Trophy touches down

NEW DELHI: This was their first major title and there was no denying them their time under the spotlight. Even the rain gods, showering their might on the Capital since Thursday night, relented and gave way to bright sunlight as the young hockey heroes touched down on home soil. The hockey boys came back after wresting a maiden junior Asia Cup title in Karachi on Thursday with a finely-crafted victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.
As their flight landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday afternoon, after a six-hour delay, the airport terminal was awash with bright daylight, taking nothing away from the team as it enjoyed the bouquets lavished by the enthusiastic fans. For the aficionado, the Karachi triumph has come as healing touch after the senior team’s poor showing recently in Australia.
The team members’ energised smiles, the ecstatic countenance of captain Sandeep Michael and the delirious reaction of the small flock that had waited for a while to welcome the heroes back, surely acted like a balm. It also reassured everyone that while the chips may be down for the present, India hockey’s future looks in good hands and sound minds.
Despite the pressure-cooker like situation in the final on Thursday, the Indians kept their nerves to overcome a counter-attacking host to script a memorable 5-2 victory. Their stupendous performance even forced country’s top hockey brand Dhanraj Pillay to come to the airport to embrace his worthy future successors.
Coach Harender Singh, wearing his joy on his face, hailed his team’a determination, team spirit and hunger for success. “It is a memorable victory. You need to have nerves of steel to beat Pakistan on their home soil,� adding, “this is the happiest moment in my life.�
Though Harender refused to give credit to any individual, he did pick up Michael, forward Tushar Khandekar, midfielder V S Vinay and drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, the highest scorer in the event with 16 goals, as big prospects. “It was a good platform for them and by excelling there, they have shown they can do it at the highest level too.�
Michael paid tributes to fellow players for having trained hard since October. “Winning against Pakistan is always very satisfactory and this victory was sweeter as we had lost to them a few times in the last few months.