Bhubaneswar: The excitement on the players’ faces were palpable when the South African men’s hockey team arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport Wednesday for the much awaited Men’s Hockey World Cup starting November 28. Skipper Tim Drummond expressed his team’s excitement to play the hosts in their opening game.
“It will be a privilege to play India in the first match and experience the crowd. I have heard it is going to be very loud with all the cheering and we are eager to experience that,” Drummond who was a part of the Delhi Waiveriders team in the Hockey India League said.
“Though it’s not my first time in India, many of my teammates are traveling here for the first time and they are very excited to be playing in Bhubaneswar which has great support for hockey.”
South Africa are placed in Pool C along with heavyweight Belgium, Canada and hosts India and according to the 30-year-old, they want to better their 10th place finish in the 2010 edition – which by far is their best at the quadrennial event.
“We will certainly be looking at improving that best finish which was in 2010 edition. Our aim is to give our best and make our country proud. We played four test matches against France before arriving here so we have had some good match practice ahead of the tournament,” he added.