Tokyo, August 3
A 2-5 loss to Belgium in the Olympic semi-finals on Tuesday was disappointing, but Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh and star custodian PR Sreejesh said the team has no time to be heartbroken as it needs to be relegated to the bronze medal game. Must note- Closed on Thursday.
The eight-time winner of Olympic gold, the last of which came in 1980, lost 2-5 to world champions Belgium in the semi-finals here on Tuesday.
“Right now it’s really tough for me because we came with a winning mindset, but unfortunately we didn’t win the match. Now we need to focus on our next bronze-medal match and we need to work and We need to get medals,” Manpreet said after the loss.
He said, “It is a great honor for us to reach the semi-finals after a long time, but now I feel we need to focus because the next match is going to be really important for us. Should have won a bronze medal.” added.
The captain said India deserved better results on Tuesday after working hard for the last five years to reach this level.
“It’s always been hard work and togetherness. This team has been together for the last four or five years. We’ve worked really hard to get to this level. We deserve better, and unfortunately we don’t get it today.” can do.”
Sreejesh concurred with his captain and said that the loss against Belgium is now a thing of the past and the team needs to focus on returning home with a medal from here.
“Disappointed, but you don’t have time to worry about it. You need to forget about it and think about the future. Now we have a chance to win a medal and for us this time is more important than crying ” he said.
“For us to think about the future, watch the match, think about where we lost, where we made mistakes, correct them and move on,” he said.
Senior India defender Rupinder Pal Singh also feels that all is not over in the ongoing games for him.
“Of course it’s heartbreaking for us, reaching the semi-finals after 41 years and we were here to win the gold medal. That was our goal, but we lost today. The great thing is that we have a third place in the next game. There is a chance to stay. We will focus on that,” he said.
Rupinder believes that the medal from Tokyo will be big for the sport in the country.
“If we win it, it will be for us. Of course there are a lot of people behind it and supporting us. But we’re going to win for us first and then (everyone else). It’s also a big motivation.” . . ” said the long drag-flicker.
Rupinder credited the team’s confidence for their success in Tokyo.
“There is hard work and faith behind it. This is the most important thing behind getting here. I think youngsters are working hard for us and we are turning good opportunities.
We need to work hard for the next match.
Meanwhile, Manpreet and Sreejesh were also surprised by the women’s team’s achievement in the ongoing Games and wished the team all the best for reaching the semi-finals for the first time against Argentina on Wednesday.
Manpreet said, “They played an amazing game against Australia. We wish them all the very best for their semi-final (against Argentina). I hope they win.”
Sreejesh said: “It’s a good awakening. They lost the first three matches, but the girls fought really well and won the last three matches, which was very important for them.
“Yesterday’s match, upset Australia, that was a tough call and I think the girls are tough enough to win medals in this tournament.”
Sreejesh heaped praise on Alexander Hendrix of Belgium, who made all the difference by scoring a hat-trick to guide the Red Lions to the Olympic semi-finals for the second time in a row.
“He (Hendrix) always scores at the right time. It gives more confidence to the team. I think the second goal was my fault, but still, the way he flicks the ball is always for the goalkeeper. It’s a little tough.” he said.
India will take on the losing team in the second semi-final between Australia and Germany in the bronze medal play-off match on Thursday. PTI