Hockey captain Manpreet: I believe we can play the final of Tokyo Olympics

National men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh believes India has capability of reaching final of Tokyo Olympics, provided a sense of discipline and consistency is maintained in run-up to qurennial extravaganza. Leaving behind a disappointing 2018 where India crashed out in quarterfinals of World Cup at home, Manpreet-led side has mand to maintain its consistency and qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics under a new coach in Australian Graham Reid. Reviewing year gone by, Manpreet said 2019 has been productive for team in terms of its performances despite t getting eugh opportunities to compete in high-level international tournaments.

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'I believe we can play final of Tokyo Olympics'

"Looking back, 2019 has been very good for us. We started year in fifth spot and mand to maintain that. biggest aim for us in 2019 was to qualify for Olympics and we have mand to achieve that under a new coach," Manpreet told PTI. 

"Our main target in 2019 is to reach finals of Olympics and believe me it's achievable. Throughout year we have mand to maintain 5 position in world rankings and re is reason why we can't climb from that.

"But for that, we have to maintain consistency which we have showed in entire 2019," he ded.

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ace mid-fielder, who has been minated for 2019 FIH Player of Year award, said encounters against top teams like Nerlands, world champions Belgium and Australia in upcoming FIH Pro league will give India a fair idea about where eight-time Olympic champions stand. India, who pulled out of inaugural edition of Pro-League, will play Dutch side on January 18 and 19 before hosting Belgium on February 8 and 9 followed by two more home fixtures against Australia on February 22 and 23. " FIH Pro League is our first step towards Olympic preparation. In Pro League, we will get to face all top teams of world before Olympics and this experience will give us an idea where we stand before Olympics," Manpreet said.

skipper said biggest take away for Indian men's hockey team in 2019 was transition of quite a few young players into senior fold. "In 2019, we witnessed quite a few young players making it into senior side. y performed to ir potential at international level and outsmarted some of senior guys. It's biggest positive for us, especially in a busy year, where we will be competing at FIH Pro-League be sides Olympics," Manpreet said.

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