experienced person India Hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh feels India’s pool in hockey World The cup is interesting and challenging.
India is set to host the Men’s World Cup from January 13 to 29 next year.
India have been placed in a tough Pool D in next year’s World Cup and Sreejesh expects a tough competition from his opponents in the preliminary stage.
World No. 5 India has been placed in the World Cup along with England (World No. 6), Spain (World No. 8) and Wales.
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The Indians drew 4-4 against England and beat Wales 4-1 in an attempt to win a silver medal at this year’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“It’s an interesting pool. England, Spain and Wales are all three really good teams. Having played England and Wales in the recent Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, I think it will be a tough competition,” Sreejesh said.
“But, we don’t need to think about it right now. At present, it’s all about us. We are going step by step and working on our game in the national camp. We are very excited and persistent. Excited to play the World Cup at home for the second time.”
But ahead of the marquee event, India will host world No. 8 Spain on October 30 and November 6 in their first match of the upcoming FIH Pro League 2022-23 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Sreejesh feels that his opening two FIH Pro League matches against Spain will be a “mock test” ahead of the World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela early next year.
“FIH Hockey Pro League is the best platform for us as we get to play against some of the top teams. The upcoming matches at home will be like a mock test for us, it will help us for the real challenge that we will face in January 2023,” Sreejesh said in a Hockey India release.
“It will also help us in providing the experience of playing high level hockey to the young players. So, this is a great opportunity for us as it will help us set the pace for the World Cup. ,
The 34-year-old lanky custodian has recently been nominated for the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award, and he credits his teammates for the honor.
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“It is an honor to be nominated for the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award category. Even though I have been nominated as an individual, it would not have been possible without my teammates who are giving their best every day for the team,” Sreejesh said.
“I am privileged to have such amazing teammates and coaching staff who have helped me bring out my best and helped me take it to another level.
“Whenever I am nominated for awards, I feel that I am raising the bar for myself and for the youngsters who aspire to be goalkeepers. If you want to reach this level, you have to keep working hard and try to get better every day.”
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