India came from behind to beat Germany 5-4 and win the bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020 courtesy of Simranjeet Singh's brace and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh's brilliant saves.
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It was supposed to be the match of a lifetime for the Indian men’s hockey team, with the hopes of 1.3 billion people behind that one medal chase. For 41 years, an entire generation was deprived of their hockey heroes been denied a medal in the Olympics. Ever since the gold in Moscow Olympics 1980, the political, cultural, geographical and technological landscape has changed. By the end of the second quarter, it looked like the wait would be prolonged. Germany were leading 3-1. But, in a spectacular six-minute blitz in the third quarter, India completely turned the tables. In an extremely high-scoring match, India beat Germany 5-4 to win the bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics.
It started off with Germany pushing Indian men’s hockey team on the backfoot, to give an early lead to their side courtesy of a goal from Timur Oruz. However, Indians were determined. It was about a four-decade-long wait. In the 17th minute of the second quarter, Simranjeet Singh scored the equalizing goal. But Germany scored two quick goals in the second quarter to take a 3-1 lead courtesy of goals from Niklas Wellen and Benedikt Furk. Meanwhile, India didn’t let the German’s get away from sight as they scored two goals to level the score at 3-3 before half time.
This match was about letting a whole generation of Indians see what a great side, the Indian hockey team has been. So, picking up their pace, and showing aggression, India started the third quarter with momentum on their side. Courtesy of a goal by Rupinder Pal Singh’s penalty stroke, India took a lead in the match for the first time. There was no stopping the Indian side after that. Simranjeet scored another goal, his second goal of the match. Although Germany reduced the deficit through Lukas Windfeder from penalty corner but Graham Reid’s side stood firm to hold on to the bronze medal.
The Germans dominated the first quarter of play as they scored the opening goal within two minutes of the start. Timm Herzbruch sent the ball to Florian Fuchs who in turn set up for Oruz. The 26-year-old forward somehow managed to slot the ball in despite being surrounded by a couple of Indian defenders. Meanwhile Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was one of the best players for India in the match. Sreejesh was the force behind many impeccable saves that could have cost India the medal. Mats Grambusch received an aerial ball inside the circle and turned the defender Hardik Singh before taking the shot, but Sreejesh was quick to come out of line and make the save. The Germans won four back-to-back penalty corners towards the end of first quarter but the Indian defence led by Sreejesh defended well to deny Germany the second goal.
India started the second quarter with more intensity. The third ranked team in the world scored the equalizer within two minutes. It was a quick counter attack from India. Nilakanta Sharma got past a couple of German players and gave a delightful pass to Simranjeet inside the striking circle. The 24-year-old forward then smashed the ball past German goalkeeper Alexander Stadler with a back-hand-shot. But seven minutes after India’s equalizer Germany took back the lead. Nilakanta was slow to react after losing the ball in the midfield. Christopher Ruhr rode forward and gave the ball to Wellen inside the ‘D’, who made it 2-1 for Germany. A minute later Germany extended the lead. Surender Kumar lost the ball inside the circle and Benedikt Furk made it 3-1.
Simranjeet then won the penalty corner from a counter attack. Harmanpreet’s drag flick was blocked by German goalkeeper Alexander Stadler but Hardik Singh was lurking in front of goal to score from rebound. And then Harmanpreet made the score 3-3 with a powerful low drag-flick which went past the left side of the German keeper from their third penalty corner of the match.
Indian men’s hockey team started the third quarter from where it had left off in the second. Referee awarded India a penalty stroke for a foul from behind on Mandeep Singh inside the ‘D’. Rupinder stepped up and converted from the penalty spot to take the lead for India. It was Rupinder’s third penalty stroke goal in the competition.
Simranjeet quickly extended India’s lead in the 34th minute. Gurjant Singh set up Simranjeet inside the circle after a powerful run down the right flank. The latter completed his brace from close range. Although India won a couple of penalty corners towards the end of third quarter but couldn’t capitalise on it.
Three minutes into the fourth quarter Germany pulled one back. Lukas Windfeder scored from their sixth penalty corner of the match. Meanwhile with ten minutes remaining, German captain Tobias Hauke received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle and was sent to the dugout for five minutes. But India couldn’t capitalise on the numerical advantage. Mandeep Singh found himself in a one-on-one situation with Stadler but the forward overcomplicated things and fired his shot wide.
At the other end Sreejesh once again made a superb save to deny Germany from a penalty corner. The German’s won two back-to-back penalty corners just at the end of time. But the Indian custodian stood like a wall to deny Germany the equalizer and secure India’s first Olympics medal after 41 years.
