Struggling Pakistan take on India in must-win FIH World Cup clash amid complex pool scenario

AMSTELVEEN (Netherlands): Pakistan take on traditional rivals India in a must-win pool match of the FIH World Cup in Amstelveen on Wednesday,

While India only need to play out a draw in today’s pool ‘D’ game to advance to the next stage, only a victory at the Wagener Hockey Stadium for the Abu Bakr Mahmood-captained Green-shirts will propel them to the next stage of the global event.

However, the scenario in pool ‘D’ is trickier than it seems with Wales also in contention for the next stage.

England, already assured of a place in the top-eight stage after winning their opening two matches, lead pool ‘D’ with six points.

India have three points after beating Wales 3-1, while Pakistan have one point from a 3-3 draw against Wales. Wales also have one point after two matches.

Pakistan have so far conceded seven goals against four they scored.

Wales need Pakistan to beat India, and must themselves defeat England to claim the second spot from pool ‘D’.

If Wales manage to beat England, the goal difference could become decisive. Wales have scored four goals and conceded six so far, while Pakistan have scored four and conceded seven.

The England-Wales match will be played before the clash between India and Pakistan.

If Wales defeat England, Pakistan will be required to beat India, who have scored five goals and conceded as many so far, by a specific margin to overtake Wales.

This World Cup carries a different top-eight format according to which two leading teams from each of the four initial pools advance to a league stage.

The qualifiers from pool ‘D’ will join the top two teams from pool ‘A’.

Teams that have already met in the preliminary pool stage will not play each other again in the next phase, but their earlier result will be carried forward.

‘AVOID CONCEDING EARLY PENALTY CORNERS’

Meanwhile, Pakistan legend Samiullah Khan urged his team to build a compact defence and avoid conceding penalty corners in the opening quarter of their vital World Cup clash against India.

“I would advise Pakistan captain to keep a compact defence and not concede any penalty corners to India in the first quarter,” Samiullah, Pakistan’s current chief selector, told Press Trust of India.

“My suggestion to the midfielders is to advance towards the goal instead of passing backwards. The forwards will have to score through diagonal and interchange passes,” he said.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist believes Pakistan’s largely young side can handle the pressure of the contest.

“They recently played India in the Pro League and gave a tough fight. Each of these players has played more than 50 matches. They know how important this match is,” Samiullah insisted.

Earlier on Tuesday, New Zealand beat Japan 2-0 in the pool ‘A’ match before Australia edged Spain 1-0 in the pool ‘D’ fixture. Late on Monday, Germany beat Belgium 1-0 in pool ‘B’.