Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup : Manpreet plays down Elena episode
Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup : Manpreet plays down Elena episode
“I have no personal issue with Elena. If I had my phone, I would have shown you. It's made an issue. She is my colleague, we have good relations,” says Manpreet Singh, captain of Indian hockey team while reacting to social media reports that the CEO of Hockey India, Elena, publically insulted him and asked him and other Indian players to leave the VIP lounge at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening.
Social media reports said that the Hockey India CEO got furious in finding Indian team officials at VIP lounge. An earlier express order had prohibited members of Indian team from visiting the lounge. Manpreet Singh, however, played down the incident at a Press Conference on Wednesday.
“It was our mistake. Players were not allowed in the lounge. All teams not allowed. We went therel it was our mistake. It was not a big thing, I did not remember it in the first place this morning. So you should say only what happened. There is no pressure on me to say what I am saying. It was our mistake. Nobody told us to say this,” said Manpreet Singh.
Talking about India’s chances against Netherlands, Manpreet said:” If you talk about Olympics,it was two years ago. Team has improved, especially since Harry sir has come. We are playing attacking hockey. We want to change history. The focus is that we don't leave out even the 50:50 chances
“Hoga to wahi jo hum chahenge. We want what 1.3 billion people want. Indian team mentally, physically is ready. We have done our homework on Dutch aggression. Whatever challenge they throw, we are ready to solve that, not just accept it,” soach of Indian team.
For events like World Cup, he says, every team comes prepared
Indian team has made history in the last six months. You have to face every team, it is World cup. You are bound to play the top teams.
“Whatever we have, we prepared ourselves for years, we won't do anything different. There are some minor adjustments. They love to play attacking hockey, so do India. It is an equal contest. In tomorrow's match, you can't afford to miss even 25% chances, either score or get a PC,” says Harendra Singh.
All eyes are set on the game tomorrow as all Indian hopes are on both forwards and defenders. How India plans its game strategy will determine the outcome. “India has one of the fittest teams.” says Aikman, Japanese coach.
“Netherlands is beatable.” says Sukhvir Singh Grewal, former international and Indian Olympic coach, - PTC News
