The great survivalist called Indian hockey surprised everyone with a display that was classic, vintage and many thing more than that. India outplayed Korea 7-1 to defend its Asia title in a match that had every paraphernalia that makes up of an entertainer, if not the through thriller.
India’s seven goals in the seventh Asia Cup, coming against such a formidable opposition as Korea — a feat that could etch in the memory of the fortunate thousands present at the Chennai stadium – were beauties to uphold
As India scored the first in the initial moments of the game, it was apparent the things are falling in line for the hosts. Goals came in torrent, everyone contributing to the Tsunami that taunted the usually solid side Korea.
India led 3-1 at half time.
Fully fit Indian team, with enough skills, surprised the Koreans with neat interceptions and clever run downs. There was a rhythm in the attack, fashionable in the way the finish was wrought. Koreans, certainly not an experimental side. That the Indian victory came despite it attracted yellow cards twice speak enough of fresh legs that kept the momentum going.
As coach Joaquim Carvalho maintained in his press briefing, Indians strength lay in skills and fitness, which we saw enough today at the Major Radhakrishnan stadium.
This stadium, of late threatening to be our jinx – India failed to win a medal in the 19996 Champions Trophy and finished at the bottom in the same tournament 10 years later — reverberated with joy today, similar to one we witnessed when the newly laid turf in 1995. Dhanraj-Mukesh-Sanjeev Kumar combination on that day pulverized Pakistan for a 5-2 win the South Asian Federation Games.
And the search when last India won so many matches make you feel watching and writing hockey is still a pleasure.
This the third tournament under Joaquim Carvalho, and his boys have turned previous two bronze-performance into a gold, and the progress is enchanting as much as thrilling.
The media blitz that makes up the situation now, that too in the television genre, is seen to be believed. Against the backdrop that Chak de India (despite the local population here do not understand Hindi) running to packed houses, hockey is on song here in Chennai.
It feels great.