Thursday, January 16, 2014

Why India’s classification game against Germany holds so much significance?


There is usually not much at stake for teams when it comes to classification matches, but India’s classification game against Germany on Friday for the placings 5th-8th will have a lot riding on it. The Blueshirts will be ‘extra motivated’ to come up trumps against the world number one, who were startlingly ousted in the quarterfinal stage by third ranked Netherlands.

The pools for the 2014 World Cup to be held in The Haque, the Netherlands in May-June this year, will be decided based on the FIH world rankings – which are likely to change given the string of upsets in the FIH World Hockey League Final tourney.

India are currently ranked 10th in the world and could move up a notch or two if they can manage to finish in the top-6. Of course, they have to clear the German hurdle first and have to put it across the winner of the Belgium-Argentina tie.

A fifth place is the best India can achieve, while it can end up with wooden spoon if fails to get past Germany or lose their final classification game against either Belgium or Argentina.


What one is trying to emphasize is that a climb in the rankings could see India get a favorable pool in the 2014 World Cup, which can go a long way in easing their path in the knockout stage.

India will know well that they nearly pulled off a win against Germany had not for captain’s Sardar Singh’s defensive bloomer, which allowed the Olympic champions to escape with a 3-3 draw. India’s 3-3 draw against Germany is one of the best results against them in recent times.

Argentina, who stunned Belgium and the Netherlands in the league phase, is all set to move up from their 11th spot. Even Germany’s quarterfinal exit and Australia going the distance could also see a change in the world number spot.

Even England look good to move up from their fourth spot given their unbeaten streak in the FIH World Hockey League Final tourney. The Netherlands also could back themselves to win the tourney and seal the second spot.

Surely, the FIH world rankings order will see a change once the FIH World Hockey League Final tourney gets over as the pools for the 2014 World Cup will be based on that. It may be significant to point out that Germany by virtue of being world number one will earn the right to be in Pool A, which can of course change if Australia corners glory and take the top spot.







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