Losing a goal in the last minute has changed the image of the Indian hockey team: Zafar Iqbal

By News Update On Sep 29, 2024

Former great player Zafar Iqbal believes that after winning the bronze medal in the second consecutive Olympics, the common perception has changed that the Indian hockey team concedes goals in the last moments and the Harmanpreet Singh-led team is among the best teams in the world in all aspects. Is one of.

Iqbal, a member of the gold medal-winning Indian team at the Moscow Olympics and the captain of the silver medal-winning Indian team at the 1982 Asian Games, hopes to promote the sport in the country after the bronze medals in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.

“Earlier the general perception was that India is a team that scores goals in the last stages of the game but now this has changed,” Iqbal said in a Hockey India release. We are one of the best teams in the world in all aspects.

“There were a lot of hockey fans in our time,” he said. Competitions like the Nehru Gold Cup, Asian Games and other international matches attracted a lot of supporters and there was always excitement in the huge stadiums we played in.”

Regarding the two matches to be played between India and Germany on October 23 and 24 at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Iqbal said, “Germany is a tough team. We won the bronze medal by defeating them in the Tokyo Olympics and recently lost to them in the semi-finals in Paris so I am sure the Indian team will be excited to give us a win over them.'' He said, ''The facilities are top class. And I am sure the matches will be full of thrill.

Another hockey legend Harbinder Singh is also excited about the return of big matches in the national capital. Harbinder said, “I last played hockey for the national team in Delhi in 1972. I remember Shivaji Stadium was packed and the fans were cheering us.

Harbinder, who was a member of the team that won gold in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and bronze medals in Mexico in 1968 and Munich Games in 1972, said, “I think that for the match between India and Germany also, a lot of fans will come to cheer the teams. Will reach the field for. They will finally see high-level international competition after a decade.

International hockey returns to New Delhi after a decade with matches against Olympic silver winners Germany. India last played the Hockey World League Final Men's Fourth Round match at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in January 2014.