Worst ever performance by Indian hockey team in Olympics, finishes last

The Indian hockey team looked to have been caught in quick sand, says a report in The Hindu, adding that the more it tried, the deeper it went into the pit as the eight-time Olympic gold medallist ended 12th among as many teams with a 2-3 loss to South Africa in the classification match at the Riverbank Arena here on Saturday.

“In bright sunshine and brilliant weather, in front of a near capacity crowd that was quite appreciative of every move, the Indian team tried to salvage some pride, but it was South Africa’s better resolve and dynamic scoring that carried the day,” says the report.

Meanwhile a report in Deccan Herald says that sixty-four years ago, the heart of India swelled with pride as the national team returned from London with its fourth straight Olympic gold medal in hockey. Independent India’s first gold—in the land of their former colonial masters—was indeed cause for celebration. Fast forward to London 2012, and the contrast couldn’t be starker. Six matches, six defeats, last place among 12 competing teams and no place to hide.  Had there been a gold for gutless display, India’s hockey team would have won it hands down.

When the team left the Indian shores for its reunion with the Olympic family after an eight-year break, hopes were high of a strong performance. No one expected gold, silver or bronze from coach Michael Nobbs’s men but anything higher than a sixth place would have been an achievement for a team ranked tenth in the world.

London 2012, however, had only defeat and despair in store for India. The team did show some fight in the opening match against the Netherlands but the slide since then has been shocking indeed, culminating in Saturday’s defeat to South Africa in the battle for the 11th place.