Birthday Gift!

Who does not like a gift? Not me... and am sure many of you also love to recieve a nice surprise birthday gift. This is exactly what Adrian did yesterday... On a bright sunny afternoon in Ipoh, Adrian had the perfect recipe to produce one of the best recent goal-keeping performances lately. To do this against our arch-rivals Pakistan, just adds that much more icing onto the cake.

So, it was my Mom's birthday on the 14th of May. And as it as happened over the past few years, nor Adrian or Me were around to celebrate it. So my Mom and Dad had their little celebration. Cake cutting at home a small birthday party given by Dad to Mom at the Marriot. But this was not all. Adrian had other plans.

Adrian, was not going to let the distance matter and made sure Mom had something to remember about 'Shanu' and her birthday day.

I watched the game live!! Me and Manish, enjoied every bit of the game. Hockey is very exciting and if it is a India-Pak game, then the intensity is even greater.No team wants to give one quarter away. Pakistan, were playing at full strength. They had a small hiccup the previous day when Belgium got the better of them 3-5.But prior to that they were unbeaten. A win against India would have put them through to the finals. So they had a lot at stake, leaving aside the fact that they were playing their fiercest rivals.

India, on the other hand, were just about surviving. After 2 humbling loses, India just about scrapped to 2 win. Against Canada, we came back froma goal down to win 3-1 and against Belgium, we were leading 5-1 until it became 5-4 and finally we closed it 6-4.

But things were going to change. Of course, it was my mom's birthday!!!! India scored early through a PC and missed atleast a couple of chances to add to their tally. In the meanwhile, the Pakistan team looked lost on the field. The defense made silly errors, the mid-field would not release the ball and Rehan and Co up front looked isolated. Taking advantage, India scored a second goal and wow, things looked gr8. India took this 2-0 advantage to the lemon break!

This is where things change. coming back from the break, India were a changed side.The attacking flair seemed lost. The team looked as if they had no purpose and no attacking was happening. Pakistan on the other hand, came out all guns blazing. M.Saqlain was getting his rhythm back and looked ominious. His controlling of the mid-field is dangerous for any opposition. But we had a hero!! Pakistan,just kept hitting the wall... Adrian was not going to let the ball past him. He brought of saves using his stick, his kickers, his gloves, his pads.. whatever he had.. was used!! The only thing I did not notice was him using the helmet to save.

But, AD was tremendous.Excellent is too soft a term for his performance. He single-handedly took India past Pak. He last minute save was tremendous. He would have saved all day I think. Thats what confidence can do to you. Soon the 70 minutes got over.India had beaten Pak, 2-1. It was an upset win. No one gave India a chance. But the team proved everyone wrong. Ric Charlseworth is making the difference. A team with 12 juniors is on the verge of making it to the finals of the Sultan Azlan Shah cup. Go India Go! India pay Malaysia tomo and its a virtual semi-final for India. Win and make it through to the finals.

I am very confident that India would be able to out it across the home nation.

Coming back home, my Mom called me at 2:40 AM. She was not aware that I had watched the entire game live. I spoke to her and she was so excited and happy. It was nice to know what. Being so far away, AD was still able to make Mom smile and feel happy. Today when i spoke to AD, he told me that the WIN was dedicated to Mom. It was a small token of appreciation from AD to my family.

It is the zillionth time that AD has made us all proud. When i say US, it is not my family, but all of us.Us Indians, it is his hardwork and commitment that has kept him going for 4 years now. As a fresher who was selected in may 2004 to play for India to a senior pro taking India on his shoulders to the next level of hockey, he has come a long way.
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thanks AD for the gift. Mom could not have asked for anything bigger or better.Now, yours truly has to decide what gift I can send across. I have already missed the deadline, and I am sure I cant even remotely come close to what AD gave to MOM.

So looking forward to India beating the host nation and taking Argentina in the final. its gonna be a rocking weekend!!!

enjoi and take care!