The recent performance of the national teams in the Tokyo Olympics was remarkable and every countryman was praising the Manpreet and Rani led teams for their outstanding conduct at the Oi Hockey Stadium, Tokyo. Thanks to the Patnaik government for seeing the potential and came to savour the sport which has a glorious history. 

India has won eight golds in Hockey since their maiden play in 1928, Netherlands Olympics. The last Gold match was in Moscow, 1980, Summer Olympics. Since then India was waiting for a medal at the most celebrated sport. This year, the men’s team claimed the Bronze at the Olympics by defeating Germany 5-4, while the women played their maiden semi-finals and stood at fourth. A marvellous play by both the teams on the world stage. 

Just when Mr Patnaik was lauding the men’s and women’s teams after the grand show at the Olympics, he announced, “We, in Odisha, are elated that our partnership with Hockey India has led to this great achievement for the country. I believe Odisha and hockey are destined to become synonymous. We will continue our partnership with Hockey India. Odisha will support the Indian hockey teams for 10 more years.”

Although the exact amount of sponsorship is yet to be disclosed. In 2018, the littoral state had signed a ₹100 crore deal with Hockey India for financing the men’s and women’s teams for 5 years after Sahara India withdrew, subsequently getting entangled in legal issues.

Mr Patnaik, who has honoured each player with ₹10 Lakh and ₹5 lakh each to the support staff, articulated that each team player has made the country proud with their blazing battle at Tokyo Olympics. 

“These are deeply emotional moments for India to witness the revival of Indian hockey. For nearly four decades, hockey fans have been yearning to see India grab a medal at the Olympics. The way the entire country was glued to the screens to watch the hockey teams’ matches, it is quite evident there is something more to hockey than just sports. In these crisis times, the teams have brought smiles to the faces of crores of Indians. We all should be thankful to our boys and girls,” he said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times. To that, showing their gratitude to him each team gifted him a framed jersey autographed by the players.

Patnaik also honoured the ‘player with the maximum number of goals scored’ award to Harmanpreet Singh while PR Sreejesh won the award for the player with the maximum number of goals saved. Nilakanta Sharma won the award for the maximum number of goal assists, Rupinder Pal Singh won the award for the player with the maximum number of defensive tackles and Harmanpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas were complimented with awards for maximum interceptions in the midfield.

In the women’s team, Gurjit Kaur and Vandana Katariya won the award for the maximum number of goals scored. Savita Punia won the award for the maximum number of goals saved. Rani Rampal and Navneet Kaur jointly won the award for the maximum number of goal assists. Deep Grace Ekka won for the maximum number of defensive tackles and P Sushila Chanu was awarded for maximum interceptions in the midfield.

“The team and I are very happy to be present here today as we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the Odisha government for supporting our team. Our team is always made to feel so welcome when we come here… Odisha feels very much like the home of Indian hockey now,” said Rani, captain of the national women’s hockey team.

On the other hand, the captain of the men’s team, Manpreet Singh, who was delighted to be back in Odisha, said, “This bronze medal may have been won by us as players, but in reality, it equally belongs to India.” He also praised the Odisha CM for providing support to the hockey teams.

The post Odisha extended sponsorship to Indian Hockey for 10 more years first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Expectations weren’t shattered even then. India was still in the race to battle for the Bronze. The contention was between India and Great Britain. Speculations were sky-high this time. The whole country was eyeing today’s match, which was scheduled for 7:00 AM, August 6.

Match began, following nationals anthems of both countries. Teams were all prepared to deliver a strong competition to the opponent. Although the start wasn’t very lucky for India, it was at the end of Q2 when team blue gained momentum and scored their first goal. India was under pressure, sticks on hand and aim on the goalpost. The Rio champions, Great Britain, don’t want to lose this time. They are all determined to beat the competitor. And in the end, they secured the third position in Hockey at the 2020 Olympics, beating India 4-3. It was a courageous match though.

Let’s travel to the highlights of today’s match.

Interesting stats

— Great Britain (England) is ranked 4th in the FIH rankings, while India is ninth in the list.

— The Rio Champions have the upper hand, winning two and drawing two of their last four games against India.

