A determined Indian men’s hockey team rewrote history as they claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, beating a lucky Germany 5-4 To win a bronze medal in a play-off match of the Tokyo 2020 Sumter Games on Thursday.
The eight-time former gold-winner, who suffered a heart-wrenching slump over the past four decades, counts on the resurgence of the past few years with an Olympic medal in the best possible way.
live again: India Vs Germany – As It Happened
Simranjit Singh (17th, 34th) scored for India while Hardik Singh (27th), Harmanpreet Singh (29th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st) scored. Timur Oruz (2nd), Niklas Wellen (24th), Benedict Fark (25th) and Lukas Windfeder (48th) scored for Germany.
As the final hooter sounds on the Oi Hockey Stadium North pitch, the Indian team is on their feet about what they just did. PR Sreejesh, who again made several saves, climbed on top of the goal he was guarding so bravely in the festival. Teammates hugged each other as scenes from the German players down on the ground were printed on the screen showing their missed chances.
Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh was a jovial figure as he dedicated the victory to India’s heroes – doctors, soldiers and other COVID-19 frontline workers.
“We dedicate this medal to our COVID-19 frontline warriors. Doctors, soldiers and everyone else who fought to keep us safe,” Manpreet said after the historic victory.
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The 29-year-old from Jalandhar was “speechless” after an epoch-making 5-4 win over Germany, which gave India its 12th hockey medal at the Olympics, but came after more than four decades.
India last stood on the podium at the 1980 Moscow Games where they won the gold medal. The country has eight gold medals in all sports. “I don’t know what to say right now, it was fantastic. Effort, game, we were down 3-1. I think we deserve this medal. We’ve worked very hard, the last 15 months are tough for us too We were in Bangalore and some of us had also contracted COVID.” Manpreet recalled. “We would like to dedicate this medal to the doctors and frontline health workers who have saved many lives in India. are,” he said. A relentless Germany tested the Indian hockey team’s every resolve and Manpreet acknowledged the courage of the opposition.
“It was difficult, he got a penalty corner in the last six seconds. We thought we had to save it with our lives. It is really difficult. I’m just speechless,” said the captain, who seemed overwhelmed with emotion. “We had a long hiatus when we didn’t get the medals. Now we will get more confidence, yes we can do that. If we can finish on the podium at the Olympics, we can finish on the podium anywhere,” he said.
India suffered a 2-5 loss to Belgium in the semi-finals, which dashed their gold hopes at the Games. Manpreet said coach Graham Reid pulled the players out of frustration by asking the players to focus on the play-off game. “… We didn’t give up. We kept fighting back. It’s a great feeling, great feeling. We came here for the gold, we won the bronze, it’s still a big deal. It’s a great feeling for all hockey fans out there. moment.”
Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who was one of the five scorers that day, could not hold back tears while talking to the media and said that this is the beginning of great things in Indian hockey. “People were forgetting hockey in India. He loved hockey, but he stopped hoping that we could win. But today we won. They can expect more from us in the future. Keep believing in us,” he said.
Manpreet also extended best wishes to the women’s team, which will also play for the bronze.
Determined to clinch a medal, the Indians made the most memorable comeback in the history of the sport, fighting back from a two-goal deficit to turn the match in their favour. There were tears and hugs on the field as the Indians, led by Manpreet Singh and coached by Australian Graham Reid, enjoyed the historic moment.
This is India’s third hockey bronze medal in Olympic history. The other two came at the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Games. It was heartbreaking for world number 5 Germany as they could not repeat the 2016 Rio Games bronze medal winning feat.
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