Bhubaneswar: Their campaign off to a smooth start, hosts India would look to seal a direct quarterfinal berth with a win against Canada in their final Pool C match of the men’s hockey World Cup on Saturday.
World number 5 India are currently leading Pool C with four points from two games ahead of Olympic silver medallist Belgium (4 points) on account of a better goal difference.
The Indians have a goal difference of + 5 as against Belgium’s +1. Both Canada and South Africa have one point each from two matches but the North Americans are placed third with a goal difference of -1 as against South Africa’s -5.
India thrashed South Africa 5-0 and drew 2-2 against Belgium in their earlier matches, while Canada lost 1-2 against the Red Lions before eking out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Africans.
While India are placed at an advantageous position at present, the pool is still wide open. The hosts would not want to leave anything on chance and they would seek a comprehensive win on Saturday to cement their place atop the pool and directly qualify for the last eight round. The second and third placed teams from the pool will play cross-over matches against number 2 and 3 teams of other pools to decide the remaining last four quarterfinal places.
Going by records and form, India are hands down favourites to come out victorious against Canada.
But as witnessed on Thursday with world number 20 France upsetting Olympic champions Argentina in a Pool A encounter, anything can happen in modern world hockey. Besides the better rankings, India enjoy a superior head-to-head record against Canada.
Since 2013, India and Canada have played five matches against India with the hosts having won three, lost one and drawn one.
So on Saturday, the Indians will have to come out with a clear frame of mind and with just one goal – to beat Canada and top the pool.
But it would be easier said than done as the Canadians have improved over the years as seen in their first game against Belgium who just managed to eke out a narrow 2-1 win.
The Indian midfield, led by skipper Manpreet Singh, has so far produced a decent show, while the defence need to be more agile and cautious, especially considering the fact that the backline is infamous for crumbling under pressure towards the end. (PTI)
