Sports Desk :
Hosts India face record four times World Champions and three times Champions Cup holders Pakistan in the semifinal of the Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament at Bhubaneshaw on Saturday.
Both the sides will be desperate to sail into the final after so many years of duck. The match also provides India an opportunity to avenge their defeat in the hands of Pakistan in the bronze medal match in the last edition of the elite eight-nation tournament held at Melbourne in 2012.
But going by present form and record, India definitely will enjoy an upper-hand over their neighbours. India had been in great form and would definitely take heart from their win over Pakistan in the summit clash of the Incheon Asian Games, which also gave Sardar Singh and Co a direct entry to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In the Asian Games final, the Indians depended on a penalty shoot-out, but come Saturday they want to score a direct win, which will not be easy.
India and Pakistan have a long history of hockey rivalry. The two nations have a record of facing each other in the first six Asian games finals. They have played in seven finals against each other out of which Pakistan has won six and India has won just one.
Both nations have played each other from 1956 to 1964 in three successive Olympic Hockey finals. India won gold twice while Pakistan won once.
The hosts definitely have looked a better team than Pakistan in the tournament so far. India produced an inspired performance and came back from two goals down to stun world number four Belgium 4-2 in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
India showed tremendous fighting spirit to upstage two higher ranked teams — the Netherlands and Belgium — in their last two matches, especially after their dismal outing in the opening two encounters.
India will be playing in front of home crowds with the players are very well aware that a defeat can jeopardise all their good showing. India’s High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans understandably is not taking any chances and expects a tough encounter against Pakistan on Saturday.
“I didn’t expect Pakistan to beat Holland. They were very impressive. They fought for every square centimetre of the pitch,” Oltmans said.
“We have played them so many times so the players are experienced and know how to handle their emotions.”
Hosts India face record four times World Champions and three times Champions Cup holders Pakistan in the semifinal of the Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament at Bhubaneshaw on Saturday.
Both the sides will be desperate to sail into the final after so many years of duck. The match also provides India an opportunity to avenge their defeat in the hands of Pakistan in the bronze medal match in the last edition of the elite eight-nation tournament held at Melbourne in 2012.
But going by present form and record, India definitely will enjoy an upper-hand over their neighbours. India had been in great form and would definitely take heart from their win over Pakistan in the summit clash of the Incheon Asian Games, which also gave Sardar Singh and Co a direct entry to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In the Asian Games final, the Indians depended on a penalty shoot-out, but come Saturday they want to score a direct win, which will not be easy.
India and Pakistan have a long history of hockey rivalry. The two nations have a record of facing each other in the first six Asian games finals. They have played in seven finals against each other out of which Pakistan has won six and India has won just one.
Both nations have played each other from 1956 to 1964 in three successive Olympic Hockey finals. India won gold twice while Pakistan won once.
The hosts definitely have looked a better team than Pakistan in the tournament so far. India produced an inspired performance and came back from two goals down to stun world number four Belgium 4-2 in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
India showed tremendous fighting spirit to upstage two higher ranked teams — the Netherlands and Belgium — in their last two matches, especially after their dismal outing in the opening two encounters.
India will be playing in front of home crowds with the players are very well aware that a defeat can jeopardise all their good showing. India’s High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans understandably is not taking any chances and expects a tough encounter against Pakistan on Saturday.
“I didn’t expect Pakistan to beat Holland. They were very impressive. They fought for every square centimetre of the pitch,” Oltmans said.
“We have played them so many times so the players are experienced and know how to handle their emotions.”
