FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 : India’s fate lies in the crossover between New Zealand on Sunday

Team India after failing to qualify directly to the quarter-finals of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 will face New Zealand on Sunday in order to go through to the last 8. Graham Reid’s side has played a unique style of hockey which was once in practice during the glory days of India hockey.

Their performance in the opening game saw their opponents go on alert mode due to the high press from the hosts. India did take the lead in the very first quarter through Amit Rohidas‘ conversion of a Penalty corner, followed by midfielder Hardik Singh’s sumptuous Field goal to double the lead in the 26th minute.

In the next match, a goalless draw against England meant they must try to win their last game against Wales. India needed to win big and at least by 7 or 8 nil. But while looking for the goals they ultimately lost the opportunity to bag the top spot in Pool C.

Jeet gaya bhai jeet gaya, India jeet gaya 🤩

🇮🇳 IND 4-2 WAL 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿#INDvsWAL #HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HWC2023 #HockeyWorldCup2023 #StarsBecomeLegends @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @HockeyWales pic.twitter.com/r6xv70ZjhW

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 19, 2023

Last night Akashdeep Singh scored a Brace within 13 minutes and both of them were Field Goals. Shamsher Singh and Harmanpreet Singh also joined the score sheet through their Penalty Corners.

Indian forward Akashdeep Singh speaks about the team's performance against Wales that they won 4-2. #HWC2023 #HockeyInvites #HockeyEquals @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/kJjhdIPGqq

— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) January 19, 2023

Their crossover match against the Blacksticks could be one of the real tests heading into the later stages. New Zealand have lost both of their final 2 games in the group stages so that must mean they will take inspiration from Wales and England who somewhere in their respective matches had an upper hand on India.

In the group stages India had a GD of 4 while England had the superiority with 9. India’s next task in hand are the kiwis who must be desperate to get back on winning ways and hope to upset the Blues at home.

Can India outclass the Blacksticks.