India’s Harmanpreet Singh (AP Photo)
India’s hopes of avoiding the eighth-place finish were dashed by co-hosts Belgium, who edged them 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the two teams played out a 3-3 draw in regulation time. Belgium led 3-2 until the closing stages, but Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner with just 26 seconds remaining to force the match into a shootout.
We’re happy with the performance against Belgium, but not with the eighth-place finish,” he said. We want to win the gold medal there and qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics,” he said. India captain Harmanpreet Singh admitted that the team needs to strengthen its defence after the men’s side ended a disappointing Hockey World Cup campaign in eighth place. The Indian skipper finished the tournament with eight goals. Harmanpreet acknowledged that India took confidence from their performance against one of the world’s leading teams but admitted the final position was disappointing. “Playing against the world’s top team in front of their fans and performing well as a team is a big boost. “There are no individual goals. If we win, we win as a team, and if we lose, it is also collective responsibility,” he added. “This is a journey, and now our next goal is the Asian Games.
Harmanpreet’s eight goals were one of the few bright spots from India’s campaign, but the eighth-place finish means the team will now have to address its defensive shortcomings as it begins the road towards the Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.