Others

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh is determined to reclaim the Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, paying tribute to the country and legendary players. After winning a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020, ending a 41-year Olympic medal drought, India is aiming for the top prize in Paris."We are striving to elevate our legacy. Winning gold would be a tribute to India and our seniors," said Harmanpreet in an exclusive interview with JioCinema's 'The Dreamers.'Former captain Manpreet Singh, who led India to the historic bronze in Tokyo, shared similar sentiments. "Seeing our flag on the right, I felt we could strive harder to place it at the center next time, with our anthem playing. This marks the beginning of our renewed journey."Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh emphasized the team's relentless drive and unity. "Someone somewhere is training to beat you. That thought pushes me out of my comfort zone. I am driven by the desire not to disappoint our country.""Indian hockey once relied on individual brilliance, but now we play as a cohesive unit, which has been key to our success," added Sreejesh.Chief coach Craig Fulton explained the team's mentality and strategy. "There isn't a team that this Indian team hasn't beaten. Our philosophy is to defend, counter, and win. We have a team that can defend against the best and counterattack from anywhere."India's resurgence in hockey has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the team's determination, unity, and strategic approach. The team's success has rekindled the passion for hockey in India and inspired a new generation of players.

Harmanpreet Singh will lead India's 16-member men's hockey squad at the Paris Olympics, aiming to secure a second consecutive podium finish. The team, selected after two days of trials, boasts a blend of experience and youth.Veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, along with Manpreet Singh, will become the first Indian hockey players to participate in four Olympics. Harmanpreet, who made his Olympic debut in 2016, will be appearing in his third Games.Five Olympic debutants will join the experienced core, including Sanjay and Jarmanpreet Singh in defense, Rajkumar Pal in midfield, and Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh in attack.Coach Craig Fulton expressed confidence in the team's ability to manage a second successive podium finish. "The selection process was incredibly competitive, but I am confident that every player chosen will bring their best," he said.India is placed in Pool B alongside defending champion Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. They will need to finish in the top four to advance to the knockout stage.The squad's experience and youthfulness are expected to complement each other, providing the versatility and energy required to tackle the challenges ahead.

The Indian men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, has concluded their FIH Pro League campaign with a commendable performance, finishing fourth in the points tally with 24 points from 16 matches. The team's journey included five wins, three shootout victories, five defeats, and three shootout losses.Harmanpreet Singh, the star drag-flicker, emerged as a standout performer, finishing as the top scorer for India with 12 goals. He also holds the joint lead in the tournament's scoring charts alongside Australia's Blake Govers and the Netherlands' Jip Janssen. Singh's scoring prowess was evident as he netted eight goals from penalty corners and four from penalty strokes.The FIH Pro League has served as a valuable preparatory event for the Indian team ahead of the Paris Olympics. The tournament provided the team with an opportunity to compete against top-tier teams and assess their strengths and areas for improvement."This league has been crucial in helping us understand our strengths and areas for improvement. Competing against top-tier teams has given us valuable insights into our game," said Harmanpreet Singh. "We now know where we stand and what we need to work on to perform at our best on the global stage."The Indian team will now take a short break before assembling for a brief camp in Bengaluru. "We have identified specific aspects of our game that need attention, and the upcoming camp will be vital in working on those areas," said Harmanpreet. "Our goal is to build on our performance and ensure we are fully prepared for the Paris Olympics."

Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the Indian men's hockey team to a thrilling 5-4 victory over Argentina in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Antwerp. Singh's sensational hat-trick proved decisive in the hard-fought encounter.India made a strong start, dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities. Araijeet Singh Hundal opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a brilliant field goal. However, Argentina responded quickly, with Federico Monja leveling the score just two minutes later.India regained the lead in the 18th minute through Gurjant Singh's excellent field goal. Argentina once again equalized in the 24th minute through Nicolas Keenan. The first half ended with India holding a narrow 3-2 advantage, thanks to Harmanpreet's penalty corner goal in the final minute.The second half was equally intense, with both teams displaying quick-fire hockey. India earned a penalty corner in the third quarter but failed to convert. Argentina also had their chances but were denied by the Indian defense.The fourth quarter proved to be decisive. India was awarded a penalty stroke with 10 minutes remaining, which Harmanpreet converted to extend India's lead to 4-2. Two minutes later, India was awarded another penalty stroke, which Harmanpreet again successfully converted.Argentina fought back valiantly, with Tadeo Marucci and Lucas Martinez scoring in quick succession to set up an exciting finish. However, India held on to secure a hard-earned victory.Harmanpreet's hat-trick was the highlight of the match, showcasing his exceptional drag-flicking skills. The Indian defense also played a crucial role, with goalkeeper Krishan Pathak making several key saves.India will next face Germany on June 1 in their next FIH Hockey Pro League match.

