A below-par present towards debutants Wales denying them a direct quarterfinal berth hosts India would look to deal with their attacking woes towards a plucky New Zealand for a spot within the last-eight stage of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup right here on Sunday.
India wanted to beat Wales — eight locations under them in world rankings — by a margin of eight objectives to high Pool D and qualify immediately for the quarterfinals however the dwelling aspect might solely notch up a 4-2 win on Thursday, because the forwards lacked in ending.
India are actually up towards New Zealand within the must-win crossover match. The Black Sticks completed third in Pool C with a win and two losses.
Currently ranked twelfth on the earth as towards India’s sixth place, New Zealand — who’ve by no means reached the semifinals — have additionally not carried out something extraordinary within the event and the house aspect undoubtedly would begin as favourites in entrance of an anticipated jampacked Kalinga Stadium.
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India’s key midfielder Hardik Singh has been dominated out of the rest of the event after he did not recuperate from his hamstring damage sustained within the match towards England on January 15.
Hardik’s absence shall be an enormous setback for India as they’ve been struggling within the attacking division, and contemplating the truth that they’re anticipated to run into defending champions Belgium within the quarterfinals in the event that they beat New Zealand.
Hardik, who scored an excellent solo purpose in India’s 2-0 win over Spain within the opening match, shall be changed by alternate participant Raj Kumar Pal. He didn’t play towards Wales.
Against a Wales workforce whom England and Spain had overwhelmed 5-0 and 5-1, the Indians struggled to seek out objectives because the forwards put up a poor present.
The Indians merely did not get their technique proper towards Wales, who defended in numbers inside their very own circle.
The Indian defence, which had a clear sheet until then, conceded two objectives towards Wales, who’re ranked 14th on the earth.
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Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored his and the workforce’s first purpose from penalty corners, whereas the skilled Akashdeep Singh saved India by scoring twice after Wales made it 2-2 on the finish of the third quarter.
In the absence of Hardik, the efficiency of senior gamers like Mandeep Singh and Akashdeep shall be key for the hosts.
India, little doubt, would begin as favourites towards New Zealand, however the Black Sticks won’t be a simple aspect to beat.
India had overwhelmed them twice (4-3 and 7-4) in October-November final yr through the FIH Pro League on the identical stadium right here however New Zealand are not any pushovers in world hockey.
“It won’t be a simple match towards New Zealand. It was a really robust match within the first recreation (in FIH Pro League) although the second was a bit simpler. We must play our greatest,” Reid had said.
Historically, the two sides had played 44 matches against each other and India had won 24 of them while losing 15. Five games were drawn. The last time New Zealand beat India was a 2-1 win in 2019.
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New Zealand would be smarting after their 2-3 loss to Malaysia in their final Pool C match on Thursday. They had beaten tournament debutants Chile 3-1 in their opening game before expectedly losing to Netherlands 0-4.
New Zealand have some real world-class gamers of their ranks and the Indians must play their finest.
Defender Blair Tarrant, defensive midfielder Nick Ross and veteran striker Simon Child are New Zealand’s key players. Penalty corner expert Kane Russell is yet to sound the board so far and would be gunning for goals.
Sam Lana and Sam Hiha have scored two goals each in the tournament and they would look to add more.
Squads:
India: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Abhishek, Surender Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Krishan Pathak, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, PR Sreejesh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sukhjeet Singh.
New Zealand: Nic Woods (captain), Dom Dixon, Dane Lett, Simon Child, Nick Ross, Sam Hiha, Kim Kingston, Jake Smith, Sam Lane, Simon Yorston, Aidan Sarikaya, Joe Morrison, Leon Hayward, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant, Sean Findlay, Hayden Phillips, Charlie Morrison.
Match Starts at 07:00 pm IST.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated news company feed)
