India dribbled their way into the record books after defeating Germany 5-4 in the Tokyo Olympics men's hockey, and in the process won the bronze medal at the Oi Hockey Stadium.
India dribbled their way into the record books after defeating Germany 5-4 in the Tokyo Olympics men's hockey, and in the process, won the bronze medal at the Oi Hockey Stadium.
The Germans made the Indian team toil to earn their first medal in 41 years.
Germany gave India an early shock when Timur Oruz scored a field goal in the second minute of the match.
In the last 10 seconds of the first quarter, Germany secured a penalty corner via TV referral after Indian drag-flicker Rupinderpal Singh was hit on his leg inside the penalty circle. After this, Germany got four consecutive penalty corners, but the Indian defence line and especially the goalkeeper PR Sreejesh stood like a fort.
India found the back of the goal in the second half. India levelled the score with Germany in the second minute of the second quarter. Simranjeet Singh scored with a brilliant tomahawk shot to make the score 1-1.
The Germans responded with a twin blow in the 24th and 25th minutes of the second quarter. Niklas Wellen and Benedikt Furk scored brilliant field goals.
But it did not take long for an inspired and determined Team India to come back from a two-goal deficit.
In the 27th minute, Hardik Singh scored off the penalty corner to take the lead 2-3.
India stepped on the pedal and accelerating into the German half. The Germans faced the brunt of another penalty corner for forcibly stopping captain Manpreet Singh just outside the penalty circle in the 29th minute. Harmanpreet Singh converted this penalty corner and brought the score to level terms.
Indian men took a 4-3 lead over Germany in the second half. The German players obstructed Mandeep Singh in the very first minute, and the umpire gave India a penalty stroke. Germany challenged it, but the TV referral ruled in favour of India. Rupinderpal Singh scored his fourth goal in Tokyo 2020 to make the score 4-3.
Three minutes later, Simranjeet Singh scored a brilliant goal to make the score 5-3.
The Indian team maintained that lead throughout the third quarter. Both the teams got three penalty corners each in the last moments. However, both teams failed to take advantage.
Germany reduced the Indian team's lead to 4-5 in the fourth quarter. In the 48th minute of the match, Lukas Windfeder scored off a penalty corner.
In the final moments of the fourth quarter, Germany substituted the goalkeeper but even that did not work and the Indian hockey team went on to win the Olympic medal after 41 years.
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Men's Hockey Bronze Medal Results
India, have Day today!
The medal days are back as the Indian Men's Hockey team bring back home our first Hockey medal in 41 years. Bravo boys🙌 pic.twitter.com/5AXEaF1EYZ