Hockey World League semis: India face Great Britain for third spot
The Indian men’s hockey team will meet Great Britain in the 3rd/4th place playoff at Hokey World League (HWL) semis. The Britishers are ranked 5th in the world, 4 places above the Indian team.
The Indians were thrashed 4-0 by the Belgians in the semi-final of the HWL while Great Britain were beaten 3-1 by the Aussies in the other semi-final, leaving both the teams to play for the Bronze place finish.
India have bitter memories of playing against Great Britain as it was them who prevented India from qualifying for the 2008 Olympics, which was the first time in the country’s history. However, this time around, India have already qualified for the 2016 Olympics and their opponents have not.
Squad
India
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Harjot Singh
Defenders: Manpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Jasjit Singh Kular, Gurmail Singh
Halfbacks (Midfielders): Gurbaj Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh(C), Chinglensana Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Devindar Walmiki, Rupinder Pal Singh
Forwards: SV Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Yuvraj Walmiki, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Satbir Singh
Great Britain
Goalkeepers: George Pinner, James Bailey
Defenders: Henry Weir, Michael Hoare, Tim Whiteman, Iain Lewers, Dan Fox
Halfbacks (midfielders): Ashley Jackson, Harry Martin, Adam Dixon, Barry Middleton(C), David Condon, Nick Catlin, David Ames
Forwards: Alastair Brogdon, Sam Ward, Mark Gleghorne, Chris Griffiths
Key Players
PR Sreejesh
The Indian team custodian has been in some good form between the posts in the previous matches. He has been the prime reason for India’s success in this campaign and will be tested again against this experienced British side.
The goalkeeper needs his reflexes to be top notch to give the Indian side a podium finish in the HWL.
Devindar Walmiki
The 23-year-old midfielder is making his debut in the Indian colours at the tournament. Devindar Walmiki was called into the squad late on after an injury crisis to the national side. He has been absolutely sensational in the tournament and even scored on his debut.
Devindar was the only person who could hold his head high after the demolition by the Aussies earlier in the tournament. He has scored 2 goals in the tournament and provides an engine in midfield which allows captain Sardar Singh time and space on the ball. His involvement will be key in the 3rd place play-off
Barry Middleton
The skipper of the Great Britain side is the most experienced player in their squad with 349 caps to his name. His presence in the midfield is really important to the team and the Indians would like keep him quiet and marked in this clash for the bronze place.
The 31-year old has scored 96 goals for his national side so far.
Alastair Brogdon
He is the leading goal scorer for Great Britain in this campaign with 3 goals to his name. The forward has represented his nation in 122 matches and has 18 goals to his name.
The men in blue will not like him to get that space in the circle as he is extremely prolific inside the opponent’s circle.
Recent Head to Head
The Britishers have an upper hand if we consider the last two times they met the Indians in major tournaments (2-0).
Most recently, the Europeans won 2-1 in the 2014 Robobank Hockey World Cup against India. Before that, early in 2014, the two sides met in HWL finals, where Great Britain cruised to 2-0 victory.
The two sides didn’t meet in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and in the 2014 Champions Trophy, despite both taking the part in the tournaments.
Form Guide
India: L-W-L-D-W
Great Britain: L-W-W-W-D
Prediction
Great Britain is 4 places above Paul van Ass’s India in world rankings and with a bad history against the British, India would need to do something special to get that elusive win against Great Britain. However, India, apart from the match against Belgium, have been in good touch and with a massive Indian support from the crowd, I think they would just edge out the Europeans.
I am going for: India 2-1 Great Britain
The match will be telecast LIVE on Star Sports at 19:00 IST.