Men's Hockey World Cup 2018: 'United' India can lift hockey World Cup after 43 years, says Ajitpal Singh

Men's Hockey World Cup 2018: India's only World Cup triumph came in the third edition of the championships way back in 1975, after a 2-1 win over Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur. Since then the eight-time Olympic champions' best performance at the World Cup was fifth-place finishes at the 1982 and 1994 editions.

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Indian men’s hockey team is gearing up to begin their campaign in the World Cup campaign against South Africa on November 28. Ahead of the mega event, former World Cup-winning skipper Ajitpal Singh has given a strong statement which would boost the morale of men in blue. A united India, "on and off the field", has the capability to recreate history and lift the men's hockey World Cup after 43 years, feels the former captain. "Our team is looking sharper, more combined, fitter. They have now learnt how to top handle hockey on turf. But the team which plays together can achieve anything," Ajitpal said during an event. “But for that, we will have to remain united on and off the field. Our target should be nothing other than winning the Cup," he added. India's only World Cup triumph came in the third edition of the championships way back in 1975, after a 2-1 win over Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur. Since then the eight-time Olympic champions' best performance at the World Cup was fifth-place finishes at the 1982 and 1994 editions. But this time around Ajitpal has high hopes from Harendra Singh's brigade and feels that anything less than semifinals would be a below-par performance for the Indians in front of their home fans. “We should know how to handle pressure. We should finish in top four and after that, it can be anybody's game,” Ajitpal said. Another hockey great Zafar Iqbal, a member of India's last Olympic gold-winning side in 1980, opined with his senior teammate and said the hosts need to play like "champions" from the word go. “It won't be easy as all the top hockey playing nations of the world will be vying for the Cup but India has a balanced team with a mixture of youth and experience,” he said. “We have the capability to play in the semis or the final but for that, we should play like champions. Definitely, there will be pressure but the team is looking confident. We are now mentally much stronger and we should play tough hockey against any team,” he added.