India- Pakistan Hockey World Cup Campaign Opener – Preview

India pakistan hockey match

India- Pakistan Campaign Opener – Preview.

In a recent interview, India’s star player Tushar Khandekar downplayed the importance of the India – Pakistan opening league encounter. But I believe this match is the most important match for India in the tournament and would decide how far India goes in the tournament. I am not saying this based on Jingoism associated with India – Pakistan ties, but for purely Hockey reasons.

A positive result in the opener against Pakistan can give India the much needed momentum and confidence to take on the other power houses in the group.

Where as a negative result can put enormous pressure on India, as it would then be facing 2 losses in 2 matches, considering that Australia is their next opponent. Realistically, it is highly improbable for India to beat Australia in their current form, more so if in the backdrop of a loss against against Pakistan in the opener. Two losses in two matches would effectively bring down the curtains on the Indian campaign.

What to expect

On paper, there is little to choose between the two sides, but Pakistan, without doubt, has held an upper hand in recent encounters between the two countries.

What works for Pakistan is that they manage to lift their game to a new level in an India – Pakistan encounter. A point in case is the recent Champion’s challenge semifinal encounter between the two sides. India had reached the semis comfortably and looked like the team to beat in the tournament. Whereas, Pakistan had huffed and puffed its way to the Semi’s. But on the day of the semis, Pakistan was a completely different team and took the lead in the second minute of the game.

For long India has been criticized for letting in late goals. To be fair, India has improved on this front and don’t concede much these days. In fact, India has been scoring a lot of late goals in recent matches. But equally important is to guard your goal closely in the early stages of the match. What happens when you concede an early goal is that you start playing catch up from the very beginning and then you become susceptible to counter attacks. It also takes a lot of you physically.

India also has the tag of slow starters in big tournaments. But that is because India has largely been playing abroad and it takes a few matches to adjust while travelling. Playing at home and having the best knowledge of the turf, India should start strongly this time.

What should India do

India should look to take early lead and then look for counter attacking opportunities to score goals. The Indian forwards have to be sharp and make the most of the opportunities. Even if they can’t score goals, they should look to create Penalty corners. This time around we have 3 good Penalty corner specialists. I am sure at most times, we would have at least 2 on the field. This should confuse the Penalty corner defenders especially the chargers.

In the midfield and defence we must play a tight game and have a close eye on Rehan Butt, India’s nemesis. During Penalty corner defence, the Goalkeepers Adrian or Sreejesh should not charge out at every attempt of Sohail Abbas. The Pakistanis would be expecting the Indian goalie to adopt this tactic and are capable of executing precise indirect on seeing the goal keeper charge.

Chak De India!