Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India is mesmerized by another heroic performance by Sreejesh in India’s thrilling victory against Great Britain in the quarterfinal of the Paris Olympics on Sunday. 

Dilip Tirkey, a member of the gold-winning Indian men's squad in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998 has experience of 412 international matches including three Olympics was called the 'wall of Indian hockey' for his exquisite defending quality, especially near the goalpost. 

The 47-year-old former Olympian stated while speaking to Parallel Sports over the phone from Paris after the match, “I am amazed to have watched Sreejesh under the posts. Even at 36, his fitness, anticipation, and reflex were awesome.” 

He continued, "Today also he came as the savior, rescuing us from two genuine goals in the regulation time, and then he steered India with two magnificent saves again in the shoot-out. He played in disguise of god today." 

The Hockey India president who is expecting the team would ensure a berth in the final also revealed his anxiety after Amit Rohidas was sent off in the 17th minute. “I was anxious whether playing with 10 men they would be able to snatch victory against strong Great Britain. But as our players showed the determination and the courage of launching counter attacks despite being 10 men, I became optimistic after the shoot-out started,” added Dilip. 

Sreejesh emerged hero with a superb performance under the bar as India beat Great Britain 4-2 in a shoot-out to enter the semifinals and remain on course to win its second consecutive Olympic medal, here on Sunday. 

India were reduced to 10 men after Amit Rohidas was shown a red card for raising his stick against a Great Britain player. But the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist valiantly defended for close to 40 minutes to hold an attacking Great Britain 1-1 in regulation to force a shoot-out. 

India obtained the lead through Harmanpreet Singh in the 22nd minute from a penalty corner before Great Britain drew level through Lee Morton from a field effort in the 27th minute.

India will face either Argentina or Germany in the semi-final.