Now or never for Indian hockey team

New Delhi: It has been a journey downhill in World Cup for India since their triumph in 1975. With the tournament coming home, Jose Brasa’s boys can hope to retrieve past glory with a strong showing in New Delhi. But first, they need to beat arch-rivals Pakistan tonight.

The oft-friendly, oft-frosty relations between India and Pakistan have often had a bearing at the way sports encounters between the arch-rivals are perceived.

Lately, it has been the other way round too, what with the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) unintended snub leading the leadership across the border to take up cudgels on behalf of their cricketers. That, and the failed secretary-level peace talks have added a sharper edge to the FIH Hero Honda World Cup group ‘B’ tie at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.

Players from both teams can feel that extra nudge from countrymen to give it their all against the neighbours, even though they would like everyone to believe that it is just another match.

“Both teams have a similar style of play. It is going to be an interesting match, with the team showing better ability to handle pressure likely to be the winners,” felt Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan, who has several fond memories of India, particularly the venue. Shahid Ali was a member of the squad that drubbed India 7-1 in the 1982 Asian Games here.

“The first match is always important and this one is of significance because it will have a bearing on which team advances from the group,” added Shahid Ali. His Indian counterpart Jose Brasa felt the team should concentrate on playing a good full match rather than getting overenthusiastic and losing steam midway. “We should not see Pakistan as an enemy but rather just another team. Doing well in the tournament is more important than beating Pakistan,” said Brasa..

Against Pakistan, India will have to look out for experienced penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas, who has figured in four World Cups and has the confidence of over 300 international goals, apart from striker Rehan Butt, who has the knack of doing well against India.

It may not be an easy time for Adrian D’Souza, who has been shaping well.

“Adrian has been doing well. At the end of the day, you have to think about what you have rather than what you don’t,” said skipper Rajpal Singh.

India, who won their only World Cup in 1975 but have had several low finishes, have their best chance in home conditions to redeem some of the lost prestige for the game. A win against Pakistan would certainly help.