India males’s hockey group captain Harmanpreet Singh.
| Photo Credit: ANI
India males’s hockey group captain Harmanpreet Singh says his aspect’s focus will be on Asian Games, an Olympic-qualifier, as they embark on the European tour for Pro League matches, beginning May 26.
The group left for London on Monday for the primary leg of the European tour the place it can face reigning Olympic champions Belgium (May 26 and June 2) and hosts Great Britain (May 27 and June 3).
They will then journey to Eindhoven for his or her final set of matches in opposition to the Netherlands (June 7 and 10) and Argentina (June 8 and 11).
India are at the moment main the Pro League desk with 19 factors from eight matches within the nine-team event. United Kingdom too have an equivalent quantity of factors however are second on the desk due to an inferior purpose distinction.
The skipper mentioned the matches will play an important function in India’s preparation for the Asian Games in September, the place the gold medallist will routinely qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“We have very crucial matches coming up as we get to the business end of the Pro League season. We are in a strong position in the table so far and we will look to get as many points as possible in the remaining matches.
“We are enthusiastic about this tour because it additionally offers us an excellent alternative to play in opposition to high quality groups. These matches will be actually necessary for us as we put together for the all-important Asian Games scheduled later this yr,” said Harmanpreet before the team’s departure to London.
India remained unbeaten against reigning world champions Germany and Australia, which helped them top the points table.
This will be the team’s first outing under new chief coach Craig Fulton.
“We have had good intensive coaching periods on the nationwide teaching camp in SAI centre, Bengaluru. The preparations have been actually good, and our earlier matches in Rourkela had been a giant confidence booster for us, so we are going to look to replicate the efficiency within the upcoming matches,” the skipper said.
Harmanpreet added the team will look to build on the good work done in the home leg to prepare for the tough assignments later this year.
“We will go step-by-step, strive to play good hockey and most significantly look to maintain the momentum going as we’ve got an extended tour and a busy season forward as effectively.”
