Indian hockey team’s senior player Manpreet Singh on Saturday said that not winning gold in the Olympics was disappointing but a second consecutive bronze medal is also not bad. The eight-time Olympic champion Indian team also won the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics after Tokyo. India last won hockey gold in the Olympics in 1980.
“It feels great,” Manpreet told PTI in a video. Last time we had won bronze and this time also we won. The team had gone with the intention of playing the final but could not win. But we won the bronze and it feels good to get so much love.” Manpreet also praised the mental toughness of the team which won the quarter-final against Britain after playing with ten players for 42 minutes.
Manpreet said, “We were trained to play in such conditions. How to play if someone has got a green or yellow card. But we didn’t think he would get a red card. There was no fault of Amit Rohidas but he got a red card. He said, “The team performed very well in defence. We did not give him many chances. We also saved the penalty corner very well.
Regarding goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who has played his last tournament, he said, “What can I say about Sreejesh. Spent 13 years with him. He was my senior and guided me. Even when I became the captain, he supported me. He has always inspired me. He is a legend and I will miss him because he is like a big brother to me.
Members of the Olympic bronze medal-winning Indian men’s hockey team were given a grand welcome upon reaching the country on Saturday morning. The Indian team returned after winning its 13th Olympic medal in hockey by defeating Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal match. Indian hockey legend Sreejesh will be India’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics along with two medal-winning shooter Manu Bhaker.
