A game that requires more understanding than passion, that includes more fouls than can be counted and that has a corner (penalty) given, sometimes, in such football games, it is difficult to follow even for the scholars of his students go back. It is also the same game that manages to move the crowd just by kicking the ball player under his stick with the goal in front of him. Hockey, even in the last phase of its existence, managed to arouse interest in one of its former powers, India. Now, with the Olympic bronze medal and hopes rising, the sport has more fans and hopes than the World Cup coming to the land of magician Dhyanchand.

The World Cup of Hockey is here, it begins with four matches on its opening day, Friday, January 13, while the opening ceremony opens on Wednesday January 11, 2023. The match involving the hosts India will take place at 7 pm according to Indian Standard Time. They will face Spain at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha.

Security is a key issue for India

 In the recent Pro Hockey matches and Australia's five-match Test tour, India managed to give the lead by conceding several penalty corners. In both the matches against Spain, India gave away the smaller sides in the last 15 minutes and gave them a goal.

The defense of Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Varun Kumar needs to be sharper if the hosts are to take the lead against their Spanish opponents in the World Cup opener. The most important thing is that they should be aware of their shoes and their backs, because these are the places from which corners are often received.

The front line is a real hope

The Indian forward line has experience in the form of Mandeep Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and youngsters in the form of Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek. They showed skill and earned the right to score. Abhishek presented it in League of Legends. Mandeep and Lalit have proved that over the years.

The real game would be played in the midfield

However, the real test of offense will be in the midfield as the Spaniards are very good there. Reyne Marc is one of the best field goal players so India should be careful about him.

The likes of former captain Manpreet Singh, Nilkanata Sharma and Hardik Singh should not only win the ball but also play it forward in the direction of Mandeep, Abhishek and Sukhjeet to knock India off the mark. Counter-attacks will be very important for both sides.

India vs Spain
Group D
Time- 07:00 pm IST
Venue: Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela
Tournament- FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023
Broadcast and Live Streaming- Star Sports and Disney Plus Hotstar

India FIH World Cup Squad
Abhishek, Surender Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Lalit Upadhyay, Krishan Pathak, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, PR Sreejesh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Amit Rohidas (vice-captain), Vivek Sagar Prasad and Sukhjeet Singh.

Spain FIH World Cup Squad
Andreas Rafi, Alejandro Alonso, Cesar Curiel, Xavi Gispert, Borja Lacalle, Álvaro Iglesias, Ignacio Rodríguez, Enrique Gonzalez, Gerard Clapes, Andreas Rafi, Jordi Bonastre, Joaquin Menini, Mario Garin, Marc Reyne, Marc Miralles, Pepe Cunill, Marc Recasens, Pau Cunill and Marc Vizcaino.