Shootout strategy had been worked out before Cup began: Neil Hawgood

Rohan Puri, TNN

NEW DELHI: “Our decision to play goalkeeper Bigan Soy in the penalty shootout was decided three weeks back. She was the best in that situation,” Neil Hawgood, coach of Indian junior women’s hockey team, said on the sidelines of a felicitation ceremony held on Wednesday.

Hawgood played “dead ball specialist” Soy in place of regular goalkeeper N Sanarik Chanu in the shootout against England. Soy, who made sure India won 3-2 on penalties to clinch bronze, said she was delighted with the importance she was getting.

“My coach decided that I should be the goalkeeper as I was moving well. When I used to sit out and watch others play, I would visualize in my mind as to what would I do to block the shot. I was ready to give my hundred percent whenever I got a chance. I wasn’t nervous or under any kind of pressure as I told myself we had to win the match for the country and bring a medal home. I feel more confident now. I am just hoping to get a decent job now,” said Soy.

Player of the tournament Rani Ramphal said her life has completely changed in the last few days with all the rewards and media attention she is getting. However, she said her best is yet to come. “I am happy with my game but I believe that I can perform better. I need to make my finishing strong. Need to put in a lot of hard-work if I want to cement my place in the senior team.”

She also hoped that this performance would earn her and other members of the team good jobs. “I want that all players should get decent jobs and their financial position gets better,” she added. Captain Sushila Chanu said she enjoyed her first stint as a leader. “Captaining the team was a challenge but I enjoyed it. I told them to give their best on the field. Our team was like a family,” said Sushila Chanu.

Hawgood said their match against Australia had taught them a lot. “When we went back and looked at the video of our game against Australia, we found it was one of our best games of the tournament. Yes, we let in some very easy and soft goals. Our motivation was so high that it should not have been 6-1. Girls watched the video footage and realized it wasn’t so bad after all. It was all the way up after that,” he said.

When asked whether he faced any problem while communicating with the team members, Hawgood said, “Hockey has its own language. You can get a coach from any country… in the end if you actually understand people, then you are miles ahead. Language is not a barrier. It’s the ability to communicate with them while trying to teach them is what matters. It worked.”

Ministry announces cash awards

The sports minister Jitendra Singh announced a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 to each member of the junior women’s hockey team and also announced reward of Rs. 25,000 for each coach in the team.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Sanarik Chanu, Bigan Soy; Defenders: Pinky Devi, Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Manjit Kaur, M. N Poonamma, Sushila Chanu (Captain), Monika; Midfielders: Lily Chanu, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Vandana Kataria, Ritusha Arya; Forward: Poonam Rani, Rani (Vice-Captain), Anupa Barla, Navneet Kaur.