The Indian hockey team created history in London on Friday even though they missed out on winning their first ever Champions Trophy.
The men in blue put up an impressive display against the mighty Australians as they lost to the reigning champions 3-1 in the penalty shootouts.
This is India’s first ever silver medal in the Champions Trophy competition.
Despite there being a time difference of 4 1/2 hours, the match created a considerable excitement in India as supporters continued to tweet their observations on the performance of the Indian team. The general consensus was that the Indians had done themselves and the country proud.
It took yhe Australians to rely on a controversial penalty to beat India. The Indians disputed Australia’s second penalty stroke, which they were allowed to retake after Indian goalkeeper, Sreejesh had saved in the first attempt. The video referral showed there was an unintentional foul.
Australia scored in the second attempt.
Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:
Ind gave a tough fight to Aus..Retake of a penalty shoot in fav of aussies ws unwarranted.Manpreet playd it cool #ChampionsTrophy #IndvsAus
— Dr. Ragini Nayak (@NayakRagini) June 17, 2016
This dude @16Sreejesh is a rockstar ?#IndvsAus
— कोमल 🙂 ?? (@Komal_Indian) June 17, 2016
We were so close of becoming Champion of Champions. Well played @TheHockeyIndia in #IndvsAus finals. Best performance in #ChampionsTrophy
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 17, 2016
Great effort by @TheHockeyIndia ,went right down to the wire.Lost a great final in Penalty Shootout but won our hearts.
#HCT2016 #IndvsAus— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/vikasgoyat7/status/743963247842365440
Take a bow own IndianHockeyTeam,you guys played outstanding .we love you and always support you. #IndvsAus
— Imran Siddiqui (@ImeImran) June 18, 2016
Good night folks, Aus confirmed winners. It was a game well worth a night's vigil, our 1st medal, silver, after '82 bronze #HCT2016
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) June 17, 2016
Well played team India: you lost but made us proud. Great fight. Only hockey can keep us awake!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 17, 2016
Australia won-But India dominated the game!
Big effort by India to reach at this level!In Hockey-India my Olympic Gold medal favourite!
— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) June 17, 2016