Craig Fulton praises India on game win 4-0 against Pakistan

India's win knocked out Pakistan out of the tournament and the Indian team climbed higher in the league table. During the post-match press conference, Fulton said, “A good-structured game was played. We missed a few chances in the fourth quarter, but did well overall. We had some good consistency in each quarter, which we did the same during the Japan game.”

Fulton spoke about the semifinal against Japan. They had minus two goal difference as against minus five Pakistan.  “We had more penetration into the circle in each quarter than Japan. So, it will be about maintaining consistency and just not following one way.”

Pakistan coach Muhammad Saqlain complained that India’s first penalty corner by captain Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick was wrongly given. Saqlain said, “We conceded through India’s first penalty corner, but it went off the hand. The second umpire did inform that it wasn’t a penalty corner, but the other umpire did not hear it. We lost the referral in the process. Such mistakes cannot happen at this level, especially when we are playing against the top sides in the world. So, the standard of umpiring needs to improve, which has been inconsistent in the event throughout.”

In regards to the umpiring decisions taken in the match, Fulton commented that what video referrals are for. Pakistan’s disallowed goal was scored off the body. “But there are some goals that umpires can’t disallow. At the end of the day, Pakistan played well. They had chances, but we defended well and got the goals counted at the right time.”

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice from penalty corners that contributed to this win. “As far as my drag-flick is concerned, even if I miss out on one or two shots, I know I will get more opportunities, and my focus is to get those and convert it," said Singh.

The third goal was scored in a penalty corner by Jugraj Singh. Fulton is glad that Jugraj could score a goal. He said, "I cannot reveal everything, but eventually, Jugraj has to execute it. So, he deserves all the credit for it. During the warm-up, I saw Jugraj flick a good one, and told him, ‘When I call you to flick, that’s how you do it’. And it worked. Sometimes it works, and at times it does not.

Harmanpreet and the team members are communicative and discuss things during every team meeting. He said, “Our graph has been going up. We are being told which area needs improvisation, and how to stay mentally strong and build trust. We always discuss before every match that we must not forget our original game. There will be pressure from the crowd. But, you will have to keep your responsibility and stay focused. We did well today but could have done even better.”