Hockey World League Final: Hosts India Face Australia in Opener of HWL2017

 

After becoming champions in all three Asian tournaments, India will aim to make a mark on the global stage when they host the third and final edition of the Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar, starting 1 December.

India will open their campaign against world champions and title holders Australia in Pool B, on the first day of the tournament.

Barring a few occasional losses, India have been ruling the roost in the continent, the most recent among the triumphs being the Asia Cup crown in Dhaka earlier this year.

But once a giant of the game with as many eight Olympic gold medals, India will be striving to ensure that they are seen as more than a regional bigwig.



Against World No 2 Australia, India have had limited success in recent times. India have lost to the Kookaburras in the Champions Trophy, Azlan Shah and Commonwealth Games in the last few years.

And it would be a Herculean task to upstage the mighty Australians in the opening game of the eight-nation tournament featuring all the top teams of the world.

The HWL Final, in fact, will be the first real test for India's new chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, who took over just two months ago from Roelant Oltmans.

Marijne might have tasted success in his first assignment – the Asia Cup – but the HWL Final will be a completely different ballgame for him.

"We'll do everything to win every match. Hope India supports us," says coach Sjoerd Marijne ahead of India's opening Hockey World League match against Australia on 1 December. @TheHockeyIndia @TheQuint pic.twitter.com/icbQwgdxxc

— Shreeda Aggarwal (@ShreedaAggarwal) December 1, 2017

Since taking charge, Marijne hasn't made any major change to the playing style or strategy of the team.

Instead, the only new thing or idea he has brought into the side is letting the players decide the style of hockey they want to play. He has focussed on backroom preparation, a method which has put more responsibility on the shoulders of the players.

Marijne's style of working seems to be delivering, at least going by the results of the Asia Cup, a title which India won after 10 years, beating Malaysia 2-1 in the final.

With a series of big events lined up for next year – the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Cup – Marijne would be looking at the HWL Final as an opportunity to test the strengths and weaknesses of the side.

This would also be the hosts' chance to better their bronze medal finish at the last edition of the tournament in 2015 at Raipur.

As India start their campaign in the Hockey World League Final on 1 December, captain @manpreetpawar07 is asking you to back the men in blue. @TheHockeyIndia @TheQuint pic.twitter.com/zMpWf9i8OZ

— Shreeda Aggarwal (@ShreedaAggarwal) November 30, 2017

India will be fielding a mix of youth and experience to be led by the dynamic Manpreet Singh, who has taken Sardar Singh's place in the midfield.

In Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Dipsan Tirkey, Gurjant Singh and Varun Kumar, India have some bright youngsters who excelled at the big stage in the Junior World Cup last year.

For the experienced duo of Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra, the event is an opportunity to return to the national team after being sidelined by injuries for a considerable amount of time.

Amit Rohidas is another player who will be making a comeback, riding on his fantastic outing in the 2017 Hockey India League.

India will field a mix of youth and experience to be led by the dynamic Manpreet Singh

(Photo: PTI)

Meanwhile, Australia will also be under a new coach in Colin Batch, who has done a splendid job with New Zealand in the last few years.

The Australians, known for their aggressive style, will mean business from the word go and would like to add another feather to their glorious hockey history by defending the title.

The HWL Final will be Australia's last tournament in 2017, ahead of a big year when the Kookaburras will compete in the Commonwealth Games at home and the World Cup.

As the reigning World, Champions Trophy, Oceania Cup, Hockey World League and Commonwealth Games title champions , few can dispute Australia's dominance in the game.

But after enduring a torrid time at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where a sixth-place finish was their worst since 1960 and the first time that they had failed to win a medal since 1988, Australia would be desperate to reclaim their top spot in international hockey.

India are placed in a tough Pool B which also features England and another European powerhouse Germany, while Pool A comprises Olympic champions Argentina, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.

Meanwhile, in the other game of the opening day, Germany will face England.




Source:TheQuint