India Hockey Head Coach Not Happy Despite Win Over China: 'Missed Chances, Conceded Soft Goals'

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 20:29 IST

India edged past China with a 4-3 win to start their Asia Cup campaign positively but coach Craig Fulton thinks there are areas that need improvement.

Harmanpreet Singh (right) scored a hat-trick. (Picture Credit: X/TheHockeyIndia)

Chief coach Craig Fulton was not entirely pleased with the Indian men’s hockey team’s performance against the lower-ranked China in their Asia Cup opener, but he emphasized that starting with a win was the crucial takeaway.

Ranked seventh in the world, India appeared uninspired and had to work hard to secure a narrow 4-3 victory against the 23rd-ranked Chinese team.

“First half was good, we got into good positions and then did some mistakes but we always had another gear to get to. It’s nice that in the second half we got some PCs and converted. Not to score the stroke was unfortunate," Fulton said in the post-match interaction.

India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh successfully converted three penalty corners but missed a penalty stroke in the second half.

“We played well enough to win the game but we didn’t play to our expectations. The first hurdle was a good hurdle. There was lot of fight in our team which was nice to see but we missed a few chances and we conceded a few soft goals as well," Fulton said.

Despite the positive result, Fulton pointed out several areas needing improvement.

“What was important was to get the three points and we did that."

The South African coach cautioned against underestimating any team in the tournament, as demonstrated on Friday.

“Well I expect fight from any team. We are the highest ranked team and favourites here, so every team is going to lift themselves to play us and we have to manage that challenge," Fulton said.

“I have seen a lot of games when you don’t play well but you win and that’s what is important getting the win."

Harmanpreet mentioned that there were many lessons to be learned from the match against China.

“It was a tough match but winning was important. Till the last whistle we fought. It’s a good lesson for us," he said.

He stressed the need for heightened defensive alertness.

“Most of the team here prefer to sit back, play deep and wait for counters. That’s a good lesson for us, to make sure that our defensive line is strong."

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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First Published:

August 29, 2025, 20:29 IST

News sports India Hockey Head Coach Not Happy Despite Win Over China: 'Missed Chances, Conceded Soft Goals'

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