In the ongoing Hockey World Cup in Odisha, the Indian team will play a do or die match on Sunday. India will face New Zealand at 7 pm at the Kalinga Stadium. If the Indian team overcomes New Zealand’s challenge, they will enter the quarter-finals and if the hosts lose, they will be out of the tournament.

This Pool-D crossover encounter will be crucial for both. India beat Wales 4-2 in their last match, while England topped the pool on the basis of better goal defence. England has already entered the top-8.

India ahead in statistics
If we look at the records of both the teams, so far 44 matches have been played between the two teams. In these, India has won 24 and New Zealand has won 15 matches. Also 5 matches have ended in a draw. Means India has won 54.55% matches. While New Zealand’s winning percentage is 34.09. 11.36% matches ended in a draw.

There have been a total of 6 matches between India and New Zealand in the World Cup. Of these, India has won 3, while 2 have been named after New Zealand. One match ended in a draw.

Tarrant, Ross and Child can turn the match
New Zealand also cannot be underestimated. Even though the team could not enter the semi-finals of the World Cup so far, it had given a tough challenge to India in the Pro-League. New Zealand defender Blair Tarrant, midfielder Nick Ross and forward Simon Child have the ability to turn matches at any time.

Before the match, Indian coach Graham Reid has also said that the match against New Zealand will not be easy. We have to do our best.

Penalty corners are our strong point, we have to score field goals as well.
Talking about the Indian team, penalty corners have been India’s strong point, but the Indian team under Harmanpreet’s captaincy will not have to rely only on penalties. He also needs to make more field goals. However, Indian players have also scored field goals in this World Cup. We missed a few penalty chances. Drag Flickers will have to work in this direction under the leadership of Harmanpreet. So that whenever there are opportunities for penalty corners, goals can be scored on them.