BHUBANESWAR: The day after India's goal-less draw with England at the Hockey World Cup in Rourkela, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh tweeted: "Be on your toes, this is not going to be easy anymore."The word 'easy' had a lot of context.
The draw against England was thrilling, but both teams had just a point to show for it.
No goals.
Hardik Singh's injury made India more jittery about a top-place finish in Pool D for a direct spot in the last-eight.
And England had their noses slightly in front with a better goal difference, thanks to their 5-0 hammering of Wales.Spain are not out yet either.
They lost 0-2 to India but came back to wallop Wales 5-1 and covered some of the lost ground in the race to the quarterfinals.Hockey World Cup: India seek big win vs Wales to qualify directly for quarter-finalsThankfully for the home team, Hardik's injury hasn't turned out to be a hamstring tear that the team management feared, and he walked around the training ground, but didn't train after India shifted base from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar.Hardik's recovery was good news, but his availability for the match against Wales has 'ruled out' written all over it.
The Indian team hasn't asked for a replacement yet, but is also not showing their cards just yet."The prognosis did not look good for Hardik at that time (after the match against England).
The MRI was much better than what we had hoped and gives us a bit of hope for him to be playing again in this tournament," said coach Graham Reid on Wednesday ahead of India's practice.Hockey World Cup: Team is focused and confident of topping the pool, says Manpreet Singh ahead of Wales clashThe team's training session on Wednesday had a bit more chirpiness and energy about it, led by usual suspects, former captains and serial pranksters Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh.An animated slow clap from Srjeesh after he was defeated in a one-on-one shootout had the team in splits.
And the tone of his tweet on Thursday morning also became positive."Last league round match vs Wales.
All set to go," Sreejesh's tweet read.It's going to be a 17 vs 18 game, as India will have Hardik on the bench.
But Reid was not ready to reveal that, possibly a mind game with the opponents on the eve of the match."Watch this space tomorrow," the India coach said when asked if the team will play with a man short in the squad of 18.
The team's headache also revolves around the penalty corners that the specialists have failed to convert, besides the chances missed up front against England.Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, regarded as one of the best in the business of drag-flicking, hasn't clicked in that department so far, but has been as strong as a rock in defence.
The back-up options of Jarmanpreet Singh as well as Amit Rohidas haven't made any difference either.
Rohidas scored the only penalty corner India has converted so far, but that too was off a rebound, not direct.The team's defence finds favour in the poor percentage of penalty-corner conversions so far in the tournament.
In 16 matches OVERALL, the conversion rate is barely into double digits at 11% across all teams.
And that's because Australia are converting one in four or five penalty corners they earn.
The rest of the 15 teams are way below."What we are seeing is the next generation of PC defence," said Reid on the question.
"With video analysis, you analyze a lot of things from around the corner, trying to block options...I think what happens in World Cups or big games is you end up with a team that is well drilled because everyone is together and trying to work around, everyone has best runners."Without Hardik, India will be missing the cog that held all the spokes together in the first two matches.
It puts an added responsibility on playmaker Manpreet, who had a poor game against Spain but came back to life versus England, shepherding the midfield play much better and doubling as an attacking option more than he usually does.
Clearly a move to fill up what Hardik does so consistently and so well.Debutants Wales are out of the quarterfinals race with two defeats, but when a team has nothing to lose, it can become more dangerous, especially in what is their last chance to become party poopers.India will be wary of that and the math that comes their way.
The hosts are fortunate to be playing the last match of the pool.
England play Spain on Jan 19 as well, the result of which will make clear what the home team needs to do to pip the others to the top and avoid the anxiety of crossovers.All to play for.