Sreejesh opposes ‘2-point field goal’ rule

As the Indian hockey team camped at the SAI in Bangalore, Sreejesh spoke to the media criticizing the rule.

“I am against it” said the keeper adding, “When you concede five goals and the board shows 10 it’s a bit demotivating for the goalkeeper. It’s great entertainment for the spectators, but it’s a challenging task for the goalkeeper. Nowadays, conceding a field goal is worse than a penalty-corner, so we are more worried about that,” he told The Hindu in an exclusive interview.

Sreejesh has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the past year and was largely responsible for India’s bronze-medal finish in the Hockey World League finals in 2015. India’s hopes appeared in good hands when the custodian exuded confidence about the upcoming Rio Olympics, “At the Olympics every goal feels like 10 goals. So we can’t take it lightly. Whether it’s one or two goals doesn’t matter. The team needs a strong goalkeeper. A couple of good saves can change the rhythm of the game.”

Attacker S.V. Sunil also was not in favor of the HIL rule saying, “It helps the forwards.”

Sunil added, “We will try more to score field goals. But I don’t feel this should be implemented at the international level. It will be difficult for the team. If there is a goal difference of one, as the leading team we try to keep it tight but you do not know when the other side may score. Normally, you try more to score from penalty-corners and try to win the game that way. But you can’t predict what will happen now,” reported The Hindu.