Still smarting from the semifinal exit on the Asia Champions Trophy, Indian males’s hockey staff chief coach Graham Reid on Friday stated the setback got here as a actuality verify for the Tokyo Olympic bronze medal winners forward of a busy calendar 12 months.
Defending champions India had been surprised 3-5 by Japan within the semifinal of the ACT in Dhaka final month.
“It’s all the time troublesome. You must be put in conditions. Everybody together with myself hated that semifinal loss to Japan in ACT. No one likes to expertise one thing like that. But generally it’s important to expertise that to be taught from it,” Reid stated in a digital press convention.
“The message after that match was ‘Look that is what occurs if we do not deal with each single recreation with the utmost significance. I feel it was actually good studying expertise.”
Reid stated his message to the staff after the historic Olympic medal was straight ahead: “This is just the beginning and not the end of the road” and the loss towards Japan will act as reminder for them forward of a busy 12 months that features FIH Pro league matches, Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
“Straight after the Olympics I additionally stated that ‘This isn’t it, that is simply the beginning’ and that is been our message from the second we gained the bronze medal in Tokyo.
“…we have to take the best out of the opprtiunities from here,” he stated.
India will begin the 12 months with back-to-back Pro League ties towards South Africa and France in Potchefstroom from February 8 to 13.
Olympic bronze medal-winning captain Manpreet Singh will lead a 20-member Indian staff within the double-leg contests in South Africa.
The staff may even have its veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh again in addition to getting two new faces — younger dragflicker Jugraj Singh and striker Abhishek.
“We were able to do that in Bangladesh (give chances to new players). We were able to give the players who haven’t had the opportunity for a while. “We also needed to bring back some of the other players who haven’t had a game since the Olympics. The other important message is that these will be very tough games, we are taking them pretty seriously so the team we picked is reflective of that,” the coach stated in regards to the squad.
Talking in regards to the two new gamers, Reid stated: “Jugraj is sort of a flexible participant who can play in each midfield and protection. He can also be very fast when he dragflicks. I’m fairly excited if we will get him slightly extra constant the place he places them.
“Abhishek likes scoring targets, a prolific scorer. He is robust and younger.”
The Australian tactician can also be impressed with the longevity and dedication of veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh.
“He (Sreejesh) is again once more, he had a protracted break however you aren’t getting to play so lengthy in your nation as he has with out being open to new concepts and adjustments and growth and continuous enchancment. You must have the identical drive and similar dedication that you simply had when you find yourself 19.”
The coach was additionally filled with appreciation for skipper Manpreet’s aggressive spirit.
“One of the belongings you see with Manpreet is that there’s a competitiveness, that inner drive to higher and to win is one thing you can’t train folks, it’s important to expertise, be taught and develop it. When you see Manpreet play he brings in that aggressive spirit,” Reid stated.
Skipper Manpreet too highlighted the significance of beginning the 12 months on a constructive notice.
“It’s a vital 12 months for the staff. It’s an excellent alternative for us to play matches towards France and South Africa and we hope to start out the brand new 12 months on a successful notice and make good progress. It’s a vital tour for us,” he stated.
“In ACT there have been fairly just a few new gamers, a brand new staff. We wanted to provide likelihood to different gamers and see their enchancment. This 12 months is essential for us. We have Pro League, CWG, Asia Cup, Asian Games and World Cup subsequent 12 months.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
