Top 10 greatest field hockey players

Here is the list of the top 10 men and women Hockey Players of all time:


1. Dhyan Chand - India




Almost universally regarded as the greatest of all time. Slightly built, with a crouching style, he possessed an extraordinary grasp over every facet of the game. The ‘Wizard’ could go through a host of defenders and had an uncanny comprehension of when and where to KERRY


Picture: GETTY IMAGES



2. Ric Charlesworth, Australia (1972-88)

The most complete player of all time? The speedy, visionary inside forward had the ability to turn around proceedings in a flash and was a prolific scorer for good measure.




Charlesworth was player of the tournament as well as the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup when Australia finally won a global title and was an influential player for the Kookaburras for a large part of the Eighties.

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3. Luciana Aymar - Argentina




Widely regarded as the greatest female player of all time, the slim Aymar can also lay claim to be the sport's finest dribbler. La Maga - The Magician - has won the FIH Player of the Year Award eight times and is front page news in Argentina, thanks to Argentina's two World Cup wins in 2002 and 2010.

Picture: ADY KERRY


4. Hassan Sardar - Pakistan 




With his unique kangaroo-like posture while moving with the ball, Sardar simply weaved patterns around defences. Won the Player of the Tournament award at the 1982 World Cup, 1984 Olympics, 1982 Asia Cup and 1982 Asian Games as Pakistan racked up an array of titles. Scored in all the finals too. (Note: this is a stock image of Pakistan as no pictures of Sardar were available)

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5. Jamie Dwyer - Australia



A five-time FIH player of the year - not bad for a player nicknamed 'foetus'. A complete modern day player: in the opponent’s circle at one moment and within moments could be the last defender of his side. Has won the sport's three big titles - Olympics, World Cup, Commonwealth Games - and scored the winner as the Kookaburras ended a 48-year drought to win gold at Athens 2004.

Picture: ADY KERRY


6. Teun de Nooijer - Holland



Explosive speed and skill, deceptive body swerve, superb passes and stunning finishing, De Nooijer had the lot over an 18-year career which earned a world record 453 international caps. Won two Olympic golds, a World Cup and three FIH Player of the Year. Moreover, he wore the No.14 shirt in honour of Holland's finest footballer, Johan Cuyff.

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7. Alyson Annan - Australia



An extremely skilful midfielder with an outstanding goalscoring record, Annan was a pivotal force in the Australian women’s hockey team which saw global dominance for almost a decade. The team’s feats included two World Cups (1994 and 1998) and two Olympic gold medals (1996 and 2000) and five consecutive Champions Trophies in the 1990s.

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8. Ties Kruize - Netherlands




A hugely impressive 167 goals in 202 international matches for the Oranje tells the story. After a serious car accident in 1975, doctors told Kruize he would never be able to play sport again. He soon proved them wrong. With the Dutch team he won the World Championship (1973), European Championship (1983) and the Champions Trophy (1981 and 1982). (Note: there were no images of Kruize available)

Picture: GETTY IMAGES


9. Mijntje Donners - Netherlands



Donners mustered 234 international caps for the Dutch National Women's Team, scoring 97 goals. Although she never won the big prizes - Olympic gold or the World Cup - Donners was still an instrumental part of the Dutch team that won bronze at the Atlanta Games. Was voted best player of the world in 2003.

Picture: REUTERS


10. Rechelle Hawkes - Australia



Captain of the Hockeyroos for eight years until 2000, Hawkes is regarded one of Australia's greatest sporting captains. The Western Australian is one of only two Australian females to win three Olympic gold medals at three separate Games.

Picture: EPA


source: telegraph.co.uk