Paris/Patiala, 2 August (Sports Desk)
The Indian hockey team has scripted history at the Paris Olympics, defeating Australia 3-2 in a thrilling final group match. This victory marks the end of a 52-year drought against Australia in the Olympics. India’s previous win over Australia in the Olympics was at Munich in 1972. With this victory, India has secured the second spot in Group B.
India will now face the third-placed team (A3) from Group A in the quarterfinals on August 4. Germany and Britain are likely to finish second and third in Group A, respectively. The Netherlands and Spain have already qualified for the quarterfinals from Group A. Besides India and Australia, Belgium and Argentina have made it to the semifinals from Group B. Belgium tops the group with four wins, followed by India (10 points), Australia (9 points), and Argentina (7 points).
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India’s Aggressive Start India began aggressively, penetrating the Australian D twice within the first three minutes. Although they couldn’t score, their intent was clear. Australia also retaliated with frequent counterattacks and earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute, which India defended well.
India Scores Twice in Two Minutes India drew first blood in the 12th minute of the first quarter. Abhishek capitalized on a rebound from Lalit’s shot to make it 1-0. A minute later, India doubled their lead. A penalty corner earned by Surjit and Gurjant was expertly converted by captain Harmanpreet Singh. The first quarter ended with India leading 2-0, their first time scoring two goals in the opening quarter at the Paris Olympics.
Australia Pulls One Back Early in the second quarter, India’s Vivek was shown a green card, spending five minutes on the sidelines. Australia capitalized on the opportunity, earning a penalty corner in the 19th minute but failed to convert. However, Thomas Craig scored for Australia in the 25th minute, reducing India’s lead to 2-1.
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India Extends Lead in Third Quarter The third quarter started with intense action. India earned a penalty corner but a defensive error by Australia resulted in a penalty stroke, which Harmanpreet converted to make it 3-1. This was Harmanpreet’s sixth goal at the Paris Olympics.
Australia Scores Late, but India Holds On In the final quarter, both teams launched relentless attacks. India earned a penalty corner but couldn’t capitalize. Australia pulled one back through a penalty stroke, making it 3-2. Despite a desperate attempt to equalize, Australia couldn’t find the back of the net as the final whistle blew, sealing India’s victory.
