K. ARUMUGAM

India and England have started their campaign in style, the former overcame the young Spain with a decent 2-0 score while the latter outplaying the World Cup debutants Wales 5-0. With win against each other  India  and England will take on each other today at the marvelous Birsa Munda International hockey facility.  Most likely the winner of tomorrow’s clash of the Pool D will top the pool and thus avoid the cruelling cross over. However, both teams did not acquit themselves if the finer details of their first encounter is any indication.

England did outplay their neighbours yesterday. However, their weakness in the crucial department of penalty corner conversion turned out to be run of the mill stuff. At the same time the Indians too are not faring anything better. Just a solitary goal – off a rebound opportunistic strike by Amit Rohidas notwithstanding, out of five penalty corners would not inspire any team especially the one that is expected to break the semifinal jinx.

For India, its captain Harmanpreet Singh should lead by example, early goals may do wonders, need to be precise, essential to avoid unforced errors.

Indian team had a long training session today at the second turf. With capacity crowd assured, the team that manages the mind will succeed. Young Spain has proved their mettle by overcoming the full-throat stands. Will England too have the same tenacity is the moot point. The crowd may work wonders with India, which is fast becoming a cliche. It may boomerang for the host than the visitors, who are ranked a few steps below India in the FIH ranking.

India-Eng in numbers

Grass Era: Both did not meet in the first two editions of the World Cup. When met for the first time in 1975, India came out triumphant (2-1). It was a 1-1 draw at 1978, where Indian fortunes on the forum started its declining phase. On home soils when India staged its first of four World Cups in 1981-82, India kept up the winning tradition (4-2).

Turf Era: Both again did not meet in the first two editions held on turf. When met in 1994 at Sydney, India beat England by a solitary goal in the 5th to 6th position play off. That was the last time India tasted win over their traditional fore. Both met four times subsequently. England came out successful all the times, of course the winning margin being the narrowest.

The details

IND-ENG tmrw: Their World Cup Stat.

Played: 8

Ind won: 3

Draw: 1 Ind Goals: 15

Eng goals: 15 (Same Nos for and against)

Ind’s lone win on turf came in 1994 (1-0). Other 2 wins on grass.