Hockey World Cup 2018 | With a bit of luck, India should make it to the semi-finals, says Ric Charlesworth
As the state of Odisha gears up to host the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup, former Australian player and coach Ric Charlesworth backed the home team to make the semis if luck is on their side. Charlesworth added that the Aussies will once again be the favourites to win the prestigious tournament.
The Indian senior hockey team ended up with the silver medal at this year’s FIH Champions Trophy in
The FIH Hockey World Cup is scheduled to begin next Wednesday in Bhubaneswar and former Australian player Ric Charlesworth has backed the Indians to make the semi-finals if luck favours them in the coming weeks.
"I think over a period of time, coaches like Jose Brasa, Michael Nobbs, Terry Walsh and Roelant Oltmans have played their part and contributed to the development of Indian hockey. Harendra, himself, is a capable coach and has vast experience. He has led the team well and the boys are responding to his methods.
"India, I believe, were a bit complacent in the semi-final of the Asian Games which they lost. But they won the Asian Champions Trophy subsequently, so that was a good recovery. My expectation is that with a bit of luck, they can hope to at least enter the semifinal. If they win two of their three league games, they will enter the quarters, and then with the backing of the home supporters, they would fancy making inroads in the knockout games as well," Charlesworth told TOI sources.
Charlesworth, who was the chief coach when Australia won the tournament in The Hague in 2014, once again placed his money on the Aussies to lift the trophy and defend their title successfully.Â
"Australia
Apart from Australia, the other favourites to lift the trophy are the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and underdogs - India. Unlike previous editions when two of the top teams in each pool would clash in the semifinals, this time there are 16 teams in contention with provision for the last-eight clashes.
"The format provides more opportunities for upsets. I think the number of games will add to match days, but overall I think it's pretty interesting. I think there will be more even contests. According to me, apart from Australia, teams like Germany, Belgium and Holland would enjoy an edge going into the competition," he concluded.