Pargat Singh: It'll be a cakewalk for both Indian teams

India hockey players train at the Kalinga Stadium yesterday. Pic/AFP

The World No. 5 Indian men's team take on World No. 22 Russia, while the World No. 9 women face World No. 13 USA in the double legged Olympic Qualifiers (November 1 and 2) at the Kalinga Stadium here. "It should be a cakewalk for India to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics" said Pargat. The sturdy full back however stressed that the Indians cannot afford to get complacent. "Both Indian teams must be serious and focus on the job at hand.

When you are ahead of your opponents in ranking, complacency may creep in. That has to be avoided. I have many teams who were ahead before such competitive matches, losing the plot on the given day. It does not matter where you are placed in the ranking table. You need to be well placed mentally and physically on the pitch. We are ahead and should do everything to maintain that. If we do so, I foresee both teams confirming their Tokyo berth," said Pargat, 54.

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India v USA (women's qualifier): 6pm
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