New Delhi, 14 Jan 2014: The Hero Hockey World League Final which put on show some classic hockey games along with a couple of fast and power-packed games, has reached the midway stage. Though the quality of hockey is of high standard, the lack of advertisement in the capital city virtually led to empty galleries and if one discounts the security personnel among the crowds, even India matches were not attracting gates. When India dished out superb hockey on Monday night to shake Olympic champions Germany, there were hardly 500 spectators who purchased tickets. The figures were not immediately available from the organizers but the empty stands spoke for themselves.
The pool stage produced 12 matches, two draws, 57 goals and 74 penalty corners, two penalty strokes and two same-side goals. There were two high-scoring games among the three matches where no team could convert any of the short corners earned. Which means that the result was decided solely on field goals. England is the only team which remained unbeaten in the pool stage. Belgium’s place at the bottom of the Pool B does not justify the game it played as it lost two matches narrowly and have the potential to upset the apple-cart of England in the first quarterfinal tie on Jan 15.
Belgium had a elaborate practice session today where the chief coach Marc Lammers pepped up the team, which worked out specific plans keeping in view the England’s game. Apart from the goalkeeper’s training, the team had a vigorous work-out for over two hours.
The second quarterfinal match will feature two giants, the Olympic champions Germany and the Netherlands in a repeat of the London Olympics final. Germans have given an impression till now that they were not were keen on the outcome of the result in this tournament and all efforts are preparations for the World Cup and that they were just coming out of the off-season. But a careful consideration of the points at stake from this inaugural FIH Grade One tournament cannot be missed. Apart from the valuable ranking points, any German lethargy is out of question as they will lose their number one ranking if they finish third or below third and the Kookaburras win the championship. Similar permutations and combinations need to be addressed. The rankings are crucial at this stage as the pools for World Cup are decided based on the rankings after the HHW League Final.
Currently Germany are holding No.1 rank in the world hockey followed by Australia, who were training by 157 points. A victory in the league here will give 400 rankings points to the team.
The other two last-eight matches will pit Argentina against New Zealand and India against world champs Australia. In fact, India who are playing in the tournament by virtue of being hosts are lucky as they would gain 220 points even if they finish last. India currently have 1425 points behind eighth-placed Spain and ninth-ranked Pakistan, both of whom have 1490 points. So India may rise above these strong teams after the League provided the two countries do not gain points from other tournaments before World Cup. Likewise both Argentina (1419) and New Zealand (1583) too have a good chance to improve their ranking.
So there is a lot at stake in the quarterfinals tomorrow, and any upset will cost the teams dear in terms of ranking points. A win tomorrow will provide a top-four finish and watch-out for Belgium and New Zealand; And yes… India too!! As unpredictable and dangerous as ever, on their day.
ends