Page 11 - Indian Hockey Team

If I can maintain my fitness, I hope to play LA Olympics: Manpreet Singh

He will be on the wrong side of 30s and maintaining fitness would be no stroll in the park but veteran Indian hockey mid-fielder Manpreet Singh foresees an unprecedented fifth Olympic appearance for himself in the 2028 Los Angeles Games before he calls time on his career. The 32-year-old is a two-time Olympic medallist. He captained the side that ended a 41-year-old Olympic medal drought in Tokyo 2020, before remaining a part of the squad under Harmanpreet Singh for an encore in Paris 2024. "My target is till Los Angeles but it all depends upon my fitness. If I can maintain my fitness and game, I will surely be there in LA," the ace mid-fielder told PTI in an exclusive interview. "In today's hockey fitness is very important so at the end everything will boil down to my fitness," added the player, who has rarely faced any fitness issues in his career. Former greats Udham Singh, Leslie Claudius, and Dhanraj Pillai along with Manpreet's recently-retired contemporary P R Sreejesh also

Sreejesh ranks Tokyo Bronze above Paris, feels they should have won Gold

A proud owner of two consecutive Olympic medals, Indian hockey star P R Sreejesh says the bronze claimed in Tokyo three years ago is closer to his heart than the one fetched in Paris as the former was like a mythical tale coming true after decades of merely hearing about it. The 36-year-old goalkeeper, who bid adieu to his international career at the end of India's Paris campaign, was, in fact, a shade disappointed with the colour of the medal this time as he felt the team should have done better. "Tokyo for sure because we won an Olympic medal after a long time. Earlier we used to hear what an Olympic medal means as hockey has a rich history of gold, silver and bronze medals. But it never came in our hands. So when we got it for the first time, that was a moment," Sreejesh told PTI editors at its headquarters when asked to make the difficult choice here on Tuesday. "That time we were not sure about winning a medal but this time we were in top six and capable of beating any team. Bu

Hockey India names PR Sreejesh junior coach; retires his No 16 jersey

Hockey India on Wednesday decided to retire the jersey number of goalkeeping stalwart P R Sreejesh at the senior level after he bid adieu to the game following his starring role in the country's second consecutive Olympic bronze at the just-concluded Paris Games. Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said going forward no senior team player will be given the number 16 jersey although it will remain in circulation at the junior level. He also announced that the affable 36-year-old, who competed for nearly two decades, will take up the role of the junior national coach. "Sreejesh is now going to be the junior team coach and we are retiring the No. 16 jersey for the senior team. We are not retiring No. 16 for the junior team," said Singh at a felicitation function for the veteran and other members of the team. "Sreejesh dusra Sreejesh ko paida karega in junior team (Sreejesh will groom someone like him in the junior team who will wear the No.16 jersey)," he added. The playe

Like Dravid, I want coach juniors before gradual progression: PR Sreejesh

Legendary PR Sreejesh is a big fan of former India head coach Rahul Dravid's coaching philosophy and would similarly like to mentor the talented juniors with an aim to create a solid feeder system for national hockey team. Just like Dravid worked his way up the ranks, first working with India's U-19 boys, followed by rising stars in A team and subsequently the senior team, the 'Custodian of India's dreams' won't mind working in the pathways system before being the chief national coach during the 2032 edition in Brisbane. "I want to become a coach. That was always my plan but now there is a question of when. After retirement, family comes first. I need to talk with them if they are OK with this. Now you have to listen to your wife a little bit," Sreejesh told PTI editors at its headquarters here on Tuesday. If he decides to take up coaching, Sreejesh is clear in his mind how to go about in the new role. "The way I wanted is start with the juniors, and Rahul Dravid is an example. It'

Indian hockey team returns home from Paris Olympics amid much fanfare

The Olympic bronze medal winning Indian men's hockey team including captain Harmanpreet Singh arrived from Paris here on Saturday morning. The Indian team extended its record medal haul to 13 with a 2-1 victory over Spain in the third place match in Paris on Thursday. However, not all members of the bronze medal winning team made their way back home as a few vital cogs remained in the French capital for the closing ceremony of the Games. India's Wall', goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was named as the joint flag bearer for the closing ceremony along with Paris Games' double medallist Manu Bhaker and remained in Paris. Along with Sreejesh, Amit Rohidas, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Sanjay are slated to return after the closing ceremony. Harmanpreet and team members were greeted with garlands and celebratory dhol as they made their way out of the arrivals at the Indira Gandhi Airport in the morning. "We have received all the support, and all our requirements were fulfilled. I

Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights Day 13: Neeraj secures silver; Aman to aim for Bronze on Aug 9

India at Paris Olympics 2024: Indian men's hockey team def Spain 2-1 to secure India's fourth bronze in Paris. Check the Paris Olympics 2024 highlights here

Olympics 2024 Hockey: Harmanpreet's heroics help India secure bronze medal

Indian skipper led from the front to ensure India's podium finish at 2024 Paris Olympics.

It has been nothing short of extraordinary: Sreejesh ahead of farewell tie

Hours before his last hurrah, celebrated India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh described his international career as "nothing short of extraordinary" and expressed his gratitude to the countrymen for believing in him. The 36-year-old from Kerala will hope to end his illustrious 18-year-long career with a medal when he steps on to the field for one last time along with his teammates in the bronze playoff against Spain in the Paris Olympics. "As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India's honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary," he wrote on 'X'. "Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will forever echo in my soul. Thank you, India, for believing in me, for standing by me. This is not the end, but the beginning of cherished memories. "Forever a custodian of dreams." Sreejesh had announced his retirement plans ahead

Olympics Hockey Bronze medal match: India vs Spain live timings, streaming

India vs Spain: The live match for the bronze medal will begin at 5:30 PM IST. India has won the men's hockey gold eight times, with their last gold medal coming in 1980.

