Attacking hockey can stop Dutch: Manpreet

Bhubaneswar, December 11 

Much before the Netherlands crossed over into the quarterfinals, India knew they would face the Dutch in the knockout match. And they had been planning on how to get the better of them. “We were expecting Holland to come through because they are a much better team,” said India skipper Manpreet Singh. “It’s a knockout, do-or-die match, there is no second chance. We can’t afford to miss chances. At the same time, we need to be cautious and give them few chances. 

“We need to play attacking hockey, our strength. When we try to play defensive, we tend to be too defensive, which gives more chances to the opponents. We need to put pressure on them,” the skipper said.

He said utilising chances would be the key to success. “It will be a very tough match and whichever team utilises its chances will win,” he said. “If you progress to the semifinals, you are just one match away from a medal. But if you lose in the quarterfinals, you don’t get a second chance.

“In the end, it all boils down to how we play. If we get good chances and miss them, the opposition will take advantage of it,” he added. Manpreet listed out a series of dos and don’ts for the game against three-time champions Netherlands. “In the past, we had good matches against Holland. In the Champions Trophy we drew with Holland. We have also defeated them in the past.

“Our aim would be to strengthen our defence. Holland has very good and experienced midfield. They also have good strikers. So, our aim would be to break their moves early. We can’t give them easy chances and also need to convert our chances,” he said. — PTI

Today’s matches 

Argentina vs Eng, 4.45pm 

Aus vs France, 7pm

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