India will take on co-hosts Netherlands in their biggest test yet in the Hockey World Cup on Saturday with no margin for errors as a loss here might irreparably damage their semifinal chances.
India will look to assert control in the middle portion of the match which has been one of their weaker aspects with the Harmanpreet Singh-led team more often than not losing control after a strong start.
India are coming into this round after defeating Pakistan and Wales but losing to England. Meanwhile, the Dutch team is undefeated in the tournament, defeating New Zealand 5-1, Argentina 3-1 and Japan 4-1 and is one of the most lethal attacking teams in the tournament.
Under the rules of the new format, since India have already lost to England, they will not face them again in this phase, but England carry three points forward, making victories in India’s remaining matches all the more important. The Netherlands also carried three points in the second round having defeated the Argentina in the first round.