The Indian males’s hockey crew would look to financial institution on expertise and favorable dwelling situations when it takes on a new-look Germany with an intention to consolidate their lead on the prime of the FIH Pro League standings.
India are presently on prime with 21 factors from 10 video games, 4 away from second-placed Germany, who’ve garnered 17 factors from eight matches. But going into the primary of the double-leg tie on the Kalinga Stadium right here, the Indians would clearly begin as favorites in sultry situations towards a German crew that includes of 12 rookies in its roster.
With a half a dozen out of its 22-member squad making their senior debuts throughout the two matches on April 14 and 15, the guests throughout these matches have determined to check children forward of subsequent 12 months’s World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.
The different motive behind Germany’s choice to subject a younger facet is the unavailability of a few of their common participant, who’re busy with membership matches again dwelling. And it augurs effectively for the Indians, who’re coming into the tie with a little bit of confidence, having defeated Netherlands 2-1 after which shedding 1-3 towards the identical opponents within the shoot-out throughout the return leg at dwelling.
These two matches are the truth is India’s final dwelling video games within the Pro League earlier than they hit the street for away video games. And the Amit Rohidas-led facet would positively look to log out their dwelling marketing campaign with an all-win report towards a less-formidable German facet.
India vice-captain and star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, nonetheless, cautioned his teammates towards taking the Germans frivolously.
“The thing with youngsters is that they will work hard to prove themselves,” mentioned Harmanpreet on the pre-match press convention.
“Our focus is to ensure we enhance as a crew and never fear about who’s coming. “When it is skilled opponents, we all know what they do, what their strengths are, however we nonetheless cannot take gamers now we have by no means confronted or seen earlier than frivolously. But anyway, we usually understand how Germany fares and their fashion of play.”
Germany head coach Andre Henning admitted that dealing with the climate could be their largest activity within the upcoming matches as they’re coming from sub-zero temperature in comparison with the acute humid situations of Bhubaneswar.
“Our major focus right here is studying and growing. This might be the youngest German (nationwide) crew there has ever been. It’s extra of a future-based crew right here, as we’re trying to create a squad maintaining the 2028 Olympics in thoughts. But actually, I do not know what degree we’re at, he mentioned.
Henning, nonetheless, mentioned he will not be shocked if his gamers exceed the crew’s expectations within the upcoming two video games. “When we asked the players (about playing the tie), everyone was excited, thankful and grateful. We don’t know yet if it’s going to work,” he mentioned.
“It can shock us. We’re undecided how we will play. We should get as a lot and as shut as doable. That’s the problem. But I’m completely happy.”
The second recreation of the tie between the 2 sides will probably be performed on Friday.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
