We can beat any team if we stick to our game plan: Hockey coach
India can beat any country in the world if the team sticks to its game plan, asserted the national men’s hockey side head coach, Craig Fulton, after a strong performance in the last leg of its otherwise overall poor campaign in the FIH Pro League.
India registered confidence-boosting victories over the reigning world champions, Germany and 2024 Olympics gold medallists, the Netherlands, while taking the fight against world No. 3 England down to the wire during the European leg of the Pro League.
India, however, finished at the eighth spot out of nine teams with 19 points from 16 matches, one rung above Pakistan (zero points from 16 matches). “One of the biggest takeaways from this Pro League run has been watching the team’s confidence grow. Wins over Germany and the Netherlands, plus a strong showing against England, prove that when we stick to our game plan, we’re capable of matching and beating anyone in the world,” Fulton said.
“It’s a solid stepping stone heading into the World Cup and Asian Games, but we are still focused on tightening up our performance and staying consistent from quarter to quarter.”
Fulton was particularly impressed with the team’s composure and hunger to do well. “Even more encouraging is how much this group has matured. We’ve stayed calm under pressure, adjusted to different playing styles and pulled out wins in tight games. That kind of experience is exactly what we’ll need.
“The World Cup and Asian Games will test our resilience and belief, and I think we’re building the right foundation for it,” said the coach in a Hockey India release. India endured a difficult start to the Pro League during the home leg in Rourkela, where they suffered defeats against Belgium and Argentina.
