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The common refrain at the Aishbagh Stadium -- located in the heart of the central Indian city of Bhopal -- if you happen to be within earshot of animated spectators at a hockey match, is dodge karo, goal maro(dodge and score a goal). The crowd knows a drive from a drag-flick, doesnt take back-passes too kindly and is generous in its profanities when it comes to a sloppy defensive line. Legend has it that four decades ago, a Railways team with nine Olympians in it lost a national match to a Bihar team and then had to run to the safety of their hotel rooms, skipping across railway tracks and leaving their equipment behind, to escape the ire of the spectators.Hailing from this city, steeped in the legacy of the sport which can be spotted even in its most forlorn and dimly-lit street corner, 22-year-old Affan Yousuf never questioned its sustained presence in his life. With his father Mohammed Yousuf, grandfather Khuda Dad?and uncle Sameer Dad?having played for the Indian national team, Affan knew it would be a bit of an aberration had he picked anything other from hockey for a living.Making his senior international debut two years ago under Terry Walsh, at the Hockey World League Final, Affan slipped away from the national horizon thereafter. Now, part of the Indian side currently away at the Asian Champions Trophy in Malaysia, he knows that this opportunity would be hard to let go without leaving an impression.The pressure is crushing, admits the forward. I have to perform, he says, Theres no other option. And Affan delivered on Asian Champions Trophy debut, scoring Indias final goal in a crushing 10-2 win against Japan on October 20.Few know his game as closely as a certain Vasudevan Baskaran, who led India to gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and coached both Affan and his uncle Sameer Dad. Affan is a natural left winger and can strengthen the existing team, says Baskaran, Like we saw in Rio, once SV Sunil was marked theres no play in the left zone and India has little option but to depend on penalty corners. Thats where Affan comes in handy.The transition from an outstanding junior to a reliable senior in Indian hockey has been a challenging one, and it hasnt been particularly smooth for the Bhopal boy. Chief coach Roelant Oltmans insists that while Affan had the talent, he was not picked earlier since his play lacked maturity and needed to adapt a lot more to the team style. I had some performance issues, Affan concedes, I think I needed time and experience to improve.Stressing on the need for Affan to grasp the teams style of play and adapt his approach accordingly, Baskaran says, Oltmans has changed some core ideas in the team, like not to lose the ball and to steer clear of wild passes even if theres no space in the forward line. And instead give it back to the defender and start over. Thats something Affan should learn.Starting out with football in school, Affan then switched to hockey and stayed put. During his early years, his father Mohammed Yousuf, who was a left-winger in the national side was his obvious choice for an idol.He would soon find fresh inspiration in his uncle, Sameer. The uncle-nephew combine led the attacking line together for the Bhopal Badshahs, coached by Baskaran, in the World Series Hockey in 2012. Playing for Air India at the senior hockey nationals a year later, Affan and Sameer, then aged 19 and 34 respectively, scored four out of the six goals in the final against Hockey Punjab. Playing alongside my uncle helped me learn a lot, says Affan, That experience was special and will always stay with me.Bhopal is known to have its own brand of hockey. Aside from their dodging skills, most players from the city are known to be natural left-wingers, who rely almost solely on taking on opposition players in one-on-one situations. The crowd, Affan reckons, isnt swayed by big names -- for them, the quality of play is all that matters. While earlier there was a steady stream of players from Bhopal in the national side, the numbers have dipped in the recent past. This is something that Affan himself ascribes to limited exposure, but his presence in the national setup can only benefit both the city and the player.Affan has all the skills to be a part of the core group of the present national side. In fact, the core group should ideally change every year and not remain the same for four years like in the present setup, says Basakarn, Affans dodges in particular are unbelievable. Hes in fact a lot better than some of the current players like Ramandeep (Singh) and Nikkin (Thimmaiah).For now, Affan is keen to cement his place in the Indian side and carry forward the family legacy with his impact during the course of the Asian Champions Trophy, hoping to help India reclaim the crown they last won in 2011.Ive found this opportunity after a long time, says Affan, This is my chance to prove myself. Kyle Guy Kings Jersey . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Vlade Divac Kings Jersey .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. https://www.kingslockerroom.com/Marvin-Bagley-Iii-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Nemanja Bjelica Jersey . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. Bogdan Bogdanovic Kings Jersey . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety.Andy Murray is prepared to defend his Madrid Open title, but there are big questions to be answered on Spains clay courts. Sky Live: Madrid Open Live on Sky Sports until May 8 With world No 1 Novak Djokovic joining the field as the clear favourite, Murray will have his work cut-out. The competition will also include the clay master Rafael Nadal and a host of up-and-comers.Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan answered four key questions... Can Murray beat Nadal on clay? Andy Murray (right) beat Rafa Nadal in last years Madrid final Barry said: Nadal to win. But Andy has an advantage by playing Rafa in Madrid. Rafa has won the title here before, but he would prefer to play clay court matches in Barcelona, Monte Carlo or Roma. Its because of the altitude. I remember a Davis Cup semi-final played in Madrid against the United States, Nadal was very vocal that he didnt want it played there. The game becomes quicker, the ball moves quicker, and you have less time. The big servers come into play. Murrays route to the final Possible future foes for British No 1 At this present stage with the way that Rafa is playing, only Djokovic is better.All the top guys are as comfortable on any of the surfaces. Andy has become very comfortable at moving on clay, when previously he was better on hard courts.He beat Rafa last year, but Rafa was poor. It will be harder this year because Djokovic is playing and Nadal is playing much better.Are Murray and Nadal poised for a successful clay campaign? Rafael Nadal beat Kei Nishikori to claim the Barcelona Open title Barry said: The way Andy played in Monte Carlo suggests he will have a great few weeks.dddddddddddd This part of the year is easier for him than Indian Wells and Miami because hes looking forward to the French Open. He is a master of peaking. You only have to look at his Grand Slam record - he knows how to peak for the big events.I didnt really waiver on Nadal last year but I did this February - he played two tournaments in South America which were a real concern. He had worked so hard to push on this year, but it felt like he was putting himself under too much pressure. He had a lack of belief. He needed to back up his talent in Barcelona, and he certainly did.Its relentless now, the top guys will basically play all the way through from Madrid until the US Open with very little time off. Are Federers recurring injuries a concern? Roger Federer cant turn his back on recent injuries Barry said: The worry is that, once you reach his age, are your little niggles just covering for other injuries? Thats three already hes had this year, two injuries and an illness.As well as taking a toll on his body, it also means hes lacking in matches so he slips further and further behind the other guys who are playing more tennis. Federer withdraws Swiss great out of Madrid Open If you look at the glass half-full, its better to have an injury now than after June. Realistically in the last three or four years, his chances of winning the Australian Open or French Open are going because of the nature of the surfaces. The chances of winning Wimbledon and the US Open are a lot greater. Can Del Potro recapture past glory? Its seven years since Juan Martin Del Potro won the US Open Barry said: From what I saw at Indian Wells and Miami, hes a long way off. For Del Potro, its about playing and getting back onto the court. That wrist injury means he still hits far too many sliced backhands.Hes not going to be able to beat the big guys yet. But is that permanent? I can only judge through what I see during matches, and he cant hit over his backhand. Hes basically going into battle with two out of three weapons.He wont beat a top 10 player with only two weapons working. But hes hitting his backhand more, which is encouraging, and he clearly has rediscovered his passion to compete. Also See: ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Latest scores Get a NOW TV pass Video ' ' '