Focus is on Winning Gold, Says Harendra Singh

Bengaluru: Indian men’s hockey team have raised hopes after their silver medal effort at the recent Champions Trophy, and the Sreejesh P.R.-led squad will look to take that confidence into the Asian Games next month. Come August 22, the defending champions will look to continue in the same vein. Coach Harendra Singh has made it clear that they are not going to take any team lightly.

“I expect the team to be hungry to win the Gold again and get direct qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games and I want to make it clear that there will be no room for complacency,” Harendra said here.

Speaking highly of the Korean team who rely heavily on defence, Harendra said they watched the, closely in the five-match practice match series held at the Sports Authority of India, Bangalore, last week.

“It is important to be highly cautious against each of the teams as we have not played against teams like Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka. Korea are a strong team.”

The women’s team too will be eyeing a gold in order to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games.

“Uur focus is on the current tournament,” coach Sjoerd Marijne said.