Former India hockey captain and Olympic Gold Quest CEO Viren Rasquinha said it is unrealistic to expect the men's team to win a medal at the Rio Games. Rasquinha said that the team had performed well under coach Roelant Oltmans, but need to set smaller targets and achieve them
Viren Rasquinha
Former India hockey captain and Olympic Gold Quest CEO Viren Rasquinha said it is unrealistic to expect the men's team to win a medal at the Rio Games. Rasquinha said that the team had performed well under coach Roelant Oltmans, but need to set smaller targets and achieve them.
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Viren Rasquinha
"We have to take things one step at a time. India did not qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and then finished last (12th) at London 2012. From there to go and win a medal in Rio is unrealistic. Our first aim should be to qualify for the quarter-finals," said Rasquinha, speaking at a panel discussion after being named by Star Sports as one of its commentators during the August 5-21 Games.
Recollecting his most memorable Olympic moment, the 35-year-old, who represented the country at the Athens Games in 2004, said, "We were down to 10 men and trailed 1-3 before we made it 3-3 against Australia.
"We conceded what turned out to be the match-winner with with 20 seconds left on the clock. Australia went on to win the gold, while we finished seventh. It was so frustrating, I'll never forget that all my life," he said.