London: Bruised from their shock ouster, an inconsistent India will look for solace when they take on Pakistan in a 5th to 8th place classification match of the Hockey World League Semi-Final here on Saturday.
India, ranked sixth in the world, crashed out of the podium race with a 2-3 loss to 14th ranked Malaysia in the quarter-final.
The loss, their second in two months to the same side, will be hard to digest for Roelant Oltmans’ men who have been trying hard to regain their place in the elite league of world hockey.
The loss didn’t make any difference to India’s participation in this year’s Hockey World League Final and next World Cup as being the hosts they are already assured of a place in the two events. Both events are to held in Bhubaneswar.
Even though India hold an edge over Pakistan having thrashed them 7-1 in the pool stages here, a tussle between the two nations can be unpredictable.
Just like the pool match, emotions will run high on both sides and come Saturday, Pakistan will be desperate for revenge.
The defeat against Malaysia still fresh in their minds, it remains to be seen how India regroup.
A loss would be disastrous for Indian hockey, which has seen an upward trend over the last few years.
A defeat on Saturday will definitely raise question marks over the team’s and chief coach Oltmans’ progress over the years.
