Still hopes alive for India for WC berth, and how

India is yet to score a win in four matches at Rotterdam, still if the purpose of going there is to qualify for the next year’s world cup, there is hope for India to realise the objective.

After getting smashed by Australia 5-1 — really a respectable score — today in the quarterfinal, India is pushed to second rung, that is to play for 5-8th position. India will meet France first and then if it wins — which is a surety — it will be just a match away from qualifying for the The Haque.

Because, three teams are to qualify for the next World Cup from Rotterdam. This is in addition to Hosts of The Hague WC, and other continental champions.

This way Netherlands automatically qualifies for the WC being the hosts and then either Australia / New Zealand will be Oceania Champions. Thus, two out of four semifinalists having booked or will book with time, other teams to make it to Hague will be next three. Thus, Belgium has booked and the fifth placed team will also do the same, though the picture will be clear only after Oceania tournament will be staged.

Therefore, India has to be careful, forget the last week, and look afresh for the task on hand. Defeating France and then either Spain or Ireland should not be a problem for India, even what their form so far at Rotterdam is any indication.

India struck an equalizer four minutes from the hooter to effect a draw against Ireland, which is tired side now after the QF rout, and then had a decent second half performance against Netherlands which could not score in that spell, and then the worst spell was its inability to keep the 3-2 lead for four more minutes (again another 66th mins goal), but for that a win was surely with India.

Yes, performance is rusty, but if you forget the score and look on the performance, there is lot of improvement, the way India backpassed, and held the ball in many spells against mighty Australia gives hope it will do better in the second stage of the tournament.

India should here finish fifth, and then look for Asia Cup win. So, the last word on the WC berth is yet to come.