HOCKEY WORLD CUP | India enters the next round with a mountain to climb

There is no ‘away’ World Cup if you are an Indian team. You will be hard-pressed to go to a corner of the globe without running into an Indian and Amstelveen is no exception. The Amsterdam suburb, one of the World Cup co-hosts, is home to more Indians than any other nationality.

For skipper Harmanpreet Singh, the game against Pakistan felt like ‘playing in India’ as he was serenaded by the large number of expats after his two goals in the 5-3 win on Wednesday.

But admiration also adds pressure to perform as India chases its first world title in 51 years. Despite securing qualification to the second round, India has underwhelmed.

The Men in Saffron have conceded eight goals — joint-fourth worst defensive record, while exhibiting a drop in intensity and lack of control while defending leads.

All the while, India has played only one of the tournament’s top sides. India’s next opponents Netherlands and possibly Argentina will not extend that courtesy.

Against world No. 3 England, India crumbled under a relentless man-to-man press in the third quarter to surrender its advantage, before losing 4-2.

With no carryover points from that game, India will enter the next round with a mountain to climb.

In its final Pool game, Indian midfielders Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad’s errors on the ball, played a part in two of Pakistan’s goals. Wales, too, found itself in promising positions but India came out unscathed.

Head coach Craig Fulton, who preaches ‘defending to win’ mantra, will be well aware that these repeated errors cannot be the bedrock for a sustained title challenge.

“100% defence,” stressed Harmanpreet when asked what needs improving. He also called for his side to cut out ‘silly mistakes’ while managing possession inside its own 25 metres.

The biggest positive has been Harmanpreet’s return to form which has boosted India’s Penalty Corner conversion. India has scored the most goals (6) from PCs with an efficiency of 50%.

Forward Abhishek Nain provided much-needed individual brilliance in field play, adding two goals against Pakistan. However, his senior forward Mandeep Singh is yet to open his account with the decision-making inside the final 23-yards found wanting.

Abhishek was frank with his assessment, too, stating, “We need to improve because if we play with this kind of connection in the next few matches, I don’t think we will be able to score.”

Yet Fulton’s protection of his players will only stretch so far, with the second round promising to be make-or-break.