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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
Arnab Lall Seal | TNN

Hockey World Cup: The world's in Odisha

The countdown is over and the long wait has finally come to an end as the Hockey World Cup is all set to begin in Odisha on Friday.

Even as hosts India begin their journey against Spain at the newly-built Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela in the evening, 2016 Olympic Champions Argentina will play the tournament opener when they face off against South Africa in Group B at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

GROUP A: ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, FRANCE

Argentina, who are all pumped up following their football team's historic win at the World Cup in Qatar, come into the tournament full of confidence after having won the gold in the South American Games in Asunción, Paraguay in October last year. Coached by Mariano Ronconi, who took over the reins from Carlos Retegui in 2021, has a lot of experience under his belt and the team promises to go the distance in the tournament.

As for their opponents South Africa, they are looking to take inspiration from their Nations Cup triumph last year and create some upsets.

The other match of the day in the Group will see 3-time champions and world No. 1 Australia taking on France. The Kookaburras won bronze in the last edition but they come into the tournament as one of the favourites. One of the most successful teams in the history of the game, they will be hungry to bag the coveted title after missing out on the Olympic gold in Tokyo as well. Not that they need much inspiration but their Commonwealth Games triumph, where they hammered India 7-0 in the final, will give the Aussies a boost of confidence. As for France, they have made giant strides in the game in recent years and will look to make it to the knockout stage.

GROUP B: BELGIUM, GERMANY, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA

Belgium have won it all since 2018. Starting with the World Cup, they bagged the European title in 2019, the Olympic gold in 2021, and the FIH Pro League title as well in 2020-2021. However, their preparations for the World Cup haven't been perfect as they went down to both Germany and Argentina in the Pro League in November last year. They have also seen their World Cup-winning captain Thomas Briels step down. But with world-class players in their squad and a coach, who has been with the team for a long time, they are in the reckoning to lift the title on January 29. Germany haven't had much success in recent times but the world No. 4 side is not to be taken lightly. Japan and South Korea are the other two teams in the group and they will have to play out of their skin to do well against the European giants.

GROUP C: NETHERLANDS, CHILE, NEW ZEALAND, MALAYSIA

The Netherlands shouldn't have any trouble topping the group. Although they come into the tournament with an inexperienced side, they will be confident of doing well after having won the 2021-22 Pro League scoring 61 goals, just one less than India's 62. New Zealand as always will be the dark horse and Malaysia will do their best to make it to the knockouts following their triumph at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Chile however will be the cynosure of all eyes as they will make their debut at the quadrennial event.

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