Bhubaneswar: In the 2018 World Cup in Odisha, India had topped their pool and qualified for the quarterfinals where they lost to the Netherlands.
This time, India have to take a longer route to a possible podium finish as they were second behind England on goal difference in Pool D.
The Crossover round, which is a virtual pre-quarterfinal, will feature the second and third-placed teams of all four pools, including the men in blue.
India will take on New Zealand at Kalinga Stadium on January 22. And if Harmanpreet’s boys win that game – as they are expected to – they will be up against defending champions Belgium in the quarterfinals on January 24.
Looking further ahead with optimism, India will have to possibly confront The Netherlands or Argentina in the semifinal, provided they conquer Belgium.
THE FIXTURES
Crossover 1: Malaysia vs Spain (Jan 22, 4.30 pm at Bhubaneswar)
Crossover 2: India vs New Zealand (Jan 22, 7 pm at Bhubaneswar)
Crossover 3: Argentina vs Korea (Jan 23, 4.30 pm at Bhubaneswar)
Crossover 4: Germany vs France (Jan 23, 7 pm at Bhubaneswar)
Quarterfinal 1: Australia vs Malaysia/Spain (Jan 24, 4.30 pm at Bhubaneswar)
Quarterfinal 2: Belgium vs India/NZ (Jan 24, 7 pm at Bhubaneswar)
Quarterfinal 3: Netherlands vs Argentina/ Korea (Jan 25, 4.30 pm at Bhubaneswar)
Quarterfinal 4: England vs Germany/France (Jan 25, 7 pm at Bhubaneswar)
