The 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup was held from 28 November to 16 December 2018 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India. This prestigious tournament witnessed intense competition among the best teams in the world, each vying for the ultimate glory in hockey. The electrifying atmosphere in Bhubaneswar, packed stands, and nail-biting matches made this World Cup a spectacle to remember.
India, with high expectations as the host nation, delivered some scintillating performances but fell short in their quest for the title, bowing out in the quarter-finals. Belgium emerged as the champions, with the Netherlands and Australia securing second and third place, respectively.
Let’s take a deep dive into India’s journey in the tournament.
India’s Matches in the Group Stage
India vs. South Africa (28 November 2018) – India Won 5-0
India got off to a dream start in their Hockey World Cup campaign, demolishing South Africa 5-0 in their opening match. From the first whistle, the Indian team displayed sheer dominance, thrilling the home crowd with their aggressive attacking play. Simranjeet Singh led the charge with two goals, while Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay also found the back of the net.
The opening quarter saw India capitalize on their speed and precision, putting South Africa on the back foot. The first goal came from Mandeep Singh, who converted a penalty corner rebound. Two minutes later, Akashdeep Singh doubled the lead with a brilliant tap-in. South Africa tried to recover in the third quarter, but India’s relentless attack saw Simranjeet scoring twice and Lalit Upadhyay adding the final touch to a perfect start.
This emphatic victory set the tone for India’s campaign.
India vs. Belgium (2 December 2018) – Match Drawn 2-2
In what was arguably one of the most thrilling group-stage encounters, India held world No. 3 Belgium to a 2-2 draw. Belgium started aggressively, pressing India from the get-go and earned multiple penalty corners. In the 8th minute, Alexander Hendrickx fired in a powerful drag-flick to give Belgium the lead.
After a tense first half, India responded strongly in the third quarter. Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 39th minute to level the score, injecting new energy into the home side. Simranjeet Singh then put India ahead in the 47th minute with a deft deflection off Kothajit Singh’s pass.
However, just when India looked poised for a famous victory, Simon Gougnard scored for Belgium in the 56th minute, ensuring both teams shared the spoils. The result meant that India stayed at the top of Pool C with a superior goal difference.
India vs. Canada (8 December 2018) – India Won 5-1
India secured their quarter-final spot in style, defeating Canada 5-1 in their final group-stage match. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The hosts started the game strong with Harmanpreet Singh scoring from a penalty corner in the first quarter. However, Canada’s strategy to sit deep and defend frustrated India’s attacking efforts. The game took a tense turn when Floris van Son equalized in the 39th minute, putting India under pressure.
But the Indian team, backed by a roaring Kalinga Stadium crowd, erupted in the final quarter. Goals from Chinglensana (46’), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (47’, 57’), and Amit Rohidas (51’) saw India storm to victory, sealing their place in the quarter-finals as group winners.
Quarterfinal: India vs. Netherlands (13 December 2018) – India Lost 1-2
With high hopes, India entered the quarter-finals against the Netherlands, seeking their first semi-final appearance in 43 years. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as they lost 1-2 in a hard-fought battle. India struck first when Akashdeep Singh scored in the 12th minute off a penalty corner rebound. However, the Dutch responded almost immediately, with Thierry Brinkman equalizing in the 15th minute. The match remained fiercely contested, with both teams trading attacks. The turning point came in the 50th minute, when Mink van der Weerden converted a drag-flick penalty corner, giving the Netherlands a crucial lead. Despite India’s desperate attempts to find an equalizer, the Dutch defense stood firm. The final whistle blew, and India’s World Cup dream ended in heartbreak.
Final Standings and India’s Performance
The 2018 Hockey World Cup saw Belgium clinch their maiden title, defeating the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final. Australia secured third place after beating England.
For India, the journey ended in the quarter-finals, a stage they last reached in 2010. While the team showcased brilliance in patches, their inconsistency in knockout matches remains a concern.
Conclusion
India’s 2018 Hockey World Cup campaign was a mix of highs and lows. The team displayed immense promise in the group stages but faltered when it mattered most. The heartbreak against the Netherlands will serve as a lesson as Indian hockey continues to grow on the global stage.
As the team looks ahead, fans can take pride in their spirited performances and hope for a stronger showing in future international tournaments. With a young and talented squad, India remains a force to be reckoned with in world hockey.
The dream of winning the Hockey World Cup lives on—until next time!
