‘We clicked as a unit when it mattered most’

Manuja Veerappa

Bengaluru

April 13: When Jugraj Singh exited the national scene in 2003, Sandeep Singh was seen as the natural replacement for the drag-flicker. Sandeep did not disappoint and proved his worth, until tragedy struck in the form a freak shooting in 2006 which kept him out of the sport for more than a year.

The comeback wasn’t easy considering his much-hyped, sour relationship with the then coach Joaquim Carvalho.

All that, however, became a thing of the past as the gritty youngster led India to victory in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Like a true leader, the 23-year-old led from the front to be deservingly named the player of the tournament besides winning the top-scorer’s award.

Speaking to this newspaper about India’s Azlan Shah triumph after a gap of 13 years, Sandeep said, “It was a total team effort. We clicked as a unit and rose to the occasion when it mattered the most.”

In the last league encounter, Indo-Pak rivalry was again to the fore and it was a no-holds barred encounter. Describing the must-win match as their best game of the tournament, Sandeep, who scored twice in that outing said, “It was a do-or-die situation for us. We had to win that match to stay in the title hunt.

“Any match between India and Pakistan is a high-voltage match. When we play Pakistan we play with a lot more passion and give more than 100 percent. That was what happened in that match too. We gave the match our best shot and that victory increased our confidence.”

Sandeep’s impressive performance this season has prompted coach Harendra Singh to say “he’s not just a match-winner, but a tournament winner.”

Sandeep, on his part, is thankful of the coach’s support and attributes it to his new-found confidence.

“The coach believes in my ability and in turn made me realise my potential. The beginning of this season was very crucial for me because I was making a comeback and I was under constant scrutiny.

“It made me believe that the chance to display my talent would come. Throughout the tournaments this year, against New Zealand, Argentina and the Punjab Gold Cup he kept telling me that I have the scoring power and the ability to win matches for my country.

“His words were a morale-booster for me,” said the ace drag-flicker.

Asian Age