Sreejesh’s heroics help India lift Asian Champions Trophy

Uthra G Chaturvedi

It was an India-Pakistan final in hockey, one that contained all the elements that go into the making of a thriller between these two teams. And India came out winners, riding on the heroics of goalkeeper S Sreejesh.

Proving his worth on the big stage, the youngster, who made the Asian Champions Trophy cut after the experienced Adrian D’Souza was left out due to disciplinary issues, made two crucial saves as India won the inaugural edition of the tournament in Ordos (China), defeating their arch-rivals 4-2 in the tie-breaker on Sunday.

Rajpal Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Yuvraj Walmiki and Sarwanjit Singh scored for India, while Muhammad Rizwan and Waseem Ahmed sounded the board for Pakistan after both the sides were locked goalless in the normal and extra time.

This was the first time India were involved in a tie-breaker after the new rules were introduced by the FIH. Unlike earlier, when the shots were taken from a fixed spot, the tie-breaker involves the striker starting with the ball from outside the 21-yard circle and having to score past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one within eight seconds.

India started on a wrong note when Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah saved Gurwinder Singh Chandi’s shot, but Sreejesh saved Haseem Abdul Khan’s attempt to level scores. Mujtaba’s turn was next, who neatly sent the ball past Shah to give India a 1-0 lead. Pakistan equalised through Rizwan but Rajpal slotted the ball home to put his side 2-1 up. It was then that the brilliance of the Kerala-born keeper came to the fore, as Sreejesh stopped Shafqat Rasool from scoring. Walmiki made it 3-1 and though Pakistan veteran Waseem pulled one back, Sarvanjit’s conversion ensured that India were crowned champions.

“It was a pressure situation but I was confident,” an elated Sreejesh told The Indian Express after the match. “Before we went for the tie-breaker, the coach simply said to me, ‘no problems, just do your best and it’s going to be just fine’. So I was not unnerved.”

Abusive coach

The high-voltage clash was marred by Pakistan head coach Michel van den Huevel’s constant stream of abuses at the Indian players from the roof of the stadium, even leading to his eviction between the game. There were tense moments on the field as well, with regular skirmishes between the players. SV Sunil was the first to be shown the green card for a rough tackle, shortly before Pakistan equalled India on that front.

Asked if the ill-tempered happenings had any effect on his performance, Sreejesh claimed that it only helped raise their game. “See, in any case an India-Pakistan match is high on emotions. Especially playing in the final, it was always expected to be intense. But after things heated up in the match, it only worked to push us further. It started as a match and ended as one but it did turn into something like a mini-war and I am glad I was able to help the team come out victorious. It feels great,” Sreejesh said.

However, the ‘keeper was modest when asked how he felt being the hero of the final. “It’s a team effort. And since I am yet to establish myself, it does feel great to be considered a hero by the team,” he laughed, before adding, “But the main thing will be when we return to to India. Hopefully the country will consider our win as important as we feel about it.”

Earlier in the match, both India and Pakistan had ample opportunities to finish the game off in regulation time. Pakistan earned seven penalty corners to India’s one, but failed to beat Sreejesh’s defence even once. Pakistan were initially more attacking and Shakeel Abassi made some fine runs into the Indian circle but VR Raghunath was impressive in his tackling and clearances.

The Indian forwards had a couple of counter-attacks which the Pakistan defence managed to clear. With 14 minutes left, India had a chance with Mujtaba having only Pakistan’s goalkeeper to beat, but he shot wide. In the 65th minute, Yuvraj missed from handshaking distance. Nevertheless, Indian coach Michael Nobbs was a relieved man.

“This is a great win. Both teams played well and had enough chances. But it is fantastic to see a young Indian side win such a prestigious tournament. I am exhausted after the competition but I am extremely proud of these boys. It’s now time for them to celebrate and for many of them, it is their first title win,” he said.