Adrian Albert D'souza 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. Adrian has more than 100 International Caps for his country in all competitions. He has played in all major field hockey tournaments, including the 2006 Hockey World Cup, 2006 Asian Games, 2007 Asia Cup and 2 Champions Trophies. Regarded as one of the most innovative and daring goal-keepers of recent times, Adrian bought the rushing technique to the hockey field. Adrian has competed in 3/4 Major International Hockey Events Olympics, World Cup, Asian Games. Total Caps of 165 for his country
Early life and education
Adrian attended the St. Anne's School in Mumbai till grade 10. After completing grade 12 from Khalsa Junior College Mumbai, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology from Rizvi College, Mumbai. While active in sports, he was also a good football player. At Age 17 Adrian got Selected for the prestigious Air India Hockey Academy in New delhi
Career
Adrian's introduction to hockey happened by coincidence at the age of 9. The regular goal-keeper of his school team did not report for a game and Adrian agreed to play as a replacement. He had a broken tooth by the end of the match and promised never to play keeper again. But his coach was impressed and Adrian since never looked back. Adrian has played 165 International Matches for his country Adrian is one of the youngest hockey players to play at the Olympics at the age of 20
Domestic Clubs
His first Domestic hockey Club was Mumbai Customs in 2001 In 2002 he got selected to play for Air India which got him the best goalkeeper award in The Bombay Gold Cup and was called for his first Senior Hockey National Camp Adrian Joined B.P.C.L in 2003 Indian Airlines in 2005 which is now Air India .
International
Total Caps - 165 Adrian was awarded the best goal-keeper award while being a part of the Junior India team that participated in the 6 Nation Junior Champions Challenge at Gniezno, Poland in 2003. He made his international debut as a senior in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur in January 2004. His performance in the Junior Asia Cup in April that India won earned him the best goalkeeper award. This was followed by four-nation tournaments in Japan, The Netherlands and Germany. He represented India at the 2004 Athens Olympics, which saw India end in the 7th position. In the 8 match test series between India and Pakistan played in October 2004, he was awarded the best goalkeeper for the Pakistan leg, while also being adjourned the best player of the series. D'Souza was captain of the Indian team in the 2005 Junior Hockey World Cup. The same year he was part of the junior team in the 6 nation invitational tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2006 was a busy year for the Indian team with major tournaments lined up and the selectors expected Adrian to play a pivotal role in the team. The year saw him represent the team in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in June, the Champions Trophy in July, the World Cup in September, and ending with the Asian Games in December, while missing the Commonwealth Games in Australia due to an injury. In 2007, he was part of the bronze-winning team in the Champions Challenge in Belgium and the gold winning team at the Asia Cup. Due to a hamstring injury, Adrian had to pull out from the 2008 Olympic Qualifier camp. India could not beat Great Britain in the final and missed the Olympics for the first time in 80 years. Adrian, along with his parents, watched the game in Mumbai. He was back after a break of 2 months and was selected for the 2 legged 4 Nation tournament in Perth and Darwin. The tournament also included hosts Australia, China and South Korea. Adrian performed relatively well in the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah cup, having played a great game against Malaysia in the semi-finals. India scored from a penalty corner and Malaysia could not prevent India from making it to the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah after 13 long years. Facing a tightly contested match against Argentina in the finals, India lost in extra time, Adrian played his last international tournament in The tournament he started his career with ie The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2012
Franchise leagues
Adrian D'Souza plays in the Premier Hockey League for the Maratha Warriors. Participated in the inaugural Super League organized by the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Represented Baloch Lions and was awarded the 2nd Best Goal-Keeper award. Adrian then took part in his first stint in for an International Club. Adrian played for Koln club in Germany. Adrian went on the play World Hockey Series for Mumbai Marines In the Hockey India League Adrian played for his hometown city club Dabang Mumbai
Awards and nominations
Was nominated for the prize of the World's Most Promising Young player Award for the year 2004 by the FIH.
Was awarded India’s "Player of the Year" for the year 2004 by the Indian Hockey year book.
Was awarded the HISA award for best Indian Hockey player of the year for 2004.
Was awarded the prestigious Chattrapati Shivaji State Award in 2006 Adrian's jersey number is 12, which he considers lucky. He gets his helmets custom made by OBO while designing the graphics himself.
Personal life
Adrian has the Olympic rings tattooed on his torso. Native place is Mangalore Born in Mumbai Adrian Loves long drives
