‘Matches against Pakistan are not as tough as they used to be’: PR Sreejesh

Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has stated that India-Pakistan hockey matches have lost their intensity in recent times. The Indian team has made significant improvements in fitness, strength, game awareness, and decision-making, which has made them less susceptible to conceding late goals. Sreejesh noted that in the past, Indian players often made mistakes during the 35-minute halves due to fitness issues or poor decision-making, allowing goals to be scored against them.

However, with the introduction of the four-quarter system and other recent advancements, India has become the team that often scores late to win matches. The former Olympic bronze medallist also mentioned that the balance has shifted in India's favor in past encounters between the two nations, with India typically winning by 1-0 or 2-1.

While Pakistan still possesses potential, their current team's level is not as high as it once was. India has been experimenting with a new formation for the past year and a half, which has led to playing more defensively. Nevertheless, in recent Pro League matches, the team has adopted an aggressive approach by pushing up and pressuring opponents.

The upcoming India-Pakistan match in the Hockey World Cup is highly anticipated and has generated significant interest among fans in the Netherlands. The 10,000-capacity Wagener Stadium will be packed for the Pool D contest, with tickets sold in phases since September 2025, ranging from 35 Euros to 251.34 Euros.