After the hectic 2024 season, India chief coach Craig Fulton spent a well-earned break in Cape City along with his household. Amongst different issues, he may watch his daughter Milla Fulton, who performs hockey for Eire U-18s and U-21s, in an indoor event. He missed watching her play final yr however may make up for it this time. However after all, that didn’t imply an entire break from hockey although as he stored a detailed eye on the Hockey India League. This week, with the event coming to a detailed in Rourkela, Fulton is in attendance in particular person. And with the FIH Professional League arising, he’s been taking notes.
The Indian Categorical caught up with him on the sidelines of the league on the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. Excerpts:
Have you ever been watching the Hockey India League? What’s your takeaway to date?
Craig Fulton: We’re on sport 40 now and I believe I’ve missed solely two matches, I’ve seen the opposite 38, just about seen all of it. It’s been good. It’s optimistic from an Indian perspective to have the internationals which are right here, the standard and the coaches. Plus quite a lot of our youthful gamers getting the publicity. Those that are within the under-21 program and even those that aren’t, and in addition seniors, each included. It’s a pleasant steadiness to see everybody play.
Earlier than discussing Indian expertise, what do you consider the league from a impartial perspective?
Craig Fulton: I believe there have been some nice matches. Initially, you’re not sure, however then the event begins to open up. There have been some thrilling video games: there was that unbelievable 5-5 between Lancers and Pipers, then the 6-5 between Dragons and Gonasika. There’s been quite a lot of attacking hockey after which clearly not an excessive amount of protection. However on the similar time, some nice targets.
Does it damage you somewhat bit, as somebody whose mantra is defend-to-win?
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Craig Fulton: (Laughs) Nicely, I’m only a fan now. As a fan, you like to see the targets. These targets conceded are the coaches’ drawback, not mine!
You talked about the totally different coaches. How does it impression Indian gamers working with worldwide coaches and their distinctive methodologies?
Craig Fulton: It actually helps Indian hockey. I say that as a result of we play each man-to-man and zonal, high-zone or excessive man-to-man, based mostly on the scenario. Some coaches use full man-to-man, the place protection is essential. Others deal with zone protection. Just like the Tigers play half-court zone and high-press zone. Toofans play each. Soorma play half-court man-to-man after which high-press man-to-man. There’s a steadiness between the rules that every coach has. Completely different approaches improve the gamers’ understanding.
How does that match into your framework because the Indian head coach?
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Craig Fulton: We make use of each types. If a participant specialises in a single, he improves in it, however we nonetheless must develop his different abilities. If he performs in each programs, he advantages extra. It’s all about sport intelligence.
What has caught your eye with the youthful gamers, not the senior core?
Craig Fulton: The Indian gamers have aptitude, in that youthful group, naturally. There are some actually good midfielders on this youthful lot who’re capable of maintain the ball beneath strain, which is vital. It’s important to search out methods to maintain the ball alive, carrying it out of congested areas and transferring it to house. We’ve seen good particular person performances with gamers scoring targets beneath immense match strain, and enjoying efficient counter-attacks.
From an Indian staff perspective, post-Paris and looking forward to larger tournaments, have you ever recognized particular areas of want?
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Craig Fulton: Naturally, if a place is vacated, we have to fill it. We’ve been getting ready for Sreejesh’s departure by specializing in Pathak, Suraj (Karkera), Pawan, and junior keepers, and they’re all attending to be a part of the HIL. Balancing our goalkeepers is vital. We’re trying to have six or seven goalkeepers to satisfy the necessity throughout the groups. The opposite factor is that now we have nobody retiring within the close to future. However on the similar time, we try to push ahead an under-25 staff that we’re working to place collectively.
Are you pleased with the sport time Indian goalkeepers received, or is it a priority?
Craig Fulton: It’s typically out of their management in the event that they’re drafted alongside a robust worldwide goalkeeper. I’m fantastic with it. But it surely’s nonetheless a worthwhile expertise. Coaching with different goalkeepers, doing PC-attack and PC-defence research, and with coaches is useful. If extra Indian goalkeepers performed extra minutes, it will be higher clearly.
Relating to the widening of the expertise pool, you have got consistently maintained we want not simply 24, however 40 or 60 gamers.
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Craig Fulton: HIL helps in exposing extra gamers from totally different areas who’ve performed nationals however I may not have watched sufficient of them, or may not have been watched as completely earlier than. If their performances are constant, it’s an superior alternative for them. And if any of them actually stand out, it’s good for us.
League part right down to the wire
It was aid greater than pleasure for Tamil Nadu Dragons because the league part got here right down to the wire within the males’s Hockey India League to resolve the highest 4 groups. For a staff that led the best way within the standings for a big a part of the event, Dragons left it late to clinch the fourth and last semifinals spot, combating again down from 0-2 down in opposition to a crestfallen UP Rudras to earn a 2-2 attract regulation time, the purpose that sealed their spot within the knockouts. Earlier within the day, JSW Soorma Hockey Membership turned the third staff to qualify, as they clinched the shootout bonus level in opposition to table-toppers Bengal Tigers.
HIL semifinals lineup (Jan 31):
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Tamil Nadu Dragons
JSW Soorma Hockey Membership vs Hyderabad Toofans
