Harpal Singh Bedi / Bhubaneswar
History beckons defending champion Australia as they start their campaign in the 14th Hockey World cup, to become the first team to claim third back to back title.
The Aussies have won the title three times (1986,2010 and 2014) and a top podium finish here will see them equaling Pakistan’s record of as many title wins.
Australia face 10TH ranked Ireland in their pool B opener, while England takes on debutante China in the other match of the same pool.
Ranked number one in the World, Australian suffered a dent in their reputation as they finished sixth at the 2016 Rio Olympics but they salvaged their position thrashing Holland to win their 15th Champions Trophy title early this year.
Bhubaneswar has some good memories for the Aussies. They won the Hockey World League title beating Argentina here last year.,
Despite having 10 players who will be making their debut at a World Cup, The Australians are a formidable side with Tasmanian central midfielder 31 year old Eddie Ockenden looking for his triple title named co-captain with defender
Aussies are a very strong with Tasmanian central midfielder 31 year old Eddie Ockenden looking for his triple title. Aran Zalewski. Defenders Matt Dawson and Matthew Swann also playing his third World Cup are highly dependable in defence.
They have fearsome strike force which includes Trent Mitton, Jake Whetton, Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers .The champions have experienced goal keepers in Andrew Charter and Tyler Lovell
Australians will go all out for yet another record of Hat Trick of title wins, a record if created, will stay for long in the record books.
Coach Colin Batch will be hoping to win the World Cup both as a player and coach just like the legend Ric Charlesworth had done in both the 2010 and 2014 editions. Batch and Charlesworth were strikers in the first Australian World Cup winning squad coached by Richard Aggiss in 1986.
Playing their third World Cup, Ireland in recent years have improved their rankings with some noteworthy performances. Their surprised the pundits by winning a bronze in the Eurohockey championship.
Ireland will depend on midfielders Shane O’Donoghue and the Harte twins midfielder Conor and custodian captain David for good showing.
In other match, 7th ranked England, despite having 13 players who will making their debut , start overwhelming favourite against China.
China made the cut for their maiden WC with their 8th place finish at the World League semi final at London last year. With an average age of below 25, the team coached by Korean Kim Sang Ryul is relatively short of international experience.