2024 Paris Olympics: Indian men's hockey team reaches semi-finals
The Indian men's hockey team has advanced to the semi-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was a heroic show from Harmanpreet Singh's men against Great Britain at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium. India played with 10 men for most part of the match after Amit Rohidas was sent off for a bad challenge. The match ended 1-1 before India won the shootout.
0-0 in the first quarter
After an even start to the contest, Great Britain earned successive penalty corners. An alert Rohidas blocked both the penalty corners. Both goalkeepers were in the contest and looked lively as the match became intense. Ollie Payne did well to save Abhishek's shot before Jarmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh did well to deny Great Britain. It stayed 0-0 in the first quarter.
Rohidas sent off for India
In the second quarter, Zachary Wallace shot at goal and saw Sreejesh make a superb save. He got on the rebound but Sumit Walmiki got his stick on it. Sam Ward reviewed but replays didn't help his cause. India were down to 10 players next with Rohidas sent off for a bad foul. Being under pressure from William Calnan, Rohidas committed a foul.
Harmanpreet scores for 10-man India
Manpreet Singh gave away a penalty corner but Sreejesh stood tall. India then earned a penalty corner themselves after a swift piece of work. Harmanpreet scored his 7th goal at the Paris Olympics. His rocket shot was too hot to handle.
Great Britain equalize as 2nd quarter ends 1-1
After Harmanpreet handed India the advantage with 10 men, Great Britain didn't need to wait for long to find the equalizer. GB earned their 50th penalty corner in Paris which India defended well. Moments later, it was Lee Morton, who scored for Great Britain. A cross was slapped in from the right which saw Sreejesh step up but the ball reached Morton, who scored.
Sreejesh makes the difference in the 3rd quarter
Great Britain started the 3rd quarter well with goalkeeper Sreejesh coming up with a superb save to deny Rupert Shipperley at the far post. Great Britain then earned successive penalty corners but Sreejesh was brilliant. Sreejesh was called up again and he saved another penalty corner, this time denying Tom Sorsby. India were reduced to nine men late on. Sumit got a green card.
What happened in the 4th quarter?
India played with nine men for close to two minutes at the start of the 4th quarter. Great Britain then saw Shipperley get a green card. It was 10 men a side on the field for two minutes. India held on thereafter but Great Britain applied pressure. Will Calnan had the best chance but Sreejesh was equal to the task.
India win the shootout 4-2
James Albery scored for Great Britain to open the shootout. Harmanpreet made it 1-1. Wallace and Sukhjeet Singh hit the target as well with things tied at 2-2. Conor Williamson missed next as Lalit Upadhyay made it 3-2. Phillip Roper missed next as India scored.
A look at the head-to-head record
The two teams met for the 24th time in all competitons. Great Britain have won 13 encounters with India now winning nine. Two matches have ended in a draw. Great Britain were on a four-match unbeaten run against India with three wins and a draw before this defeat. India last beat Great Britain at this same stage at the Tokyo Olympics.
India finished second in Pool B
India overcame New Zealand 3-2 before playing out a 1-1 draw against Argentina. Thereafter, a 2-0 win over Ireland followed suit. India were beaten by Belgium next in a 2-1 affair. India went on to stun Australia 3-2 in their final Pool B encounter. The win saw India finish second behind Belgium. After five matches, India finished with 10 points (W3 D1 L1).
Indian men's hockey team deserves all the praise
A superb defensive masterclass from India against Great Britain especially with 10 players helped them reach the semis. Great Britain had their moments but India held on to keep the scoreline at 1-1. Sreejesh and the defense deserve the shout. And the belief and intensity helped India in the shootout where they kept their nerves and didn't lose focus.
