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India's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, has emerged as a formidable force at the Paris Olympics, defying adversity and showcasing unwavering resilience. Their stunning victory against Great Britain in the quarterfinals has ignited a belief within the squad that they possess something special.The team's journey to the semifinals has been marked by a series of challenges, including a narrow escape against New Zealand and a hard-fought draw with Ireland. However, they have risen to the occasion, displaying exceptional attacking prowess against Australia and a masterclass in defense against Great Britain.Harmanpreet Singh attributes their success to a newfound team spirit and a belief that they can overcome any obstacle. "The kind of situation that happened in the match and we still managed to win, I think something is there," he said. "We are just two steps (away)."The next step for India is a daunting semifinal clash against Germany, the reigning World Cup champions. Germany boasts a formidable attack, led by drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat, and a strong defense. However, India's confidence is sky-high after their victory against Great Britain."If we can win from one man down, then we can definitely beat any team playing with 11 men," said Manpreet Singh, the captain of the Tokyo Olympics team. "If we have beaten Australia, we can beat any team in the world."Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton has played a crucial role in developing the team's resilience. "We've worked hard on it, but it was only ever going to be revealed when the rubber hit the road," he said. "Now we've seen they have resilience."Despite the suspension of Amit Rohidas for the Germany match, India remains determined to make history. They have proven their ability to adapt and overcome adversity, and they are now within touching distance of a medal of a different color than the bronze they won in Tokyo.

In a thrilling quarter-final clash at the Paris Olympics, India's men's hockey team overcame adversity to defeat England 1-1 (5-4) in a penalty shootout. Despite being reduced to 10 men after a red card in the second quarter, India displayed remarkable resilience and determination to secure a semi-final berth.Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the hero for India, scoring the equalizer in regulation time and the decisive penalty in the shootout. His passionate celebration in front of England goalkeeper Ollie Payne reflected the intensity and emotion of the match.Coach Craig Fulton praised his team's unwavering spirit, saying, "When st happens, get together." India's defense, led by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, stood firm against England's relentless attacks, saving 21 shots on goal, including 10 penalty corners.Captain Manpreet Singh, who was forced into a defensive role after the red card, acknowledged the significance of the victory. "From one man down, yes, it was the greatest win," he said.Fulton emphasized the importance of teamwork and love for one another in overcoming the challenge. "When you talk about defense, it's also about showing your love for the teammate, by covering him, by helping him," he said.The victory was a testament to India's ability to adapt and respond to adversity. Despite the setback of the red card, they remained focused and executed their defensive tactics with precision.

Indian men's hockey team made history at the Tokyo Olympics by defeating Australia 3-2 in a thrilling Group B encounter on August 2, marking their first Olympic victory over the Aussies in 52 years.The match began with India dominating the proceedings, with Abhishek scoring a brilliant field goal in the first quarter. Captain Harmanpreet Singh followed suit with a penalty corner conversion, giving India a commanding 2-0 lead.Australia's Thomas Craig narrowed the margin with a beautiful goal, but Harmanpreet restored India's two-goal advantage in the 32nd minute, scoring his sixth goal of the Olympics.In the 55th minute, Australia's Govers scored through a penalty stroke, bringing the score to 3-2. The Aussies pressed hard for an equalizer, but goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh stood tall, making several crucial saves to preserve India's lead.India's victory was a testament to their determination and resilience. They played with passion and skill, overcoming a strong Australian team. The win not only ended a long drought but also boosted India's hopes of a medal at the Tokyo Games.

