Last Updated: May 22, 2023, 17:53 IST
Indian Hockey Team Captain Harmanpreet Singh (Twitter)
India males’s hockey crew captain Harmanpreet Singh mentioned Pro League matches will play a vital function in India’s preparation for the Asian Games
India males’s hockey crew captain Harmanpreet Singh says his facet’s focus might be on Asian Games, an Olympic-qualifier, as they embark on the European tour for Pro League matches, beginning May 26.
The crew left for London on Monday for the primary leg of the European tour the place it is going to face reigning Olympic champions Belgium (May 26 and June 2) and hosts Great Britain (May 27 and June 3).
They will then journey to Eindhoven for his or her final set of matches in opposition to the Netherlands (June 7 and 10) and Argentina (June 8 and 11).
India are at present main the Pro League desk with 19 factors from eight matches within the nine-team event. United Kingdom too have an similar variety of factors however are second on the desk as a consequence of an inferior aim distinction.
The skipper mentioned the matches will play a vital function in India’s preparation for the Asian Games in September, the place the gold medallist will routinely qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“We have very essential matches arising as we get to the business finish of the Pro League season. We are in a powerful place within the desk to this point and we are going to look to get as many factors as attainable within the remaining matches.
“We are enthusiastic about this tour because it additionally offers us a terrific alternative to play in opposition to high quality groups. These matches might be actually essential for us as we put together for the all-important Asian Games scheduled later this yr,” said Harmanpreet before the team’s departure to London.
India remained unbeaten against reigning world champions Germany and Australia, which helped them top the points table.
This will be the team’s first outing under new chief coach Craig Fulton.
“We have had good intensive training sessions at the national coaching camp in SAI centre, Bengaluru. The preparations have been really good, and our previous matches in Rourkela were a big confidence booster for us, so we will look to replicate the performance in the upcoming matches,” the skipper mentioned.
Harmanpreet added the crew will look to construct on the great work completed within the house leg to arrange for the powerful assignments later this yr.
“We will go step-by-step, attempt to play good hockey and most significantly look to maintain the momentum going as we now have an extended tour and a busy season forward as effectively.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
Ritayan BasuRitayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com, covers badminton and cricket however soccer stays his forte. Follow him at @ritayanbasu…Read More
Source: www.news18.com
