Adrian D'Souza
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Adrian Albert D'souza (born March 24, 1984 in Mangalore, Karnataka) is a field hockey goalkeeper from India, who made is international debut for the Men's National Team in January 2004 during the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. D'Souza his native country at the 2004 Summer Olympics, where India finished in seventh place. Regarded as one of the most innovative and daring goal-keepers of recent times, Adrian bought the rushing technique to the hockey field. Adrian was the captain of the India Junior Hockey team, which participated in the Rabobank 2005 Junior Hockey World Cup (Under 21's).
[edit] Background
Adrian was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He has done his schooling from St Anne's High School, Orlem, Malad. He was always active in sports and a very good football player. Hockey, happened to Adrian as an accident, because the regular Goal-Keeper of the team did not report for a game. Adrian has since never looked back. He got his first break in the Air-India Hockey Academy as a 16 year old. After 3 years Adrian was representing India at the Athens Olympics.
Adrian always wears his lucky number 12 jersey while on the field.
Adrian D'Souza also plays in the Premier Hockey League for the Maratha Warriors.
[edit] Hockey Career Highlights
Was then a part of the Junior India team that participated in the 6 Nation Junior Champions Challenge at Gniezno,Poland in 2003. Was awarded Best Goal-keeper.
Represented Senior India at the 2004 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
Was a part of the Junior India team that won the 2004 Junior Asia Cup in Karachi, Pakistan. Was awarded the Best Goal-Keeper.
Represented Senior India at a 4 Nation Tournament in Japan.
Represented Senior India at the 4 Nation Rabobank Trophy at Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Participated in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games for the Indian Hockey Team.
Was selected to represent India in the 4 match (bilateral) Test series between India and Pakistan in Sep-Oct 2004 to be held in Pakistan. Was awarded the Best Goal-Keeper for the Pakistan leg.
Was also awarded the Best Player of the Series for the entire 8 Match Test series between India and Pakistan played in Oct’2004.
Represented India in the prestigious 6 Nation Champions Trophy Challenge In Lahore,Pakistan in December 2004.
Was nominated for the prize of the Worlds Most Promising Young player Award for the year 2004 by the FIH.
Was a part of the Maratha Warriors team for the inaugural Premier Hockey League 2005.
Represented Junior India in the 6 Nation invitational tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005.
Was awarded India’s “Player of the Year” for the year 2004 by the Indian Hockey year book.
Was the captain of the Junior Indian Hockey Team at the 2004 Rabo World Junior Hockey Championship held at Rotterdam, Netherlands. India finished 4th in the tournament.
Was awarded the HISA ( Hero Indian Sports Academy ) award for best Indian Hockey player of the year for 2004.
Participated in the inaugural Super League organized by the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Represented Baloch Lions and was awarded the 2nd Best Goal-Keeper award.
Participated in the Champions Trophy in December 2006 in Chennai, India.
Represented India in the 6 match bi-lateral series with Pakistan in February 2006 and the Commonwealth Games 2006 in Melbourne, Australia.
Represented India at the 17th Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. India won a bronze medal.
Selected to represent India at the FIH World Cup 2006 in Monchengladbach, Germany.
