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Indian senior men’s hockey team is likely to embark on an exposure trip to the Netherlands next month as part of their preparations for the forthcoming first FIH Hockey World League (HWL) semifinals, which is slated to be held in Rotterdam from June 13-22.
According to Hockey India (HI) sources, the modalities of the exposure trip to the Netherlands are being worked out. It is learnt that Hockey India’s High Performance Manager and celebrated Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans has been instrumental in arranging this exposure tour.
Although the schedule of the Dutch tour is in the final stages of discussions, it is learnt that the national team would play a total of seven practice matches.
Significantly, Hockey India insiders say the Indian team would play three matches against the Dutch national side and four games against Dutch club sides.
The exposure trip, which in all likelihood will take place in May, will give the national players a feel of the conditions they are going to experience during the FIH Hockey World League (HWL) semifinals in Rotterdam.
The men in blue are currently attending a national camp at the Sports Authority of India complex in Bengaluru.
The camp, which comprises 34 probables, got underway on April 6 and runs till April 26.
The probables include recently discarded drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and striker Shivendra Singh.
Surprisingly, the name of talented drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh is missing from the list of probables.
It may be worth recalling that Gurjinder’s fitness issues had reared its ugly head during the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia.
Even the non-exclusion of 17-year-old Mandeep Singh, who gave a good account of himself in the Hockey World League Round 2 tournament as well as in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament surprised all and sundry.
India is not the only team that is looking to play practice games to prepare for the Hockey World League (HWL) semifinals.
Australian men’s hockey team is slated to play a four Test series against South Korea.
Malaysia, who are the hosts of the second FIH Hockey World League (HWL) semifinals, are expected to play five international friendlies against China.
Even the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is engaged in talks with the Malaysian Hockey Federation to conduct a Test series in Pakistan.
Even the women’s teams are also playing practice games to prepare for the Hockey World League (HWL) semifinals.
New Zealand are hosting a two-leg Four Nations hockey tournament featuring world champions Argentina, South Korea and the United States.
South Korea would travel to Australia later this month to play a four Test series against the Australian women’s team.
The Hockey World League is of vital importance for all teams as the 2014 World Cup berths would be up for grabs.
