The other IndiaPakistan clash
Asian hockey powers too will showcase the two nations’ sports rivalry
Will Sunday’s India-Pakistan contest in the FIH Hockey World League Semi-Final match the hype and anticipation associated with the Champions Trophy final between the two countries at The Oval, a few miles away? Probably for the first time in their history, the neighbours face each other in two popular sports in the same city on the same day, and a comparison seems apt.
Rarely have there been dull moments in the field when the two have clashed and hockey fans eagerly await some good individual skills in a hard-fought encounter. Usually played in front of big crowds comprising members of the diaspora, these are livewire affairs with the excitement at times brimming over and things turning ugly.
DIP IN STANDARD
However, Sunday’s clash at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park may not live up to the memorable contests of yore because of the falling standard of hockey in Pakistan.
While the ICC Champions Trophy final is projected as a needle contest after Pakistan lost badly in the opening game, the Green Brigade in hockey is currently shell-shocked following a 0-6 walloping by Canada. Pakistan lost their opener 0-4 to Netherlands while India beat Scotland 4-1.
Pakistan’s hockey has been in the doldrums in the last few years due to lack of government support and competitive matches with teams reluctant to visit the country due to security fears.
While Pakistan have slipped in the FIH rankings and languish at 13th, India have risen and are now sixth. They have had some good results too, claiming silver in the 2016 Champions Trophy, winning gold in the Asian Champions Trophy (2016) and bronze in the 2015 HWL Final.
India also have a settled squad while Pakistan are in the build-up phase for the next year’s World Cup after missing the Rio Games. They recently toured Australia and New Zealand and had a couple of good results. But that seems to have had little impact going by the results in London.
Both teams are known to punch above their weight facing each other. So, expect a good contest. But India will be the favourites despite the absence of some senior players.