Autobiography of Hockey Wizard Dhyan Chand
Published by Sport & Pastime, Chennai, 1952
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India vs. Japan | I cannot explain why and how the
lone goal was scored against us, and how, of all the persons, a goalkeeper
like Allen was beaten.
Japan played much better at the Games than in our earlier practice match in Tokyo. One explanation could be that almost every day when we were practising at the University ground, the Japanese hockey players watched us minutely. The Japanese copied our style and played fairly well. |
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played our first match on August 4 against Japan. As anticipated, we won easily,
by 11 goals to 1. Our performance was a little less impressive considering that
in the entire 1928 Olympic hockey tournament, not a single goal was scored
against us. In 1928, we played against much better known hockey nations
compared to Japan and United States, who had taken up hockey very late.
I cannot explain why and how the lone goal was scored against us, and how, of all the persons, a goalkeeper like Allen was beaten. We took this match rather lightly because we had played Japan in Tokyo on our way to the United States, and we knew their strength.
Japan had played much better at the Games. One explanation could be, perhaps, that almost every day when we were practising at the University ground, the Japanese hockey players watched us minutely. In this very short time, the Japanese players copied our style and played fairly well.
Hamada, their dimunitive goalkeeper, had a hectic time defending his goal. We scored 4 goals in the first half. The solitary goal of Japan was scored in the second half - Inochora, their outside-left, converted a penalty corner with a shot that surprised our defenders. It was a quick flick, and just entered the net between Allen, and as far as I can remember, Tapsell.
The Japanese seemed content to hold the score down, and played a truly defensive game throughout. Roop Singh and Gurmit Singh each scored thrice, Dickie Carr once, and myself four times.
The Indian team was as follows:
The Japanese team was as follows:
On August 8, the United States lost to Japan by 2 goals to 9. The Americans were heavily outclassed. Inochora was the top-scorer with 4 goals. What remained now was the our match against the United States.
India vs. USA in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. India wins by a world record score of 24-1