Set for podium finishes at this year’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the coaches of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams are focusing on the upcoming FIH Pro League matches to get a better idea of the sides ahead of the multi-sport event.
The Indian men’s team will play their next round of FIH Pro League matches against hosts Belgium (June 11 and 12) and the Netherlands (June 18 and 19), while the women’s side will play Belgium (June 11 and June 12). ), Argentina (June 18 and June 19) and the United States (June 21 and June 22).
“With less than two months to go for the CWG, we will use this time to ensure that we are best prepared for the prestigious event. Pro League matches will give us information about areas that need improvement ahead of the Commonwealth Games,” said Indian men’s team head coach Graham Reid in hockey India Statement.
“We will re-organize the national camp for the Commonwealth Games in the last week of June and we will have a good three weeks to prepare before the sudden departure for Birmingham.”
Reid feels there is a healthy competition for a safe place in the team going to Birmingham with the fringe players doing well.
“There is an air of optimism among the players and doing well in Belgium and the Netherlands will give us the right momentum ahead of the Commonwealth Games in July,” Reid said.
“With the Asia Cup team also doing well, our depth of players has increased, making the team selection process for major tournaments more difficult and interesting,” he added.
Indian women’s hockey team head coach Janke Schopman concurred with Reid, saying that the upcoming FIH Pro League matches are crucial for the preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
“The next few weeks are definitely going to be challenging and exciting as we play regular matches in June and July leading to the Commonwealth Games. Back-to-back Pro League matches will certainly give us an understanding of how players’ bodies are reacting to recovery and are game-ready within 24 hours,” Schopman said.
Schopman said that after missing out on a podium spot at the 2018 CWG in Jakarta, Indian women are trying to win a medal in Birmingham.
“Doing well in both the Pro League and World The cup is our immediate priority. The team finished fourth in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, so a podium finish is definitely on the players mind.
The next big task for Indian women after the upcoming Pro League matches is the FIH Women’s World Cup which will be jointly hosted by Spain and the Netherlands from July 1 to 17.
At the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Indian men have been placed in Pool B along with England, Canada, Ghana and Wales while women have also been placed in Pool A along with England, Ghana, Canada and Wales.
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