“Defend properly to win”. That’s the mantra of Indian men’s hockey team coach Craig Fulton, whose first assignment was the FIH Pro League mini tournament in London and where his side had mixed results.
The Indian team’s post-Graham Reid era began with back-to-back defeats to Belgium (1-2) and Britain (2-4) on May 26 and 27 respectively. But the Fulton-coached side bounced back strongly in the return leg, winning 5-1 against Belgium and then beating Britain 4-2 in a penalty shootout after both teams were locked 4-4.
“There are glimpses for sure, we want to keep the Indian style of play which means a lot of attacking hockey. But, at the same time, it does not help if you can’t defend,” the South African stated in a digital media interplay on the eve of their conflict towards Netherlands.
“We must ensure that we get that proper and everybody buys into that — it would take a little bit of time.
“It’s simply been like three weeks of hockey with the group, and we’re in the course of a contest. We can’t change an excessive amount of.
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“We wish to preserve a construction that everybody understands after which we want a little bit of time. We have scored objectives that we all know we are able to rating once more.
“Our striker line-up helps win extra penalty corners and that is what we would like. But total, we simply want to enhance our defending from entrance to again,” the 48-year-old South African added.
Having slipped to the second spot behind leaders Britain (26 points), India (24) begin the tricky Dutch mini-tournament by taking on the hosts, the world No. 1 side here on Wednesday.
They next face lower-ranked Argentina on Thursday before resuming their rivalry in the return leg on June 10.
“Two weekends and good learnings from the first weekend. We lost to Belgium by a last-minute goal but came back strongly against Britain,” he stated.
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“There have been plenty of issues out of our management. The referrals had an enormous impact within the recreation which I didn’t suppose was a good reflection. It’s at all times about enjoying back-to-back, however we did properly, it was good to win the shootout (towards Britain within the return leg).”
“It’s early days for us. We are trying to improve our defence. It also depends on what structure you are playing. We can’t keep giving away a lot of corners to top teams. We have got some objectives that we are trying to improve.”
Having taken over from Reid, who guided India to an Olympic medal (bronze) in Tokyo after 41 years, the duty shall be reduce out for Fulton. His first huge job shall be to safe India’s qualification for the Paris Olympics subsequent 12 months and Fulton stated he’s nonetheless in “a discovery part” of his squad.
Fulton had guided Ireland to the Rio Games, the team’s first Olympic qualification in 108 years. Then, as Shane McLeod’s deputy, Fulton rose to greater heights in Belgium’s coaching set-up when they won the 2018 World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics gold.
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“I’m still in discovery phase with the squad, obviously there are some senior players who are not here.
“We are just giving everyone a good opportunity to play. We still have one or two injuries, but the guys who are here for the next four games will get their opportunity to play.
“We will assess when we get back, have another squad training and we will select the group to go to Spain and then obviously the Asian Games.”
With Manpreet Singh persevering with his new position in defence, Fulton stated it’s including depth to the squad, however “nothing has been set in stone simply but”.
“Right now he’s doing a really good job in helping us with defence. He is a really good ball player, he can bring the ball from defence to create the overlap which is one of his strengths.
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“He’s obviously a fantastic midfielder as well. We need a bit more experience at the back and he’s offering that at the moment.
“Long-term, I’m not sure, it’s not set in stone just yet as we also have some senior defenders coming back to the side. We have not decided yet on the combination.”
The coach was all reward for his skipper Harmanpreet Singh, for his ice-cool manner.
“He brings plenty of expertise and composure. He shouldn’t be a man who will shout once you don’t carry out. In reality he’s simply the alternative — quiet within the eye of a storm, which is nice.
“We want that in management in addition to within the place he performs, he has to arrange much more. He’s actually vital as a participant but additionally with penalty nook and on normal organisation of the group.
“We try to concentrate on bettering our communication. He performs a large position in that,” the South African added.
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Focus on clarity, communication: Manpreet
With the team building up for the Asian Games, the key for Manpreet is to create a cordial atmosphere and get clarity in communication, the captain said.
“Of course, leading a side is a big responsibility. On the field, the more calmer you are, the better it is.
“If anyone faces a problem or does a mistake it’s about making sure not to overthink it. Otherwise it would have a negative impact in the upcoming matches.”
“I at all times strive chatting with juniors whether or not they’re comfy be it on issues associated to household or the sector. I at all times attempt to preserve myself connected to them.
“It’s about creating an environment the place anybody can communicate to anybody and ensuring communication is obvious. I’m speaking about juniors particularly. If they’ve any doubts they’re welcome to clear it anytime and no must really feel shy about it,” the captain added.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – PTI)
Source: www.news18.com
