Indian Men's Hockey Team's Alarming Pro League Start Raises Eyebrows
The Indian men's hockey team has begun the year with a performance that has left fans and officials deeply concerned. In the FIH Pro League, the team suffered defeats in all four of its matches, including a particularly humiliating 8-0 loss to Argentina. Overall, the squad conceded a staggering 19 goals while managing to score only five, marking one of the most disappointing starts in recent memory.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey Issues Stern Warning
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey did not mince words in his assessment of the team's performance, directing his criticism especially towards the senior players. Tirkey emphasized the critical importance of the Pro League, noting that the winner will secure qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "All the players, especially the seniors, should play with this in mind that the winner of the Pro League will qualify for the 2028 LA Olympics," stated Tirkey. He added, "They cannot take this casually because if they would have played properly you couldn't have lost 0-8."
Among the senior players, only Hardik Singh appeared to be making a concerted effort to influence the games, while others failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
Coach Craig Fulton's Development Focus Amidst Poor Results
Head coach Craig Fulton expressed his disappointment with the outcomes but maintained a focus on long-term development and squad selection for upcoming major tournaments like the Asian Games and the World Cup. Fulton experimented with the lineup throughout the Pro League matches, handing debuts to three players: Amandeep Lakra, Manmeet Singh, and Rosan Kujur.
"I gave a lot of game time to the India A players against top opposition because Belgium and Argentina are not easy teams. I am also at the discovery phase as to what we need in a squad to compete at the World Cup and win the Asian Games," explained Fulton after Sunday's match.
Fulton pointed out several areas of concern, including poor finishing, a lack of created chances and penalty corners, and a disorganized defense that seemed vulnerable to every opposition attack.
Historical Context and Upcoming Challenges in Hobart
While the current results are worrying, there is historical precedent for recovery. In 2024, after a 0-5 Test series loss to Australia, India went on to win a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Similarly, last year, the team clinched the Asia Cup despite losing seven consecutive Pro League matches during the Europe leg.
The team's immediate focus now shifts to Hobart, where India will face Spain in their first match on Saturday. One group of players has already arrived, with the remainder beginning their journey early Monday morning after Sunday's game.
Fulton's continued emphasis on squad development and finding the right team chemistry faces additional challenges. Sukhjeet Singh has picked up an injury and has been replaced at the last moment by Araijeet Singh Hundal. Furthermore, star player Harmanpreet Singh is likely to be rested for personal reasons and is recovering from an injury sustained during the Hockey India League.
Fulton Acknowledges Frustration but Urges Patience
Coach Fulton understands the frustration generated by these losses but urges stakeholders to judge the team based on major tournaments. "The expectation and the frustration are real. But judge us on the big tournaments. Now we're in a different place to the two other teams that we play," he added.
With the bigger picture of Olympic qualification and major championships in mind, the team faces a tough road ahead, but Fulton remains committed to his developmental strategy despite the current setbacks.
