Indian hockey coaches to use Pro League matches to get better insights ahead of CWG

stressed the importance of FIH Pro League matches which could enhance their CWG preparation and Chief coach Janneke Schopman agreed. Reid has seen the fringe players' growth, so that the Birmingham-bound squad selection would be strict. The Indian men's team will play the upcoming series of FIH Pro League matches against hosts Belgium (June 11 and June 12) and the Netherlands (June 18 and June 19). Meanwhile, the women's side will encounter Belgium (June 11 and June 12), Argentina (June 18 and June 19) and the United States (June 21 and June 22).

Reid revealed that his team would make the best use of the two months that precede CWG. They will also derive insights from their Pro League matches and work on the areas that require improvement. They will reinitiate the national camp for CWG in the last week of June, which would allow them three weeks to prepare before the contingent takes off for Birmingham. The players are optimistic about the coming days, so a series of wins against Belgium and the Netherlands will provide the right momentum before Asiad in July, as stated by the coach. The growth of the Asia Cup team has given new depth to the players. As a result, the selection process for major tournaments will be more challenging.

The Blue Tigresses hope to trump their 2018 fourth-place finish

Indian women's hockey team chief coach Janneke Schopman fully supported her male counterpart's stance regarding India's preparation for the CWD and said that the next few weeks would be challenging and exciting. Back-to-back Pro League matches will be essential to grasp a proper understanding of how the players' bodies have been responding to recovery and the critical factors in preparing for a game within 24 hours, said Schopman. In the 2018 edition of the event, the Indian women's team had narrowly missed a medal in Jakarta, but now they are looking to redeem themselves in Birmingham. 

Schopnan further revealed that their utmost priority is registering impressive performances at the Pro League and the World Cup. The team had finished fourth four years back, so the prospect of a podium finish this year will fuel the ladies' hopes. After the upcoming Pro League matches, the women will prepare for the FIH Women's World Cup slated to be jointly hosted by Spain and the Netherlands from July 1 to 17. In the Birmingham CWG, they have been named alongside England, Ghana, Canada and Wales in Pool A. As for the men's side, a similar Pool B arrangement awaits them alongside England, Canada, Ghana and Wales.