Team bonding is the best stress buster for us: Shivendra

"Mental strength is important during such a big tournament. We feel the pressure and are using team bonding to reduce it. More we talk to each other, more the pressure get reduced. It enhances our confidence level as well," Shivendra told PTI Bhasha.

The striker from Uttar Pradesh also believes that India are not far behind the big teams and it would only be a matter of availing their chances.

"We are not far behind of bigger teams. Our weak link is finishing and we are working hard on that. We have to avail those chances that would come our way. If we can do that we have good chance of reaching the semifinals." Shivendra, who has played 148 international matches, said.

India are placed in group B in the upcoming Olympics along with Korea, Germany, Holland, New Zealand and Belgium, while Pakistan, Australia, Britain, Spain and Argentina are in group A.

India will begin their campaign on July 30 against Holland. (MORE)