{"id":12227,"date":"2026-08-14T07:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T07:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=12227"},"modified":"2026-08-14T07:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T07:34:14","slug":"this-could-be-my-last-world-cup-manpreet-singh-eyes-title-to-end-indias-51-year-wait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=12227","title":{"rendered":"\u2018This could be my last World Cup\u2019: Manpreet Singh eyes title to end India\u2019s 51-year wait"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133230933,imgsize-44434,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/manpreet-singh.jpg\" alt=\"\u2018This could be my last World Cup\u2019: Manpreet Singh eyes title to end India\u2019s 51-year wait\" title=\"Manpreet Singh (ANI Photo)\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"Manpreet Singh (ANI Photo)\">Manpreet Singh (ANI Photo)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>India midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/manpreet-singh\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Manpreet Singh<\/a> is determined to make his fourth FIH Hockey World Cup a memorable one as the team bids to end a 51-year wait for its second men\u2019s world title.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/>India\u2019s only World Cup triumph came in 1975, and Manpreet believes the current side has the experience, talent and belief to finally add another title to the country\u2019s illustrious hockey history.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"6\"\/>For the veteran midfielder, 34, the tournament carries an added personal significance. With India having won back-to-back Olympic medals, he is desperate to add a World Cup medal to that collection, with the possibility that this could be his final appearance at the global showpiece.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"8\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"10\"\/>\u201cThis World Cup means a lot to me because it&#8217;s my fourth edition. We have won back-to-back Olympic medals, but a World Cup medal is still missing. <!-- -->Every player dreams of having both,\u201d Manpreet told JioStar.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"15\"\/>\u201cFor me, this could be my last World Cup, so I am approaching it with that mindset. I am determined to achieve what we haven&#8217;t yet. The team has the experience and the talent to go all the way.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2><b>\u2018Now it\u2019s time to go all the way\u2019<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"19\"\/>India\u2019s Olympic success has strengthened the belief within the squad that it can challenge for the biggest prize in international hockey.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"21\"\/>\u201cWe have prepared well, and the belief is high. Indian sports are rising across the board, and hockey is no different. We have won Olympic medals, and now it&#8217;s time to go all the way in the World Cup,\u201d Manpreet said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"25\"\/>The midfielder, however, stressed that India cannot afford to look beyond individual matches. He said the squad has learnt from previous World Cups that every opponent needs to be treated with respect.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"27\"\/>\u201cI have full faith in this team. Everyone is excited and ready for the World Cup. We have learned from past editions that you cannot take any team lightly in a tournament like this,\u201d he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"30\"\/>\u201cOur squad has a good balance of youth and experience. Senior players like our captain <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/harmanpreet-singh\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Harmanpreet Singh<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/mandeep-singh\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mandeep Singh<\/a>, and myself have shared our learnings with the younger players about what worked, what didn&#8217;t, and how to approach each match with full focus.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"36\"\/>Manpreet also highlighted the importance of fitness and defence, saying a solid backline can give India the confidence to attack.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"38\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>\u2018I am confident we will reach the final\u2019<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"40\"\/>The veteran insisted India will not be distracted by the reputation of its opponents, including Pakistan.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"43\"\/>\u201cRegardless of who we play, whether it&#8217;s Pakistan or any other team, we stick to our game plan. We don&#8217;t get caught up in the opposition&#8217;s name or reputation,\u201d he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"45\"\/>\u201cHockey is a team sport, and if one player tries to do everything alone, it can hurt the team. We must trust each other and play as a unit.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/>Manpreet also reserved high praise for captain Harmanpreet Singh, calling him an \u201cexceptional captain\u201d and highlighting his leadership, passing and drag-flicking ability.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"51\"\/>And the midfielder has set his sights firmly on the final.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"53\"\/>\u201cI am confident that we will reach the final of the World Cup,\u201d Manpreet said. \u201cThe energy in the camp is high, and every member of the squad is determined to achieve something special. I fully believe we will make it to the final.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"55\"\/>India face Wales on August 15 in their World Cup campaign opener.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/sports\/hockey\/top-stories\/this-could-be-my-last-world-cup-manpreet-singh-eyes-title-to-end-indias-51-year-wait\/articleshow\/133230874.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manpreet Singh (ANI Photo) India midfielder Manpreet Singh is determined to make his fourth FIH Hockey World Cup a memorable one as the team bids to end a 51-year wait for its second men\u2019s world title.India\u2019s only World Cup triumph came in 1975, and Manpreet believes the current side has the experience, talent and belief [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12228,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/manpreet-singh.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Manpreet Singh (ANI Photo) India midfielder Manpreet Singh is determined to make his fourth FIH Hockey World Cup a memorable one as the team bids to end a 51-year wait for its second men\u2019s world title.India\u2019s only World Cup triumph came in 1975, and Manpreet believes the current side has the experience, talent and belief [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 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