The Indian hockey workforce begin their FIH 2023 Males’s Hockey World Cup marketing campaign on Friday, 13 January, with a match towards Spain. The hosts might solely go so far as the quarter-final within the final version of the most important world hockey occasion. They misplaced to the eventual runners-up Netherlands within the last-eight match within the 2018 version.
Spain, however, acquired eradicated from the primary spherical itself, ending on the backside of their pool. This time round, they’ll face an Indian workforce which is seeking to take ahead the legacy of profitable the bronze medal on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, their first Olympic medal since 1982.
Each groups confronted one another twice within the FIH Professional League final 12 months, on the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Spain gained the primary match 3-2 whereas the second sport led to a 2-2 draw, earlier than India took the shootout 3-1.
Spain might have gotten the higher of the Indians of their FIH Professional League encounters, however with this being the hockey World Cup, the Indian workforce will deliver its A-game. It guarantees to be an thrilling match.
Whereas the general efficiency of the workforce as an entire will determine the end result, some key gamers might need a big say within the contest. Wanting forward on the contest, we’ll take a look at three participant battles that shall be key in deciding who comes out on prime in India’s hockey World Cup opener.
#1 Adrian Rafi vs Harmanpreet Singh
India have been over-reliant for scoring targets on their penalty nook specialist Harmanpreet Singh. The sturdy defender can be the captain and therefore, must ship once more for his workforce. When he takes his place throughout a PC routine in India’s first hockey World Cup match, he shall be up towards Adrian Rafi, the Spanish goalkeeper.
Rafi is a really succesful goalkeeper. However he’s up towards one of many world’s finest drag-flickers in Harmanpreet. If the Spanish goalie is ready to hold the India skipper down within the scoring division, it could compound India’s issues. So, this contest shall be essential.
#2 Enrique Gonzalez vs Jarmanpreet Singh
Jarmanpreet Singh has emerged as certainly one of India’s most essential gamers within the post-Tokyo Olympics interval. The large Sardar performs primarily as a defender however makes his presence felt everywhere in the subject.
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In opposition to Spain, he should attempt to put a cease to the harmful runs that Spain’s Enrique Gonzalez can produce. The Spanish midfielder has the power to slice by the midfield at fast tempo and open up the opposition’s defence.
Jarmanpreet, along with his agility and ability, should make sure that Gonzalez is stopped in his tracks earlier than he might inflict any injury.
#3 Krishan Pathak vs Marc Miralles
The continued version of the FIH Professional League has seen India’s Krishan Pathak, an understudy of PR Sreejesh for a very long time, come of age. His goalkeeping within the first few matches of the league has been distinctive and he could also be the popular possibility for India within the upcoming Hockey World Cup.
His largest take a look at, as is common for a goalkeeper, would come towards penalty corners. When the set-piece comes round, he’s more likely to be up towards Marc Miralles, the drag-flick specialist within the Spanish aspect.
If Pathak continues his good type on this hockey World Cup and manages to maintain the PC targets right down to a minimal, India will achieve an enormous enhance. With the expertise he possesses, Pathak can’t be underestimated.