The 2019 Men’s FIH Olympic Qualifiers were a defining moment in the journey to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Held from 25th October to 3rd November 2019, the competition brought together 14 teams from around the world, all vying for a place at the prestigious global event. The qualifiers were played in several host cities, with India’s matches taking place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, at the iconic Kalinga Stadium.
India’s mission was clear: beat Russia in a two-legged series and secure their spot in Tokyo. Let’s break down how the Indian Men’s Hockey Team achieved this goal and earned their place in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Match Overview:
India vs Russia (First Leg) – 1st November 2019
- Result: India won 4–2
The first match saw India struggle a little more than expected against Russia. Despite India being ranked 5th in the world and Russia 22nd, the Russians put up a strong fight. India opened the scoring early with a penalty stroke from Harmanpreet Singh. However, Russia quickly equalized, and for a while, the match was tight.
India’s star forward, Mandeep Singh, came through with a brace—scoring once in the 24th minute and again in the 53rd. Other goals came from SV Sunil (48th) and Harmanpreet Singh (5th). Russia managed a late penalty corner goal, making the final score 4–2 in India’s favor.
India still had to be cautious, as Russia showed they could be dangerous. With the aggregate scoreline tight at 4-2, the final match would decide everything.
India vs Russia (Second Leg) – 2nd November 2019
- Result: India won 7–1
The second match was a different story altogether. India came out with a vengeance, determined to finish the job. Russia’s hopes were dashed early when Alexey Sobolevskiy stunned the hosts by scoring just 25 seconds into the game, making it 1–0 to Russia.
But India quickly got their act together. Lalit Upadhyay equalized in the 17th minute, and then Akashdeep Singh took over, scoring two quick goals in the 23rd and 29th minutes. By halftime, India had a comfortable 7–3 lead on aggregate.
In the second half, India didn’t let up. Nilkanta Sharma (47th), Rupinder Pal Singh (48th and 59th), and Amit Rohidas (60th) added to the tally, sealing a 7–1 victory in the second leg and an 11–3 aggregate score.
India’s Road to Tokyo:
India’s victory in the two-legged qualifier secured them a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Their commanding performance in the second leg put any doubts to rest, and the team confirmed their place with an 11-3 aggregate score over Russia.
This qualification means a lot, especially since India has a rich history in Olympic hockey. With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics just around the corner, this win was the perfect way to solidify their place among the world’s best teams.
Final Standings:
- India: Qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
- Russia: Did not qualify
Conclusion:
India’s qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a well-deserved achievement after a strong showing in the 2019 FIH Men’s Olympic Qualifiers. While Russia fought hard, especially in the first leg, India’s experience, skill, and determination were too much for the visitors. With this success, India’s hockey team now sets their sights on Tokyo, where they’ll look to make their mark on the world stage.
The path to Tokyo was challenging, but the Indian men’s hockey team rose to the occasion, proving once again that they are among the top teams in the world. The road to the Olympics was made a little easier, but the real test will be in Tokyo!