— Great Britain won the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, while have won the bronze medal twice previously, in 1992 and 2012.

— India meanwhile has never been on the podium, and this is just their third appearance at the Summer Games.

IND v GBR | Highlights

6:51 AM, Ten minutes to go to witness a historical match.

6:52 AM, Teams are out in the field for the National Anthems. Hearts are beating fast, there is intensity in the player’s eyes. They had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

6:54 AM, Match begins. This is a big opportunity for team India.

7:00 AM, Capt. Rani Rampal and Vandana Katariya are key players for India in this battle for Bronze. GBR is attacking from left to right. The first five minutes are very crucial.

7:02 AM, First PC to Britain. Can India save it?

7:03 AM, India defended it well. Credits to Savita.

7:05 AM, Superb ball from Neha to Rani, but she took a lot of time to enter the circle and attack was wasted out.

7:11 AM, Another PC to Great Britain. The ball is averted and India survived again.

7:16 AM, End of the first quarter. Both teams are 0-0.

7:19 AM, Second quarter begins.

7:22 AM, GOAL!! Elena Rayer earns the first goal to team Britain. GBR leads 1-0.

7:24 AM, India resisted for the first quarter, but it didn’t take much time for GB to take possession in the second quarter. The goal, unfortunately, coming off an Indian stick. The reigning Olympic champions might be more dangerous now.

7:25 AM, PC to GBR. But it struck the side of the goalpost.

7:32 AM, GOAL!! GBR ahead India 2-0. Tomahawk shot and with a player down India relinquished another goal. McCallin makes the cross inside the circle, Robertson hammers it in to double Britain’s lead.

7:33 AM, PC to India. PC converted, and GOAL to team blue. Gurjit Kaur scores a drag-flick – and India pulls one back. Powerful shot, no goalkeeper, even a legend like Hinch has no chance to save this one. Fantastic save.

7:36 AM, India 1-2 Great Britain.

7:37 AM, Salima Tete earned a PC to India. Well done pride of Jharkhand. She moved swiftly inside the circle from the left-hand flank.

7:37 AM, Gurjit Kaur came to rescue. Once again she converted the PC and drew the match to 2-2. Wonderful job!

7:41 AM, GOAL!! Sushila Chanu enters inside the circle, Navneet attempted to put it in, but she missed, approaches Vandana Katariya to put the ball inside from the near post. India leads 3-2.

7:44 AM, A fantastic comeback for team India in the second half. Going from 0-2 down to a 3-2 lead.

7:54 AM, India is still ahead of Great Britain.

7:58 AM, PC to GBR, but saved. Monika defended well. Solid blocking to deny Britain once again on PC.

7:59 AM, Britain won’t let an easy go for India. Excellent ball by Anna Thomas inside the circle, there was no touch inside the circle. Lucky escape for India.

8:01 AM, GOAL!! Britain equalised the game. Both are 3-3 now.

8:03 AM, PC to India. Good job Sharmila to keep the GBR defence at bay. The ball touches McCallin’s. Another chance for India.

8:04 AM, Another PC! saved by Madeline Hinch. India denied scoring.

8:08 AM, The 19-year-old, Salima Tete is concerning Indian defence. India keeping possession. If they secure a goal here, it would put pressure on Britain.

8:25 AM, Grace Balsdon scores a goal. Great Britain leads 4-3.

8:31 AM, India is under pressure. Tension is all over the air.

8:43 AM, India is putting pressure on Great Britain. The last 90 seconds are very crucial.

8:45 AM, India lost the Bronze medal match to Great Britain 3-4. It was an electrifying match that went right down to a medal. But the women team has so much to be proud of. They stood against the Rio Gold Medalist and gave them strong competition. Well done girls! The Country is proud of you.

The post Tokyo 2020|India loses Bronze to Great Britain 3-4 first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Here are the highlights of today’s match:

Men’s hockey bronze medal match: INDvGER

8:50 AM, India won a historic men’s hockey bronze match. It was 1980 when India last climbed up the Olympic podium and won its 8th Gold at the Summer Games.

8:47 AM, Another PC to Germany. But it has been saved. India leads 5-4.

