New Indian Express: Hockey in his blood Asian Championship hero Affan looks to cement India spot

By Ravi Iyer

CHENNAI: Affan Yousuf’s father Mohammed was a former India left-winger, and his uncle Sameer Dad, a renowned forward, had also played for the country. So it is natural that everytime Yousuf steps on the field, he is under the microscope. Add the fact that he is making the transition from junior-level to senior – a switch that many players have struggled with – and Affan has had his plates full.

But gold at the 4th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Kuantan, where the 22-year-old scored in the nail-biting final victory over arch-rivals Pakistan, has given him just the fillip he needed. “It feels good to win the Champions Trophy. Knowing the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, it was a great win. Before the game (Roelant) Oltmans sir told us to put aside the fact that it was an Indo-Pak game, and concentrate on strategies we had worked on. It was important not to let our emotions get the better of us, and we managed to pull it off,” Affan told Express.

India were always looking to win the tournament, he added. “Knowing we were ranked 6th in the world, and the highest-ranked Asian team, we wanted to show we were the best. And winning the Champions Trophy, while also unbeaten, was the best way to do so. Apart from the match against Korea, we never gave away the first goal, and that was a big positive.”

The tournament was also important from a personal point of view for the Bhopal lad. “I wasn’t in the scheme of things prior to Malaysia, and missed the Rio Olympics as well. But having gotten a chance, I wanted to make the most of it. And the goal in the final against Pakistan, knowing the magnitude and the occasion, was a big confidence booster. I always go into an event expecting to score, for that is why I am on the team. That is what will win us games and keep me in the squad,” said Affan.

At the Olympics, India conceded some crucial goals at the death, which resulted either in losses or draws. And keeping things tight in the end against Pakistan was pleasing. “We knew we had made some errors in Rio, which led to negative results. But we were able to organise ourselves against Pakistan and make sure we didn’t concede at the death. That was something that greatly satisfied the team,” he opined.

Uncle Sameer, meanwhile, felt it was an important win, and results finally mirrored performances. “Yes, India played well in Rio, but results didn’t go our way. Only victory will show the team is moving in the right direction, and this win has finally shown we can marry results and performances. The aim should now be to maintain good results, as that’s what counts the most,” said the 37-year-old.

Affan is now targeting good performances in Australia. “The Australia series is next, and hopefully I’ll get another chance to cement my spot in the squad. I need to make the most of my opportunities, not only in matches but during practice and camps as well,” he concluded.