Counting field goal as two not good for international hockey: Jackson

Britain star and Ranchi Rays skipper Ashley Jackson said on Wednesday that Coal India Hockey India League (HIL)'s rule of counting a field goal as two should not be implemented in internationals.

Field goal is counted as two in this edition of the ongoing HIL and Jackson felt that it will not be benificial for the game.

"The rule of field goal counted as two (here in HIL) will not be good for the international game. I do not endorse it. We are seeing it for the first time here in HIL," Jackson said at the post-match press conference after their 5-7 loss to hosts Dabang Mumbai.

"We can see that teams in the current edition are focusing on defence, because conceding a field goal will cost two crucial points that can change a game in minutes," the 28-year-old, who competed for Great Britain at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, said.

Despite the loss, defending champions Ranchi maintain their top spot with 22 points from six games with four wins and two losses.

"Despite Mumbai being ten men down we could not win the match. Today we were not that good. We will give our best in the next match," the 2009 World Young Player of the Year added.

Ranchi will take on Kalinga Lancers on February 8 in Bhubaneswar.