The Indian males’s hockey staff will search for their approach into the group stage of the World Cup beginning this month in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, drawing on their expertise of taking part in towards Spain and England within the FIH Pro League and Wales on the Commonwealth Games.
India ahead Sukhjit Singh mentioned that whereas there have been numerous constructive learnings from the five-Test sequence towards Australia, there have been additionally key areas that wanted consideration.
India is internet hosting the World Cup from January 13 to 29, with 16 groups collaborating within the international occasion. The hosts have been positioned in Group D alongside England, Spain and Wales.
“In our pool, we’ve Spain, England and Wales. We performed towards Spain and England within the Pro League final yr. We additionally performed towards Wales within the Commonwealth Games 2022 (in Birmingham). So, we sit up for these performances. and select the positives and negatives to arrange your self accordingly.
India will start their marketing campaign towards Spain on January 13 and have been coaching in Rourkela since December 27.
Sukhjeet, taking part in his first World Cup, mentioned, ‘We performed a five-match Test sequence towards Australia. While numerous positives got here out of the tour, there have been nonetheless some areas the place we felt we might enhance. So, we’re engaged on these areas in coaching.” When requested concerning the staff’s apply drills beneath head coach Graham Reid, Sukhjit didn’t reveal a lot, solely saying that the staff is focussing on strengthening a number of areas the place it might want to put together for the sequence towards Australia in November-December. needed to wrestle throughout India misplaced the rubber 1-4 in a carefully contested match.
Sukhjeet mentioned, “I am happy and thankful to Reid who after seeing my performance in the last one year, gave me a chance to be a part of the team.”
Sukhjeet made his senior debut within the Pro League 2021-22 match towards Spain in February final yr and scored a purpose. Since then, he has earned 16 caps and scored 4 objectives.
The 26-year-old additionally gave an perception into the temper of the staff forward of the World Cup.
“There is true staff spirit amongst everybody within the camp. We are all actually able to get the ball rolling in our first sport towards Spain. Everyone is feeling constructive and supporting one another. There is an actual sense of unity which is thrilling to see.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
