India among favourites to win title at Hockey World Cup: Spain’s coach

“I think this will be a very closely contested event with more than six to seven teams on par with each other fighting for a medal. Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and India will be good contenders for Championship Title," said Frederic Soyez

India finished ninth in the previous edition of the Hockey World Cup which took place in The Hague in 2014. (File Photo)

Spain’s head coach Frederic Soyez believes the men’s Hockey World Cup will be evenly-contested with more than seven teams vying for a medal, but said India will be among the favourites to lift the championship trophy.

Spain, ranked No.8 in the world, arrived on Friday afternoon for the Hockey World Cup to be held from November 28 to December 16 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

“I think this will be a very closely contested event with more than six to seven teams on par with each other fighting for a medal,” said Soyez.

“Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and India will be good contenders for Championship Title,” he added.

Grouped in Pool A along with Olympic Champion Argentina, New Zealand and France, Spain will begin their campaign on November 29.

“We have had good preparations for this tournament. We are focused on our first game, and it is important to do well in the Group stage. We have played at the Kalinga Stadium last year and the atmosphere here is electrifying,” said Soyez.

China, who is grouped with England, Australia and Ireland in Pool B, also arrived early morning.

England and New Zealand will arrive late night at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here.