Hockey World Cup: All the pressure is on India, says coach Graham Reid | Hockey News

BHUBANESWAR: The intensity of India’s training session at Kalinga Stadium on Saturday was not to be missed. The pressure on the ball was clearly at the center of the half-court exercise. This is something that was missing in the game against Wales. But there’s no second chance from now on in the Men’s hockey world cup. A loss to India and New Zealand in Sunday’s crossover match will put them out of contention for a place in the quarter-finals.
The tournament moves to the round of 16 from January 22, starting with the four crossover matches. The top four from the pool, who went straight into the quarter-finals and are enjoying a four-day break, will sit down to watch who they face in the round of 16. India, who finished second in Pool D, will face the Black Sticks, third in Pool C.
The New Zealanders, who have only beaten Chile so far, have nothing to say in this campaign at this stage. So the pressure is squarely on India, and the coach Graham Reid did nothing.

“They (New Zealand) have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on India, and that’s true,” Reid said at the pre-match press conference here. “I also support my players to withstand the pressure… Nothing has changed from my point of view. When I came to this tournament, I said we can beat any team, and that’s still true.”
India opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Spain before being held to a draw by England. This left the home side chasing first place behind the English, who were ahead on goal difference. In the end, India were expected to beat Wales by eight goals in Pool D’s final match, but could only win 4-2 under the pressure of the scoreboard to finish second in the hen.
This followed news of the star attacking midfielder Hardik Sing was dropped from the tournament on Sunday, after his hamstring injury did not heal in time to be available for the rest of the tournament.
India replaced Hardik with a midfielder Friend of Rajkumar.
“Hardik is a good player and in very good form. But Rajkumar who replaced him is also in good form and one of the future stars,” Reid said. Disappointing for Hardik, exciting for Raj. Those who saw him against New Zealand earlier (in the Pro League) would have seen some of the things he can do. So we are confident. Difficult for Hardik but we have enough talent to compensate.”
FEAR OF INJURY FOR MANDEEP SINGH?
There might be another worry on the Indian team’s mind ahead of Sunday’s game. Forward Mandeep Singh injured his knee during training on Saturday and was helped off the field.
He spent quite a bit of time in the dugout with his legs up, assisted by the physiotherapist. Mandeep did not participate in the training session again after that.
Coach Reid chose not to comment on it during the press conference.