PR Sreejesh, the Wall of Indian Hockey Team
Despite India's poor show in tournaments like the Hockey World League and the 2014 World Cup, goal-keeper Sreejesh's performance has been India's biggest positive.
- Vivek Singh
- Updated: April 13, 2015 11:06 AM IST
The Indian Hockey team has finished 3rd in the 2015 Sultan Azlan Shah tournament and once again the man who stood firm under pressure was Indian goalkeeper and vice captain PR Sreejesh.
Sreejesh did not just saved five penalty corners out of seven that went South Korea's way, but was also rock-solid in the penalty shootout. Despite lapses by the defenders, Sreejesh was terrific.
After regulation time, the score was level at 2-2 and a penalty shootout beckoned. The onus was once again on India's Vice-captain to deliver and the Kerala lad saved 2 out off 3 attempts made by the Koreans.
On the other hand, the Indian players scored in all the 4 attempts helping India finish 3rd in the competition played in Ipoh, Malaysia.
This is not the first time the 26-year-old has delivered for India under immense pressure and expectations. In the inaugural edition of 2011 Asian Champions Trophy final, he was the man who made the difference as India went on to beat arch-rivals Pakistan to clinch the title.
Despite India's poor show in tournaments like the Hockey World League and the 2014 World Cup, goalkeeper Sreejesh's performance has been India's biggest positive.
The ultimate moment of glory for the Keralite goalie came in the 2014 Asian Games final against Pakistan where he saved 2 out 4 attempts made by the arch-rivals to help India clinch the gold medal after 16 long years and directly qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
And now at the Sultan Azlan Shah classification match against South Korea for the 3rd and 4th position, PR Sreejesh once again came to the party and helped India win Bronze.