Tokyo 2020: Hockey: We are ready for Germany: Skipper Manpreet Singh
In their recent tour to Europe in February this year, Indian team played Germany in two back-to-back matches where they were able to put to test all the hard work that went in during the National Camps in SAI, Bengaluru. This was India’s first tour since 2020 when the pandemic restricted their travel, and in the first match India beat Germany 6-1 and in the second match they drew 1-1.
Germany, on the other hand, went on to play the Final of the EuroHockey Nations Championships in June this year. The German side drew 2-2 in regulation time against the Netherlands and had lost 1-4 in the penalty stroke.
In the Olympic Games so far, Germany registered four wins the Group Stage (7-1 against Canada, 5-1 against GB, 4-3 against South Africa and 3-1 against the Netherlands) and lost 1-3 to Belgium. In the quarterfinal they beat defending Olympic Champions Argentina 3-1 and lost 1-3 to Australia in the semifinal.
Whereas India finished top 2 in Pool A with four wins (3-2 against New Zealand, 3-0 against Spain, 3-1 against Argentina, 5-3 against Japan). They suffered one loss to Australia. In the quarterfinal, India beat Great Britain 3-1 and lost 2-5 to Belgium in the semifinal.
“I think we should just forget about what happened in the semifinal and just put all our focus and energy into the game against Germany. The team has the experience of playing them in recent times. We are ready for the challenge,” said Manpreet Singh on the eve of the Bronze medal play-off.
He further stated, “We have the entire country’s support. We even had the Hono’ble Prime Minister call us and wish us after the semifinal loss. He asked us to not feel disappointed and just look forward to playing well on Thursday and that’s what we plan to do. We are pumped up for the game.”
