India's first-ever silver medal in tournament needs to be lauded, but experts warn against getting carried away before Olympics
Seldom has an Indian hockey team matched Australia in recent times. In the FIH Champions Trophy late on Friday night, not only did the Indians level the mighty Aussies, they also bossed over them during a few phases.
Thus, even a 1-3 defeat in the shootout couldn't dampen India's joy of winning a silver for the first time ever in the history of the tournament just months before the 2016 Rio Olympics. It was the way India survived every challenge thrown at them, and indeed the way they struck their punches, that made Australia look susceptible for probably the first time in recent history in battles between these two teams.
Make no mistake, India can take a lot of confidence by holding Australia to 0-0 at regulation time, and a lot of pride in their silver-medal finish in a tournament in which they last won a medal in 1982 (bronze).
But as much as this historic medal needs to be celebrated, it also urges to be treated with caution. Experts reckon the Olympics will be a different ball game altogether, and India will have to show the same kind of consistency they displayed throughout the Champions Trophy again come August.
"This is not an indicator of what will happen at the Olympics," former India captain Viren Rasquinha, who played in the 2004 Athens Olympics, said. "Yes, this is a great result for India, but the Olympics is a different ball game from my personal experience. India can surely take a lot of morale and positives out of this silver medal, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can win a medal at Rio."
Another former captain who also participated in the 2004 Games, Arjun Halappa, said the Olympics will have sterner tests compared to Champions Trophy as every team will be at their full strength. Australia, much like other top teams, had rested some of their key players for this tourney. That said, even India rested few of their top players like Sardar Singh, Rupinderpal Singh, Birendra Lakra and Ramandeep Singh for this event.
"Let's not get carried away with this," Halappa, who is also a selector for the national team, said. "A medal here does not mean that India will win a medal at the Olympics. Every team will come at their full strength there, and India should first aim to reach the quarterfinals."
However, both former illustrious players agreed that this silver medal will instill a lot of self-belief into the playing group.
"Undoubtedly," Rasquinha said. "It's a historic moment. I feel this was the best tournament that we have played in many years in terms of consistency and quality. The youngsters did really well throughout, and the old warhorses complemented them with their brilliant skills."
Halappa felt that this would have a bigger impact on the youngsters in the team.
"There is no second thought about the fact that this is a huge morale-booster for the team before the Olympics, and especially the youngsters. The squad has been progressing well over the last 12-18 months, and it's really showing now," he said.
India finished the league encounters with two wins, two losses and a draw, but even in those two defeats, India were not completely outplayed, something they have been notorious for during major tournaments in the past.
They went down 1-2 to Belgium and 2-4 to Australia, and yet came back a day later to hold the world champions in the final.
"A lot of credit must go to coach (Roelant) Oltmans for it," Halappa said. "To be able to pick up the boys in 24 hours and make them believe that they can fight the Aussies is no mean task. India have shown that fight throughout the tournament."
Rasquinha said: "For me, India's consistency has really stood out in this tournament. The players can take a lot of confidence out of this, but there are lessons to be learnt still. They can't get complacent."
Hockey India rewards team
The Indian team's silver medal has earned the players and team officials a reward from Hockey India. HI president Narinder Batra announced that each player and the chief coach would receive a reward of Rs 2 lakh, while the remaining support staff shall be rewarded with Rs 1 lakh. Young defender Harmanpreet Singh, who was adjudged the Youth Player of the Tournament, will get an additional Rs 1 lakh as reward.
AND THE AWARD GOES TO...
Best player: Tobias Hauke (GER)
Best junior player: Harmanpreet Singh (IND)
Best goalkeeper: George Pinner (GBR)
Top scorer: Marco Miltkau (GER)
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