The team that won India its first and only junior hockey World Cup title so far can't wait for the tournament to be held for the first time in the country even as they took a trip down memory lane to recall their struggles to win the trophy in 2001.
Veteran forward Deepak Thakur, who was the top-scorer in that historic triumph, said it was an unbelievable feat for the team.
Thakur had scored 10 goals in the tournament while Devesh Chouhan was adjudged the best goalkeeper. India are among the top contenders in the tournament going to be held in Lucknow from December 8 to 18.
"When we think about the 2001 World Cup now, we just can't believe that how we managed to win. It was sheer individual brilliance and calibre of that team. We were superior in each department," he said.
"Apart from me we had players like Gagan Ajit, Prabhjot in attack, Ignace (Tirkey) and Jugraj (Singh) in defense, Prabodh (Tirkey), Bimal (Lakra), Arjun (Halappa), Viren (Rasquinha) were a part of the team and Devesh (Chouhan) was goalkeeper," Thakur told PTI Bhasha.
Former captain Rajpal Singh also said the 2001 team was very high on quality.
"You can imagine how powerful the team was that the 18th player of the team became the captain of the senior team in 2010 and that was me. Most of the players are still active at domestic level," he said.
He said players did not have facilities like today but there were no complaints as they had just one common goal and that was to win the title.
"I still remember that we had practised in the hot Hyderabad weather and then went to play in chilly winter in Hobart. Not only that but the food was so bad that we survived on Pizzas for the whole tournament," he added.
"But we had positivity in the team and from the first day only our motto was to win the title. Team was united as it was a matter of revival for our Hockey. That was a bad phase for Indian Hockey and only a major title could revive its fortunes," said the striker from Punjab.
"Now the players have all the facilities. Hockey has professional approach and conditioning are important aspect of preparation. Players don't have to travel for two three days in train," he said.
India could not emulate the success in last 15 years but the veterans feel that this time there is a realistic chance.
"I think they will easily reach till semifinal. Preparation is good and they had the exposure as well. I don't find any minus point and hope that they win the title this time in front of home crowd," said Thakur.
"There is a realistic chance of a podium finish this time. Format is also supportive as earlier we had league, super league, semifinal and final format. Now we have league, quarter final and final format. We have to see that how the team takes advantage of this," said Rajpal.
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