Harpal Singh Bedi / Bhubaneswar
Three -time winners and defending champions Australia are looking to become the first team to win the World cup thrice in a row.
The Aussies first won the Cup in 1986 and then had to wait for 24 -years to regain 
it in Delhi in 2010 and retained it in 2014.
The Australians however are playing it down saying that they are here to play without taking any pressure to defend the title.
Talking to media persons at the Kalinga Stadium, venue for the World Cup, Australian team’s co-captain Aran Zalewski said “ We have got 9 or 10 guys making their debut at a World Cup. We are not taking any pressure to defend that title but looking at it as a challenge.
Asked about the format of this World Cup, Aran said “ I am not pleased or displeased with the format…we know that the potential to play knockout games is how the tournament runs. It’s as expected. It gives a lot of teams a good chance to play the knockouts, makes it very unpredictable and exciting. This World Cup is quite an open competition.
To query about the concept of having two captains, Aran said ‘So far it has worked “Before myself and Eddie (the other captain) took over the job we had Mark Knowles and he was quite a strong leader. We are not only great friends, but we have different strengths that we bring to the team.
Team coach Colin Batch opined that his team was not underestimating their rivals as each team has potential to create upset in the 14th edition of the competition.
Asked about Ireland, with whom Australia play their first match, the coach said “They (Ireland) are a threat. Any team can cause an upset here. Ireland is one of those teams we haven’t played them since early this year. So we are not underestimating them. We need to take care of our own performance. They will be very competitive and difficult opponent for us.”
Batch said though “ We have a proud hockey history and we are three time World Cup champions. But still everyone is equal at the moment. “
He refused to speculate about the ultimate winner saying “You saw at the women’s WC where it was so unpredictable as lot of fancied teams got knocked out in the crossovers and then the quarters. From the FIH point of view and the world of hockey, it (the format) is very exciting.
Asked about India, Batch said “ I think they have improved so much. We played them in the Champions Trophy (Final). I think that was the best team for a while.
The Australian coach was of the view that India will play well here before the home crowd “Again the best teams will play consistently right through the tournament. They play their best in the critical moments so that they continue in the tournament.
“There will be pressure on India for sure, but they have a good team. I think everyone in world hockey respects them enormously.