June 13, 2013
Spots of the World Cup and Olympic following World League
Due to the World League established by International Hockey Federation (FIH), the participation way to the Olympic and World Cup has been changed.
We announce the system of the World League and the relations with each international competitions as alternatives to the Olympic and World Cup Preliminary.
FIH World League (Round 1-4)
FIH established a new international competition “World League”. The 1st World League lasts from August, 2012 to February 2014, separating 4 rounds (Round 1 to 4), to decide a champion. It is a big competition that 60 countries participate in and has 3,500 games.
- Round 1 – Already ended. local preliminary that countries that ranks below 17th in the world (at the date of November 1, 2011) participate in.
- Round 2 – 24 teams participation (8 countries that ranks 9th to 16th, a host country, teams advance from Round 1) at 4 separated places
- Japan men and women national team participates in Round 2. Women national team (Sakura Japan) passed Round 2 in India with a result of the 2nd and now participating in Round 3 (semifinal) in the Netherlands.
- Men national team (Samurai Japan) won Round 2 in Russia and challenge for Round 3 (Semifinal) that will be held in Malaysia on June 29.
- In Round 3 (Semifinal), countries that ranks 1st to 8th, a host country and 16 teams advanced from Round 2 participate at 2 places. Top 8 teams can advance to Round 4 (Final) to decide a champion.
World Cup (2014/Hague) – Participating Countries
The participating countries in the World Cup in the Netherlands in 2014 are a host country and each representative from 5 continents (In Asia, Japan men and women national team can be qualified for the World Cup to win Asian Cup in Malaysia) , other 6 teams will be selected from the ranking based on the 1st World League. Ranking and points to decide the 6 teams will be announced later.
The Olympic (2016 / Rio de Janeiro) – Participating Countries
The participating countries in 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic is a host country and each representative from 5 continents (In Asia, a champion in 2014 Asian Games), other 6 teams will be selected from the ranking based on the 2nd World League that will be held from 2014 to 2016, Ranking and points to decide the 6 teams will be announced later .
Women & Men National Team – Stepped-up Commitment
Japan focuses on immediate goals that both men and women win Asian games at Incheon in Korea in September, 2014 to be qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic. In addition to World League, Japan will have big games such as Asian Cup, East Asian Cup and Asian Champions Trophy continuously.
Through these 3 games, Japan will be committed to team building and aim for a champion in Asian games in next September.
Last year, the world final Olympic preliminary was held at Kakamigahara in Japan, but it was canceled from the Rio de Janeiro Olympic.
Major International Competition before2014 Asian Games
Sakura Japan
| Feb 2013 | World League Round 2 ⇒ Advance to Round 3 with a result of the 2nd |
|---|---|
| Jun 2013 | World League Round 3 (Semifinal) |
| Sep 2013 | Asian Cup (the World Cup Continental Preliminary) |
| Oct 2013 | East Asian Game |
| Nov 2013 | Asian Champions Trophy |
| Dec 2013 | World League Round 4 (Final) |
| Jun 2014 | World Cup |
| Sep 2014 | Asian Games (Rio Olympic Continental Preliminary) |
Samurai Japan
| May 2013 | World League Round 2 ⇒Advance to Round 3 with a result of a champion |
|---|---|
| June 2013 | World League Round 3 (Semifinal) |
| July 2013 | Asian Cup (World Cup Continental Preliminary) |
| Oct 2013 | East Asian Games |
| Nov 2013 | Asian Champions Trophy |
| Jan 2014 | World League Round 4 (Final) |
| Jun 2014 | World Cup |
| Sep 2014 | Asian Games (Rio Olympic Continental Preliminary) |
