India is still undefeated in the World Hockey League Semi-Final and they will look to seal the top position in the group A. After registering two consecutive wins over France and Poland, India earnined a hard-fought draw against Pakistan. India is now confident to upstage fancied world champions Australia in their last preliminary match at Antwerp on Sunday.
India’s show against Australia will go a long way in deciding the final pool positions, with Pakistan staying in the frame after the subcontinental encounter on Friday ended in a 2-2 draw.
Australia have been brutally dominant in the tournament so far. A strong Australian squad thrashed France 10-0, spanked Pakistan 6-1 respectively and in third match slapped a determined Poland 4-0.
With such scoreline, India have reason to be wary of Australians, who are favourites to clinch the Hockey World League Semi-final, at Antwerp. However, India will face them with their head held high as they have not lost a single game in the group stages so far.
The Indian team under Van Ass are an aggressive side which will give it their all to win the game, and with the Australians playing an attacking style of hockey, the game promises to be an entertaining one.
India will draw inspiration from their last victory against Australia during the Azlan Shah Cup, which they won 4-2. They were impressive during the game and a similar performance can hand the Australians their first loss of the tournament.
Even if India lose to Australia, they can still hang on to their second position depending on Pakistan’s result over France and the goal difference.
The Australians use their pace to good effect and have found teams on the back foot in the tournament. They have some big players in their team including Jamie Dwyer and the Govers brothers, who can harm team India.
On an individual basis, India too have some good players such as Ramandeep Singh, who scored a brace against Pakistan, Walmiki brothers and Sardar Singh, who will play an integral part at the heart of the midfield for India.
India’s new coach Paul van Ass, the former Dutch national coach, is hopeful that his wards will showcase their skills against the best outfit in contemporary hockey.
Fielding several young players here with the focus on testing the junior in top-level competitions and also a spate of injuries, India have the luxury of going into the contest with little at stake.
“Let’s be fair, Australia are No. 1 and India are ranked No. 9 in the world,” said coach van Ass as he assessed India’s chances against Australia.
Indian captain Sardar Singh says his players are improving with every outing.
“We are drawing inspiration from our win over Australia in the Azlan Shah Cup two months ago,” said Sardar, referring to India’s 4-2 win following which Australia have inducted all top players in the side.
“The young players are relishing the opportunity, and we’re playing well as a unit,” said Sardar, whose team is here without both seasoned penalty corner shooters.
India’s defence, featuring two young players, will face its stiffest challenge from the fast-overlapping Australian strikers, whose showpiece performance was last year’s 6-1 drubbing of The Netherlands in the title encounter of the World Cup.
It was the biggest margin of victory in the final encounter in World Cup history. India’s strikers have been misfiring a lot. With a little more focused shooting in the closing stages of the match against Pakistan, India could have clinched a late match-winner, but they muffed three scoring chances in the last five minutes.
The draw between India and Pakistan has kept hanging the fate of the pool positions for both nations. Australia’s 4-0 victory over Poland last night kept them at the top of the group standings with maximum nine points from three outings.
India have seven points from three matches, while Pakistan are on four points from three games.
Inputs: PTI and International Business Standards
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