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News18
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Take Full Responsibility...': Coach Craig Fulton On India's Record Losing Run
'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. That's what happened and we can't brush that under the carpet," Fulton was quoted as saying by PTI during a virtual media roundtable. 'We have to man up and be accountable. I want to fix it. And they know they can fix it." India needed to top the Pro League table to earn a direct World Cup berth but instead suffered a record seven-match losing streak—the longest ever for the Indian men's team in any competition. 'It was quite a frustrating time for us because we expected to win some of those games and we didn't," he said. 'We had a break, reflected, we looked at areas that we want to improve, and a lot of it comes down to small moments, restarts, a little bit of defending, a little bit of outletting under high pressure, and then penalty corner defence, penalty corner attack. It's always where it makes the biggest difference. 'We have to focus on PCD, PCA, final third and conceding some soft goals along the baseline and things like that. That's fixable and that's true," he said. Priority Asia Cup, Want To Stay No 1 India's immediate priority is to perform well in the Asia Cup, which will be held in Rajgir from August 27 to September 7, and to remain No 1 in Asia. The winners will secure direct qualification for the 2026 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 14-30. 'That's our priority for the year — 100%. We start (the) camp next Monday (July 14) and then we go all the way through till the tournament August-September," he said. 'We want to stay No 1 in Asia so we've got a lot of good teams wanting to win this tournament to get direct qualification. We have to respect all our opposition but we know we've got a job to do on improving from the Pro League and getting back to our winning ways. It's an exciting period for us." Advertisement Fulton further acknowledged that an injury to captain Harmanpreet Singh during the European leg only worsened the situation, depriving the team of its top drag-flicker and defensive leader for four matches. '"He got smashed with a ball on the finger that split his whole finger open. He couldn't play for four and a half games." 'When you take out your captain in that space and we've never had to do that for long periods of time not by choice. Someone else has to step in and fill that gap and it was a good period for us." On Finding Harmanpreet's Replacement? Fulton said managing Harmanpreet's workload will be important going forward, especially with a packed calendar leading into the World Cup and Asian Games. advetisement 'It's still a long way away but we've got to focus now on the next two months and get ready for this Asia Cup with Harman." Finding backup drag-flickers remains a priority too. ''I think there's a short and long-term view on this. Because obviously, Harman's not going to play for the national team forever. 'So what does that look like in a few years' time? But while he's here, how do we find someone who can support him? Obviously, Amit (Rohidas) has a different skill set. He can flick and he can hit. Jugraj has a good flick. 'Yes, it's difficult to replace Harmanpreet. It's not something that you think about because while you have him, he's a powerful force. 'I'm here with the India A group. They'll have eight games and we'll also be monitoring them and see how they go with how they approach the PCA." 'We've got to find guys that can complement him while we build into qualifying." What About India A Tour? The India A men's hockey team will begin its European tour against Ireland in Eindhoven later on Tuesday, testing the depth and readiness of the next line of players. With barely three weeks separating the World Cup and the Asian Games next year, Fulton said building depth through the India A programme is crucial.
RTÉ News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland suffer big defeat to end Pro League campaign
Spain 9-1 Ireland Ireland went into their last game of the 2024/25 Pro League season looking for a second win, but Spain had their own plans. A masterclass performance saw Spain score 8 goals in the first half as they continue their pursuit of a fourth-place finish in the FIH Pro League, which would provide them with automatic qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. A late consolation goal for Ireland's Ben Nelson put a shine on an otherwise tough final outing in the FIH Pro League. From the outset Spain looked to impose themselves on the game. A penalty corner from their second circle entry gave them a chance to do that, but Louis Rowe was on hand to block their first attempt, with Jaime Carr able to clear the second. A third penalty corner two minutes later eventually saw Spain break the deadlock, Pepe Cunill flicking into the net. Spain continued to apply pressure, pressing Ireland more intensely in this encounter, a number of turnovers in the Irish backline eventually ended in a second goal for Spain Nicolas Alvarez' push at goal taking a fortunate deflection off Sean Murray to sneak past Jaime Carr. Spain didn't have to wait long for a third opportunity, winning a penalty stroke just one minute later, which Marc Miralles