Last Update: January 11, 2023, 17:32 IST
Indian men’s hockey team (Photo Credits: TW/TheHockeyIndia)
As India aims to lift the Men’s Hockey World Cup trophy for the second time, we take a look at the country’s overall performance in the showpiece event over the years.
Indian team all set to make men’s hockey debut World The cup campaign kicks off on Friday with a match against Spain. Graham Reid’s side have been placed in Pool D alongside England and Wales.
The Harmanpreet Singh-led side will take on England on January 15. In their last group match, the hosts will take on Wales two days later. A total of 16 countries will participate in the Men’s Hockey World Cup this time.
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Defending champions Belgium are in Pool B alongside South Korea, Germany and Japan. The World Cup matches will be played at two venues in Odisha – the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
As India With India aiming to lift the Men’s Hockey World Cup trophy for the second time, it is time to take a look at their overall performance in the showpiece event.
The Indian men’s hockey team was successful in reaching the semi-finals in the inaugural edition of the World Cup in 1971. However, India’s chariot was stopped in the last-four stage by arch-rivals Pakistan. India improved its performance in the next edition of the World Cup and reached the finals. But the team failed to win the title. India was defeated by the Netherlands in the summit clash.
The story finally changed after India won its first World Cup title in 1975. In the final, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan to win their first World Cup title. Pakistan’s Zahid Sheikh gave his team the lead in the 17th minute by scoring the first goal. The lead didn’t last long. India scored two quick goals to make a remarkable comeback and become world champions.
This eventually proved to be India’s only World Cup victory so far. Since then, India registered their best performance in the 1994 edition of the World Cup after claiming the fifth position.
In the last Men’s World Cup edition, India crashed out of the competition after a 2-1 loss against the Dutch team in the quarter-finals.
India is all set to make its 15th appearance in the Men’s Hockey World Cup this time. The hosts will rely heavily on skipper Harmanpreet Singh to claim the silverware this time around. The much-needed home support and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics will surely act as a positive catalyst for the Indian men’s hockey side.
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