Rajgir (Bihar) [India], September 2 (ANI): Veteran Indian hockey star Manpreet Singh, after a commanding victory over Kazakhstan on Monday of their last Pool A sport on the Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar 2025 by 15-0, emphasised the significance of giving 100 per cent within the knockout stage. He highlighted the necessity to keep a robust defence and capitalise on scoring alternatives.
India gained by a scoreline of 15-0, with as many as three gamers scoring a hat-trick on the Rajgir. Abhishek (5′, 8′, 20′, 59′), Sukhjeet Singh (15′, 32′, 38′), and Jugraj Singh (24′, 31′, 47′) scored the hat-tricks, while Captain Harmanpreet Singh (26′), Amit Rohidas (29′), Sanjay (54′), Dilpreet Singh (55′) additionally bought on the scoresheet.
‘We have to organize for the upcoming matches. So we have been taking part in accordingly. We needed to make the most of the alternatives we had. We have been giving everybody possibilities in penalty corners and variations. We have been making an attempt to provide rhythm to everybody. We have been making ready ourselves for the upcoming three matches,’ Singh advised the media.
‘The upcoming three matches are crucial as a result of they’re type of a knockout stage. So you must give 100 per cent in each match. And we are going to analyse the groups that come. Because I believe all three groups are good. China, Malaysia and Korea are good. So we have now to maintain our defence sturdy, and once we get an opportunity, we have now to transform it,’ he added.
India, who had already certified for the Super 4s, completed the league stage on the high of the factors desk in Pool A with 9 factors from three video games.
Indian Men’s Hockey Team goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak, after finishing the milestone of 150 worldwide caps, expressed pleasure in taking part in for his nation and emphasised readiness for upcoming matches. He acknowledged the power of opposing groups and the necessity for strategic preparation and self-improvement.
‘150 matches, it is a proud second for me to play 150 matches for my nation. So I’ll be prepared for the upcoming matches. It’s important. I believe the groups from the opposite pool are additionally good. We must see what they’ve completed, and we are going to put together for that sooner or later,’ Pathak mentioned.
The 28-year-old, who hails from Kapurthala, Punjab, achieved this exceptional feat throughout India’s second match of the continuing Asia Cup 2025, held in Rajgir, Bihar, in opposition to Japan on the Rajgir Hockey Stadium.
He made his senior debut in opposition to Japan on the Four-Nations Tournament in January 2018 and shortly cemented his place within the squad. Since then, he has been a part of a number of of India’s most celebrated triumphs, together with the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy (Joint Gold with Pakistan), the 2022 Asian Games Gold in Hangzhou, and back-to-back Asian Champions Trophy titles in 2023 and 2024. (ANI)