Moritz Fürste

Recounting the positives from HIL Caravan!

~ Celebrating the mega festival of hockey called HIL, each year in India.

The first time finalists!

The 2017 edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) saw two new finalists in Kalinga Lancers and Dabang Mumbai. Mumbai were table toppers in the group stages. However, the Lancers beat the Dabangs of Mumbai 4–1 in the final to win their first title in the 5th season of the Hockey India League (HIL) in 2017. Punjab Warriors, the defending champions were however eliminated in the round-robin stage. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh (UP) Wizards Team came from behind to defeat the Delhi Waveriders and claim bronze at the Coal India HIL 2017.

HIL

Kalinga Lancers were crowned champions of the 5th season of the Hockey India League (HIL) in 2017.

 

Appreciated from players, fans and veterans alike!

The overall quality and standard of play in this year’s HIL improved couple of notches from the last season. All the matches were high intensity and the level of competitiveness displayed by all the teams was top class. It was interesting to note that all teams were in fray for the semi-final spots till the last but penultimate day of the group stages. Here’s what Indian hockey legend, the triple gold medal Olympian Mr. Balbir Singh had to say on the grand finale and the HIL tournament in general.

The young guns

It was equally heartening to see local players being groomed into the clubs. A lot of them were fresh and buoyant from the Junior Hockey World Cup triumph and hence warranted a starting place in their squads.

Hon’ble Chief Minister (CM) of the state of Odisha, Mr. Naveen Patnaik felicitated the homegrown Odia players from Season 5 Champions Kalinga Lancers.

​Not only did the coaches rely heavily on the fresh homegrown talent, the crowd also cheered for India’s future superstars. They picked up a lot of motivation and enhanced their skills, rubbing shoulders with veterans from across the globe.

“Show me a player of Dipsan’s age who is playing at the top level in the world. There is none.” ~ The German captain Moritz Fuerste on quote.

A rock star in Delhi Waveriders’ solid defensive framework was Indian defender from the senior team Surender Kumar. Surender also played the Rio Olympics and here is his Season 5 campaign in numbers.

A rock star in Delhi Waveriders’ solid defensive framework was Indian defender from the senior team Surender Kumar. Surender also played the Rio Olympics and here is his Season 5 campaign in numbers.

Indian senior team defender Surender Kumar’s season in numbers

​And such performances at a big stage like HIL don’t go unnoticed these days. Roelant Oltmans, the senior national head coach fast tracked a majority of the young players to the 33 player core probables list.

Foreign connection in India

Each year, the HIL attracts the top talent from across the world where each team bids for marquee players to match their Indian counterparts; albeit this time as club-compatriots!

“We bonded very well. How we stayed as a team is something that I will take home as a fond memory.” ~ The Dabang Mumbai skipper Florian Fuchs on the amazing camaraderie within the camp at the Coal India HIL 2017.

They were bowled over by the hospitality, food, singing and dancing moments with teammates and above all the fan support they received. Here’s a short clip-compilation from some of the outgoing foreign players of Kalinga Lancers on the memories of HIL Season 5 that they will take along home.

Stats, awards and fun facts

It was goals galore at HIL as in the 34 matches played, there were in total 206 goals scored! The tournament’s top-scoring honours were shared by Glenn Turner and Moritz Fürste, both representing Kalinga Lancers’ and having scored 12 goals apiece.

​On the other hand, losing finalists and Dabang Mumbai’s captain Florian Fuchs was named the Player of the Tournament. It was double delight for veteran from Germany as he was also awarded with the Hero Achiever Award for Upholding the Spirit of Hockey!

Is there a trophy that Harmanpreet hasn’t won yet? Maturity and calmness personified, Harman bagged the ‘emerging player’ award. Interestingly he was also one of the five nominees for the 2016 FIH’s ‘rising star of the year’ award. The 21-one-year-old drag-flicker was the lynchpin of the Dabang Mumbai setupp scoring seven goals in the tournament.

Harman finishing his trademark drag flick!

“I am happy that my performance in the HIL remained decent and I contributed to my franchise making their maiden final. The enjoyment of the award would have doubled had we lifted the title.” ~ yet another rising Singh and his thoughts immediately after receiving the emerging player award!

Opportunity for some, no comeback for others!

Gurbaj Singh was the highest bid player at the HIL auction having being picked up by Ranch Rays. However, his team failed to qualify for the semis and his was an average performance. The subsequent rise of young players and the accompanying competition meant that the Punjab Police employee could not even feature in the 33 man core probables.

“The selection is not under my control. But what I can do is put my head down and work hard, and give my best in every match I play, be it the HIL, Malaysian League or a national tournament. It has always been my dream to play for my country and give 110 percent every time, and I hope to wear the national colours once again.” ~ Gurbaj on a possible call up in future.

What HIL means to Hockey India and its future

If India has realistic aims to be in the top three and win some major tournaments by the end of this year, the young players need to be given a chance. HIL has always promoted talent from the grassroots and we have seen many a small town players shine and do well.

It was encouraging to see Indian forwards, the likes of Akashdeep Singh of UP Wizards and Dabang Mumbai’s Affan Yousuf also featuring in the top 5 tournament goals scorers. The Indian forward line has been lacking the much needed firepower and goals upfront and the exploits of some of the players in HIL will help us in Azlan Shah and future tournaments of this year.

Moreover, the learnings are mutual as both set of players -Indian and foreign had plenty to give and take in the HIL. Foreign players were eager to pick up the ‘Indian Masala’ tricks whereas the Indians picked up composure in pressure situations and strategies from their counterparts. Let’s watch what they have to say in this video below.

http://www.hotstar.com/sports/hockey/hil-fuels-indian-hockeys-growth/2001901556

The fact that India would not be sending their junior team in the Sultan Johor Cup in Malaysia for the second year running has made it mandatory to also include the freshers to give them much needed game time and experience. The HIL has become the breeding ground for fresh talent and the fans are eager to see our stars in action soon!