Sardar satisfied
Sardar himself was pleased with the performance and said, "As the coach said, the first games are always difficult and all other teams have a big goal to qualify for Olympics, so they are going to fight hard. So, a win like this in close game is also good for youngsters, who will learn from it."

Van Ass added, "The good part is that in the end, we managed a third goal and won the match. Sardar (pointing to the Indian skipper seated next to him) forced his way and moved up and provided the kind of energy we need."

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'Credit to Ramandeep'
Then he had some special words for Ramandeep Singh, who was not in the starting line-up. "We were 2-2 and with just a few minutes to go. Ramandeep was on the bench and I wanted a third goal, so I asked who would go and get us the goal. Ramandeep put himself up and said he would score. We need that kind of emotion and we got it today." Ramandeep's goal gave India a winning start in the tourney.