Tokyo Olympics: Mandeep Singh confident of Indian hockey side capable of breaching rival defences

India is all set to take part in hockey in the Tokyo Olympics, starting Friday. While India is without a hockey Olympic medal for the past 37 years, it could change this term. Moreover, striker Mandeep Singh feels that the side is capable of breaching any rival defence.

<p>It has been 37 years since Indian hockey last won a medal at the Olympics. With Tokyo Olympics getting underway from Friday, the Indian hockey team would look to change its fortunes this time around.</p>

It has been 37 years since Indian hockey last won a medal at the Olympics. With Tokyo Olympics getting underway from Friday, the Indian hockey team would look to change its fortunes this time around.

<p>While India has a star-studded side, it has lacked penetrative skills for the past few years. However, team strike Mandeep Singh has expressed confidence in the side's abilities to breach the rival defences in the global spectacle.</p>

While India has a star-studded side, it has lacked penetrative skills for the past few years. However, team strike Mandeep Singh has expressed confidence in the side's abilities to breach the rival defences in the global spectacle.

<p>"I don't think there's any added pressure on me because I have good support from the rest of the players. We have good on-field communication, and on a good day, we can breach the toughest defence," he told <em>PTI</em>.</p>

"I don't think there's any added pressure on me because I have good support from the rest of the players. We have good on-field communication, and on a good day, we can breach the toughest defence," he told PTI.

<p>Mandeep is one of the most experienced and senior pros on the side, having played over 150 matches. However, he would be making his Olympic debut this term at the age of 26.</p>

Mandeep is one of the most experienced and senior pros on the side, having played over 150 matches. However, he would be making his Olympic debut this term at the age of 26.

<p>As India takes on New Zealand in the event's opening game, he has asserted that the side is all prepared for the task at hand. "We are eager to play our first match against New Zealand," he affirmed, as India looks to win its first hockey medal since the 1980 Moscow gold.</p><p><br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona</strong></p>

As India takes on New Zealand in the event's opening game, he has asserted that the side is all prepared for the task at hand. "We are eager to play our first match against New Zealand," he affirmed, as India looks to win its first hockey medal since the 1980 Moscow gold.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona