By IANS,
New Delhi: South Korea become the eighth men’s team to qualify for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, with four more places up for grabs at the upcoming continental championships in Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced Sunday.
Korea were confirmed after Argentina, who have already qualified, won the Pan American Cup, which was a qualifying event.
The hugely anticipated joint men’s and women’s event takes place at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, Netherlands from 31st May to 15th June next year.
Korea – who just missed out on direct World Cup qualification by finishing fourth at the recent Hockey World League Semi-Final in Johor Bahru, Malaysia – were promoted from first reserves to guaranteed participants courtesy of Argentina’s success in the Pan American continental championship Saturday.
Like all of the continental championships, the big prize on offer at the Men’s Pan American Cup was direct qualification for next year’s Hockey World Cup. However, with Argentina having already achieved World Cup qualification thanks to a second place finish at last month’s Hockey World League Semi-Final in Johor Bahru, a World Cup ticket was immediately handed to first reserves Korea.
Seven women’s teams have also been confirmed for the event, with the five remaining places currently available through the continental championships.