Hockey World Cup 2018: 3 Teams which have been the most impressive so far

#1. Australia

Current holders and 3-time champions Australia remain the team to beat in this World Cup too. They have been the most consistent team in world hockey in the past decade or so and are the favourites to win the title.

They have scored a flurry of goals in the group stage and managed to score 11 against China. They also thrashed England 3-0 and beat Ireland 2-1 to top the group easily. They would also be fresh for the quarter-finals after a few days’ rest and should at least make the final of the tournament. They have also stretched their winning run to 16 consecutive matches in World Cups.

Australian forward Blake Govers has been the top-scores of the tournament so far with 5 goals including a hattrick against China. Australia’s penalty corner conversion rate has also been reasonably good as they converted 3 of them against China.

Australia typically builds attacks quickly with brisk passes and increase numbers in the opposition half with rapid strides from players. They also use the lack of the offside rule to good effect.

They have scored through some one-two exchanges too and midfielder Tom Craig has been one of the players of the tournament so far. The Australian supporters would definitely be hoping for yet another World Cup triumph this year.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Rahul Arun