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India Vs Pakistan – High intensity contest
Hockey rivalries are not just limited to the subcontinent alone. We have heard about the fierce rivalry between Australia and their trans-tasman rivals New Zealand. – we also know about the hockey rivalry between the Netherlands and their neighbours Belgium, but nothing can beat the cut-throat rivalry between India and Pakistan.
It really does not matter what is the stature of a tournament or whether it is neutral venue or a match played in their own backyard, India-Pakistan hockey never ceases to grab the eyeballs. Naturally, the India-Pakistan clash in the 2014-15 second FIH Men’s Hockey World League Semifinal Round in Brasschaat, Belgium is much anticipated by fans from both countries staying in different parts of the world. It’s a no-holds-barred contest where emotions run high, and where umpires have to be extra careful about any spur-of-the-moment incidents.
Pakistan hold a slight edge in recent encounters
No talk about the India-Pakistan hockey matches can be complete without taking a look at the recent stats. Stats-wise, Pakistan hold the psychological advantage over the Sardar Singh’s men. The Greenshirts have won two of their last three games against India – the last win came in the semifinals of the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneshwar, where Arslan Qadir spoilt the Indian party with a late goal.
The India-Pakistan clash will be their first in 2015 – India did win the 2014 Asian gold (sealed its 2016 Olympics berth) after beating Pakistan 4-2 in a final shootout after both teams were tied 1-1 in normal time. The Blueshirts had earlier lost 1-2 in the league phase to their arch-rivals.
Both teams have played nine times since the 2012 London Olympics. India have won four, while Pakistan have won five and surprisingly not a single match barring those in the knockout phase, has ended in a draw, probably smacks off how is much at stake when both teams take on each other.
Important game for both teams
Of course, the Indians will be thirsting for revenge and they will remember as to how Arslan Qadir sealed the former’s fate with just one minute remaining for the final hooter. The Paul Van Ass-coached side are feeling good after posting a clinical 3-0 win over Poland, against whom Pakistan struggled for dominance and in the end eked out a narrow 2-1 win in their tournament opener.
The big significance of this tie is that the team that wins it will go on to finish at least second in Pool A or even top it and avoid a strong opponent in the quarterfinals, thus paving the way for a smooth passage to the semifinal phase. Clearly, the battlelines are drawn and it remains to be seen whether the 9th ranked Indians can put it across 10th ranked Pakistan.
