Indian Men's Hockey Team Poised for Challenge at FIH Pro League 2024-25

Bhubaneswar, Feb 14 (NationPress) The Indian men’s hockey team, presently ranked fifth globally, is primed to embark on their eagerly awaited FIH Pro League 2024-25 journey at the renowned Kalinga Hockey Stadium here this Saturday.

Under the leadership of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award winner Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian contingent will commence their campaign with two electrifying matches against World No. 7 Spain on February 15 and 16, followed by challenging encounters against World No. 4 Germany on February 18 and 19.

Starting their campaign at home provides a golden opportunity for the team to exhibit their recent form. After facing Germany, India will compete against Ireland on February 21 and 22, before taking on the formidable World No. 2 England on February 24 and 25.

Having secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the squad led by Harmanpreet Singh has demonstrated their capabilities on the international stage. Their last outing was during a two-match Test series at home against Germany in October 2024, where India made a comeback from a 2-0 loss in the first match to triumph 5-3 in the second. Although Germany claimed the series via shootout, the competitive displays bolstered India's preparations for the FIH Pro League.

Previously, India showcased their strength by successfully defending their title at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in September, winning all matches and affirming their status as one of Asia’s premier teams.

Harmanpreet Singh will be supported by vice-captain Hardik Singh as they lead a well-rounded team filled with both seasoned and young talent. Veteran players like Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad will strengthen the squad, along with rising stars such as Araijeet Singh Hundal, Angad Bir Singh, and Arshdeep Singh who bring fresh vigor and skill to the team.

"The team is rejuvenated after some impressive performances in the recent Hockey India League. I am particularly thrilled to see Jugraj clinching the top scorer award, which is promising for the Indian squad as it adds firepower to our dragflick," stated Harmanpreet ahead of their opening match.

With a blend of experienced players and promising newcomers, India is eager to make a strong impression and challenge some of the world’s leading teams in the tournament. After finishing seventh in the previous edition of the FIH Pro League, the team is determined to rebound this season. Their goal is to deliver a stellar performance and secure the top position, which would grant them automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

He further noted, "This year is crucial for us, and the Pro League marks the beginning of our new Olympic cycle and international season. With World Cup qualification (Asia Cup 2025) on the horizon, the Pro League offers a fantastic opportunity to gauge our standing. We are optimistic about our campaign, as Spain, Germany, and England are formidable opponents, and we will approach each match methodically."

Highlighting the high-stakes competition, chief coach Craig Fulton remarked, "The forthcoming days will resemble the Olympic Games, with consecutive matches; hence, we have opted for a larger squad. Given that we are launching our campaign here, our focus will be more on performance than ranking points. The other teams are arriving here with match experience from Europe, so our priority will be to perform well and secure victories."