Harmanpreet just hates losing: Indian pro’s body language impresses Soorma coach Goldberg

Kolkata: Soorma Hockey Club haven’t had a great outing in this edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) and are currently placed sixth on the table with just eight points in their kitty. They still have a match to go against SG Pipers on Thursday and will have to win that by a big margin to make it to the playoffs. It’s difficult but not impossible.
Despite the poor showing, coach Philippe Goldberg has been quite pleased with the overall experience of coaching in the tournament. What’s more, he has been really impressed with captain Harmanpreet Singh.
“He is really a professional. You can see that straight away when you enter the room. The guy is busy with his stuff. He’s a really good player, a champion and a winner and you can see that in a lot of things,” said the Belgian.
“He was extremely disappointed with the loss against Ranchi Royals, and you see that with champions — they hate losing. They cannot accept it and that’s why they become better because they just don’t want to have that feeling ever.”
Harmanpreet sadly hasn’t been at his best in the tournament scoring only four goals with just three coming from the penalty corners. Hopefully it’s just a lull ahead of the storm because India will want him all guns blazing with World Cup and Asian Games scheduled later this year.
And Goldberg believes India will be able to deliver a podium finish at the quadrennial event which will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.
“Netherlands are the big favourites because they are the best team in the world right now. India, like other countries, are one of the contenders to be on the podium,” added Goldberg, who has been coaching in Belgium for several years including in the youth system.
Asked what makes them special, he added, “You have a lot of potential in India and lots of players — more than maybe in other countries. Moreover, the Hockey India League is giving opportunities to a lot of Indians to play high level games and it’s going to help the national team.”
Besides being a hockey coach, Goldberg, meanwhile, has been using his coaching experience for training corporates too. “In businesses you have to work with people, who are ambitious. There also you’re trying to build teams. There’re just less emotions as compared to sports,” said the Belgian, who was also associated with the national team when it won silver at 2016 Olympics.
However, hockey remains his first love, and it was the thrill of coaching that brought him to India after a brief break from the game. While things on the field didn’t quite go his way, the overall experience has certainly given him a lifetime of memories.