India’s fast-paced youngster striker Mandeep Singh has said that the Indian team would be aiming to start the new year with a bang and are looking to wining against every opponent that they play. Mandeep is all set to debut in the FIH Pro League against the Netherlands at home. India had not participated in the first leg of the Pro League last year.
The blue sticks are scheduled to take on the Netherlands in Bhubaneswar on 18-19 January in the first leg of the tournament. Mandeep feels that the hosts who are world number five according to the current rankings will give a tough challenge to the third-ranked Netherlands. Mandeep emerged as the top scorer for India last year.
Mandeep talking more about the upcoming challenge said that the Indian team has always played close matches against the Netherlands. He added that although the team has not played against the Dutch last year the blue sticks believe that they have improved a lot as a team with a good combination and ability to score goals. Mandeep further said that the Indian team will be playing at their own turf and they definitely would not like to disappoint fans at home as the team wants to start the season with a win.
Mandeep also praised the contribution of his teammates for his success as he said that he feels that he got success with the help of his fellow players SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh. He said that his association with these players is much better because they have spent a lot of time together. He also said that without these players he would not have been able to shine on the turf. Mandeep finally concluded that if he is scoring it is because he is getting help from his colleagues.
The Indian men’s hockey team will play in Bhubaneswar on 18-19 January against the Netherlands after that the blue sticks will lock horns with Belgium on 8 and 9 February and Australia on 21 and 22 February. Then India will travel to Berlin to play against Germany on 25 and 26.
