India look to carry on winning momentum

Dubbed as one of the strong contenders for the title, the home team recorded a resounding 4-0 win over Canada in their opener on December 8. Stakes are high for India in the tournament as they look to end their 15-year-old title drought as they last won the event in 2001 in Hobart and the colts would leave no stone unturned to reclaim the glory. The Indians would also be eyeing an all-win record in the preliminary stages of the tournament which will enable them to top their pool and avoid sixtime champions and title holders Germany in the quarterfinals. But all said and done, the Harendra Singh-coached Indian side is on a dream run this year, having defended the Asia Cup and beaten Germany in a four-nation tournament in Valencia to lift the title.