s2h team

Host India faces New Zealand test today in the cross over in Bhubaneswar in their quest for a place in the coveted World Cup quarterfinal. While another sell out crowd is expected, will it help India improve its show is a moot point. India topped its pool and made it to the quarters four years ago in the last edition. That it achieved despite having top contender Belgium in its pool was hailed. However, this time India struggled with goals, failing to score any against England and then could not go beyond a brace against Spain in the opener. When forced to score a big against Wales it expectedly failed. On the other hand, scoring five goals each against Wales and Spain, England topped the pool after managing to draw strong India goalless.

In the last edition, three of the four semifinalists came through cross over. Therefore, nothing wrong in playing the cross over. However, given the history of India’s poor show against equal or less ranked teams, tomorrow’s encounter against New Zeland will be looked with usual dose of skepticism and anxiety.

New Zealand here did not show anything that can be construed as dangerous to the hosts. The Kiwis struggled against both Malaysia and Netherlands, having beaten only Chile (3-1).

India-New Zealand at World Cup

Played: 6

Ind won : 3

NZ won : 2

Drawn : 1

Ind goals: 8

NZ goals: 7

Last WC meet: 2002, 9-10th position, Ind lost 1-2.