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Tribune Information Service
Jalandhar, August 3
It was a day of rollercoaster feelings for followers of Indian hockey. When the Indian males led Belgium 2-1 within the semifinals of the Olympic Video games hockey, it was a second to rejoice — however as they conceded targets to first quit their benefit after which concede the lead, pleasure turned to despair.
The households whose sons have been taking part in in Tokyo went by means of the identical feelings — pleasure and despair. However there stays the hope of a medal, which a win over Germany within the bronze playoff would guarantee.
Manjit Kaur, mom of Indian captain Manpreet Singh, was crestfallen after right now’s loss. She was sad, and mentioned her son was in the identical mind-set once they talked after the match. “Khush nahi si oh,” she mentioned.
“All of us are disillusioned after right now’s loss,” she added. “Let’s see what occurs within the subsequent match with Germany… Asi Germany nu simple nahi lai sakde (we will’t take it simple in opposition to Germany).”
The households of the 4 gamers from Amritsar district are additionally hoping for a bronze with a win over Germany. Balwinder Singh, father of Dilpreet Singh, mentioned he spoke to his son after the match. “He sounded slightly disheartened, and I advised him to not lose coronary heart over a end result which can’t be altered,” mentioned Balwinder. “I advised him — put all of your vitality into the following match as the entire nation could be all of you with hope.”
“It’s higher to have one thing moderately than nothing,” mentioned Hardev Singh, father of Shamsher Singh, from Attari village. “One out of the 2 groups should lose. Sadly, it was not our day.”
Sarbjit Singh, father of Harmanpreet Singh, mentioned he spoke to his son and his room companion Mandeep Singh to inspire them for the essential match in opposition to the Germans.
“I advised them to not brood over a misplaced match and give attention to the following match as the entire of India hopes for a hockey medal this time,” Sarbjit mentioned. “Anyway, it isn’t a small feat that after a long time, this workforce reached the semifinals on the Olympics.”
“I advised them they performed properly right now, and that it was solely within the final 10 minutes that Belgium steered the match of their favour,” he added.
Gurjant Singh’s father Baldev Singh mentioned the workforce performed properly for essentially the most half. “They led 2-1 within the first half and it was solely within the second half that Belgium transformed penalty-corners into targets. This implies our workforce’s discipline hockey is powerful sufficient to counter direct assaults,” he mentioned, hoping the workforce would guarantee a medal on Thursday.
In Faridkot, the household of drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh stays assured that the workforce would come again with a medal. “They nonetheless have an opportunity to safe a bronze medal, and I’ve little question that the boys will convey again a medal,” mentioned Rupinder’s father, Harinder Singh.
(With inputs from Amritsar & Faridkot)
