Hockey Word Cup: India take on ‘innovative’ New Zealand for berth in quarters | Hockey News – Times of India
BHUBANESWAR: A goal down and barely five minutes into their pool match against the Netherlands in Rourkela earlier in the week, New Zealand left the spectators dumbfounded, swapping the goal -keeper for an extra player.
The innovation proved suicidal as the Black Sticks eventually lost the match 0-4. But Nic Woods and his men have come to India with a bag of tricks which they are unafraid of unveiling at crucial junctures. “We are trying to bring some innovation to the game and that’s just one piece of it,” remarked Woods.
Concurring with the skipper, head coach Greg Nicol too said the team would not shy away from experimenting against the hosts. “We certainly will (use innovations) if we have to. If we think we need to influence the game, whether it’s in the fourth quarter or the first, we know we have got some things that we can do.”
This could prove to be a double-edged sword for Harmanpreet Singh & co, when the two sides meet in a contest at the Kalinga stadium here on Sunday night to decide who will take on defending champions Belgium in the quarterfinal.
New Zealand haven’t had a great run in the competition with their only win coming against Chile. They lost to Netherlands and Malaysia to finish third in Group C. Their woes have been akin to that of India – the inability to convert opportunities into goals.
The last time the two teams met was in November last year in the FIH Pro League matches at the same venue. India got past New Zealand 7-4 and 4-3 in the two-match fixture, but not be -fore the Kiwis gave them a run for the points. New Zealand — ranked 12th in the world and six rungs below India — are unperturbed despite the underdogs tag. They will look to wear down India with early pressure, a tactic which bore them initial success in the Pro League.
Indian chief coach Graham Reid pointed towards a strong defensive show from the home team.
“We played them earlier (in the Pro League) and we scored a lot. Back then, we were trying to work out our best six (in defence). We have tightened up our de -fence since then. I’m looking forward to a strong defensive performance,” said the Australian.
MANDEEP INJURY SCARE
India, who had a closed-door session on match eve, had to endure a scare after key man Mandeep Singh limped off the pitch after taking a hit on the knee. Asked about the impact of the hit, a visibly annoyed Reid remarked, “It was supposed to be a closed practice.” With Hardik ruled out of the tournament, India can ill-afford another injury.
India, who took a break from training on Fri -day, had two sessions on Saturday with focus on their current grey area — penalty corner con -version and shootouts. India will also take some confidence from statistics from the previous edition where finalists Netherlands and Belgium had taken the crossover route to the title clash. One fact which will work in India’s favour is their 12th man — the roaring home crowd who the New Zealanders are wary of.
The innovation proved suicidal as the Black Sticks eventually lost the match 0-4. But Nic Woods and his men have come to India with a bag of tricks which they are unafraid of unveiling at crucial junctures. “We are trying to bring some innovation to the game and that’s just one piece of it,” remarked Woods.
Concurring with the skipper, head coach Greg Nicol too said the team would not shy away from experimenting against the hosts. “We certainly will (use innovations) if we have to. If we think we need to influence the game, whether it’s in the fourth quarter or the first, we know we have got some things that we can do.”
This could prove to be a double-edged sword for Harmanpreet Singh & co, when the two sides meet in a contest at the Kalinga stadium here on Sunday night to decide who will take on defending champions Belgium in the quarterfinal.
New Zealand haven’t had a great run in the competition with their only win coming against Chile. They lost to Netherlands and Malaysia to finish third in Group C. Their woes have been akin to that of India – the inability to convert opportunities into goals.
The last time the two teams met was in November last year in the FIH Pro League matches at the same venue. India got past New Zealand 7-4 and 4-3 in the two-match fixture, but not be -fore the Kiwis gave them a run for the points. New Zealand — ranked 12th in the world and six rungs below India — are unperturbed despite the underdogs tag. They will look to wear down India with early pressure, a tactic which bore them initial success in the Pro League.
Indian chief coach Graham Reid pointed towards a strong defensive show from the home team.
“We played them earlier (in the Pro League) and we scored a lot. Back then, we were trying to work out our best six (in defence). We have tightened up our de -fence since then. I’m looking forward to a strong defensive performance,” said the Australian.
MANDEEP INJURY SCARE
India, who had a closed-door session on match eve, had to endure a scare after key man Mandeep Singh limped off the pitch after taking a hit on the knee. Asked about the impact of the hit, a visibly annoyed Reid remarked, “It was supposed to be a closed practice.” With Hardik ruled out of the tournament, India can ill-afford another injury.
India, who took a break from training on Fri -day, had two sessions on Saturday with focus on their current grey area — penalty corner con -version and shootouts. India will also take some confidence from statistics from the previous edition where finalists Netherlands and Belgium had taken the crossover route to the title clash. One fact which will work in India’s favour is their 12th man — the roaring home crowd who the New Zealanders are wary of.
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