How Team Gonasika Rode on Extra Dose of ‘Jagbir’ Motivation to Log First Full Points

Team Gonasika had an ‘extra dose of motivation’ running through their veins going into their third game in the 6th Men’s Hockey India League – a key member of their team think-tank – Jagbir Singh, a two-time Olympian and former ace forward had suffered a heart attack after he was rushed to a hospital in Rourkela following a chest congestion complaint during team’s practise session.

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The Vizag-based franchise needed to hit the winning ways after being winless in their first two games – the news of Jagbir Singh being hospitalized must have pumped up the Manpreet Singh-captained outfit. Of course, it is important to emphasize that Team Gonasika had their moments against Delhi SG Pipers in the league opener and clawed their way from leaking an early goal to not just equalize, but took the lead before a late Pipers’ strike fast-forwarded the contest into a shootout where they came up short.

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The Paul Revington-coached side stayed competitive against table toppers Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – they again did the catching up like their first game and equalised against the Kolkata franchise before going down by the odd goal in three.

Up against Hyderabad Toofans Team Gonasika exuded resilience to knock the stuffing out of the Southern franchise. International-retired and vastly experienced forward SV Sunil put the Vizag outfit very early in the contest and although the Toofans squared things up via Tim Brand, the performance of Team Gonasika indicated that they have raised their game by several notches. Skipper Manpreet Singh, who hasn’t looked at his best in the previous games, exuded inspirational leadership and was a key factor why his side held sway over a formidable Toofans.

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After sounding below-par in the first two games, Team Gonasika forwardline appear to hit their groove – the likes of Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal. Struan Walker, and SV Sunil. Manpreet Singh is commanding a towering presence in the midfield alongside Lee Morton, Yashdeep Siwach and Jack Waller – in the deep defence, France’s Victor Charlet has held firm alongside Nila Sanjeev Xess, Jacob Draper, backed by a solid goalkeeper in Ollie Payne.

The first full points for Team Gonasika is significant because it has propelled them to third spot in the points table. The medical emergency of Jagbir Singh surely lent an extra spring in the strides of determined Vizag franchise.