This architect builds team success — in a striking way

He is second year student of architecture. He roams globe for hockey. He is well known in the hockey circles across continents in the contemporary scene.

Gonzalo Peillat, 23, the Argentinean national team player has undoubtedly lived upto the legacy of his country – of producing stunning strikers of penalty corner drills.

Like Jorgi Lombi, whom many consider the inventor of drag-flicks, Gonzalo too carved a niche for himself in the PC art.

Obviously, Gonzalo Peillat is now talk of the Raipur town.

He stoutly built defender surprised all the teams with priceless goals at penalty corners, and the crowd recognizes his extraordinary skills.

He struck a brace in all the three matches the Pan American Champions have played in the pool.

He started the feat against India, beating goalie PR Sreejesh comprehensively twice, first in the 3rd minute and then off the penalty corner that was taken after the hooter.

He proved that these two goals are not freak, with another set of goals next day against the Dutch, beating their second goalie Blaak Pirmin. His brace came after the Dutch took 3-0 lead and it restored the prestigious of his team in valiantly going down 2-3.

Today, the Germany’s new coach Valentin Alternburg changed goalie substituting Nicolas Jacobi for Stack but it hardly mattered for the genius. He posted first and third goal. Helped by his twin strikes, Argentina surprised the reigning gold medallist Germany for a fluent 3-1 win.

“I am happy to contribute to the team, and its team that wins”, said Peillat when surrounded by journalists after the German match.

One of the rare Argentinean players who speaks English, this guy is cool and composed, talks briefly and let the scoring prowess talk the rest.

His English of course comes as he plays for Mitse HCG club in The Netherlands.

“He is top scorer there also”, commented a Dutch journalist.

For all the accolades that come to him, he does not take the credit for himself, and is happy only when the team wins.

To be so good at the set piece, one might think he is putting hours and hours behind practice. But he surprises when he said he trains three sessions per week, each session 30 shots!

Unbelievable.

But at the same time what counts is not hours, sessions and shots but the quantum of sweat he sheds when doing strenuous sessions in the gym.

Its actually the kind of physique that he built which laden with alert mind, make the combustible that burns every rival team’s aspirations.

Argentina scored 8 goals here in Raipur in three matches, he accounted for six!

How does he meet the expectation of team?. He was asked. Is not that he is under pressure to deliver?

His reply is simple: “There are other ways of scoring. Therefore, I don’t take pressure at all”.

“Sometimes we don’t get penalty corners, or just one or two. We have to use them. Or look for other means of scoring. No pressure as there are other avenues of scoring”, the star explains.

Peillat took up hockey early in his career, and has always been a defender.

Peillat made his international debut in the Champions Challenge Cup 2011.