New Delhi [India], April 19: Following the conclusion of the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025 in Jhansi, Indian Men’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Craig Fulton has expressed confidence in the growing talent pool as the team gears up for the Asia Cup 2025.
Fulton, who closely monitored the championship, praised the competitiveness and depth of talent, especially in goalkeeping and defensive roles.
“When we put strength on strength, the games were very, very close,” he said. “It was great to see strong depth, particularly in goalkeeping, and the emergence of players who haven’t featured in the league before.”
Fulton noted Punjab’s standout performance, attributing their edge to a strong presence of international players. However, he also acknowledged a balanced talent pool among the top four teams.
“Some regions were stronger than others. Punjab stood out, but overall, the top four showed good balance. Beyond that, depth and quality dipped a bit,” he added.
As the national team begins forming a new core group for the Asia Cup, Fulton clarified that age is not the key criterion—rather, it’s about filling the right positions with the right players.
A training camp with 54 probables is scheduled soon, from which a core squad of 40 will be selected.
“The next 18 months are crucial in building a squad with sufficient bench strength,” Fulton said.
On scouting priorities, Fulton emphasized evaluating players’ individual abilities within team strategies, with a key focus on defensive skills—both one-on-one and in groups.
He also acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in field goal scoring and executing tactics under pressure.
“We want players who can move the ball against man-to-man and zonal defences, press well, and handle pressure during the outlet,” he explained.
Fulton underlined physicality, game intelligence, and tactical adaptability as non-negotiable traits, rather than just positional versatility.
With veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh set to retire post the Paris Olympics, Fulton said the team will maintain its current core and focus on strategic additions to ensure sustained success in the Asia Cup cycle and beyond.