India’s only goalkeeper at Tokyo 2020 came across as an animated player, bringing off saves, shouting encouragement. The face behind the mask turned into a scowl when defenders committed mistakes.
P Sreejesh of Team India reacts after winning the bronze medal match against Germany at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Oi Hockey Stadium. Pic/Getty Images
Adrian D’Souza had visited fellow goalkeeper P Sreejesh’s house in 2016. He will need to make a repeat visit this year and is overjoyed at the thought of watching the reaction on a former junior teammate’s face. “I dropped in at Sreejesh’s home in Kerala when he was chosen for the Rio Olympics,” revealed the Mumbai-based custodian who excelled for Bombay Republicans, Air India Academy and later on for India at the 2004 Athens Olympics. “When his wife asked me when I would visit again, I had promised to return to Kerala the moment he came back with a medal from the Olympics. The time has come to keep that promise.”
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Adrian D’Souza
Adrian, 37, was among dynamic frontline goalkeepers in the national camp when Sreejesh,33, was inducted into the India probables. “He was not familiar with hostel life and learning started from there. Sreejesh was not the inspiring influence we see now, he literally grew up in the India camp, not just as a hockey player but even his personality changed with those hostel and camp experiences.” India’s only goalkeeper at Tokyo 2020 came across as an animated player, bringing off saves, shouting encouragement. The face behind the mask turned into a scowl when defenders committed mistakes.
Sreejesh, the all-action type, was seen after the third-place match ended perched atop the Indian goalpost, a fun celebration of a famous come-from-behind 5-4 win over Germany. “We created history and I am so happy for him.” Adrian, early in 2004 nominated by FIH for the Most Promising Youngster award post-Athens, pointed out that players don’t look for awards when donning the India jersey. He also admits goalkeepers are a bit crazy. “I was crazy and still am on the hockey pitch. Sreejesh is crazy in a positive way. A goalkeeper needs to be switched on all the time, he plays every minute, every match from the group stage onwards.”
Australia pumped in seven goals past him in a 7-1 rout of India during the group phase, a result likely to become the turning point for the Olympic campaign. Adrian observed: “Australia deserves a thank you from us for opening our eyes.” Sreejesh analysed the mistakes and grew in confidence from the next match.” India coach Graham Reid’s faith in his squad earned the ex-India custodian’s praise. “The coach took risks in team selection. It showed the confidence he has in the entire bunch,” said the India senior, happy that in a team sport, the hockey goalkeeper’s worth is appreciated when the chips are down.
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