The stage is set for the 15th Men's Hockey World Cup in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar. India take on Spain in their opening match in Rourkela on Thursday - a hugely important match in the context of qualifying directly to the quarterfinals. India are placed in Pool D, which includes two other equally good teams in Spain and England and a team that has the ability to cause an upset - Wales.
Here's what to expect from India vs Spain:
India vs Spain head-to-head record
Total matches: 31
India win: 13
Spain win: 11
Draws: 7
Previous meetings
India played Spain in the ongoing season of the FIH Pro League at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. India lost the opening match 2-3 and drew the next one 2-2 in normal time, before winning the shootout thanks to the brilliance of Krishan Pathak.
"I think experience is a little bit overrated."
Spain might not be the most experienced team at the #HockeyWorldCup2023, but Indian coach Graham Reid has asked his players to beware of youth. pic.twitter.com/NM4fKV7nW4
- ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) January 12, 2023
Where the match could be decided
In their previous two matches against Spain, India were guilty of sloppy mistakes. Mistakes that could've been avoided - like yellow cards and conceding too many penalty corners. They could've won the second match in normal time, as they were leading 2-0 well into the game. However, cards shown were at crucial junctures and Spain had the advantage of playing with extra men, leading to the visitors equalizing.
India started well in both games, but allowed Spain to dominate and raise their intensity as the match progressed. Spain might not have world class goalscorers in their ranks, but they possess a young squad full of pace and quick passing. They are coached by Max Caldas, a former Netherlands head coach with plenty of experience at the international level. Watch out for Spain's Pere Amat, Marc Reyne and penalty corner specialist Marc Miralles when it comes to goals.
It might come down to who wins the midfield battle. Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh are key for India in terms of applying the press and winning the ball back. A drop in intensity and allowing Spain to dictate the game might prove to be costly. Another key midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad is returning from a serious injury, - and although he's fit now - he doesn't have the match-sharpness of his teammates due to the Pro League and the Australian Test series.
"We don't know if we'll play another World Cup at home"
Captain Harmanpreet Singh wants his team to focus on a massive opportunity to create history ���� pic.twitter.com/W3j0GPpDQ5
- ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) January 12, 2023
As always, a lot will also depend on Harmanpreet Singh. Converting penalty corners, especially in the first quarter, will put Spain's young team under pressure. Taking the lead early in the match will also see the crowd of 20,000 inside the stadium raise decibel levels. The home support could give the team immense confidence and momentum.
What they said before the match
Graham Reid on the new Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium: "I sound like an ad for the government but what's been achieved here in the last 15 months in quite incredible."
Reid on the pitch: "We are happy with the pitch, the guys are getting used to it. Not that there are any problems or issues or differences between this and Bhubaneswar. The pitch is pretty much the same."
Harmanpreet Singh on the fickle weather in Rourkela: "The weather here is quite mixed. In the starting days, it was a bit hot and we thought it would be slightly difficult. Suddenly the weather changed but we practiced accordingly. We practiced in the morning and in the evening, we also played matches against international teams."