After four consecutive wins, 32 goals and 12 points, only a whimsical disaster can deny Indian men's hockey team a place in the final of the Olympic qualifiers and all that's left to be mulled is who could they possibly lay hands on to wash away the nightmare of 2008.
Some naysayer mathematicians may still be crunching numbers to suggest India are not through to the final yet, but that's their job. For experts what's left to be looked at is who India's opponents should be for an easy passage back into the Olympics.
Having lost four out of four, Italy and Singapore are now needed just to put numbers on their last league encounter against each other. But while their win, loss or goals won't affect standings, one will go back with smiles and the other with a long face. India play Poland and France train guns against Canada in the other two remaining matches on Friday, which will confirm who plays whom and for which place.
Poland and France currently have nine points, followed by Canada at six. Keeping that in mind, let's figure out how each possible result of those two matches will decide India's last challenger.
If India beat Poland and France beat Canada
- India will have 15 points, France 12, Poland 9 and Canada 6
FINAL: India vs France
If India beat Poland and Canada beat France
- India will have 15 minutes, followed by Poland, France and Canada with 9 each.
FINAL: India vs ? (Goal difference to decide between Poland, France and Canada)
If India beat Poland and Canada draw with France
- India will have 15 points, France 10, Poland 9 and Canada 7
FINAL: India vs France
If Poland beat India and France beat Canada
- India, Poland and France will have 12 points each, followed by Canada with 6.
FINAL: ? vs ? (Goal difference to decide, but India's 32 goals so far should put them through.)
If Poland beat India and Canada beat France
- India and Poland will have 12 points each, followed by France and Canada with 9
FINAL: India vs Poland
If Poland beat India and Canada draw with France
- India and Poland will have 12 points each, France 10, Canada 7
FINAL: India vs Poland
If India draw with Poland and France beat Canada
- India will have 13 points, France 12, Poland 10 and Canada 6
FINAL: India vs France
If India draw with Poland and Canada beat France
- India will have 13 points, Poland 10, followed by Canada and France with 9.
FINAL: India vs Poland
If India draw with Poland and Canada draw with France
- India will have 13 points, Poland 10, France 10, Canada 7
FINAL: India vs ? (Goal difference to decide between Poland and France)
