Internet Desk: India’s 7-1 win over Pakistan in hockey on Sunday appeared to be a huge redemption for Mir Ranjan Negi, the former India hockey team goalkeeper, who was carrying the wound for the last 35 long years. Negi featured for India in its 7-1 loss to Pakistan back in 1982 Asian Games final.
On Sunday, the two fierce neighbouring rivals met in the FIH Hockey World League Semifinal in London. Eventually, the ICC Champions Trophy final, was also going on in London, against Pakistan.
“Before the hockey match started I predicted the scoreline 7-1 in our WhatsApp group, where the other big names of the other sports, are also members. It was my gut feeling but winning 7-1 is extremely special against Pakistan. I haven’t seen an Indian team to play like this in the last 35 years. Probably, the black arm band which the Indian players were wearing to show their respect for those six soldiers, who were killed by the Pakistani terrorists, motivated the entire squad. It was somewhat worked as a revenge”, said the former India custodian in an interaction with www.xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi. He added, “Hope the Pakistani goalkeeper won’t get the same treatment like me. I’m feeling bad for him.”
Negi switched channels on Sunday evening between hockey and cricket, like other sports fans glued to the television. “This Indian team have been together for some time and the confidence was reflected on the turf. It takes guts to absorb the pressure in an India versus Pakistan match in any sport.”
Pakistan changed goalkeeper Amjad Ali when the team was six goals in arrears. “The decision to change goalkeeper should have been taken at half-time. Having seen the match, I felt all goals were not the result of his mistakes. He made saves and will be shattered mentally by now.”
Remembering the Asian Games final, Negi recollected that he volunteered to come off at half-time, but the coach had asked him to continue and substituted two others. “Syed Ali and Rajinder Singh were taken out and the quota of substitutions allowed had been exhausted. Among the two players, Rajinder was injured from the beginning and didn’t play a single game before the final. The Hockey association thus tried to put the entire blame on me to hide that sin.”
Negi refrained from analyzing the Champions Trophy defeat, having not watched a full game of cricket. “I switched channels when India lost quick wickets at the start. Hockey was exciting and seven goals in a semi final proved how much the sport can keep hockey fans entertained.” he said.