The story of the Indian hockey team did not change even in Paris Olympics 2024. India once again had to face defeat in the semi-finals. Now Germany has dashed India’s hopes. The team led by Harmanpreet Kaur was defeated 3-2 by Germany in the second semi-final of men’s hockey on Tuesday. India also had to face defeat in the semi-finals in the Tokyo Olympics. India was then defeated by Belgium. However, India ended the four-decade drought by defeating Germany in the bronze medal match in Tokyo. This time India will face Spain in the bronze medal match. This match will be played on August 8.
This sorrow of India continues even after 44 years
With the loss to Germany, the period of sorrow of the Indian team has increased further. India has not played the final of hockey in the Olympics for 44 years. India last made it to the final of the Moscow Olympics in 1980 and won its eighth gold medal by defeating Spain. Talking about the India vs Germany match, the Harman Brigade defence, which was looking impenetrable till now, did not look that strong. World champion Germany broke the hearts of Indians by cleverly breaking into the Indian defence. Despite taking the lead in the first quarter, the Indian team could not maintain the momentum.
Missing Amit Rohidas badly
India badly missed its experienced first rusher Amit Rohidas. Amit was facing a one-match ban due to the red card he received in the quarter-final against Britain. India got 12 penalty corners in the match but could convert only two into goals. For India, Harmanpreet scored in the seventh minute and Sukhjeet Singh in the 36th minute, while for Germany, Gonzalo Payat scored in the 18th minute, Christopher Ruhr in the 27th minute and Marco Miltkau in the 54th minute. India maintained dominance in the first 15 minutes and continuously attacked the opposition goal.
Germany’s aggressive comeback in the second quarter
Germany made an aggressive comeback in the second quarter and scored the first penalty corner of the match in the 18th minute, which Pelat converted into a goal. Meanwhile, Germany’s penalty corner in the 27th minute was converted into a penalty stroke on video referral, which Ruhr converted into a goal to take a 2-1 lead over India. Germany maintained this lead till halftime. India got the 11th penalty corner of the match in the 36th minute, on which variation was used for the first time and the German defense was stunned. India equalized by deflecting Harmanpreet’s flick into the German goal.
Saved a goal in the last quarter
In the last quarter, the Indian defense saved Germany’s crucial goal in the initial minutes itself. Payat’s first shot at the penalty corner was saved by Sreejesh but the second shot on the rebound from right in front of the goal was saved by young defender Sanjay very adroitly. Germany again got a penalty corner in the 51st minute but Lucas Windfeder’s shot was saved by Sreejesh and the ball was taken out of the circle by Harmanpreet. Meanwhile, the German striker was continuously keeping the ball inside the Indian goal and after three minutes, Marco Miltkau, using Payat’s excellent pass, equally beautifully put the ball inside the goal by showing the magic of his stick. (with agency input)
