KOLKATA: Craig Fulton has been in charge of the Indian men's hockey team for just four matches.
While the team began with two consecutive losses in the FIH Pro League mini tournament in London, they came back strongly and earned a win against Belgium and then grabbed a bonus point against the hosts after a penalty-shootout win.
Despite the improved show during the second weekend, the coach pointed out during a virtual press conference - ahead of the start of another Pro League mini tournament in The Netherlands on Wednesday, that the team will have to work on its defence in the coming days.
In their last match against Great Britain, India not only conceded four goals but also gave away 15 penalty corners. Even during the Belgium match, which India won 5-1, the Europeans were able to earn as many as 11 PCs.
"There was a much-improved defensive performance compared to the first weekend. It then put us on the front foot to score more goals which was evident in the first Belgium game. The mentality was also strong, the team spirit was good and that helped to get through in a tough second match against GB," said Fulton on Tuesday.
"Even if things aren't going our way we still want to defend and score and we did that. We still need to improve a few areas and it's going to take a little bit of time. We want to keep an Indian style of play which has a lot of flair and attacking hockey, but it doesn't help if you can't defend. So, we need to make sure we get that right and it will take a bit of time."
India will next play Argentina and The Netherlands twice in Eindhoven in another Pro League mini tournament from June 7-11 and that will give the players a lot more time to work on the defence and other areas as well. Apart from these improvements, the coach, however, doesn't want to work on anything new at the moment.
"Just want to try out the combination of players. We have got a way of playing that we obviously are trying to play to and improve. It's not completely where we want to be. But different oppositions give us different challenges. Then we are going to be aware of those challenges and have a plan for it. We will also try to play our own way and make sure we get better and better in every game," added the coach.
Speaking of combinations, the coach is more than happy playing Manpreet Singh at the back and wants him to continue there in the next four matches as well.
"When Manpreet plays at the back, obviously it frees up space in the midfield for someone else. It also takes up space at the back but it's a space that we are happy (to give) because of what he brings to the game defensively and also offensively after we have got our game plan. He is doing a good job over there," said the South African.
Meanwhile, as far as the squad for the all-important Asian Games is concerned, the coach made it clear that nothing is final yet and it will all depend on the next four games and the tour to Spain.
