Hockey World Cup 2023: England clash 'tougher' than Spain, says India head coach Graham Reid

Rourkela: England will be tougher opponents than Spain whom India outclassed 2-0 in their opening World Cup match and the home team cannot lower its guard in the second group match on Sunday, head coach Graham Reid said.

Local hero Amit Rohidas and midfielder Hardik Singh scored in India’s dominant win against Spain on Friday. A win against England, ranked fifth in the world, on Sunday will help India put one foot in the quarterfinals as they can fancy their chances of beating Wales in their final Pool D match.

India are ranked sixth in the world while Wales are 15th.

“We are up against England next and it will be tougher, they are ranked higher than us. We know how tough England are in the Commonwealth Games,” Reid said.

Last year, the two sides faced each other three times with their last match played at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, ending 4-4 in the group stage. They played out a 3-3 draw in the first leg of the Pro League match before India won 4-3 in the second, both games played in April.

“So, we will try to continue our good work (from the Spain match). We did really well defensively (against Spain), we have to continue it,” Reid added.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh agreed that England would be tough opponents and the home side will have to play their best hockey to beat them.

“We are taking it match by match. Spain is done now and our focus is on England and we are planning for that,” he said.

“Winning penalty corners is very important and we can be better in PC conversion. We are hoping we will do better in that regard,” said the drag-flicker who was not at his best in the match against Spain.

He could not find the target in the five penalty corners India got and also wasted a penalty stroke.

“Once again, we need team effort. We have to make up for those who do not do that well on a particular day.” Rohidas, who started learning his hockey from the Panposh Sports Hostel in Rourkela, said execution of team plans will be key to win matches.

“I started from the Panposh sports hostel here and playing at home is a wonderful feeling. The support from such a large crowd motivated us but once we are on the pitch we try to focus on the game,” he said.

“It is a team effort and because of the team I got the chance to score in front of the home crowd which included my family members. We are not under pressure and the key to our success will be to execute the plans of the team.” Rohidas was in the perfect place to slam the ball home past a hapless Spain goalkeeper after Harmanpreet’s drag flick rebounded from the stick of a defender. Hardik later made a solo run to score India’s second goal.

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