CHENNAI: At 28, most players know whether they have what it takes for one last comeback into the national squad. At an age where one is just beginning to go past his/her prime, a lot of effort and hard work is required to make that push. But Mandeep Antil isn't worrying too much about such things. Part of the Delhi Waveriders setup in the ongoing Hockey India League, he is just looking to take it one game at a time.
“There's no use thinking whether I'll get another chance. There are a lot of talented kids coming up through the ranks, and the national camps have been a big part of that development. The Indian team is also settled in terms of its core group.
So, I don't want to bother myself too much by thinking about all that. My aim in this HIL is to score goals and help my team win the league. If along that way I get a national call-up, then that's an added bonus,” Mandeep told Express.
He thanked the HIL for giving him the opportunity to express himself. “Credit to Hockey India and the league. It gives youngsters a chance to show their potential, and veterans like us the opportunity to just go out there and do what we love.
The monetary benefits are also there, and the overall standard of hockey has also shot up in the country. Most importantly, we get to play with foreign players. That experience is unmatchable, for we all get to learn from one another,” the Sonepat-born lad gushed.
Defining his role for Delhi, Mandeep said he was just following the structure that coach Cedric D'Souza has set for the team. “Our team has great players and some excellent combinations. That's why we've been one of the most consistent teams in the league.
Coming to my role in the setup, it's all about following whatever instructions the coach gives us, and following the structure that he wants us to play. Ultimately, the aim is to score as many goals as possible for Delhi, for only that help us win games.”
The captain of the Indian squad at the 2016 South Asian Games felt the ' two points per field goal' rule was an exciting addition to the league.
“Teams nowadays play with the intention of winning penalty corners, which is one of the surest ways of scoring. But the new field goal rule is sure to change that, with teams sure to go about looking for more field goals as well. That can only be a bonus for my kind, the forwards, who will get to be more involved in the game as a result.”
raviiyer@newindianexpress.com