Paris: In a thrilling encounter at the Paris Olympics 2024, India secured another bronze medal in men’s hockey, mirroring their success from the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, edged out Spain 2-1 in a closely fought bronze medal match on Thursday.
Harmanpreet Singh was the star of the show, scoring both goals for India, while Spain’s captain Marc Miralles netted one for his side. This victory marks a historic achievement for India, as they clinch consecutive Olympic medals in hockey for the first time in 50 years.
The match had a rocky start for India. Despite some early attacking efforts, they were unable to find the back of the net in the first quarter. The situation worsened when Manpreet Singh and Gurjant Singh collided near the circle in the eighth minute, resulting in injuries. Gurjant was struck on the head by the ball near the goalpost during a Harmanpreet assist attempt, adding to the team’s early woes.
Spain capitalized on India’s shaky start in the second quarter, with captain Marc Miralles converting a penalty stroke in the 18th minute, giving Spain a 1-0 lead. The Spaniards looked poised to dominate, but India refused to back down.
India’s resilience paid off just before halftime. In the 30th minute, they earned a penalty corner, and Harmanpreet Singh stepped up to convert it into a goal, leveling the score.
The third quarter saw India assert their dominance. Once again, in the 30th minute, Harmanpreet converted another penalty corner with precision. Harmanpreet expertly threaded the ball past Spain’s defenders and goalkeeper, putting India ahead 2-1.
Spain launched a series of counter-attacks in the third quarter, but the Indian defense, led by Harmanpreet and outgoing goalkeeper PR Shreejesh, held firm. The quarter ended with India maintaining their narrow lead.
The final quarter was a tense affair, with both teams giving their all. India faced additional challenges when Hardik Singh had to leave the field, and Sukhjeet Singh received a green card. Despite these setbacks, the Indian team defended tenaciously, holding onto their lead until the final whistle.
With this victory, India not only secured the bronze medal but also achieved a significant milestone in their Olympic hockey journey, marking a return to the podium in consecutive Games.