Jackson hopes soccer-mad England wakes up to hockey

By Avishek Roy, New Delhi, March 9 : The rising star of English hockey, Ashley Jackson hopes the team's semi-final appearance in the World Cup here will do a world of good to popularise the sport back home where football is an obsession.

Jackson, who played a stellar role in England's European Championship win, says the historic triumph last August went virtually unnoticed.

It was England's first major title since the 1908 and 1920 Olympic gold medals as Great Britain.

"Back home, nobody knew that we were European Champions and that too, after we had beaten the top teams of the world. It is difficult when you do not get recognition after performing so well. But we understand that hockey can no way match the popularity of football," Jackson told IANS.

"We hope that after making to the World Cup semi-final, which is a big event, our performance will not go unnoticed. Our performance here should get the game more publicity," he added.

The 22-year-old, who scored eight goals to become the player of the tournament in the European Championship, has struck four times here in five matches. Two of the goals came in the crucial match against India. But Jackson says he is far from his best.

"The best thing is that there is no pressure on me to perform because we have got a fantastic squad. We have played together for a long time and the unity in the team has kept us going."

"We entered the tournament as rank outsiders, and that helped us, because there were less expectations. We know what we can do as a team and we feel satisfied that we have been able to repeat our success."

Jackson, the first British player to win the FIH young player of the year award in 2009, says the team has developed into a fighting unit.

"We are developing as a team with every tournament. It is important for us to keep doing that because we are building this team for the the 2012 Olympics at home. We are in the right track because we are getting some good results," says the attacking midfielder and penalty corner specialist, who plays for East Grinstead Hockey Club.

Jackson played age group cricket for his county Kent before he picked up the hockey stick and turned out for Dutch club H.O.C. Gazellen-Combinatie (HGC). He immediately made his mark as the leading goal scorer in the 2008 Dutch premier league.

"The Dutch league is very competitive as world's top hockey players take part there. The payment is good. My (England) captain Barry Middleton also plays for the club. So overall I enjoyed my stint."

For the moment though, Jackson is looking to finish the World Cup on a high.