FIH Pro League: Experienced India begin agency favourites versus new-look Germany

The Indian males’s hockey staff would look to financial institution on expertise and beneficial residence circumstances when it takes on a new-look Germany with an purpose to consolidate their lead on the prime of the FIH Pro League standings.

India are at the moment on prime with 21 factors from 10 video games, 4 away from second-placed Germany, who’ve garnered 17 factors from eight matches. But going into the primary of the double-leg tie on the Kalinga Stadium right here, the Indians would clearly begin as favourites in sultry circumstances in opposition to a German staff that contains of 12 rookies in its roster.

With a half a dozen out of its 22-member squad making their senior debuts in the course of the two matches on April 14 and 15, the guests throughout these matches have determined to check kids forward of subsequent 12 months’s World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.

The different cause behind Germany’s determination to area a younger aspect is the unavailability of a few of their common participant, who’re busy with with membership matches again residence. And it augurs nicely for the Indians, who’re coming into the tie with a little bit of confidence, having defeated Netherlands 2-1 after which dropping 1-3 in opposition to the identical opponents within the shoot-out in the course of the return leg at residence.

These two matches are actually India’s final residence video games within the Pro League earlier than they hit the street for away video games. And the Amit Rohidas-led aspect would positively look to log off their residence marketing campaign with an all-win document in opposition to a less-formidable German aspect.

India vice-captain and star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, nonetheless, cautioned his teammates in opposition to taking the Germans calmly.

“The thing with youngsters is that they will work hard to prove themselves,” mentioned Harmanpreet on the pre-match press convention.

“Our focus is to make sure we improve as a team and not worry about who is coming. “When it’s experienced opponents, we know what they do, what their strengths are, but we still can’t take players we have never faced or seen before lightly. But anyway, we generally know how Germany fares and their style of play.”

Germany head coach Andre Henning admitted that dealing with the climate can be their largest job within the upcoming matches as they’re coming from sub-zero temperature in comparison with the acute humid circumstances of Bhubaneswar.

“Our foremost focus right here is studying and creating. This might be the youngest German (nationwide) staff there has ever been. It’s extra of a future-based staff right here, as we’re seeking to create a squad maintaining the 2028 Olympics in thoughts. But actually, I don’t know what stage we’re at, he mentioned.

Henning, nonetheless, mentioned he received’t be stunned if his gamers exceed the staff’s expectations within the upcoming two video games. “When we asked the players (about playing the tie), everyone was excited, thankful and grateful. We don’t know yet if it’s going to work,” he mentioned.

“It can surprise us. We’re not sure how we’re going to play. We have to get as much and as close as possible. That’s the challenge. But I’m happy.”

The second recreation of the tie between the 2 sides shall be performed on Friday.