NE SPORTS BUREAU
TOKYO, NEW DELHI, AUG 1
A determined Indian men’s hockey team advanced to the Olympic semifinals for the first time in 49 years, beating Great Britain 3-1 in the quarterfinals here on Sunday, a triumph which leaves the side within touching distance of a medal that has proved elusive for over four decades.
ये है मेरी टीम और ये #Tokyo2020 Olympics में हमारे खिलाड़ियों को cheer करने के लिए #HumaraVictoryPunch
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Indian🇮🇳Olympics Team!I nominate:@KirenRijiju@virendersehwag@akshaykumar@NSaina@vijayshekhar#Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/54UU0gZEp7
— Anurag Thakur (मोदी का परिवार) (@ianuragthakur) July 21, 2021
The eight-time former Olympic champions scored three field goals through Dilpreet Singh (7th minute), Gurjant Singh (16th) and Hardik Singh (57th) to seal the win.
Great Britain’s lone goal was scored by Sam Ward from a penalty corner in the 45th minute.
India will take on world champions Belgium in the semifinal on Tuesday.
India’s last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980 Moscow Games but there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams participated in the event.
For a country that gave the world stalwarts like Major Dhyan Chand and Balbir Singh Senior among others, it has been especially painful to watch the hockey teams’ Olympic debacles before this edition.
The last time India featured in the semifinals of the Olympics was in 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan.
It was the edition in which American swimming legend Mark Spitz won seven gold medals, a feat which was overshadowed by the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by Palestinian terrorists at the Olympic Village.
Belgium defeated Spain 3-1 in another quarterfinal to seal their place in the last four round.
The other semifinal of the men’s hockey competition will be played between Australia and Germany.
By virtue of this win, India now have a 5-4 win-loss record over Great Britain in the Olympic Games.
In Sunday’s tie, Great Britain enjoyed the early share of exchanges, earning their first penalty corner as early as in the third minute but India defended well to keep the danger away.
The Indians got their footing into the match as time went by and took the lead in the seventh minute through Dilpreet, who pushed the ball in past Great Britain goalkeeper after being fed by Simranjeet Singh.
It was Simranjeet who created the chance after he stole the ball from a Great Britain defender just outside the latter’s circle.
Two minutes from the first quarter, India custodian P R Sreejesh made fine reflex saves to deny Great Britain.
The Indians didn’t let their rivals settle down and doubled their lead seconds into the second quarter through Gurjant.
It was Hardik who created the opportunity by intercepting a pass just outside the Great Britain ”D” and then sent the ball to an unmarked Gurjant, who kept a calm head to put the ball into the net through the legs of opposition goalkeeper Oliver Payne.
In the 35th minute, Gurjant had another chance to extend the lead but his reverse hit from a tight angle was easily saved by Payne.
Thereafter, it was all Great Britain as they pressed numbers in front in search of goals.
Leading by two goals, the Indians dropped back and tried to defend the lead but the move proved costly as minutes from the end of the third quarter Great Britain secured four back-to-back penalty corners the last of which was put into the back of the net by Ward.
With 15 more minutes remaining and just a goal behind, Great Britain went on the offensive in the final quarter, throwing numbers into their attacks as the Indians struggled to control the onslaught.
Great Britain succeeded in their efforts as they earned three more penalty corners in the match but th eredoubtable Sreejesh rose to the occasion and pulled off saves after saves to keep his side ahead.
India extended their lead against the run of play in the 57th minute when Hardik scored with a rebound from a counter-attack after his initial shot was saved by Great Britain goalkeeper Payne.
That goal sealed the tie in India’s favour as down by two goals and with just three minutes remaining, Great Britain players” shoulders dropped down.
Once the hooter went off to declare the match’s end, Indian players had tears of joy as they hugged and congratulated each other.
Fans fall in love with hockey again
Millions of Indians fell in love with hockey once again and social media went into a frenzy after the national team made its first Olympic semifinal in 49 years.
The Indian team raised hopes of its first Olympic medal since 1980 by beating Great Britain 3-1 in the quarterfinals here on Sunday.
People from all walks of life expressed their elation on social media, including former hockey players, cricketers and politicians.
“Greatest moment for Indian Hockey since the 1980 Gold medal at the Moscow Olympics. I am just so proud of the team. Congrats boys. I have tears of joy in my eyes. Thank you for what you guys are doing at Tokyo Flag of IndiaFlag of IndiaFlag of India,” tweeted former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha.
India face Belgium in the semifinals on Tuesday.
“To win an Olympic hockey QF, you need hunger, fire, desire and total teamwork. Our men’s hockey team showed all that and then some more today vs GBR. Just so proud of our warriors. Now for Belgium. Recover and get ready for the SF. The whole nation will be watching & cheering,” Rasquinha said.
“There is something about a team sport especially hockey that can truly unite a nation. I can feel the emotion and the love for hockey in Flag of India Everyone wants our hockey team to do well. Keep fighting boys. The tournament is not over. Stay focused,” he added.
India’s only individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and 2012 bronze medallist Gagan Narang congratulated Manpreet Singh-led squad.
“What a great evening ! Super show @TheHockeyIndia! Two more to go,” Bindra wrote, also referring to P V Sindhu’s bronze in badminton.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur tweeted: “India dribbles & dashes it’s way into the Semi-Finals! Brilliant performance by Men’s Hockey team.”
“Chak De India. What a great moment for Indian hockey. Beating Great Britain in great fashion. First semi-final after 1972 Olympics. Maza aa gaya. Best wishes for the semis,” wrote former India opener Virender Sehwag.
Wishes also came in from Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell, who hoped for an India-Australia final.
“Great game @TheHockeyIndia! A well deserved victory. Hopefully, India & Australia win their next matches and we will meet in the final.”
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in a tweet: “Well played! Congratulate Indian Men’s #Hockey Team on registering a stunning victory in the quarter-final against Great Britain at #Tokyo2020.
“May the team continue its momentum & bring much awaited medal for the country. Wish the team all the best.”
