India clash with Ireland in third round of World League

With their eyes firmly set on next years World Cup,a new-look India will start as overwhelming favourites against minnows Ireland

With their eyes firmly set on next years World Cup,a new-look India will start as overwhelming favourites against minnows Ireland in their opening match of the mens competition of the FIH World League Round 3,here on Thursday.

However,it wont be easy for the Indians as they have been grouped alongside mighty Netherlands and New Zealand apart from Ireland in Pool B of the World League Round 3,which is a qualifying tournament for next years World Cup in Hague. Pool A consists of Australia,Spain,Belgium and Germany. Currently ranked 11th in the world,eight-time Olympic champions India enjoy an upper hand over 15th ranked Ireland,who will start the game as underdogs in the event to be held from June 13-23.

The Indian team for the World League Round 3 is a fine combination of youth and experience with senior drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and forward Shivendra Singh making their comeback into the national squad. Sandeep,who was left out of the Indian squad for the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 held here earlier this year,returned to the national side along with Shivendra,who last played for India in last years London Olympics.

Sandeep,incidentally,was a part of the Indian squad that went to The Netherlands in April for an invitational tour. Star mid-fielder Sardar Singh will lead the 18-member Indian team,while drag-flicker V R Raghunath has been named his deputy.

Injury worry

However,India will miss the services of midfielder Danish Mujtaba and Gurvinder Singh Chandi,both of whom have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. While Gurvinder continues to be on the sidelines because of a prolonged ankle injury,Danish is suffering from a ligament tear. A winning start against Ireland will be a big boost for the Indians as they will take on hosts,The Netherlands in their next game on Saturday,followed by their last Pool B game against New Zealand on June 17.

Women play NZ

Meanwhile,the Indian women will also feature in the World League Round 3 where they have been clubbed along side Germany,New Zealand and Belgium. Rated as underdogs in a tough Pool B,the Indian womens team led by Ritu Rani will open the campaign against New Zealand on Thursday,followed by games against Belgium on Friday and Germany on Sunday.

The other competing nation in the women’s event are hosts Netherlands,Korea,Japan and Chile.