The Tribune: Punjab juniors return richer, wiser
Back after winning silver in Azlan Cup, Harjeet, Harmanpreet share the experience of playing at senior level
By Indervir Grewal
The Indian hockey team’s trip to Malaysia turned out to be a successful one — the silver in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh was India’s best performance in six years.
However, for the two youngest members of the team — Harjeet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh — the Southeast Asian nation has always been a happy hunting ground. The 20-year-olds have won multiple medals in Malaysia with the junior team. Harmanpreet has a gold (2014) and a silver (2015) in the Sultan of Johor Cup and a gold in last year’s Junior Asia Cup. Harjeet, the captain of the junior team for two years now, was also part of the team that won gold in the Johor Cup in 2013.
But this latest medal is extra special — both were playing their first tournament for the senior team.
“Malaysia has been a good place for us. But winning a medal in our first tournament with the senior team has made this place even more special,” says Harmanpreet, who made his senior debut in a Test series against Japan in May last year.
Making the transition from the junior to senior team can be the hardest thing for a youngster. “I didn’t feel much pressure; I was just really excited about playing against some of the top players in the world,” says Harmanpreet.
Harjeet, who made his senior debut in a series against Bangladesh in August 2014, says: “It was tough. It is nothing like playing in the junior team. There’s a huge difference in the fitness level and you play against really experienced guys. But the seniors supported us so we didn’t feel nervous.”
What’s the experience of playing against world champs Australia; they just keep coming at you, don’t they? Harmanpreet breaks out into laughter before answering: “It was very tough. They put you under so much pressure. But I was also thrilled about getting to play the world No. 1 side, to learn from the experience.”
Harjeet is impressed by how the Australians make their attacks count.
Newbies make it count
Coach Roelant Oltmans took an experimental team to Ipoh, trying out youngsters like Harmanpreet and Harjeet to check out his options before the Rio Games. Both made a strong case for their inclusion into the Rio-bound squad, even garnering praise from skipper Sardar Singh.
Olympian Hardeep Singh Grewal says: “The juniors played really well, even better than some of the seniors.”
Harmanpreet, already known for being a dependable defender at the junior level, was impressive in Ipoh. He showed great composure and defensive skills.
Harmanpreet, along with Odisha’s Dipsan Tirkey, 17, has raised hopes for the future as India have always struggled in defence.
Apart from his powerful and deceptive drag-flicks, the 20-year-old also brings an element of surprise with his overlapping runs, something that has been missing from India’s attack. In the 6-1 win over Malaysia, he won a penalty corner and assisted in a goal.
Harjeet’s all-round abilities are similar to that of Manpreet Singh — a fact underscored by the way Oltmans used him in different roles.
The Dutchman showed great confidence in the centre-half, who is used more in an attacking role in the junior team, to even use him deeper in defence in the last two matches. “It was a new role for me, but I enjoyed it, especially in the match against Malaysia,” Harjeet says.
Harjeet really stood out in the win over Malaysia with a brilliant all-round performance, which included a stunning. Overall in the tournament, his presence strengthened the team’s defence; in the current scenario, it will be beneficial for India. Harjeet, along with Manpreet, allowed Sardar to play in a more attacking role.
“At times, Harjeet even outshone Sardar,” adds Grewal, who was a centre-half himself.
However, the question is whether Harmanpreet and Harjeet will be able to handle the pressure of the Olympics. “They showed they can perform at this level. The pressure at the Olympics is huge but that’s where the seniors come in. The coach still has another tournament (Champions Trophy in June) to test them out,” says Grewal.
Taking them to Rio will be a gamble, one that should be taken; but the important thing is to not condemn them if they fail.