New Delhi, Dec 12 (Agency) With the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 just around the corner, former player Zafar Iqbal Iqbal believes that India got a tough group. India are placed in Group D along with Spain, England, and Wales. “We will have tough matches in the group stages. We have Spain, England, and Wales, and all are equally strong in their own right,” Iqbal said. “I am sure if India finishes on the podium, it will be a great achievement for Hockey India. We have several gutsy players on the team, who always put in their best, and who were the heroes of the Tokyo Olympics. So, we hope they can repeat the success once again,” he added.
Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, India, Argentina, Germany, New Zealand, England, France, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Chile, and Wales are the 16 teams, who will be competing in the tournament.Iqbal revealed his favourites for the tournament saying, “At the world-level competitions, you never know who will be at the top form. Several teams are very strong such as Belgium, Netherlands, Australia, England, Spain, and India. “He further said that the ongoing football World Cup is a testament that any team can be successful on any given day. “Former World Champions Spain, Germany, and Brazil have all been eliminated at the football World Cup. You never know which team can get a win over which team in such tournaments. It is always unpredictable and FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 is unpredictable as well,” he added.