Paris Olympics 2024: India defeated World No. 4 Australia, the silver medalist from Tokyo 2020, with a score of 3-2 in their final Pool B match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday. This marks the Indian men’s first Olympic win against Australia since the 1972 Munich Games.
India started strong by taking a 2-0 lead going into the second quarter. Abhishek scored his second goal in as many games from open play in the 12th minute, while captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 13th minute. The Australians had a few chances at the Indian goal in the first quarter, but goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh was up to the challenge.
Australia closed the gap to 2-1 at halftime with a goal from Thomas Craig in the 25th minute. In the third quarter, Harmanpreet Singh increased India’s lead to 3-1 by scoring a penalty stroke after a video review. Harmanpreet’s drag-flick had hit Flynn Ogilvie’s foot on the line, which the referee initially missed, leading to the review.
Australia put up a strong fight in the final quarter and threatened India when Blake Govers scored a penalty stroke to make it 3-2. However, India stayed calm and secured the win, finishing the group stage on a high note.
🚨 THE HISTORIC MOMENT 🚨
– India defeated Australia in Hockey at the Olympics after 52 long years. pic.twitter.com/KiHnlo2e0d
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 2, 2024
Before this match, the Indian men’s hockey team had already secured a spot in the quarterfinals. They won against Ireland and New Zealand and drew with Argentina, the 2016 Olympic champion. Their only loss in the tournament was a 1-2 defeat to Belgium.
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