Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has revealed that while the team is heading into a series of Pro League matches in Europe starting May 26, their eyes are firmly set on the Asian Games to secure Olympic qualification. The team flew to London on Monday to begin the first stage of their tour, where they will battle Belgium, the current Olympic titleholders, on May 26 and June 2, followed by matches against Great Britain on May 27 and June 3.
India men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh confessed that his side’s focus will be on Asian Games, an Olympic qualifier, as they plunge into the European tour for Pro League matches, starting on May 26. Men in Blue left for London on Monday to play in the first leg of the European tour where they will take on the defending Olympic champions Belgium on May 26 and June 2. Team India will then lock horns with the hosts Great Britain on May 27 and June 3.
After the London leg, the team will travel to Eindhoven for their final matches, facing the Netherlands on June 7 and 10, and Argentina on June 8 and 11. India is currently leading the Pro League table with 19 points from eight matches. Great Britain is tied on points but sits in second place because of a lower goal difference. India's lead was secured thanks to an unbeaten run against top-tier teams like Germany and Australia. Additionally, this tour will be the first time the team competes under the leadership of their new head coach, Craig Fulton.
Harmanpreet noted that the European matches are a key part of their preparation for the Asian Games coming up in September. The stakes are high, as the gold medalist will earn a direct ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The captain mentioned that the team aims to build upon their successful home performances to ensure they are ready for the high-pressure tournaments later this year.
The 27-year-old defender highlighted that the team is entering a critical phase of the Pro League season. While they are currently in a strong position in the standings, he emphasized the goal of accumulating as many points as possible in the remaining fixtures. Harmanpreet expressed excitement about the tour, noting that facing world-class opponents provides the perfect training ground for the pivotal Asian Games later this year.
The skipper also mentioned that the team has undergone rigorous training at the SAI Centre national coaching camp in Bengaluru. He noted that their preparations are in great shape and that their previous success in Rourkela provided a significant boost in confidence. The goal now is to maintain that high level of performance and keep the momentum strong throughout the duration of the long tour.