8:43 AM, Germany earned its 8th PC. But India survived. The 5-4 lead is still unhurt. Two minutes left to end the match,

8:34 AM, PC to Germany. But India managed to defence well, PC thwarted. India leads 5-4 in Q4.

8:31 AM, It was a head-to-head chance for Mandeep. Had just the goalkeeper to beat, but missed. India is ahead 5-4.

8:26 AM, Penalty corner for Germany and they scored. The game is tensed now. The difference between teams is reduced to one goal now. India 5-4 Germany.

8:20 AM, Third quarter ends. India leads 5-3.

8:17 AM, Germany is ferocious now. They managed to earn a PC but India defended well,. Lead is still intact 5-3.

8:10 AM, India earned another PC. But it has been averted by Germany. Team leads 5-3. Five minutes left in the third quarter.

8:04 AM, And another goal for team India. Simranjeet scored his second goal in the match. India began by trailing 1-3 and now leading 5-3. A high-spirited match for winning a bronze at the event.

8:00 AM, GOAL! Rupinder steps in, goaled off a PC. India is ahead 4-3 in the third quarter.

7:58 AM, India earned another PC. Germans ask for a referral, the decision is upheld.

7:47 AM, Another goal to team India. This time Harmanpreet equalised the game by scoring off a PC. Both teams are 3-3.

7:43 AM, There is a shower of goals at the OI Hockey Stadium. India attacked back, earned a PC. Hardik Singh scores a goal in favour of India. India 2-3 Germany in Q2.

7:39 AM, Third goal to Germany’s court. Germans now ahead 3-1, India is made to pay for its negligence in defence.

7:37 AM, Another goal to Germany. Opponents restored their lead 2-1. Six minutes left to Q2 end.

7:29 AM, It’s a GOAL! India scored early in Q2. Coach Graham Reid jumps in joy. Thanks to Simranjeet for the reverse strike and equalise the score. India and Germany are both 1-1.

7:23 AM, First quarter ends. India survived a bombardment of PCs in the last minutes. We need a better structure in the next 45 minutes, at least at the defence.

7:15 AM, India is trying to enter into the German circle but the structure in the attack has been missing.

7:10 AM, Almost half time left for the first quarter to end. Germany is in the dominion. India lags 0-1.

7:05 AM, Penalty corner to India. Harmanpreet to take it, but the team failed to convert. Germany is still in lead.

7:02 AM, Germany secured its first goal. Lead India through a field goal 1-0.

7:00 AM, Whistle blew! Both teams all braced up to take on the opponent.

Meanwhile, with the announcement of the results, the whole country came to roads to celebrate team India’s victory at the Olympics. Here are some glimpses from around the country.

On the other hand, other sportspersons and influential people took on Twitter to congratulate the national team for bringing a medal after a wait of 41 years. Here is what they tweeted.

What a match team India. You made India proud.

The post Bronze is ours, Well done team India! first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

From belonging to a place with a strong Naxalhold to holding the stick to escape an alcoholic father, the women team is equipped with determined and devoted members. What is it like to be a woman of dreams in a society where patriarchy still holds strong dominion? Let’s travel through their yesterday to get an idea of their journey.

Captain Rani Rampal, 26, is a forward player. She hails from Shahbad, Haryana. She’s been representing India internationally since 14. Her journey was full of hurdles. Rani was in Salwar-kameez when she holds the stick for the first time. Today, she is the key player in the national team. Known for her unmistakable ability to be at the right place at the right time, she made India name many gallantries to its account. She assisted the team win a Junior World Cup medal, Asian Cup, and was one of the key reasons why India could qualify for the back-to-back Olympics for the first time.

Neha Goyal is another player hailing from Haryana. The 24-year-old Midfielder, who hails from Sonipat, playing hockey came with two meals a day. This helped her to stay away from her alcoholic father and toxic home environment. She is representing the nation for the first time at the Olympics. Her debut was Asian Games, 2018, when she was just 18 years old. India won a silver at the Games and she was awarded the Hockey India Midfielder of the year award.

