2016 Rio Olympics - The History Book of Indian Hockey

Rio Olympics Hockey: Indian Men’s Team suffer second defeat, lose 1-2 to Netherlands

Indian Hockey Admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 06:06:20 +0000

A combative India muffed five penalty corners in the fag end and went down fighting 1-2 to the Netherlands in their fourth Pool B match of the Olympic men’s hockey competition here today.
With six points from four matches, India is at third place and will play Canada in the last game of the pool. Assured of a quarter-final berth, India will end up third in the poll if it wins against Canada.
For all their early exuberance, the Dutch’s frustration was rising as they were not able to get a breakthrough. However, as the second session opened, the Dutch earned their first penalty corner but Mink Van Der Meerden failed to beat goal keeper Sreejesh, but on the rebound Rogier Hoffman struck to give them the lead in the 32nd minute (1-0).
India defended deep in the closing stages of the third quarter, though SV Sunil and Raghunath were shown a yellow card each, leaving India down to nine men.
The Dutch would take full advantage of being a man up in the final quarter and stormed through with a series of penalty corners. Sreejesh stood strong, saving three in a row, before Van Der Meerden scored to give them the lead with six minutes of the game left (2-1).
After the game, captain Sreejesh was not happy with the result. “We muffed our chances. We can’t look at it as five PCs, it’s just one taken five times. This is the difference, we should convert in the dying minutes. I wasn’t surprised, it was a strategy. We needed to put pressure with an extra player and it worked, We earned 6 PC in the last five minutes.
“We are in the same position. We haven’t gone down. Winning two matches is crucial, rest is bonus. That will decide where you stand in the pool. It is better to win as many matches as possible.”
“We controlled the game well, we got opportunities. When we had nine players on the field, even then we controlled the game well. We could not convert in the end, we should have drawn the game. Like in the match against Germany, a small error cost us the game,” he added.

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India Women’s Hockey Team Face Tougher Task Against Britain: Rio Olympics 2016

Indian Hockey Admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 05:23:05 +0000

After a come-from-behind draw against Japan, India will face last edition’s bronze medallists Great Britain in their second Pool B women’s hockey match at the Rio Olympics on Monday.
The India women’s team staged a brilliant comeback to draw 2-2 with Japan on Sunday.
Trailing 0-2 after the end of the second quarter, India hit back with goals from Rani Rampal and Lilima Minz.
It was an inspiring start by India in the first ten minutes of the first quarter but Japan took control of proceedings and moved ahead with two goals towards the end of the first and second quarter.

India were found playing catch-up as Japan made some aggressive moves and created plenty of scoring opportunities.
India, however, turned the tables in the third quarter as they scored two goals to level the scoring at 2-2.
Coach Neil Hawgood said they were nervous initially on the big stage.
“We didn’t handle the ball well and I think they (Japan) deserved to be 2-0 up. I think in the second half we started to play what I know we can actually play.”
The women’s team have qualified for the Summer Games after a 36-year absence and coach was confident they will make a mark in Rio.
England on the other hand started their campaign with a 2-1 win over Australia after Lily Owsley scored in the second quarter.
Georgina Morgan equalised from a penalty corner but Alex Danson grabbed the winner with a reverse-stick shot late in the third quarter.

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Salman Khan as the New Goodwill Ambassador of RIO Olympics 2016

Indian Hockey Admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 12:19:02 +0000

Salman Khan was named goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but this decision has come with subsequent negative and positive reactions.
Speaking on this new association with IOA Salman said, “I am honoured that Indian Olympic Association has chosen me as the goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“It is a matter of great national pride that our athletes are performing better and better at the Olympic Games and I think we should all join hands in giving them every support and cheer for them so that Rio 2016 becomes our best Olympic tally.”
However, post this announcement there has been outrage from fellow athletes as well as social media. Seeming like unnecessary film promotion for Khan’s upcoming film Sultan, the Indian Olympic Associaton’s decision has not been received well.

Salman Khan with Sardar Singh and Mary Kom

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Hockey Team India Clubbed in Pool B for 2016 Rio Olympics

Indian Hockey Admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 13:32:42 +0000

Men’s Hockey Team India is clubbed with Netherlands, Argentina, Ireland and Canada under Group B for 2016 Rio Olympics while the women’s team has Argentina, Australia, Great Britain, USA and Japan in its group.
Group A has world’s no. 1 Hockey Team Australia clubbed with Great Britain, Belgium ; New Zealand; Spain and hosts Brazil.

Men’s Hockey Team India

Eight-time champion India is fully prepared with Sardar Singh’s team. The competition is going to be tough but India has recently performed very well in Hockey World League Final last month and won bronze so we can that they are prepared to give their best in the 2016 RIO Olympics.

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