IANS

New Delhi, Mar 10: Argentina coach Pablo Lombi has some special plans for hosts India when the two teams face each other in a play-off for the seventh-eight positions at the Hockey World Cup here Friday.

"We have to cut down on the spaces against India and then get down to man to man marking. I think if we can execute our plans properly then it would be tough for India," Lombi said after Argentina defeated Canada 4-2 and finished fourth in Pool A.

Asked if the crowd would be a factor, Lombi said: "I don't think so. But it would be exciting to play against them. They are improving as a team and we can give them a tough fight."

Lombi said his boys were desperate to finish seventh as it would give a massive boost to the game back home.

"We are 14th in world rankings and if we finish seventh here, it would be a great achievement for the boys. But I know it is a tough task for them as well, because we are up against a good team like India," he said.

"The World Cup has been a big eye opener for us. No we have to start playing more international matches in a year and then only we can move ahead," he said.