India and Pakistan will renew one of hockey’s biggest rivalries when they meet in the Hockey World Cup on Wednesday. But this is more than just another group-stage game.
With India’s place in the next round at stake, there is plenty riding on the contest.
Here are five reasons why hockey fans should not miss the India-Pakistan clash.
1. It is India vs Pakistan
The rivalry may not have the same frequency or global attention it once enjoyed, but an India-Pakistan hockey match still carries a different weight. The two teams have faced each other 183 times, with Pakistan holding the overall advantage, according to The Hockey Museum. India, however, have had the upper hand since the turn of the century, winning 41 of their meetings compared with Pakistan’s 38.
2. India’s World Cup campaign is on the line
This is not just about bragging rights. India’s 2-4 defeat to England has put them under pressure in Pool D. A win against Pakistan would put India in a strong position to progress to the next stage, while a defeat could bring their World Cup campaign to an early end. That makes the contest much more important than a routine group-stage fixture.
3. A rivalry with a World Cup history
India and Pakistan have met five times at the Hockey World Cup, with India winning three and Pakistan two. Their most famous World Cup meeting came in the 1975 final, when India beat Pakistan 2-1 to win their only men’s World Cup title. The two sides also met in the 1971, 1973 and 1986 editions, adding another layer of history to Wednesday’s contest.
4. Pakistan have everything to play for
Pakistan’s position makes this an even more dangerous contest for India. The four-time champions lost their opening match to England and now need a result against India to keep their campaign alive. Pakistan captain Abu Bakar Mahmood has also insisted that rankings will not matter when the two rivals meet. With elimination looming, Pakistan are likely to approach the game with nothing to lose.
5. Expect a high-pressure battle
India have the more recent momentum in this rivalry, but Pakistan’s history and the pressure of the World Cup make this difficult to predict. The match will also be played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, with the contest scheduled for 6:30 pm IST. Indian viewers can watch the match on the Star Sports network and stream it on JioHotstar.
For a sport that has often been overshadowed by cricket when it comes to India-Pakistan contests, Wednesday’s game is a chance to see one of the oldest rivalries in Indian sport take centre stage again.