Spain’s ever-improving presence in India’s pool will also lead to the league stage of the FIH World The Cup is very challenging, men’s hockey team head coach Graham Reid said on Friday, adding that living in the moment will be the key to the home team’s success.
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world number 5 India England (world no. 6), Spain (world no. 8) and Wales have been placed in a tough Pool D in the showpiece event to be jointly organized by Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to 29 next year.
The Indians drew 4-4 against England and beat Wales 4-1 in an attempt to win a silver medal at this year’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“Pools are always difficult at the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Olympics. Every team is there to win. We just played England and Wales at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the games were of the highest quality,” Reid said in a Hockey India release.
“With Spain improving over the last 12 months it will be very difficult to get to the top of the first round games.
“England are a world class team and they are playing a very good brand of hockey at the moment. But so are we and the important part about the FIH World Cup is that we have to keep our minds at the moment and focus on every aspect of the game.”
Before the marquee event, India will play Spain in the FIH Pro League 2022-23 season at the Kalinga Stadium on 30 October and 6 November.
“When you play against future opponents in big tournaments it’s always going to swing and go roundabout. Do you try strategies that you want to use in the World Cup or do you show nothing and take that opportunity? Miss you? They can learn as much about you as you can about them,” Reid said of the double header.
India failed to cross the quarter-final hurdle in the last World Cup, which was also hosted by the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in 2018.
But this time Reid hopes to improve on his previous record.
“It is a very different team than it was four years ago, with different experience and somewhat different personnel. We are looking forward to playing for the World Cup and in front of our home spectators,” said the Australian.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-0K1zw3Fw" width="942" height="530" frameborder="0" allow fullscreen="allow fullscreen" ></iframe> <p>Pool A includes Australia, Argentina, France and South Africa, while defending world champions Belgium, Germany, South Korea and Japan are placed in Pool B. Tournament.</p> <p>The pool winners will advance directly to the quarter-finals, while the second and third placed teams will play crossover matches to advance.</p> <p>allLatest sports news And today’s fresh news Here