India to feature in Hockey World League final as host nation

FILE PHOTO: India will get good exposure in the Hockey World League final where it will be participating as the host nation

The Indian men’s hockey team failed to secure a direct berth in the 2014 World Cup, and is banking on the likes of Australia or New Zealand to clinch the October-November Oceania Cup so that they seal their passage to the marquee event as one of the reserve teams.

Hockey buffs across the country know that India will be making it to the 2014 World Cup, to be held in the Kyocera Stadium in the Hague, the Netherlands next May-June as Australia or New Zealand are heavily tipped to win the Oceania Cup.

Fittingly, India will have some top-class hockey preparation when they rub shoulders with the who’s who of world hockey – Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, Argentina in the FIH Hockey World League final to be played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (earlier known as National Stadium) in New Delhi from January 10 to 18.

The Blueshirts made it to the FIH Hockey World League final by virtue of being the host nation. Belgium, Australia and The Netherlands qualified from the Hockey World League semifinals held in Rotterdam.

Germany, Argentina and England have qualified from the second Hockey World League semifinals held in Johor Bahru.

New Zealand are the eight team to have qualified by virtue of being the highest ranked of the two fourth place finishers from Rotterdam and Johor.

It is significant to mention that the national team does not have any international engagements after the third Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, which will be held in Japan from November 2 to 10.

The FIH Hockey World League final will be a huge opportunity to assess the national team’s improvement in recent times when they are up against the world’s best. The event will give a fair idea of where India stands at the world level and will also be an ideal preparation for the 2014 World Cup.

The flurry of injuries to Indian players in recent times have been a big concern for all and sundry. Hopefully, the likes Gurvinder Singh Chandi, SV Sunil, Danish Mujtaba and Akashdeep Singh will be fit as a fiddle and India will be able to field a full-strength side in the FIH Hockey World League final in front of their home fans.

A solid showing in the FIH Hockey World League final will be near-perfection preparation for the 2014 World Cup.