Hockey World Cup | India firm favourites against Wales but needs to guard against complacency

The Indian gamers take pleasure in a recreation of tag throughout their coaching session on the eve of their match against Wales within the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 on the Kalinga Hockey stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 18, 2023.
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT

On paper, India will probably be firm favorite to win, and win huge, against Wales in its last hockey World CupPool D match right here on Friday. The hole between the 2 groups is obvious in each attainable manner — rating, expertise, legacy, expectations, help. It’s the final two ones that will probably be what India coach Graham Reid calls dual-edged swords. That and the hazard of crossing the faint, barely seen line between confidence and overconfidence.

After taking part in their first two league matches in Rourkela, the groups landed in Bhubaneswar on Monday and have been sweating it out at what has just about been their house for the previous few years. The damage to Hardik Singh was a dampener, but issues are wanting higher for the teen for future video games.

The 15,000-capacity Kalinga Stadium is predicted to be packed and whereas Wales did face the gang in Rourkela, this may be the primary time the Welsh would really feel the total drive of it, taking part in against the host.

India’s defence has come good against more durable opponents thus far within the competitors and will probably be wanting to preserve the momentum against Wales with out getting complacent. The Indian ahead line of Shamsher Singh, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Mandeep Singh will look to lastly discover the goal though it received’t be simple — the Welsh had been overwhelmed of their first two video games but not with out a gritty defensive show.

And India’s penalty nook conversion, the one space of concern for the host, will probably be examined — England may convert solely two out of twelve and Spain managed to earn solely two. As of now, India’s precise win margin requirement will rely on the results of Spain vs England match earlier within the day.

England crew coaching throughout the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 on the Kalinga Hockey stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 18, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT

Of course, the best choice for India vis-a-vis the opposite Pool D recreation can be Spain defeating England. That wouldn’t solely see Spain leapfrog into second place but additionally go away India to handle only a win to prime the Pool with out bothering with the variety of objectives.

Spain has had one win thus far, but the youthful aspect has been spectacular in its assured and tactical play and won’t be a straightforward opponent for its European rival. At the identical time, England’s woes with penalty corners has continued, making any bets on the results of the face-off dangerous.

Also in motion on Thursday would be the Dutch, taking over minnows Chile of their last league recreation, and Malaysia and New Zealand combating for the second spot. While Netherlands is assured of a prime spot with two wins in two thus far and a straightforward victory predicted against the South American debutants, Malaysia and New Zealand are tied on three factors with the Black Sticks at present forward on aim distinction.

The Indian hockey crew throughout a coaching session on the eve of their match against Wales within the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 matches at Kalinga Hockey stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 18, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT