An unbeaten India will seek to address their penalty-corner woes to post a big win against bottom-placed debutants Wales in their final pool match and qualify directly for the quarter-finals of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup on Thursday. India and England are on four points each after two matches with the latter ahead on goal difference — plus five as against the hosts’ plus three. India, though, will have the advantage of knowing what to do before their match as they play after England’s game against Spain on Thursday.
If England loses or draws against Spain, there will be no headache for India as they just need to beat Wales by any margin to top Pool D — considered the group of death — and qualify directly for the quarter-finals.
If England beat Spain, then India will need to defeat Wales by at least five goals. The number of goals India needs to score will keep on increasing depending on England’s victory margin.
If India finishes second in Pool D, they will play the third-place team in Pool C, which could be either New Zealand or Malaysia in the ‘crossover’ round.
India had beaten Spain 2-0 before drawing England 0-0, both matches played at the new Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela. They are going to play at the Kalinga Stadium for the first time in this World Cup.
Read more: https://sports.ndtv.com/hockey-world-cup-2023/india-seek-big-win-against-wales-to-qualify-directly-for-world-cup-quarter-finals-3701990
