Will Haryana Steelers Rise Above Their Opening Loss?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Coach Manpreet Singh insists on long-term goals over immediate wins.
- Team performance improves as they find their rhythm.
- Naveen Kumar acknowledges mistakes that cost them the match.
- The Steelers aim to dominate the league, not just compete.
- Fans should stay hopeful as the season unfolds.
Vizag, Sep 1 (NationPress) The Haryana Steelers faced a setback against the Bengal Warriorz during their Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 debut, but head coach Manpreet Singh emphasized that this shouldn't cause any concern.
The Bengal Warriorz set a precedent with an impressive 54-44 victory over the Haryana Steelers at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Sunday.
“Our performance was commendable. The raiding was effective, and our defense stood strong. However, there is a significant distinction between winning a game and securing a trophy,” stated Manpreet, conveying that the aspirations of the defending champions extend far beyond this single outcome.
The coach noted that the team is still in the process of finding its rhythm. “Achieving peak performance in the opening match is challenging. Every league requires a couple of games for a team to gel. Once we find our groove, expect to see a transformed Haryana Steelers,” he added.
Star raider Naveen Kumar was candid in his assessment of the defeat. “We lost because we failed to execute the coach's strategies. The team fought hard but made errors that the Bengal Warriorz took advantage of, such as during the Super Raid. These are minor mistakes, and we will address them swiftly,” he remarked.
Manpreet's determination was palpable as he concluded, “This is merely the beginning. We’re not focused on counting wins and losses; our goal is to lift the trophy at the end. That's the only benchmark I hold for this team.”
Ending on a note of resolve, Singh warned the rest of the league, “We will rectify our mistakes and return stronger. When this team clicks, everyone will feel the pressure. The Haryana Steelers won’t just be contenders—we aim to dominate.”