The Indian men’s hockey team is slated to embark on a pivotal five-match tour of Australia this Monday to start their final preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This series is seen as a critical component of their preparation, offering the team a chance to fine-tune their skills against some of the best in the sport.
Coach Craig Fulton, in a candid conversation with Sportstar, highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead for the team on this tour.
Despite the historical challenges India has faced when playing in Australia, Fulton remains optimistic. He acknowledged the formidable prowess of the Australian team, currently considered the form team, but expressed confidence in India’s preparation.
“Australia is the form team at the moment so it’s always nice to test yourself against them. I have had a look at history and there have been some tours to Australia that haven’t gone well. But we are looking to improve that, we want to get some wins in Australia and also see where we are,” Fulton stated.
With the Paris Olympics less than 120 days away, the anticipation and pressure are mounting. However, Fulton maintains a strategic outlook, distinguishing between the “realistic” and “ideal” goals for his team.
“I always say there is a realistic goal and an ideal goal – the ideal one is to win any time you play a tournament. But then there is the realistic goal about where we are placed right now. We are fourth in the world, there are a lot of good teams and in an Olympic year, teams do more,” he explained.
Fulton also touched on the impact of the Tokyo Olympics, where India ended its long medal drought, acknowledging that while the achievement has raised expectations, it also sharpens the team’s focus.
“I think it is more about focus – I cannot control the outcome but what I can do is control the environment we create until we play those games,” he stated.
As the team prepares to face the challenges down under, the tour of Australia is not just about winning matches; it’s a crucial phase in India’s quest for Olympic glory. Fulton and his team are poised to make the most of this opportunity, aiming to peak at the right moment when the Paris Olympics finally arrive.
