Belgium : Having eked out an unconvincing 3-2 win over France in their campaign opener, the Indian men’s side will have to quickly pull up their shocks, especially at the defence, when they take on lower-ranked Poland in their second group match of the Hockey World League Semifinals here today.
India needed a last-gasp goal to emerge victorious in their first match on Saturday as their defence struggled and the Frenchmen exploited the gaps to launch several attacks. The Sardar Singh-led side will have to produce an improved show tomorrow if they want to maintain a winning momentum.
Poland are ranked 17 in the world, eight spots behind India, but they have the potential to pull off a surprise win and India can take them lightly to their peril. Like France, the Polish also have some speedy strikers who can mount brisk counters, as they displayed against Pakistan, and the Indian defence will have to make amends of their erratic show in the opening match.
India were though handicapped to some an extent by the absence of their two drag-flickers VR Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh.
Raghunath was one of the three players dropped from the squad due to injuries suffered in the training camp ahead of this tournament.
Rupinder did not play the opening match due to an injury sustained in the warm-up matches leading upto the tournament.
Belgium The ongoing World League Semifinals offers three spots in the Olympic lineup. For several teams it is the last chance to make it to Rio Olympics, while India have already secured their passage by virtue of winning the Asian Games gold at Incheon last year.
Three spots are also available for the World League Finals for which India are automatic qualifiers as hosts, allowing the Sardar-led side the luxury of trying out some young players and new strategies under new chief coach Paul van Ass. “We are not tourists at this tournament, certainly not,” says Sardar, as the Indian captain is asked by world media if the Indian team has anything at stake in this tournament.
