Pakistan face India in must-win World Cup clash

Former Olympian Nasir Ali urges Pakistan to convert chances

KARACHI:

Pakistan face arch-rivals India in a decisive FIH Hockey World Cup Group D encounter on Wednesday, knowing only victory will ensure their progression to the tournament's next stage.

The match at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen is scheduled to start at 6pm PST, with England and Wales meeting at the same venue earlier in the day.

England, already assured of a place in the top-eight stage after winning their opening two matches, lead Group D with six points. India have three points after beating Wales 3-1, while Pakistan have one point from a 3-3 draw against Wales. Wales also have one point after two matches.

India will advance with a draw against Pakistan, leaving their neighbours under considerable pressure to produce their first victory of the tournament.

Former Pakistan captain and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics gold medallist Nasir Ali said the intense rivalry could make the match particularly demanding for both teams.

"Both nations feel pressure when they play against each other," Nasir told The Express Tribune.

"India will have an advantage as they have three points and even a draw will take them through. Pakistan have no other option but to beat India,” Nasir said.

Pakistan began their campaign with a 4-1 defeat by England before recovering to earn a point against Wales. Their performance against Wales offered encouragement after Pakistan had surrendered a lead late in the match, but Nasir believes they must be more clinical against India.

"It is a big tournament and you cannot afford to miss chances," he said, pointing to opportunities wasted against England, including Rana Waheed's effort that struck the post.

Nasir nevertheless believes Pakistan's performances indicate progress from their recent displays in the Pro League.

"The team is taking off," he said. "If you compare its current performance with that of the Pro League, you will find that the team is keeping possession of the ball, which is a good thing. In the Pro League, hardly 20 to 25 percent possession would be kept by Pakistan."

That improvement in possession will need to translate into attacking efficiency against an Indian side that has already demonstrated its ability to handle pressure in the tournament.

Nasir said Pakistan's players would have to maintain accuracy and composure in a fast-paced contest.

"Today's hockey is very fast and you will have to be very accurate and should tackle the situation quite professionally," he said.

The stakes are heightened by the competition's new top-eight format. The leading two teams from each of the four initial groups advance to a league stage. The Group D qualifiers will join the top two teams from Group A.

Teams that have already met in the preliminary group stage will not play each other again in the next phase, but their earlier result will be carried forward. 

For Pakistan, however, the equation is straightforward. A draw will not be enough. After losing to England and being held by Wales, they must beat India to continue their World Cup campaign.

With qualification resting on the result, Wednesday's encounter promises to be another high-pressure chapter in one of hockey's most closely watched rivalries.