It is pertinent for us to peak at Hockey World Cup, says Chinglensana Singh

11/18/2018

National Hockey team vice-captain Chinglensana Singh has stated that it is very important for the Indian team to peak at the quadrennial tournament so that they can excel at the upcoming event. India will play against South Africa in their first match at the multinational event on November 28.

The performance for the National Men's Hockey team at the last multinational event in the form of Asian Games was not commendable as they squandered a golden opportunity to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. They managed a consolation Bronze medal at the Asian Games which did not satisfy the fans. Hence vice-captain Chinglensana Singh has stated that it is now the right team for the Indian team to peak when the World Cup is to begin in ten days.

"The past three months in particular has been very challenging for us with the training intensifying as it's important for us to peak at the World Cup. The team is aware that this year could have been much better for us in terms of results but now is the time to do away with the bitterness of the past performances by doing well at the prestigious event," said Chinglensana.

"Every single player has worked tremendously hard and it is time to convert all that into good results. I believe the World Cup will be a battle of mental strength as much as it is going to be about fitness and team strategies."

The Hockey World Cup will be played from November 28 at the refurbished Kalinga Stadium in Odisha. The Indian squad has six players from the Junior World Cup winning squad who already have the experience of playing in front of a big crowd. Apart from them, the rest of the players are experienced and are already adept with the pressures of big matches.

"It is an advantage that almost everyone in the team has the experience of playing top-quality matches in the Kalinga Stadium during the Hockey India League and are aware of the atmosphere the fans create here.

Chinglensana is a veteran of 199 matches and will play his milestone 200th match when India play their first encounter against South Africa on November 28th.

"Yes, if everything goes right, I will be playing my milestone match in front of our home crowd and there is no better feeling than completing 200 matches for India in front of the fantastic Bhubaneswar crowd. It is one of my favourite venues in the world. I am looking forward to it and we are all eager to make a positive start," he said.

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