‘India need to play with belief’
The Indian men’s hockey team are geared up for a crucial test. Come Saturday, the team will begin their quest for a World Cup berth, at the Asia Cup tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia. The winners will earn a direct entry into next year’s showpiece event.
The Sardar Singh-led squad, face Oman in the opening game, followed by matches against Korea and Bangladesh.
Korea though on Sunday became the latest team to qualify for the World Cup.
Korea, who missed out on direct qualification by finishing fourth at the recent World League semi-final in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, were promoted from among the first reserves following Argentina’s success in the Pan American continental championship.
If Korea now win the Asia Cup, the runners-up will go through.
Talking about India’s chances at the Asia Cup, striker Prabhjot Singh said, “It is the last chance to qualify for the World Cup, and I hope the players do well. It is a young team, with many debutants. India will need to play with a lot of belief.
“I however believe the think-tank could have added senior players like Shivendra (Singh), Sandeep (Singh) and Gurbaj (Singh). All of them have a very good record against the Asian countries and their experience would have mattered.”
Selector Arjun Halappa backed the team, saying they had the potential to win the trophy. “There are new faces, but we need to put our belief in them. They need to take it one game at a time and strategise according to the opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.
“Korea are the toughest team in the competition. Malaysia, Japan and Pakistan too are very competitive, but India have the ability to beat them.
“Some people have already written off the team, but that is not the right way. A lot of players were injured, and young faces were added. This is the time to back them.”
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