By Olympic Gold Medallist M. N. Masood
| Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 |
 |
Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 |
Olympic Hockey Semi-Final | India gave a display of scientific
hockey that had not been seen in the tournament before.
When such hockey is played, goals come as a matter of course. The machine of scientific hockey works and produces goals without any apparent effort. Ten goals were scored in this way by India, and the French left the field at the end of the game a disillusioned side. |
|||||
| Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | |
Dara Arrives
An unexpected defeat at the hands of the Germans in our first practice game gave rise to some suggestions from the senior members. In the circumstances, the only way out of the dilemma appeared to be to wire for players from India. These newcomers would even the odds, it was considered, now gone heavily against us on account of the defeat in a practice game.
Of the several players cabled for, Dara was the only one who was expected to join us in the last stages of the tournament, if he made the least possible delay in leaving India by air.
Dara was asked to play inside-right, a position in which he had never played before in his whole hockey career. Can any player, however great he be, be expected to play his usual game in a position and in a team in which he has never played before, and under circumstances absolutely foreign to him?
Is he expected to be physically fit as the occasion would warrant, when he has flown hundreds of miles? Dara arrived in the evening of 10th August, and was asked to play the semi-final against France on 12th August.
Financial considerations should also have been weighed before calling for a player for two matches only. It cost about Rs. 3,000/- (three thousand only) to the Indian Hockey Federation to send Dara to Bcrlin for only a week. Was such an expenditure absolutely necessary at a time when the Federation was begging for money to send her representatives to the Olympic Games?
The effect on the team of the SOS to India may also be described. It shook its confidence in itself, and Germany began to be looked at with an awe. They could only be beaten if help came from India!
Now since Dara came and we won the Olympic Games, his inclusion can be said to have given us the championship. But, with all respect to Dara, was he absolutely necessary for the team and was he sent for in its interest?
India 10 - France 0
India played her fourth international fixture against France on 12th August at 4:30 pm in the Hockey Stadium.
The 12th of August was yet another ideal day for hockey and the ground was dry. A still larger crowd turned up to watch the two semi-finals, and to note the difference in the style of play of the two probable finalists – India and Germany. The German team played against Holland immediately after our game.
India gave a display of scientific hockey such as had not been seen in the tournament before, and the hearts of the German supporters sank when they compared an hour later this dazzling display of short and long passes, dribbling and perfect understanding in the Indian team with the dull, clumsy hard-hitting of the Germans.
India played as one man, each player doing his duty faithfully by the team and making it a perfect whole. It was a game worthy of the world's champions - a game which India, as leader of the world in hockey, should play. No wonder that the big crowd went hoarse by applauding and cheering the Indians, and took away some delightful memories of the India-France match.
When such hockey is played, goals come as a matter of course. The machine of scientific hockey works and produces goals without any apparent effort. Ten goals were scored in this way by India, and the French left the field at the end of the game a disillusioned side.
Dara had arrived from India and was playing his first game in Germany. He combined well with Dhyan and utilised the speedy Shahabuddin opportunely. Jaffar had taken his original position as left-wing, and I was brought in as centre-half and Cullen played right-half. These were the only changes in the team.
It is difficult to point out who played the best in this game. In coordinated, cohesive movements it is the team that plays, and not any individual. So, a perfectly combined side played against France on the 12th August and not some bright individuals.
Dhyan Chand scored four goals, Roop Singh and Dara two each, and Shahabuddin and Tapsell one each. Tapsell scored off a short corner. The individuals may be called the scorers, but all the scoring was actually the result of the collective, united play of the team.
Whether India would show the same form the next day against the Germans, whether the solid German defence would also be swept away before the wily attacks of the Indian forwards, whether the skill and artistry of the Indians would stand successfully the forceful, vigorous play of the Germans, and whether India would retain her title, these were questions on everybody's lips after the game.
The Indian team was as follows: Allen; Tapsell and Mohammad Hussain; Cullen, Masood and Gallibardy; Shahabuddin, Dara, Dhyan Chand, Roop Singh and Jaffar
The Berlin Mosque Committee
After the match, we were guests of the Berlin Mosque Committee with an invitation to take tea with the members. A long speech tracing the history of the Olympic Games and India's part therein was given by the President, and translated afterwards in the German and Arabic languages.
We returned late in the evening, and as the dinner hour in the Village had passed, we had to content ourselves with the not very consoling thought of the speeches and go to bed with only tea in our ever-hungry stomachs.
Dhyan Chand in action against France in the 1936 Berlin Olympics hockey semi-finals