Indian hockey team midfielder Neelkant Sharma has said that after losing 0-7 to Australia in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games final, the team’s focus is to avoid early goals in upcoming tournaments like the FIH Pro League and 2023. World Cup in Odisha
The 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games ended with the recent outing of the Indian men’s team India silver fastening. However, the huge margin of defeat in the summit clash has made the team more determined to work hard ahead of the World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela where the hosts are favorites to secure a podium finish.
Neelkanth said the team is eager to take whatever they can from the Commonwealth Games experience and come back stronger.
“We have been watching videotapes of our matches at the Commonwealth Games since the start of the camp and we are working to make sure we don’t concede any early goals. If we get off to a strong start, we can build on our performances throughout the game.”
“We have to face very strong sides in the group stage of the World Cup and we don’t want to feel like we haven’t done our best at the end, so a good start is crucial for a good start. home ground,” he said.
India are in Pool D along with England, Spain and Wales and will open their campaign against Spain in Rourkela on January 13.
“Our goal in the World Cup is to get a medal no matter what. We look forward to qualify for the knockouts comfortably despite facing strong teams in the group stage and then against any team that comes our way. We are focused on getting results. We have the advantage of playing most of these teams in FIH Pro League matches and we want to take that experience to the Odisha pitch.
Neelkanth believes that there is a huge difference between playing a Pro League match and a World Cup.
“Once we get to the quarter-finals you can’t help but think, what if we lose, but last time around there was a lot of support from the people of Odisha and I can’t help but think of us during the upcoming World Cup. I will count on that support to relieve any pressure. The whole team feels that we need to do well keeping in mind the 2-1 loss against Netherlands in the 2018 World Cup, as we did in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. We don’t want to participate in the World Cup, we want to win medals and that is what we are focusing on.
If he makes it to the World Cup squad, Neelkanth will become the first player from Manipur to play back-to-back World Cups at home.
“The official squad has not been announced yet, but yes, I hope to play in the World Cup. I am proud to be able to represent Manipur twice in this event and give my 100 per cent to help the team win and not be disappointed in the end.
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