“Its time India is among the medals” is what Indian Coach Roelant Oltmans said after his team exceeded the expectations and showcased a spectacular show in the quarters on Thursday.

Nothing can be aptly said than the above words.
Teams here show sluggishness after initial phase. Two European outfits, who shone in the pool stage, did not measure upto the next task.

Netherlands was not their usual self despite bringing their best side. They were a shade below their known aggressiveness especially inside the circle. There was hardly anything to prove their reigning champion status. Great Britain, another side to top the pool, too caved in in the classification match.
Argentina which has just a weapon in Gonzalo Peillat made them to struggle, and finished fifth.

Only European outfit left in the fray for top spot now is Belgium and the only Asian in the HWL line up, India, will take on them today.

Unlike India, which has its coach for over two years, Belgium had imported its coach just a month away. Shane McLeonad is Man Friday for the Belgium, which has shown downhill trend under dutch coach has the onerous task of make over.

Belgium is a neo power in field hockey world. It has come about after a decade long rebuilding process.

Barring a freak late 90s’ 4-7 defeat with India’s Harchanran Singh in the coaching mantle, they hardly posed a threat to Indians.

Joaquim Carvalho’s India in 2007 thrashed them in the Chennai Series.

But then they were not having the likes of Tom Boons.

Belgium has defeated India on almost in all FIH tournaments.

Not just the defeats but the manner in which it did is what caused worry in the Indian circles.

Indians were unable to contain their sharp shooters with result it was 4-goal margin defeat all the time.

India narrowed the margin in the last World Cup opener but they came back strongly in the HWL Semifinals at their home. 0-4 drubbing for India.

Now the giants meet the rising India, but at their home. The big crowd that helped India to psyche out young Great Britain stand up to them and measure upto them, provided they repeat the aggressive form they adopted against the British the other day.

The lesson for India’s heart warming GB victory was coach’s willingness to field the youngsters in the first quarters.

Be it Chinglensana Singh, Amir Khan, Talwinder Singh or Kothajit Singh, they all raised their game and measured up to the confidence the coach reposed on them.

Thursday Success was a result of team game.

None can single out single player for GB rout in the quarters; and it is what is required. Its not individual talents, however spectator worthy it is, which is going to give India a win today.

Team effort will deliver.

India for once seemed to have given up short passes and too much of back passing but started to split the rival defence with long scoops and hits. The kind of feats that Devinder Walmiki sent to Kothajit which ultimately Talwinder Singh capitalized.

India often crowd out to defend, but today it should spread out to tire their tormentors. Unforced errors from India has drastically come down as the tournament grew. This is a good sign.

Mental make up, willingness to go for outright goals is showing up.

The key for today’s match is positive approach, use of full bench strength and attitude.
Can India count today

I think India will count today.