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After securing a historic bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, India have now set their sights on a first podium finish in 48 years when they open their FIH Men's Hockey World Cup campaign against Spain in Bhubaneswar on Friday. A medal in this showpiece will strengthen the claim that the former giants of the game with eight Olympic gold have turned the corner in world hockey.
The side won a bronze in the inaugural tournament in 1971 and clinched a silver in the next edition in 1973. Ajit Pal Singh led the side to a title triumph in 1975 but since then they have failed to reach the semifinals of the competition.
In the last edition in 2018, India ended their poor form to finally qualify for the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1978. The side are definitely a medal contender with a talented bunch of players led by Harmanpreet Singh.
Currently ranked sixth in the world, India come into the tournament after an impressive show against the world number one side Australia in an away five-match series though they lost 1-4. Graham Reid's side matched the favourites Australians in most departments of the game, notching their first win in six years against their formidable opponents.
In the previous edition, also held in Bhubaneswar, India were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage after losing to the eventual runners-up, the Netherlands. This time around, their aim will definitely be to reach at least the semifinals. India have also done well in the FIH Hockey Pro League, finishing third in the 2021-22 season.
India will hope to begin with a win, as that result can help them finish on top of Pool D for a direct quarterfinal berth and avoid playing the crossover matches (meant for second and third-place teams of each of the four pools). Qualifying for the quarterfinals through cross-over matches could lead to facing stronger teams in the last-eight stage, like defending champions Belgium.
FIH Player of the Year Harmanpreet is considered one of the best drag flickers in the game. He will be key to India's success while goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, midfield ace Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh, and striker Mandeep Singh, are all capable of bringing about game-changing moments.
Spain cannot be discounted, however. The European side, ranked eighth in the world, will remain the same on Friday, though they are one of the youngest teams in the tournament. The La Roja are always a tricky side to face as they can beat any team on their day. They finished runners-up in 1971 and 1998 while taking the bronze medal in 2006.
Coached by former Argentine international Max Caldas and captained by their most experienced player Alvaro Iglesias, the Spanish team had the upper hand in the ongoing Pro League season matches in Bhubaneswar in October-November last year. They won the first match 3-2 while India took the second into penalty shootouts after the two sides were held 2-2.
Head-to-head
Historically there is not much difference between the two sides on a head-to-head basis India have won 13 of the 30 matches they have played against each other since 1948 (when India won 2-0 in the London Olympics). Spain have won 11 times while six matches were drawn affairs.
The tournament opener will be played at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar — which will become the first venue to host back-to-back World Cups — between Argentina and South Africa in Pool A.
FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 Squads
India Squad Hockey World Cup 2023
Abhishek, Surender Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Lalit Upadhyay, Krishan Pathak, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, PR Sreejesh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Amit Rohidas (vice-captain), Vivek Sagar Prasad and Sukhjeet Singh.
Spain Squad Hockey World Cup 2023
Andreas Rafi, Alejandro Alonso, Cesar Curiel, Xavi Gispert, Borja Lacalle, Álvaro Iglesias, Ignacio Rodríguez, Enrique Gonzalez, Gerard Clapes, Andreas Rafi, Jordi Bonastre, Joaquin Menini, Mario Garin, Marc Reyne, Marc Miralles, Pepe Cunill, Marc Recasens, Pau Cunill and Marc Vizcaino.
