A triumph to savour

Chennai: India’s shootout win over Pakistan in the hockey final of the 2014 Asian Games is the country’s best result in many years. The outpouring of joy on the field in South Korea was wholly justified because the result brought relief on multiple fronts. Not only did India win their first Asiad gold since 1998, they also booked a flight to the 2016 Rio Olympics. The gold was India’s only third in 17 editions of the Asian Games. The country’s eight gold medals at the Olympics dwarf the continental tally.

India won their first Asiad gold in 1966 and the next came after 32 years and the third arrived 16 years later. If the trend continues, India’s next is only due in 2022. As things stand now, however, India should continue to dominate Asia. Big money in the Hockey India League has rejuvenated players and there is a semblance of professionalism in the working style of the national federation. Hockey is clearly on the road to redemption in India, though an Olympic medal is still a pipe dream and a lot of work remains at grassroots level. Australia are in a league of their own while the Netherlands, Germany, England and Belgium occupy the next tier. If India reach the podium in Rio in two years’ time, it would be a miracle on turf.

When India and Pakistan last met in final of the Asian Games in New Delhi 32 years ago, the result was embarrassing for the hosts. India’s goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi was rendered a spectator as Pakistan coasted to a 7-1 win. It took more than three decades for the two Asian ‘powerhouses’ to meet again in a designated final of the multi-sport continental event.

The clash of the neighbours on Sunday proved that their rivalry hasn’t lost its edge. After a close match in which both teams scored a goal apiece in regulation time, India prevailed in the shootout. Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, like Ashish Ballal in the final of the 1998 Asiad against South Korea, was the hero as he defied Pakistan with an inspired performance. In 1998 too, the score was 1-1 at the end of open play and the penalty shootout result was 4-2 in India’s favour. There is something between goalkeepers and the Asiad because legendary goalie Shankar Laxman was India’s captain in 1966.

India’s performance in Incheon is commendable because they fought until the end to justify their tag of favourites. Beating South Korea in the semi-final was the highlight for Terry Walsh’s team. They controlled the proceedings throughout and entered the final on the back of a sumptuous goal by Akashdeep Singh. India defence was full of heart. For once, the defenders didn’t suffer last-minute jitters in crucial matches. India’s success was built on defensive solidity rather than on the exuberance of their forwards, though Akashdeep captured the imagination of many with his blinder of a goal in the semi-final.

It was only fitting that Sreejesh grabbed centre stage in the final because the articulate player is tailor made for emotional occasions. THe adrenaline gland works overtime inside the goalie. He came into prominence after playing a stellar role in a win over Pakistan at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi and he has now cemented his place in the hearts of Indian fans forever after a brave show against the same team in a title match.

Sreejesh barely spent time with his infant daughter as he pursued glory at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and his sacrifice bore him fruit on the blue turf of a South Korean city on Sunday. The effervescent man will carry the memory all his life.

Walsh’s belief in Sreejesh was total as the Chennai-based player was the only goalkeeper in India’s squad in Incheon. Talk about rising to the occasion and justifying the faith of the coach.