Currently sitting third on the table, India is gearing up to face some of the world’s top teams in the European leg of the FIH Pro League. A title win would not only mark a significant achievement but also secure automatic qualification for the next Hockey World Cup.
The Indian squad features a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising young talent. During this crucial phase, India will go up against heavyweights like Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, and Argentina. Here are three key things to watch as India heads into the European leg of their FIH Pro League journey.
Read More: FIH Pro League European Leg: India‘s Schedule and Squad
Slow Starts, Strong Finishes
This has been the trend for the Indian team in this season’s FIH Pro League. Excluding Ireland, India has lost their opening leg and beaten their opponent in the return leg. Even looking at history, Indian teams are traditionally slow starters in every FIH tournament. They pick up the pace as the tournament progresses. The Olympics give a longer window, which helped the Indian team, but World Cups are a different story.
Slow starts in tournaments like the World Cup usually increase pressure on players and lead to reliance on other results. A cool head like coach Craig Fulton won’t be worried but will still want to address this concern. A good early start will help India build confidence and avoid the poor beginnings that could derail their 2026 World Cup campaign.
Backing Up India’s Penalty Corner Star Harmanpreet
India currently has the best penalty corner expert in its ranks in Harmanpreet Singh. However, even the star experts needs support. Looking at the options, Harmanpreet Singh currently does not have much backup. Jugraj Singh has been given the longest rope but this experiment hasn’t borne fruit yet. In the 2023 World Cup, the team management tried Nilam Sanjeep Xess, but he was not given enough opportunities to prove his skills. Now with Sanjay’s inclusion, there is another penalty corner expert in the team. The second penalty corner spot is still up for grabs. With penalty corner experts improving every day, India needs two reliable players for this key area considering current game conditions.
Tackling the Powerhouses: Belgium & Netherlands
In this European tour, India will face two of the top teams in world hockey: Belgium and the Netherlands. Both teams play unique styles that India must crack ahead of the World Cup next year.
The Belgium team plays compact hockey, heavily relying on defense and counterattack, similar to India’s style. They are patient in their approach to scoring, which makes breaking their defensive line difficult. Belgium places strong emphasis on defense and midfield control in their gameplay.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, focuses more on possession. They use numbers to create mismatches, allowing players to score. Their midfield displays a lot of flair and fluidity, led by Thomas Brinkman.
Beating these two teams is not just about winning the Pro League; it will give India a psychological edge and boost confidence ahead of the World Cup.
The European leg will put India’s ability to overcome slow starts, improve penalty corner options, and tackle some of the world’s best teams to the test. Moreover, success here will not only boost their position in the Pro League standings but also build crucial momentum for a strong campaign at the 2026 World Cup. In addition, performing well against top teams will give the squad the confidence and experience needed to face bigger challenges ahead.
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