The Indian hockey group is ready to compete on the FIH World Cup scheduled from thirteenth January to twenty ninth January subsequent 12 months. Within the just lately declared attracts, Workforce India is positioned in a Pool with powerful opponents and it’ll not be a simple activity for them to advance to the ultimate.
World No. 5 India are positioned in Pool D together with England (World No.6), Spain (World No.8), and Wales.
Whereas Workforce Spain is enhancing and changing into stronger since final 12 months, England who’re presently enjoying high quality hockey will show to be tough opponents.
The earlier encounter of India towards England which was on the Commonwealth Video games resulted in a draw. However, Workforce India beat Wales by 4-1 within the multi-nation match.
The groups are divided into 4 teams particularly A, B, C, and D. In line with the format, the pool winners will advance on to the quarterfinals, whereas the groups positioned second and third must play crossover matches to progress.
India’s Chief coach Graham Reid gave his tackle India’s placement within the attracts, “The swimming pools within the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Olympics are at all times tough. Each group is there to win. We simply performed England and Wales within the Birmingham Commonwealth Video games and the video games have been of the very best high quality.”
“To prime that off with Spain who’ve been enhancing within the final 12 months will make the first-round video games very tough,” he added.
Workforce India didn’t cross the quarterfinal hurdles within the final World Cup, which was additionally hosted by Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium in 2018.
However this time round, Reid is hopeful of enhancing their previous file.
“It’s a very totally different group than it was 4 years in the past, with totally different experiences and a few totally different personnel. We’re trying ahead to the World Cup and enjoying in entrance of our dwelling crowd,” Reid mentioned.
Following are the swimming pools for the marquee occasion
- Pool A: Australia, Argentina, France, South Africa
- Pool B: Belgium, Germany, Korea, Japan
- Pool C: Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia, Chile
- Pool D: India, England, Spain, Wales.