Ranchi, Jan 19 (PTI) Hurtful. Disappointing. Those were the sentiments that coursed through the Indian hockey fraternity after the women’s team failed to secure a Paris Olympics berth on Friday.

India lost to Japan 0-1 in the third-place play-off in the FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifiers here to finish fourth in the tournament.

India needed to finish at least third to travel to the French capital.

Former Indian captain Ajitpal Singh termed the result as a “hurting” one.

“It was really disappointing. Missing out on a Paris Olympics ticket will definitely hurt after dominating for most part of the match. If you get so many scoring chances, including as many as nine penalty corners, and don’t take those opportunities, it is going to hurt you,” Ajitpal told PTI.

The legendary centre-half predicted severe ramifications after the defeat.

“Japan is a very good defensive side and they showed it today. The goal India conceded was also very soft. The ball went in between the goalkeeper’s legs. There definitely will be consequences after this result,” he added.

Dhanraj Pillay, the former Indian skipper, said the team will take a long time to recover from this defeat.

“Not being able to score a goal from nine penalty corners against Japan is not a small thing. By not qualifying for the Olympics, women’s hockey will go far behind.

“The men’s hockey team also took a long time to recover after not qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Now, there is a need to move forward and make the right strategy,’ Pillay, who played four Olympics and four World Cups, told

Source: PTI News