dispatched. Ireland managed to manufacture their first chance of the game, Ben Nelson picking up from where he left off yesterday to drive Ireland forward on the break, he tried to find brother Matthew in the circle, but his pass was just out of reach. Spain piled further woe on just before the end of the first quarter, driving down the right side and delivering a ball to Alvaro Iglesias to slap into the net. Spain's dominances carried into the second quarter, despite Ireland's best efforts to respond. A penalty corner for Spain added a fifth to their tally through Pepe Cunill second goal of the game. A sixth came immediately after, Joaquin Menini firing past Carr. Jordi Bonastre added the seventh with a shot at the near post. Spain closed out the first half by adding an eighth. Sam Hyland blocked Pepe Cunill's penalty corner effort, but Marc Miralles got hold of the loose ball to fire into the roof of the net on his reverse. The half-time break gave Ireland a chance to reset, leading to a more positive period of possession to begin the third quarter. However, Spain continued their goalscoring form, Mark Miralles completing his hattrick from a penalty corner. Spain's press retreated, allowing Ireland more time on the ball but keeping them camped in their own half for the majority of the quarter. Ireland's improvements continued into the final period. An attacking opportunity from a turnover saw Sean Murray release Ben Nelson down the left, whose reverse stick shot found the bottom right corner. A second chance for Nelson came a minute or so later, which forced a save from Spain Goalkeeper Luis Calzado. A last chance for Ireland in the final minute came for Ben Nelson yet again, a great delivery from Lee Cole to find him in the circle, but his shot on the half-volley went over the bar. Speaking after the game, Ireland captain Kyle Marshall said: "It's definitely frustrating considering it's our last game [in the FIH Pro League 2024/25]. We don't have a chance to put that one right so to speak. We definitely showed that we can play in the second half, but it's not where we want to be."
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIH Pro League 2024-25: All you need to know, points table, schedule, live streaming info
The 2024-25 edition of FIH Pro League will resume on Saturday, with the European leg played across the continent till the end of June. The league started on November 30 and had the first leg played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India. How many countries are competing in FIH Pro League? Nine countries are participating in the 2024-25 FIH Pro League. FIH Pro League Men Australia, Netherlands, England, India, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Ireland FIH Pro League Women Australia, Netherlands, England, India, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Belgium, China The tournament played for over six months allows the winner to get a direct qualification into the FIH Hockey World Cup next year. Australia (men) and Netherlands (women), having won their respective FIH Pro League last season, have earned their World Cup spots. The Dutch men's team and Belgium – both men's and women's teams – have qualified by default as hosts. The remaining teams will look to occupy the lone spot left and lift the Pro League trophy. How has India performed in the Pro League so far? The Indian men's team, under coach Craig Fulton, has won five of the eight matches so far and sits third in the standings below England and Belgium. Though it began the campaign with a 1-3 loss to Spain, its last match was a 2-1 win over England at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The women's team started with a win over defending Pro League champion, the Netherlands, but has failed to maintain the momentum. With just two wins in eight matches, it is sixth in the standings. FIH Pro League standings: Men Position Team MP W D SO-Bonus L GF GA GD Points 1. England 8 4 2 2 2 25 15 9 16 2. Belgium 8 4 3 1 1 23 18 5 16 3. India 8 5 0 0 3 16 12 4 15 4. Netherlands 8 2 4 4 2 19 19 0 14 5. Germany 8 4 1 0 3 26 19 7 13 6. Australia 8 3 3 0 2 17 13 4 12 7. Spain 8 3 2 1 3 15 14 1 12 8. Argentina 8 3 0 0 5 11 17 -6 9 9. Ireland 8 0 1 0 7 11 35 -24 1 The women's team started with a win over defending Pro League champion, the Netherlands, but has failed to maintain the momentum. With just two wins in eight matches, it is sixth in the standings. FIH Pro League standings: Women Position Team MP W D SO-Bonus L GF GA GD Points 1. Netherlands 8 6 1 0 1 32 12 20 19 2. Belgium 8 5 2 0 1 21 13 8 17 3. China 8 4 3 1 1 19 12 7 16 4. Spain 8 4 1 1 3 15 17 -2 14 5. Argentina 8 3 3 2 2 14 13 1 14 6. India 8 2 2 1 4 13 19 -6 9 7. Australia 8 2 1 1 5 15 16 -1 8 8. Germany 8 1 2 1 5 11 18 -7 6 9. England 8 1 1 1 6 11 31 -20 5 * P - Played, W - Win, SO-Bonus - Win with Shootout , L - Loss, SO L - Loss with Shootout, GF - Goals For, GA - Goals Against, GD - Goals Difference, Pts - Points FIH Pro League schedule Pro League Men June 7, 2025 - Netherlands vs India - 7:30 pm June 9, 2025 - Netherlands vs India - 6:00 pm June 11, 2025 - Argentina vs India - 6:30 pm June 12, 2025 - India vs Argentina - 6:30 pm June 14, 2025 - Australia vs India - 2:00 pm June 15, 2025 - India vs Australia - 2:00 pm June 21, 2025 - Belgium vs India - 7:00 pm June 22, 2025 - Belgium vs India - 7:00 pm Pro League Women June 14, 2025 - Australia vs India - 3:30 pm June 15, 2025 - India vs Australia - 3:00 pm June 17, 2025 - Argentina vs India - 8:00 pm June 18, 2025 - India vs Argentina - 8:00 pm June 21, 2025 - Belgium vs India - 4:30 pm June 22, 2025 - Belgium vs India - 4:30 pm June 28, 2025 - China vs India - 5:30 pm June 29, 2025 - India vs China - 8:00 pm How to watch FIH Pro League in India? The FIH Pro League, both men's and women's, will be broadcast live on Star Sports 3, Star Sports Select 2 and Sports 18 HD. It can also be live-streamed on JioHotstar.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Women's Asia Cup 2025 Schedule: India to open campaign against Thailand
