16 January 2014, New Delhi: The England team who are yet to be defeated in the Hero Hockey World League Final looked upbeat and confident during the practice session here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Speaking on the preparation for the semi-final, Coach, Bobby Crutchley, England said “the boys have managed to get the desired results by not losing a single game till now. This is the result of sheer hard work that the team has put in over the months and managing to keep their cool and sticking to the basics during their games. The key was also to convert the penalty corner chances that the team got and this helped in keeping an edge over the opponents at all times. Also individually we have been working on some players which have paid off. We are looking forward to our semi final clash against New Zealand and I am confident the team will again give a good show and reach the finals”.
Speaking on the undefeated form Captain Barry Middleton said “I am yet to come over this feeling of – how we managed to stay undefeated so far. It’s a very good feeling but in all this the team is not loosing focus and is looking forward to New Zealand during the semis. In our last match here we beat them and hoping we do it again tomorrow. One positive is that players like Ashley Jackson and Tom Carson are in great form”.
England
Current FIH World Ranking: 4
How they qualified: 3rd place – Hockey World League Semi Final, Johor Bahru (MAS)
About the team: England come into the Hero Hockey World League Final boosted by the return of two hugely important players. Ace midfielder Ashley Jackson and attacker Mark Gleghorne both return to the squad following injuries which kept them out of England’s fourth place finish at the TriFinance EuroHockey Nations event in Boom, Belgium. The team finished third at the Hockey World League Semi Final in Johor Bahru, and produced enough evidence to ensure that they will be a team to be feared in Final event in New Delhi.
One to watch: Ashley Jackson. Alongside team captain Barry Middleton, Ashley Jackson is one of England’s most gifted individuals. He possesses fantastic stick skills, a terrific eye for a pass and is one of the finest penalty corner drag-flickers in the world. Although only just returning from long-term injury, Jackson in expected to be one of the stars of the show in New Delhi.
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