Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has urged the national team to trust its preparation and avoid letting World Cup pressure affect their performance, while backing the side to target a top-four finish at the global showpiece beginning August 15.
The FIH World Cup will be jointly hosted by Amstelveen in the Netherlands and Wavre in Belgium from August 15 to 30. India’s men, led by Harmanpreet Singh, will open their campaign against Wales on August 15 before facing England and Pakistan in Pool D.
Sreejesh, who was part of India’s bronze-medal winning teams at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, said players must focus on their individual roles rather than the expectations surrounding the tournament.
“The FIH World Cup is the second biggest tournament in hockey after the Olympics and naturally, the whole world is watching, and all eyes are on you. That brings a lot of pressure,” Sreejesh told JioStar.
“But you cannot let that pressure affect your game. When you start thinking too much about it, your performance drops. And when your performance drops, the pressure increases even more. So the key is to stay calm, focus on your role, and trust your training,” he added.
Sreejesh Wants Players To Enjoy Occasion
The former goalkeeper also reminded the Indian players that reaching the World Cup is itself the result of years of preparation and hard work.
“Most importantly, you are playing in the World Cup. This is what you have worked for. Just enjoy the moment and give your best on the pitch,” he said.
India enter the tournament looking to end a long wait for a World Cup podium finish. The team last reached the medal round in 1975, when it won its only World Cup title.
The current side, however, has built confidence through its performances at the Olympics, securing bronze at two successive Games.
India Can Target Top-Four Finish
Despite India’s disappointing eighth-place finish among nine teams in the recent FIH Pro League, Sreejesh remains confident about the team’s prospects.
“In my opinion, the way this team is set up and the progress we have made, a top four finish is the minimum we should aim for,” he said.
“Looking at the pool we have been drawn in, we have the quality and the depth to achieve that.”
Sreejesh believes India should not lower its ambitions after a difficult Pro League campaign and instead focus on competing against the best teams in the world.
“Anything beyond that, silver, gold, or bronze, would be a bonus. The team is playing with confidence, and we have the experience to handle big games. We should not settle for less. The target is clear, we are here to compete and make our mark,” he said.
India’s World Cup campaign begins with Wales before the team takes on England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19, with the results determining their route into the knockout stages.
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