Uttam.
| Photo Credit: File Photo: BISWARANJAN ROUT
India’s comeback win towards Netherlands within the quarterfinals of the hockey Junior Men’s World Cup on Tuesday made it the one Asian staff remaining within the competitors. Ahead of the semifinal towards Germany, captain Uttam Singh and coach C.R. Kumar are assured of placing one throughout essentially the most profitable staff in historical past.
“We have played a lot more against Germany compared to other European teams but no tournament is the same as a World Cup. We have an idea of their game. The plans are there, we now have to execute them clinically and if we do that, the result will be in our favour. That’s all we are telling the players also, just stick to the plan and go ahead confidently,” Kumar stated throughout a media interplay on Wednesday.
Having watched Germany’s quarterfinal towards defending champion Argentina carefully, Kumar is conscious of not solely the challenges for his staff but in addition the duty because the flag-bearer of Asian hockey. The strain, Uttam stated, was not a burden.
“Pressure will always be there in big tournaments when you are playing for your country. But it should motivate you, not affect your game even when you are trailing. We know that if they can score two goals in the first 30 minutes, we can also score 3-4 in the next 30. I always say you haven’t won or lost till the final whistle. That belief and trust in the team is very important,” the captain insisted.
Uttam —one of many six gamers from the 2021 version —is eager to avenge the 4-2 semis loss to Germany.
“At the 2021 JWC, I was only a player, not the captain and we lost in the semifinals. But the dream of playing and winning the final is always there and now that we have got another chance, we don’t want to waste the opportunity. Many play in a World Cup; only a few win. We already have our names as World Cuppers; now it’s time to write our names among World Cup champions,” Uttam stated.
For Kumar, it has been a protracted, private wait however the skilled coach is in no hurry. “The tournament is not over till the last second on December 16. We always go match-by-match and every team meeting starts with a 0-0 slide, so everyone knows that the past matches are done and don’t matter any more”.
“I was part of the 2001 team’s preparation (the first time India won). Now I am getting a chance after 22 years. it’s been a long wait but I am not someone to run away from responsibilities. I hope to deliver this time with this group, which I think is as talented as the 2001 side. I am expecting to keep the date (on 16th),” he smiled.
