Mumbai, Jan 27 (NationPress) With the commencement of the FIH Hockey Pro League season approaching for the Indian men’s team, head coach Craig Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh are eager to ensure a successful campaign, coinciding with their efforts in the World Cup to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as the Asian Games in Japan, aiming for a direct qualification to the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics.

The Pro League serves as a vital precursor for the season, where the team aims to explore various combinations and assess young talents to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming challenges.

In a recent interview with FIH, Fulton and Harmanpreet discussed their preparations, aspirations, and the obstacles ahead, particularly with the home leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League set to launch an essential year for the team in Rourkela.

Following the conclusion of the Hockey India League, Fulton emphasized the significance of domestic competition in guiding selection choices for the Pro League.

“We have been observing the Hockey India League closely, evaluating player performances,” Fulton remarked. “There are several promising talents we might consider inviting to our camp and possibly testing during the Pro League’s home leg. Teams like Belgium and Argentina are currently in form, making it a prime opportunity to gauge our squad’s capabilities.”

Historically, India has performed admirably during local matches, a factor Fulton attributes to robust crowd support and the pressure of expectations.

“The backing from our home crowd is exceptional, and it’s motivating to kick off the season successfully at home,” he stated. “This also allows us to perform under the pressure of expectations against higher-ranked teams. We encourage the fans in Rourkela to rally behind us in every match,” he added, as reported by FIH.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed the significance of the home leg, detailing the team’s immediate strategies following the Hockey India League.

“We experienced an exhilarating Hockey India League season with tightly contested matches,” Harmanpreet noted. “The final phase concluded in Bhubaneswar, and we will have a brief break before commencing our camp in Rourkela for the Pro League home leg.

“This year is crucial for us with the Asian Games and the World Cup, and we aim to start strong in the Pro League. Our focus will be on thorough preparation for the matches against Belgium and Argentina.

Reflecting on last season, Fulton admitted that outcomes, especially during the European leg, fell short of expectations; however, he praised the team’s resilience. “Last season didn’t proceed as planned in terms of results in Europe, yet we remained competitive and could have easily drawn or won several of those matches,” he remarked. “While it was disappointing, we responded positively by winning the Asia Cup in Bihar shortly after and securing our spot in the World Cup. This highlights the team’s resilience and the players’ capabilities.”

Managing player workload will be one of the primary challenges at the season's start, especially considering the demanding travel schedule following home matches.

“The Pro League is intense with consecutive matches,” he added. “Following our home games in Rourkela, we head to Australia and play almost immediately. How we manage both workload and performance will be a significant challenge, which is why we will utilize a larger squad to test various combinations.”

For Harmanpreet, the FIH Hockey Pro League is an invaluable platform to compete against elite teams while also preparing for major tournaments later in the year.

“The Pro League consistently offers us the chance to face some of the finest teams globally,” he expressed. “This year, it also provides an excellent opportunity to experiment with new combinations before crucial tournaments.”

Discussing his leadership role, the Indian captain was quick to acknowledge the broader leadership team within the squad. “I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Pro League and the challenges it presents,” Harmanpreet stated. “While I take pleasure in leading the team, much of the credit belongs to the leadership group. We share responsibilities, and the support I receive makes this role highly rewarding.”

With robust home support, emerging talents, and a packed international schedule, India is set to aim for a strong beginning to their FIH Hockey Pro League campaign, establishing momentum for the challenges ahead.