The 2021–22 Men’s FIH Pro League was the third season of this exciting international field hockey tournament. It started on October 16, 2021, and ended on June 26, 2022. For India, the tournament was filled with both thrilling victories and tough challenges. Despite some hard losses, the team showed great skill and determination, ultimately finishing in third place.
A Strong Start: India’s Early Wins
India began the tournament on a high note. On February 8, 2022, they defeated France 5-0, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring two goals. The very next day, they crushed South Africa 10-2, with Jugraj Singh scoring a hat-trick. These wins gave the team a huge boost, showing off their attacking power. Players like Akashdeep Singh also contributed to the team’s strong offense.
Overcoming Setbacks
The road was not always smooth. On February 12, 2022, India lost 5-2 to France. But they quickly bounced back, defeating South Africa 10-2 once again the next day. Against Spain, India won 5-4, with goalkeeper PR Sreejesh making key saves, but later lost 3-5 in a close match. The games against Spain were tough, but India showed they could keep fighting, with Mandeep Singh trying to create more scoring chances.
Close Battles: Tough Matches Against Argentina
March brought more challenges as India faced Argentina in two tough games. The first match ended in a shootout, where India lost 2(1)-2(3). In the second match, India bounced back, winning 4-3. These close games taught India how important it is to stay focused, especially in tight moments.
Big Wins: India Shines Against England and Germany
April saw India back in action. On April 2, 2022, India won a thrilling shootout against England, 3(3)-3(2), with Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh playing key roles. The next day, India won again, 4-3. Later in April, India defeated Germany in two strong performances—winning 3-0 and 3-1. Players like Surender Kumar and Jarmanpreet Singh were crucial to India’s solid defense.
Challenges in June: Losses to Belgium and Netherlands
As the tournament came to a close, India faced tough teams like Belgium and the Netherlands. India won a nail-biting penalty shootout against Belgium 3(5)-3(4) on June 11, 2022, but lost 2-3 the next day. Against the Netherlands, India struggled, losing both matches 2(1)-2(4) and 1-2. Even in these tough games, India kept fighting hard, with players like Amit Rohidas and Hardik Singh giving their all.
Key Matches Recap
- February 8, 2022: India vs France (India won 5-0)
- February 9, 2022: India vs South Africa (India won 10-2)
- February 12, 2022: India vs France (India lost 2-5)
- February 13, 2022: India vs South Africa (India won 10-2)
- February 26, 2022: India vs Spain (India won 5-4)
- February 27, 2022: India vs Spain (India lost 3-5)
- March 19, 2022: India vs Argentina (India lost 2(1)-2(3))
- March 20, 2022: India vs Argentina (India won 4-3)
- April 2, 2022: India vs England (India won 3(3)-3(2))
- April 3, 2022: India vs England (India won 4-3)
- April 14, 2022: India vs Germany (India won 3-0)
- April 15, 2022: India vs Germany (India won 3-1)
- June 11, 2022: India vs Belgium (India won 3(5)-3(4))
- June 12, 2022: India vs Belgium (India lost 2-3)
- June 18, 2022: India vs Netherlands (India lost 2(1)-2(4))
- June 19, 2022: India vs Netherlands (India lost 1-2)
Final Standings
After an exciting series of matches, India finished in 3rd place in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League. The Netherlands claimed the top spot, with Belgium in second place. Germany and Argentina rounded out the top five. India’s strong performance in crucial matches earned them a well-deserved third-place finish, showing their growth throughout the tournament.
Conclusion: India’s Journey and What’s Next
India’s journey in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League was full of highs and lows. The team celebrated impressive wins, especially against South Africa, England, and Germany, with standout performances from players like Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and PR Sreejesh. But they also faced tough losses, particularly against Belgium and the Netherlands. Despite these challenges, finishing in third place was a huge achievement, showing India’s growth and resilience.
The team learned valuable lessons from both their victories and losses. With more experience, India’s future in international field hockey looks very bright. The players have shown they can compete with the best, and with time, they will continue to improve and aim for even greater success.
