India are positioned in Pool D on the FIH males’s World Cup 2023, which is arguably the hardest among the many 4 teams. Harmanpreet Singh and co. will play Spain on January 13 and England on the fifteenth — each in Rourkela, earlier than taking up Wales on the nineteenth in Bhubaneswar.

England are the best ranked group within the group — world no. 5, one above India. Spain are world no. 8 whereas Wales are positioned fifteenth. In phrases of high quality, there’s not a lot of a spot between England, India and Spain so it is not going to be straightforward for Graham Reid’s males to complete first and take the only real automated quarterfinal qualification slot. The second and the third positioned groups must win their crossover matches (in opposition to the third and second positioned groups from Pool C) to make it to the last-eight stage.

So, how can India overcome a troublesome group?

India’s largest energy is their attacking hockey.

In the 4 matches they performed on this season’s Pro League, India have scored 15 targets, greater than all different 9 groups. In the earlier season too they have been the best goal-scorers with 62. Harmanpreet Singh’s efficiency from penalty corners performs a significant half – he has scored 5 this Pro League season and scored 14 within the earlier season, greater than anyone.

But it is not simply PCs. The ahead line of Abhishek, Mandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh makes them a potent menace contained in the circle. In the latest Australia sequence, which India misplaced 4-1, they scored eight discipline targets and eight PC targets. That sequence in opposition to the world no. 1 outfit highlighted this scoring prowess – two of their losses have been by simply one-goal margins (5-4 within the first and the final matches).

Keeping this in thoughts, it is unlikely that India will put nice give attention to stopping England and Spain from enjoying their sort of hockey. Reid’s precedence will probably be India and his gamers specializing in their strengths, which is to create and convert the probabilities. Ergo, it is cheap to count on excessive scoring encounters.

Where can India count on bother?

Their latest document in opposition to England and Spain recommend there are weaknesses that may be exploited.

India’s group stage match in opposition to England on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games ended 4-4. At one level, India have been main 3-0, however conceded three targets within the last quarter to lose out on a win.

When India performed Spain twice within the Pro League, Reid’s facet conceded 19 penalty corners. Six within the first recreation, 13 within the subsequent one. They misplaced the primary match 2-3 earlier than profitable the subsequent one in a shootout after a 2-2 draw.

Like India, each England and Spain play progressive hockey: specializing in profitable the ball shortly by excessive urgent and incomes penalty corners. England scored 33 targets in six matches on the CWG (the place they received bronze). They have the likes of Sam Ward, Zach Wallace, Liam Ansell and Nicholas Bandurak who can flip video games round with their targets.

Spain could also be much less prolific when it comes to scoring targets, however they’re relentless with their urgent depth as seen within the latest Pro League matches.

There will naturally be intervals throughout these matches the place each England and Spain will trigger India bother. But limiting the harm when the momentum turns is the important thing.

They can not, as an illustration, afford to present away 13 penalty corners in an important World Cup match. Another factor they must look out for are foolish errors, together with playing cards, which performed a giant function in England’s comeback on the CWG.

PC concession is a important weak point: Against Australia, India conceded 37 penalty corners in 5 matches. In the 4 Pro League video games in opposition to Spain and New Zealand, India gave away 33 penalty corners. In those self same Pro League video games, India have been proven extra playing cards than their opponents. Indian gamers have been proven yellow card (out for 5 minutes) thrice in 4 matches. Similarly, Indian gamers obtained extra playing cards than their Australian counterparts.

When the competitors is that this shut, like it’s in Pool D, constructive outcomes will rely upon managing these finer factors.