Harpal Singh Bedi / Bhubaneswar
History beckons Indian hockey. It has been 43 years since India made it to the semi-finals and went on to win the title. Now as they take on the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the 14th Hockey World cup at Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar on Thursday the question being asked is whether Harendra Singh’s boys will be able to break the jinx.
The pressure will be on the Indians, the packed stadium will be “our 12th man” as coach put it but with expectations so high the blue shirts will have to demonstrate nerves to withstand the pressure on and off the field
Going by records, the Dutchmen have an edge as India has never beaten Netherlands in the history of the World Cup. In the six meetings at the quadrennial event so far , the three time winners have defeated the hosts India five times while one ended in a draw.
The past is for the record it has no meaning for this match” Harendra Singh told media persons “You have your self-seen that how teams like China, France and others played.
“This is a new tournament, new match and new venue, the coach opined “ No team can survive if it keeps looking at the past” Going by present form and rankings, there is hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides.
While Netherlands are placed fourth in the current world rankings, India are a rung below in the fifth position. The last time two teams faced each in the Champions Trophy earlier this year , it ended in a 1-1 draw.
However, the all head-to-head record, belongs to Netherlands. In the 105 games played between the two sides so far, the Dutch have won 48, India 33, while the rest ended in draws.
“We will play attacking game, as we have done so far, there will be no compromise on that issue. The boys are and focused and they have proved that they can hold on against any team on the Astro Turf “the coach opined.
Harendra was confident of his boys living up to the expectations of the people” Every home crowd wants their team to win. Crowd(s) here are very passionate about the game. They understand it and obviously they will give their full throttle support to Indian team.
What gives the hope to the home fans is that since last five years , the two sides have faced each other nine times both, winning four matches each while one was a draw.” Since 2013 , we have played well against them recently. We have also beaten them, drew against them at the Champions Trophy.” said captain Manpreet.
The quarter final between the two teams is expected to be a fast attacking encounter with both the teams heavily relying on their goal scoring abilities. They have scored heavily in the poll stages. the Dutch have pumped in 18 goals and conceded five. While India has scored 12 goals and conceded three, .
“This will be not the first time. We have played in front of big crows in pool games and in the past as well. We are used to playing in front of big crowds,” Netherlands coach Max Caldas said.
“We always try to play in our own pace, whether it is fast or slow. We like to dictate. We are not concerned about India because we can’t influence what India will do.”
Netherlands skipper Bakker added: “The Indian team also has lot of pressure. They need to perform in front of their home crowd. So I feel the pressure is more on the Indian team than us.”
The Indians will be relying on its strikers – Mandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Akashdeep Singh – to deliver.
The Dutch have in their ranks captain Billy Bakker, Seve van Ass, Jeroen Hertzberger, Mirco Pruijser, Robbert Kemperman, Thiery Brinkman. They have a solid midfield and their strike force is lethal. and it will be a real test for the Indian defence ..