India kick off hockey World Cup campaign against Belgium today
It was in 1975 that an Indian team at its peak as a hockey powerhouse had won the world cup. Since the daredevils act of the Ajitpal Singh-led team, 39 years have passed and in these years, the game has undergone several changes and so are the status and stature of Indian hockey.
Having failed to reach semi-finals afterwards and going by the recent performances which includes a last-place finish in the 2012 london Olympics, head coach Terry Walsh has set a realistic target of top-eight finish for the eighth-ranked team, which kicks off its world cup campaign against Belgium on Saturday at Kyocera stadium in The Hague, The Netherlands.
The prestigious quadrennial event will not only be a big test for Walsh and his boys but also an opportunity to pave the way to initiate a process to regain the past glory. Considering Indian hockey’s rich history and the following downward spiral that saw India finishing last at the 2012 Olympics, the performance in the world cup will set the tone for a better future.
However, since the arrival of Australian coach Walsh, the team has undergone several changes for good. The Australian has brought in changes not just in the personnel but also in the training programmes and focused both on physical and technical aspects of the game. Yet, it’s too short a time to expect a podium finish for Sardar Singh & his teammates.
India have drafted in two replacements for injured strikers Ramandeep Singh and Nikkin Thimmiah. In place of them, lalit Upadhay and Yuvraj Walmiki have joined the team which relies heavily on mid-field maestro Sardar Singh. Giving him support will be Manpreet Singh, SK Uthappa, Chingelsana Singh, Dharamvir Singh and Birendra lakra.
The goal-scoring responsibility will be on senior SV Sunil, young Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh.
In the backline, Gurbaj Singh, drag-flickers VR Raghunath and Rupinderpal Singh, Kothajit Singh and debutant Jasjit Singh Khullar will share the duty of keeping the opponent’s strikers away from the goal-post circle while the post will be in the hands of experienced PR Sreejesh and young Harjot Singh.
In the recent appearances, India have not had many successes. Among positives, they finished runners-up to Korea in the Asian Championships and followed it up with a sixth-place finish in the Hockey World league. However, they have got the exposure to be positive about their game. A recent trip to the Netherland one month ago, will keep them in good stead as far as understanding of the conditions, climate and pitch is concerned. And two practice matches prior to the world cup against Argentina and South Africa should give them the fair idea about the combination.
"We had a good game against South Africa. We showed good sign of confidence and control, and melded it with some Indian flair and dodging capabilities," Walsh said.
India are placed in a tough Group A alongside world champions and world No 1 Australia. India’s ranking is lower than England (4), Belgium (5). Though they are better than Spain (10) and Malaysia (13), but these two teams will make Indians work hard.
In recent memories, Belgium and England have been a tough opposition to crack and given the format of the tournament which states that top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals, India need to create more than one upset.
Even if India fail to qualify for the final-four battle, few steps closer to it and a spirited display will be enough to generate a craze for the game in the country.
The Group B consists of hosts Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina and South Africa. India will open its campaign against Belgium on the opening day of the tournament.
"All the boys are determined and are oozing with confidence and positivity. But we cannot forget Belgium’s target for World Cup and plus the fact that they have been playing very good hockey recently with positive results.
"From our end we will focus on our style and thwart the powers they can potentially bring. Our objective is to perform close to our potential and execute our plans effectively which will make us a formidable opponent against Belgium tomorrow," Walsh added.
Moreover, the event also gives India a chance to show that India is not only a money-spinner that hosts richest league (Hockey India league) and series of international tournaments, but it also has the talent and will to be a superpower once again.