Playing in India is a big part of my career: Brinkman

WITH phase 1 of the league stage of the Hockey India League in the books, it is no surprise that Kalinga Lancers' Thierry Brinkman is amongst the top goal scorers in the competition.

- KALYANI MANGALE @Chennai

WITH phase 1 of the league stage of the Hockey India League in the books, it is no surprise that Kalinga Lancers' Thierry Brinkman is amongst the top goal scorers in the competition. His hat-trick of goals against Rarh Bengal Tigers at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela has been the highlight of the season. Riding on a successful 2024 where Brinkman helped his country win the gold medal in the Paris Olympics, the Dutchman is keen to repeat his heroics in the HIL.

"It is exciting because the stadium in Rourkela is one of the most beautiful to play hockey. As players, you want to play games like these against some of the best players in the world," Brinkman told this daily. While most teams did not get much time to prepare ahead of the start of the tournament, Brinkman believes communication would be the key.