Rio 2016: Indian hockey wizards seeking smooth start to regain lost glory

For any Indian hockey player or fan, there can be no better time than this to end the Olympic medal drought of 36 years. India will open its campaign against Ireland here on Saturday.

Though not many would put pressure on the current team by discussing the Vasudevan Bhaskaran-led squad that won India's last Olympic gold in 1980, they all agree that the current format of four teams entering the knockouts from each group suits Team India.

And to complement it, there can't be a better motivator than team's best performer PR Sreejesh to lead a pack of players overflowing with skill and confidence.

From the experience of Sardar Singh to the enthusiasm of Manpreet Singh, this team has enough ammunition to finish amongst the top four from a group of six consisting of Holland, Germany, Argentina, Ireland and Canada.

It could be argued that India would have struggled to reach the next round if the format had not changed. However, new rules have made things easier for teams that found it hard to compete with the likes of Australia and top European nations.

And with just one good day during the quarterfinal, like what happened in the recent FIH Champions Trophy in London, the Indian hockey team might actually be looking at a situation where podium finish could be a reality.

"The way we've been improving in last two years, ever since qualifying for Rio, the gap has actually narrowed between us and the top teams," Sreejesh said, explaining the steady rising graph of his team. "Champions Trophy final can be just one pointer where we dominated almost entire match. It was so unfortunate to have lost that game finally."

Sreejesh said he knows that if he performs well in front of the goal post, it would automatically motivate his teammates.

"I can have the best view of what's happening out there from my goalpost. But then when the opposition launches an attack, it's my duty to make sure that I save the maximum to set an example and demand the similar from others," said an ever-smiling Sreejesh.

Ireland, the underdogs

Ireland beat Malaysia and Pakistan at the World League semis to ensure their Rio trip. And this time around they, too, are out to ensure that their comeback into the Olympic hockey is not mere attendance.

The Irish team played its last Olympics in 1908 in London when they won a silver medal.

Ireland is now mainly dependant on two key players — Forward Mitch Darling, who plays regularly with Rotterdam, and their captain and goalkeeper David Harte.

Standing six feet and five inches tall, Harte won the world goalkeeper of the year award in 2015. That's why Sreejesh has a word of caution. "Don't take any game lightly because no team can afford to lose a group game. If it happens, then obviously, chances are that you are likely to play a tough team in the quarters," he added.

Past not perfect

Indian team's recent outing in a six-nation tournament in Spain was a disaster. However, Sreejesh attributed the failure to 40-plus degree temperature.

"We're practising in Bangalore where the temperature was about 20 degree Celsius or so. Suddenly, we were playing in Spain where it was 40 degrees Celsius. It was difficult for all of us to get acclimatised and the results reflected that," said Sreejesh.

Having won both practice matches, against Ireland and Spain, after landing in Rio, Sreejesh said that India should be able to finish on the podium.

"As a captain I tell my team that we have the capability to win a medal here. And why not? Even our critics say that India is amongst the top six teams of world hockey. Both ways, it's just a matter of one good day which can change the fortunes of this game back home," Sreejesh said with a smile before marching back to the Olympic Village.