Ipoh (Malaysia), Mar 1 (UNI) After FIH, the World Governing Body for Hockey, announced the schedule for the much-awaited Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 on Wednesday, where India is grouped in Pool C with South Africa, Canada and Olympic Silver Medalists Belgium, Indian Men’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne emphasised on the importance of winning every single match and not be complacent about their opponents.
“It is the World Cup and every team will come with the intention of winning. So, we can never say we are in a favorable pool or a tough pool. We need to respect every opponent and World Rankings don’t matter in a World Cup. We need to focus on ourselves and ensure we win every single match if we want to win the Cup,” stated Marijne, without mincing any words.
India will start the tournament with their opening match against South Africa on November 28 and play their second match on December 2 against Belgium. The hosts will play Canada, against whom they had lost 2-3 in the Hockey World League Semi Final in London last year, in their last Pool C match on December 8.