Defender Nikki Pradhan (27) gets frightened while remembering the old days when travelling even with parents was terrifying. She grew up in Hesal, Jharkhand, an area known to be a Naxal stronghold. Initial days were harsh. Grew up with financial constraints, Pradhan’s elder sister, who also played hockey, did labour work to get a hockey stick. Nikki, however, got her first pair of shoes and stick when she moved to an academy in Ranchi, 2006. It was in 2015 when she finally secured a spot in the team, just before the Rio Olympics, becoming the first player to represent the state at the Olympics.

Nisha Warsi (26) is another hockey star who made her international debut two years ago. Hailing from Sonipat, Haryana, Warsi’s father worked really hard to make sure the daughter’s needs are not compromised. But 2015 trembled the family with the father getting a paralytic attack and forcing her mother to work in a foam manufacturing factory to make ends meet. She waited for three years to get into the national team and since 2018, Warsi is unstoppable.

When northeastern face racial discrimination, the 21-year-old forward player from Kolasib, Mizoram, Lalremsiami, came to the limelight to make people think otherwise. One of the finest forwards in the team, Siami, as she is called by her teammates, is central to the idea of playing high-tempo hockey. She became a part of the national team at the age of 16. At that time, speaking Hindi or English was a tough task for her to do. Sign language and monosyllables came to her rescue. While sharing the room with her idol, Rani Rampal, Siami blended into the team. She became the first female player from Mizoram to play at the Olympics and the 2nd Olympian from the state in 25 years after Archer C Lalremsanga.

Another sports star from the northeast is Sushila Chanu (29), who hails from the capital of Manipur, Imphal. One of the experienced players in the team in the last decades alongside Rani Rampal, she worked for the Railways in Mumbai earlier. Sushila captained the team at the Rio Olympics, which was the women team’s first appearance at the Games since 1980. She has over 150 caps for the national team, has played across the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and was instrumental in stunning out the Australians in the quarter-finals.

Growing up in a family of hockey enthusiasts, Deep Grace Ekka, 27, is a defender. She is the sister of former Indian goalkeeper, Dinesh Grace. The girl from Odisha followed the footsteps of her brother and wanted to be a goalkeeper as well, but was pushed to play as a Defender by her brother. It was her fondness for the sport that made her spend a huge amount of time at practice, but to other Lulkidihi-residents spending that much on the field for a girl wasn’t very appreciating. They criticise her for not doing her ‘chores.’ Ekka, however, had a supportive family. She went on to be a part of the team that won the Asia Cup in 2017. With over 200 caps, she’s now playing at her second Olympics.

A budding star, Salima Tete, 19, is another player from Hesal, Jharkhand. She is a midfielder. Tete’s hockey journey began the same way most people in India fall in love with sports – in a dusty maidan where the stones needed to be removed and the temporary goalposts had to be constructed. She was born in a Naxal stronghold area, which is also a hockey hotbed. In her initial days, she worked on the family’s farm and bought herself a stick with the earned money. Before Olympics, she had won 29 caps for the senior national team.

The 23 year old Udita Duhan is a Hisar native. Duhan, a defender, followed in her father’s footsteps by playing handball. Never had imagined Hockey as a career pursuit, she stopped playing handball soon her coach stopped coming for practice. On the advice of her mother, she decided to try hands at hockey and her speed caught everybody’s attention. In 2016 she was named captain of the team that won bronze at the U-18 Asian Cup. A year later she was elevated to the senior team and became a permanent fixture ever since.

Forward Vandana Katariya, 26, hails from the city of Nawabs, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Making it to the quarterfinals wasn’t easy, stepped in Vandana who stood against South Africa and secured three goals. She became the only Indian woman to score an Olympic hat-trick. The achievement arrived just three months after she faced a personal tragedy. Growing up in Haridwar, locals dissuaded her family from allowing their daughter to play sports instead of focusing on household chores. But her father was adamant to ignore the societal pressure and let the daughter pursue her dream. He passed away three months ago, and Katariya was unable to attend the funeral. She will now play for the team facing Great Britain for the Bronze on August 5.

Navneet Kaur (25), is a forward. She hails from Shahbad, Haryana and is one of eight players in the team who also battled at the Rio Olympics. She’s been one of the most consistent forwards of the country. With her debut in the Junior World Cup, 2013, when India won a bronze, she has been a part of several path-breaking performances. She considers Australian great Jamie Dwyer as her idol and on Monday, she put up a courageous performance defeating her hero’s national team.

