Indian team, the underdog from the group stages faced a gut-wrenching defeat against the Australians.
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Gurjit Kaur had the weight of 1.3 billion hopes riding on her shoulders as she prepared to take a penalty corner against Australia in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 women’s hockey quarterfinal. Couple of games ago, Gurjit had missed a penalty against Germany which hurt India immensely. However, on Monday at Tokyo, Gurjit scripted her own story of redemption. In the 22nd minute, Gurjit slotted in the perfect penalty that wrongfooted the Australian goalkeeper Rachael Lynch. India had taken a 1-0 lead against the mighty Australians. The reaction of the team spoke volumes about how desperately they wanted to win.
With the goal scored, it was now the turn of India’s defenders and Savita Punia. Australia was going to go hard and they attacked with tremendous energy. But, Savita Punia saved a total of seven penalty corners. The one goal was scored and seven penalty corners saved. Eerily, it was 1-7 for India against Australia but this time in favour of India. But, in this match, India was on top thanks to Savita’s brilliant keeping.
When 60 minutes were up, the joy was immense. The India women’s hockey team had scripted the perfect Chak De India moment. It was not quite the 70-minute feeling that the movie had shown. But, these 60 minutes gave India women’s hockey team the dream to do well and gun for a medal. From being down and out after losing three games, India has scripted one of the greatest comebacks in their history. The 1-0 win ensured India reached the semi-final for the first time in their playing history.
The match began with Australians dominating the hockey with their accurate passes and aggression. In the first two minutes of the game itself, Ambrosia Malone receives a pass from the right flank. To India’s luck, she hit the post with her shot. The Indian defenders clear the rebound. The Australians were quick on their feet, their passes were fast and smooth. The Indians were just rusty in the beginning and could not keep the ball control to themselves for a long while. Indian also made an attempt at the goal in the first quarter of the match.
The India women’s hockey team knew that they had to shore up their defence units. They had conceded 15 goals in the league stages. In the do-or-die clash against South Africa, they took the lead three times only for South Africa to equalize thrice. Realising that defence was a priority against the attacking Australians, India managed to put their defenders at the right place and at the right time. Australia could not get the space to maneuver or create chances. India had cut down the angles.
India held on to the lead but with every passing minute, the pressure mounted on both teams. Australia unleashed waves and waves of attacks, but Savita Punia and the Indian defenders put in an inspired performance.
The women’s team are scripting a fairytale similar to the men. After being thrashed 1-7 by Australia, the India men’s team have won four consecutive games to reach the semifinal after four decades. With India women now in the knockout stage, the hopes and expectations will only increase now. But, Gurjit Kaur’s goal has etched a special history for India women’s hockey. Rani Rampal and Co. now have the license to dream big after this win.
