Harcharan Singh recounts his three World Cups

Harcharan Singh:
It was three decades ago, when Harcharan Singh, then an exuberant youngster, was waiting eagerly to play his first match against the team which comprised of players who belonged to a region that is only 30 kms from his hometown Amritsar. The first experience in alien conditions and fickle weather remains etched in the memory of Singh till now, and it served as a constant reminder pumping Singh to give his best.

“My first game against Pakistan was at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok. I was looking forward to the game but it was marred by inclement weather. T the match was shifted to a football stadium the only dry ground available,” said Harcharan Singh.
“We kept attacking throughout and the ball was in Pakistan’s ‘D’ for most part of the game. However, a slight error in the dying moments of the game saw them seizing the initiative and they converted into a goal. We lost the finals and I was very disappointed.” More setbacks was in store as in another 12 months India lost to Pakistan again, this time in the semis of the inaugural World Cup.

1973 World Cup – A chance for redemption
India had the opportunity to avenge defeat in the 1973 World Cup held in the Netherlands. Both team had advanced to the semis and were just one step away from making it to the final two. “Ever since that loss (1970 Asian Games) our resolve was to defeat Pakistan. We carefully planned for the semis even as they were boisterous about their performance,” explained Singh. Centre forward P.Govinda dribbled through Pakistani defenders to give India a place in the final and erase the poignant memory that held one corner of the mind.

1975 World Cup – Conquering the elusive trophy
After nearly missing out in 1973, India left no stone unturned in the next edition and beat Pakistan to lift the World Cup for the first time. The World Cup victory was important in more ways than one. It was the first time that India scored two goals against Pakistan and only their 5th victory against the arch rivals in 15 outings.

The road to the World Cup was rather interesting. Both India and Pakistan topped their pools. India were slated to play against Malaysia, the host country in the semis. The must win encounter was interrupted due to rain and had to be abandoned and was later postponed by a day.

Battling 50,000 strong Malaysian supporters:
“The stadium was packed with 50,000 fans all cheering for the home side. The decibel level was so high that I could not even here the referee’s whistle. Even the Malaysian politicians had gathered in large numbers and we had some sort of support in form of NRIs.”
Yet we won the semis against the Malaysians, again the match was decided on extra time after both teams were leveled at 2-2. India made it to the finals as Harcharan Singh nailed the winner through V.J Phillips pass.

“The crowd went numb as we advanced to the final after a close game. I went to meet their right full back player Francis, but he did not appreciate my gesture and refused to shake hands. It was an unsporting gesture from him,” Singh remembers.

The defeat was hard to digest and Harcharan Singh had to endure some tough time. “I was even called for a doping test. It looked like they were just not prepared to accept defeat. The doping result was out and we had nothing to panic about.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan had already advanced to the finals beating Germany comfortably and India was stretched to limits. “We played for two consecutive days and had no break for the title clash whereas Pakistan had a three-day break. It was all about endurance level for us.”
Friendly neighbours? Not really

When India and Pakistan meet one cannot expect everything to be smooth. “We had a common dining room but on the day of the finals we avoided meeting them and even the Pakistanis avoided us. Jo hoga ab seedha stadium mein dekhene. We were charged up and raring to go” said Singh reminiscing about the big day.

Pakistan had taken an early lead but India equalized in the second half. The winner which was scored by Ashok Kumar had enough share of drama and Singh remembers the sequence clearly. “It was a penalty corner and I took the hit. Ajit Pal Singh stopped it and passed it to VJ Philips, who in turn passed to Ashok Kumar who saw to it that ball crossed the goal line.” The goal was awarded to India amidst protest from Pakistanis and later the TV replays confirmed the umpire was correct.
Thousands in India were glued to radio sets as Akashwani provided live commentary. The scenes were not as pleasant as Pakistan, for the first time, decided to show the match on TV. India’s preparation also included yoga classes and Harcharan Singh does not forget to thank the staff and Punjab government for their support.

Ask him about facing India’s arch rivals and the army many that he is takes centre stage.
He describes the preparation as a ‘combination of entering a battlefield and preparing for a big hockey match.’

He says that it is always different when the opponent is Pakistan.
“You have got to admit that it’s a different ball game altogether. Emotions automatically get charged up when you play against Pakistan at any level. Playing against Spain, Germany, Argentina and Holland may not put you under pressure but when you are facing your arch rivals, there’s lot going through your mind.”

Harcharan Singh will be in Delhi to catch the World Cup. Like everyone, he too is hoping for a revival. “A lot is at stake when India meets Pakistan in the first game. If the script takes a wrong turn then hockey will be out of the public memory forever.”