Which team will India play next in Hockey World Cup crossover?

India finished second in Pool D with seven points and did not qualify for the quarterfinals of Hockey World Cup.

India’s goal keeper P. Sreejesh saves a strike from Wales during the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 match at the Kalinga Hockey stadium in Bhubaneswar. | Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT

India won its last Pool D match against Wales 4-2 and finished second in the group with seven points.

England, having a better goal difference, advanced to the quarterfinal while India had to settle for a place in the crossover fixture. India will now take on the third-placed team from Pool C.

READ | HOCKEY WORLD CUP 2023 POINTS TABLE

New Zealand lost its last group game against Malaysia 2-3 on Thursday and will meet India in the crossover. Malaysia, on the other hand, will take on Spain, who finished third in Pool D, in the crossover fixture.

The winner between India and New Zealand will advance to the quarterfinal and play against the winner of Pool B. As the points table stands, either Belgium or Germany can top Pool B.

The crossover fixture will be played on January 22 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, while the quarterfinal match will be played on January 24 at the same venue.

This is the first time India is playing in a crossover fixture at the Hockey World Cup. In 2018, India ended the group stage on top spot and directly progressed to the quarterfinals.