Double date with history
Women’s hockey team advance to semi-final for the first time after stunning the Aussies 1-0
NEW DELHI: The players screamed, hugged each other, and got into a huddle with their coach with tears of joy rolling down their faces.
It was a dream moment, said the country’s sports fraternity in unison as it celebrated the resurgence of Indian hockey at the Olympics after the women’s team advanced to its first ever semi-final at the Tokyo Games on Monday.
A day after the Indian men’s team entered the Olympic semi-finals following a 49-year gap, the world no 9 women’s side, a brave and determined team, also produced a phenomenally gritty performance against three-time champions and world no 2 Australia 1-0 in an intense last-eight tie on Monday, etching its name in the history books.
Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur rose to the occasion when it mattered and converted India’s lone penalty corner in the 22nd minute to surprise the Australians.
Coming into the match, the odds were totally against India as in world no 2 Australia, a mighty unbeaten opponent,
awaited them.
“We are so happy, it is the result of hard work that we put in for several, several days. In 1980, we qualified for the Games but this time, we made the semifinals. It is a proud moment for us,” Kaur said after the match.
“This team is like a family, we have supported each other and found support from the country as well. We are very happy,” she added.
The Indians, determined to prove a point, produced a strong and brave performance to eke out the narrow win over the Hockeyroos.
How much it meant for the team and Indian hockey in general could be gauged from the emotions that were on display after the final hooter went off.
India’s best performance in the Olympics came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games where they finished fourth out of six teams.
In that edition of the Games, women’s hockey made its debut in the Olympics and the sport was played in a roundrobin format with top two teams qualifying for the final.
The Rani Rampal-led side will play Argentina in the semifinal on Wednesday.
The Indians started slow off the blocks but grew in confidence as the match progressed.
Australia had the first shot at the goal but India goalkeeper Savita did just enough to deny Amrosia Malone, whose slap shot from inside the circle hit the post.
The Indians, thereafter, adopted an aggressive approach and caught the Australian defence off guard quite a few times. India’s pace and determination seemed to have surprised the Australians as they panicked while defending and were lucky not to have conceded a goal in the first quarter.
In the ninth minute, skipper Rani Rampal’s deflection from a Vandana Katariya shot hit the back post as Australia survived.
A minute later, Broke Peris’ shot from top of the circle just went wide past a fully stretched Savita.
The Indians created another chance in the first quarter but an alert Australian goalkeeper Rachael Lynch came out of her line to deny Sharmila Devi from a one-on-one situation.
The Australians pressed hard in the second quarter and secured their first penalty corner in the 20th minute which was defended brilliantly by India.
Minutes later, India secured their first penalty corner and Gurjit Kaur, who had a disappointing outing so far in the tournament, rose to the occasion and converted the chance with a low flick to stun the Australians.
The Indians were bold and courageous while defending as minutes later, Deep Grace Ekka got a vital stick to keep out Emily Chalker’s strong hit from close range.
Down by a goal, the Australians attacked with numbers after the change of ends and Mariah Williams came close to restoring parity but Savita came in between.
Australia secured three back-back-to-back penalty corners soon but the Indian defence, led by Savita and Deep Grace Ekka, stood like a rock in front of the goal.
Thereafter, the play was mostly inside the Indian circle as Australia pressed hard but the Indians managed to soak up the pressure with some brave defending, not afraid to put their bodies on line.
In the final eight minutes of the game, the pressure was relentless on the Indians as Australia secured four more penalty corners but failed to breach the willpower of the Indian defence.
It triggered an outpouring of emotions as people from all walks of life, including former and current sportspersons and politicians, congratulated the Indian team.
Describing it as “a dream moment”, former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha said: “Impressed with the way the Indians defended post the goal. They didn’t just defend the lead, they almost attacked the lead. They were not afraid to go up and press the Australians.
Congratulating the team, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur wrote on his twitter handle: “Splendid Performance!!! Women’s Hockey #TeamIndia is scripting history with every move at #Tokyo2020 ! We’re into the semi-finals of the Olympics for the 1st time beating Australia.”
Legendary former men’s hockey team captain Dhanraj Pillay said the team has shown its true potential.
“This win against #Aus Showed what Indian women are capable of. A step away from getting a medal & a giant leap of faith. #hockey Applause to the entire team & the coaching staff. India is proud of you all & every Flag of India is celebrating this victory. Good luck for semis. Believe in Ur self,” he tweeted.
India’s first ever individual silver at the Olympics, shooter Col Rajyavardhan Rathore, who was also the sports minister in the past, wrote: “Congratulations to the Flag of India Women’s Hockey Team for entering the #Olympic semi-finals. You’ve made India proud! Best wishes for the next match. ”The country’s lone individual Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra too sent his best wishes.
“Incredible Morning. So proud of our women’s hockey team. Nothing unites us the way sport does !!!,” he wrote.
Rio bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik tweeted: “THESE GIRLS HAVE DONE IT! THEY HAVE DONE THE UNTHINKABLE! The #IND women’s #hockey team are into the SEMI-FINALS.”