Hockey World Cup 2023: India have one more chance to earn a quarterfinal berth on Sunday

Having finished second in Pool D during group matches, hosts India couldn’t get direct entry into the quarterfinals of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. Only the toppers in each of the four pool matches get an automatic entry into the last-eight stage of the competition.

By virtue of leading Pool D, England got direct entry into the quarterfinals, while India will play New Zealand on January 22 in a cross-over match and the winner will progress into the quarterfinals.

Commenting on the importance of playing group games before the knockouts, former India chief coach Harendra Singh told Sportskeeda:

“The preliminary or group-stage matches at the Hockey World Cup give the competing teams the chance to settle into their groove before playing the knockout matches."

India had the herculean task of scoring a big win against Wales in their last Pool D match. However, the hosts could only manage a 4-2 win over Wales to settle for second place at the end of the group games.

“We weren’t very good in the first half in terms of executing our plans, but the second half was better,” India’s Akashdeep Singh, who was adjudged the Player of the Match for his two goals against Wales, said during the presentation ceremony.

India have so far given a good account of themselves in their group-stage matches. The Indian team, led by ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh, will certainly have the home advantage of playing in front of a packed Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. But the chances of New Zealand can’t be ruled out.

“It all matters how the players are able to execute their plans on a given day,” a senior SAI hockey coach said.

India’s chief coach Graham Reid's goal for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup was to win a quarterfinal berth during group-stage matches. Despite excellent planning, the execution, however, was slightly off target.

Penalty corner will be another area that Reid will look to polish before Sunday’s crossover match. The Indian chief coach is also aware of the fact that the quarterfinals are a crucial stage of the World Cup competition.

“All the teams in the last-eight stages are highly ranked and the situation is very challenging,” Reid said at a press conference.

Host India won their opening match against the Spanish team 2-0, but played a goalless draw with England. India’s star forward Hardik Singh, who strained his hamstring against England and had to sit out during the Wales match, should be back in the team for the New Zealand game on Sunday.