<p>An error-prone India need nothing short of a miracle to secure a direct berth in next year’s hockey World Cup as they take on formidable Australia in the quarterfinals of the men’s competition of the FIH World Round 3 (Semifinals) here on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Six top teams -- three each -- will qualify directly for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Hague, The Netherlands, from the two editions of FIH World League Round 3 -- the ongoing event in Rotterdam and then the next one to be held in Malaysia from June 29 to July 7.<br /><br />But for India it is now looking extremely difficult to be among one of those six teams as in the last-eight match world ranked second Australia await them, a side against whom the Indians hold a dismal record in the recent past.<br /><br />India, however, could take heart from the fact that they put up a much-improved performance to eke out a fighting 3-3 draw against higher-ranked New Zealand in their last match to finish third in Pool B with two points.<br /><br />After two pretty ordinary outings against lower-ranked Ireland (4-4) and hosts Netherlands (0-2), the Indians displayed an attacking brand of hockey against the Black Sticks from the starting hooter on Monday night.</p>
<p>An error-prone India need nothing short of a miracle to secure a direct berth in next year’s hockey World Cup as they take on formidable Australia in the quarterfinals of the men’s competition of the FIH World Round 3 (Semifinals) here on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Six top teams -- three each -- will qualify directly for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Hague, The Netherlands, from the two editions of FIH World League Round 3 -- the ongoing event in Rotterdam and then the next one to be held in Malaysia from June 29 to July 7.<br /><br />But for India it is now looking extremely difficult to be among one of those six teams as in the last-eight match world ranked second Australia await them, a side against whom the Indians hold a dismal record in the recent past.<br /><br />India, however, could take heart from the fact that they put up a much-improved performance to eke out a fighting 3-3 draw against higher-ranked New Zealand in their last match to finish third in Pool B with two points.<br /><br />After two pretty ordinary outings against lower-ranked Ireland (4-4) and hosts Netherlands (0-2), the Indians displayed an attacking brand of hockey against the Black Sticks from the starting hooter on Monday night.</p>