Midfielder Monika Malik (27), is another player from Sonipat, Haryana. Her father Takdeer Singh Malik, ASI with the Chandigarh police, is fond of wrestling. But Monika affirmed that he never had imposed his likeness on her. She was free to choose the sport of her interest and Malik decided to pursue the hockey route. She started her hockey training at a government school in Chandigarh. She holds a business administration degree from Kurukshetra University. On the hockey field, she was a part of the national team in the Asia Cup in 2018, and 2014, winning silver and bronze respectively.

Defender Gurjit Kaur (25), belongs to the state of Hockey legend Dhyan Chand and Balbir Singh Sr. Hailing from Amritsar, Punjab, she claimed the lone goal at the Tokyo Olympics that made India win the quarterfinal against Australia. The defender has been chipping in with crucial goals throughout her international career, scoring eight at the Asia Cup triumph in 2017, and was the top scorer when India won the 2019 FIH Women’s Series Finals.

What were you doing at 19? Well, the Hisar teenager Sharmila Devi is representing India at the Olympics. The forward made her international debut in Tokyo at the Olympic Test Event in 2019. She was also on the scoresheet when India beat the United States 6-5 to secure qualification. Sharing her journey, she explained that her inclination for hockey developed at a little age while accompanying her grandfather, a former national player, to a local ground. It was the balls used in Hockey, Volleyball and football which she found fascinating. It took a while to choose one sport as a career.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)

The post Poverty, Hardships, Struggle, couldn’t break the hopes of eves of team India; a journey to Olympics first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Although today’s match was disappointing for team India as they were behind the opponent with just one goal. This, however, counted as the best performance of the women hockey team as they defeated the world no. 2 champions Australia in the quarters and made it to the semis for the first time at the Olympics.

Fingers crossed! Hoping for a medal in Hockey at the Olympics.

Here are the highlights of today’s match:

5:05 PM, Game Over! Argentina won over India 2-1. Well played teams.

5:03 PM, Umpire’s verdict, no penalty corner for India.

5:02 PM, India has gone for a referral asking for PC in the last two minutes of the game.

4:59 PM, India is eyeing on the equaliser but two minutes late. Argentina managed the game very well by keeping the ball in India’s half.

4:53 PM, Penalty corner to India. Argentina successfully saved itself. India still struggling to take lead.

4:51 PM, India is furious now, making continuous efforts to snatch the possession from the opponent.

4:47 PM, Fourth quarter begins. India has 15 minutes to turn the match in favour.

4:45 PM, End of the third quarter. India lags 1-2 against Argentina.

4:36 PM, Argentina still in dominion. India struggling to make raids in the opposition circle.

4:34 PM, Argentina’s goal upheld. South American team leads 2-1.

4:31 PM, This time Argentina converts the PC. That goes for an umpire referral though.

4:30 PM, Argentina earn a Penalty Corner in just five minutes entering the third quarter.

4:23 PM, Third quarter starts.

4:14 PM, Half time. Both teams are 1-1.

4:10 PM, Argentina earned a PC. Can India deflect it?

4:09 PM, the umpire reviews the video. No penalty corner for India this time.

4:07 PM, Another penalty for India. Argentina has gone for a referral.

4:05 PM, India failed to convert. Argentina survived again.

4:05 PM, Another PC for India.

4:05 PM, Argentina dodged off the ball almost immediately.

4:03 PM, Penalty corner to India. Rani Rampal and Salima Tete combined to get a PC for India.

4:00 PM, India is not happy. Looking to hit back on the opponent.

3:57 PM, At last, Argentina made a goal by taking advantage of the PC. Both stand 1-1.

3:54 PM, Another penalty corner to Argentina.

3:53 PM, Argentina failed to take advantage again. India is still in lead.

3:52 PM, Penalty corner to Argentina.

3:52 PM, Second quarter begins! Argentina is all set to attack back on the opponent. Tension hurling over the stadium.

3:52 PM, First quarter ends. India leads Argentina 1-0.

3:51 PM, Medical attention needed. Navneet Kaur has to leave the field for the moment after a head collision with an opponent player, who also left the field for treatment.

