India qualify for London Olympics in style
NEW DELHI: Underpinned by a wholesome team effort, India thrashed France 8-1 to win the FIH Olympic qualifiers, thus guaranteeing their berth in the London Olympics.
After missing out on the Beijing Olympics for the first time in 2008, this was a redemption of sorts for the eight-time Olympic champions.
Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh's five goals, which took his tournament tally to 16, shone through the Indian effort. It was a triumph of India's youth-centric side.
If Sandeep's efforts deserve mention so does the unsung deeds of Sardar Singh, adjudged the player of the tournament, SV Sunil, Tushar Khandekar and Sarawanjit Singh.
Though the hosts struggled for the opening goal ' which eventually came in the 17th minute through Birendra Lakra ' they seldom lost their ascendancy in the match.
Sandeep struck another to enhance their lead, though the French pulled a goal back. But that was all the French could muster. Other scorers were SV Sunil and V Raghunath.
Though there have been more illustrious victories, few would surpass this in terms of sheer significance.
NEW DELHI: Underpinned by a wholesome team effort, India thrashed France 8-1 to win the FIH Olympic qualifiers, thus guaranteeing their berth in the London Olympics.
After missing out on the Beijing Olympics for the first time in 2008, this was a redemption of sorts for the eight-time Olympic champions.
Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh's five goals, which took his tournament tally to 16, shone through the Indian effort. It was a triumph of India's youth-centric side.
If Sandeep's efforts deserve mention so does the unsung deeds of Sardar Singh, adjudged the player of the tournament, SV Sunil, Tushar Khandekar and Sarawanjit Singh.
Though the hosts struggled for the opening goal ' which eventually came in the 17th minute through Birendra Lakra ' they seldom lost their ascendancy in the match.
Sandeep struck another to enhance their lead, though the French pulled a goal back. But that was all the French could muster. Other scorers were SV Sunil and V Raghunath.
Though there have been more illustrious victories, few would surpass this in terms of sheer significance.
News Posted: 27 February, 2012
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