We have started well but need to keep momentum going, says Sardar Singh

The Indian men's Hockey team have had a decent start to their World Cup journey where they thoroughly defeated a much inferior South African side by 5-0 and managed to hold Belgium to a 2-2 draw thus staying on the top of the table in the Pool C courtesy a higher goal difference viz-a-viz Belgium. Former Indian Hockey captain seemed pretty happy by the way Indian team has done and suggested them to keep the momentum going in their favour.

As the Indian team is almost sure to make it through to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup, Singh suggested that it will the Quarterfinal match which will matter the most. On that day in only a team performance can win them a match and India will benefit by playing as a complete single unit. 

For India, the match against Canada will be a crucial one which will decide which position the Indian team will finish after the pool matches. The result of the match and other Pool C match results will also decide which teams will play the crossover to reach the quarterfinals.

"Only energy (performances)by two or three players won't help (in the quarter-final). The four quarters that we have (in the match), we have to fully concentrate in the quarters. If we play that well, we can make it count," said Sardar who, in his prime, was among the finest half backs in world hockey.

"Like now we have Harendra, who is one of the best coaches. Over the last 10 years he has grown immensely (as a coach). When he was with the women's team and junior team, he had tasted success," recalled Sardar.

On the recent news in media and talks about Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s vulnerability to save goals hit to his right side, Singh defended the goalkeeper. He stated that Sreejesh is still the best in business when it comes to manning the goalpost.