India's men's hockey coach Craig Fulton emphasizes the need for readiness as the World Cup intensifies.

As the second round of the men’s World Cup approaches, India’s head coach Craig Fulton is urging his team to recalibrate their focus ahead of their crucial match against the Netherlands on Saturday. Following a mixed performance in the Pool stage, where India finished second behind England, the team now faces the challenge of securing two victories to enhance their chances of reaching the semifinals.

Fulton acknowledged the team's current position, stating, “We’re a little bit behind the eight ball because we didn’t take the three points through. But at this level, any team can beat any team.” He emphasized the importance of taking each game as it comes, saying, “We have to take care of our two games. We’ll just go one game at a time and let’s see what happens.”

Historically, India has faced challenges against these teams, managing only a single victory against the Dutch in their last four encounters, with an aggregate score of 4-15 against them. Fulton remarked on the importance of structure in their gameplay, particularly in high-stakes matches. “It’s a game that is steeped in history, where we need to take more structure into that game,” he noted, reflecting on past performances that allowed opponents to capitalize on mistakes.

“We’ve got different plans for both teams, but at the same time, we’ve got to implement our plan,” he stated, highlighting the need for adaptability in their approach. As India prepares for the upcoming matches, the focus remains on enhancing their defensive capabilities while maintaining their offensive momentum.