The Indian men's hockey team secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Ireland in a Pool B match at the Paris Olympics, solidifying their position in the quarterfinals. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh led the charge with a brace, scoring in the 13th and 19th minutes.Despite a few defensive lapses, India dominated the first half, consistently penetrating the Irish circle. Harmanpreet's first goal came from a penalty stroke awarded after Gurjant intercepted the ball and passed it to Mandeep Singh, who was tackled by Shane O'Donoghue.In the second quarter, India doubled their lead through a penalty corner converted by Harmanpreet. Ireland had a chance to reduce the deficit with a penalty corner, but India's goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a crucial save.The second half saw Ireland improve their performance, earning eight penalty corners in the third quarter alone. However, India's defense held firm, preventing Ireland from scoring.In the final quarter, Ireland continued to press, earning two more penalty corners, but their finishing let them down. India's victory takes them to seven points from three matches, while Ireland's defeat eliminates them from the quarterfinal race.Belgium and Australia, both unbeaten, have six points each and will face off later in the day. Argentina and New Zealand are likely to compete for the fourth spot in Pool B, with the top four teams from each pool qualifying for the quarterfinals.

For most teams, the Olympics is a meticulously planned four-year cycle, from player selection to training regimens and target setting. However, for the Indian men's hockey team, Craig Fulton had just five months to prepare them for the Olympic qualifiers. Now, as the team prepares to take the field for their opening game on Sunday, Fulton will have been in charge for exactly 15 months.For the Indian team, this is nothing new. The team and the sport have witnessed a revolving door of coaches and playing styles over the years, leading to a remarkable adaptability among the players.In a candid conversation, Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh, the duo responsible for India's hockey fortunes in Paris, shared their insights:Partnership and Communication:"He's like a big brother," says Harmanpreet about Fulton. "We have open discussions on every situation with the team. The trust is very high."Fulton echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of trust in building a strong partnership. "Once you have that, you can be honest and then you can move mountains."Team Environment and Expectations:"The expectation is through the roof," says Fulton. "But we have a good environment and a good staff."Harmanpreet adds, "We are very close to what we want to achieve in major tournaments."Leadership and Growth:As captain, Harmanpreet has embraced his responsibilities. "I think the big change is you have more responsibilities and need to talk more, be a good communicator and guide the team."He has also experienced personal growth. "I have become a father so patience levels have skyrocketed! But seriously, as a senior player and with growing maturity, you learn to handle different situations and play smartly."Team Composition and Strategy:Fulton explains the team's selection process. "What strengths we have in the squad, what do we need for who we playing against, how do we play our best hockey?"He believes the team's chemistry and balance in attack and defense are key to their success.Rankings and Pressure:"Rankings are there for periods of time," says Fulton. "Right now, we are seventh, but we don't want to be there."Harmanpreet acknowledges the pressure but remains focused. "The responsibility to score is there but it is not a pressure. We have variations that we have not revealed."Medal Hopes and Legacy:"It'll be a reward for the process that we've put in place," says Fulton about the possibility of a medal.Harmanpreet adds, "It will be everything for me. More importantly, I want to bring back the time when people thronged to watch hockey matches and loved the game – a medal will be key to reach more people and revive the game more than ever before."

India's men's hockey team made a winning start to their Paris Olympics campaign, edging out New Zealand 3-2 in a thrilling Pool B encounter on Saturday. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal from the spot a minute before full time.New Zealand drew first blood through Sam Lane's penalty corner in the 8th minute. However, India responded with a penalty corner conversion by Mandeep Singh in the 24th minute. Vivek Sagar Prasad gave India the lead four minutes into the second half, but Simon Child equalized for New Zealand with another penalty corner in the 53rd minute.As the match entered its final stages, India pressed relentlessly for the winning goal. Sukhjeet Singh's smart play earned them a penalty corner, which was initially saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Dominic Dixon. However, the ball struck Child on the body, resulting in a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick to secure a vital victory for India.Despite the win, India's chief coach Craig Fulton may have some concerns about the team's penalty corner conversion rate. India earned five penalty corners but converted only one, while New Zealand had nine set pieces and utilized two.India will face a formidable challenge in their next Pool B match against Argentina on Monday.

