A lookback at India’s victory in men’s hockey bronze medal match at Tokyo Olympics 2020

By winning the bronze medal, the team ended a 41-year-long wait for an Olympic medal in hockey.

The Indian men’s hockey team will be looking to win their second consecutive Olympic bronze medal, when they take on Spain later today.

India are in great form, as they looked like the major contenders to go all the way. After a slow start to the campaign, they played well against Belgium, going down fighting 1-2 against the reigning Olympic champions. They then defeated Australia 3-2, their first win against the Kookaburras at the Olympics in 52 years.

Later, they put up a stunning performance against Great Britain in the quarter-finals. Amit Rohidas was controversially awarded a red card early into the second quarter; however, the team, down to 10 men, defended for their lives, with the score reading 1-1 when the final quarter finished. India subsequently won the shootout 4-2.

In the semi-final, India were arguably the better side during their match against Germany. Despite attacking hard, the final touch was missing. Their defence (especially during penalty corners) was weakened by the absence of the suspended Rohidas and Germany eventually won 3-2.

Despite the heartbreak, India have a second chance to finish on the podium, when they take on Spain. As the most successful hockey team at the Olympic Games gears up, in their bid to win a 13th medal, there is no better time to have a look at their campaign at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Journey to bronze medal match

Tokyo 2020 will always hold a special place in the hearts of die-hard Indian hockey fans. India managed to end their 41-year Olympic medal drought, securing a podium finish after the gold at the Moscow 1980 Games.

India got a shaky start to their campaign, huffing and puffing to a 3-2 victory against lower-ranked New Zealand. They were then mauled 7-1 by nemesis Australia.

Despite this, the morale of the team remained intact, as they defeated Spain (3-0), Argentina (3-1) and hosts Japan (5-3). They finished second in their pool, setting up a clash with Great Britain.

Against Great Britain, India dominated proceedings early and had managed to score twice by the end of 16 minutes. In the third quarter, Britain came out all guns blazing, to stay alive in the game and were rewarded with four back-to-back penalty corners in the dying seconds of the quarter. The last of them was converted, spurring up the Brits further.

In the last quarter, Britain had waves of attacks coming in, but Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh stood strong. A goal in the dying minutes for India, sealed the game, as they won 3-1. This was the first time India had entered the Olympic semi-finals, after the 1980 Games.

A semi-final encounter against Belgium awaited India. Belgium opened the scoring in the second minute. However, India scored twice (7′ and 8′) in the first quarter to take an early 2-1 lead over Belgium.

India did get several chances to double their lead. However, they weren’t clinical in front of goal and were made to pay for it. Alexander Hendrickx scored a hat-trick, scoring once in the second and twice in the fourth quarter, putting Belgium firmly in the driver’s seat.

India then took off their goalkeeper to have an extra man upfront, which meant that John-John Dohmen scored a late, unhindered fifth. Belgium had won 5-2, but the scoreline didn’t reveal how close it was. Despite being heartbroken, the Indians had to regain their composure, as they would get another shot at a podium finish two days later and another chance to create history.

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Bronze medal match

Germany, the bronze medalists at the Rio Olympics 2016, got the exact start they wanted. India weren’t able to clear a cross-shot from Timm Herzbruch in the second minute and Timur Oruz was waiting to slot it in. Germany’s speed was troubling India, threatening to cause damage. In one instance, Sreejesh had to rush out to make some saves.

India then came out with more intent and scored the equalizer, early in the second quarter (17′). Nilakanta Sharma, from the center, showed wonderful game awareness to feed Simranjeet Singh, who managed to find the back of the board, via a wonderful reverse hit.

Germany didn’t take too long to double their lead. Nilakanta lost possession deep in the German half, but they were waiting to pounce. Niklas Wellen showed composure and managed to send the ball in near the right post with a backhand strike.

Surender Kumar was then double-teamed in India’s circle, which meant India lost possession in the wrong area at the wrong time. Benedikt Furk had no qualms in slotting the ball in, as Germany seemed to have moved well ahead in the match. Not for the first time in the tournament, India managed to find their way back.

With three minutes remaining in the second quarter, India earned a penalty corner. Harmanpreet Singh sent across an accurate drag-flick. A save was made, but the loose ball as a result of the rebound fell to Hardik Singh, who was successful in reducing India’s deficit to one. Within two minutes, India got another penalty corner. This time Harmanpreet finished the job himself and India were well and truly back in the game.

Fans had not even settled down for the second half, as India took the lead in the match for the first time. Mandeep Singh was brought down right in front of the German goal. Rupinder Pal Singh’s penalty stroke turned out to be too good for goalkeeper Alexander Stadler.

Three minutes later, Gurjant Singh exhibited some wonderful stick work, making an exceptional run down the right flank. He found a sprawled Simranjeet, who managed to send India 5-3 up.

India sensed history, played tentatively and were made to pay for it. Germany earned a penalty corner in the 48th minute and Lukas Windfeder’s drag-flick went right in between Sreejesh’s legs. Germany’s quest for an equalizer was stalled by a yellow card handed to Tobias Hauke.

With six seconds remaining on the clock, Germany got a penalty corner. However, fittingly, the reliable Sreejesh dived to his right and made a save.

The celebrations began, as the final hooter blew. A 41-year wait was over. The Indians were sprawled on the ground, tears in their eyes as the magnitude of their achievement hit them.

India had entered the tournament as a dark-horse. However, they had punched above their weight, winning the nation’s 12th medal in hockey at the Olympics, sending a billion people into delirium.

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