On Friday, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur stated that the newfound spirit and self-belief will do wonders for the hosts of the marquee tournament and that he is confident that India will finish on the podium at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup next month.
From January 13 to 29, 2018, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela will jointly host the World Cup.
India is completely prepared and prepared to take on all 15 other teams. I think India is prepared to win the world championship once more. After presenting the Indian team with the World Cup trophy, Thakur told reporters, “I am sure the way the Indian team is preparing, with the new spirit and self-belief, we are going to do extremely well in the World Cup and in the Paris Olympics.”
“India will have the competition in the most ideal way and I have full confidence that like the 1975 World Cup, our Indian group will do all that could be within reach to win the 2023 World Cup so the new age recollects the accomplishment.”
India are one of the favorites to win the Olympic gold medal, according to Zafar Iqbal, a member of the team that won it in 1980.
“There is no doubt that we have reached the upper level now. We are strong enough to take on Germany, Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which are formidable nations. The top four to five teams are equally strong. India has left an imprint in the Olympics by winning the bronze decoration. Iqbal stated to PTI that India has the potential to win the trophy.
The former center forward for India added: Yes, I am certain and certain that India has a chance of placing second. We have very good short corner specialists and field goal scorers, so if the players play together and believe they can do it, they will win.
According to Ajitpal Singh, captain of the team that won the World Cup in 1975, there are no clear favorites for the tournament.
India stands a good chance, but they must perform exceptionally well. There are areas of strength for exceptionally in the competition and I hope everything works out for the Indian side all. They must put forth their best effort.”
Ashok Kumar, his teammate, stated that India has momentum and appears to be very solid at the moment.
“So why not? India will undoubtedly rank among the top three. They are moving quickly. The immense experience of winning an Olympic medal has strengthened the Indian team spirit.
Punishment corner transformation has been India’s perpetual issue and it was on full presentation in the competition up to this point.
India had nine penalty corners against Japan in their penultimate pool match, but they didn’t use one of them.
All five of India’s goals in the first two pool games came from field goals; however, against South Africa, vice-captain Deep Grace and Gurjit scored from penalty corners.
Chief coach Schopman should be relieved by this, but she would be concerned about her forwardline’s lack of initiative.
The eight-team tournament is significant for India because it introduces a promotion-relegation system, in which the winners advance to the 2023–24 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League, a crucial event prior to the Asian Games and the Paris Olympics in 2024.