Indian men’s hockey team did India proud as they got the better of Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Indian men’s team displayed sheer counter-attacking play which was more than enough to defeat Germany in the play-offs.
It is worth mentioning here that the Indian men’s hockey team earned an Olympic medal after a gap of 41 years. It is to be noted that India’s last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games.
India came back from a two-goal deficit and took a two-goal lead at the end of the third quarter. Germany tried to get back into the game by reducing the deficit as in the fourth quarter when it scored a goal from the penalty corner. Previously at the half-time, Team India who were 1-3 down to level 3-3 level at the half-time break.
India beat Germany 5-4
Simranjeet Singh (17th, 34th minutes) scored two goals, while Hardik Singh (27th), Harmanpreet Singh (29th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st) were the other goal scorers. It is also India’s third hockey bronze medal in the history of the Olympics. The other two medals came in 1968 Mexico City and the 1972 Munich Games.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian men’s hockey team after winning the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics. He tweeted,”Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian. Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze.
With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth. India is proud of our Hockey team. Field hockey stick and ball.”
“I think we should just forget about what happened in the semi-final and just put all our focus and energy into the game against Germany. The team has the experience of playing them in recent times. We are ready for the challenge,” said Manpreet Singh on the eve of the bronze medal play-off match.
He further stated: “We have the entire country’s support. We even had the Hono’ble Prime Minister call us and wish us after the semi-final loss. He asked us to not feel disappointed and just look forward to playing well on Thursday and that’s what we plan to do. We are pumped up for the game.”