Indian hockey player Amit Rohidas could not sleep at night due to his suspension from the semi-final match of Paris Olympics, but he is grateful to his teammates that no one questioned him when he received a red card in the quarter-final match against Great Britain. Due to Rohidas being out of this last eight match, the Indian team had to play with 10 players for the last 42 minutes. The Indian team ended its campaign in this Olympics with a bronze medal. This was India’s 13th medal in Olympic hockey.
“I am saddened to miss the semifinal match due to a one-match suspension. It was a very important match. The whole country and my teammates were with me. The team never let me get emotionally down. My focus was only on the next match,” Rohidas said during the team’s felicitation ceremony at India House in Paris on Saturday.
The 31-year-old was sent off the field 42 minutes before the final hooter in the match against Great Britain after his stick inadvertently hit opponent player Will Callanan. The on-field umpire did not consider it serious, but had to change his decision after a video referral. Due to this decision, Rohidas was suspended for the semi-final match against Germany. India had to face a 3-2 defeat in this close match.
When asked about this, Rohidas said, I don’t know what people are saying outside, but as a player I know what I have gone through. It was not intentional, and the referee’s decision is part of the game. He said that I am very proud of this team. Rohidas said that winning the shoot-out despite being one player short was a matter of great pride for me. We showed our countrymen how we can fight despite being less in number. We were successful in defeating Australia in the Olympics after 52 years by winning with 10 players.
