NEW DELHI Aug 4 : Our team played-well and we will do even better in the Olympic qualifier and the Olympics said beaming Pargat Singh as the victorious Indian hockey team flew into the capital from Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

With the shine of the Sultan Azian Shah Cup reflecting from their faces the team members were accorded a warm welcome -not by the Geers fans or the Sports Authority officials but by the local press corps. The Customs officials however did their bit by Organising an impromptu reception in the arrival lounge.

But the arc lights of the filming crew alerted people in the arrival lounge. And by the time Pargat Ietl his team out of the airport there were enough curious onlookers.

Pargat had a reason to be optimistic. The victory in Ipoh has ended a three -year title drought and India look forward to regaining its past glory. By way of a small incentive was the announcement of a cash reward of Rs one lakh a Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

The way we started in the tournament we knew we were going to bring the cup back home Pargat said. Even against Pakistan we were confident and it reflected in our game the moment we started in the match he added.

Was it because the Pakistan are 3 weaker team than their earlier outfits or the Indians played better? No doubt Pakistani defence is quite weak but our defence also did an admirable job by holding their front liners

. And our forwards gave the finishing touch confident Pargat added. While endorsing Parget’s views Jagbir said our game pattern clicked and the result is before you.

Describing the encounter with Pakistan Jagbir said they were nowhere in the picture and we dominated right from the start. We could hardly see a Pakistani flag in the

Jagbir was overwhelmed by the sinners of the national press the airport was not expecting such a welcome by the press. the ace forward said.

Summing up the performance of the Indian team coach Balkrishan Singh commented I’m quite happy with the ‘performance. But let me tell you this is not the end but just the beginning.

The genial coach declared that Indian cy was on the right track. There are many more hurdles but the boys are working very hard and keen to do well say Balkishan who singled out India Pakistan clash as the best match in the Azlan Shah tourney. But he also said that the Malaysians proved tough match.

Departing from the traditional 5-3-2 formation which India played over the years Balkishan was all praise for the midfield which in his present scheme plays a very important role. I’m not playing with four forwards. Actually it’s 10 in attack and 10 in defence stressed the chief coach.

In his view the new off-side rule has opened out the field where a player gets more chances.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 23, 1991