By – Shubhendra Singh Rajawat
Harmanpreet was the hero of India’s triumph, scoring in the second and third quarters to give his team the lead after trailing 0-1. In this fashion, India bid farewell to its veteran goalie PR Sreejesh, for whom this was his final international encounter.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals to assist the Indian men’s hockey team overcome Spain and win the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. The Indian team, which was eliminated from the battle for gold after losing to Germany in the semi-finals, performed admirably against Spain on Thursday, capturing the bronze medal for the second time in a row by a score of 2-1. Harmanpreet, the hero of India’s triumph, gave the team the lead by hitting goals in the second and third quarters while trailing 0-1. India therefore bid farewell to its seasoned goalie, PR Sreejesh, for whom this was his final international encounter.
Sreejesh, also known as the Wall of India, was part of the team that won medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Thus, India earned its 13th Olympic hockey medal. Hockey has been India’s most successful sport at the Olympics. The squad has won eight gold, one silver, and four bronze medals in hockey. After a 52-year wait, India has finally won medals in two consecutive Olympics. The team previously won consecutive medals in 1968 and 1972, followed by gold in 1980. After 1980, the Indian team finally broke its medal drought by earning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.
The opening quarter of the Bronze Medal match
The match between India and Spain concluded in a goalless draw. Both sides were unable to score any goals in this quarter. In this quarter, neither team managed to get a single penalty corner. Meanwhile, India’s Gurjant Singh was hurt after being struck by a ball on the head. In the first quarter, both sides played with control but were unable to produce many scoring opportunities.
Spain first scored a goal, followed by India.
Following a goalless first quarter, Spain took the lead against India in the second quarter with a penalty kick, making the score 1-0. Marc Miralles scored a goal for Spain, giving the team the lead, and he did it with precision. However, just before the second quarter ended, Harmanpreet Singh tied the score with a goal off of a penalty corner. Harmanpreet scored his ninth goal during the Olympics in Paris. Spain took the lead with a goal from Marc Miralles. The Indian team then had a protracted battle to tie the score. In the second quarter, India was awarded a penalty corner, but they failed to score.
In the third quarter, India emerged victorious.
Against Spain in the bronze medal game, the Indian men’s hockey team led 2-1 at the half. India was awarded a penalty corner at the beginning of the third quarter, and captain Harmanpreet Singh scored the goal with ease. In the 33rd minute, Harmanpreet Singh gave India their second goal of the game. This was Harmanpreet’s tenth Olympic goal in Paris. Following this, India was awarded two penalty corners; however, the Spanish goalie produced an incredible save to keep India from extending their lead.
India stopped Spain in the fourth quarter.
Spain was awarded a penalty corner at the start of the fourth quarter, but PR Sreejesh used his expertise to prevent Spain from taking advantage. