Arjuna awardee MM Somaya was a member of the Indian hockey team that won a gold medal in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He also represented India in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and captained the side in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He represented India in two World Cups, two Asian Games, two Asia Cups and three Champions Trophy tournaments too. Somaya, presently the chief operating officer at the Don Bosco Academy, Matunga, in Mumbai, speaks on the game as it was in his time and as it is now.

What made you take to hockey?
I used to watch hockey from the age of 5 as my father was a member of the Bombay Hockey Association. I became a big fan of the Indian players in the 1960s and 70s and dreamt of wearing the Indian jersey. I started playing hockey from the age of 12 but took to the game seriously only when I was in college at St Xavier’s, Mumbai.

Who were the coaches who helped you become a fine international player?
When in college, Owen Ferreira was a mentor who guided me. Mumbai stalwart Michael Saldanha gave me a break and groomed me for big-time hockey at Mahindra & Mahindra. While with the national team, Balkrishen Singh’s visionary approach to the game helped prepare me for international hockey.

Who was the coach who had the biggest impact on your game and why?
Singh was the coach during 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games. His immense knowledge of the game, intelligent match analysis and planning of strategy created a big impact on me.

When and how did you make it to the Indian senior side?
I began representing Bombay in the junior and senior national championships from 1975. After the Cuttack nationals in 1980, I was picked for the national camp. A few months later I was selected to the Indian team. My international debut was at the Moscow Olympics.

What was the most memorable match of your career and why?
It was the final of the 1980 Moscow Olympics against Spain. It was my first international tournament and that too, an Olympic final where we won the gold after 16 years. The occasion was overwhelming.

What were your experiences as captain of India in the 1988 Olympics?
A childhood dream was fulfilled when I was selected to captain the team in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Circumstances were tough. India had finished 12th at the 1986 London World Cup and the morale was at an all-time low. The IHF then decided to reinstate me as captain after a gap of three years. It was an honour and also a big responsibility. After a few good performances in the build-up, we entered the Games with renewed confidence.

The USSR shocked us in the opener but we recovered to draw with West Germany and then defeated South Korea and Canada. In the last pool match against Britain we needed just a draw to clinch a semi-final berth. Going into the break at 0-0 we were almost there. Then a couple of defensive errors put paid to our efforts. Britain went on to get the better of us and later defeated Australia in the semis and West Germany in the final to win the gold. I felt sad that I could not win a medal as a captain. However, a sixth position in Seoul was an improvement after the ignominy of a last place at the World Cup. So, that was some consolation. The value of that sixth position can be gauged from the fact that the India team managed to better that position only in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Who were the five best forwards you have faced and why?
‘Flying Horse’ Samiullah Khan of Pakistan had a whirlwind pace and was more than a handful for any right-half in the world. Stefan Blocher of Germany, who was a sharp shooting center-forward had an Indian-style dribble and amazing off the-mark acceleration. Ric Charlesworth of Australia had an astute game sense and sharp situational awareness. Ties Kruize of the Netherlands, who was a graceful player and a prolific scorer, had intricate skills and could play at any position equally well. Finally, Pakistan’s Shahbaz Ahmed, who wrong-footed defenders by a swift change of direction and a wide rangy dodge. He was the last of the mesmerising dribblers in world hockey. It was a pleasure to play alongside him for the Asia XI in 1987.

Are foreign coaches a must for Indian hockey?
Yes, they have transformed the way our national teams play. They ensure a stable structure of play, provide incisive tactical inputs and are judicious in selection of players. Equally important is the support team of foreigners that provides scientific training in ensuring that our players stay in peak shape. India’s encouraging results over the past 5-6 years have been a culmination of the efforts of some of the best coaches selected from all over the world. Till we develop the capabilities of home-grown coaches we should continue with foreign coaches.

Your opinion on present-day hockey
Hockey today is much faster than it was when we played. The fitness levels of players are of a very high standard. New skills have evolved and the pattern of play has changed. The old artistic hockey skills have made way for a robust and direct approach. Rule changes, especially the rolling substitution and selfstart rules, have dramatically changed the way the game is played. Transitions from attack to defence and vice versa happen in a flash due to shorter duration that players spend on field. As a result, defences get overloaded. One does not get as much time on the ball as earlier due to quick closing down by opposing defenders. So decision-making has to be much faster. With the offside rule being abolished, the old rigid playing formations have given way to more flexible and fluid ones. A player has to be versatile and be able to play different positions to adapt to these new formations. So, it is a whole newball game.

What does India have to do to win an Olympic gold in hockey ?
India is now much nearer to a gold than ever before in the astro turf era of the game. A little more consistency in front of the goal and during penalty corners would help in bridging the gap. With not many world class goalkeepers in our ranks, we fall short in that department at crucial times. A goalkeepers’ academy to improve the level of goalkeeping could help. Australia and Belgium still seem a few steps ahead of us. We need to analyse their play more closely and work out effective strategies against these two teams.