E women’s hockey m creates history

a had to wait 41 years to see a hockey team er the last four of the Olympics. It took less n 24 hours to see another make the semiif the men’s team reaching the semis on y was a momentous occasion in the country’s g history, the women’s team entering the last nothing short of a miracle. To understand the f accomplishment for chief coach Sjoerd e’s team, go back to history. Ever since n’s hockey was introduced at the Games, India alified for the quadrennial showpiece thrice, ing with Moscow 1980 where India made the er a host of nations boycotted the event. The y had to wait another 36 years before the n’s team finally qualified for the 2016 Games. o was a massive disappointment. India failed even a single match to finish 12th and last. he unit has come a long way since. Sponsors, ment, top quality coaches, analytical experts, fic advisers, physiotherapists, video analysts eam has got what every top-level team in the has. And the efforts are bearing fruit. From three opening group matches and being on p of being evicted, Rani Rampal’s team has an unheralded entry into the semi-finals. king the quarters wasn’t progress enough, the as marched into the last four with a 1-0 win roup B toppers and three-time Olympic ions Australia with Gurjit Kaur’s drag-flick in nd minute proving the difference between the es. Next up is Argentina on Wednesday r champions but four-time medallists at the . The Australia game proves dreams do come