Women's Hockey World Cup: Netherlands start as firm favorites; India aim for a first

Defending champions Netherlands, who would be co-hosting the tournament along with Spain from July 1 to 17, are the most dominant outfit in women's hockey, having won the world title eight times while finishing runner-up on four occasions.

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Ranked 8th in the world, India are grouped along with England (4th), New Zealand (9th) and China (13th) in Pool B at the World Cup this time. An inspirational figure missing in the Indian ranks this time will be former captain Rani.

The Dutch women also have four Olympic gold, two silver and three bronze in their kitty, making them favourites to defend the title. Argentina, Australia and Germany are a distant second, having won the tournament twice each. The tournament, however, will kick start with a Pool C game between hosts Spain and Canada in Pool C, whose best finish was a second spot in the 1983 edition in Kuala Lumpur. The 16 teams in the tournament are divided in four pools of four teams each.The top four sides from each pool will directly qualify for the quarterfinals, while the second and third placed teams will feature in the crossovers. In the crossovers, the second placed team of Pool A will play against third of Pool D and vice versa, while second of Pool B will face third of Pool C and vice versa for the remaining four quarterfinal spots. Pool A consists of Germany, Chile, last edition's runners-up Ireland and Netherlands, Pool B has India, China, England and New Zealand. Pool C comprises Argentina, Canada, Korea and Spain and Pool D is made up of Australia, Belgium, Japan and South Africa. Going into the tournament, Netherlands would be