What a journey! India’s women’s hockey team are bringing Chak de India to life and we can’t have enough of that. India’s women’s hockey team created history as they beat 3 time Olympic gold medalist Australia, to enter the semi finals for the first time.
India’s best performance in the Olympics came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games . The Indian women’s team had finished fourth in the 1980 Moscow Olympics but the format in those Games was different, as there were no knockout matches.
Gurjit Kaur proved to be India’s hero as she scored her maiden Olympic goal in the 22nd minute to put India in the last-4 of the Olympics for the first time in history.
In a match where the odds were totally against India as they took on world number 2 Australia who was unbeaten in the tournament.
But the Indians, determined to prove a point, produced a strong and brave performance to knock out Australia.
India were clearly the dominant side with 59% ball possession in the first quarter but the big moment came in the second quarter when drag flicker Gurjit Kaur converted India’s first penalty corner in the 22nd minute to put her side ahead.
India had five shots on goal compared to 14 of the World No.2 side but India’s defence was superb just like their midfield. They did not let Australia score despite conceding seven penalty corners in the match.
In the final eight minutes of the game, the pressure was relentless on the Indians as Australia secured four more penalty corners but failed to breach the willpower of the Indian defence.
The Indian Women will face Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday. A spot in the semi-finals also means that India are guaranteed a medal match for the first-time at the Olympics. Meanwhile, the men’s side will take on Belgium in a last-four fixture tomorrow at 7 AM IST. Indian Hockey action for the day comes to an end.