Hockey Asia Cup 2025: India coach Fulton says team must ‘be better for things to change’ after draw against Korea

The Indian men’s hockey team’s 2-2 draw against South Korea in its opening Super 4s match of the Asia Cup 2025 exposed a recurring issue: composure under pressure. Head coach Craig Fulton noted that despite dominating play, the team squandered several opportunities, including a dozen open-play chances and six penalty corners.

The match, delayed by heavy rain, unfolded before a noisy home crowd. Fulton stressed the importance of “managing the moment” when the intensity rises.

“The crowd is baying for blood, so they want goals, goals, and then, when the noises go up, everyone thinks we have to hit it harder or do more,” he said.

He added that the team needs to “stay… a little bit more calm in the moment and see more. And then where’s the space? And then play to the space.”

While the draw was frustrating, Fulton expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall display and reiterated his belief in the squad.

“I’ve not lost faith. It’s game on, you know? Like, we’re playing well, we just got to make one of two connections count, and it’s a different story,” he said.

Fulton underlined that handling such high-stakes situations is an individual challenge for every player and a lifelong process. “This will never change… It’s all the way through your career. That’s how you manage these moments.”

He praised India’s resilience, particularly its push in the final quarter to get back into the contest.

“I can’t ask for more, just didn’t happen on the night. And we go again tomorrow (Thursday).”

ALSO READ | Asia Cup 2025: Malaysia inches closer to final, Japan made to work for 2-0 win

When asked if the lack of composure was a concern for his experienced squad, Fulton dismissed the idea, calling it “not ideal” but not a major worry. He pointed out that the team still created enough openings through both individual brilliance and collective play.

“Might have missed five times in the nine-yard or close to it. And that’s… just what happened on the night,” he said.

Fulton expressed confidence that India will address these issues in the next match.

“I don’t think you’re going to play two games and do the same thing twice. So I expected that there would be a difference tomorrow.”

He noted that opponents often “pack the D” by sitting deep in a low block to stifle India’s attack, a tactic that can be both frustrating and time-consuming to break down. The 50-year-old explained how the team adapts to such challenges with a strategic Plan B.

“Plan B is to be aware of that and then make connections and then have a structure to pass the ball around it and over it, and then when you get your chance to strike a boss, and then that’s normally what helps us put it away,” Fulton explained.

Both of South Korea’s goals, however, came from individual errors. Fulton admitted his side must tighten up.

“We just have to be better for things to change. We need to change, so those are areas that can hurt you.”

Despite the setback, he underlined that India remains in the race for the title, but the path forward is clear.

“We have one point and we need to win tomorrow (Thursday), and that’s the game,” he concluded.

Published on Sep 04, 2025