Amstleveen (Holland), Aug 25: After having raised expectations, the Indian team had little to show on conclusion of their campaign in the 25th Champions Trophy hockey tournament which ended here yesterday. A medal-less finish behind the Netherlands, Australia and Pakistan, probably accurately reflects India's standing in world hockey, though it could have been far worse had Germany been at full strength instead of fielding a development team.
Not to forget, the Aussies did a great service to India by beating Argentina 8-3 in a league match which helped India finish ahead of Argentina, to whom they had lost 2-4, on better goal-difference, and thus earn a play-off for bronze medal with Pakistan.
India's sequence of four defeats (3-4 to Holland, 1-4 to Australia, 2-4 to Argentina and 3-4 to Pakistan) and two victories (3-2 vs Germany, 7-4 vs Pakistan in the league), and a tally of 19 goals for and 23 against, do not speak much for the team.
The side came to Amstelveen riding on a huge media hype and public expectations following the title wins in Sydney and Hamburg and a big sponsorship tie-up with Sahara India, who also back the Indian cricket team.
India had begun well enough in the tournament here when they led the Dutch 3-0 with seven minutes to go in the very first match. But quite dramatically, the tide turned against India.
Bureau Report