New Delhi: The fourth edition of the Hockey India League will see an innovative first. Every field goal will count as two while those from penalty corner drag-flicks will count as one. While the new rule — to be monitored closely by the world body — has been brought into play to make the game free-flowing and encourage more field goals, top hockey stars feel that the “it might have a reverse effect”.
England’s Ashley Jackson, who will lead defending champions Ranchi Rays, feels that the rule “might force teams to adopt defensive tactics”. “I don’t like it!” said drag-flicker Jackson in a lighter vein, before elaborating, “There will be a lot of focus on defence. It can also make the teams more defensive since none would be willing to concede having taken the lead through field goals.
“On the positive side, each team will stay in the hunt till the end because even one late field strike can change the result.” India skipper Sardar Singh, who has moved to Punjab Warriors after leading Delhi Waveriders for three seasons, said they were putting “special emphasis” on field goals during training sessions.
“We have been training accordingly, and of course the first aim would be to score field goals. Even in training, we try and adopt various methods to encourage such play. Penalty corners will be our second resort now,” said Sardar here. Germany’s Moritz Fuerste will lead Kalinga Lancers, while home stars V.R. Raghunath and Nikkin Thimmaiah will captain Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Dabang Mumbai, respectively.
Delhi skipper Simon Child (New Zealand) said his team were prepared to tackle the rule. “I agree with what the others say (about the rule), and it will require change of tactics at various stages of the game,” said Child. “I am sure no teams would go full press now in order to save field goals, and it might just slow down the game,” he added.
