In ‘magic world’, India hockey team trying to stay focussed

PR Sreejesh says his twin role as Asian country hockey captain and goalkeeper is to permit his team mates the liberty to precise themselves in Rio however is aware of he should keep them centered on the palm hunt within the “magic world” of the Olympic Games. The 30-year-old was second alternative at London 2012 behind then captain Republic of India Chetri however has since established himself because the clear darling. He was named captain for the recent Champions Trophy in London wherever Asian country invigorated some seniors, as well as regular captain Sardar Singh, prior the Rio Games. While Sreejesh crystal rectifier the aspect to the sliver palm, as Asian country lost the ultimate to Australia in a very penalty shoot-out, he aforesaid he ne'er fanciful it might result in him carrying the armband at the Rio Games too. “I ne'er expected it,” Sreejesh told Reuters in a very recent interview. “I have forever aforesaid being a part of the team and winning a palm for my country was my 1st preference. “I ne'er dreamt of captaining the team and leading the aspect within the Olympic Games. It’s an excellent honour.” Sreejesh has been a rock for Asian country before of goal since creating the junior national team in 2004. It took him another few years to create the cut for the senior aspect. He created crucial saves throughout the 2014 Asian Games final once Asian country beat arch-rivals West Pakistan, that sealed their spot for Rio. In 2015, Sreejesh received the Arjuna award for his contribution to the national team. Sreejesh aforesaid the situation wouldn't have a large influence on his role. “I am a goalkeeper. My 1st duty is to save lots of the goal,” he aforesaid by phonephone from the team’s coaching camp in Bengaluru. “The second is to speak with my defenders and organise them. “Third is i would like to administer them confidence as a goalkeeper. i believe as captain too I actually have to try to to these 3 things. there's no further burden on Pine Tree State. “It’s all concerning giving them the liberty to try to to what they need. “Olympics may be a place wherever you'll be simply distracted to loads of things and it'll appear to be a magic world. it'll all be concerning reminding them our goal as a team.” India area unit the foremost embellished nation within the sport’s Olympic history however the South Asians collected the last of their eight gold medals back at the capital of the Russian Federation Games in 1980. After failing to qualify for Peiping, Asian country created it to London four years later however finished last of the twelve countries participating. India, WHO area unit in Pool B in Rio along side Argentina, Canada, Germany, eire and also the Netherlands, have created optimism back home thanks when a robust build-up to the Games. Sreejesh feels Asian country have the proper balance between youth and skill, with variety of players from London 2012 still a part of the combo for Rio. Consistency are going to be the key, he added. “The last few years has given United States of America confidence. we've got overwhelmed all the highest groups and won medals,” he added.