Hockey Coach Fulton Not Satisfied With 3-2 Win Over Japan: 'We Still Need To...'

Last Updated:August 31, 2025, 19:28 IST

Craig Fulton praised the Indian men's hockey team for reaching the Asia Cup Super Four but urged more consistency ahead of the Kazakhstan clash.

Indian men's hockey team head coach Craig Fulton (PTI)

Indian men’s hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton was delighted to see the team qualify for the Super Four of the ongoing Asia Cup in Bihar, but believes theyhoc could still do ‘better’ with more consistency throughout the four quarters.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace as India registered their second consecutive win in Pool A and qualified for the next round. Having beaten China 4-3 in the opener, the Men in Blue will take on Kazakhstan in the final pool match on Monday.

“The first priority has been achieved, but we still need to do better and when it clicks it will come," Fulton said after the match, as quoted by PTI. “It was a really good first half, we hard-pressed really well, parts of the game were really good. The stats are really pretty high for us but we couldn’t continue where we started. You make one or two mistakes later on and that’s not good for us," he added.

Though the hosts had dominated throughout, Harmanpreet getting a yellow card with just one minute to go and the scoreline reading 3-2, raised the anxiety levels.

“We were 3-1 up, and then it was down to 3-2. We made a few mistakes and we get a card and it’s always frustrating for everyone but part of the game," Fulton added.

The coach suggested that the team has been doing well in different game-states but has not clicked enough to put up a commanding performance, which he believes is not too far away.

“The first half yesterday and the first half today were really good. The third quarter was more of a battle because they were down, so they had to do something. On the hooter of the third quarter we got a goal, that was good. In the fourth quarter, I thought we will put one or two away but it just didn’t happen but it’s coming."

After two afternoon matches with high temperatures and humidity, Fulton is relieved that all their remaining matches will start at 7:30 pm (IST)

“The high-pressing in this heat takes a tool on your body, its not easy. It (evening matches) will make a big difference, really good. You don’t really play in such hot weather and humidity, it’s really tough. It was a good challenge and we have done it," he said.

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First Published:

August 31, 2025, 19:28 IST

News sports Hockey Coach Fulton Not Satisfied With 3-2 Win Over Japan: 'We Still Need To...'

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