Hockey in India. Hockey was introduced in India by British Army regiments, the first hockey club came up in Calcutta in 1885-86 and soon Bombay and Punjab followed suit. Making its Olympic debut at the 1928 Amsterdam Games, Indian hockey team cruised home to its first Olympic gold, without conceding a single goal. The hallmark of this ruthless domination was the wizardry of Indian hockey legend – Dhyan Chand, who mesmerized the Amsterdam crowd with his dazzling skills. From 1928 to 1956, the Indian hockey juggernaut won six straight Olympic gold medals, while winning 24 consecutive matches. During this time, India scored 178 goals conceding only 7 in the process.
This was the golden era of Indian hockey, when India loomed large in world hockey and produced some of the finest players the game has ever seen. During this dominance, one name that clearly comes to mind is Balbir Singh. For almost three decades, Indian team had about five players with the same name. The first Balbir Singh played with the great Indian teams of 1948, 1952 and 1956. He reached the pinnacle of success at Helsinki in 1952 when he scored five goals in a 6-1 gold medal victory over the Netherlands. The four later Balbir Singhs played with the later Indian champions.

The Indian stranglehold over the Olympic hockey gold came to an end, when Pakistan defeated India in the final of the 1960 Rome Olympics. However, the record created by India is likely to stand strong through ages, as no other country has ever managed to come close to it, leave about beating it. Talking about some of the legendary and outstanding players of Indian hockey, Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh, K.D. Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Dilip Tirkey are some names that come to mind instantly. Thanks to their exceptional gaming technique and enduring enthusiasm, the position of India in the field of hockey achieved new heights

Music video: song and clip made by Seesawtrace. Dedicated to the StormSet girls field hockey team, circa 1915#!

This is the best field hockey match Played in champions trophy 2010 hockey tournament .Australia defeated Holland after a sensational match up between them.

Summer Olympics – 1936 – Germany vs India

THIS SONG IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE GREAT INDIAN Field Hockey WIZARD DHYAN CHAND WHO DESERVES A BHARAT RATNA

Winning three gold medals in Olympic games, he is undoubtedly, the best hockey player, India has ever produced.
He was born in a Rajput family on August 29,1905 in Prayag in Uttar Pradesh. His father was an army subedar. After an early education, he joined the Indian army at the age of 16, in 1922. He was a sepoy of the 14 Punjab Regiment. Subedar-Major Bhole Tiwari of Brahmin Regiment noticed his excellent dribbling skills and knack for scoring goals.
His exceptional abilities were proved in a match in 1927 when he exhibited his skills against the English hockey team, netting 36 of India’s 72 goals in 10 matches, at the London Folkstone Festival. In 1928, Dhyan Chand was selected to represent the Indian hockey team in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Netherlands. He helped India win the gold medal and winning the finals against the Netherlands by a score of 3-0. In the 1932 Summer Olympics held at Los Angeles, USA, the team defended their tide, winning the gold. The team routed the US hockey team 24-1, a record that exists till today. During 1935 tour of New Zealand and Australia, he scored 201 goals out of the team’s tally of 584 in 43 matches. Don Bradman, the legendary cricketer and Dhyan Chand once came face to face at Adelaide in 1935, when the Indian hockey team was in Australia. After watching, Dhyam Chand in action, Don Bradman remarked, He scores goals like runs in cricket.
The 1936 Summer Olympics final at Berlin in Germany proved his love for the country and audacious jugglery and leadership qualities. Initially, Chand was refused permission to go at the Olympics. However, later he captained the hockey team. In a patriotic note, the team raised the Indian tricolour in the dressing room and sang ‘Vande Mataram’, rather than the British national anthem, which they were obliged to sing. The Indians were leading by 1- 0 at the half time. In the second half, they scored 7 goals. After trailing 0 – 6, the Germans are reported to have resorted to body play. In a clash with the German goalkeeper, Chand broke one of his teeth, but was soon back in action. India won the match by 8-1, with Dhyan Chand scoring 6 goals. Impressed by his performance, Adolf Hitler, supposedly, offered to make Dhyan Chand a Field Marshal in the German army but the latter refused. After World War II, he continued to play till the age of 42. After his retirement, Dhyan Chand earned a diploma in coaching from the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, Punjab. Residents of Vienna, Austria, honoured him by setting up his statue with four hands and four sticks, depicting his control and mastery over the ball

Summer Olympics – 1972 – Germany vs Pakistan – Gold Medal Game

Team USA Bill Christian’s third period game winning goal to defeat the Soviet Union on the way to gold at the 1960 Winter Olympics

Summer Olympics – 1960 – Rome Stadium – Amateur Footage – Field Hockey at 1:04 to 2:00

World Cup – 1994 – Men – Netherlands vs Pakistan – Gold Medal Game

World Cup – Men – 2010 – Australia vs Germany – Gold Medal Game

London Cup – 2011 – Men – Belgium vs England – Bronze Medal Game

Hockey Classics #29 – Samsung Champions Trophy – Men – 2007 – Australia vs Netherlands – 500th Champions Trophy Game

Hockey Classics #21 – Samsung Champions Trophy – Men – Netherlands vs Spain – 2004 – Gold Medal Game

Hockey Classics #19 – Rabo Champions Trophy – Women – China vs Germany – 2006 – Gold Medal Game

Hockey Classics #13 – World Cup – 2006 – Australia vs Germany – Gold Medal Game

Hockey Classics #7 – Champions Trophy – Men – Bronze Medal Game – India vs Pakistan – 2003

Hockey Classics #6 – Champions Trophy – Men – India vs Netherlands – 2003

Hockey Classics #5 – Champions Trophy – Men – 2003 – Australia vs Pakistan

Hockey Classics #4 – GEW Champions Trophy – Men – Bronze Medal Game – India vs Pakistan

Hockey Classics #4 – GEW Champions Trophy – Men – Bronze Medal Game – India vs Pakistan

Hockey Classics #3 – Champions Trophy – Men – 11 Goal Thriller – India vs Pakistan – 2003

Hockey Classics #2 – Champions Trophy – Men – Gold Medal Game – Australia vs Netherlands – 2003

Hockey Classics #1 – World Cup – Men – Gold Medal Game – Australia vs England – 1986

Hockey Classics #18 – Women – Argentina vs Netherlands – Champions Trophy – 2006#!