BUDS MUST BLOOM

Vijay Anand

After 15 long years, India became first host nation to win Junior Hockey world cup. They lifted the crown after 6-1 win over Argentina in 2001 at Hobert. 

India started on a patchy note against Canada, England and South Africa. Mandeep Singh was the experienced most player in the roster with more than 60 international matches under his belt. He lived up to the expectation and won all 3 Man of the match awards in group games. 

Quarter final against Spain was the toughest. India made 33 circle penetrations, controlled 60 percent ball possession and took 13 shots but it was only 66th winner by captain Harjeet which proved decisive. Against Australia, colts again came from behind to went 2-1 up. Australia levelled the settings but in another semi final shootout, India prevailed. They beat Australia for the first time in junior world cup. That made them title favourites against Belgians who were playing their first final. Their best performance came 3 years ago when they came 6^th.   

 

Belgium beat title favourites Germany in a tense Semi final. It finished at stalemate in regular time. In the shootout, Belgian Goalkeeper was in superb touch. Everyone knows that Germans seldom loose shootouts in any sport. Despite of this, Loic Van Doren stopped penalties with grit and determination.

Indian connection was visible in other teams as well. Cedrik D’souza was coach of Austrian team and they finished credible 11^th. Canada finished last but out of 18 members, 12 were Indians. Sir names like Bains, Gill, Sidhu make constant appearance. Pakistan doesn’t join the bandwagon due to unclear reasons. Japan is emerging as new power in Asian Hockey. They finished ahead of neighbour South Korea. Spain showed signs of resurgence. Netherlands played poorly.

Penalty corner conversion rate of India was very poor, lower than 15%. Nilendra Sharma missed too many stops outside the circle. Harmanpreet, who in recent years has earned the reputation of defender cum drag flick specialist, missed too many of them. Trapping of the ball was also poor. Blood boiled easily and they conceded too many cards in group games.

Each boy has a story to tell. Harjeet’s father runs truck for a living. Reserve goal keeper Krishan Kumar Pathak lost his parents at an early age. Vika Dahiya’s father is a driver in a private firm in Sonepat. Despite of poverty, Dipsen Tirkey carried tradition of producing outstanding defenders from Sundergarh. Varun Kumar’s father runs Matador in Mithapur Village of Punjab. Ajit Kumar learnt Hockey accidently from ‘Bhaiya’ in his native town of Gazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Sumit Kumar’s father is also a driver in Varanasi.

Let’s hope that colts carry the momentum. We have seen rise and fall of Champion squad of 2001. We have seen Viren Rasquina, Gaganajit Singh, Dipsen tirkey and others lost their ways in later years. Buds do not get nipped, they must bloom.