Paris Olympics 2024: India schedule on August 8, live time (IST), streaming

India at Olympics: Neeraj Chopra to men's hockey team- check India's schedule, live match timings on Day 13 of the Olympics 2024

Came for gold, but bronze better than going home empty-handed: Harmanpreet

Indian hockey team skipper Harmanpreet Singh and veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on Tuesday expressed their disappointment at not being able to realise their goal of winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics but said a bronze will be at least better than returning home empty-handed. India missed a golden chance to enter the hockey final of the Olympics for the first time in 44 years as they went down 2-3 to Germany in a close last-four clash at the Games here. India will now take on Spain in the bronze medal match, while Germany will be up against Netherlands in the final. "This is extremely disappointing as we came here to win a gold medal. But, having said that, it's better to go home with bronze than nothing," Harmanpreet told Jio Cinema after the match. "When you lose in the semifinal game, it's not that easy to take as reaching the final is a dream of any athlete," the captain added. India goalkeeper Sreejesh, appearing in the last international tournament of an illustrious

The screen showed we lost but the team did a wonderful job: Sreejesh

Veteran India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on Tuesday rued the missed chances in the action-packed Olympic semifinal against Germany but applauded his teammates for "standing tall" during a difficult match. Sreejesh said the German team had come prepared to tackle drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh and the "homework" on the skipper had an impact on the final result, which left them fighting for bronze in the Paris Games. India lost the semifinal 2-3. India earned 11 penalty corners but converted only two. "That was a difficult match, we got our chances but could not convert them, that's it. Then you can see it in the scoreline. It's a matter of homework," Sreejesh said after India's close defeat. "I think they've done a wonderful job against Harman, how to tackle him, because he's one of the best drag flickers in the world, and definitely, that's what they've done against us. So, some days are like that." Sreejesh said the key now will be to quickly regroup, take the defeat in their stride

Olympics 2024 Hockey Gold and Bronze medal match live time (IST), streaming

The Gold medal match in men's hockey at the Paris Olympics 2024 will begin at 10:30 PM IST on August 8. India vs Spain Bronze medal match on August 8 at 5:30 PM IST

Olympics 2024: Rohidas to miss IND vs GER SF after India's appeal rejected

India's key defender and first rusher Amit Rohidas will miss Tuesday's Olympic men's hockey semifinal against Germany after the country's appeal against his one-match suspension, for being red-carded in the quarterfinal, was rejected by the international body FIH. This means India will have only 15 players available for the key clash, which is a big setback for the eight-time Olympic champions. "Amit Rohidas was suspended for one match for a breach of the FIH Code of Conduct which occurred during the India vs Great Britain match on August 4," a FIH statement read. "The suspension affects match No. 35 (India's semi-final match against Germany), where Amit Rohidas will not participate and India will play with a squad of 15 players only." Hockey India had lodged an appeal against Rohidas' suspension but the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Jury Bench rejected it. "...after inspection and deliberations, HI's appeal has been rejected and Amit will not play the semifinal." Rohidas

IND vs GER HIGHLIGHTS, Olympics: Germany beat India 3-2; India to play Bronze medal match on Aug 8

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Sukhjeet Singh (36th) scored for India, while Gonzalo Peillat (18th), Christopher Ruhr (27th) and Marco Miltkau (54th) were the scorers for Germany.

Olympics 2024 Hockey SF: India vs Germany live timings, streaming today

India vs Germany head-to-head: In the last five meetings, India have won against the Germans. IND vs GER hockey semifinal match will kick-start at 10:30 PM IST today.

Paris Olympics 2024: India schedule on August 6, live time (IST), streaming

At 3:30 PM, it will be time for India's golden boy in athletics and the defending Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra to jump into action in the men's Javelin throw qualification event at Paris Olympics.

Paris Olympics 2024: Hockey semifinal full schedule, live timings streaming

The first semifinal, involving Spain and Netherlands, will take place at 5:30 PM IST and the second semifinal between India and Germany will take place at 10:30 PM IST.

Explained: Red card in Hockey; will Rohidas play Olympics 2024 SF vs GER?

India has appealed to revoke Amit Rohidas' ban for the semi-final, arguing the raised stick was unintentional, with hopes that Olympic hockey authorities will agree

Olympics: Sreejesh's masterclass takes India to consecutive semifinals

A battle-hardened PR Sreejesh gave a big fillip to the Indian hockey team's aspirations of winning a second consecutive Olympic medal with his splendid shootout saves in a 4-2 victory over Great Britain that earned his side a place in the semifinals of the Paris Games here Sunday. Playing most of the match without key defender Amit Rohidas, who was shown a red card for hitting a rival player with his stick, the team did extremely well to hold Great Britain to 1-1 in regulation time. Great Britain dominated possession and played with man-to-man marking, not allowing India to attack much. In the absence of Rohidas, Manpreet Singh, who plays in mid-field, was asked to man the defence. Reduced to 10 men on the pitch, India could not play scoop balls, a strategy that worked for the side in previous matches, but it managed to escape without getting hurt. It all boiled down to how Sreejesh would perform and the veteran goalkeeper did not disappoint, blocking the third and fourth attempts