Hockey World Cup | We are trying to rectify Asian Games' mistakes, says Chinglensana Singh
Ahead of the Men’s Hockey World Cup, Indian vice-captain Chinglensana Singh Kangujam has mentioned that the team is trying to rectify the mistakes committed at the Asian Games during the practice sessions. The World Cup will be played from November 28 to December 16 in Bhubaneswar.
The Indian hockey team has been practising hard at the Kalinga Stadium Hockey Complex in Bhubaneswar for the last couple of months under the supervision of head coach Harendra Singh. The side is getting ready to take on the top teams of the world during the upcoming World Cup. The training camp was organised by the Hockey India with a pool of 25 players first in September before the Asian Champions Trophy and 34 players after the tournament for the World Cup in November. Midfielder Chinglensana is of the opinion that the camp helped the side to get away from the mistakes that they committed at the Asian Games in which they lost to Malaysia in the semi-final game.
Speaking exclusively to SportsCafe, Chinglensana said, “Preparations are going on smoothly ahead of the big event. We are working hard and trying to improve and rectify the mistakes from the Asian Games. We are also focussing on how we played at the Asian Champions Trophy and also trying to get more details about the strategies and weaknesses of the opponents. We are practising here for the last few months and have a better idea about the climate and the turf here in Bhubaneswar.”
“Coaching staff have been very supportive towards all the players and their role is crucial for the team. The players find it hard to know about the mistakes that they commit on the turf but it is the support staff of the team which brings the video footage and the coaches try to help us get away from those mistakes.”
The 26-year-old midfielder will complete the milestone of playing 200 international matches when India will take on South Africa on the opening day of the world event. He, along with skipper Manpreet Singh, will have to take greater responsibility in the Indian midfield with other young players in the team.
© “We have a very good midfield for the World Cup. The juniors in the team Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma have done well and are very hardworking. All the players need to step up at some point or the other during a game. They support each other in the camp and there is nothing like seniors and juniors in the team and we can go ahead if we perform together as a team at the World Cup,” the Manipur-born midfielder informed.
“Midfield needs to support both the forward line and the defence of the team. We need to do well in the transition of play from the defenders to the forwards.”
India will start its campaign against South Africa and then will face Belgium and Canada in the next two games of Pool C at the World Cup. According to Chinglensana, India will focus on all the three teams in their pool and winning matches at the pool stage will be crucial for the team.
“We don’t think a lot before a game and for us winning matches at the pool stage is important. It can be Belgium, Canada or South Africa, we need to take one game at a time and the result will go in our favour if we do well match after match,” the midfielder explained.
“I personally will want to work harder with an aim of doing well individually which will result in better performance of the team during the prestigious event,” the midfielder concluded mentioning about his role in the team.
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