New Delhi: Indian Hockey captain Sardar Singh ahead of the Hero Hockey World League Round 2, Delhi 2013, said that Indian team will do well in the tournament if all the players play to their potential. Speaking at a press conference here today, Sardar said that the team is looking forward to the challenge and the boys are eager to represent their country again.
“This is a very important tournament; we are in a same situation that we were ahead of the London Olympics. It is a qualifying tournament for the World Cup and we cannot take any team lightly.”
The hosts will take on China, Ireland, Bangladesh, Oman and Fiji in the tournament starting on Feb. 18. Sardar said that the team will face stiff challenge from China and Ireland.
“We will have be at our best against China and Ireland, we also know that we can’t be complacent against any opposition and as a captain it will be my role to ensure that complacency doesn’t creep in,” Sardar said.
Sardar said that the recently concluded Hockey India League (HIL) has helped the Indian players mature and the young players are more confident about their skills.
“Playing alongside World Champions from Germany and Australia has helped us immensely. HIL was a great thing to have happened to Indian hockey. I hope that the boys will replicate the form that they showed for their franchises in HIL,” Sardar said.
Sandeep Singh was not included into the Indian squad despite being the highest goal scorer in the inaugural HIL, Sardar said that he personally will miss him on the field.
“Sandeep has been a brilliant player for the country, he has scored some crucial goals for us and I will miss him. Every player has ups and downs in his career and I am sure that Sandeep will come back strongly,” Sardar said.
India have strong drag-flickers in the form of VR Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh and Sardar is confident that the duo will come good.
“Both Raghu and Rupinder are strong players and were in terrific form in HIL, we are confident that they will be lethal in this tournament as well.”
On Delhi Waveriders coming second in the HIL, Sardar who was the captain of the team, said that his team deserved to win the tournament.
“We were on the top of the points table right from the first match and it stayed that way till the end. It was unfortunate that one game decided the fate of the tournament, we were more deserving than any other team. I thing that the best-of-three finals would have been a better way to decide the champions,” said Sardar.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News Network
