Times of India: Every match is crucial for India: Sardar Singh
Manuja Veerappa
BENGALURU: In sharp contrast to a serene SAI, South Centre campus, the newly-laid hockey turf was a beehive of activity as Indian campers went through their paces. After a grueling morning session, the players barring one dispersed for the day. The lone player still at practice was Indian skipper Sardar Singh. The 29-year-old, who believes in leading by example, feels every minute of practice and every match, starting with the Hockey World League in Raipur later this month, will be crucial for Team India.
“We need to do well in the HWL Final because it is a key build-up event for the Rio Games. With top teams in the fray, it is a big challenge, but it will help us understand our mistakes. The results of the Australia series before the tournament will have no impact on us. We don’t have much time. We will probably play 20-25 matches before the Games against quality opponents. We’ll hope to play each game well and play like we’re already playing at the Olympics. That’s how we are preparing right now,” he said.
Sounding positive on the Road to Rio, the star midfielder added, “I feel nine months is a short span of time. The boys are improving day-by-day in training sessions. Having said that, everyone has to be aware of his responsibilities in the team.”
With the Indian defence line showing a marked improvement during the series against New Zealand last month, Sardar felt it reflected on the team’s improvement as a whole. “Defence is not the four people standing behind. People think our defence is weak. It is a team game and the defence starts from the (last-man) forward. He’s the first line of defence. If all the forwards and midfielders support and communicate well, our defence will do well,” he asserted.
With mental conditioning being one of the talking points, Sardar said a psychologist will be critical as the team gears up for the quadrennial extravaganza. “It is important to be mentally fit.The coaches and players felt there is a need for a psychologist and Hockey India has agreed to provide one. A SAI sports psychologist will join us soon on a trial basis. If the sessions work for us, then we will continue with that psychologist,” signed off Sardar.