Men Hockey Team departs for Belgium for the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015
New Delhi, 09 June 2015: After an intense and productive preparation camp, the Indian Men National Hockey Team departs for the upcoming FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015, to be held in Antwerp in Belgium, from 20th June to 5th July 2015. The Asian Games Gold medallist Indian team, who defeated FIH Rank # 1 Australia in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2015 recently, will face their arch-rivals Pakistan, Australia, Poland and France in Pool A.
The team will be led by Captain Sardar Singh, supported by Vice-Captain PR Sreejesh and under the guidance of Chief Coach Paul van Ass. This will be the first major tournament under Paul van Ass and the team looks confident of starting the tourney with a win against France in their first match. The 18-member squad departed in the wee hours (02:35 am) from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
The team post reaching Belgium will have 10 days to practice including four practice matches will help them acclimatise to the conditions there.
Speaking from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Captain Sardar Singh said: “Post reaching Belgium we have 10 days to acclimatise to the situations there plus we have four practice sessions before we enter the tournament. The tournament is important for us as we have major clashes which will help us understand where we lack and work on them for future tournaments. We are not taking any match lightly and the aim is to finish at Top 3. The tournament is a huge opportunity for the young players as it will help them better their skills while playing under pressure”.
Speaking on the present team, Chief Coach Paul van Ass said: “The team is now in a better position and have improved a lot in many areas. The Preparation Camp was very productive and we worked on various strategies as well as team combinations. The players are capable of playing at any position and more confident to adapt new strategies in a short span of time. We will play few practice matches, which will help us to acclimatise with the atmosphere there. I am expecting a very good start and first few matches will be crucial for us as it will help them build up for the strong challenges ahead. We are looking forward to the competition.”
The FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015 in Belgium will be played from 20th June to 5th July 2015 and total ten teams, divided in two pools, will be seen fighting to finish in top three to qualify for the FIH Hockey World League Final 2015. India will play their first match against France at 21.30 IST on 20 June 2015.
The FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015 will be telecasted LIVE on Star Sports.
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