The biggest change at the upcoming Hockey India league (HIl) would be the introduction of the two goal rule for every field goal scored. While Hockey India introduced it to make the game more attacking and exciting, the players feel otherwise.
Ranchi Rays captain Ashley Jackson feels the game may get more defensive than having the opposite effect but still maintained that it would keep the game interesting. “As a dragflicker I don’t like the rule. But on the flip side it is also a challenge for the defence because you will get to see more attacking hockey. Although some teams may choose to sit back once they are in the lead which makes it boring,” he said at the trophy unveiling of the tournament that begins on Monday.
“It is interesting because if you are one goal down in the last minute you still have a chance to win the game,” he added.
India captain Sardar Singh, who will lead his new franchise Punjab Warriors this season having represented Delhi Waveriders in the last three editions, said the new rule is equal for all.
According to the new scoring rule, a field goal during the HIl would count as two while a penalty corner would continue to be counted as one goal. However, penalty strokes would continue to be counted as one except when a stroke is awarded for a deliberate foul during the execution of a penalty corner.
Sardar who will be donning the Punjab jersey after playing for Delhi for three years, played safe when asked about the non inclusion of Pakistani players in the HIl. “Pakistani players are suffering a lot but what they did during 2014 Champions Trophy was unacceptable. They still haven’t apologised for their behaviour so I feel they shouldn’t be allowed,” he stated even though his foreign counterparts Jackson and Moritz Furste (Kalinga lancers captain) felt differently.