SILVER SHOW
MEN’S TEAM PUT INDIAN HOCKEY BACK ON PEDESTAL
Ravi Dahiya became only the second Indian wrestler to win a silver medal at the Olympic Games after he lost the men’s freestyle 57kg title clash 4-7 to reigning world champion Zavur Uguev at the Tokyo Olympics. There were expectations that the 23-year-old would become India’s youngest Olympic champion but the Russian defended well to win comfortably.
“Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian. Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth. India is proud of our Hockey team.” — NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister
“Brilliant in Blue. Congratulations Indian Men’s #Hockey Team on the spectacular victory to give us an Olympic medal after 41 long years. This historic win at #Tokyo 2020 will inspire generation of sportspersons. All the very best for the future.” — NAVEEN PATNAIK, Odisha Chief Minister, whose government has sponsored the men and women hockey teams
“I am extremely happy for Indian hockey as a whole because at one time people said that hockey is in ICU, hockey is dead. But now we have witnessed Indian hockey’s resurgence.” — AJITPAL SINGH, India’s 1975 World Cupwinning hockey captain
“My heart was beating very heavily when Germany were pressing hard in the final few minutes. (But) History has been made. We have crossed that jinx. It’s a miracle. It’s to going to have a big impact on the game. It will revive the sport in country. It’s a new beginning, a new dawn.” — ZAFAR IQBAL, key member of India’s last Olympic gold medal winning team in 1980 Moscow Games
“Very important for India hockey. This win will definitely give a big boost to the promotion and development of the game in the country.” — JOAQUIM CARVALHO, Olympian and former coach of the national side
“An emotional moment for the entire nation, a moment of pride. The long wait has ended! Congratulations to the Indian Men’s Hockey team for their splendid achievement.” — ABHINAV BINDRA, India’s only individual gold medallist at the Olympics and ace shooter
“Congratulations to each & every member of the hockey contingent on winning the #Bronze (medal) for India! A fantastic hard fought win. The penalty corner save by Sreejesh in the dying moments of the game was amazing. Entire (India) is immensely proud! ,” — SACHIN TENDULKAR, iconic cricketer
41 years was a long wait. Well done boys @manpreetpawar07 and Team. You’ve been stunning on the field. We are all so proud of you. Jai Hind. — HARMANPREET KAUR, Indian women’s cricket team captain
Tokyo, Aug. 5: A resolute Indian men’s hockey team rewrote history as it claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, defeating a plucky Germany 5-4 to win the bronze in an edge-ofthe-seat play-off match of the ongoing Games here on Thursday.
The eight-time former gold-winners, who battled a heartbreaking slump in the last four decades, made the resurgence of the last couple of years count in the best way possible with an Olympic medal.
Simranjeet Singh (17th,
34th minutes) scored a brace, while Hardik Singh
(27th), Harmanpreet Singh
(29th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st) were the other goal getters for world No.3 India.
Germany’s goals were scored by Timur Oruz
(2nd), Niklas Wellen (24th), Benedikt Furk (25th) and Lukas Windfeder (48th).
Determined to clinch a medal, the Indians made one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of the game, fighting back from a two-goal deficit to turn the match in their favour.
Goalkeeper Sreejesh, who stood like a wall in the face of unrelenting German attacks, pulled off a crucial save in the dying seconds as Germany threw everything into attack, sinking to his knees when the match was over.
There were tears and hugs on the field as the Indians led by Manpreet
Singh and coached by Australian Graham Reid savoured the historic moment.
The Indians were slow to get off the blocks as Germany were the dominant side on display in the first quarter. The Germans pressed hard on the Indian defence from the word go and took the lead in the second minute through Oruz.
India then secured a penalty corner in the fifth which was wasted.
Five minutes later, experienced goalkeeper PR Sreejesh came out of his line and closed down the angle to deny Mats Grambusch.
The Germans put relentless pressure on the Indian defence and seconds from first quarter, earned as many as four penalty corners which the Indians defended stoutly this time.
Manpret’s men came out with more purpose in the second quarter and upped their pace a bit and the ploy worked wonders as Simranjeet scored a brilliant goal with a reverse hit from top of the German circle after being fed by Nilakanta Sharma’s pass from the midfield.
The Germans continued their attacking game and two minutes later Florian Fuchs brought Sreejesh again into the game, saving his reverse hit from a tight angle. The Germans put Indians under immense pressure later on, securing three more penalty corners but couldn’t get past the determined defence. —