Men's Hockey World Cup 2023: Five takeaways from India's performance in pool stage

The Men in Blue will play New Zealand in the crossovers on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.

India defeated Wales (4-2) at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 in the final Pool D fixture. England topped the pool by the virtue of a higher goal difference with India finishing second. The Men in Blue will now take on New Zealand in the crossovers for a place in the quarter-finals.

India had to defeat Wales by an eight-goal margin to directly qualify for the quarter-finals, but the pressure couldn't be handled well by the hosts. In this article let us discuss the five takeaways after the end of the group stage.

1. Lack of finishing skills

India possesses a combination of youth and experience in the attacking third. After the end of the group stages in (Pool C and Pool D) India has the second most circle penetrations with 82 but have scored only six goals in the three games.

Since the first game, finishing skill has been an issue that was quite evident against Wales in the first half. Apart from circle entries, India are also in the top five for shots at goal with 37 but the conversion rate as discussed is the concern.

2. Defensive prowess

In the first three pool games, India have conceded only two goals and have maintained a clean sheet in the first two games. Before the start of the World Cup, defence was a concern but the players stood out and played with good intensity. India currently tops the Interceptions list (40) and the number of blocks (56). In particular, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, and Neelam have done a good job. 

3. Suspension 

India have accumulated a total of four cards (3G and 1Y) all of them in the first two matches. Abhishek Singh sat out for ten minutes in the final quarter against Spain and against England two players were issued green cards in the final quarter.

In the past, we have seen matches turning upside down in the final phases and India needs to be disciplined going forward. The hosts will play the crossover against New Zealand which is a knockout game so the players need to be careful. 

4. Harmanpreet Singh's lack of goals from penalty corners

Harmanpreet Singh India’s captain has scored only one goal in 12 penalty corners across three games. Also, the only goal he scored off a PC was when the goalkeeper was substituted by Wales as they wanted to play with 11 on-field players.

Apart from Harmanpreet Singh, India does not have a reliable penalty corner specialist which has been a talking point for the past few days. The captain hasn't been able to show variations. Goalkeepers are quick to read his game by going in the right direction.

5. Akashdeep Singh - Mandeep Singh combo

Mandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh are two active top scorers for India at the Hockey World Cup 2023 and have vast experience with this being their third World Cup. Mandeep Singh is known for his creative skills deceiving the defenders and earning penalty corners.

Akashdeep Singh, on the other hand, did not have a good start to the mega event but came back strongly against Wales scoring two goals and also claiming the man of the match trophy. If both perform together as they did against Wales then the attacking third will be a threat to the opposition.