Great Britain likely to have an edge over India at Hockey World League quarter-finals
Great Britain likely to have an edge over India at Hockey World League quarter-finals
Great Britain looked impressive with two wins in league stage, while India are yet to register a win at the Hockey World League.

Raipur: Great Britain start favourites against India in the quarter-final of the Hockey World League (HWL) in Raipur on Thursday but home side chief coach Roelant Oltmans thinks otherwise and said if he didn't not have belief in the capability of his wards he should have packed his bags and head home.

India have been inconsistent so far in the tournament and are yet to register a win. The hosts finished last in Pool B, having managed just a draw against Olympic champions Germany.

World No. 4 Great Britain, on the other hand, looked impressive and topped Pool A with two wins and a draw.

"Great Britain can be beaten. If I did not believe that, I might as well go home," said Oltmans, when asked about India's quarter-final match against Britain on Thursday.

Even though world No. 6 India failed to register a win in pool stages, Oltmas said that the hosts showed they were capable of upstaging any side.

"We were not at our best against Argentina (in the opening match), but against the world No. 2 (Netherlands) and three (Germany), we showed we have the ability to beat any team. We did not do that because of minute details," the Dutchman observed.

The India coach, however, admitted that his forwardline need to be proactive against Great Britain on Thursday.

India created numerous scoring opportunities in the three pool matches but failed to utilise them, scoring just two goals in the tournament so far.

"We missed chances, but don't forget, the top teams have some of the tightest defences in the world. This (lack of goals) has been a concern and we have talked about it in our team meetings. We will try to set the record straight against Great Britain," Oltmans said.

"Receiving the ball and picking a pass are crucial to create and convert chances. It's all about having a cool head under pressure," he added.

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