How does Craig Fulton plan to secure World Cup qualification during the European leg of the Pro League?

New Delhi, June 6 (NationPress) As the European stage of the FIH Pro League 2024-25 approaches, Craig Fulton, the head coach of the Indian men's hockey team, has emphasized the importance of finishing as high as possible in the standings to ensure direct qualification for the upcoming World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Currently, India stands third in the FIH Pro League with fifteen points from eight matches, trailing only England and Belgium. The team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, has a prime opportunity to elevate their ranking and enhance their chances for World Cup qualification, with only the top two teams securing a spot in the prestigious event.

Given that Belgium and the Netherlands have already qualified as host nations, performing well in this European segment will significantly bolster India's chances.

"This is undoubtedly one of the routes to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. If this doesn't pan out, we still have the Asia Cup in Bihar, India, in August. We have been training diligently for this, and our aim is to finish as high as we can and reach the podium. With Australia, the Netherlands, and Belgium already qualified due to their hosting status—and with Australia having won last year—the next highest-ranked team will claim the qualifying spot," Fulton shared with the media during a virtual briefing on Friday.

In their opening match, India will face the Netherlands on Saturday, followed by another encounter on Monday, and a double-header against Argentina on June 11 and 12, all set to occur at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.

Subsequently, the team will travel to Antwerp, Belgium, to challenge Australia on June 14 and 15, rounding off their campaign with two vital matches against the hosts on June 21 and 22.

Addressing the preparations for this physically demanding tour, where they will play six matches in nine days, Fulton remarked that the players are well-prepared and have trained hard to manage the pressure of the workload.

"Everything is focused on being physically capable of handling the game load. After our sixth game, we have four days off before facing Belgium again four days later. Our training regimen has been all about ensuring we are physically ready to compete against the world's best, starting with the Netherlands. That has been our primary objective," he stated.

"We are hopeful for tomorrow's match. Currently, we are undergoing training in the stadium, and we are excited about it," Fulton added.

Harmanpreet also expressed confidence in their preparations at the national camp in Bengaluru and through three practice games in Ireland to excel in the tournament.

The Indian captain mentioned that he is now fit and healthy following his recovery from wrist and ankle injuries, which had limited his earlier participation in the Hockey India League and Pro League this year.

"I underwent effective rehabilitation in Bengaluru with physiotherapists. I practiced with the team and also engaged in additional training sessions. While it was demanding and exhausting, I was aware of my goals. Now, I feel strong and am hopeful for a successful performance," Harmanpreet explained.