Tokyo [Japan], August 5 (ANI): It took 41 years, but the dream of every Indian was finally realised on Thursday as the men’s hockey team beat Germany 5-4 to win the bronze medal here at the Oi Hockey Stadium — North Pitch.
The Men in Blue showed absolute resilience, strength, and winning spirit to register a remarkable comeback win against a strong German team.
The German team got off the block very quickly in the first quarter after the Indian defence was caught napping. Timur Oruz scored past Sreejesh from the scramble in the D. The European team continued with their relentless pressure and got series of penalty corners which the Indian defence withheld brilliantly during the dying moments of the first fifteen minutes.
Graham Reid’s men responded well in the second quarter as the team scored a brilliant field goal from the counterattack. Nilakanta found Simranjeet with a long ball into the D and he finished the move brilliantly on the turn. Germany soon regained their lead from the goal by Wellen on the counter. After that, the floodgates of goals opened for both teams as Furk capitalised on the error of Surender to give Germany a 3-1 lead in the game.
India again came back in the game as Hardik Singh pounced on Harmanpreet’s drag-flick to peg the Germans one back. In the dying moments of the first half, Harmanpreet Singh again came clutch for India with his superb drag-flick to level the match 3-3.
The second half started with a bang for the Men in Blue as Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty stroke and in the preceding phase, Germany lost their referral too. For the fifth goal for India, Gurjant beautifully outran the German defender on the right flank to find Simranjeet in the center as he scored his second of the match.
In the fourth quarter of the match, Windfeder converted the PC as he smashed the ball through the legs of Sreejesh and reduced the lead of India by one goal. But Indian defenders made sure to give no chance to the German team to create any upset as they saw the match through with that one-goal lead.
We can’t keep calm: Anurag Thakur after Indian men’s hockey team clinch bronze
New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Law and Justice, praised the Indian men’s hockey team for clinching the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian boys defeated Germany 5-4 to clinch the first medal in 41 years in hockey at the Games.
Taking to Twitter, Thakur wrote: “A BILLION CHEERS for INDIA! Boys, you’ve done it ! We can’t keep calm ! #TeamIndia! Our Men’s Hockey Team dominated and defined their destiny in the Olympic history books today, yet again ! We are extremely proud of you!”
Taking to Twitter, Rijiju wrote: “After 41 years wait..! A golden moment for Indian Hockey and Indian Sports! Finally, long wait is over as India defeated Germany to win Hockey Men’s Olympic Bronze medal at #Tokyo2020. India in complete celebration mood! Congratulations to our Hockey players !! #Cheer4India.”
The Men in Blue showed absolute resilience, strength, and winning spirit to register a remarkable comeback win against a strong German team. The German team got off the block very quickly in the first quarter after the Indian defence was caught napping. Timur Oruz scored past Sreejesh from the scramble in the D.
Graham Reid’s men responded well in the second quarter as the team scored a brilliant field goal from the counterattack. Nilakanta found Simranjeet with a long ball into the D and he finished the move brilliantly on the turn. Germany soon regained their lead from the goal by Wellen on the counter. After that, the floodgates of goals opened for both teams as Furk capitalised on the error of Surender to give Germany a 3-1 lead in the game.
India again came back in the game as Hardik Singh pounced on Harmanpreet’s drag-flick to peg the Germans one back. In the dying moments of the first half, Harmanpreet Singh again came clutch for India with his superb drag-flick to level the match 3-3. The second half started with a bang for the Men in Blue as Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty stroke and in the preceding phase, Germany lost their referral too. For the fifth goal for India, Gurjant beautifully outran the German defender on the right flank to find Simranjeet in the center as he scored his second of the match.
In the fourth quarter of the match, Windfeder converted the PC as he smashed the ball through the legs of Sreejesh and reduced the lead of India by one goal. But Indian defenders held on after that.
Men’s hockey team dominated and defined their destiny in Olympic history books, says Anurag Thakur
Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, congratulated the Indian men’s hockey team for winning the Bronze at Tokyo 2020 Olympics as he stated that the team dominated and defined their destiny to register themselves in Olympics history books.
