Five years ago he suffered a stroke and has been paralysed since then. “Dad was paralysed after suffering a stroke five years back. He used to walk with a stick but since the last couple of months, his health deteriorated and this morning he left us,” his younger son V P Singh told PTI.

“His last rites will be performed today after my sister reaches Una from Delhi,” V P Singh said.

He lost his wife 12 years ago. While the eldest son is a doctor in Canada, the younger son was with him when he took his last breath. The only daughter of Mr Singh is married and based in New Delhi.

Singh, midfielder and two-time Olympian was remarkable in the fields. He was a part of team India during its glorious days in the Olympics. He led the team in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Pakistan in the final and participated in the Indian team in Rome Olympics, 1960, where India claimed silver.

He was an alumnus of Col Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun and Panjab University. After his acclaimed career in international hockey, he served as the Director of the Physical Education Department in Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. 

Singh was a devoted hockey player and still had memories of the Rome Olympics where India lost by a delicate 0-1 margin against arch-rival Pakistan. Four years later, under his captaincy, India defeated Pakistan and clinched gold in the Tokyo Olympics.

Recollecting the fond memory in the lead-up to last year’s Tokyo Olympics, Charanjit had told Hockey India Flashback Series: “Both the teams were regarded among the strongest teams during that time, and we had a very challenging outing against them (Pakistan).

“Moreover, you know how intense it becomes when you play against Pakistan that too in the final of the Olympics. The match was also interrupted briefly to cool down the tempers of both teams.

“I told my boys to focus on the game, rather than wasting time talking to them. We were tested hard but also showed great character, and won the match by a narrow 1-0 margin to return home with that historic gold medal.”

“Winning two medals for the country has been a moment of pride and honour for me. You know, after winning the gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, we were accorded a warm welcome on our arrival at the airport, a lot of fans had assembled, and it was a very special feeling for every one of us,” the eminent further shared. 

“Hockey was a very popular sport in India. It was given more importance because of the rich history, and our country had dominated in this sport in early years. We had won many gold medals at a prestigious event like the Olympics, and that was the key reason behind it.” 

“He was a legendary halfback who inspired an entire generation of players. He was a very cool-headed captain and he will forever be remembered for his incredible skills on the field and for his humility off the field,” Hockey India president Gyanendro Nigombam added.

The post India mourns the demise of Hockey eminent Charanjit Singh first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

The recently concluded Tokyo Olympics have brought back the glory to the sport with India winning the Bronze against Belgium 4-3. But with no players from the central state in the team, the hope for Bhopal to revive the lost glory is on hold.

City stars, Inam, Syed and Sameer, represented the country at the Olympics post-independence. While Ahmad Khan was one of those players who played along with hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. 

But in the past two decades, the city has scarcely produced a handful of hockey players like Mohammed Umar, who represented India at the Junior Men’s Asia Cup, 2015 and won Gold, Affan Yousuf (Asian Champions Trophy, 2016, gold) and goalkeeper Khushboo Khan, playing for junior women’s team. 

Once known for producing great players, Aishbagh, the oldest and the only Hockey Stadium in the city, has been waiting for revival for so long now. The work, however, has been a bone of contention between the Sports Department and the Municipal Corporation and hence is in abeyance.

“Inspired by India’s recent advancement at the Tokyo Olympics, many children have started practising at the Aishbagh Stadium, which is located in the centre of the city and is free of cost,” said Dad, who’s recently made the coach of Madhya Pradesh hockey team, as quoted by The Quint.

The fondness on display by the famed player and the inclination of the teenagers towards the sport depicts that Bhopal is trying hard to revive the legacy. But renaissance won’t be easy for the city, yet, Dad is all devoted to doing whatever he can. 

The post Bhopal: Once a hockey hub, now in wait for the revival of the sport first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

Vivek was part of the national team that claimed Bronze at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics. To him, this is a dreamlike moment as he has already been honoured with the award in the 2019-2020 season.

“I never imagined this would happen again. It is a surreal feeling to have been nominated for the second time in the same category (FIH Rising Star of the Year Award),” expressed Vivek graciously.

“I got to know this late in the night when I saw texts from my friends congratulating me. To be honest, it’s really overwhelming,” he continued, as quoted by The Hindu. 

The Indian Hockey body prepared the shortlist of all the divisions of FIH Awards 2020-21.

“It’s the result of teamwork and the support of senior players,” said the 21-year old while expressing gratitude to his seniors. 

“Since my debut, the seniors have been the biggest source of motivation. They have helped me play my natural game without any fear or pressure. That is the biggest reason why I could win the 2019 FIH Rising Star of the Year Award and also stand a chance to receive the honour for the second time,” he added further. 

He also pops off his feelings of winning the Bronze against Germany at the quadrennial games. “I still can’t believe I was part of the Olympic medal-winning team,” he voiced.

“It’s a dream of every athlete and I am really blessed to be able to live this dream at the age of 21.”

Asserting about the efforts put down by the team to execute an exemplary play in the next game, Vivek said, “…this is just the beginning and there’s still a lot of room for improvement. We have raised the bar and we have to do even better. There will be more challenges ahead and we need to be fully prepared for whatever comes our way.”

The post Indian Hockey | Twice in a row Vivek being nominated for FIH rising star first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

PM Modi took to Twitter to made the announcement. “I have been getting many requests from citizens across India to name the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand. I thank them for their views. Respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award! Jai Hind!” tweeted Modi.

It was in 1991-92 when the Khel Ratna award was first conferred to Chess genius Viswanathan Anand. The other winners who were honoured with the award were Leander Paes, Sachin Tendulkar, Dhanraj Pillay, Pullela Gopichand, Abhinav Bindra, Anju Bobby George, Mary Kom and Rani Rampal in 2020.

The hockey classic, Major Dhyan Chand, played international hockey from 1926 to 1949, scoring over 400 goals throughout his career. Dhyan Chand, born in Allahabad, was part of the national team that won gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics.

Apart from the Khel Ratna award, the country’s highest award for lifetime achievement in sports is known as the Dhyan Chand Award. It was inaugurated in 2002. In the same year, the National Stadium in New Delhi was renamed the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

The post Khel Ratna renamed to Dhyan Chand award 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.

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.

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!!

The post …and history is created, women team reached semifinals for the first time first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.

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.