FIH Series Finals is really important for us, claims Manpreet Singh
Hockey India
Manpreet Singh has asserted that the upcoming FIH Men’s Series Finals at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar is of the maximum importance for the Indian team as they start their preparations. The tournament will be the first step for the Indian team to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
The Indian men's hockey team recently returned from their tour of Australia under new coach Graham Reid. The national team led by Manpreet Singh won games against WA Thundersticks and Australia A but ended up on the losing side in both the matches against the senior Australian team.
India lost the first game by a scoreline of 0-4 while they succumbed to a 5-2 defeat in the next tie. Reid talked about the importance of scoring goal under tense situations but added that there were positive signs that the team displayed as well.
Hockey India also announced a 32-man probable squad that will take part in the National Camp scheduled to begin from Monday. India captain Manpreet Singh is of the opinion that the team will be one hundred percent focused on doing their best at the upcoming FIH event which will be held at the Kalinga Stadium from June 6.
“The series is really important for us. We always enjoy playing with the support we get here in Bhubaneswar. As all other teams will be giving 100%, we are focusing on winning the games. So, we have to give our best and win it without underestimating any team,” Manpreet told reporters after landing at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Previously, Reid had informed that the players will practice early in the morning and at night as a part of the preparations for the FIH Series which will be crucial for the Indian team for their qualification for the 2020 Olympics.Â
"This first week back will be a lighter week for the whole group as the non-traveling group has also been training hard over the last two weeks in Bengaluru and will need to refresh as well. It will give us a chance to work on skills that we have identified during the Australian Tour. Bhubaneswar is very hot this time of the year so we will be training early morning and later at night to avoid the heat," Reid said.
