India on Sunday defeated Great Britain 3-1 to secure a place in the semi-finals in hockey at Tokyo Olympics. Dilpreet Singh gave India the lead in the 7th minute before Gurjant Singh extended the lead to 2-1 in the 16th minute. Hardik Singh made it 3-1 in the 57th minute after Great Britain pulled one back in the 45th minute.
The last time the Indian hockey team had reached the semi-final in Olympics was in 1972 when they lost to Pakistan 2-0. The last time India won an Olympics medal in hockey was in Moscow in 1980, when they won the Gold medal.
The Indian hockey has been unstoppable in this competition. They beat New Zealand 3-2 in the opening encounter before routing Spain 3-0, Argentina 3-1 and Japan 5-3 to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Their only loss in the group stage had come against Australia.
Reacting to India’s win against Great Britain, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said, “Stellar performance by the Indian Men’s Hockey team at #TokyoOlympics to beat Great Britain by 3-1 & entering Olympic top 4 after 41 years. Happy to note that all 3 goals were scored by Punjab players Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh & Hardik Singh.”
India have won a record eight Gold medals in Olympics hockey till date. Indian fans are desperately praying that Manpreet Singh-led team bring the country’s ninth Gold medal this time around.
India will face Belgium in the semi-final, while Australia and Germany will lock horns in the other semi-final.