Hockey World Cup: All the pressure is on India, says coach Graham Reid | Hockey News – Times of India

BHUBANESWAR: The intensity in India’s practice session at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday was unmissable. Pressure on the ball was clearly central to the half-pitch drill. It’s something that went missing in the match against Wales. But there’s no second chance from hereon in the Men’s Hockey World Cup. A defeat for India and New Zealand in the crossover match on Sunday will put them out of contention for a place in the quarterfinals.
The tournament moves to the knockout rounds from January 22, starting with the four crossover matches. The four pool toppers, who have entered directly to the quarterfinals and are enjoying a four-day break, will sit down to watch who they face in the last-eight stage. India, who finished second in Pool D, will take on the Black Sticks, who were third in Pool C.
The New Zealanders, who have only beaten debutants Chile so far, have had nothing to write home about in this campaign at this stage. The pressure, thus, is squarely on India, and coach Graham Reid made no bones about it.

“They (New Zealand) have got nothing to lose. All the pressure is on India, and that’s true,” said Reid at the pre-match press conference here. “I also back my players to stand up under pressure…Nothing has changed from my point of view. When I first came to this tournament, I said we can beat any team, and that’s still true.”
India opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Spain before being held to a goalless draw by England. That left the home team chasing the top spot behind the Englishmen, who were ahead on goal difference. As it panned out, India needed to beat Wales by eight clear goals in the last Pool D match but could only win 4-2 amid scoreboard pressure to finish second in the pool.
That followed the news of star attacking midfielder Hardik Singh being ruled out of the tournament on Sunday, after his hamstring injury failed to heal in time to be available for the rest of the tournament.
India replaced Hardik with midifielder Rajkumar Pal.
“Hardik is a good player and in very good form. But Rajkumar, who has replaced him, is also in good form and one of the future stars,” said Reid. Disappointing for Hardik, exciting for Raj. Those who watched him against New Zealand earlier (in the Pro League) would have seen some of the stuff he can do. So we are confident. Difficult for Hardik but we have enough talent to compensate.”
INJURY SCARE FOR MANDEEP SINGH?
There could be another bit of worry on the Indian team’s mind before the match on Sunday. Striker Mandeep Singh injured his knee during training on Saturday and was helped off the field.
He spent a fair bit of time in the dugout with his legs up, attended by the physiotherapist. Mandeep didn’t take any further part in the training session after that.
Coach Reid chose not to comment on it during the press conference.