India men’s hockey team coach Craig Fulton believes his team can beat any team in the world if they stick to their plans, saying performances in the final stage of the FIH Pro League have given the team confidence ahead of the World Cup and Asian games.India finished the FIH Pro League season in eighth place with 19 points from 16 matches, finishing just above Pakistan, who finished without a point.Despite the overall result, India closed the campaign with wins over reigning world champions Germany and Olympic champions Netherlands. They also ousted world No. 3 England in a closely fought contest during the European leg.Reflecting on the campaign, Fulton said the team had shown what it is capable of doing against the best in the world.“One of the biggest takeaways from this Pro League run has been seeing the team’s confidence grow. Victories over Germany and the Netherlands, plus a strong showing against England, prove that when we stick to our game plan, we are capable of meeting and beating anyone in the world,” said Fulton.“It is a solid stone going into the World Cup and the Asian Games, but we are still focused on improving our performance and keeping it consistent from quarter to quarter.”The coach also praised the team’s improvement in handling pressure during matches.“Even more encouraging is how much this group has matured. We have been calm under pressure, adjusted to different styles of play and pulled out victories in close games. This kind of experience is exactly what we need.“The World Cup and the Asian Games will test our resilience and our belief, and I think we are building the right foundation for that,” Fulton said in a Hockey India release.India’s campaign had started on a difficult note during the home leg in Rourkela, where they lost to Belgium and Argentina.There were signs of improvement during the Hobart leg. India started with a 0-2 defeat to Spain before drawing 2-2 with hosts Australia and 1-1 with Spain. They lost both games in the second leg but finished the leg with a 3-1 second leg win over Australia after another 1-1 draw.Hobart’s side also showed improvement in defence. India have conceded just six goals in four matches, with three from penalty corners and three from field play. They also scored two field goals and converted two penalty corners.The team’s progress became more visible during the European stage.In Rotterdam, India beat Germany 3-1 and Netherlands 3-2. Against two of the strongest defensive teams in world hockey, India scored nine goals in four games, including five field goals and four penalty goals.The momentum continued in London, where India remained unbeaten in regulation time in the four matches against Pakistan and England.Captain Harmanpreet Singhwho returned after missing the Hobart leg, said the wins boosted the team’s belief.“Beating the top-ranked sides is always special, but more importantly, it shows that the hard work we do as a team is paying off. We will take these positives forward as we prepare for the World Cup and the Asian Games,” he said.Harmanpreet also highlighted the overall contribution of the team in the departments.“One of the biggest positives of the Is Pro League campaign has been the contribution of each department.“Our defense was compact, the midfield controlled the game well and our forwards created good opportunities in the circle and scored a lot of field goals. Having all the bases covered gives us confidence, but we also know that there are areas where we can continue to improve before the World Cup and the Asian Games.”