‘We are one phase away from finishing the way we want’: Craig Fulton on missed penalty nook possibilities vs Japan

Head coach Craig Fulton admitted that the Indian males’s hockey crew’s penalty nook conversion fee within the drawn match in opposition to Japan is regarding however assured that his facet shouldn’t be far-off from ending issues completely.

India managed to attain just one aim off 15 penalty corners within the 1-1 draw in opposition to reigning Asian Games champions Japan on the Asian Champions Trophy on Friday.

It was a contrasting show in comparison with the hosts’ convincing 7-2 conquer China within the opener, the place six of the objectives got here by way of the corners.

“It’s every coach’s concern if you are not converting your chances, whether corners or field goals. So, you always try to work out ‘why?’ and try to find a solution for that and combinations of players together,” Fulton mentioned on the post-match press convention.

“It’s not that we are not playing in our system. We are playing the way we want to play, and even tonight (Friday), we had two-three really good counters. We are one phase away from finishing the way we want to.”

However, Fulton gave due credit score to the Japanese for defending effectively and making India toil to realize success by way of corners and even area objectives.

“Japan defended and attacked well. They were moving well. At half-time, we regrouped. We showed in the following quarters how we got back into the game. They also defended their penalty corners well.” “We didn’t convert (our corners), but not for the lack of trying. It’s a good lesson, and we will go again,” he added.

It was additionally famous in opposition to Japan that the Indians primarily targeted on gaining the penalty corners contained in the field and kept away from taking common photographs on the aim.

However, Fulton backed his gamers to resolve at that given cut-off date and was delighted that his facet gained a number of corners and creating sufficient goal-scoring possibilities.

“It’s situational. We want our players to shoot. They have the license to shoot. They make the next best decision on instinct about what’s in front of them, and we back that.” “The proven fact that we’re successful a whole lot of corners is sweet. We have had a number of photographs. But we’re nonetheless within the match. We obtained a draw out of this sport.

“Of course, we wanted to win it and had enough chances. It’s not a nice feeling, but we have got to get better and be ready for the next game,” he concluded.

We are beneath no strain, says Harmanpreet Singh

India’s ahead line was responsible of losing loads of possibilities as ace drag flicker and skipper Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the house crew’s lone goal-scorer of the match.

Asked if there was any strain on him or his crew to transform penalty corners into objectives, Harmanpreet mentioned “We have no pressure.”

“We preserve making an attempt to place and do our greatest. (Japan’s) defence was good. We had been following the directions that we acquired. So, we all know what we have to do within the subsequent tie (in opposition to Malaysia).

“We will try to attack the areas that gave us goals in the opening game (vs China). We would also try something new,” he signed off.