With the Paris 2024 Olympics fast approaching, the Indian men's hockey team is intensifying its preparations to end a 44-year gold medal drought. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh has revealed that the team is in the "last stages of an intense training block" as they aim to secure a top-four finish in Pool B and progress to the quarterfinals.India faces a formidable challenge in Pool B, which includes reigning Olympic champions Belgium, world number three Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. The team will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia."We are in the last stages of an intense training block right now," said Harmanpreet. "The team has worked on the areas we felt needed attention after the Tour of Australia. Soon, we will head to Europe to play some essential matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 to test ourselves against some tough opponents like Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain."Vice-captain Hardik Singh expressed his excitement for the Olympics, stating, "The team is leaving no stone unturned in our endeavor to change the color of our previous medal and clinch Gold at the Olympics this time. We have players like PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh who could be playing their fourth Olympics along with quite a few players who could be playing their third Olympics, including our Captain. Their experience has been instrumental in molding some of the younger players we have in the squad right now."India has a rich history in hockey at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals. The team's last Olympic medal was a bronze in Tokyo 2020.As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, the Indian men's hockey team is determined to make history and bring home the gold medal that has eluded them for over four decades.

Hockey India has announced a 28-member core probable group for the men's national coaching camp, aiming to address weaknesses ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The camp commenced on Sunday at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru and will continue until May 13.The team returns to camp after a disappointing 0-5 loss in a five-match Test series in Australia. Chief coach Craig Fulton emphasized the importance of this camp in preparing for the upcoming challenges. "We are looking to begin an important block of training in this camp, and we need to make sure that we are in the best shape possible ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics," Fulton said. "We have an exciting group of experienced players along with some young players."The core group includes experienced players such as goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, defender Harmanpreet Singh, and midfielder Manpreet Singh. Young talents like forward Akashdeep Singh and midfielder Hardik Singh are also part of the squad.The team will travel to Belgium and London for the next two legs of the FIH Pro League after this camp. They will face Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain in these matches."The tour to Australia has helped us in realizing where we need to work on and I always believe that we can work on our shortcomings and look to set things straight well before the final leg of the Pro League and the Paris 2024 Olympics," Fulton added.The camp and subsequent Pro League matches will provide the team with valuable opportunities to improve their performance and build momentum towards the Paris Olympics.

With just 100 days remaining until the Paris Olympics, the Indian men's hockey team is intensifying its preparations, recognizing the significance of every practice and drill in building momentum for the prestigious event.Harmanpreet Singh, the team captain, emphasized the team's determination to improve upon their bronze medal performance in Tokyo. "We are hungry to improve our result in Paris," he said. "Every day, every practice, every drill counts towards that goal."The team's recent tour of Australia, where they were whitewashed 0-5, served as a wake-up call, highlighting areas that need improvement. "We have identified the areas we need to work on," said Hardik Singh, the team's vice-captain. "We will iron out any remaining issues well in time for the Olympics."Chief coach Craig Fulton is keeping the team on track with a rigorous training schedule. "The countdown to the Olympics is always in our minds," said Harmanpreet. "We are focused and ready to shine."India's qualification for the Paris Olympics came through their gold medal victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. In Paris, they will face defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland in Pool B.The team's unity and shared goal of winning the gold medal are driving their efforts. "We are a close-knit group with a common purpose," said Harmanpreet. "We will give our all in the remaining 100 days to make our dream a reality."

India's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, faced a disappointing 5-0 defeat against Australia in the fifth and final match of their bilateral test series at the Perth Hockey Stadium. Despite taking an early lead through their captain, India succumbed to a fifth consecutive loss, extending Australia's dominance over them.The Kookaburras, known for their aggressive style of play, imposed a high press on India, forcing them into errors and earning numerous penalty corners. Jeremy Hayward, Ky Willott, and Tim Brand scored for Australia, while Boby Singh Dhami netted India's only other goal.India's defense, which had been a concern throughout the series, struggled to contain Australia's relentless attacks. Former India skipper Viren Rasquinha pointed out that the team's deep defensive line allowed Australia to earn more penalty corners.Despite the disappointing result, India's goalkeepers, PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak, displayed impressive form, thwarting several Aussie attacks. Drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh also delivered, scoring three goals in the series.However, India's strikers failed to exert sufficient pressure while in possession, allowing Australia to regain the ball and launch rapid counterattacks. The team's lack of experience and frequent changes in combination due to a large squad also contributed to the poor results.The 0-5 rout raises questions about India's mental resilience ahead of their crucial match against Australia at the Paris Olympics on August 2. However, former Belgium coach Shane McLeod believes that India can overcome this setback if they secure a victory over Australia at the Olympics.