New Delhi, Dec.9 (ANI):The Indian Hockey team clinched bronze medal in the Hockey World League Finals tournament beating the world number two Netherlands in a 10-goal thriller. And the man who stood firm under pressure was the Indian goalkeeper and vice-captain.
Sreejesh not only saved the field goals and Penalty corners in the regulation time but was also rock-solid in the penalty shootout.
After regulation time, the score was level at 5-5 and a penalty shootout beckoned. The onus was once again on the India's vice-captain to deliver and the Kerala lad saved 3 out of 5 attempts made by the Dutch.
On the other hand, the Indian players converted 3 out of 5 Penalties helping India finish third in the competition played at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium, Raipur.
This is not the first time the 27-year-old has delivered for India under immense pressure in penalty shootouts. In the inaugural edition of 2011 Asian Champions Trophy final, he was the man who made the difference as India went on to beat arch-rivals Pakistan to clinch the title.
More From This Section
The ultimate moment of glory for the Keralite goalie came in the 2014 Asian Games final against Pakistan where he saved 2 out 4 attempts made by the arch-rivals to help India clinch the gold medal after 16 long years and directly qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
His superlative performances in penalties continued at the Sultan Azlan Shah 2015 too. Sreejesh helped India finish third after overcoming South Korea in the classification match.
And now in the Hockey World League Finals tournament played on home turf to a jam-packed crowd in Raipur, Sreejesh's heroics in Penalty Shootout helped India win their first podium finish in 33 years in a major international tournament.