5 months ago
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Hardik Singh, skipper of the Hockey India Governing Council squad successful the Hockey India League (HIL) and 1 of the country’s finest midfielders, has placed the onus connected the Indian youngsters if his broadside is to situation for the crown.
“If our juniors are going to play 70 to 80% successful each match, we person a truly bully accidental of winning the tournament. Yes, we privation to play the final, amusement everyone what Hockey India has done for us, and repay that spot by winning the title,” Hardik told The Hindu connected Saturday.
The 27-year-old two-time Olympic bronze medallist said his main work arsenic the person would beryllium to marque the up-and-coming players consciousness comfortable, portion ensuring elder and overseas players adapt.
“It’s each astir however we marque our juniors comfy tactically. Senior players tin set much easily. It’s akin to the elder nationalist team, wherever experienced players accommodate alternatively than asking juniors to change,” helium explained.
Hardik said helium would use lessons learnt nether Dutch manager Paul van Ass, who earlier coached UP Rudras earlier the franchise was rebranded arsenic Hockey India Governing Council.
“Paul mostly spoke astir mindset. He ever said, ‘don’t interest astir the past oregon turnovers. Focus connected the adjacent enactment — that’s the astir important [part],’” helium said.
Hardik confirmed that German striker Thies Prinz has been ruled retired of the tourney but backed Ireland’s Daragh Walsh arsenic his replacement.
“Walsh is 1 of the champion attacking midfielders successful the Ireland squad and has played each implicit the world,” helium said.
Hardik insisted this was the champion accidental for the Indian squad to triumph the upcoming World Cup (Aug. 2026).
“The accomplishment of Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Rajinder Singh has done a satellite of bully for India. They are each experienced and unsafe [players] now,” helium said.
