Rival Watch: India to face Great Britain in away leg of FIH Men's Hockey Pro League 2022-23

Team GB are currently second in the points standings behind India.

The Indian Men's Hockey Team departed on Monday for London, United Kingdom, for their away FIH Men's Hockey Pro League 2022-23 fixtures in Europe, which commence on May 26. The Indian squad will kick off the first leg in London, where they face off against reigning champions of the Olympics, Belgium (May 26 and June 2) and host Great Britain (May 27 and June 3).

They will then fly to Eindhoven for their final two games against the Netherlands (June 7th and 10th) and Argentina (June 8th and 11th).

About the team

In the FIH Men's Pro League 2022-23, Great Britain are currently ranked number two. The men's national field hockey team of the Kingdom of Great Britain competes in Olympic field hockey competitions. The squad won gold at the 1920 Olympic summer games in Antwerp and once more in 1988 in Seoul. Additionally, they also won the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2017.

Coach

In April 2022, Paul Revington took over as Head Coach of the Great Britain men's team. He is a former FIH World Coach of the Year who worked as a Technical Director for Malaysia Hockey.

Revington was previously Head Coach of the Great Britain Women's Elite Development Programme and Assistant Coach of the Great Britain senior women's teams. He previously led Ireland's senior men and his home South Africa to the Olympics in 2004 as the team's head coach.

In a brief period, Paul took United Kingdom to a bronze medal finish at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in his first entire season in command of the men's programme.

Great Britain's players to watch against India

Tom Sorsby - Midfielder

Tom Sorsby has had a quick start to his international career, making his international debut in the summer of 2019 and competing in the Olympics two years later.

The 26-year-old has appeared at two EuroHockey Championships with England Hockey and played in nearly every game for Great Britain since his debut, culminating in appearances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Tom is also an essential player of the Surbiton men's team, having transferred from the University of Nottingham after starting his career with Chapletown HC and Rotherham HC. He was then chosen for the victorious GB squad that travelled to Argentina, where he appeared in four games, assisting GB to take the top spot after the first mini-tournament.

Rupert Shipperley - Forward

Rupert's debut couldn't have gone any better, as he scored for Great Britain against Australia in a dramatic 4-4 tie to kick off the 2020 FIH Hockey Pro League.

In 2021, he scored four goals in four FIH Hockey Pro League matches at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre before also finding the net at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Rupert was then chosen for the victorious GB squad that travelled to Argentina, where he played four games in a row, helping them to the top of the table after the first mini-tournament.

The 30-year-old, a robust and offensive player with a sharp eye for goal, may have become a rugby player had it not been for an accident in his late teens that forced him to focus on hockey.

What to expect?

The clash between India and Great Britain will undoubtedly unleash a firework display in London as the two teams are vying for supremacy. On one side, GB will enjoy a home advantage, boosting their confidence, while India is in the hands of a newly appointed coach, Craig Fulton, a fantastic leader with over 25 years of coaching experience. He could be the ideal choice for India because Belgium was a formidable force with him in charge. 

The Indian men's hockey team employs a more skillful and strategically developed approach less reliant on physicality. Craig Fulton will focus on the Indian team's defense, owing to his significant expertise and 195 international games.