India’s opening hockey World Cup game is today

Outside Rourkela Stadium, fans applaud; they are aware of the teams’ strengths and records.

The Hockey World Cup gets underway in Bhubaneswar on Friday. The tournament is in its fifteenth year. At Kalinga Stadium, Argentina and South Africa will face off in the first game at 1:00 PM. On the other hand, the Indian team will begin their campaign against Spain at 7:00 pm at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela. Since Thursday night, there has been a lot of excitement in the crowd outside the stadium.

First of all, let’s go to Rourkela, where the Odisha government has built a new international stadium for this event. Let’s know the specialty of this stadium…

The Birsa Munda Stadium was constructed in less than 15 months. Six practice fields are available at this stadium, which can accommodate 20,000 spectators. In addition, the stadium has amenities like team lodging, a gym, and sports medicine.

India has the upper hand

India and Spain have been playing hockey matches since 1948. Up until 1973, India had won three of their four games against Spain and had only played one draw. However, after 1973, Spain made a strong comeback. In the 26 games that have been played since 1978, India has won 10 of them. Spain has won 11, however. Both teams have played five draws during this time.

Both have faced each other on the international stage 30 times in total. India won 13 games, while Spain won 11. Six games were drawn. In the Tokyo Olympics, India defeated Spain 3-0. At the same time, the last game played in November 2022 ended in a 2-2 tie.

Spain dominates the World Cup

In the Hockey World Cup, the two teams played six matches. Spain has won three of them, while India has won two. There was only one draw. The last time the two met in the World Cup was in 2014. It was a 1-1 tie.

If you win today then knockout is sure

Spain has always been dominated by Team India. Our chances of making it to the knockout rounds will increase thanks to today’s victory. India ought to win all three games to take first place in the group. Team India will have to compete in the entire tournament while taking into account the injury.

India: The team’s strength is its forward players, led by captain Harman. The team should concentrate on scoring goals instead of focusing on penalty corners.

Spain: New players were added to the team. It will be critical to watch his performance in such a circumstance. is capable of scoring from penalty corners. India must prevent this.

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People want India to win the World Cup

The crowd was upbeat ahead of the India-Spain match at Rourkela on Thursday night. Many fans came to the stadium to watch their favorite players practice. Anil Kumar, who arrived outside the stadium, expressed his excitement about the World Cup. He purchased match tickets to cheer on Team India.

At the same time, Abidi Samanta, 10, said she went to the stadium to see the Indian players. ‘I will watch India’s match, and I want India to win the World Cup,’ she said.

people accessing fan code

Rourkela is completely decked out for the World Cup. Outside the stadium, there is also a fan code. There are statues of many hockey players, including Major Dhyanchand, in this area. People are also approaching them to take photos with them.

Free bus travel if you have a match ticket

The Rourkela administration has provided free bus transportation to match spectators. On match days, spectators with a stadium ticket can take advantage of free bus transportation throughout the city. Before India, there will be a match between England and Spain. Whose tickets were also sold?

Starting with Argentina-South Africa match

Argentina will face South Africa in the tournament’s opening match at 1:00 p.m. Both squads are in Group A. The second match of the same group will be played at 3 p.m. in Bhubaneswar between Australia and France.

The England-Wales match will begin at 5 p.m. in Rourkela. This match is in Group D. The final match of the day will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday in Rourkela between India and Spain.

Now see the full squad of India and Spain

India: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Jarmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Surender Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, Bahadur Krishna Pathak, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Sanjay Neelam Jess, PR Sreejesh, Neelkant Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Kumar Pal Raj, Akashdeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and India

Spain: Alvaro Glacias (Captain), Garin Mario, Alonso Alejandro, Gispert Javier, Gonzalez Enrique, Recasense Mark, Rain Mark, Miralles Mark, Bonastre Jordi, Kunil Pepe, Menini Joaquin, Kunil Pau, Rafi Adrian, Vizzcano Mark, Rodriguez Ignacio, Kariel Cesar, Claps Gerard, Amat Pere, Lacalle Borja and Villalonga Rafael.