Indian hockey team coach Paul van Ass said on Monday that his strikers need to convert the opportunities and yield results to take the team forward. India will be taking part in the Hockey World league (BWl) Semi-Finals from June 20 to July 5 where they have been grouped in Pool A with reigning World Champions Australia, France, arch-rivals Pakistan and Poland. They will open their campaign against France on June 20.
“The practice matches were a huge learning for the team. While we won the match against France, we narrowly lost to Belgium. What came out for me is that we have to increase the pressure on the opponents from the start,” said van Ass.
“We need to work on getting penalty corners in our name apart from looking at capitalising on opportunities in the D. While the boys did a good job in breaking the defence chain of the opponents, they need to ensure they yield results. Getting the initial goal in our name will help us build the pressure.”
Women’s team has a strong attack: arhens
Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Mathias Ahrens said that his forwards are preparing well and have a strong attack to take on other teams in the Hockey World league (HWl) Semi-Final, to be played here from June 20 to July 5.
“The teams will be evenly placed and all will depend on the initial pressure. On that front we have a strong attack and I am confident of a good start,” said Ahrens on Monday.
“The girls realise that continuing ball possession in the opponents D is important and the team is working on short passes and their reaction time once in the D as time will be the key. They have to enter, finish the job in a matter of seconds.” he concluded.
Eves lose 0-2 to Japan
The Indian women’s hockey team lost 0-2 to Japan in their first practice match on Monday ahead of the Fintro Hockey World league (HWl) Semi-Final starting from June 20. World No.10 Japan scored their first goal in the first quarter and extended the lead to 2-0 in the second quarter against India. Indian players missed a few crucial opportunities and lost.