Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey: India Prepared to Face the Best, Says Sardar Singh
India, led by Sardar Singh, will be at full strength in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament next week in Ipoh, Malaysia.
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Sardar Singh has said that India were ready to face the best teams in Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament starting in Malaysia next week. India play Korea in their opening match on April 5. The tournament ends April 12.
Sardar, who received the prestigious Padma Shree award on Monday, said India were hungry after their string of good results last year. India won the Asian Games gold in Incheon after 1998 and finished fourth in the FIH Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.
India beat the Netherlands in the Champions Trophy after 18 years and gave a tough fight to world champions Australia, one of the top teams India will face at Azlan Shah tournament.
"The team is motivated post the Champions Trophy 2014, where we beat the top teams that are ranked higher than us. While we stood fourth in the tournament, there were stronger teams that finished lower in the tournament."
Talking on the upcoming challenge in Azlan Shah, Sardar added, "With Satbir and Mandeep in the team, our attack has got a good boost and Chinglensana's addition will strengthen our midfield. The upcoming tour will be tough but the boys are confident enough and we are looking forward to meeting Australia in the final."