Former India captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh feels that the FIH Pro League was a good wake-up call for the men`s national team ahead of the upcoming Asian Games and the World Cup.
Recently, India finished in eighth place out of nine spots in the European leg of the FIH Pro League. Reflecting on his former side`s performance in the concluded league, Sreejesh feels that the players performed well, but losing is a part of the sport, and it keeps happening.
“I think the players performed really well, we created lot of opportunities. We gave very good fight on the field but sometimes it happens the result went against us,” Sreejesh said on the sidelines of the launch of Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.
The former national hockey player also said that it is a good wake-up call for the side ahead of the two major events.
“The preparation was perfect but unfortunately the result was not perfect for us but the coaches have enough time to prepare the team for the Asia Cup and definitely next year the Asian Games and World Cup is there. I think this Pro League gave us a very good wake-up call to prepare and to be on our toes to prepare for World Cup and Asian Games,” said the 37-year-old.
The Asian Games are scheduled to be hosted in Japan from September 19 to October 4 in 2026. On the other hand, the World Cup will be jointly organised by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.
After drawing curtains on international career, Sreejesh is now focused on training the Indian men`s junior hockey team.
Speaking about his ongoing stint as coach of the junior team, “Same routine, when you wake up early in the morning it`s about preparing the players, ensure they are doing their best and rest of the day prepare for the next session, analysing the players. The only thing is that I am stressing my mind more now, earlier I used to stress my physical part but now it`s about my mental part. But I am enjoying.”
India is set to host the FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 till December 10 this year, and Sreejesh is not leaving any stone unturned to prepare his players.
(With PTI Inputs)
