‘Will be using this tour to gather momentum ahead of the Tokyo Olympics’ – Vice captain Harmanpreet Singh opens up on Argentina tour
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Harmanpreet Singh
The Indian men’s hockey team will be visiting Argentina in their second tour post pandemic. The men in blue will be playing six matches during the Argentina tour including two FIH Hockey Pro League games against the hosts. The 22-member Indian team arrived here last week for the six-match tour against the Olympic champions.
Vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh hailed the tour as a perfect opportunity to boost the side’s confidence ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The drag flicker asserts that adapting to the host’s playing style will be key to success during the tour. Harmanpreet is glad to have get matches with the big guns of the game in the build up to the Games is Japan.
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“Argentina’s style of play is slightly different compared to the teams we played in Europe,” said Harmanpreet in a release issued by Hockey India. “We will certainly be using this tour as an opportunity to gather momentum ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Teams around the world are trying to get as much match practice before the Olympics and we are no different.“
“We are grateful to be getting more games under our belt and need to make the most of it. To play the Olympic champions will be challenging but I believe we have the experience and the talent in our ranks to come out victorious,” he added.
“Very happy with the way the Europe tour shaped up for us,” Harmanpreet Singh
The Indian team resumed international duty following the pandemic with the Europe tour. The men in blue played two games each against Belgium and Germany in the tour and returned undefeated. Harmanpreet feels that the dominant show has elevated the side’s morale. He adds that the players have worked hard even in quarantine and the results will show in Argentina.
“We are very happy with the way the Europe tour shaped up for us. Whether in quarantine or back home, the past year we worked hard on our fitness with high-intensity body-weight training in our rooms and I’m glad it paid off,” the drag-flicker said.
“We have also worked on the tactical side of the game as well as our finishing. Hopefully, we can produce more good performances here in Argentina as well.“
The vice-captain is delighted to have the senior pros is skipper Manpreet Singh and other back in the side. Harmanpreet shares that their return will help the team immensely.
“I would say we are evenly matched in terms of quality. It is great to have the likes of Manpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh back in the side. The presence of senior experienced players like them, who have seen many highs and lows in their careers, has only boosted the morale of the side,” Harmanpreet said.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
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