Hockey World Cup: Would India regain trophy last won in 1975?

Sixteen teams, 44 matches at two venues – Rourkela and Bhubaneswar. The FIH Hockey World Cup is here! Both cities wear a festive look with roads leading to lined with graffiti which encapsulates the region. From sports like hockey, football, and archery to depictions of Odia culture including the ancient Sauras tribes and Bithichitra, the traditional painting of the tropical forests, the artwork reflects the riches of the region.Also listen: In 2023, Will India Lift Hockey WC, What Would Hardik Pandya Do As T20 Captain?Hosts India take on Spain in their campaign opener as they look to regain the trophy they last won in 1975 in Malaysia where they beat Pakistan 2-1. Since then, India’s best finish has been in 1982 at home and in Sydney in 1994, where they finished fifth.For the first time since 1982, India enter the competition as Olympic medallists having won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.Most teams will look to punch above their weight in the group stage of the World Cup and hosts India will have to ensure they are not the punching bags for teams ranked lower than them. India recently relinquished the fifth position to England and went one rung below in the FIH rankings. Others in Group D – Spain (8) and Wales (15) are ranked below the home team.Group A | Argentina, Australia, South Africa, FranceArgentina, who are all pumped up following their football team’s historic win at the World Cup in Qatar, come into the tournament full of confidence after having won the gold in the South American Games in Asunción, Paraguay in October last year. Coached by Mariano Ronconi, who took over the reins from Carlos Retegui in 2021, has a lot of experience under his belt and the team promises to go the distance in the tournament.Three-time champions and world No. 1 Australia won bronze in the last edition but they come into the tournament as one of the favourites. One of the most successful teams in the history of the game, they will be hungry to bag the coveted title after missing out on the Olympic gold in Tokyo as well.As for France, they have made giant strides in the game in recent years and will look to make it to the knockout stage.Group B | Belgium, Germany, Japan, South KoreaBelgium have won it all since 2018. Starting with the World Cup, they bagged the European title in 2019, the Olympic gold in 2021, and the FIH Pro League title as well in 2020-2021. However, their preparations for the World Cup haven’t been perfect as they went down to both Germany and Argentina in the Pro League in November last year. They have also seen their World Cup-winning captain Thomas Briels step down. But with world-class players in their squad and a coach, who has been with the team for a long time, they are in the reckoning to lift the title on January 29.Germany haven’t had much success in recent times but the world No. 4 side is not to be taken lightly. Also, with Gonzalo Pelliat joining the side following his rift with the Argentine federation they have a potent penalty corner specialist in their midst and he can turn any game on its head with his strikes from the edge of the D.Japan and South Korea are the other two teams in the group and they will have to play out of their skin to do well against the European giants.Group C | Netherlands, Chile, New Zealand, MalaysiaThe Netherlands shouldn’t have any trouble topping the group. Although they come into the tournament with an inexperienced side, they will be confident of doing well after having won the 2021-22 Pro League scoring 61 goals, just one less than India’s 62.New Zealand as always will be the dark horse and Malaysia will do their best to make it to the knockouts following their triumph at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Chile however will be the cynosure of all eyes as they will make their debut at the quadrennial event.Audio production: Anil Chauhan