Our defence didn’t do well, admits Fulton after 2-4 World Cup defeat to England

India head coach Craig Fulton said India’s defence “didn’t do well” after the team lost 2-4 to England in a Hockey World Cup match in Amstelveen on Monday, and he also lamented missed scoring chances.

England’s four goals in the match took the number of goals conceded by India to 44 in 18 games this year, Fulton said the first half had been positive but the team were exposed on a counter-attack. “The first half was good, but we got caught on the counter-attack [Nicholas Bandurak’s goal]. In the third quarter, we had some big moments but didn’t take them. Playing like a No. 3 “Unfortunately, our defence didn’t do well. England played like a World No. 3,” said Fulton.

Midfielder Manpreet Singh echoed the coach’s concern about the backline and the need to finish chances, saying: “It is important to have a strong defence when you play against a good team. And it is also important that whenever you get an opportunity, you convert it into a goal,” said Manpreet.

India now requires a victory against Pakistan on August 19 (Wednesday) to advance to the second round of the tournament.

Fulton said the players would be motivated for the Pakistan match and stressed improvements needed in the final third, adding: “The boys will be motivated as we need to come out firing against Pakistan. We have to be better on the ball in the final third and need to show composure,” said Fulton.