3:45 PM, The Argentines are eyeing for more of the ball, team India trying to defend at best.

3:40 PM, First penalty corner to Argentina. Can India stop the opponent?

3:39 PM, Argentina make a circle entry but the Indian defence hastily crowds out the opposition and the ball is averted from danger.

3:37 PM, India is all enthused, playing with full confidence. Argentina is trying to cope up with the early blow.

3:34 PM, And Goal! Gurjit Kaur successfully converts the PC. What a start. Well done team India!

3:32 PM, India is awarded a penalty corner. Can they convert it?

3:30 PM, Whistle blew! Sjoerd Marijne’s India went off to write a new chapter on the women hockey team’s achievement. Aimed to reach the place where no other team has ever been to. Argentina stands in the way of a historic final.

3:25 PM, Teams are ready. India started the match.

2:50 PM, After stunning Aussies, India is ready to take on Argentina. Can they beat the heavyweight champions team?

India women hockey team made it to the semifinals for the first time at the Olympics. The achievement is beyond words!

How does India come so far?

After giving a befitting reply to Australia, the Indian women hockey team qualified for the first time for the semifinal at the Olympics. India is just a win away to settle its victory in the Summer Games.

It was Gurjit Kaur’s strike that contributed to world no. 2 champion Australia’s defeat. Rani Rampal and her squad have prepared their grounds to take on the opponent, Argentina, on Aug 3. So far the women in blue have already performed their best at the Olympics, and should they succeed in defeating Argentina they will end in the top two spots on the podium.

India played its maiden quarter-final match against heavyweight Australia on Monday. Throughout the event, the national team struggled to score a goal, but the air blew to their favour only at 22’ with Gurjit Kaur being able to strike the lone goal, favouring India’s victory. Although Australians fought tooth and nail to give a befitting reply to India, Rani and her team managed to keep them at bay and clinched a heroic victory.

Team India was able to save eight giant PCs while converting only one that they got in the match to script a historical win at the Olympics. Before facing Australia, India took on Ireland and South Africa in their final group stage games.

“Very happy with the win, everybody worked very hard for this win. We performed like one team and we are feeling so happy to have qualified for the semifinals. Thank you to all those who supported the Indian women’s team. This team is like a family, including the coaching staff. Our entire country supports us and everybody’s prayers are with us,” said Gurjit Kaur, the lone goal-getter after winning the game. 

On the other hand, Argentina won over Germany 2-0 in their quarter-final battle. Argentina is positioned 5th in the world. They have claimed victory in five out of six matches, losing their opening match against New Zealand.

It will be a real test for team India to face a team like Argentina on the battleground.

Score Board of India

• India lost to Netherlands 5-1
• India lost to Germany 2-0
• India lost to Great Britain 4-1
• India beat Ireland 1-0
• India beat South Africa 4-3
• India beat Australia 1-0 (QF)

Score Board of Argentina

• Argentina lost to New Zealand 3-0
• Argentina beat Spain 3-0
• Argentina beat China 3-2
• Argentina beat Japan 2-1
• Argentina beat Australia 2-0
• Argentina beat Germany 2-0

The post INDvARG|Argentina won 2-1, India will battle for bronze against GBR first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

They played a wonderful match, said Prime Minister Modi, who updated his Twitter on watching the semifinal match against Belgium. After the results, he had a word with captain Manpreet Singh and clapped for their performance at the stadium. He encouraged the Indian representation to give their best in the play for Bronze.

Former Hockey captain, Jagbir Singh, also tweeted to boost the morale up for India.

Everyone was eying on today’s match as had India managed to win against Belgium, the achievement would have been a huge psychological battle victory. Belgium, in the past decade, scripted a different story to narrate. Their fortunate years have begun since 2011 with winning an Olympic medal, World Cup, European Championship in a span of ten years. Hence, taking down Belgium, No. 2 world champions, happened to be a great deal for India.

The squad, however, was unable to stop the opponent as Alexander Hendrickx thrashed India by scoring hat-tricks.

The Belgium goal-getter, Alexander, tops the goal-scoring charts with 11 goals in the event so far.

