New Delhi, 11 January 2020: Currently based in Kuala Lumpur in preparation for their FIH Hockey Pro League opener, Max Caldas didn't mince his words when he emphasised on the importance of getting off to a good start in the League where they finished third last year behind winners Australia and Runners-up Belgium.
"The matches against India are a very important opener. Playing against India at their home ground is challenging no doubt but it is also very exciting because we love playing in Bhubaneswar," expressed Max Caldas, from Kuala Lumpur.
While the matches between India and the Netherlands have always been nerve-wrenching, the last one being the Quarter Final at the 2018 Men's World Cup where India lost 1-2, the matches on 18th and 19th January 2020 will be further more closely contested, thanks to the two Chief Coaches being well-aware of their on-ground tactics. India's Chief Coach Graham Reid and Caldas have formerly worked together.
"Graham is a very experienced Coach and he is very clear about the process and the kind of hockey he expects from the players. I expect India to be as competitive as always and playing in Odisha, they will be very good," he added.
Like many other teams taking part in the FIH Hockey Pro League, Max Caldas believes these highly competitive matches will be a good stepping stone for Tokyo Olympics. "The players and combinations we wanted to test were experimented during the previous edition of Pro League. This edition we will have our most competitive team as this will be the stepping stone for us to be the best at Tokyo," Caldas said.
However, he also added that they will be cautious in planning the next six months to ensure their players are in the best shape despite being busy with the FIH Hockey Pro League and Domestic Leagues back in the Netherlands.
"It is very difficult for us as we will need to plan club hockey as well which is very important. Some of the players may not be with us during that time. We need to make sure we utilise their time with us, but also make sure they are fresh for the club matches as the matches there will be high-level too. In that sense, we will be planning cautiously and managing players load. We will monitor the players in the right way physically and mentally so they are at their best at the right time," he concluded.
India will take on the Netherlands on 18 and 19 January at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
For the FIH Hockey Pro League 2020, tickets are available online at
https://in.ticketgenie.in/Tickets/FIH-Hockey-Pro-League-2020
Please find below the outlets which will be selling the tickets for FIH Hockey Pro League 2020:
Sports Emporium: Opp. Pal Heights, Jaydev Vihar, BDA Colony, Bhubaneswar- 751013
Sister Mobile: 699, BMC, Near PNB Bank, Bhawani Mall St. Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751007
Sister Mobile: Plot No. 88/7, Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751009
SS Frozen World: Kanan Vihar, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar - 751017
B21: Janpath Road, Kharabela Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751007
B21: Opposite BMC Bhawani Mall Exitgate, Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751007
In & Out: Plot No. 305, Bharat Petroleum Petrol Pump, District Center, Bhubaneswar – 751016
Sports Emporium: Janpath Road, Unit-3, Master Canteen Area, Kharabela Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751001
C Décor's: Plot No. 88, Near Bharat Petrol Pump, District Center, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar - 751016
FH17 Saloon: 3rd Floor, BMC Bhawani Mall, Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751007
Maad Wheelz: C-7, Warehousing Complex, Aiginia Alugaddi, Near Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Bhubaneswar - 751030
Reliance Food Court: 2nd Floor, Reliance Mall, Master Canteen Area, Kharbela Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751001
Klassic Boutique & Beauty Salon: Laxmisagar Canal Road, Opp. City Fresh, Bhubaneswar – 751006
The Hair Hacker: Plot No. 606/735, Bomikhal, Near Utkal Hyundai, infront of Rasulgarh Market, Bhubaneswar, Odisha - 751007
ClearPrint.in : Jagamara Road, Jagamara, Bhubaneswar - 751030
For further details or enquiry on tickets, call: +91 6361342085 or +91 8217395364 or email at fpl2020@ticketgenie.in
For more information on Odisha, log on to http://odishatourism.gov.in or http://department.sportsodisha.gov.in
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