Updated Thu, 05 Aug 2021 11: 45 AM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian hockey team's victory as historic India last won an Olympic medal in hockey in 1980
The Indian Hockey team has won a medal in the Olympics after 41 years. India defeated Germany in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. India made a strong comeback from the start in the match to win the match 5-4 against Germany. Before this, the last time Team India won the Olympic medal in hockey was in 1980.
Germany opened their account in the second minute of the match. Timur Oruz scored the first goal for Germany. With this Germany took a 1-0 lead. The Indian team then made a comeback in the 17th minute when Simranjit Singh played a vigorous game to overshadow the German goalkeeper and managed to score. With this goal, both the teams were tied at 1-1.
Score level in second quarter However, this lead did not last long and Germany's Niklas Wellen scored his first and second goal for the team in the 24th minute to put Germany 2-1 ahead. Germany then scored another goal within a minute to extend their lead to 3-1. Furk Benedict scored his third goal in the 25th minute.
In the 27th minute of the match, India got a penalty corner and Hardik Singh converted it into a goal to reduce Germany's lead. A penalty corner from Simranjit Singh was blocked by the German goalkeeper, but the ball reflected back and Hardik sent it to the goal post. With this the score became 3-2.
After this, India showed a more aggressive game and scored the third goal of the match. With this, both the teams reached the draw of 3-3. Harmanpreet scored this brilliant goal in the 29th minute before the end of the second quarter.
India turned the match in the third quarter India got off to a good start in the third quarter. India got a penalty stroke and Rupinder did no wrong. Rupinder hit the ball straight into the goalpost and gave India a vital and strong lead of 4-3. After this, Simranjit Singh scored a brilliant goal on Sumit in the 34th minute and took India 5-3 ahead to bring India closer to the bronze medal.
India managed to stop Germany in the fourth quarter With the start of the fourth quarter, Germany played an aggressive game and did everything possible to score. In the 48th minute of the match, Germany got a chance in the form of a penalty corner and Windfeder converted it into a goal. With this the score became 5-4. After this India showed excellent defense and did not allow Germany to score. The match took an exciting turn in the last moments when Germany were awarded another penalty corner. However, Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh ensured India's victory by saving him.