5 min readMay 23, 2024 04:52 PM IST
First published on: May 22, 2024 at 10:52 PM IST
The Indian men’s hockey team’s return to FIH Pro League action on Wednesday in Antwerp was a case of one thing we knew well about them and another where a lot of improvement is expected.
There is no doubting the legacy of PR Sreejesh in Indian hockey, but the 36-year-old offered another reminder that he is not just here by reputation, but on the weight of his performances. On the other hand, there has been a lot of scrutiny of the team’s ability to score field goals in big matches and not just depend on drag flicks.
The 2-2 draw in regulation against Argentina showcased Sreejesh at his very best. He then stepped up to make crucial interventions in the shootout as well, which India edged 5-4 to earn a bonus point. It might be expected brilliance, but it is brilliance nevertheless that needs to be appreciated as Sreejesh keeps enhancing his reputation as India’s No. 1 goalkeeper.
A bigger takeaway, however, were India’s two goals. It is not often that they finish a match with a 100 per cent rate for field goals, with no contribution from the drag flickers.
Mandeep Singh (11’) and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (55’) scored a goal each for India in the first and final quarters, in a match where India’s level fluctuated across the 60 minutes. For Argentina, Lucas Martinez (20’) and Tomas Domene (60’) were on the scoresheet, with the late equaliser coming from a combination of India’s mistakes in possession and a controversial decision by the video umpire.
India started the match well, controlling possession well in the first quarter. Even before the opening goal, Abhishek’s reverse hit was kept out by goalkeeper Tomas Santiago’s outstretched right stick.
Akashdeep Singh also had a chance to open the scoring but eventually, it came from Mandeep who hit a first-time shot at goal after good work from Raj Kumar Pal and Abhishek. It’s the sort of combination play that Fulton has been asking for from his forwards – decisive with passes, instinctive with finishes.
Argentina grew into the match and India’s control of possession started eluding them. One of the issues that Fulton would want to address is the fluctuation of levels between quarters. The second and third were largely in Argentina’s favour, as their pace of passing kept India pegged back. That is when Sreejesh had to be at his best. Even the equaliser was after the Indian veteran had put his right leg out to make a stunning save, but the rebound fell unkindly for the Indian defence.
In the fourth quarter, he saved thrice with his gloves in a matter of seconds from a Penalty Corner situation. As if that wasn’t enough, he got his left foot out to keep the retake out.
That it was still 1-1 was largely thanks to the star custodian, who would eventually be declared the player of the match. India then scored a second field goal of the day as Hardik Singh played a delightful aerial from the right flank to left, controlled equally well by Jarmanpreet Singh. His cutback was deflected by the goalkeeper to Lalit who was sharp to finish into an empty net.
Sukhjeet Singh conceding possession with seconds left on the clock by dallying on the ball will frustrate India as much as the video umpire’s decision to award a PC despite no evidence of a stick tackle. Argentina levelled in the last minute but Sreejesh, Harmanpreet Singh and Co managed to win the shootout to finish with a deserved bonus.
Women’s team lose 0-5
While the official announcement hasn’t been made, coach Harendra Singh was in charge of the Indian women’s team after Janneke Schopman’s recent exit. With Salima Tete promoted as captain, India would have hoped for a better showing against world No. 2 Argentina.
But, with the wounds of not qualifying for the Paris Olympics perhaps still ranking a majority of the squad, a 0-5 defeat was a reflection of the amount of work Harendra has in front of him. India had moments of brilliance in attack but nothing sustained enough to trouble Argentina, who scored a goal each in the first three quarters and two in the final.
Mandeep Singh (11’) and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (55’) scored a goal each for India in the first and final quarters, in a match where India's level fluctuated across the 60 minutes. (Hockey India) 
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