Hockey at Tokyo Olympics: Team India shatters, Australia hand over a humiliating 1-7 defeat


Hockey at Tokyo Olympics: Team India shatters, Australia hand over a humiliating 1-7 defeat

Blake Govers of Australia (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal for his side at the Tokyo 2020

After a brilliant victory yesterday against New Zealand, the Indian men’s hockey team suffered a humiliating defeat against world number one side Australia on day three of Tokyo 2020.

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The ‘Men in Blue’ lost their second group stage match against the Kookaburras by an insulting scoreline of 7-1.

Daniel James began Australia’s dominance by scoring the maiden goal off a penalty corner for his side. Jeremy Thomas, Andrew Ogilvie and Joshua Beltz’s delightful finishes extended the lead for Aussies to 4-0 by the end of the second quarter. 

By half-time, Australia had already shattered the Manpreet Singh-led side before Dilpreet Singh came up with an astonishing shot to post India’s first goal of the match. However, the kangaroos never let the team India score even one more goal in the entire match.

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Indian defenders and goalkeeper Sreejesh left with no answers

PR Sreejesh
PR Sreejesh

India’s defenders and the goalkeeper PR Sreejesh had a testing outing against a ruthless Australian attack. The opposition adopted an aggressive style of play like they usually do to hand over plenty of more goals. 

In the last two quarters, Australia amassed three more goals where Blake Govers was the first one to score off a penalty corner. He scored one more goal in the same quarter as the scoreline read 6-1 in favour of the mighty Aussies. In the end, Tim Brand also got a goal to his name as his side produced its second victory of the tournament. They had earlier defeated the hosting nation Japan on Saturday with a dominating scoreline of 3-5.

Coming to the road ahead for team India at the XXXII Olympiad, they have tough matches lined up against teams like Japan, Spain and Argentina. Despite pulling off an outstanding victory against the Kiwis, Indians will really have to pull up their socks to give themselves a chance for making it to the next round.

Also Read | Tokyo Olympics 2020: Indian men’s hockey team kicks off campaign with a win against New Zealand

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