Men's team had good chance of medal if Olympics was held this year: Ashok Kumar

World Cup-winning hockey legend Ashok Kumar on Wednesday said it would be difficult for Indian men's team to keep up momentum that seemed good eugh for a long-awaited Olympic podium finish had Games been held as scheduled this year.

A key member of 1975 world champion team and a bronze-medallist at Munich Olympics can't help but wonder wher Manpreet Singh-led team would shape up as nicely next year, as it did this year after a stellar 2019.

"If Olympics were held this year, we definitely had some chance. We had shown improvement and we could have got some good results re," Kumar, who scored winning goal against Pakistan in 1975 World Cup final, told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"Definitely, re is a break in momentum and it will really make a big difference. You can't say w (that we will win medal). We will talk about it next year seeing how y perform in build up to Olympics."

In fact, Kumar feels that coach Graham Reid will also be a bit circumspect due to forced break caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

"Even (head coach) Graham Reid will have a big question mark going on his head w. Coaching is going on inside closed doors. Unless you see m in real matches, how will you assess... He's t a machine."

India's best show came against world's top ranked team Belgium, beating a full strength side 2-1 in a Pro League encounter. India also had a commendable 2-2 draw against formidable Australia in ir final Pro League game before world came to a standstill due to pandemic.

70-year-old furr said women's team was also in great shape and would have done well had Olympics been held this year.

"Even our women's team were in peak of ir form and y too had bright chances but w we never kw. We will talk about Olympics only next year," he said, remembering 5-1 win over USA in first leg Olympic Qualifier.

men's team will have a packed calendar when it resumes as it is slated to play in Asian Champions Trophy in vember before a tour to Malaysia followed by a Four-Nation tournament in New Zealand early next year.

team will n resume Pro League against Argentina with back-to-back matches till end of May in build up to Tokyo 2021.

India, who lost to Belgium Rio 2016 quarterfinals, have t won an Olympic medal since Moscow 1980 where y won a gold medal.

"It depends how y regroup and how y keep spirit high. y have to stay motivated, it's purely an individual thing," star dribbler of yesteryears said.

Kumar, however, believed that India have improved a lot in recent past by bolstering ir defence.

"We have a balanced squad at moment. We have plugged hole of leaking goals at last minute. Our defence is much better w."

"We have some good drag-flickers in Rupinder Pal Singh and Simarnjeet Singh. forwards just need to combine a bit more and show ball anticipation."

Kumar, who was a Mohun Bagan legend having mesmerised Kolkata public with his artistry in early '70s, is still enamoured by 'City of Joy'. 

"I was so thrilled that I left my B Com exams midway to play alongside legends of country in Mohun Bagan.

"re were greats like Shahid or, Inam-ur Rahman, Gurbux Singh and Vece Paes who were playing for Mohun Bagan n. It's a decision I won't regret," he recalled.

From 1969, Ashok Kumar played for three seasons at Mohun Bagan, a golden era during which y won first division hockey league four times in a row, besides winning coveted Beighton Cup twice.

"y (Mohun Bagan) were highly impressed by my skills at University games and had sent me an offer letter.

"I made my national debut from Mohun Bagan and went on to represent country at Olympics. I will always cherish this award as Mohun Bagan is like my second home," he signed off. 

Im credits: Screengrab from YouTube