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Updated On: 28 February, 2010 07:03 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
India's ace dragflicker Sandeep Singh determined to make amends for his absence in the last World Cup, but plays down battle with Pakistan veteran Sohail Abbas
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India's ace dragflicker Sandeep Singh determined to make amends for his absence in the last World Cup, but plays down battle with Pakistan veteran Sohail Abbas
India drag-flicker Sandeep Singh has this uncanny knack of missing out on major tournaments due to freak accidents. He first missed the 2006 FIH Hockey World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany when he was accidentally shot at in a train as he was travelling to the national camp by a policeman cleaning his rifle. Then, a year later he slipped in the bathroom hurting his back days before the 2007 Asia Cup in Chennai.
This time around though, the star defender is fully prepared for the tournament of his life, and believes nothing can stop him from doing well for the country.
"The World Cup is a dream for any player and I'm no different. I missed out on the last edition in Germany (India finished 11th in the 12 team competition) and this time I want to more than make up for that loss," Singh told SUNDAY MiD DAY from his hotel room here yesterday.
The 24-year-old, who boasts of 115 international caps under his belt, believes he and his team could not have asked for a better tournament opener than against neighbours Pakistan. "They are a very passionate hockey- playing nation, just like us. So, theu00a0 match will be a cracker," said Singh being touted as the world's best drag-flicker. He does not like that tag too much though. "I don't think I'm the best. I still have to improve a lot and for that I'm practising very hard," the unassuming Deputy Superintendent of Haryana Police said.
India drag-flicker Sandeep Singh has this uncanny knack of missing out on major tournaments due to freak accidents. He first missed the 2006 FIH Hockey World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany when he was accidentally shot at in a train as he was travelling to the national camp by a policeman cleaning his rifle. Then, a year later he slipped in the bathroom hurting his back days before the 2007 Asia Cup in Chennai.This time around though, the star defender is fully prepared for the tournament of his life, and believes nothing can stop him from doing well for the country.
"The World Cup is a dream for any player and I'm no different. I missed out on the last edition in Germany (India finished 11th in the 12 team competition) and this time I want to more than make up for that loss," Singh told SUNDAY MiD DAY from his hotel room here yesterday.
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All eyes will be on India's ace dragflicker Sandeep Singh in Sunday's World Cup game. PICS/AFP |
The 24-year-old, who boasts of 115 international caps under his belt, believes he and his team could not have asked for a better tournament opener than against neighbours Pakistan. "They are a very passionate hockey- playing nation, just like us. So, theu00a0 match will be a cracker," said Singh being touted as the world's best drag-flicker. He does not like that tag too much though. "I don't think I'm the best. I still have to improve a lot and for that I'm practising very hard," the unassuming Deputy Superintendent of Haryana Police said.
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