A resolute Indian males’s hockey crew rewrote historical past because it claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, defeating a plucky Germany 5-4 to win the bronze in an edge-of-the-seat play-off match of the continuing Video games right here on Thursday.
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The eight-time former gold-winners, who battled a heartbreaking stoop within the final 4 a long time, made the resurgence of the final couple of years depend in the easiest way potential with an Olympic medal.
Simranjeet Singh (seventeenth, thirty fourth minutes) scored a brace, whereas Hardik Singh (twenty seventh), Harmanpreet Singh (twenty ninth) and Rupinder Pal Singh (thirty first) have been the opposite objective getters for world no.3 India.
Germany’s targets have been scored by Timur Oruz (2nd), Niklas Wellen (twenty fourth), Benedikt Furk (twenty fifth) and Lukas Windfeder (forty eighth).
Decided to clinch a medal, the Indians made probably the most memorable comebacks within the historical past of the sport, combating again from a two-goal deficit to show the match of their favour.
There have been tears and hugs on the sphere because the Indians led by Manpreet Singh and coached by Australian Graham Reid savoured the historic second.
It’s India’s third hockey bronze medal within the historical past of the Olympics. The opposite two got here in 1968 Mexico Metropolis and the 1972 Munich Video games.
For world no.5 Germany it was heart-break as they could not repeat their bronze medal profitable feat of the 2016 Rio Video games.
The Indians have been sluggish to get off the blocks as Germany have been the dominant aspect on show within the first quarter.
The Germans pressed onerous on the Indian defence from the phrase go and took the lead within the second minute via Oruz.
India then secured a penalty nook within the fifth which was wasted.
5 minutes later, skilled goalkeeper PR Sreejesh got here out of his line and closed down the angle to disclaim Mats Grambusch.
The Germans put relentless strain on the Indian defence and seconds from first quarter, earned as many as 4 penalty corners which the Indians defended stoutly this time.
Manpret’s males got here out with extra goal within the second quarter and upped their tempo a bit and the ploy labored wonders as Simranjeet scored an excellent objective with a reverse hit from high of the German circle after being fed by Nilakanta Sharma’s move from the midfield.
The Germans continued their attacking recreation and two minutes later Florian Fuchs introduced Sreejesh once more into the sport, saving his reverse hit from a decent angle.
The Indian defence as soon as once more gave away the benefit to Germany, committing smooth errors which resulted in two German targets in a span of two minutes.
Christopher Ruhr was the creator for Germany turning over from simply outdoors the Indian circle after which slipped the ball onto Wellen who scored with a reverse hit previous Sreejesh.
A minute later, one other defensive lapse price India dearly.
It was Surender Kumar this time who was dispossessed simply outdoors the Indian circle by the ever-pressing German forwards and Constantine Staib handed it on to Benedikt Furk, who made no mistake find the web.
Though surprised, India did not lose hope and made an excellent comeback quickly by levelling the scores in a span of three minutes.
There was grit and willpower writ giant on the Indian faces they usually succeeded in turning them into outcomes.
Within the twenty seventh minute, India secured their second penalty nook and Hardik scored from a rebound after Harmanpreet Singh’s flick was saved by German custodian Alexander Stadler.
Two minutes later, India secured their third penalty nook and this time, Harmanpreet was bang on the right track with a robust flick previous younger Stadler to make a dramatic turnaround within the match.
Their confidence on an all-time excessive after the outstanding rally, the Indians got here out all weapons blazing after the change of ends and took the lead for the primary time within the match once they have been awarded a penalty stroke for a push on Mandeep Singh contained in the circle.
Rupinder stepped as much as gleefully seize the possibility with each fingers.
Three minutes later, India doubled their lead when Simranjeet scored his second objective of the day, tapping in Gurjant Singh’s move from the correct to take a 5-3 lead.
India did not cease there and secured three back-to-back penalty corners within the forty first minute however wasted all.
It was Germany’s flip subsequent as they acquired three penalty corners two minutes later however didn’t breach the courageous Indian defence, because the gamers put their our bodies in line to disclaim Germany any opening.
Congratulations to Indian Males’s Hockey Staff! It is a large moment- the entire nation is happy with your achievement.
Effectively-deserved victory! #Olympics
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 5, 2021
Trailing by two targets, the Germans have been anticipated to return onerous on the Indian defence they usually did precisely that, securing one other penalty nook three minutes into the ultimate quarter and this time Windfeder put the ball into the web via the legs of Sreejesh to convey a objective again.
Within the 51st minute, Mandeep Singh had a golden probability to revive their two objective lead from a one-on-one state of affairs however he squandered the chance.
Seeking the equaliser, the Germans put the Indian defence underneath immense strain within the remaining minutes of the sport, securing three extra penalty corners however could not get previous the decided back-line led by gigantic Sreejesh in entrance of the objective.
There was extra drama in retailer as India conceded a penalty nook six seconds from the ultimate hooter, however Sreejesh and the defence as soon as towards got here to the aspect’s rescue. PTI
Historic! A day that shall be etched within the reminiscence of each Indian.
Congratulations to our Males’s Hockey Staff for bringing house the Bronze. With this feat, they’ve captured the creativeness of your entire nation, particularly our youth. India is happy with our Hockey crew. ?
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2021