Here are the highlights from the match:

Men’s hockey semifinal: India against Belgium

7:00 AM, Teams are standing guard to beat the opponent.

7:02 AM, Belgium get a penalty corner in just 1:04 minutes of play.

7:03 AM, Belgium lead India 1-0 in the second minute of the game. It’s Luypaert, not Hendrickx who goaled for the team.

7:10 AM, India get a PC but Vanasch saves the reverse from Manpreet after a poor stop routine. But another PC was awarded to India for transgression.

7:10 AM, India equalize through Harmanpreet Singh. Both the team stands 1-1.

7:16 AM, GOAL!!! Mandeep goaled for India. Team Blue is ahead of Belgium 2-1.

7:23 AM, First Quarter ends.

7:28 AM, Match is fierce. Belgium is now showing some pressure on the podium. But India swings back all three, despite being less a player, Rupinder Pal Singh, in the team. Rupinder rushed out early and sent to the half-line. India leads 2-1.

7:30 AM, Another PC for Belgium. This time Hendrickx goaled. Belgium 2-2 India.

7:49 AM, End of the second quarter.

8:05 AM, The Weather condition is adverse. The humidity level in Tokyo is almost 80%. Such conditions are a big test of players’ fitness as well. But the game continues. India earns their fifth penalty corner in the 38th minute. Belgium loses video referral as well. No goal this time, both teams 2-2.

8:21 AM, Fourth Quarter begins. Fifteen minutes left to match ending.

8:23 AM, Capt. Manpreet is out for two minutes with a green card. Belgium gets their 8th PC. Striking move from Rohidas, blocking Hendrickx. But the ball hits his leg and 9th PC for Belgium. India thwarts but made a mistake. Another PC.

8:25 AM, Hendrickx, drag-flicker, secured another goal. Belgium is now ahead 3-2. This is his 12th goal of the Games in Tokyo.

8:33 AM, India is tensed. Pressure is all over. Only 7:31 minutes left for the match to end and India lags 2-3.

8:34 AM, Penalty stroke for Belgium. This can finish the game for India. Hendrickx scores another goal, completes his hat-trick with his 14th goal of the Games. India trail 2-4 with 7 minutes left in the game.

8:45 AM, Belgium beat India 5-2 with the final goal scored by Dohmen in the first semifinal match at the Olympics. Belgium registered their second consecutive Olympic final, while India will play Germany or Australia for bronze. Thanks to Hendrickx for scoring hat-tricks, Luypaert for a goal in the second minute and Dohman to seal the victory by securing a goal in the last minute. While Harmanpreet and Mandeep scored for India.

India will now face Germany for the Bronze!

The post India will now race for Bronze, lost to Belgium 2-5 first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

On the other hand, Belgium claimed entered the semifinal by defeating Spain in an adventurous match. Both the teams are ready to set the stage on fire tomorrow. Before the semifinal match, here are the one-on-one records between the opponent teams.

Head-to-head record

The national team played against Belgium three times in 2019. team played against Belgium three times in their tour of the country back in 2019. At that time, Belgium lost all the matches to India. In one of the games, the Indians lambasted Belgium 5-1.

If records are taken into account, India is ahead of the Belgians in their last five matches. They have registered 4 wins in the last 5 matches against Belgium.

The last time when India and Belgium fought against each other in the Olympics, things didn’t turn out very well for team India as they were beaten 3-1 by the European nation.

Where do they stand at world rankings?

Belgium is at the top position in the world. The European nation maintained in top form for a long time. They named the World Cup and European championships to get themselves to the World No. 1 spot.

The Indian team, on the other hand, isn’t that far from in terms of quality. With their brilliant form and spectacular performance, they are placed at their best-ever ranking of World No. 3

The post India to face Belgium in Semis on Aug 3, who is going to win? first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

India kick-started a favourable week with the women team making their entry straight to the semifinals for the first time in the Olympics. The victory deciding goal is credited to the account of Gurjit Kaur. India won against the opponent 1-0.

Rani Rampal and her squad will face Argentina, who beat Germany 3-0 in the previous quarterfinal match, in the semis on Wednesday.

