I know Namaste, says USD 103k worth HIL star Boon

Belgian striker Tom Boon’s last minute goal during the qualifiers of
the 2012 Champions Trophy had cost India a direct entry into the
tournament.

But the India team had the last laugh as they defeated
Belgium in the quarter-finals of the same tournament in Melbourne after getting a
wild card entry. Two years later, Tom Boon wants to take revenge as he
aims to play India in the quarter-final in this edition and defeat
them in their own home turf.

Talking to stick2hockey.com while stretching out after a hard day’s
practice, Tom pauses for a second to recollect the whole episode and
says, “India has improved a lot since then and it will be good to face
them in their home turf and in front of their home crowd which I am
sure will come in large numbers.”

India and Begium are tied in different pools. So, the only way the two
teams can face each other will be after the group matches. “It will be
great if we can meet India in the quarter-finals. Hopefully we can
settle the score of 2012 loss,” Tom says with a smile.

Coming from a hockey family as his grandmother, mother, sister and
uncle have played professional hockey, the 24-year old striker however
refuses to reveal the team’s target for the tournament.

“It is simple for us. We are going step by step. So, the best way is
to play our first match and win and then think about the second.

“All the 8 teams here are competing for winning and so every game of the tournament is going to be very tough. We will keep going game by game, starting with Pakistan in the first match, performing well against them and then moving forward to the next match.”

On a query about being roped by Dabang Mumbai as the costliest player
in the Hockey India League has added any pressure to his game, he is
quick to change the topic.

“No pressure,” he says nodding his head. “But, now I am a part of the
Belgium team and I am here to play Champions trophy. I am not thinking
about Mumbai now,” he says.

But, he is quick to add to the humour when he is asked whether he
knows any Hindi word or if he loves Indian food, “I know Namaste,” he
says and looks around for somebody to explain him the actual meaning.

“About food, we eat Indian food here. It is very spicy,” he concludes.

PIC: Tom Boon in action when he played in India last time in January this year