TOI Sports Desk
NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s hockey team began its Paris Olympics campaign with a tight 3-2 victory over New Zealand, courtesy a crucial penalty stroke conversion by skipper Harmanpreet Singh in the 59th minute on Saturday.
Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and head coach Craig Fulton acknowledged that the win served as a wake-up call for tougher pool matches ahead.
Their first win against New Zealand gave India three crucial points.
“The first match in the Olympics is never easy. New Zealand is not an easy team, We made some mistakes, but there were a few good things as well. It’s a good wake up call for the team,” news agency PTI quoted Sreejesh as saying.
“We got three points and that’s what is important. We gave them opportunities and they converted. The last few minutes were not easy but in hockey it’s always like that, from first whistle to the last there is tension,” he said.
Fulton, while pleased with the win, noted that the team could have played more aggressively.
“You can see Australia, Argentina was 1-0. It’s tight. It’s really, really tight. So this was a really, really important step for us. It wasn’t the perfect performance, but we had a plan. We stuck to it,” the South African said.
Fulton admitted that India could have played a more aggressive game.
“There are a few plans that we have. But we have different plans for different teams. And the best form of defence at times is attack. And we didn’t really do enough with the ball.
“On the ball, we weren’t that good today in terms of keeping possession. But New Zealand are a competitive team, so they did well. They intercepted a lot of ball. So little areas, where we need to work. We did well,” he said.
Fulton said he will take the win even though it was not a flawless performance from his side.
“We had a good game. And I’m glad that we got the win the way we did because we made some mistakes. They punished us for it. And at the end of the day, we came back and got the win.
“This is the Olympics. So everyone’s primed. You know, it’s no easy team.”
Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and head coach Craig Fulton acknowledged that the win served as a wake-up call for tougher pool matches ahead.
Their first win against New Zealand gave India three crucial points.
“The first match in the Olympics is never easy. New Zealand is not an easy team, We made some mistakes, but there were a few good things as well. It’s a good wake up call for the team,” news agency PTI quoted Sreejesh as saying.
“We got three points and that’s what is important. We gave them opportunities and they converted. The last few minutes were not easy but in hockey it’s always like that, from first whistle to the last there is tension,” he said.
Fulton, while pleased with the win, noted that the team could have played more aggressively.
“You can see Australia, Argentina was 1-0. It’s tight. It’s really, really tight. So this was a really, really important step for us. It wasn’t the perfect performance, but we had a plan. We stuck to it,” the South African said.
Fulton admitted that India could have played a more aggressive game.
“There are a few plans that we have. But we have different plans for different teams. And the best form of defence at times is attack. And we didn’t really do enough with the ball.
“On the ball, we weren’t that good today in terms of keeping possession. But New Zealand are a competitive team, so they did well. They intercepted a lot of ball. So little areas, where we need to work. We did well,” he said.
Fulton said he will take the win even though it was not a flawless performance from his side.
“We had a good game. And I’m glad that we got the win the way we did because we made some mistakes. They punished us for it. And at the end of the day, we came back and got the win.
“This is the Olympics. So everyone’s primed. You know, it’s no easy team.”