The Indian men's hockey team's performance in the recent FIH Pro League has prompted introspection and a renewed focus on preparation for upcoming major tournaments. According to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, the experience served as a valuable "wake-up call" ahead of the Asian Games and the World Cup next year.
India's Pro League campaign was a mixed bag, starting strong at home before faltering in the European leg. The team initially secured five wins out of eight matches on home soil in Bhubaneswar, positioning them third in the standings. This promising start fueled hopes of winning the Pro League and directly qualifying for the World Cup. However, the European leg proved challenging, with the team suffering a string of defeats. Ultimately, India finished eighth in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 points table.
The team's performance in Europe was marked by inconsistencies and struggles in key areas. They suffered six consecutive defeats, facing setbacks against the Netherlands, Argentina, and Australia. A recurring issue was conceding goals in the dying minutes of matches, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities and an inability to maintain pressure. Despite tactical adjustments, the team often dropped intensity in the final quarter, leading to costly errors. The absence of key players like Harmanpreet Singh due to injury also impacted the team's balance and penalty corner conversions.
While the results were disappointing, there were also positive takeaways from the Pro League campaign. Young players gained valuable experience, and the team had moments of brilliance in attack. Abhishek Nain impressed with his goal-scoring ability. Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera also made important saves in some matches. However, these individual performances were not enough to overcome the team's overall inconsistencies.
Sreejesh's assessment emphasizes the importance of viewing the Pro League as a learning opportunity. Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic about the team's potential and believes the experience will serve them well in future competitions. The Pro League exposed areas needing improvement, including defensive solidity, maintaining focus under pressure, and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, the Indian team will need to address these shortcomings to achieve success in the Asian Games and World Cup. Strengthening the defense, improving penalty corner conversions, and enhancing mental resilience will be crucial. The team will also need to develop a more flexible and adaptable playing style to counter different opponents. With a focused approach and determination to learn from their Pro League experience, the Indian team can bounce back stronger and compete for top honors in the upcoming tournaments.
