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The fourth edition of the world's biggest hockey league, Coal India Ltd Hockey India League (HIL) is finally here with the teams raring to go and the fans gearing up for a roller-coaster ride. The month-long tournament will see the best hockey stars from all over the world descend in India to fight for the ultimate prize the HIL trophy.With the introduction of the new rules, the 2016 HIL is sure to be one of a kind. According to the new rule, field goals will be counted double as compared to goals scored from penalty corners which means while a successfully converted short corner will still count as one goal, a field goal will be considered as 'two'. Due to this rule, the franchises have had to employ new strategies while recruiting players to fill up the 20-man roster for the upcoming season.Ahead of the 4th edition of the HIL, we look at some of the best prospects for the Mumbai-based franchise Dabang Mumbai this year:
#1 David Harte
Age: 27 yearsNationality: IrishPosition: Goalkeeper
Irish international David Harte was one of the three players retained by the Mumbai-based franchise ahead of this season. The 27-year-old custodian was bought by Dabang Mumbai ahead of the 2014-15 season for a staggering price of US $51,000, thus making him the 2nd most expensive goalkeeper at that time.
Due to his impressive performances at the international stage, the Alphas paid a whopping US $65,000 in order to retain his services, which makes him the most expensive goalkeeper in the tournament.
An established international, Harte, made his debut for Ireland back in 2006 and since then, has gone on to represent his country on 154 occasions.During his stellar career, he was won numerous prizes including the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Year’ awards at both, the 2014 Champions Trophy and the 2015 EuroHockey Nations Championship.
He also helped Ireland qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics for the 1st time in their history. He will be a rock at the back and provide the Alphas with the solidity it needs between the sticks.
#2 Florian Fuchs
Age: 24 yearsNationality: GermanPosition: Forward
One of the most sought after players in world hockey currently, Florian Fuchs was bought by Dabang Mumbai for a staggering US $96,000 at the recently concluded 2016 Hockey India League auction.This is his debut campaign in the world's biggest hockey league as he had opted out of the previous editions of the HIL owing to academic work load.Scouts spotted his immense talent at a very early age as his outstanding dribbling skills and eye for goal set him apart. Ever since, he has been instrumental in Germany’s triumphs at the London Olympics in 2012 and the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubneshwar.
The youngster was awarded the ‘FIH Young Player of the Year’ award in 2011 and will be looking to replicate his stellar international performances for his club.
#3 Jeremy Hayward
Age: 22 yearsNationality: AustralianPosition: Defender
Hayward is one of just 3 players retained by Dabang Mumbai for the 4th edition of the Coal India Ltd Hockey India League. The defender had a good campaign for the Alphas last time around, which convinced his team to pay US $ 46,000 to ensure he wears the blue jersey this season.
With the presence of two other Australian internationals in Matthew Swann and Andrew Philpott alongside Hayward, the Alphas' defence is sure to function like a well-oiled machine.
#4 Matthew Swann
Age: 26 yearsNationality: AustralianPosition: Defender
Australian international Matthew Swann was bought by Dabang Mumbai for US $75,000 at the auction. The 26-year-old defender has been an ever-present in the Kookaburras' side and played an instrumental role in their success at the international stage ever since making his debut in 2009.
His glittering career has seen him gather a lot of accolades. A bronze as the Olympic Bronze in London was sandwiched between Champions Trophy gold medals at Auckland and Melbourne before gold at the World Cup followed at The Hague, Netherlands in 2014.
In 2011, Swann received further honour when he was named the ‘FIH Young Player of the year’ by the International Hockey Federation and later in the same year, he was also named in the FIH World XI.
The Mumbai-based franchise will rely heavily on this experienced campaigner to provide solid stability at the back if they are to do well this season.
#5 Harmanpreet Singh
Age: 20 yearsNationality: IndianPosition: Defender
Indian international Harmanpreet Singh has created a major stir in the world of hockey in the last year with the Indian junior team. The impact of this 20-year-old has been such that Dabang Mumbai had no qualms in shelling out US $51,000 to retain his services for the new season, making him 1 of only 3 players the Alphas kept from last season.
He, first, came into the limelight at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia last year when he scored nine goals in the campaign while playing for India U-21, including a brace in the final which clinched the tie for his side. Owing to his display, he was named as ‘The Player of the Tournament’.
He continued his fine form at the Junior Men’s Asia Cup, scoring an astounding 15 goals, including 4 in the final against arch-rivals Pakistan to help the Indian team to win the tournament.
Ever since breaking onto the scene, he has gone from strength to strength and has even made his debut for the senior side. The Alphas will rely on his penalty corner expertise to make a splash in the 2016 HIL.
