Not good for Asia, but good for World

Saurabh Duggal, Hindustan Times

Last week when the Asian All Stars team was announced, Sardar Singh (24) was disappointed that even after putting up a good show this year his name didn’t figure among the four Indian players, who were named in the continental team. But the international hockey federation (FIH) did not let his performance go unnoticed and named him in the 2010 World All Stars team on Saturday.

He is the lone Indian in the men’s team, while Shahbad’s Rani Rampal is the only Indian face in the women’s team. Rani (16) was also named in the Asian All Stars team an was declared the best young player in the World Cup held in Argentina in October.

“When I came to know my name was not among the four Indians picked in the Asian All Stars team, I was disappointed. Keeping in mind my performance, I should have got a place in the continental team. But I am happy that I got a place in the World All Stars team and it’s a big motivation,” said Sardar.

Sardar gave a commanding performance in both the Commonwealth and Asian Games. This year he bagged the ‘player of the tournament’ award in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the ‘man of the series’ in the seven-match Teat series against Canada. He was also named ‘player of the tournament’ in the Champions Challenge Cup where India won bronze.

Sardar has registered all his best performances in the past one year as a defender; he used to play as a forward, it was after coach Jose Brasa’s advice that he switched to deep defense.