Joginder Narwal: Meraj Sheykh has struck form at the right time

Stellar performances from Naveen Kumar and Meraj Sheykh helped Dabang Delhi K.C. score an impressive 50-34 victory over Tamil Thalaivas at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday. At the post-match press conference, coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, skipper Joginder Singh Narwal and raider Naveen Kumar took questions for Dabang Delhi K.C., while Tamil Thalaivas were represented by coach J Udaya Kumar.

Dabang Delhi K.C. 

Q. What was the key to today’s win?

Krishan Kumar Hooda: The raiding unit played extremely well. The defenders also played brilliantly.

Q. You didn’t give away much in terms in of tactics for today. So can you dwell into them now?

Krishan Kumar Hooda: Every game brings a new challenge. We practised well for today and we executed our gameplan to perfection. The captain has been instrumental in leading the troops. And Naveen Kumar had obviously been unbelievable.

Q. What changed today from yesterday?

Joginder Singh Narwal: The coach was honest about our performance last night. We knew we were better than that and today we showed just that. The defence played like we have throughout the season. Meraj Sheykh has found form at the right time for us.

Q. Naveen, thoughts on your performance?

Naveen Kumar: I'm extremely pleased. Nothing makes me happier than the team's success. So, I’m overjoyed.

Tamil Thalaivas

Q. Thoughts on the performance?

J Udaya Kumar: We tried a personnel change in this match. They played well as individuals, but the chemistry is lacking as of now. The team is in a spot of bother. We need to regroup quickly and improve.

Q. Did you feel at the start of the season that the team lacks something?

J Udaya Kumar: I knew we would have to improvise in some areas but the condition hasn’t improved as the season has progressed. We need to improve not only on the mat but also off it, mentally.

Q. Thoughts on the season ahead?

J Udaya Kumar: All we need is a win. Once we get a victory, we'll get confidence. Confidence breeds good performances. So we need to look for that win.