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‘Playing well in patches won’t work’ Harmanpreet Singh
Updated On: 22 August, 2026 09:25 AM IST | Amstelveen | PTI
Skipper Harmanpreet demands full 60-min effort from Team India in do-or-die contest vs Netherlands today

Harmanpreet Singh. Pic/AFP
Facing a "do-or-die" contest against Paris Olympic champion Netherlands, Indian hockey skipper Harmanpreet Singh has warned his squad that a quarter-by-quarter effort won't cut it, and only a full 60-minute masterclass will keep their campaign alive in the FIH World Cup. India will have to start from scratch in the second round. England and pool A topper Netherlands will have a three-point cushion as they had beaten India and Argentina in the first round respectively. That makes both the second-round matches and the Dutch and Argentina games virtual knockouts for India.
"Playing well in patches won't work. We have to play good hockey till the whistle is blown. We have to maintain the same body language and attitude, that is the most important thing," Harmanpreet told PTI ahead of the big match. "We have video-analysed our mistakes in the last three matches, and the focus is on not repeating them. Defense has to be impeccable as we know that we can create opportunities in the opponents' circle and earn PC. But mistakes in the backline are not acceptable. We must not concede goals on silly mistakes," he said.


