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India are going to play Netherlands in a quarter final match of the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. India qualified for the quarter finals automatically by topping their group whereas Netherlands beat Canada 5-0 in a crossover match to qualify for the same.
India have not won a World Cup since 1975 and would desperately try to win it on home soil this time. On the other hand, 3 times champions Netherlands last won the World Cup in 1998 and would hope to end the 20 year old drought.
However, it is not going to be easy for either team and we are likely to experience a keenly contested match. Netherlands would have a slight edge over India since they have a superior squad overall and more match experience. However, a young Indian team might also prove to be equal to the task as they are not going to let the match go easily.
We would now take a look at the 3 things one should look forward to in tomorrow’s match:
#1 It should be a high-scoring match
Both the teams have scored a lot of goals in the tournament so far and therefore, tomorrow’s match should be a high-scoring affair. Netherlands have scored 18 goals in 4 matches, more than any other team in this competition. India are not far behind either as they have scored 12 goals in 3 matches. Both the teams have exciting attacking players at their disposal and therefore, it should not be difficult for either of them to find the net.
Netherlands have fine attacking players like Thierry Brinkman, Kemperman and Jeroen Hertzbereger. Hertzberger scored a hattrick against Malaysia and Brinkman found the net against Canada. Both of them would fancy their chances against India too and are likely to make life difficult for the Indian defenders.
India, on the other hand, have good players like Lalit Upadhyay and Manpreet Singh and would depend upon Akashdeep Singh to play those crucial one-touch passes and deflections. Upadhyay has already scored 3 goals in the tournament and might increase the tally against Netherlands.
#2 Both teams likely to play faster and more direct hockey than usual
Netherlands’ game is traditionally based upon slow build ups and short passes. They are usually the slowest and most skilful among all European teams. They also depend a lot on good stick-work and dribbling.
However, in this tournament, they have shown an ability to build up quick attacks and score from deflections. They are especially lethal through the right wing and make circle penetrations quickly through the same. They have also increased numbers in the opposition territory quickly and not allowed the opposition defence to organize themselves.
India too, have changed their playing style a little and have played long passes more frequently to the opposition half. They have also depended upon quick touches and deflections from the midfield and their forwards have made the most of them. This is a refreshing change from the slow passing game the teams from the sub-continent are used to. This playing style is also more suitable to the Astro-turf as teams like Australia, Germany and Belgium have demonstrated in recent past.
#3 Penalty corner conversion is going to be a key factor
Netherlands are usually very clinical with their penalty corners but have been disappointing in this respect so far in this tournament. They have only been able to convert 20% of the Penalty Corners obtained and would definitely try to improve that ratio.
Hertzberger would be a key player in this regard and would try to increase his goal tally against India. Netherlands have also been able to get a lot of penalty corners through their speedy forays into the opposition circle and would be difficult to stop if they improve upon their conversion ratio.
India, on the other hand, have scored a few goals from penalty corners in this tournament and have a very good drag-flicker in the shape of Harmanpreet Singh. Amit Rohidas has also scored off a hit from a penalty corner against Canada and would give the Indians another option. India have typically never depended much upon the penalty corners, but would not mind scoring a goal or two from them in the quarter-final tomorrow.
