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In a World Cup qualifier at Rotterdam Netherlands this year, India was playing against the mighty Australians. India were 2-0 down when suddenly, the team came to life by a brilliant field goal from Chinglensana. But just moments after that Sandeep Singh was standing crestfallen in the Indian ‘D’. The reason – he was the culprit of an own goal. Australia took a 3-1 lead, India lost their 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 a faint touch of a defender’s stick on a goal-bound shot is not unusual.
So the 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, cheers have already started to come from hockey fans around the globe. A poll in the Daily Telegraph was conducted in the regard, and over 70 percent people said ‘No’ to own goal.
Hockey lovers applauded the decision on every social media channel. Current the FIH World Player of the Year German midfielder Mortiz Furste tweeted loudly – ‘Yessss, we did it.’ He was among the bunch of people who were questioning this rule since its birth.
The rule had made the life of defenders doubly tough; they were living in a constant nightmare. The rule gave attackers a set mantra: whenever in the ‘D’, just shoot the ball towards goal. If it touches the leg of the defender, you will get a penalty corner. If it touches the goal-keeper, 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 on the goal as though a ‘shoot at sight’ order had been relayed to them. Dribbling with the defender in the ‘D’ was ebbing.
Three-time World Hockey Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer also supported the scrapping of the rule. He correctly added that now more skill will be required for scoring. Blindly pulling the trigger will not work now.
But there is a worry. The 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.
The FIH has shown maturity by pulling back this rule. Now the teams have to score themselves for their team. Though it will result in fewer goals on the ground, it will improve the quality and art of hockey manifold. Let’s hope for more delightful hockey, specially in the ‘D’.
