New Delhi: The Indian hockey team lit up a million hearts on Sunday night, dishing out a competitive and controlled brand of hockey in their 3-2 triumph over Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy final at Kuantan, Malaysia.
India’s performance underlined the increasing gap between them and the rest in Asia, a fact that coach Roelant Oltmans would be pleased with and look to build upon as his boys face bigger challenges ahead.
Oltmans said this title signifies the team’s growing mental strength. “There is a belief in this bunch and they have learnt to fight till the end. I am proud of their effort,” Oltmans said, referring to India’s fight back in the semifinal and the final.
“We were the favourites in this tournament and were the target of other teams, who faced no such pressure. For India’s hockey fans this is a major title win, but we have to go on and win bigger global events,” he opined.
Consistency was one of India’s hallmark who were unbeaten in the event, with six wins and one draw. Skipper Sreejesh P.R. said there was still a lot of work to be done, but he gave full marks to the team for their never-say-die attitude.
“We went into the tournament as world no. 6, ranked above others. It was responsibility combined with pressure. We had set a standard for ourselves in the last one year and had to deliver.
“To be the best in the world, we have to be the best in Asia first and I am proud of the boys. It was the best Diwali gift they could offer to the nation,” he said.
India missed the services of experienced members V.R. Raghunath (defence), Manpreet Singh (midfield) and S.V. Sunil (forward), but youngsters Affan Yousuf, Lalit Upadhyay, Nikkin Thimmaiah, S.K. Uthappa Surender Kumar, Pradeep Mor and goalkeeper Akash Chikte stood up to the challenge.
Birender Lakra’s rock solid show in the defence — he returned from a knee injury — showed why he is so crucial to India’s plans, while Sardar Singh and Rupinderpal Singh revelled in their roles guiding the youngsters at every step.
Said Sreejesh, who missed the final with an ankle injury, “This is what team spirit is all about. I was ruled out of the final and Akash had to step up... We were facing Pakistan in the final and I think it was Akash’s biggest match so far. He handled it well.”
A day before, it was Sreejesh who had fought his heart out, limping and crying out in pain during the semifinal against South Korea. The scores read 2-2 at full time and with a place for the final at stake, the onus was on him to bail out the team in the penalty shootout. Sreejesh took treatment even when the shootout was under way but kept on fighting, effecting a crucial save to take the team into the final.
“I can manage physical pain, but I can never take the pain of losing. And that keeps me going. I am the captain and had to take up the responsibility... It was a crucial game and I decided I will play on,” he said.
