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| We want to write own piece of history in WC, says Indian men's hockey coach Fulton | | | Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, July 25: Fully aware of the legacy he is chasing, Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton is determined to break the 51-year-old medal jinx at the World Cup, and said the Harmanpreet Singh-led is eyeing to "write its own piece of history" in the upcoming showpiece.
Fulton, who guided India to their second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, very well knows that consistency will be key if India are to win a drought ending medal at the upcoming World Cup in The Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist, India boast of only three World Cup medals, the last of which -- a gold -- came way back in the 1975 edition in Kuala Lumpur under Ajit Pal Singh's captaincy.
"1975 was the last time India won it and what's important is to get consistency in the tournament and bring that consistency into the Asian Games and we win the Asian Games as a priority as well," the 51-year-old South African told PTI.
"We are excited about the opportunity. Tournament hockey is about playing your best hockey when it counts, you got to peak at the right time and have really strong squad through all the lines. We have shown in Paris that we can put in an experienced squad with some youth. We have a good chance and we can beat any team on our day.
"I am fully aware about the legacy of Indian hockey and also the fact it hasn't gone really well in the World Cup, we would love to change that, we would love to write our own piece of history in Indian hockey."
Placed in Pool D along side Wales, England and arch-rivals Pakistan, Fulton emphasised on the need to start well in the tournament.
"We have tough group and we need to do good job against Wales in game 1 and really focus on building momentum and try to get to the end of the tournament where you play your best hockey."
Currently ranked eight in the world, Fulton has already set his realistic goals from the World Cup and the Asian Games that follows within three weeks' time. The Asian Games holds greater significance for India as it is a qualifying event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"But that's what people will perceive as you are ranked 8th in the world. For me ranking is important after the tournament not before. |
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