Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh is assured of exhibiting from the nationwide staff within the Men’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela subsequent yr with the “good construction” it has put in place over the last few years.
With less than 50 days to go for the showpiece event, the anticipation to witness the 16 best teams in the world is increasing with each passing day and Sardar feels that while the current set of players are a “talented lot”, they must be actually hungry in an effort to go all the way in which.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Points Table | FIFA World Cup 2022 Schedule | FIFA World Cup 2022 Results | FIFA World Cup 2022 Golden Boot
“The present Indian males’s staff has been doing effectively lately, and they’re a proficient lot, with construction as effectively. They ought to by no means be glad and all the time be hungry for extra,” mentioned Sardar, winner of gold on the 2014 Asian Games, silver on the 2014 Champions Trophy, and former captain of the facet.
Considered one of the biggest driving forces in the Indian men’s hockey team during his playing days, Sardar said previous achievements won’t matter when the showpiece event gets underway on January 13.
“Once the players take the field at the World Cup, what they have done previously doesn’t matter, they have to work hard from the first whistle to the final hooter, and consistently in every play. Extra effort and focus will be the key to their performance, as well as executing the plans correctly. If they can do that, then the results will automatically follow us,” opined Sardar, who was a part of the 2010 and 2014 World Cup campaigns.
ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup 2022: Group F Qualification Scenarios – Croatia One Step Away to Qualify; Morocco, Belgium to Fight Tough Battles
Turning again the clock, Singh mentioned, “For nearly each participant, taking part in on the World Cup is a matter of pleasure, and I used to be very fortunate that my first World Cup was in India. Playing good hockey in entrance of our personal followers was an incredible feeling. We performed Pakistan in our first sport, and I bear in mind the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium was utterly packed. And as quickly as we lined up, the gang went berserk, and it instantly lifted us, giving us a lift in confidence.”
“That feeling of being supported and encouraged by the home fans when you play well in front of them is unparalleled,” added Sardar, who led the staff on the 2014 World Cup at The Hague within the Netherlands. According to the previous captain, the staff at the moment was a really close-knit unit, successful medals on the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.
Talking about creating that successful behavior, Singh mentioned, “The staff has to follow laborious and for lengthy durations. Look in any respect the massive groups all over the world; they’ve been taking part in collectively for some time. To win a medal, there must be consideration to element, and the staff should work collectively and assist one another out always.
“When all of those elements come into play correctly, and the staff does effectively, and goes on to win a medal, after which to listen to the nationwide anthem whereas standing on the rostrum – that may be a priceless feeling.”
Asked about leading the team in a major tournament, Sardar said, “I never thought of it like that. Yes, as a senior player, there are certain things that I had to do and look after the team as well, especially the younger players. But for me, all the players in the team count as captains. The thought was always that everyone must communicate clearly through the ranks.”
Read all of the Latest Sports News right here
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated news company feed)
