Following a disappointing performance in the European leg of the FIH Pro League, India's men's hockey team coach, Craig Fulton, is determined to learn from the experience and refocus on upcoming challenges, particularly the Asia Cup. Fulton has taken full responsibility for the team's poor performance in Europe, which saw them slip to eighth in the world rankings after managing only one win in eight games.
Acknowledging the team's disappointing results in the Pro League, Fulton stated that the team's performance was below expectations. He admitted to not adequately preparing the team for the European leg and emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for the losses. "I'll take full responsibility for maybe not having prepped the group the way it needed to be prepped, but that's where we are," Fulton said. Despite the setbacks, Fulton remains optimistic and committed to turning things around. "We have to man up and be accountable. I want to fix it. And they know they can fix it," he asserted.
Fulton pointed out that despite the losses, the team showed competitiveness and could have secured better results in some matches. He noted a fantastic second game against the Netherlands where the team pressed well but struggled to score. Fulton also highlighted the team's experimentation with a new tactical system, incorporating both zonal and man-to-man marking strategies.
Looking ahead, Fulton has identified key areas for improvement, including restarts, defending, outletting under high pressure, and penalty corner execution. "We had a break, reflected, we looked at areas that we want to improve, and a lot of it comes down to small moments," he explained. The immediate priority is the Asia Cup, where India aims to secure a spot in the 2026 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup and maintain its position as the top team in Asia. "Going into the Asia Cup, that's our priority for the year. We want to stay No. 1 in Asia and get back to winning ways," Fulton stated.
The coach also addressed the injury concerns surrounding captain Harmanpreet Singh, emphasizing the need to manage his workload and find players who can support him. "Harman's not going to play forever. But while he's here, how do we find someone who can support him?" Fulton said, mentioning the need to identify and develop backup drag-flickers. He acknowledged that Harmanpreet's absence due to a finger injury impacted the team, especially since they had limited experience playing without him.
Despite the Pro League setback, Fulton is focused on building on the positives and using the experience as a learning opportunity. He believes in the team's ability to bounce back and is determined to lead them to success in the Asia Cup and other upcoming tournaments. Fulton's long-term vision includes creating consistency and developing a strong pool of players, blending youth and experience.
