World Cup Hockey: Team Australia arrive, to defend their title

Bhubaneswar: Going by the words of Captain Aran Zalewski, Australia are under no pressure to defend their title as it’s a homecoming for the World No. 1 team. Arriving in Bhubaneswar on Saturday afternoon, the team looked composed and confident ahead of their title defence campaign.

Australia definitely know a thing or two more about winning in Bhubaneswar as they claimed the Champions Trophy in 2014 and the Hockey World League Final in 2017. Zalewski said they are happy to be back in the City Of Temple.

“Definitely, we have a chance to test ourselves against the best in the world as we haven’t tested ourselves since Rio (2016 Olympics) so we want to do very well here,” said Zalewski speaking to media after arriving at the Biju Patnaik Airport.

The defender also agreed that this was one of the most open World Cups in recent times. “World hockey is close at the moment and very competitive and any team can win and obviously India at home with the home crowd will be very tough to beat,” said Zalewski.

Head Coach Colin Batch also said it isn’t going to be an easy task for his side even in Pool Stages. “We are the Champions but a long way from winning this tournament. We have a lot of work to do.”