In World cup qualifier at Rotterdam Netherlands this year, India was playing against mighty Australians. India went 2-0 down. Suddenly, the team came to life by brilliant field goal from Chinglensana. Moments had gone and suddenly Sandeep Singh was standing crestfallen in Indian ‘D’. Reason- He was the culprit of an own goal. Australia took 3-1 lead. India lost the élan and subsequently, the game.
It was one of those forgettable examples when an own goal decided the complexion of the match. Field Hockey is a game of speed and faint touch of defender’s stick on goal bound shot is not unusual.
This tragic rule came to ground from the first day of this year. Finally, FIH’s decision of forsaking the own goal rule is a welcome step in the promotion of Hockey. Though it is going to be effective from February next year, yet cheers have started to come from hockey fans around the globe. A poll in the Daily Telegraph was conducted in the regard. Over 70 per cent people said ‘No’ to won goal.
Hockey lovers applauded the decision on every medium of social media. Current FIH world player of the year German midfielder Mortiz Furste tweeted loudly- ‘Yessss, we did it.’ He was among those bunch of people who were questioning this rule since it’s birth.
This rule had made the life of defenders doubly tough. They were living in constant nightmare. The rule gave attackers set mantra. It was- Whenever in ‘D’, just shoot the ball towards goal. If it touches the leg of defender, you will get a penalty corner. If it touches the GK, you will get a rebound. And finally, if it touches any stick and touches the net, it will be a goal. This trend slowly gripped all the forwards of the world. Attackers were relying as if shoot at sight order has been relayed to them. Dribbling with the defender in the ‘D’ was ebbing. 3 times World Hockey player of the year Jamie Dwyer also supported the scrapping of rule. He correctly added that now more skill will be required for scoring. Blind pull of the trigger will not work now.
But there is a worry. Junior Hockey World Cup from December 6th in Delhi will be played with this rule. Young lads of 16 countries are participating in it. Young legs are nimble and also can easily fumble. Amit Rohidas and company have to be very careful. Sadly, in comparison to other areas, India’s defense line is callow. They have to survive this tough challenge.
FIH has shown maturity by pulling back this rule. Now the teams have to score themselves for their team. Though it will result in some fewer goals on the ground, yet it will improve the quality and art of hockey manifold. Let’s hope for more delightful hockey, specially in ‘D’.