2022 was a historic year for Chilean field hockey since the female team “Las Diablas” participated for the first time in a World Cup. As unprecedented was the male team qualification “Los Diablos”, which is ready to go to India in order to participate in the World Cup being held between Friday 13th and Sunday 29th of January.
Juan Ignacio Amoroso (25 years old), an important midfielder No. 11 directed by Jorge Dabanch, currently playing at Royal Uccle Sport and promoted in May of 2022 to the Belgian first division, referred to this significant challenge
“We are expecting to have the bests results possible. We want to play good matches against New Zealand and Malaysia. And play well against the Netherlands too. Our main goal is to get through the group phase, finish in the top three, and once we have accomplished that first step, we will see how things work out for us,” stressed the player.
Similarly, Amoroso added that “we don’t have high expectations, but neither lower ones. Our Team has always been humble and we have been quietly escalating positions.”
The Chilean National Team is finalizing its preparation for the tournament and will travel to India on Tuesday, January 3rd. As part of the preparation, two or three friendlies are planned before the start of the World Cup, with opponents that have not yet been defined.
Juan Ignacio Amoroso had a great 2022. The UC-formed player qualified for the World Cup in India as vice-champion of the Pan American Cup; was promoted with his club, Royal Uccle of Belgium; and won the silver medal at the South American Games in Asunción.
THE BEST PLAYER OF THE FIELD HOCKEY SEASON
Juan Ignacio Amoroso was recently recognized by the Sports Journalists Circle as the best male field hockey player in our country, and was awarded the traditional “Cóndor de Bronce.”
The athlete was happy to receive the award, explaining that “it is very gratifying to know that people outside the sport take notice of you and recognize the effort you make every day. It is very nice to receive this award.”
Moreover, Amoroso highlighted his achievements in 2022. “The year started great with the World Cup qualification. Then, I had a really good first part of the year with my club in Belgium, with whom we were promoted after 10 years. We also had great participation at the Games in Asunción where I was the top scorer, so it was an incredible year personally and collectively as well.”
Lastly, the Uccle player highlighted the importance of this World Cup as preparation for “Los Diablos” before Santiago 2023. “The Pan American Games can give us a quota for the Olympic Games. This first step we are taking for Chilean field hockey, playing a World Cup, will provide us the necessary experience to arrive in the best way to Santiago 2023.”
The male field hockey team made it to the World Cup in India, the first in its history, last January after qualifying for the semifinals of the Pan American Cup held in Chile. In Pan American Games, the national team got bronze in the 1983, 2007, 2011, and 2015 editions and fourth place at Lima 2019. In Santiago, they will be looking forward to an unprecedented final.
The national field hockey team player will make his debut on Saturday, January 14th in his first World Cup (Photos: COCH Communications)
FIXTURE OF “LOS DIABLOS” AT THE WORLD CUP IN INDIA
PHASE ONE - GROUP C
Saturday, January 14th, 8:00 in Chile (17:00 local): vs. New Zealand, in Rourkela
Monay, January 16th, 4:00 in Chile (13:00 local): vs. Malaysia, in Rourkela
Thursday, January 19th, 4:00 in Chile (13:00 local): vs. Netherlands, in Bhubaneswar
PLAYOFFS
Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd of January: Crossover 2° vs. 3°
Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th of January: Quarter final
Thursday, January 26th: Quarter final 9th place
Friday, January 27th: Semifinals
Saturday, January 28t: 9th, 11th, 13th y 15th place definitions
Sunday, January 29th: Final
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