Hoping Both Teams Qualify

I am very excited and eager about watching the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams which will take on Russia and USA respectively in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers on Friday and Saturday in Bhubaneshwar.

- Sardar Singh

The men’s team is fielding the most experienced squad with players like Ramandeep Singh and Rupinder Pal coming back into the team after their brief struggle with injuries. It is good to see Sunil back in the mix, too, after missing the World Cup and FIH Series Final at home.

His experience in the forward-line will surely be of significance against Russia. The team boasts of a strong midfield and defence too and the players are carrying confidence from their recent Belgium tour.

Although Russia are an inexperienced team in comparison to India, one must acknowledge that every team coming into the Olympic qualifiers will play with an ambition to win and earn a ticket to Tokyo. There are several players in the Russian team who have switched from ice hockey to field hockey simply because this sport is part of the Summer Olympics and they play with a lot of passion.