Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 12 (ANI): Following the win over Japan within the semifinal of the continued Asian Champions Trophy, Indian hockey participant Manpreet Singh that his aspect can’t take Malaysia, their opponents within the ultimate, calmly after beating them comprehensively within the group stage.
India stormed into the finals of the Asian Champions Trophy with a five-star efficiency towards Japan within the semi-finals on the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Friday. They will face Malaysia within the title conflict, who thrashed South Korea 6-2 within the different semifinal.
“It feels good (on winning the match and ‘Player of the Match’ award). The whole team gave 100 per cent. We all knew this was an important game. We played well, but the job is not done. We have the final against Malaysia. We cannot underestimate them just because we beat them last time. They will also be looking to give their more than 100 per cent. We would like to do even better in finals. It is important that we follow our basic game structure,” stated Manpreet in a video posted by Hockey India.
He additionally congratulated goalkeeper PR Sreejesh for finishing 300 matches for India.
“It is a big achievement,” he stated.
The goalkeeper, who hails from Kizhakkambalam, Kerala, achieved the feat throughout India’s semifinal match of the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 towards Japan on the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai. The 34-year-old goalkeeper is among the most skilled gamers within the present Indian squad. Sreejesh has 4 appearances on the prestigious FIH Hockey World Cup. He made hisIndia debut on the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi and since then he has been a pivotal member of the crew.
He represented the nation at virtually all the main worldwide tournaments together with the 2010, 2014, and 2018 Hockey Men’s World Cup and 2023 Hockey Men’s World Cup, Commonwealth Games in 2014, 2018 and 2022; and three Olympic Games – London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, the place he helped the crew clinch the historic Bronze medal. He was additionally a part of India’s Bronze Medal feat on the 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang, joint winners of Hero Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, Gold Medal successful crew of 2019 FIH Men’s Series Finals in Bhubaneswar and Silver Medal successful crew on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. He was instrumental in India’s third-place end on the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22.
Sreejesh was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021 and is simply the second sportsperson from India to win the World Games Athlete of the Year 2021. He has additionally gained back-to-back FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
On enjoying in Chennai, Manpreet stated that it feels good and thanked Chief Minister MK Stalin for organising the match.
“I hope more such tournaments will be held in the future. It would be great for the local crowd,” he stated.
India have been unbeaten to date on the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, successful their first recreation 7-2 towards China, drawing 1-1 towards Japan of their second match, beating Malaysia 5-0, successful towards South Korea 3-2, after which beating arch-rivals Pakistan 4-0. (ANI)