India Pakistan encounters have been elixir of field hockey, if not excellence and essence of it. It was such an excellence and essence of the sport we all love — which was the till the 60 — that each of their encounter evoked glamour and fire in equal measures. In their halcycon days, their matches were copybook cases for every nuance and the artistic values for which the sport stood for. Thereafter, they languished in the middle of the global order, leaving no mark on the neo-powers and neo-regions whose number and strength grew faster.

Yet, the neighbour countries’ encounters were remarkably different in every tournament, both teams lifting their game to unbelievable levels, presenting in the process a ray of hope, albeit momentarily, for the victory starved countrymen.

The theatre of Champions Trophy was no exception. Both teams set the turf on flame whenever they happened to meet, which is going to be case tomorrow in the second semifinal.

More so against the manner both teams rose from ashes like phoenix to be in a stage of envy, where they are now. Having lost all the three matches in the pool, Pakistan stunned their perennial tormentor Holland in the quarters while India came to form a bit earlier.

Since India and Pakistan have progressed at the cost of World No.2 team Netherlands, their meet tomorrow stocks exciting stuff, stokes fire in the minds of fans. Expectations have been aroused. Increasing media strength here in Bhubaneswar, never ending serpentine Qs at the ticket counters mirror the excitement.

India and Pakistan are not playing for the last two positions, as was the case in recent cases, even not for Bronze like previous edition or in the early 2000s.
They are fighting for a place in the final.

This is an unexpected development in Bhubaneswar even the most optimistic soul would not have predicted even couple of days ago.

The truth is stranger than fiction and it is here.

India, historically speaking, is seeking to take revenge. When India hosted the Champions Trophy for the first time in 1996, it met Pakistan in its last pool matches. India just needed a draw to advance to the final to engage Roelant Oltmans’ Netherlands in the Final.

The scores were levelled 1-1 at half time, but Pakistan overcame the big vocal crowd to post a winning goal and ending the Indian dreams.

Now, its time for India to even the status.

For Pakistan its often pride and proud moment to finish above their traditional rivals on their own soils. Be it traditional Test Series, World Cup, Asian Games and name any tournament that India hosted, Pakistan finished above India in most cases.

Secondly, Pakistan have an axe to grind. Its India that snatched their Rio dreams via shoot out in Incheon Asian Games. It’s a double delight for India while huge setback for cash-starved Pakistan.

Where on earth such an opportunity a nation gets so quickly in the same calendar year to revenge as is the case with Pakistan.
Both India and Pakistan here have reasonably silenced their critics. What is left now is that eagerness to go that extra mile. Both want to improve their position at the cost of other, and herein lies the sweet stage of tomorrow.

Like many Netherlanders have said, Pakistan defence has tremendously improved. Imran Mohammad stands out here with a lion-heart, getting enough support from Ifran. Midfield, where Rashid is bundle of energy, functions well, though more on defensive side. The form of young Imran Butt, younger brother of right winger Rehan Butt, under the cage has seen vast improvement. His agility will be put to test tomorrow. Forwards were a bit wayward but Kashif, Waqs and Umar Bhutta made marks so far. Sometimes they combine beautifully, with amazing speed in their legs.

India on the other hand is a well settled unit. Gurnjinder for once is noticeable in game for all good reasons. Raghu, bit slow makes up with uncanny ball control and power with which he packs it. Rupinderpal is a bit tentative, but he will be impregnable against Pakistan. India’s strength of course is goalie Sreejesh who usually reserves his best for this arch rival.

India just need to be cautious inside their own D. Pakistan will be eyeing for penalty corners, that is one department of them which is threatening now every rival. Pakistan got three penalty the quarters, and converted all of them despite having Jaap Stockmann under the cage!

Its actually penalty corners, getting them and converting, will make or make for both teams.

Indian midfield is stronger compared to Pakistan’s but it is to be waited and seen whether Indians will maintain their composure or will go for the kill all the 60 minutes. Whatever India achieved so far are due to the fact that they are no more an emotional side, but a mature one with focus on ball control and rotation rather than trying to be aggressive all the times.

Nikkin is Indian asset, matching Shan Ali of the rival side. Pakistan relies on long passes to penetrate D. India did the same mistake against Argentina and paid for it.

If India can play the way they did in Incheon finals, a boring brand of field play, but far more effective than gallery oriented attack-attack style.

The encounter of former giants, now the finalist of the Asian Games, is much looked upon by the entire sporting fraternity of India and hockey world.

India has more pressure than Pakistan, who seemed to have achieved far more than expected of them, to win tomorrow. And there going to be a full house, mad house.

This is one kind of pressure hardly do past Indian teams withstand.
Sardar is a seasoned man, a biggie in the business of hockey, he need to control not only ball movement but also nerves of his boys.

If this will be done, the job will be done.