The women’s team has never been in the semifinals at the Olympics. They last performed in 1980, gave their best but ended at the fourth position among six teams. This is their third appearance at the Olympics – 1980, 2016 and 2020/21.

Here are the highlights of the match:

Women’s hockey quarterfinal – India vs Australia

8:30 AM, The whistle is blown followed by game rituals. Both the teams were on their toes to beat the opponent.

8:43 AM, India’s Sharmila taken out of the stadium, it appears to be a back injury for taking her out of the podium. The first quarter continues to be full of tension.

8:47 AM, None of the team was able to score a goal in the first quarter.

9:00 AM, Second-quarter began, brings joy to the cart of India as the team secured a goal against Australia.

9:13 AM, Gurjit Kaur kicked off a penalty corner that made India lead against the world No. 2 Australian team in Tokyo.

9:33 AM, Australia is anxious as India still leads. Five minutes left in Q3.

9:36 AM, Third quarter ends. India still holds the dominion.

9:46 AM, the fourth quarter advances. India defended the first five of the last 15 minutes successfully. Australia couldn’t permeate areas across the 23-yard mark. India leads 1-0.

10:00 AM, for the first time in the history team India made it to the semifinals in the Olympics.

Semifinals here comes team India, eager to meet you!!

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India is now at fourth place with six points. With this, the national team finished their group A league and will face pool B winner Australia in the quarterfinals on Monday. The top four teams from each group made it to the podium.

The last such success was in Moscow, 1980 when India reached the semi-finals but positioned fourth.

Give credits to Vandana Kataria who scored hat-tricks that favoured India’s victory against South Africa. Kataria scored at 4′, 17′, 49′, with this she became the first woman hockey player to score a hat-trick in the Olympics. While Young Neha Goyal scored the other goal at 32′.

Opponent players Tarryn Glasby, skipper Erin Hunter, and Marizen Marais scored (15th), skipper Erin Hunter (30th) and Marizen Marais (39th) got the goals for the team.

“Today’s game was really tough, South Africa gave us a really good fight. They converted their chances in the circle. Defensively, we can be a lot better,” skipper Rani said, as quoted by NDTV.

Although chief coach Sjoerd Marijne was a bit relaxed but wasn’t much excited with the number of goals India admitted.

“We gave too many goals away, and I think we can score more goals, that is the main thing for today. We did what we had to do, we had to win this match, and we did,” he said.

“Playing in these circumstances, you feel it, the humidity and I think it’s more than 35 degrees on the pitch, it does not make it easy,” he added further.

The post Tokyo 2020 | Women hockey team lands up at quarterfinals, a robust win after 41 years first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Thanks to Dilpreet Singh, Gurjeet Singh and Hardik Singh for scoring goals for India. The achievement has come after a long wait of four decades. Winning this game team India came to a step closer to win gold in the sport.

India, being the famed hockey team that won eight golds so far in the sport, was awaiting such a victory for decades. Manpreet Sandhu and his squad sealed victory scoring goals through Dilpreet Singh at 7′, Gurjant Singh at 16′ and Hardik Singh at 57′. While Sam Ward scored the lone goal for the opponent team at 45′.

India will now face world champions Belgium in the semifinal on Tuesday.

India has a remarkable history in the sport. From 1928 to 1956, India won six consecutive golds in the most anticipated games. It was 1980 in Moscow when the last gold was named after India, at that time only six teams played at the event and there were no semifinals. The national team played the last semis in 1972 (Munich) against its arch-rival Pakistan and lost 0-2.

For a country like India, which is home to legendary players like Major Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr. to name a few, such a long wait isn’t that exciting. The pain was inevitable.

In another match, Belgium triumph over Spain 3-1 in the quarterfinal and made their way to the semis.

In another semifinal match, Australia will face Germany.

With today’s accomplishment, India now stands a 5-4 win-loss record against Great Britain in the Olympic Games.

As soon as India won the match, Twitter got inundated with appreciation messages. Among them, a few renowned were hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Col Rajyavardhan Rathore and others joined the queue congratulating the national team.

India Squad: P.R. Sreejesh (GK); Manpreet Singh (C), Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Birendra Lakra, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit, Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh

The post India beats Great Britain 3-1, enters Semis after 41 years first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.