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Belgium's star drag-flicker, Alexander Hendrickx, believes India will be a formidable contender at the FIH Men's World Cup next year.
Scheduled from August 14 to 30, the tournament will see India, the reigning Olympic bronze medallists, aiming for a podium finish. India has previously secured World Cup podiums twice, finishing second in 1973 and winning in 1975.
Hendrickx, part of Belgium's Tokyo Olympics gold-winning team, stated, "India always has a good side, the results from the last tournaments show it. They are always a threat. I think there are 5 top nations who are always contending for the World Cup and the medals and I think India is one of those 5. " His comments highlight India's consistent performance in recent tournaments.
Belgium's Transition Phase
Belgium,
winners of the 2018 World Cup and runners-up in the last edition, are undergoing a transition. Hendrickx remains optimistic about their chances in the upcoming tournament co-hosted by Netherlands and Belgium. He expressed hope for a podium finish despite the ongoing changes within the team.
Discussing Belgium's transition, Hendrickx noted that typically three players leave after the Olympics with three new ones joining. However, this time eight players exited, creating a significant gap. He believes that after the Azlan Shah Cup, their transition should conclude successfully.
Azlan Shah Cup Victory
This year, Belgium triumphed at the Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup by defeating a second-string Indian team 1-0. Hendrickx finds encouragement in this victory. He acknowledged that while their performance at last summer's European Championships wasn't stellar due to many players experiencing their first tournament, they have since improved significantly.
Reflecting on their progress post-Malaysia Azlan Shah, Hendrickx said they had an excellent tournament with young players developing rapidly and scoring impressive goals. This improvement boosts his confidence in their future performances.
Kalinga Lancers' Prospects
Hendrickx is set to play for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in the upcoming Hockey India League. The team finished sixth out of eight teams last season. He is hopeful for better results this year after addressing defensive weaknesses that led to conceding too many goals previously.
The Kalinga Lancers will kick off their campaign against Ranchi Royals in Chennai on January 4. Hendrickx emphasised the importance of reaching the play-offs this season and aims to contribute through goals and assists to help achieve this team goal.
Hendrickx did not set personal targets yet but prioritises team success over individual achievements. He aims to improve his performance from last year by enhancing his goal-scoring and assisting capabilities to support his team effectively.
With inputs from PTI
