logo
Pro League a wake-up call before Asian Games, World Cup in 2026: Sreejesh

Pro League a wake-up call before Asian Games, World Cup in 2026: Sreejesh

Former India captain and goalkeeping stalwart P R Sreejesh believes the just-concluded FIH Pro League was a good wake-up call for the men's national hockey team ahead of next year's Asian Games and the World Cup.
India struggled in the European leg of the Pro League and finished eighth out of nine teams to avoid relegation by a whisker.
But Sreejesh, who was part of India's bronze medal winning sides in Tokyo and Paris Olympics, felt that players didn't perform too badly but unfortunately results didn't favour the team.
"I think the players performed really well, we created lot of opportunities. We gave very good fight on the field but sometimes it happens the result went against us," Sreejesh said on the sidelines of the launch of Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Wednesday night.
"The preparation was perfect but unfortunately the result was not perfect for us but the coaches have enough time to prepare the team for the Asia Cup and definitely next year the Asian Games and World Cup is there.
"I think this Pro League gave us a very good wake-up call to prepare and to be on our toes to prepare for World Cup and Asian Games," he added.
The Asian Games will be hosted by Aichi-Nagoya in Japan from September 19 to October 4, while the World Cup will be jointly organised by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.
Post retirement after Paris Games, Sreejesh is now the coach of Indian men's junior hockey team and he is enjoying his current journey.
"Same routine, when you wake up early in the morning it's about preparing the players, ensure they are doing their best and rest of the day prepare for the next session, analysing the players.
"The only thing is that I am stressing my mind more now, earlier I used to stress my physical part but now it's about my mental part. But I am enjoying," he said.
India is set to host the FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 till December 10 this year, and Sreejesh is not leaving no stone unturned to prepare his players.
"For them (players) the biggest challenge is Junior World Cup because four-nation tournaments and stuffs like that are not going to throw enough pressure on them as the Junior World Cup. My duty is to share my experience with them, how to prepare for a big tournament, big matches," he said.
"I faced enough pressure being a player and now being a coach I think it is upto me to take that pressure from the players . I am helping them to be realistic. Being a coach sharing experience as a player is more important." India are clubbed along side Pakistan, Chile and Switzerland in Pool B at the Junior World Cup.
Even though uncertainty looms large over Pakistan's participation in the Junior World Cup owing to tensions between the two countries following Operation Sindoor, Sreejesh doesn't want to focus on one particular team.
"We are in the same pool (India and Pakistan) but I don't want my players to think about one particular team," he said.
"Any tournament starts from the quarterfinals, the main moto is to gather as much points as you can to ensure your place in the quarterfinals and from there the main tournament starts.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pakistan need a style of cricket that can give more consistency in Asia Cup and World Cup, says head coach Mike Hesson
Pakistan need a style of cricket that can give more consistency in Asia Cup and World Cup, says head coach Mike Hesson

Indian Express

time9 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Pakistan need a style of cricket that can give more consistency in Asia Cup and World Cup, says head coach Mike Hesson

After the series loss to Bangladesh, Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson has emphasised the need to develop depth and competition for places ahead of a challenging six months which includes Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. Having started his coaching tenure with Pakistan with a whitewash of Bangladesh at home in June, they suffered a setback in Mirpur, where they lost the three-match series 1-2 with Hesson even criticising the standard of pitches being used. Post their T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy debacle, Pakistan have made attempts to overhaul their squad, which is now currently led by Salman Agha and has no place for the likes Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Even in the pace department there was no place for Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. For long, Pakistan have appeared to play brand of cricket which has been outdated in T20s with Hesson – a successful coach in T20 franchise cricket – brought in to steady the ship and give a new direction. With the team struggling for experience, Hesson before leaving for the trip to US where they face West Indies in three T20Is in Lauderhill said what he believed are key takeaways from the two series he has been in charge. Currently sitting 8th in the world we need to create depth and competition for places as well as play a style of cricket that can give us more consistency over time, especially at key event like Asia Cup and World Cups. First 6 games on two contrasting pitches gave us key… — Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) July 25, 2025 'First 6 games on two contrasting pitches gave us key insights. A young batting group shone with 200+ scores early. Mirpur which is the lowest scoring venue in T20I's certainly tested our adaptability and after struggling early we fought back and showed an ability to learn with experience,' Hesson posted on X (formerly Twitter). 'New players stepped up, showing promise and in some instances excelling. Specialist Coaches have played a key role in developing bowlers both here and at the NCA. Fielding was a huge step up in last two matches and were starting to look like an International fielding side,' Hesson who has coached teams in IPL, PSL wrote. With Pakistan now focussing on building a strong squad for the T20 World Cup which is only six months away, they face a tough challenge. Post the West Indies series, the Asia Cup to be played in September would be a massive test for Pakistan as apart from world champions India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka would also offer stern test. While they do have run of fixtures against South Africa to gain more experience and find the right combo, Hesson reckoned what is needed ahead of the T20 World Cup. 'Currently sitting 8th in the world we need to create depth and competition for places as well as play a style of cricket that can give us more consistency over time, especially at key event like Asia Cup and World Cups,' Hesson wrote.

