India didn’t win a gold medal in Paris, however the 32-year-old Manpreet acknowledged that incomes a second straight bronze medal is a noteworthy achievement.
India, who’ve received the Olympic hockey gold eight occasions, managed to say the bronze medal in Paris by defeating Spain 2-1 within the third-place playoff match.
“Feeling actually good. The final time we received the bronze and we received bronze this time as properly. The mindset of the staff was to play within the remaining however that slipped out of our grasp, however we received the bronze and really feel actually good receiving all this love,” the attacking midfielder instructed PTI Movies upon staff’s arrival again dwelling.
The senior member of the squad recommended the staff’s resilience and psychological power throughout their quarterfinal match in opposition to Britain. Regardless of being diminished to 10 males for 43 minutes following Amit Rohidas’s controversial crimson card, the staff showcased outstanding willpower of their defence.
The intently contested encounter culminated in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, which the staff in the end received. Nevertheless, their quest for gold got here to an finish within the semifinals, the place they suffered a defeat in opposition to Germany.
“We prepare for these type of moments. If somebody will get a inexperienced card or a yellow card, easy methods to defend, however we didn’t suppose that we might get the crimson card. It was not the fault of Amit Rohidas. However sadly he bought the crimson card.
“The defensive mindset of the staff was good, and the best way everybody defended was sensible. We didn’t permit them to create straightforward alternatives. They created penalty corners and we defended these as properly,” he mentioned.
Manpreet, who was the skipper of the Indian staff that secured a bronze medal on the Tokyo Olympics, expressed his admiration for PR Sreejesh, the veteran goalkeeper who concluded his outstanding 18-year journey within the sport on the Paris Olympics.
Nevertheless, he confirmed that he has no such instant plans and nonetheless has a number of hockey left in him.
“That (LA Olympics) is much away from us now. I’ll focus on my health. If every little thing goes properly, I’ll proceed until 2028; if not allow us to see,” he mentioned.
On Sreejesh, Manpreet mentioned: “What can I say about him! I’ve spent 13 years with him. He was my senior and he guided me; from 2012 to 2023 he guided me. Even after I was captain, he supported me as to what now we have to do and what to not do, what is nice and what’s not,” he mentioned.
“He would all the time inspire me. As an individual he’s nice and as a participant he’s a legend. He has carried out properly in life and in his profession. I’ll miss him as a result of he is sort of a massive brother to me.”
