Ace mid-fielder Manpreet Singh asserted that Indian team is capable of beating any top side in the world and promised to deliver at least a medal, if not gold, at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n
Manpreet, 25, said the CWG hockey competition is of a high standard with several top teams and his side would have to play their best to win a medal.<\/p>\n
He said Indian team has improved vastly since winning a silver at the Glasgow edition.<\/p>\n
“We cannot underestimate any team in the CWG where the competition is tough. There is Australia, Great Britain, Pakistan, South Africa and others. Last time, we lost to Australia and won a silver. This time we will do our best and hopefully will win a medal,”<\/p>\n
“In the last four years since Glasgow (2014 CWG), we have improved a lot. We have beaten all the top sides in the world, we can beat any team anyday,” said Manpreet, refusing to talk about the colour of the medal.<\/p>\n
Australia have won all the gold medals in men’s hockey since its introduction in the 1998 edition in Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
Manpreet, who has led the side in the past, was one of the two players rested for the March 3-10 Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in view of the April 4-15 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.<\/p>\n
“I want to play in every match and tournament, every player wants it. But finally it is the decision of the coach and he gave me rest for Sultan Azlan Shah. I am happy with that. It may turn out to be good for me.”<\/p>\n
He termed 2018 as an important year and said a good show in the CWG would boost the confidence of the team going ahead.<\/p>\n
“This year is very important, we have CWG, Asian Games and World Cup. If we do well and win the CWG, it will be a big confidence booster going ahead in the year,” said the Punjab player on the sidelines of a sponsorship announcement event of the Indian Olympic Association for the Gold Coast CWG.<\/p>\n
“There is a lot of competition within the team and I think it is good for the team.”
\nManpreet refused to agree with the notion that the Indian team quite often concedes late goals to squander matches from position of strength.<\/p>\n
“It is just that anything can happen on a hockey field. We are also scoring last minute goals these days,” he said.
\nDefender Rupinder Pal Singh though said the Indian team has the best chance to win a gold this time.<\/p>\n
“On the given day, we can beat any team, including Australia. We want to win the gold. I think we have the best chance to beat Australia and win the gold this time,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We are playing attacking hockey now, it has become one of our strengths. We are also working on defensive aspects, things like man-to-man marking. We were giving away easy chances in the inner circle and we are trying to improve on those aspects,” said the defender from Punjab.<\/p>\n
“We were not mentally strong when I started playing, but over the years we have become stronger.”<\/p>\n
He said Sardar Singh’s return in the team and as captain in Azlan Shah Cup next month will motivate the side.<\/p>\n
“As senior players, it’s our responsibility to encourage the youngsters. So, Sardar’s presence will help the team which has a lot of inexperienced young players. He is a great player and it will help the side to go for the title at Azlan Shah Cup.<\/p>\n
“We are still in the process of selecting the best 18, so a lot of players are being given chances and there is a rotation policy which ensures that more players get a chance.”<\/p>\n
Women’s team captain Rani Rampal said her side has been focussing on fitness and penalty corner conversion ahead of the CWG.<\/p>\n
“The Korean tour is very important exposure for the preparation of the CWG. If we do well there, it will give us a lot of confidence in the CWG,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We are focussing on fitness and penalty corner conversion. We are in good form, we have prepared very well and there are a lot of talent in the team.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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