19 December, New Delhi, India (ANI): The 1998 Men’s Hockey World Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist Bram Lomans has named his favourites for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, which is scheduled to start on January 13.
“I think India has a great opportunity to win if they can handle the intense pressure and if the players keep their composure. There are strong forwards, corner-takers, and goalkeepers for India. However, if they can maintain their concentration, they rank with Australia as one of the top prospects.
Netherlands are also consistently excellent. They have made significant progress during the last several competitions, so I anticipate success from them. Also performing pretty well are Belgium, Argentina, and England. Therefore, at least six or seven teams have a chance of winning. Being tight is exactly what hockey needs, so it will be really fascinating, he continued.
Along with Wales, England, and Spain, India is in Group D. At the SAI Centre in Bengaluru, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team is participating in unique drag flicking training sessions with Lomans, who is credited with popularising the sport in the late 1990s. Lomans praised Indian drag performer Harmanpreet Singh and discussed his formula for success.
“Harmanpreet Singh exudes a laid-back demeanour. He is excellent because he is aware of his abilities and strengths and just goes for it. Even though I’m sure the pressure will be immense on him, he does not overthink it when he is taking a penalty corner. But he exudes a tranquilly that aids in his productivity, according to Lomans.
The former Dutch penalty corner expert continued by saying that the squad from India will benefit in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup in 2023 in Bhubaneswar-Rourkela from a good pool of young drag flickers.
The fact that India now has 4-5 excellent penalty corner takers who can score is their strongest asset. It will relieve Harmanpreet Singh of some of the load if they all pitch in. The quality is excellent, and I feel honoured to be able to assist them. At the U-21 camp, there are also several excellent players who may succeed in the future.
More than two years prior to the commencement of the event, the Dutch squad started getting ready for the 1998 Men’s Hockey World Cup in Utrecht, Netherlands. The team’s newest player at the time, Bram Lomans, recalls how the nation’s athletic culture started to change.
“We were aware that the important competition would take place at home. Two years ago, we started the preparations. The stadium was a football field when we first went there, and football was still being played there. When we returned a second time, the employees were trimming the lawn.
It was incredibly great for us to see the atmosphere and emotion in the nation turn around hockey, the former Dutch defender remarked.