Paris Olympics 2024: Former Pakistan hockey legend backs Harmanpreet Singh-led India to win gold

India will play Germany in semifinal of men's hockey on Tuesday in Paris after outplaying Britain in shoot-out on Sunday.

"When Pakistan is t playing cricket or hockey, I always support India. It's a much better side and one of best Indian teams I have seen. y have improved a lot and y are giving hard times to Europeans.

"y (India) can win and y should win this Olympics," ace centre forward, who was instrumental in leing Pakistan to a gold medal at 1984 LA Olympics, told PTI Bhasha.

"I am quite impressed with way y have played against Australia. Indian team is good. y should play as if y have gone re to win only. At this level it's all about mental preparation," he ded.

Playing with 10 men for close to 40 minutes after Amit Rohidas was shown a red card for unintentionally hitting rival forward Will Calnan on his face on Sunday, India defended stoutly to hold Britain 1-1 in regulation time and force a shoot-out, where it emerged 4-2 winner.

And Sardar said mental strength and unity of this Indian team is what that differentiates it from ors.

"We h beaten Australia in semifinals on our way to win gold in 1984 LA Olympics. We talked in team meeting and h belief that we can beat Australia and we did that. Mentally Indians have to be very strong and keep ir morale high.” he said.

"It is always difficult to play with 10 players and India did extremely well. Especially, captain who is in top form. ir morale would be high after that match and y just have to play ir natural game." 66-year-old veteran scored a hat-trick in Pakistan's 7-1 win over India in 1982 Asian Games final in New Delhi.

"When we won Asian gold against India, we only focused on taking le and doubling it. Both teams played well but we were lucky that we could score so many goals. Mental strength is most important aspect in crucial matches." He vised India t to give Germans for counter-attacks.

" Germans are a tough team. y are good on comebacks and are physically very strong. You can beat m with short passes, don't allow m to counter-attack," Sardar said.

" Focus should be on scoring more and more goals from penalty corners. If things are t going your way, just relax a bit and play like a unit. You don't get time to regroup so quickly, apt and move forward." He also wished good luck to goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who will retire from international hockey after Paris Olympics.

"To Sreejesh, I will say keep it up. This is your last tournament and you can make it memorable. This is best chance to bid ieu with a gold. Play like a winner as you have been playing. Australia and Belgium are alrey out and you won't get a chance like this."

.