilliance in the past year, with their second place finish at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Johor Bahru (MAS) and rampant displays on route to winning the Pan American Cup proving to be real head-turners. Star players include free-scoring attackers Lucas Vila, Matias Paredes and Facundo Callioni as well as rising star Gonzalo Peillat, the 21-year-old defender who is already considered to be one of the finest penalty corner drag-flickers in the game.

Best World Cup results:
6th in 1986 (London) and 2002 (Kuala Lumpur). They have taken part in 11 Previous World Cups.

FIH World Ranking:
11th

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