10. Alyson Annan
lyson Regina Annan OAM is a former Australian field hockey player who earned 228 international caps for the Australian Women’s team and scored 166 goals—a record that remains unmatched. She was a key player in Australia’s dominance during the 1990s, winning two Olympic gold medals (1996 and 2000) and two Hockey World Cups (1994 and 1998). In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she captained the Australian team to a gold medal victory. After retiring from international hockey, she moved to the Netherlands where she played for the club HC Klein Zwitserland until her retirement in 2003. She then transitioned to coaching, becoming the head coach for Dutch league clubs and served as the Assistant Coach for the Dutch national team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, helping the team win a silver medal. Alyson Annan was voted the Best Female Hockey Player in the World twice, in 1998 and 2000, and in 2013 she was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the sport.
9. Ties Kruize
Ties Kruize is a retired Netherlands field hockey player. Total of 202 international field hockey matches he played and scored 167 goals in the entire career. Kruize is famous for his penalty corner which made matches win for his side. He was the world champion in 1973 and the European champion in the year 1983. Competed in 1972 and 1984 Olympic Games by finishing at 4th and 6th places respectively. Also played the matches for clubs and between 1977 and 1984, he won 8 dutch titles in a row. Announced his retirement from international fixtures after the Hockey WC in London in 1986.
8. Dhanraj Pillay
Dhanraj Pillay is a former Indian hockey national team captain and a retired player. For his side, appeared in 339 matches and has scored nearly 170 goals that are recorded unofficially. Appeared for the National hockey team of India in 4 Olympic games, 4 World cup games, 4 Champions Trophy, and 4 Asian games. Played for the hockey clubs in various countries such as London, France, Hong kong, Malaysia, and Germany. Awarded with the Padma Shri in 2000 by the Indian Government. Currently, he is the Deputy General Manager for the Air India Limited and also Dhanraj seeing the SAG Hockey Academy for the last 5 years.
7. Ric Charlesworth
Ric Charlesworth is a former Australian hockey player and is an Australian sports coach. Represented the Australian hockey team for 5 times at the Olympics. He was a member of the winning team of the World Cup in 1986. Scored nearly 85 goals and played 227 games internationally. After the Seoul Olympics, retired from international hockey. Appointed as the coach of the national women’s field hockey team called the Hockeyroos and led them to win the Olympic gold medals in the years 1996 and 2000. Coached the Australian men’s national team or Kookaburras between 2009 and 2014. In the year 2008, Ric was inducted into the Australian Hockey Hall of Fame. Apart from Hockey, he also played cricket.
6. Hassan Sardar
Hassan Sardar is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players from Pakistan due to his exceptional skill, goal-scoring ability, and leadership in a golden era for Pakistan hockey. He played as a center forward and was instrumental in Pakistan winning the 1982 Hockey World Cup in Mumbai, where he was the top scorer with 11 goals and was named the Man of the Tournament. He also led Pakistan to a gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Known for his graceful play, dribbling, and body dodging, Hassan was part of one of the best forward lines in hockey history and was feared by opposing defenses. Despite a relatively short international career, his impact was profound, earning him prestigious awards like the Pride of Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz from Pakistan. After retiring, he contributed as a manager and chief selector for the Pakistan hockey team, remaining deeply involved in the sport’s development.
5. Balbir Singh Sr.
Balbir Singh Sr. is considered one of the greatest hockey players ever due to his extraordinary achievements, outstanding goal-scoring ability, and leadership. He won three consecutive Olympic gold medals with India (1948, 1952, 1956) and set an Olympic record by scoring five goals in the 1952 final—a record that still stands. As a captain in 1956, he led India to another gold despite playing through a hand fracture. Beyond his playing prowess, he also contributed as a coach, managing India to their sole Hockey World Cup win in 1975. His legacy includes being the first sportsperson to receive the Padma Shri award and being honored with several lifetime achievement awards, marking him as an iconic figure in Indian and Olympic hockey history.
4. Teun de Nooijer
Teun Floris De Nooijer played for the Netherlands national field hockey team. Made his debut in the year 1994 in a friendly match against New Zealand. Since then he had played nearly 400 hockey matches for his side. In the years 1996 and 2000, he was in the Dutch squad who became a two-time champion in the Olympics and was in the team during the 2012 Olympics. In 2003, 2005, and 2006 he was named as the best hockey player in the world and 6 times Champions Trophy Winner. He is also playing in a few domestic leagues all over the world. Currently, he is the coach of the HC Bloemendaal Women’s team and also playing for the Hockey India League for UP Wizards.
3. Sohail Abbas
Sohail Abbas had played for the Pakistan Hockey team and was a former captain who is regarded as the “King of the drag flick”. Made his debut in international hockey in 1998. Abbas has proved himself as the most consistent drag-flick converter in the world by having a success rate of over 65%. He made 348 international goals which are regarded as the highest goal scorer in the International hockey field. Also the leading scorer at the 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney with 11 goals. After 14 years of his debut in international hockey for Pakistan, Abbas had become the captaincy for his side for the Azlan Shah Cup and London Olympics 2012.
2. Jamie Dwyer
Jamie Dwyer Oam made his debut for Australia in the year 1995 as a junior player and as a senior player in 2001. Played over 350 matches and scored around 220 goals. Participated in various international platforms and won numerous medals. He is in the team of winning a Gold medal in 2004 Olympics, two gold medals in 2010 and 2014 WC, 6 gold medals in Champions trophy, 3 at Commonwealth Games, and 2 at Oceania Cup. He also plays for several domestic leagues and currently plays in Melville Toyota League for YMCC City Hockey club. He has coached junior hockey players at the YMCC Coastal City Hockey Club in 2011 and 2019.
1. Dhyan Chand
Major Dhyan Chand is regarded as the greatest sportsperson in history. Played for the Indian hockey team internationally from 1926 to 1949. He was known for the goal-scoring feats and scored 570 goals in 185 matches. During his era, the Indian team has dominated the sport of hockey. Through his game, earned 3 Olympic Gold medals in 1929, 1932, and 1936. Also, the Indian hockey team won 7 Olympics out of 8 between 1928 and 1964 when he was playing for the team. Through his ball control, known as “the Wizard or the magician of hockey”. Awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 1956 by the Indian Government and his birthday which is on 29th August, India is celebrated as “National Sports Day” every year.