Kochi, Sep 15: Goalkeeper P R Sreejesh, who played a stellar role in India's victory at the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy, has attributed the success to team work.

The player, who was given a warm welcome as he arrived here last night from New Delhi, told reporters at the airport that team work helped India to win the crucial match against Pakistan.

Sreejesh's two saves in the tie-breaker led to India's 4-2 win over Pakistan in the championship in Ordos in China. He hoped that the victory would make hockey more popular in the cricket frenzy nation.

On the players turning down the Hockey India prize money offer, he said it was a collective decision and the issue had been sorted out. Sreejesh also expressed happiness at the Rs 1.5 lakh cash award announced by the Union Sports ministry for the team members.

Sreejesh would be given an official reception by Hockey Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram today.

PTI