Mumbai: Getting double rewards for field goals in the Hockey India League hasn’t temped ace Indian drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, who is relishing the role of defender despite starting the game as a striker.
“I am not tempted, anyone who scores for the team is good for us,” said the Dabang Mumbai defender who has already scored four goals via penalty corners in four matches.
“Scoring a field goal is a plus point. Yes we want field goals but mostly teams depend on penalty corners irrespective if it counts as one or two goals. Whatever opportunity I get, I try to score for the team.”
Harmanpreet’s goals have helped in Mumbai comebacks after trailing in the first two games. The 21-year-old has been one of the major reasons of Dabangs’ strong start to the season.
His powerful drag-flicks past senior national team skipper Sreejesh P.R. have been his high point in this League and he relishes a duel with his favourite and senior, India drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh.
“I had a chat with Rupinder Pal Singh. He is my favourite. It feels good to perform in front of players who have taught you.
“I have learnt a lot from senior players like him, Raghunath, Sreejesh. They told me how to play under pressure when I made it to the senior team,” he said.
Harmanpreet who is with the Mumbai franchise for three seasons now, said he was improving all the time.
“We have senior players like Jeremy Hayward, David Harte, Florian Fuchs, Nikkin Thimmaiah in our squad who always give you confidence. If you make a mistake, they motivate you and say, next time you will improve. It feels great and you always learn from those great players whom you earlier heard of or watched.
“I had 10 days practice before the Junior World Cup for drag-flicks. Here also I do a lot of practice with (goalkeepers) David Harte and Krishan Pathak. I focus on the target and try to remain steady and soak pressure,” he said while hinting that getting past tall (6 feet, 5 inches) Irish goalkeeper Harte helps in a way to find more accuracy.
