Though India have a considerably good start in the ongoing FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023, the team’s penalty corner conversion rate has been a concern. However, midfielder Manpreet Singh is hopeful that the hosts will hit the mark in their forthcoming match against Wales at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
India have earned as many as nine penalty corners so far. However, only deputy skipper and Odia star Amit Rohidas has found the target versus Spain in the opening encounter at Birsa Munda stadium in Rourkela. India created as many as four penalty corner opportunities against England, but failed to convert any one of those scoring chances and as a result the match ended in a goalless draw.
As per Manpreet, the team think tank has analysed their mistakes and the players are confident of improvement in the next match against Wales.
“Well, there were few misses, but if you see, England also defended well. Their goalkeeper did a commendable job in the high-voltage match. We cannot say that it was not our mistake, but England defended so well. We have analysed the mistakes where we went wrong. The playing structure of England and Wales is almost the same. We will try our best to execute the penalty corners against Wales,” said Manpreet.
“The match against Wales is very important for us as an oversized conquest would put India on top of Pool D. We will try to play our best and play our normal game and execute our plans well,” the midfielder added.