Craig Fulton relieved as India survive Pakistan scare but warns ahead of final Test

India head coach Craig Fulton was more relieved than satisfied after the defending champions survived a stunning Pakistan fightback to win 4-3 to reach the Asian Games final on Thursday.

India appeared in control after taking a 3-0 lead, but Pakistan fought back to level the semi-final and put the defending champions under heavy pressure. India eventually found a late winner, but Fulton admitted his side made the contest much more difficult than it needed to be.

“I’m relieved. You can’t be happy with a 3-0 lead, then 3-3 and a 4-3 win. I’m happy, but it wasn’t ideal,” Fulton said.

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INDIA IS LOSING ITS SHAPE

Fulton felt India lost their structure during a crucial phase of the match, allowing Pakistan to capitalize on mistakes.

“We lost a little bit of form in the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth. But when you make mistakes against a team like that, they can score. They scored on everybody and anybody,” he said.

India created a few chances in the first half and could have extended their advantage, but their inability to convert those opportunities allowed Pakistan to stay within reach.

“We needed to get to four and five goals. We missed a couple of chances and had a lot of good phases of the game in the first half. We needed to get to four or five, but we stayed at three,” Fulton said.

“When you play Pakistan you need three or more goals and that showed today.

MISSED CHANCES OPENED DOORS

The coach rejected the suggestion that India had deliberately gone defensive after going 3-0 down.

“I don’t think we went defensive. We just missed chances. And then when you make a mistake or two against a team like that, they can score. That’s the difference,” Fulton said.

He also emphasized that teams can’t always dictate how a playoff game plays out.

“You can’t play the game you want to play. You have to play the game that’s in front of you. And that’s the way it was. I’m glad we found a way to get there,” he said.

Fulton believed that India focused too much on the result during the latter stages rather than focusing on the next phase of the game.

“We showed we can play in the first half, even a bit more, around 40 minutes. It was a bit of a mess in the last 20. We’ll look at it, have a chat and come back and bounce back,” he said.

“I think it’s more about the result. Not necessarily the opportunity. We were a little more distracted by the result at that point.”

“But there’s still time left in class so you can’t do that.

FULTON WANTS A FAST ANSWER

India had enjoyed some convincing wins earlier in the Asian Games, but Fulton rejected the suggestion that the lack of close matches had left his side unprepared for Pakistan’s challenge.

“I don’t think so. I just think it’s more about us than Pakistan,” he said.

The coach also acknowledged the demands of a long season, but said India needed to adapt to the changing dynamics of tournament hockey.

“It wasn’t easy. But because of the tournament you’re in, it changes with the dynamic. We can adapt, keep the story fresh, stay in the present and not worry or look too far ahead,” Fulton said.

Despite the scare, Fulton was pleased that India continued to press for the winner rather than allow the semi-final to head for a shootout.

“Everybody is trying as hard as they can. We scored three goals the way we did and created a lot more chances. That’s where you need to come in, stay nice and calm and finish what you start,” he said.

The dramatic victory took its toll India into Asian Games finals, but Fulton’s post-match assessment made it clear that the defending champions will need to tighten up their defence, improve their finishing and keep their composure if they are to complete their title defence.

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