Tokyo Olympics 2020: India men hockey team wins Bronze medal
New Delhi : Indian men hockey team on Thursday scripted history with a 5-4 win over Germany, clinching Bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020. The nation has won a medal in the Olympics after a long wait of 41 years as the last time they shine at the biggest stage was in the 1980 Moscow Olympics with a gold.
Simranjeet Singh was the star of the game for India with a brace in the 17th and 34th minute. While, Hardik Singh (27th minute), Harmanpreet Singh (29th minute) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st minutes) scored the other three goals for India.
Germany started the game on an aggressive note and they scored first goal within 2 minutes of the game. The Indian men were mostly chasing the ball in the first quarter but they dominated in the second quarter by scoring three goals in the second quarter to finish 3-3 at the half-time.
The third quarter completely belonged to the Team India as they scored two more goals which laid the foundation for a turnaround. The Germans tried to stage a comeback in the final quarter with a goal in the 48th minute by Lukas Windfeder. But Indian defence held their shape wonderfully well and didnโt allow Germany an equalizer. Led by Harmanpreet and Rupinderpal Singh โ the Indian defence was rock solid.
The last-minute penalty did give some goosebumps but Team India was magnificent in saving the goal as it clinched a historic bronze by beating Germany 5-4.
It is Indiaโs third hockey bronze medal in the history of the Olympics. The other two came in 1968 Mexico City and the 1972 Munich Games.
