Manpreet Singh: There is a mindset and belief and we are up for the challenge

Bhubaneswar: India hockey skipper Manpreet Singh radiated confidence
as his team practiced for the last time before the big encounter
against Australia in their first match of the Hockey World League
Finals on Friday. Incidentally, it will also be the skipper’s 200th
international appearance.

“It has been a long journey. I am excited because I will be playing in
front of the home crowd. The support will be there,” Manpreet said
ahead of the tournament.

Describing his journey to be a memorable one, he said though many
matches are special to him, a certain two will always remain itched in
his memory.

“I have given my best in all the games I played and each one is
special for me. However, the Incheon Asian Games final in which we won
gold, and the recently concluded Asia Cup will be my two most special
ones,” he said.

On the big opener against Australia, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marinje said
the team is set for the challenge.

“We are looking forward. We have worked for a month. The intensity
will be high. It will be a challenge to compete against the Number 2
of the World,” the coach said.

India has a not so good record against the Kookaburras in the recent
encounters having lost the match in the Champions Trophy, Azlan Shah
and the Commonwealth Games.

“We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it. There is a
mindset and belief and we are up for the challenge.”