‘You can’t always play the game you want’: Fulton admits India made life difficult after 3-0 lead

On the difficulty of the semi-final

The semi-final was always going to be difficult. We had a really good first half, but after the green card we conceded a goal, which wasn’t ideal. It was still fine at that stage.

Then, in the third quarter and at the start of the fourth, we lost a little bit of our shape. But against a team like Pakistan, if you make mistakes, they can score goals against anyone. The pleasing thing was that we were able to find another level. Even though it went down to the wire, we found a way to score in the last minute. That’s a great time to score.

On India needing more goals after taking a 3-0 lead

We had a lot of good phases of play in the first half and we needed to get to four or five goals. We had chances, but we stayed at three. When you play Pakistan, you need more than three goals, and that was shown today.

On the nature of the goals and the late winner

It’s just a difficult game to play. It’s a semi-final, not a normal game. It’s knockout hockey, so everything changes. You have to be able to recognise those changes, respond to them and still find a way to play.

Pakistan got their goals in the dying moments, and then our fourth goal came at the same stage. It’s the best time to score because there’s simply no time left for the opposition to come back. I’m glad we managed to do that.

On whether he was relieved or happy after the 4-3 win

I’m relieved. You can’t be happy with being 3-0 up, then conceding three goals and having to win 4-3. But, of course, I’m happy that we won.

On what happened after India went 3-0 ahead

We missed a few chances. We needed to get to four or five goals. I don’t think we deliberately went on the defensive after scoring three. We just missed opportunities.

Against a team like Pakistan, when you make one or two mistakes, they can punish you. That’s the difference. But it’s also good to know that a whole game can unfold like that. You can’t always play the game you want to play; you have to play the game that’s in front of you. I’m glad we found a way through it.

On whether the Indian players were playing the occasion or the result

I think it was more about the outcome than the occasion. They were perhaps a little more fixated on the result, and at that moment we were also a little distracted by the outcome.

But there was still time on the clock, so you can’t do that. You have to stay in the moment.

On India’s attacking performance despite scoring four

Everyone is trying their best. We scored three goals in a good way and created a lot more chances. That’s where you have to step up, stay calm and finish what you start.

On whether fatigue played a role after a long season

It wasn’t easy. But when you’re in a tournament like this, it changes the dynamic. We have to adapt, keep the narrative fresh, stay in the present and not worry or look too far ahead.

It was a good test for us, and we have to improve from it going forward.

On what India can learn from the game

There are big learnings. We just need to finish games off better.

If I told you we were 3-0 up with one minute to go, how many people would put money on us scoring? I don’t know. But I know we always seem to find a way to win against Pakistan.

That was good. Now we take the learnings and move forward.

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