FIH Series Finals, Bhubaneswar: India should focus more on the objective than the opposition

NEW DELHI: The headline of a news piece on the International Hockey Federation's website for the FIH Series Finals reads, 'Pressure Time in Bhubaneswar'. But by the time the tournament ends on June 15, it might turn out be a paradox.
India missed the first bus to Tokyo 2020 at the Asian Games last year. The second one will start its journey from the FIH Series Finals in the Odisha capital beginning Thursday, from where the top two teams will board for the next destination -- the Olympic qualifiers -- in October-November.
To understand why 'pressure' may turn out to be paradox in 10 days' time, you need to look at the two O's: Objective and Opposition.
Without taking anything away from India's 'opposition' at the tournament, the hosts are not likely to break much sweat to achieve their first 'objective': finishing among the top two to book a place in the Olympic qualifiers later in the year.
THE TOURNAMENT
Teams have earned their stripes to reach this far in the FIH Series, with India and South Africa getting direct entry based on their rankings. But that's where the gaping difference between the hosts and the remaining seven teams first surfaces.
After world No. 5 India, the next best-ranked team in the competition is No. 16 South Africa. Surprise Asian Games winners Japan are 18th, followed by Poland (21st), Russia (22nd), USA (25th), Mexico (39th) and Uzbekistan (43rd).
However, one may not have to go too far to cite an example for 'anything is possible'. At the World Cup last year, played on the same turf of the Kalinga Stadium, France beat Rio Olympics winners Argentina 5-3 and China held England 2-2.
And then there are dreams such as USA's, who last entered the men's event at the Olympics as hosts in 1996. For them, it will be a revival of sorts. Those are incentives that drove the Irish women to the World Cup final last year. (Meet the eight teams)
But it will be nothing short of disaster for the fancied hosts should they not finish in the top two, despite the fact that by virtue of their rankings, India may still get through to the 14-team Olympic qualifiers.
The top two teams from each of the three FIH Series Finals will join eight other nations in the Olympic qualifiers. (Click here for the math of Olympic qualification)
The FIH Series Open has made the process more inclusive by involving small hockey nations like Mexico and Uzbekistan to chase their Olympic dreams, besides giving teams like Poland a chance to return to the Games after 2000.
However, to call the tournament a big test for India will be like going a little too far.
But India's new coach, Graham Reid, won't like to think along on those lines, especially when it is his first major assignment since his appointment just over a month ago.
"Any qualification for the Olympic Games is difficult. It's like anything that is worth having is difficult to achieve. Our first step is this FIH Series Final. That's my focus. I am not worried about anything at the moment to be totally honest," the Aussie said. (Read the full Graham Reid Interview)
As their first target, India would want to top Pool A for a direct entry to the semi-finals. The home team is in the same pool as Russia, Poland and Uzbekistan. Pool B comprises South Africa, Japan, USA and Mexico.
India open their campaign against Russia on Thursday.
Teams finishing second and third in their respective pools move to the crossovers, while those ending last play to avoid the wooden spoon. (Know the format here)
TESTING CONDITIONS
One big hurdle for most visiting teams will be the hot Bhubaneswar weather, where humidity in June can reach energy-sapping levels. Ice-cool towels are expected to be in huge demand on the sidelines, with an increased frequency of rolling substitutions keeping the third umpire at the technical bench busy.
"We have spoken about that," says USA midfielder Mohan Gandhi. "We have to find a way to keep a cool head -- players at the back just taking some extra time on the ball, always having a cool towel to wrap around your head for 30 seconds to chill out. I think the conditions will play into emotional factors of the game, so trying to control those emotions is the key."
To counter some of that, five of the 20 matches are scheduled for an 8:45 a.m. IST start, besides the usual 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. schedule for the other games.
But Bhubaneswar would want to make another statement here, after getting the stadium back in shape following the damage cyclone Fani caused last month. The city fought the natural calamity with valor to set an example and would once again want to prove itself as the country's top hockey destination, while the locals look up to the sport to bring some cheer back.
INDIA SHOULD NOT BE COMPLACENT
The announcement of the squad broke the news of veteran defender Rupinderpal Singh being dropped from the team that toured Australia. India conceded nine goals in the two Test defeats on the tour against the Kookaburras.
Meanwhile, striker Ramandeep Singh made a return to the squad, which should strengthen the team's finishing that has been the Achilles heel of India's game for a long time.
"After our Australia tour, when we assessed our performance, we collectively felt that our finishing needed improvement. The past three weeks in Bhubaneswar have been very important for us in terms of getting these aspects right," said captain Manpreet Singh.
And there is more to lose than gain in a lopsided field before the knockouts. India hammered minnows like Hong Kong 26-0 at the Asian Games to set a new record, but when it came to the first crunch game, against Malaysia in the semis, they panicked in the dying stages and lost in the shootout. It made those high-scoring pool encounters appear nothing but futile practice.
But coach Reid sounded reassured about the team and used well-weighed words to convey a promise.
"I play with the cards that are in front of me, and we will go from there."