India’s long wait for an Olympic medal in hockey finally came to an end on Thursday. 41 years after winning the last gold medal at the Moscow Games, Indian men’s hockey registered a 5–4 win against Germany in the bronze medal playoff.
Former Indian hockey captain MM Somaya is over the moon with the bronze medal show of the Indian men’s hockey team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in Tokyo.
specifically speaking News18.com Minutes after going to Hooters, indicating India’s victory against Germany, Somaya said: “It was a roller coaster ride that often went up and down but India persevered in the end. I am very happy for the team and the management as they have worked hard over the last two years and this was the only reward not only for playing well in this tournament but also for being consistent for the last two years. Today’s medal is a fitting reward for commitment over a period of two years.”
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Admitting that the medal comes after a long hiatus, the 62-year-old Somaya also credited the coaches who have shaped the team over the years. “It is about a range of coaches, some of the best coaches in the world like Terry Walsh, Roelant Altman and currently Graham Reid. They come with a full entourage, a crew of coaches. It is not only the head coach but also his team of support staff including fitness coach, scientific advisor, you have a sports analyst who analyzes the opposition and your playing strategy. Of course, the team has got good exposure. It is a combination of factors. This time we did it right. That’s why we won.”
Asked if this Indian team could have made it to the final or this bronze medal they could have won the best, Somaya said: “It’s hard to say but I think there could be a little more improvement in some areas. Lost to Belgium, there was a slight loss of focus. Before the tournament I wrote that we should get medals. They at least met my expectations. I also said that women’s team should come to the quarter finals and men’s The team should win a medal. I think both have lived up to not only my expectations but also everyone’s expectations. Personally, I thought it was a very deserved medal after so many years. To overcome this mindset For that if we can’t win an Olympic medal it was important. We have crossed that mental barrier today.”
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The Indian women’s hockey team will take on Great Britain in the bronze medal play-off on Friday morning (7 am IST).
Somaya said that everyone contributed to the team’s victory and they did well when it mattered. He said: “It is difficult to pinpoint individuals, but I would say that people like Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, PR Sreejesh and Rupinder Pal Singh were prominent. It was a joint team effort. We were counting on these players and they lived up to the expectations, rose to the occasion. Everyone contributed from Neelkanth Sharma to Sumit. He was playing a very important role. Simranjit Singh came and scored two goals today. So it was a joint team effort.”
The former India hockey captain said the Indian team could pose a double threat of scoring field goals and converting penalty corners. However, he added that penalty corner conversions and their safety are areas that need attention for improvement.
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He explained: “There is room for improvement every time but they have got tons of goals through penalty corners at crucial times. It is a good thing. We have got goals from penalty corners not only in short games but also in important games including today. And, we’ve got great field goals too. Once we face this double threat of a field goal and a penalty corner conversion, we will find it hard to stop. I am very happy with the penalty conversion.”
Turning penalty corners in your favor is also a tactic, and the Indian team has been found lacking in this department on several occasions.
“However, in some games, the team didn’t win penalty corners, I agree. These are areas of improvement that the team needs to look at. They did in some games, not all games. That’s how you defend, and In defence, you have to be very nimble on your feet. There again, in defense, we have to be a little more careful because we have given too many penalty corners. Overall the conversion is good but in terms of safety we have given a lot of penalty corners Those who can be dangerous. The advantage was quick for us. Rusher was very good for us from the penalty corner. He was defending it. We didn’t concede it except for Belgium.”
Asked what this medal meant for him personally, Somaya said: “I am excited. We have all been waiting for this medal for many years, partly since my playing time and then. All the teams in the Olympics come with their top players. There is no rest. This is a complete cycle of hockey preparation. Except for that match against Australia, you have beaten all the good teams and tied with Belgium. I am happy and the boys have played well above their expectations. I am really happy to have the coach and the coaching staff.”
Somaya believed that this stellar performance by Indian men should encourage the sport in the country.
“Now, the interest of the sponsors and the youngsters to play may take a bit of a hit. The administration needs to do a lot to capitalize on this victory, because winning is one thing. How you promote the game will be important. You have to promote the sport in different age groups in a very structured way and get some more good sponsors. You already have some really good sponsors and we can give the best facilities to the hockey players. These are the areas you need to pursue, not just sit on victories and hope for enthusiasm to take the team forward. “
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