Azlan Shah Hockey Taught India to Expect the Unexpected, says PR Sreejesh

India's goal custodian P.R. Sreejesh has always been a reliable player, displaying his brilliance in crucial matches.

He once again gave a clinical performance as India defeated South Korea to clinch the bronze medal in the 24th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. After the 2-2 till the final hooter, the match went on to the penalty-shootouts, in which Sreejesh stood like a wall, guarding India's net.

"I think from this tournament we learnt to expect the unexpected. We never expected we will lose against Malaysia and nobody thought we would beat Australia. But we showed a team spirit and won the last two important matches. So, it shows if we are good in our basics, we can do anything," said the goalkeeper after saving two crucial goals during the shoot-outs, besides saving several others, throughout the tournament. (PR Sreejesh, the Wall of Indian hockey)

Sreejesh isn't new to taking responsibilities of the game on him. He proved his mettle even during the Incheon Asian Games final last year, in which India defeated Pakistan in the shoot-outs, thereby winning the Asian Games gold as well as securing a berth for the 2016 Rio Olympics.   

"In both the Asian Games as well as the shoot-outs against Korea today, there is a lot of difference. When you are beating Pakistan in the final, there is a total change in the atmosphere.

And in today's match, I didn't feel any pressure on me. I just did the basic thing the coach always tells us, which is to do your task confidently. Also my team-mates did not miss any goal. So, we won a straight game."

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is India's first tournament in the 2015 season. They will play their first major game in World League to be held in December.

"Starting a season with a medal is always a good thing. But, we are looking for the big matches like the World League to know where we stand in the world level," he added.