India and Pakistan clash at World Cup with survival on the line
India needs at least a draw while Pakistan must win their pool match at the Wagener Stadium to stay in the tournament.
On Wednesday, India and Pakistan meet at the historic Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen for a decisive Group D game in the men's Hockey World Cup. India, with three points from a win over Wales and a defeat by England, must avoid loss to guarantee a place in the second round, while Pakistan, holding a single point after a 1-4 loss to England and a 3-3 draw with Wales, requires a win to keep their campaign alive. India enter as favorites after recent victories over Pakistan in the Pro League, but coach Manpreet Singh warned against complacency and emphasized better penalty-corner execution.
Pakistan captain Abu Bakar Mahmood stressed that rankings matter less than performance on the day, noting their own drag-flick strength despite recent defensive lapses. The match also revives a storied rivalry at a venue that hosted the famous 1973 semi-final, and the 10,000-seat stadium is sold out, reflecting strong interest from both Indian and Pakistani communities in the Netherlands.
Why it matters
The result determines which team advances in the World Cup, affecting their chances for a medal.
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