New Delhi: The euphoria of their 7-4 win over arch-rivals Pakistan has not sinked in yet, but India will have to put their celebrations on hold for the moment and re-group their forces before they take on an unbeaten England in the second semifinal of the men's hockey event at the Commonwealth Games here on Tuesday.
A win on Tuesday will not only give India a maiden place in the gold medal match since hockey's introduction in the Games in 1998 Kuala Lumpur edition but will also avenge their 2-3 defeat against England in the World Cup earlier this year.
The Indian men's hockey team has so far cut a sorry figure in the Commonwealth Games with their best performance coming in Kuala Lumpur, where they finished on the fourth spot.
And Tuesday's match comes as an ideal opportunity for Jose Brasa's boys to redeem the national game's pride before the home crowd.
Going into Tuesday's match, the Indians would be a confident lot after comprehensively beating old enemy Pakistan in their must-win final Pool A match.
Against Pakistan, India rose to the occasion and displayed their best hockey so far in the tournament.
The Rajpal Singh-led side dished out a smart and fast-paced hockey with their midfield and forwardline combining well to overpower their Asian rivals.
Star-dragflicker Sandeep Singh was in ominous form against Pakistan, converting two penalty corners and setting up a goal for Shivendra Singh.
Sandeep excelled in defence too, thwarting Pakistanis on a number of occasions.
The Indian forwardline too shone against Pakistan with young Dharamvir Singh and Shivendra finding themselves among goals.
But what would be a matter of concern for Brasa is the fragile backline which conceded four goals against Pakistan with the first two coming within a span of two minutes.
Dhananjay Mahadik's poor showing in the central defence continued as he faltered in more than one occasion against Pakistan.
And if the India team wants to beat England tomorrow they will have to plug their holes in the defence, failing which the fit and strongly built English side will take no time in demolishing the Indians.
But for India prevailing over England won't be an easy task as the Englishmen are no pushovers as they topped Pool B with an unbeaten record.
England defeated a lowly Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 in their tournament opener, but drew with Canada 1-1 in the next. They, however, came back strongly to beat fellow semifinalists from Pool B New Zealand 5-3 and rounded off their pool campaign with a 2-1 win over South Africa.
India, on the other hand, witnessed a shaky pool campaign. The home team somehow managed to scrape past a spirited Malaysia 3-2 in their opening match but lost to world champions Australia 2-5 in the next.
The eight-time Olympic champions made strong comeback in the next two defeating Scotland 4-0 and then outplayed Pakistan 7-4 to make it to the semis.
And if they wish to beat England on Tuesday, Brasa's boys will have to dish out a Pakistan-like performance and hope that the backline hold its fort.
But one thing which the Indians will have in plenty is the crowd support and as coach Brasa even admitted that it played a big role in his side's win over Pakistan.
"It is incredible to play in front of such a crowd.
People here understand their hockey. They know when to cheer and shout," Brasa had said.
Apart from a competitive opponent, the Englishmen will also have to counter a vociferous hostile crowd, which will scream its heart out to support the home team as was evident in the match against Pakistan.
India captain Rajpal seemed aware of the Herculean task that awaits his side in the semifinals.
"Our semifinal is against a tough team, England. We will have to play with full concentration to overcome them," he said.
Meanwhile, Australia will take on New Zealand in the second semifinal on Tuesday.
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