With this win over three-time Olympic champion Australia, Indian women have reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games for the first time.
Indian women scripted history when they defeated Australia 1-0 in the quarter-final match of Tokyo 2020 Women's Hockey at the Oi Hockey Stadium. With this win over three-time Olympic champion Australia, Indian women have reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games for the first time.
The Australians were stunned by the sheer pace displayed by the Indian women throughout the match.
India and Australia were tied 0-0 in the first quarter of the second. The Indian women could not score in the quarter but kept the pressure on Australia. The Indian team created more chances than its opposition.
The scoreline changed in the second quarter when, in the 22nd minute of the match, Gurjit Kaur scored a penalty corner to reduce the score to 1-0. This is Gurjit's first goal in the Olympic Games.
A goal that will go in the history books! 🙌
Watch Gurjit Kaur's brilliant drag flick that led to a 1-0 win over in an epic quarter-final 😍 | | | | pic.twitter.com/MkXqjprLxo
To note, before taking on the Rani Rampal-led team, Australia had scored 13 goals and conceded just one goal in five group stage matches. India, on the other hand, had conceded 14 goals and scored just seven goals.
In the third quarter, the Australian team showed an aggressive stance. They also earned two consecutive penalty corners in the 34th minute of the match, but Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia was up to the task and neutralised the threats.
The fourth quarter saw desperate attempts from Australia to crawl back into the match. However, India's defence held strong and went on to win the match.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur took to Twitter to congratulate the women's hockey team.
Splendid Performance!!!
Women’s Hockey is scripting history with every move at !
We’re into the semi-finals of the Olympics for the 1st time beating Australia.
130 crore Indians 🇮🇳 to the
Women’s Hockey Team -
“we’re right behind you”! pic.twitter.com/vusiXVCGde
Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne had said prior to the match that the pressure would be on Australia as they go into the match as favourites. And that reflected in the match, as Indian women powered through Australian half time and again.