The Indian men's hockey team's failure to qualify for the 2008 Olympics marked a turning point in their history. Despite being eight-time Olympic gold medalists, they had not won a major title since the 1975 World Cup. A significant financial investment aimed at reversing their fortunes led to their return to the Olympics in 2012, but it proved disastrous. India finished last in the 12-team competition, and their players' lackluster approach shocked observers.Former Australian player and India's chief coach, Michael Nobbs, expressed his disappointment at the players' complacency. He noted their reluctance to engage in physical challenges and their casual execution of shots. Nobbs emphasized the need for a "killer instinct" and a willingness to sacrifice for the team.In contrast to India's struggles, seasoned Australian defender Matt Dawson demonstrated unwavering determination. Despite injuring his finger in training, he underwent an amputation to remain in contention for the Olympics. Such commitment highlights the physical risks that players are willing to take in modern hockey.International hockey has evolved into a fast-paced and competitive sport where physicality plays a crucial role. Teams rely heavily on analysis to identify weaknesses and exploit them. The results of the recent FIH Pro League will have little bearing on the Olympics, providing India with an opportunity to improve their performance under coach Craig Fulton.Harmanpreet Singh, India's captain, has been a key player with his drag flicks, but opponents have developed strategies to neutralize his threat. He recognizes the need to introduce new elements into his shots to maintain his effectiveness.At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper P R Sreejesh's experience will be invaluable. His ability to maintain defensive structure and deal with penalty corners will be crucial.While the bronze medal at Tokyo could motivate India, it could also weigh them down. They have struggled to replicate their success and finished among the also-rans at the 2023 World Cup. However, the Olympic preliminary pool draw provides them with an opportunity to gain momentum against lower-ranked opponents before facing tougher challenges.India's performance against Argentina could determine their quarter-final draw and potentially set them up for a favorable matchup. They have a history of defeating Argentina, having done so in the 2016 Olympics.

Former Indian hockey captain and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has expressed high expectations for the team's performance at the upcoming Paris Olympics. He believes that if star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh is in top form, India has a strong chance of improving upon their bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics.Tirkey praised the team's young players and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, but emphasized the crucial role of drag-flickers in determining the team's success. "If our drag-flickers are on song, nothing can stop us," he said.The Indian team will be supported by renowned mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who played a key role in India's 2011 Cricket World Cup victory. Tirkey highlighted the importance of mental strength in a high-pressure event like the Olympics."Conceding goals in the last minute has troubled us in the past, but we've improved in this area," he said. "Mental training is crucial, and I'm confident that our support staff will help the team perform at their best in Paris."Tirkey also stressed the need for a solid defense, particularly in defending short corners. He praised Amit Rohidas's performance in this area at the Tokyo Olympics.With experienced head coach Craig Fulton at the helm, Tirkey believes India has the potential to challenge for a medal of a different color in Paris. "The team has gained a lot of confidence under his coaching," he said. "Every player knows that we can change the color of the medal this time."India faces a tough challenge in their pool, which includes top teams like Australia, Belgium, and Argentina. However, Tirkey is confident that the team can overcome these obstacles. "We have to do our duties in our specific roles on that given day," he said. "The team must be fit, and we are one of the fittest teams."India will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia.

The Indian men's hockey team embarked on a rigorous training regimen in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The team's journey began with a three-day mental toughness camp in Switzerland under the guidance of renowned adventurer Mike Horn. This camp aimed to instill resilience and determination in the players.Following the Swiss camp, the team traveled to the Netherlands for a series of practice matches. These matches provided valuable experience against top-tier opposition and allowed the players to fine-tune their strategies. The team's final destination before the Olympics will be Paris, where they are scheduled to arrive on July 20.Skipper Harmanpreet Singh expressed confidence in the team's preparations. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming experiences in ensuring that the players are "in the best state of mind and body before we begin our Olympic journey."The team's training regimen has been meticulously designed to maximize their physical and mental capabilities. The Swiss camp focused on developing mental toughness through extreme challenges, while the practice matches in the Netherlands provided opportunities for tactical refinement.The Indian men's hockey team has a rich history of success at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals. The team's current squad is determined to add to that legacy and bring home another medal from Paris.