New Delhi: The Indian players and the support staff would be rewarded with Rs one lakh each for the superb 4-1 win over Pakistan in their hockey World Cup opening match, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi announced.
A delighted Kalmadi patted the players and coach Jose Brasa for the thrilling win against Pakistan.
"The players played really well. It is a great start in the tournament. What (former coach) Ric Charlesworth could not not do Brasa has done. Full credit to Brasa and the players. They will be given Rs 1 lakh each," Kalmadi said after the match.
Experienced forward Prabhjot Singh, who scored a goal, said it was like celebrating 'Holi' a day in advance. "We were delighted to win the match, we played as a team.
It is like celebrating "Holi' in advance," Prabhjot said after the match.
Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, who scored two goals, was happy to have contributed to the team's cause and said his side will have to now think of playing Australia.
"I am happy to have scored twice and helped the team win. It is great feeling but we have a tough match against Australia on Tuesday. Australia are a very strong side though they lost to England today. We have a job at hand," said Sandeep, whose birthday fell yesterday.
Pakistan striker Rehan Butt, who scored thrice in his side's 6-3 win against India when the two sides met last time in Argentina last December, said he was a bit surprised by the Indian domination today.
"Yes, I would say I was a bit surprised. India played really well. If India maintain this form they will surely reach the semifinals," he said.
"We are still in the tournament. We can bounce back still. We have to improve our performance and we can beat any side on our day. If we also reach semifinal it will be great for Asian hockey," said Rehan, who is known as 'rat' for his goal-poaching abilities especially against India.
A delighted Kalmadi patted the players and coach Jose Brasa for the thrilling win against Pakistan.
"The players played really well. It is a great start in the tournament. What (former coach) Ric Charlesworth could not not do Brasa has done. Full credit to Brasa and the players. They will be given Rs 1 lakh each," Kalmadi said after the match.
It is like celebrating "Holi' in advance," Prabhjot said after the match.
Advertisement
"I am happy to have scored twice and helped the team win. It is great feeling but we have a tough match against Australia on Tuesday. Australia are a very strong side though they lost to England today. We have a job at hand," said Sandeep, whose birthday fell yesterday.
Advertisement
"Yes, I would say I was a bit surprised. India played really well. If India maintain this form they will surely reach the semifinals," he said.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Citroen Basalt (Tata Curvv Rival) Variant-Wise Prices Are Out: Full List 5km In 30 Minutes, Gym, Batting: How India Star Sarfaraz Khan Has Kept Fitness In Five Months Of No Cricket IMF's Gita Gopinath Goes Bullish On India's Economic Growth Kolkata Rape-Murder: Fractures, 150 mg Semen, Other Claims Denied By Cops LIVE: CBI Team At Kolkata Hospital For Digital Mapping Of Crime Scene Kolkata Rape-Murder: 5 Demands Of Doctors On 24-Hour Nationwide Strike Citroen Basalt (Tata Curvv Rival) Variant-Wise Prices Are Out: Full List US Supreme Court Keeps Block On Rules Protecting Transgender Students How Rupert Murdoch Helped Create A Monster - The Era Of Trumpism Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.