When India came from behind to stun the Netherlands in the penalty shootout to claim the bronze in the Hockey World League earlier this month, the men's team had broken a long standing jinx. This was India's first medal in an International Hockey Federation event in 33 years - the previous one coming in 1982 when they beat Pakistan to claim the Champions Trophy bronze.
It was a great way to end the year by a team which saw several memorable moments on the field and a few controversial ones off it. Seven months back, in May, controversy arose when the chief coach Paul van Ass did not return to resume his job following India's fourth-place finish in the Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium. This was triggered by the coach's spat with Hockey India president Narinder Batra. Hockey India soon formed a panel which recommended van Ass' removal.
