Monchengladbach: At its highest level hockey is a shining mosaic of skill and sophistication — not the least at the World Cup. So far every edition has proved eventful. The one that unfolds on Wednesday promises a new vista.

To decipher the outcome is not easy. Even assuming that the pre-event pointers and history will be the best guide, chances of tripping are far too many. It may be more meaningful to evaluate the relevance of the 11th edition for India and Asia.

Much water has flowed down the Ganges after India's only triumph in 1975 on natural grass. Now, the then superpower is in search of a new identity. Interestingly, the other force, four-time winner Pakistan, looks no better.

Focus on Asian teams

The focus then will have to be on the performance of the four Asian teams. At least three, Pakistan, India, and South Korea, if not Japan, should aim to be in the top six.

Indians regrouped

India battles Germany in the opening match. How well Dilip Tirkey's men come off in this match will indicate the team's path. Somewhat depressed by the freak injury to drag-flicker Sandeep Singh — substituted now by Raghunath after needless trials — the Indians are now re-grouped and have fine-tuned their strategy for the crucial encounter.

Mid-field strength symbolised by the wingbacks Vinay and Prabodh supported by Viren, Vikram and Ignace must energise the frontline work of Gagan, Tejbir and Shivendra. Absence of Sandeep will be felt in penalty corners, but Tirkey, Kanwal, and even Halappa could fill the void if they are determined to succeed. A lot depends on how many corners the Germans will concede in the encounter.

The shocking show in the recent four-nation at Hamburg where Germany lost all the three matches must be a worrying factor for coach Bernhard Peters. The outcome only confirmed that the new-look German team is vulnerable although India lost 1-3 when they met last at the same venue in the test event.

Pointers gleaned out of the performances in the last two months indicate a sweep for the Netherlands. The trophy triumph at Azlan Shah, the Champions Trophy and the last fortnight's four-nation confirm that the Dutch are the best bet for the Cup which they won last in 1998 at Utrecht.

The confidence exuded by coach Roelant Oltmans is not misplaced. Not all coaches here are blessed with a combination as complete as the Netherlands for which the cynosure will be the inimitable Teun di Nooijer. England and Korea, the qualifiers from Changzhou, may cause a ripple or two. South Africa is the weak link.

Olympic champion Australia, European Cup winner Spain and the top of the qualifier heap New Zealand constitute the core to fight for the last four. They will certainly make Pakistan's progress as difficult possible.

Limitations exposed

Notwithstanding the induction of the charismatic Sohail Abbas, Pakistan's showing has been anything but commendable. The 2-9 devastation against the Dutch in the Champions Trophy at Terrassa and the recent 2-6 defeat at the hands of Spain in Hamburg exposed the limitations. The fourth place in the Champions Trophy saw the exit of Asif Bajwa and the return of the former coach Sheikh Shahnaz.

Australia too has been uninspiring, losing 2-6 to the Dutch in Azlan Shah and finishing fourth in the Champions Trophy. Barry Dancer no doubt has an experienced squad under his care but there is a compulsion for the stalwarts like Brent Livermore, Troy Elder and Luke Doerner to steer the team clear through to last-four stage.

Spain, under the Dutch coach, Maurits Hendriks, is a thorn in the flesh of any opponent. The Spainish armada can demolish any combination on a given day.

The Kiwis too can be spoken of in the same vein. Coach Kewin Towns has assiduously fashioned a superb combination in which the fulcrum is the mid-fielder Ryan Archbald.

Argentina and Japan complete the list in Pool A. Neither has a shining record.

Wednesday's matches:

India v Germany (7 p.m., IST); Opening ceremony: 8-30 p.m.; Argentina v New Zealand (10 p.m.); The Netherlands v Korea (00.00 midnight).

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