Harmanpreet Singh, skipper of the Indian men’s hockey team, said on Monday that his players demonstrated remarkable perseverance and togetherness in their recent FIH Pro League games and that the campaign has delivered significant lessons ahead of the Paris Olympics. India finished the Pro League season with a respectable 24 points from 16 games, including five wins, three shootout triumphs, five defeats, and three shootout losses. The Indian team is in fourth place in the points standings.
The FIH Pro League 2023-24 has been an incredible journey for us. Some of our victories against strong teams like the Netherlands 2-2 (4-2 SO), Argentina (5-4), and Germany (3-0) highlight the hard work and determination of our squad. We have shown great resilience and teamwork throughout the tournament, the star drag-flicker said in a Hockey India release. Harmanpreet also emphasized the significance of this tournament as a preparatory event for the Paris Olympics.
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. We now know where we stand and what we need to work on to perform at our best on the global stage, Harmanpreet added. We have identified specific aspects of our game that need attention, and the upcoming camp will be vital in working on those areas. Our goal is to build on our performance and ensure we are fully prepared for the Paris Olympics, the 28-year-old player concluded.
Nine tough teams competed in the event, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, India, the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, and Ireland. Despite the fact that the FIH Pro League runs till June 30, India’s 16th and final match took place on Sunday, capping off an intense and contested season. Men in Blue concluded their FIH Hockey Pro League 202324 season with a 2-3 defeat against Great Britain. Sukhjeet Singh and Harmanpreet scored for India while Phil Roper, Jack Waller, and Alan Forsyth found the net for Britain.
Harmanpreet emerged as a star performer, finishing as the top scorer for India. With 12 goals, he is presently the tournament’s joint-leading scorer, along with Blake Govers of Australia and Jip Janssen of the Netherlands. Harmanpreet’s scoring ability was clear, as he scored eight goals from penalty corners and four from penalty strokes. The Indian team will now take a short break before regrouping for quick training in Bengaluru, where they will focus on fine-tuning their strategies and addressing key areas.
