21 January,2017 08:28 AM IST | | Noel D'Souza
Dabang Mumbai have never made it to any of the semi-finals in the previous four editions of the Hockey India League (HIL), but this time however skipper Florian Fuchs, who was the youngest member of the German squad that clinched gold at the 2012 London Olympics, feels his side have got a good chance to make it to the playoffs
Dabang Mumbai have never made it to any of the semi-finals in the previous four editions of the Hockey India League (HIL), but this time however skipper Florian Fuchs, who was the youngest member of the German squad that clinched gold at the 2012 London Olympics, feels his side have got a good chance to make it to the playoffs.
Mumbai kick start HIL Season 5 against two-time champions Ranchi Rays today at the MHAL Stadium in Churchgate today.
"We have developed this time. We had to address few tactical issues like how to connect with each other on the pitch and started training on a different level. We have built a foundation last year and have also connected with coach Jay Stacy, so the players know what to expect from him," the 25-year-old Fuchs told mid-day yesterday.
Fuchs, who made his senior debut in 2009 when he was just 17, has been an accomplished forward and his natural dribbling and goal-scoring ability sets him above the rest. Fuchs was part of the German team that won bronze at the Rio Olympics.
"I started off as a youngster in 2011. Now it has changed. In Rio, I was the senior forward. Now I have a lot of responsibilities. I have not done any changes from a player to skipper. At Dabang Mumbai, we bond as a group. Everyone gives their 100 per cent and all of them are leading in their own way," the 2012 World Junior Player of the Year added.
Fuchs, who has been an inspirational figure in the Dabang Mumbai side, is impressed with Indian young guns Harmanpreet Singh and Gurmail Singh, who were part of the Junior Hockey World Cup-wining team. "We have five players from the U-21 team. They have played really good hockey the likes of Guramil and Harmanpreet, all of them have contributed in the training sessions.
"The HIL is a good platform for these youngsters to improve as they get to play with the international marquees and also senior Indian players, so it will help them in their journey ahead," Fuchs explained.
After the HIL, the $96,000 import plans to take a break. "I am going to take a break from the national team and will return in November. This is the only time you get as most of the time I am busy training for tournaments. I just want to enjoy the summer for once. I'll travel during that time," Fuchs signed off.