The Indian women's hockey team will open its Asia Cup campaign against Thailand on September 5 before taking on defending champion Japan and Singapore, Hockey India announced on Wednesday. The Indian team, which claimed the bronze medal in the previous edition, is placed in Pool B along with Japan, Thailand and Singapore while Pool A consists of host China, Korea, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament is set to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 5 to 14 and the winner will get a direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. India's second match will be against Japan on September 6, followed by its final Pool B contest against Singapore on September 8. 'Being placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Japan will test our skills and character from the very start. However, facing them in the pool stage will be a great opportunity to measure ourselves early in the tournament,' India captain Salima Tete said. 'Our focus will be on playing smart, disciplined hockey and taking it one match at a time. The ultimate goal is to lift the trophy and earn a direct spot in the 2026 women's FIH Hockey World Cup.' Echoing Salima's sentiments, vice-captain Navneet Kaur said, 'It will be a challenging tournament with Asia's top teams competing with each other, but we see it as a chance to bring out our best right from the first whistle. We've been training with intensity and purpose, and we will aim to execute our plans on the field during the tournament. Playing against Japan in the group stage gives us an early look at high-pressure hockey, which can only help us grow stronger as a unit. We're determined to make this Asia Cup campaign count and make the country proud.' India had won the Asia Cup back in 2017, when it defeated China in the final. According to the format, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super 4s Pool, where each team will play one match against each of the other three teams. The top two teams from the Super 4s Pool will qualify for the final, while the third and fourth placed teams will compete in the 3rd/4th place match. The bottom two teams from Pool A and Pool B will play classification matches to determine the 5th to 8th positions in the tournament.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
India to open Women's Asia Cup campaign against Thailand
New Delhi, The Indian women's hockey team will open its Asia Cup campaign against Thailand on September 5 before taking on defending champions Japan and Singapore, Hockey India announced on Wednesday. The Indian team, which claimed the bronze medal in the previous edition, is placed in Pool B along Japan, Thailand and Singapore while Pool A consists of hosts China, Korea, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament is set to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 5 to 14 and the winner will get a direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. India's second match will be against Japan on September 6, followed by final Pool B contest against Singapore on September 8. "Being placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Japan will test our skills and character from the very start. However, facing them in the pool stage will be a great opportunity to measure ourselves early in the tournament," India captain Salima Tete said. "Our focus will be on playing smart, disciplined hockey and taking it one match at a time. The ultimate goal is to lift the trophy and earn a direct spot in the 2026 women's FIH Hockey World Cup." Echoing Salima's sentiments, vice-captain Navneet Kaur said, "It will be a challenging tournament with Asia's top teams competing with each other, but we see it as a chance to bring out our best right from the first whistle." "We've been training with intensity and purpose, and we will aim to execute our plans on the field during the tournament. Playing against Japan in the group stage gives us an early look at high-pressure hockey, which can only help us grow stronger as a unit. We're determined to make this Asia Cup campaign count and make the country proud." India had won the Asia Cup back in 2017, when they defeated China in the final. According to the format, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super 4s Pool, where each team will play one match against each of the other three teams. The top two teams from the Super 4s Pool will qualify for the final, while the third and fourth placed teams will compete in the 3rd/4th place match. The bottom two teams from Pool A and Pool B will play classification matches to determine the 5th to 8th positions in the tournament.