It took 41 years, but the dream of every Indian was finally realised on Thursday as the men’s hockey team beat Germany 5-4 to win the bronze medal at the Oi Hockey Stadium — North Pitch. The Men in Blue showed absolute resilience, strength, and winning spirit to register a remarkable comeback win against a strong German team.
“A billion cheers for India. Our men’s hockey team has done it. Our men’s hockey team dominated and defined their destiny in Olympic history books today. After 40 years they have made a mark they qualified for semifinals and now they have won a bronze,” Anurag Thakur told ANI.
“When you win medals you inspire a lot of people to come and play that sport and be a part of the future generations who can win more medals.
“Many congratulations to the Indian men’s hockey team who have won another medal for India and has given 135 crores Indians a reason to be happy. They have also won the hearts of the nation with this performance.”
“There was so much pressure in last quarter and before that, we were 5-3 up. Besides all this, the performance by players shows their commitment to raise the tricolor [in Tokyo 2020] and to win the medal again for the country,” Thakur pointed.
President Kovind, others congratulate men’s hockey team for ‘historic’ win
President Ram Nath Kovind and Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the Indian men’s hockey team on winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday.
“Congratulations to our men’s hockey team for winning an Olympic Medal in hockey after 41 years. The team showed exceptional skills, resilience and determination to win. This historic victory will start a new era in hockey and will inspire the youth to take up and excel in the sport,” President Kovind said in a tweet.
Congratulating Team India, Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet said, “Congratulations #TeamIndia. A moment of immense pride and joy for every Indian that our Men’s Hockey Team has won the Bronze Medal at #Tokyo2020. You have made the entire nation proud.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the team and tweeted, “This BRONZE is our GOLD! Our Hockey Men’s Team mesmerised as they registered a spectacular victory at #TokyoOlympics2020 winning a medal after 41 years!”
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Brilliant in Blue Congratulations Indian Men’s #Hockey Team on the spectacular victory to give us an Olympic medal after 41 long years. This historic win at #Tokyo2020 will inspire generation of sportspersons. All the very best for future.”
It took 41 years, but the dream of every Indian was finally realised on Thursday as the men’s hockey team beat Germany 5-4 to win the bronze medal here at the Oi Hockey Stadium — North Pitch.
The Men in Blue showed absolute resilience, strength, and winning spirit to register a remarkable comeback win against a strong German team.
Tokyo Olympics: Sports fraternity elated as Indian men’s team win medal in hockey after 41 years
The sports fraternity rejoiced on Thursday as the Manpreet Singh-led Indian men’s hockey team clinched the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian boys defeated Germany 5-4 to clinch the first medal in 41 years in hockey at the Games.
Taking to Twitter, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar wrote: “Congratulations to each & every member of the hockey contingent on winning the #Bronze for India! A fantastic hard fought win…The penalty corner save by Sreejesh in the dying moments of the game was amazing. Entire India is immensely proud! #Hockey #Tokyo2020 #Olympics.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tweeted: “The Sky is Blue indeed..Heartiest congratulations #TeamIndia for winning a Bronze Medal..The entire nation is proud of you. #Cheer4India.”
2008 Olympics Gold medallist Abhinav Bindra wrote: “An emotional moment for the entire nation, a moment of pride. The long wait has ended! Congratulations to the Indian Men’s Hockey team for their splendid achievement. @TheHockeyIndia.”
Taking to Twitter, Virender Sehwag wrote: “Chak De Fattey ! Burraaah A landmark day for @TheHockeyIndia After being down 3-1, INDIA fights back to win the bronze medal match 5-3, a first Olympic medal in #Hockey after 40 years. Mazaa aa gaya #IndvsGer.”
Track legend PT Usha wrote: “Congratulations to my sons for their exceptional performance to win the bronze medal. The entire country is proud of the show they have put on during the #Olympics. May this be the start of another golden era for Indian hockey! @TheHockeyIndia #Tokyo2020.”
Former shooting champ Col Rajyavardhan Rathore wrote: “Heartiest congratulations #TeamIndia The Men’s Hockey Team has ended the 41-year wait for a medal at the #Olympics #Cheer4India.”
Former India batsman Suresh Raina wrote: “Heartiest Congratulations to the Indian Men’s hockey team! We are super proud of your efforts & this victory will forever be cherised! #Hockey #Olympics #Tokyo2020.”
