India has every little thing it must win World Cup: Cornelius

Former champions India have improved drastically during the last 20 years and possess the “braveness and dedication” to go all the way in which on the upcoming World Cup, feels Charles Cornelius, a member of the 1973 version silver medal successful staff.

India is about to host the boys’s hockey World Cup for the second consecutive time in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to 29 subsequent 12 months.

“The Indian staff has drastically improved over the previous couple of a long time ...In the present day, the Indian staff is thrashing all high groups and giving them a troublesome time. This staff is properly ready and intensely assured about their abilities,” Cornelius informed Hockey India’s Flashback Series - World Cup Particular.

“Hockey has come alongside in an excellent approach in India. I've to understand the gamers and the coaches who've educated them. In the present day, these younger gamers have braveness and dedication to win.” Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists India, who's at the moment world No. 5 within the FIH rankings, is clubbed alongside England (6), Spain (8) and World Cup debutants Wales (16) in pool D.

“They've the braveness, the standard, the dedication to succeed in the semifinals, after which any of the 4 groups can win, as rather a lot relies on luck. However I'm assured that this Indian staff have the tenacity to go during and win the trophy as soon as once more.” India have gained simply three medals (bronze within the inaugural, silver in 1973 and gold in 1975) on the World Cup for the reason that occasion’s inception in 1971.

Former India goalkeeper Cornelius, who can also be a winner of the bronze medal within the 1971 World Cup, feels a couple of adjustments in guidelines which have improved the standard of the game and the gamers.

“Again within the day, solely 11 gamers used to play and substitutions had been known as in solely when somebody was injured. In the present day, gamers preserve popping out after 10 minutes, after enjoying with full vitality and giving their all on the turf.

“The second the opposition assaults with a full press, if the ball just isn't within the staff’s possession, the defence has such good pace that they 5 males run again to cowl their targets. This was not potential in our time, particularly on grass discipline,” he stated.

“One other plus level is that now there are 4 halves of quarter-hour. So, there's a good likelihood of bouncing again.”