Great experience, but a lot of hard work

The curtains fell on the inaugural PSO Super Hockey League with a hugely entertaining match between Sindh Qalanders and Northern Cavaliers, ...

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The curtains fell on the inaugural PSO Super Hockey League with a hugely entertaining match between Sindh Qalanders and Northern Cavaliers, witnessed by a large crowd at the National Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi.

The home team Sindh Qalanders, starting the final as clear underdogs, proved that teamwork and team spirit count for much more than big names when they upset the star studded Northern Cavaliers 4-3 in a match that had all the thrills and spills which make for a great hockey spectacle.

And in a sort of sequel to the PHL, winning team goalkeeper and captain, Ahmed Alam once again climbed atop his goalposts immediately after the final whistle, striking a Gladiator-like WWE pose and sending the delighted home fans into raptures.

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Reflecting on the SHL from the Indian point of view, I was thrilled by the fact that all our boys made a big impact and each player shouldered a heavy burden for their respective teams (see box).

My own contribution? Our trainer Sampath Kumar always tells me that it is most difficult for me to be in the limelight because I neither score goals nor save them. But I can assure you that I worked hard for the team and covered every inch of that hockey pitch…many times over.

I didn’t have any goals to show for at the end of the day, but I did bring back plenty of bruises on my knees and elbows as mementos. I’ve come back home to India with wonderful memories of my trip to Karachi. We were treated with genuine love and respect and I’ve made many good friends in Pakistan.

My teammates gave me some lovely traditional Pakistani outfits for myself and my parents as a parting gift and I truly enjoyed the good natured banter off the field with the lads and our coach Qamar Ibrahim.

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As for the immediate future, I will rest for a few days before I rejoin the Indian team training camp in New Delhi. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Champions Trophy in Chennai in December and the boys need to be in peak physical and mental shape for this top class event.

We need to really plan well and I hope the lads play with passion and commitment and give our home fans plenty to cheer about.

Five-star parade

		Viren rates his compatriots in the SHL DILIP TIRKEY Was absolutely outstanding in defense for the winners Sindh Qalanders especially in the final. His tackling and anticipation was immaculate and he marshalled his limited defensive resources with aplomb. In my book, still the best defender in the world ARJUN HALAPPA Playing for losing finalists Northen Cavaliers, delighted the Pakistani fans with his deft stickwork and slick scoop balls. His spectacular goal against my team in the league stage will be long remembered GAGAN AJIT SINGH Scored 7 goals in 6 matches for the Capital Dynamos and was a constant thorn in the side of every defense. The Indian team desperately needs Gagan to be at his goal scoring best if we are to challenge for a medal in the Champions Trophy SANDEEP SINGH Missed three matches due to illness but still managed 4 goals in 3 matches for Shan-E-Punjab. If he was available for all matches, his team would have probably sneaked into the final. Sandeep is fast maturing into a quality drag flicker and I’m really glad to see that his field play is also slowly improving. ADRIAN D’SOUZA Representing the Baloch Lions, was virtually unbeatable in penalty corners thanks to his charging tactics. He conceded just 1 penalty corner goal, that too an indirect conversion which was not his fault. That’s an unbelievable statistic