The long, painful wait for that elusive medal at the Olympics came to an end when veteran mentor PR Sreejesh successfully defended a penalty corner that Germany had won by death. Manpreet Singh and his Men in Blue scripted history then went on to beat Germany 5-4 to hooter to clinch India’s first Olympic hockey medal after 41 long years.
This was not the only moment Sreejesh came to the rescue of Team India, as in the entire tournament, the three-time Olympic veteran thwarted several German attacks in the bronze medal match.
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And Hardik Singh, one of India’s goalscorers in the match, completely sheds light on Sreejesh’s role in an exclusive interview. CNN News18. The 22-year-old midfielder said the comeback was possible because India had an experienced goalkeeper in PR Sreejesh.
“We still can’t believe we won the medal,” he said.
“We were losing today but it was a big comeback and we are grateful that we had an experienced goalkeeper in PR Sreejesh. It was his third Olympic Games.”
live again: India Vs Germany – As It Happened
Germany took an early lead in the goal-rich match via a second-minute goal by Timur Oruz, and threatened eight-time Olympic hockey champions India in the first quarter.
After Simranjit Singh equalized with a backhand shot for India, Germany kept their cool, scoring two goals in the second quarter to take a 3-1 lead.
But goals from Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet Singh helped India take a late lead in that quarter, making it 3-3 at the halftime break.
India took a 5-3 lead after Rupinder Pal Singh was dismissed on a penalty stroke and Simranjit Singh did not make his second match in the second half.
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Germany scored a goal back, but were unable to equalize, even after taking out their goalkeeper to bring in an extra field player late in the game.
Meanwhile, midfielder Vivek Pradad, who scored a goal in his first Olympic Games, went to the country for their continued support and hoped the women’s team would follow suit when they take on Great Britain in their bronze medal match.
“Thank you to the entire nation as they stood by us the whole time and I hope the girls team will win tomorrow’s match too.”
(with agency input)
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