By Admin 
India’s legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh’s career has been marked by many successes, but a regret remains: he has never won a junior or senior World Cup medal.
Despite playing in a junior hockey World Cup (2005) and four senior World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2023) and clinching Olympic bronze in Tokyo and Paris, a World Cup medal eluded him.
Now, at 37, Sreejesh is aiming to change it, not as a player, but as the head coach of the Indian team for the FIH junior men’s hockey World Cup in Chennai and Madurai (November 28 to December 10).
Sreejesh, who was part of the Indian junior team in 2005 that lost the bronze medal play-off to Spain, expressed his regret in a recent media interaction. “In the four (senior) World Cups, we couldn’t reach the semifinals. We were not able to touch the World Cup. It’s always a regret in my career,” Sreejesh said in a virtual media interaction on Friday.
In his first major assignment as coach, Sreejesh emphasised a relaxed approach, avoiding unnecessary pressure on the players. “Use the fans (and expectations) as your 12th man,” he said, encouraging his team to see the tournament as a stepping stone in their journey, rather than an overwhelming challenge.
Sreejesh
| Photo Credit:
FILE PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY
Sreejesh also reflected on the Indian team’s silver medal at the recent Sultan of Johor Cup, where it lost to Australia in the final. “The silver medal boosted our morale despite concerns over penalty corner conversions, which were addressed in the training camp,” he said.
The team, led by captain Rohit, is confident heading into the World Cup. “We’ve been practising a lot, and we are prepared,” the skipper said.
However, the absence of Araijeet Singh Hundal due to a shoulder injury is a setback, although Sreejesh is confident the replacements are more than capable.
India’s pool B features Chile, Switzerland and Oman, with Sreejesh suggesting that the real challenge will be in the knockout rounds (quarterfinals). He believes the key will be to maintain high levels of performance throughout the group stages to build momentum for the tougher matches ahead.
The Indian team: Goalkeepers: Bikramjit Singh, Princedeep Singh; Defenders: Rohit, Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka, Amir Ali, Sunil Palakshappa Bennur, Shardanand Tiwari; Midfielders: Ankit Pal, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang, Adrohit Ekka, Rosan Kujur, Manmeet Singh, Gurjot Singh; Forwards: Arshdeep Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Ajeet Yadav, Dilraj Singh; Alternate players: Ravneet Singh, Rohit Kullu.