Xavi Hernandez's application for India coach role stuns AIFF, but federation unable to afford him
Xavi Hernandez's application for India coach role stuns AIFF, but federation unable to afford him

New Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • New Indian Express

Xavi Hernandez's application for India coach role stuns AIFF, but federation unable to afford him

NEW DELHI: Spain's World Cup-winning midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez was among those who applied for the position of India's head coach, leaving the All India Football Federation (AIFF) pleasantly surprised, but allegedly unable to process his application for reasons that had nothing to do with football. Xavi, it is learnt, 'sent an email from his own account' to apply for the post. However, the AIFF could not proceed with the processing of his application as the costs involved in recruiting one of the world's finest midfielders were allegedly far beyond the federation's means. 'Yes, he (Xavi) applied for the job of the Indian senior men's team football head coach. He has himself mailed his application to the people in the technical committee, and it looks like he was very much interested in the job,' a source in the AIFF told PTI on Friday. 'However, those tasked with the responsibility of recommending the shortlist of coaches to the executive committee for final approval know that it's difficult. You understand that Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders of all time. People talk about Messi all the time, but he, along with (Andres) Iniesta, are right up there as far as Barcelona is concerned. So, yes, it is what it is,' he added. The experienced Anglo-Cypriot Stephen Constantine, Stefan Tarkovic of Slovakia, and home-bred Khalid Jamil were among three candidates shortlisted on Wednesday by the technical committee of the AIFF. Out of the three, Jamil appears to be the frontrunner to replace Manolo Marquez, who quit earlier this month after a string of poor performances by the national team.

Indian men's hockey team to tour Australia before Hockey Asia Cup 2025
Indian men's hockey team to tour Australia before Hockey Asia Cup 2025

Business Standard

time2 hours ago

  • Business Standard

Indian men's hockey team to tour Australia before Hockey Asia Cup 2025

As part of its preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup, the Indian men's hockey team will tour Australia for a friendly four-match series in Perth from August 15 to 21. The eighth-ranked Indian team will be playing the sixth-ranked hosts on August 15, 16, 19, and 21 at the same venue. The Asia Cup is due to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7. The continental showpiece offers a direct qualification spot for next year's FIH World Cup to the tournament winner. "This tour comes at a crucial time for us, just ahead of the Hero Asia Cup in Bihar. While these are technically friendly matches, they form a very important part of our preparation phase," India chief coach Craig Fulton said in a statement issued by Hockey India. "Playing against a team like Australia will test us in all aspects - both on the ball and off it - and that is exactly what we need to sharpen up before a major tournament," he added. Fulton said the side has completed a 10-day training block. "...the mood in the camp is upbeat as we are fully focused on what lies ahead. One of our key goals on this tour is to use the first two matches for selection purposes, while the remaining games will be played with the shortlisted squad for the Asia Cup," he said. "Our focus is firmly on moving forward -- the goal now is to prepare well and go to the Asia Cup with the intent to win it," he added. The two sides recently faced each other in the FIH Pro League in Europe, where Australia edged India 32 in both legs. India had scripted a 32 victory over the Kookaburras at last year's Paris Olympics -- their first Olympic win over Australia since the 1972 Munich Games. While recent encounters have been closely fought, Australia have historically held the edge in the rivalry, winning 35 of the 51 matches played between the two teams since 2013. India have won nine times, with seven matches ending in draws.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store