Vizag, Sep 1 (IANS) — Despite Haryana Steelers’ 54-44 defeat to Bengal Warriorz in their Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 opener at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag, head coach Manpreet Singh urged calm and confidence, emphasizing that the team’s focus remains on the ultimate goal.
“While we played well with strong raiding and solid defence, there’s a big difference between winning a match and winning the trophy,” Manpreet said, underscoring that the defending champions’ ambitions extend far beyond this initial setback.
He acknowledged that the team is still settling into its rhythm. “It’s tough to perform at peak levels in the very first match. Every league takes one or two games for the team to find its footing. Once we do, you’ll see a very different Haryana Steelers.”
Star raider Naveen Kumar candidly reflected on the loss, admitting, “We lost because we didn’t execute what the coach instructed. The boys fought hard, but mistakes like the Super Raid allowed Bengal Warriorz to capitalize. These are minor errors, and we will fix them quickly.”
Manpreet’s determination was clear: “This is just the beginning. We’re not here to tally wins and losses; we’re here to lift the trophy. That’s the only standard I expect from this team.”
Ending on a strong note, Singh warned the competition: “We’ll correct our mistakes and come back stronger. When this team clicks, everyone will feel the heat. Haryana Steelers aren’t just here to compete — we’re here to dominate.”
