Hockey World Cup 2018: India will continue to play attacking hockey regardless of opponent, says captain Manpreet Singh

Bhubaneswar: Expecting the Netherlands to be their quarter-final opponents in the World Cup, India captain Manpreet Singh Tuesday said they will continue to play attacking hockey in a game where there will be no margin for error. [caption id=“attachment_5557111” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Manpreet Singh. AFP[/caption] India’s quarter-final opponents will be decided later in the evening after the conclusion of the fourth cross-over match between World No. 4 Netherlands and Canada. Like everyone else, Manpreet too expects the Dutch to sail into the last-eight round. “We are expecting Holland to come through because they are a much better team. But whoever goes through our aim would be to give our best. It is a knockout, do-or-die match and there is no second chance. We can’t afford to miss chances. At the same time, we need to be cautious and give less chances,” the midfielder said. “We need to play attacking hockey, our strength. When we try to play defensive, we tend to be too much defensive which provides more chances to opponents. We need to put pressure on them (from the start),” Manpreet explained. The skipper said utilising chances would be crucial to success in the quarter-final. “But it will be a very tough match and whichever team utilises its chances will win,” he said. “If you progress to the semi-finals you always have an option of finishing in the podium. You are just one match away from a medal. But if you lose in the quarterfinals, you don’t get a second option. In the end, it all boils down to how we play. If we get good chances and miss them and obviously the opposition team will take advantage of it,” he added. Manpreet listed out a series of dos and don’ts if they are pitted against three-time champions the Netherlands. “In the past we had good matches against Holland. In the Champions Trophy, we drew with Holland. We have also defeated them in the past. Our aim would be to strengthen our defence. Holland has very good and experienced midfield. They also have good strikers. So, our aim would be to break their moves early. We can’t give them easy chances and also need to convert our chances,” he said. Manpreet didn’t play the entire match against Canada in their last pool match because of fever but he has since recovered and will be a key figure in India’s midfield on Thursday. “I am fine now. In the last match, I had a fever so I couldn’t play the full match. But I am feeling better now,” he said. For the full Hockey World Cup 2018 schedule, click here For all the results from the Hockey World Cup 2018, click here For the Hockey World Cup 2018 standings, click here To read stories from Hockey World Cup memories series, click here To read Legend's take on Indian hockey team's performances at the World Cup, click here To read stories from the Hockey Insider series, click here