India vs Spain LIVE: Hockey World Cup LIVE – The Hockey World Cup 2023 is all set to get underway from, 13th January 2023. India, which is the host nation will begin the campaign at the tournament on Friday, January 13. The match will be played at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. The Men in Blue will face Spain in the opening group match. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 PM IST. Check the match prediction, head-to-head records, world cup records and more about India vs Spain rivalry. Follow Hockey World Cup 2023 News and LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
India vs Spain Live: India to face Spain in Hockey World Cup on Friday, CHECK Match Predictions, Head-to-Head record, World Cup Record & more: Follow Hockey World Cup Live
The stage is set, the players are warmed up, and the nation is ready for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.
Less than 24 hours until the World Cup kicks off! pic.twitter.com/GwdQ032ONL
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 12, 2023
All eyes on Indian men’s Hockey Team
India is finally aiming to win a Hockey World Cup after four decades. Their only title in the event came in the year 1975. The team led by Harmanpreet Singh is looking to put the disappointment of 2018 behind. They have set the sights on the silverware in the 15th edition of the World Cup.
Their recent performances have added to the hopes of the nation. The Men in Blue clinched bronze medal in the 2021 edition of the Olympics and a similar performance is expected from the hosts. Anything lesser would be a big disappointment. The side is currently ranked 6th in the World rankings. They are also the highest-ranked Asian team. In the previous edition, the team finished at the sixth spot.
Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Goalkeeper Sreejesh will all be a vital cog for the team. They will have to rally the team from the front to add the elusive Hockey World Cup in their trophy cabinet after four decades.
What about the opponents Spain?
Spain are ranked World No.8 in the FIH Rankings. The team from Europe is only one of the four teams to have featured in every edition of the World Cup so far. However a World Cup trophy has eluded them so far. They are aiming to end the drought in the upcoming edition.
Their recent record in multi-team tournaments is not looking great. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, they finished eighth. While, in the last edition of the World Cup, they finished at a lowly 13th spot. Their best performance in the World Cup so far are two runner-up finishes at 1971 and 1998 editions.
Spain has players like forwards Enrique Gonzalez and Joaquin Menini, whi can be a threat to the opponents in front of the goal. Their captain Marc Miralles, who is just 24 is also a skilful playmaker.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Matches: 30 India won: 13: Spain Won: 11 Draw: 6
Both the teams last met in December 2022, when India toured Spain for three matches. Both the teams met three times and India failed to clinch a singles victory. Spain won two games while the other remaining fixture ended in a draw.
Earlier in 2022, they also met during the Pro League in October. While India won the first game via shootout, Spain clinched a 3-2 victory when both teams met a few days later.
Match Prediction
Given the form Harmapreet Singh and company are at the moment, the hosts should be able to give a tough fight to Spain. India has always been slow starters and Spain is expected to win the match.
GROUP
Both India and Spain are drafted in Group D along with England and Wales. According to format, a team that tops the group will directly advance to the quarterfinals. Teams finishing in the second or third place will need to play a cross-over contest in order to progress to the next round.
Only 2️⃣ days until the first World Cup game! 🏑#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HWC2023 #StarsBecomeLegends @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @FIH_Hockey pic.twitter.com/IBprU4dMbm
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 11, 2023
FIXTURES
India
| Match | Date | Time |
| India vs Spain | Jan 13, 2023 | 7 PM IST |
| England vs India | Jan 15, 2023 | 7 PM IST |
| India vs Wales | Jan 19, 2023 | 7 PM IST |
Spain
| Match | Date | Time |
| India vs Spain | Jan 13, 2023 | 7 PM IST |
| Spain vs Wales | Jan 15, 2023 | 5 PM IST |
| Spain vs England | Jan 19, 2023 | 5 PM IST |
SQUADS
India – PR Sreejesh (gk), Krishna Pathak(gk), Armanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Shar, Shamsher Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh
Spain – Andreas Rafi, Alejandro Alonso, Cesar Curiel, Xavi Gispert, Borja Lacalle, Álvaro Iglesias, Ignacio Rodríguez, Enrique Gonzalez, Gerard Clapes, Andreas Rafi, Jordi Bonastre, Joaquin Menini, Mario Garin(gk), Marc Reyne, Marc Miralles (captain), Pepe Cunill, Marc Recasens, Pau Cunill, Marc Vizcaino.
FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: India vs Spain Live Streaming
All the matches of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 will be streamed live on Star Sports. Fans can also watch it on Disney+ Hotstar and on the watch hockey app.
India vs Spain Live: India to face Spain in Hockey World Cup on Friday, CHECK Match Predictions, Head-to-Head record, World Cup Record & more: Follow Hockey World Cup Live
The walls of Rourkela feature some of the creative artwork of legends, building up to the excitement for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2023 #StarsBecomeLegends @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @FIH_Hockey pic.twitter.com/mwSdYKfzqy
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 12, 2023
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