For the 2020 Olympics, India is placed in Pool A alongside the reigning champions. In the hierarchy of favorites for the Tokyo men's hockey event, Australia leads the way, followed by Argentina, India, and Spain.
The Indian men's team managed to move past the frustration of their 2018 World Cup performance, spending 2019 focused solely on qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Now that they have officially secured their place, the squad is aiming high, targeting a top-four finish in the competition.
The team captain emphasized that with nine months of training remaining, the focus will be on consistent day-to-day progress. Supporting this, head coach Graham Reid mentioned a noticeable uptick in the team's quality and a strong commitment to delivering a winning result.
Manpreet Singh and the rest of the squad feel they are well-positioned to finish in the top four at the Tokyo Olympics, believing they have the potential to fight through the semi-finals and reach the gold medal match. Following their back-to-back Asian Champions Trophy victories in 2016 and 2018, they are now striving for a third consecutive title at the 2020 edition of the tournament.
While the captain admitted that winning a third straight trophy would be an incredible achievement, he stressed the importance of taking a disciplined, step-by-step approach. Manpreet noted that their most critical milestones were qualifying for the Olympics and maintaining India's world ranking of fifth, a process that has significantly strengthened their team cohesion.
2019 marked a new era for Indian hockey, starting with the appointment of Australian coach Graham Reid on April 20. The captain pointed out that during this transition, the hunger of young players fighting for senior spots has brought a new level of energy and potential to the group. This surge in talent, combined with the upcoming FIH Pro League, has made the goal of a top-four Olympic finish feel very attainable.
Manpreet Singh added that the FIH Pro League, running from January to June 2020, will serve as essential preparation. It gives the players a chance to test themselves against world-class opponents and the eight-time Olympic champions before heading to Tokyo.