Hockey World Cup Day 5 preview: Australia face Belgium in mouth-watering clash

The Australian hockey team

Group A action returns in the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 after two days of rest with three exciting games. Malaysia and England start the day’s proceedings followed by what promises to be an epic encounter between Australia and Belgium.

MALAYSIA VS ENGLAND

After two successive defeats virtually ending their World Cup campaign, Malaysia will look to salvage some pride when they face World No. 4 England in the first game of the day on Day 5.

Malaysia, placed at the bottom in group A, started the last game on a bright note before Belgium’s Tom Boon single-handedly destroyed the whole Malaysian defence. They will once again look to start brightly with right winger Ismail Abu playing a key role in their attack. Malaysia will also be looking to their goalkeeper Kumar Subramaniam to hold one end up; despite being good on the field, he has conceded 10 goals in two games.

England on the other hand have problems of their own after they just managed to beat India in the last minute of the game. Another concern for the team is the shoulder injury to star midfielder and penalty corner expert Ashley Jackson which has affected his and the team’s performance. If that was not enough, the form of the strikers is also a worry; the team has just managed to score three goals in the tournament so far. Against Malaysia, England’s goalkeeper George Pinner will have a huge responsibility in preventing the Malaysian penalty corner expert from scoring.

England will be under huge pressure in the game as they know that only a win will keep them in the hunt for the semi-finals of the tournament.

AUSTRALIA VS BELGIUM

In what could possibly be match of the tournament, Australia will play Belgium in the top of the table clash tomorrow. Both Australia and Belgium are in great form and have played attacking and attractive hockey in the tournament. Australia would particularly be pumped up as they would like to take revenge after losing the World Hockey League Round 3 finals against Belgium last year.

Rob Hammond, who has had a great tournament so far, will play a key role in the Kookaburras’ midfield. Also, all eyes will be on the most experienced campaigner Jamie Dwyer who looks back in form after having had a quiet 2013. Penalty Corner experts Kieron Govers and Chris Ciriello will also have to bring out their best as the Australians have not been successful in this department.

Their opponents Belgium are on a roll after hitting Malaysia for a six and would be looking for a repeat of their performance in the Hockey World League. Tom Boon, who scored four goals against Malaysia, will have to share the major burden of attacking the Australian defence along with Tanguy Cosyns and John-John Dohmen.

Australians are known to hate losing and they will come out all guns blazing when the teams meet tomorrow. The game is expected to run close and it will be criminal to miss this mouth watering clash.

INDIA vs SPAIN

The last game of the day will see 8th ranked India take on world number 10 Spain with both teams eyeing their first win of the tournament.

India, who have had a disappointing campaign so far, will be looking to tame their last minute demons. Barring Captain Sardara Singh, Gurbaj Singh and goalkeeper P Sreejesh, no other player has justified his spot in the team so the rest of the squad will be looking to redeem themsleves against Spain. Another major worry for the Indian team is the lack of penalty corners and conversions despite having two world class PC experts in Rupinder Pal and Raghunath. The team’s forward line also needs to start clicking as their performance has been below par in the tournament.

The Spaniards have played decent hockey in phases during the tournament but they have nothing credible to show for in terms of results. Just like India, Spain have been found wanting in every department of the game, be it attack or defence. The team’s major responsibility will have to be taken up by captain and penalty corner expert Santi Frexia along with David Alegre. The rest of the team will have to start helping these two if they want to get results in the tournament.

Once a top 5 team, Spain has fallen many steps down and the game against India is the right time to start stepping up the ladder.

Surprisingly, India will enter the game with a slight advantage; if they manage to hold off their last minute demons, they seem likely to win the game.