To Hell With Hockey

The Autobiography of Aslam Sher Khan
By Matin Khan, Allied Publishers, 1982

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We Win One,

We Lose One

India started with a bang. Not even a minute had passed when Ajeet Singh scored a goal. India put in 3 more goals to avenge the loss to Argentina in the previous World Cup.

On the way back to the village, the team was euphoric. Holland, against whom we were to play next, was forgotten.

It was only remembered when we lost to them.

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I ndia's opening match in the Montreal Olympics was against Argentina. We were a bit scared as the only loss that India suffered in the 1975 World Cup was to Argentina.

India started with a bang. Not even a minute had passed when Ajeet Singh scored a goal. India put in 3 more goals and thus avenged the defeat we suffered in the previous World Cup.

On the way back to the village, the team was euphoric, and the coach was like a jukebox on wheels. Holland, against whom we were to play next, was forgotten. It was only remembered when we lost to them.

We did not have a fully fit team for the match against Holland. Inside-left Chand Singh had twisted his ankle in the opener against Argentina. The doctor's advice was "Play only if you can." However, Surjeet Singh insisted that Chand Singh would be able to play.

Ashok added, "If that does not work out, I will switch to inside-left, shift Phillips to my position as inside-right, and bring in full-back Baldev Singh on the right flank."

There was something wonky about it all. Why couldn't they simply play inside-left Syed Ali in place of the injured inside-left Chand Singh. Syed had been selected for that position, but instead was wasted on the sidelines.

Since the management never consulted me, I never volunteered my opinion.

In the match against Holland, Surjeet Singh's penalty corner shots were no good against the invincible Dutch goalkeeper. Mine proved no good either, as I kept hitting the ball out of the goal instead of into it.

Dutch full-back Paul Litjens cracked in two penalty corner goals, in the 47th and 48th minutes, thereby proving us to be novices and not specialists in the art of converting penalty corners.

Australia loomed next for India.

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The Feared Penalty Corner Specialists of Holland

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