India’s men's hockey team will focus on consistency and better penalty corner conversions when they face Ireland in the FIH Pro League today (Friday).
India has had mixed results in the tournament, losing 1-3 to Spain before bouncing back with a 2-0 win. However, a 1-4 loss to Germany exposed lingering weaknesses. A 1-0 win against Germany in their latest match showed improvement, with captain Harmanpreet Singh and vice-captain Hardik Singh returning to the squad.
Harmanpreet acknowledged that consistency remains a major challenge for India. "These upcoming matches are vital for us. Every game is an opportunity to improve, and Ireland will present a tough challenge," he said in a Hockey India release.
Despite Ireland's struggles—sitting bottom of the table with just one point from four matches—Harmanpreet warned against underestimating them. "They're a team that fights hard and can surprise any opponent," he noted.
India's biggest concern remains penalty corner conversion. The team has earned 14 penalty corners in four matches but has yet to convert any into goals. "We've been creating opportunities, but we need to be more clinical," Harmanpreet admitted.
Historically, India has dominated Ireland, winning seven out of nine matches since 2013. However, given India's struggles in finishing games, the Irish team could pose challenges.
India, currently seventh in the standings with six points, will look to build momentum and improve their performance as the tournament progresses.
