Amstelveen, India will face its biggest test when they takes on co-hosts and reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands in the World Cup second round opener here on Saturday, aware that there is virtually no room for error in their bid to reach the semifinals.
On the other hand the Dutch team won all three matches convincingly, defeating New Zealand 5-1, Argentina 3-1 and Japan 4-1. The 10,000-capacity venue is expected to be full of Dutch supporters, who have turned up in huge numbers throughout the tournament. They defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in the final FIH Pro League match in Rotterdam in June, after losing the opening game by the same margin.
Since India have already lost to England, they will not face them again in this phase, but England carry three points forward, making victories in India’s remaining matches all the more important. A sea of orange in the stands, constant chanting and passionate backing for the home side could make the setting intimidating for India. Under the new format, the top two teams from Pools D and A form Pool E, with the top two advancing to the semifinals. The Netherlands also carried three points in the second round having defeated the Argentina in the first round. Jugraj Singh, Abhishek and Rajinder Singh scored in that victory, and all three are part of the Indian World Cup squad. The Indian captain, though, knows that the team must tighten up defensively if it is to go deep into the competition. “India is a dangerous team as we have played against them in the FIH Pro League.
On their day they can beat any team and their captain Harmanpreet Singh looks in top form,” the Netherlands captain Thierry Brinkman said after defeating Japan in the last group match.
