Far removed from the glamour, glitz and crores which dominate the sporting discourse in our country, is the hockey world. It is a world dotted with players who don’t get millions to represent their country, nor do they have fancy jobs or get huge salaries, which would make their future safe and secure, reports Pradeep Magazine.
For the third year in succession, the Hockey World Cup will witness a final between Germany and Australia, which goes to show how seriously these two nations have adapted to this speedy and skillful game and how superior they both are, in terms of individual skills and strategic play, writes Dhanraj Pillai.
The Indian team management and players will be quite satisfied with their position as they go into the match against Argentina for the 7th-8th position in the World Cup. Whatever the result, it will be much better than our 11th place finish in the last World Cup, writes Dhanraj Pillai.
Europe is the superpower of world hockey today. They have proved themselves in the ongoing World Cup, with three of the four semifinalists — Germany, England and The Netherlands — coming from the continent. Australia is the fourth side, Dhanraj Pillai writes.
For the first time in a hockey World Cup, as far as my knowledge goes, one has had to wait till the last league matches of a pool to identify the toppers and qualifiers. Dhanraj Pillai comments.
The situation in Pool B is interestingly poised, with the last round of league matches on Monday to decide the topper in the group. The battle is between Australia and England, both facing tricky opposition. Dhanraj Pillai comments.
I am really upset with the way Korea went down to New Zealand. Their loss is a big blow to Asian hockey as it virtually ends the possibility of a team from this continent making it to the last four, says Dhanraj Pillai.
Film star Priyanka Chopra’s clarion call — “
phir dil do hockey ko (give your heart to hockey again)” — is inspiring thousands in Delhi to pack the National Stadium and root for the Indian team in the on-going World Cup, writes
Pradeep Magazine.
The loss to Spain must have dashed the hopes of Indian fans, but our team has an opportunity to salvage their reputation when they take on England. Dhanraj Pillai writes.
This was one of the most disappointing performances by the Indian team in the World Cup and, with this display they have virtually put an end to their chances of qualifying for the last-four stage. Dhanraj Pillai writes.
Spain’s style of play is more open and will not have the tight man-to-man marking of the Aussies, which should give our players room to parade their skills. Dhanraj Pillai writes.
The Hockey World Cup rekindles a faded passion. If the thrill lasts beyond a few nights, India’s lost sport could rise again, writes Samar Halarnkar.
It was not surprising that India stood exposed during their 2-5 rout against Australia in the men's Hockey World Cup Tuesday night.
It was Chak de India after a long gap of 28 years — at the same Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium where the hosts had suffered their worst-ever defeat against Pakistan, reports B Shrikant.
The second day of the Hero Honda World Cup should throw up an interesting bunch of matches, with the draw of the day being the second match, between defending champions Germany and Asian giants South Korea. Germany have been building their team for the last two years and have come with a side of young players, writtes
Dhanraj Pillai.