we-were-sharp-and-full-on-energy-craig-fulton

India chief coach Craig Fulton credited the team's fighting spirit and sharpness of the players on the pitch for the dominant 5-3 win over world champions and Olympics silver medallist Germany in the second and final hockey Test on Thursday at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi.

 

India, however, lost the series via shoot-out (1-3 scoreline) after the two sides were tied 1-1 in the two-match contest. Germany had won the first Test 2-1 here on Wednesday.
 
"We are playing well, we just had to put it together and today we did that. That was good. It's a good team. It's just that what we couldn't do yesterday we did today. Sometimes when you want it to happen, but it doesn't," Fulton said after the match.

 

"We played well yesterday but weren't that sharp but today we improved and were full of energy. We scored some good goals, and the younger players contributed so that was also heartening,” Fulton added.

 

India, however, was trailing by a goal at half-time but came back roaring after the change of ends and pumped in four goals in the fourth quarter.

 

"We had good phases today. We were sharp on the pitch. At half time I told the boys to relax and just be calm. We will get our chances," Fulton continued.

 

He said the series was a good exposure for young and new players.

 

"(Mohammed) Raheel did well, Aditya (Arjun Lalage) did very well, Vishnu (Vishnukant) did well. As I said we need to give these players opportunities," he said.

 

"The series was all about giving new players an opportunity, that was our goal, and it was really good,” the coach said.

 

"It's a good opportunity to play them. We are using the platform to use younger players, different players,” the coach maintained.

 

The coach also lauded skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who scored a brace, along with Sukhjeet, on Thursday.

 

"Really good PC conversions by Harman. We just need to get our set pieces right we will start the momentum," said Fulton.

 

Harmanpreet said the two matches offered plenty of scope to experiment with things, like trying out new players and variations in penalty corners.

 

"The matches provided us with good inputs. We took these matches to try out new things and players and effort was successful," he said.

 

"It gave us good inputs about some youngsters and few players who made their comebacks,” Harmanpreet concluded.