India scripts history in Tokyo with a medal in men’s hockey after 41 years
Indian men’s Hockey team has added another medal by finishing their journey on the podium and with that, they have also created history for the country has won a medal at the sport after 41 years.
Each medal at the Olympics has been a matter of pride for India just like any other country but for hockey, the podium finish is more than just pride. Hockey has been dear to India since the British invasion where won eight gold medals. It was the golden era for Indian hockey but it slowly began to vanish and all that was left were hopes of a medal at the games.
The men in blue not only gave India hope for years to come but also proved that with training and correct guidance, they are capable of achieving even better results. The game was a thriller affair ending in favor of the Indians with 5-4 at the scoreboard. The hockey experts have called it a game between top-notch talents filled with fast-paced attacks and counterattacks.
The game went into the last few seconds making it all the more exciting. Germany scored a penalty corner three minutes before the end and India somehow managed to beautifully defend the goal attack but the thrill had just begun for India as with six seconds remaining, Germany scored another penalty corner and to the relief of Indians, it was once again defended by the experienced goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
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It looked a tough nut to crack for India as Germany made the first move with a goal in the first quarter. There was no doubt Germany was adamant on winning and they were on field with a purpose. The team mostly relied on long passes and area coverage, which seemed to work initially but the second quarter saw things change with the Indians taking the charge.
The quarter ended with 3-3 but again the third quarter saw Germany taking the lead with another goal. And now it was India’s turn to fight back. Harmanpreet was in his element as went for a superb drag-flick scoring an equaliser for India. Rupinder Pal Singh was the one to convert a penalty corner for the fourth goal with a very intelligent move as he brushed past a diving German goalkeeper Alexander Stadler.
For the fifth, Gurjant Singh and Smiranjeet’s deft stickwork saw India get the lead. By now, Germany had totally lost the momentum and Indians had found newfound confidence in themselves. Solid save by Sreejesh saved the day for India as he single handedly managed to make that all-important save.
Just as the team realized what they had done, players broke into celebration and it was long before they swallowed this win. The players ran wildly throughout the turf and for this particular match, Sreejesh deserved the due credit as he had been exceptional in defending the attack.
