The Indian Men’s Hockey Team is set to conclude its FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 campaign with two crucial matches against Germany on June 8 and hosts Great Britain on June 9. These matches represent an opportunity for India to finish their season on a high note and build momentum ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Currently, India sits fourth in the points table with 24 points from 14 matches. Their opponents, Germany and Great Britain, occupy the sixth and seventh positions respectively, each having played only 7 matches so far in the league.
India’s journey through the Pro League has been a mixed bag. In the Antwerp stage, the team kicked off with a dramatic 2-2 (5-4 SO) shootout victory over Argentina. However, they faced setbacks with a 1-4 loss to Belgium and a subsequent shootout loss to the same team, 2-2 (1-3 SO). They bounced back by defeating Argentina in a thrilling 5-4 encounter.
The London stage saw India deliver a strong performance with a 3-0 victory over Germany. However, they stumbled in their second match, losing 1-3 to Great Britain. These matches have highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement within the team.
Reflecting on their performance, Vice-Captain Hardik Singh acknowledged the team’s mixed results and emphasized the need for continuous improvement.
“We have played some good hockey, but there are still some areas where we need to improve if we want the result to go in our favour. Our objective in these last two matches will be to start aggressively and work on our best combinations. We will go step-by-step, try to play good hockey, and most importantly look to keep the momentum going,” he said.
Hardik also talked about the significance of these matches in the context of their broader goals, particularly the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
“The entire team knows that the London stage FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 matches are very important in our preparations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Therefore, it is important that we don’t take anything for granted and give our best out there,” he added.
India’s performance in the Pro League thus far has shown their potential. The team’s ability to secure crucial wins and learn from their losses will be vital as they aim to refine their strategies and combinations in the lead-up to the Olympics.
Fans can catch all the action from the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 on JioCinema, with all India matches also being broadcast on Sports18 – Khel. These final matches against Germany and Great Britain not only offer a chance for India to end their Pro League campaign on a positive note but also serve as critical preparation for the challenges ahead.
