By NANDAKUMAR MARAR
Hockey goalkeepers are supposed to be the faceless people on the turf, till a reflex save happens or a mistake occurs. The expression behind the helmet grille, a burst of delight or a cry of despair, is out of sight for the fan as reaction follows goalmouth action. It takes special talent via razor-sharp reactions, a strong mind to get over errors, a big heart to accept responsibility alone as the last line of defence, before a custodian can emerge as the sport’s goalkeeping face.
Sreejesh dedicates his bronze medal to his father
P R Sreejesh, 33, managed all this without losing the smile on his face. He is now the reigning FIH Goalkeeper of the year awardee. The honour came his way after a third consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games. He guarded the cage at London 2012, Rio 2016 and came into his own at Tokyo 2020. When the bronze was confirmed, he climbed on top of the goalpost at Tokyo’s Oi stadium, for a bird’s eye view of the blue hockey turf below as teammates shed tears of joy.
The act was a spur of the moment decision by the India’s first choice goalkeeper, by now confirmed a place on top of the heap among custodians in world hockey. It has taken him years of high intensity match situations to get where he stands today. He also learnt to do his own thing on the pitch, producing match-defining saves via anticipation, positioning and boldness to rush out against strikers, like in the Tokyo 2020 bronze tie against Germany, defying forwards from a European hockey power used to calling the shots.
The senior player’s reaction when the Tokyo 2020 class reunion happened in Bengaluru’s Sports Authority of India stadium, Kengeri, is not known at this point. Going by his flair for the dramatic and ability to get along with teammates from different generations all these years representing India, a bear hug would not be out of place. Stories about felicitations across the country after landing from the Olympics with a coveted bronze will be shared. He is among three custodians called to the camp (Krishnan Pathak and Suraj Karkera).
Karkera, the youngest among the trio vying for a first-team place, the Olympics reserve goalkeeper Pathak, will pick Sreejesh’s brains about preparing for the road ahead, after the high of a medal will subside. Modern coaches prefer to carry only one goalkeeper in the squad for major competitions, so qualities more than blocking shots from forwards and drag flicks are necessary to get selected. India’s first-choice custodian’s communication with the defensive line-up and an ability to calm nerves on and off the pitch were critical factors.
The former India captain at 2016 Rio has been named along with Vincent Vanasch (Belgium), Andrew Charter (Australia) in the latest FIH awards nominations. All three stepped on the podium at Tokyo 2020 to receive the bronze, gold and silver medals in men’s hockey respectively. The world body awards can be looked as being the icing on the cake for the goalkeepers shortlisted. Belgium beat Australia in the title match, India pipped Germany to grab third place.
When India’s thrilling 5-4 win was sealed, Sreejesh’s visage behind the robotic helmeted appearance was visible to the world. Screaming in delight and kneeling on the turf, arms held sideways, the helmet with grills was discarded and the player lost in his own world. Off the pitch, he was the inspiration younger players looked up to, a steadying hand for many Olympic debutants among them. Most of them will be among the campers returning to action at Bengaluru.
Field hockey has gone through changes in rules, new scoring styles have come into play and each time when the situation demanded, he rose to the occasion. India junior coach Harender Singh, a former international later promoted to the senior squad, gave a promising junior talent the breakthrough with a call to attend the national camp. The goalkeeper and coach teamed up since then, the latest was 2019 FIH Men’s World Cup in Bhubaneshwar. Graham Reid took over as chief coach and remains firmly in command.
Confident of a place in the starting squad due to improvements in his game, his command over the angles and positioning, plus understanding with teammates during the penalty corner defence was critical at Tokyo. He is a proven performer in penalty-shootouts also, a make-or-break situation for India, as seen in the FIH Pro League game against Argentina this year and in the 2014 Asian Games final against Pakistan. The improvements in his game have been phenomenal.
Goalkeepers get no time to dwell on the past. His acute focus on the present, mentally and physically, was tested to the limit following a 7-1 hammering by Australia in the group stage at Tokyo 2020. India under Reid did not lose a single game thereafter, till the podium place was earned. Next year is 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, a new competition and a higher target. With defenders Rupinder Pal Singh, Birender Lakra forced into retirement, India needs an old hand to groom young defenders into a fighting unit. Included in a core group of 30 players for the national camp, the senior custodian is in the right place, right time.