The Autobiography of Aslam Sher Khan
By Matin Khan, Allied Publishers, 1982
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Crucifixion at Montreal |
The ball was a son of a bitch that kept fooling us. Whichever way we tried, it remained out of our reach. A second Australian goal earned applause, and landed me on my bottom on the sidelines. I was replaced by Baldev Singh. At this stage, nothing mattered anymore. A half dozen goals nailed Indian hockey to the astro-turf that fateful day. |
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he match against Australia was a complete disaster, wherein an avalanche of
Australian goals buried our reputation as world champions.
Centre-forward Ronald Riley teased Surjeet, me and the onrushing goalkeeper Ashok Dewan to score the first goal. Surjeet equalised in the 13th minute.
And then it was all over. The ball was a son of a bitch that kept fooling us. Whichever way we tried, it remained out of our reach.
A second Australian goal earned applause, and landed me on my bottom on the sidelines. My replacement Baldev Singh was greeted by a third Aussie goal before the breather.
Chand Singh was replaced by Syed Ali. At this stage, it did not matter, nothing mattered anymore. A half dozen goals nailed Indian hockey to the astro-turf that fateful day.
Sitting helplessly on the sideline, I was the butt of derisive laughter, especially by the girls. Why the hell was I replaced? Coach Gurbaksh had no plausible answer for replacing me. International hockey umpire Gian Singh was to later write in his book, "Aslam Sher Khan's replacement Baldev Singh, and Surjeet Singh, were made to look very small by the Australians."
If anyone deserved to be substituted, it was Ashok Dewan. During the Patiala hockey camp, the goalkeeper had taken a powerful shot by right-half Virender (while playing cricket!), and had lost not only his teeth, but also his nerve. Yet, Ashok Dewan was played, while poor Chhetri, the other goalkeeper, had to keep praying for a chance from the sidelines.
Crucifixion at Montreal