NEW DELHI, Dec 9 — Hosts India are struggling to make the last eight of the Junior World Cup and the pressure is mounting on the pre-tournament favourites.

India are not playing to their capabilities and their fans, media as well as team officials are dumbfounded.

They will have to defeat South Korea tomorrow for a place in the quarterfinals after struggling to edge lowly Canada 3-2 on Saturday, coming back twice before registering a hard fought win.

Korea and India will both be out to win the match to join Holland in the last eight from their group.

“We have our backs to the wall and our fate depends on the match against Korea,” said Baljit Singh Saini, India’s assistant coach.

“Korea are a great side and it will not be easy as all they need is a draw while we need an outright win.”

Pakistan are also fighting for survival as they were thrashed 6-1 by Germany in a match they played with 10 men for 46 minutes having a player red carded in the 24th.

Pakistan will now have to defeat European champions Belgium, and that too by a big margin to sneak into the last eight.