India vs Pakistan (Pic credit: FIH) NEW DELHI: The India-Pakistan rivalry returns to the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup stage on Wednesday with far more than bragging rights at stake. India need at least a draw to secure a place in the second round, while Pakistan must win the Pool D contest at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen to keep their campaign alive.

India have three points from two matches after opening their campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales before suffering a 2-4 defeat against England. Pakistan, meanwhile, have one point after losing 1-4 to England and drawing 3-3 with Wales.

England have already qualified for the next round after winning both their matches. The high-pressure contest will also revive one of hockey's most storied rivalries at a venue steeped in its history.

India hold the recent edgeIndia will start as favourites given their recent dominance over Pakistan. They defeated their neighbours 7-1 and 4-3 during the European leg of the Pro League earlier this year, while Pakistan's last win over India came in the 2016 Champions Trophy.

India have also won medals at the last two Olympics, while four-time World Cup champions Pakistan are returning to the tournament after an eight-year absence, having failed to qualify for the 2014 and 2023 editions. The last World Cup meeting between the two sides came in Delhi in 2010, when India won 4-1.

Pakistan subsequently missed the 2014 and 2023 editions and did not face India in the 2018 tournament. However, India's recent superiority will count for little once the two teams take the field.

Pakistan have enough quality, particularly through their drag-flickers, to make the contest uncomfortable for India. “The match against Pakistan will be good, but we are not underestimating them.

They also have good drag-flickers, so we will have to avoid giving them penalty corners. We must also create opportunities and capitalise on them.

We must focus on our natural game,” Manpreet said. India will also be looking for a significant improvement in penalty-corner conversion after managing just one goal from four opportunities against England.

Pakistan have everything to play forPakistan's campaign has been uneven so far. They struggled against England before recovering to earn a 3-3 draw against Wales, but their defensive organisation and penalty-corner execution remain areas of concern.