‘Cannot afford any mistake’: Harmanpreet rues India’s lapses despite Pakistan win
India's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed dissatisfaction with defensive lapses despite a 5-3 victory over Pakistan. He emphasized the need for better possession retention and focus during the third quarter.
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Reflects the high-pressure environment of international sports and the continuous pursuit of tactical perfection.
NEW DELHI: India may have extended their decade-long winning run against Pakistan with a thrilling 5-3 victory at the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup on Wednesday, but captain Harmanpreet Singh believes the defensive lapses that allowed their arch-rivals back into the contest must be eliminated before the business end of the tournament.India raced to a 3-0 lead before Pakistan mounted a spirited fightback, cutting the deficit to 3-1 and then 4-2 before eventually scoring again in the final quarter. Harmanpreet, who scored twice from penalty corners, acknowledged that India were far from flawless despite securing a crucial win and progressing to the next round.“Missing a few chances upfront is okay but we cannot afford any mistakes at the back,” Harmanpreet said after the match.Harmanpreet wants India to value possessionThe Indian captain was particularly concerned about the team's inability to retain possession after winning the ball in advanced areas.
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