Pressure on Indian hockey team to make a strong start

TOKYO: Eight-time champions India open their Tokyo Olympic Games men’s hockey campaign against New Zealand at Oi Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.

On paper, it should be an easy assignment for Graham Reid’s India. India are ranked fourth in the world, New Zealand are eighth. India have a clear advantage in head-to-head too -- they have won 21 of the 41 encounters, the Black Sticks have won 15, and five have ended in draws.

But when it comes to opening matches in the Olympics, things have rarely gone by the script for India as they are prone to struggle against lower-ranked teams.

“The Indian teams usually take time to setle down and therefore the boys have to be very careful as they have a crucial match against Australia coming up next,” said Joaquim Carvalho, who represented India in the 1984 Olympics.

India are in Pool A with Australia (No 1), Argentina (7th), New Zealand (8th), Spain (9th) and hosts Japan (15th). Geting full points against all four lower-ranked teams will be vital if India are to get a good draw in the quarterfinals.

Reid’s squad is a mixture of young and experienced players and has performed well in the last five years ater it finished a dismal eighth in the Rio Olympic Games.

“New Zealand is a very good team. I have a lot of respect for the way they play, for their mentality. They are very tough and (my knowledge) that comes from having played against them and when I was associated with Australia, we had some good tussles with them, we have played a lot and so I know them well. I know how dangerous they can be. So, we will certainly be making sure that we are on our best game against them,” said Reid in pre-match comments provided by Hockey India.

Reid has a squad at his disposal that can be a handful for the top teams on their day. In skipper Manpreet Singh, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh defender Birender Lakra and forward Mandeep Singh they have a strong leadership core that can keep the emotions in check and guide the Olympics firsttimers, of which they have 10 in the squad here.