Hopes of medal in hockey

N0w the line-up for the quarter-final matches of men’s hockey has been announced. As expected India plays Belgium while the Netherlands take on Australia. Defending champions Germany take on Newzealand and Spain plays Argentina. Though Belgium played some good hockey but its defeat at hands of Newzealand (1–3) makes it vulnerable to good attacking hockey. Is India capable of repeating what NZ did in pool matches? Only time will tell. Quarter-finals are going to witness some superb and intense hockey especially the game between Australia and the Netherlands. If you remember the last World Cup final in the Hague, Australia had blasted the hosts, the Netherlands, 6–1. Can the Dutch avenge that huge defeat here. Australia started the games here as favourites but defeats at hands of both Belgium and Spain made them beatable. Though the coach of Indian team Roland Oltmans is confident that India will make the semi-final grade, all eyes will remain focussed on Sundays’ game.