Bhubaneswar: Temperatures in and around the Kalinga Stadium here are already soaring as fans queue up for elusive tickets for the India vs Pakistan semi-final on Saturday, while the teams perform tune-ups ahead of an epic clash.
There's a different air about Indo-Pak encounters, and this one is going to be extra special since it will the be the first time that the Odisha capital will see world's most emotionally-charged sporting rivalries unfold in front of their eyes. And India's stand-in coach Roelant Oltmans says that if his team keeps emotions and Pakistan's counter-attacks in check, history beckons.
"We want to prove that they we are almost right up there at the top. That's the endeavour," said Oltmans. "We are happy with what we have achieved so far, but there is room for improvement, and we hope we execute our strategy tomorrow as planned. This team can create history."
The coach was quick to point that his boys will have to prevent counter-attacks by Pakistan, which is what they thrive on.
"Pakistan surprised Holland with their counters-attacks, and they would come out with the same plan tomorrow. We need to keep that in check and strategise accordingly," Oltmans, who is also Hockey India's High Performance Director, said.
When asked if India will be under pressure as the hosts, Oltmans was quick to deny that. "I and my team are never under pressure. We approach it as one match at a time. But execution of plans is important."
Defending champions Australia take on Germany in the day's first semi-final at 17:15 IST, followed by India vs Pakistan at 1930 hours.
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