A beaming Craig Fulton was arm-in-arm, embracing his outdated mates within the Belgian males’s hockey staff following their Pro League match in opposition to India in Antwerp. The South African had spent 5 years as an assistant coach, guiding the European facet to change into the benchmark in world hockey, successful gold on the 2018 World Cup, 2019 EuroHockey Championship and the 2020 Olympics.
It was apparent when the 49-year-old was appointed India chief coach just a little greater than a 12 months again that he was going to convey his personal set of concepts and implement his type of hockey at his new job. And his type is sort of totally different to that of his predecessor.
Graham Reid was a typical Aussie. The Australian type of enjoying the sport is all about fixed assault and ahead press. Their intention is to pound attack-after-attack, bully the opposition, rating as many targets, dismantling the construction and self-belief of the opponents.
Belgium, then again, play a really European type hockey, centred round ball possession, quick passes, structured play with gamers sticking to their zones, not letting the opposition get via defences and scoring on the opportune second with a aim or two greater than sufficient to safe a win, just like tiki-taka of the Spanish soccer.
Indian hockey consultants have been left stunned when Fulton expressed that his mantra was ‘defend to win’. But he silenced his critics when an unbeaten India claimed gold at each the Asian Champions Trophy and Asian Games to immediately qualify for Paris Olympics.
After just a little greater than a 12 months beneath Fulton, the gamers now appear to be shopping for into his concepts.
“India’s ball possession is certainly better. They are holding on to the ball more than they have in the past and trying to shift it around well. There’s a bit more of European style. That is evident,” says Shane McLeod, former Belgium head coach who guided them to gold at each the 2018 World Cup and 2020 Olympics. Fulton was McLeod’s assistant.
“Craig has very good game knowledge and that comes through the players. India players now look like having the ability to play different strategies. These are new things. Craig has got the players enjoying a (new) style, but it takes a while to build that. Some areas resemble how Belgium play.”
India have all the time been a quintessential counterattacking facet with aptitude of their assault, relying closely on particular person ability and brilliance. But that additionally left India weak in defence, gifting away many targets particularly in direction of the tip of the match – a conventional Achilles heel.
But Fulton’s ‘defend to win’ tactic tightens the defence, primarily sustaining a zonal construction, urgent ahead as a unit with none gaps, holding possession, looking for gaps and pouncing on the chance. The concept is to first decelerate the opposition, poach the ball after which dominate play. Importantly, gamers have wholeheartedly welcomed Fulton’s strategies.
“Graham was about full press on counterattack. If it worked, then great, but if not, we had to run back to our defensive positions each time to cover the counter. The boys used to get tired and we could not play at the same pace,” says India midfielder Nilakanta Sharma.
“Craig is tactically very sound. Now even if we are behind, we still have to follow structure and not panic. When you attack like this you, you will get for example get five chances out of which 1-2 will be successful. I like his style. Also, earlier, I never gave too much importance to defence. Under Craig, my ability to win the ball, do double tackling, knowing when to press and defend has really improved.”
India vice-captain Hardik Singh seconded his teammate. “Craig was with Belgium for such a long time and knows their strong points. Earlier, we used to focus more on attacking but Craig says to keep the ball, tire the other team out and we will get our chance, not be desperate and grab our opportunities. I have learnt a lot of game sense under Craig.”
India’s seasoned defender Amit Rohidas says interchanging of positions within the backline has additionally elevated beneath Fulton with additional emphasis on communication. “Our defensive method has modified beneath Craig. Now, if 5 are attacking then 5 are defending too. Also, the variety of buildings and formations have elevated from 1-2 to 3-4. If one isn’t profitable, then we strive others.”
Last 12 months, with India simply beating all Asian groups, Fulton’s techniques appeared to be working brilliantly. But it hasn’t been the case this 12 months with Australia whitewashing India in a five-match collection in Perth earlier than a mean Pro League season the place India earned solely 5 outright wins in 16 video games. But McLeod, who’s now a guide with Belgium, stated there’s nothing to fret about.
“We are yet to see the finished product. We are seeing a team in the development stage. Craig’s been working really hard. The team is going through a high-performance process. He is not looking at the results at the moment. He is trying to get his game in order. You will see the finished product on July 27 when India play their first game at the Olympics against New Zealand,” concluded McLeod.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
