In no mood to take their first opponent Ireland lightly, Indian men's hockey team chief coach Roelant Oltmans said in a mega-event like the Olympics it would be a grave mistake on their part to underestimate any side.
India are placed in Group B alongside reigning Olympic champions Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Canada and Ireland. The PR Sreejesh-led side will open their Olympics campaign against minnows Ireland on August 6.
"We want to begin on a winning note and carry the momentum forward in the following group stage matches. We do not want to undermine any team especially at an event like the Olympics where every team wants to win," said the Dutchman, who is also the High Performance Director of Hockey India.
India's newly-appointed captain and goalkeeper P R Sreejesh too agreed with his coach.
"The Irish can be unpredictable. They have been doing well in European Championships and are sturdy and fast on the ball. It won't be an easy game to win and we will need to go full force," said Sreejesh, who replaced long-standing skipper Sardar Singh.