Tokyo Olympics Hockey: India survive last-minute scare to book first semifinal spot in 49 years

Tokyo Olympics Hockey: India survive last-minute scare to book first semifinal spot in 49 years

Indian men's hockey team

India beat Great Britain in an enthralling quarterfinal clash to book a spot in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics. A brilliant display of defensive play saw India through to the next round with an emphatic 3-1 win. Great Britain put up a spirited fight but the Men in Blue were up to the task with the goalkeeper PR Sreejesh stealing the show with some brilliant saves.

India had a great start to the game hammering home the opening goal with just seven minutes on the clock. Dilpreet Singh nutmegged the Britanian goalkeeper to give India an early lead. Despite Great Britain enjoying a majority of the possession in the opening quarter, the Indian defence stood strong to deny a goal.

India opened the second quarter in fashion as Gurjant Singh hit the back of the net in the 16th minute. With a two-goal lead in hand, there was no chance the Men in Blue would falter. And as expected, the Englishmen’s efforts went in vain with the blue wall standing strong. It was only in the dying moments of the third quarter that Samuel Ian Ward turned home what was a third penalty corner in a row to open Great Britain’s account in the game.

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India once step closer to ending medal drought at Tokyo Olympics

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Indian men’s hockey team

Having pulled a goal back, GBR looked a completely different side in the final quarter while India switched to defensive play to secure a win. PR Sreejesh, who was at his absolute best throughout the game, continued to hold the fort with determination. Sreejesh is clearly the hero of the game with multiple crucial saves.

Having soaked the pressure with grace, India pulled a goal back in the dying moments to drive the final nail in the coffin. Hardik Singh turned home his first goal of the event in the 57th minute to seal a victory for India.

With a win, the Indian men’s hockey team has booked a semifinal showdown against Belgium. This will be India’s first semifinal appearance at the Olympics in nearly five decades. A win against the Europeans will secure India’s first medal in the event in 49 years.

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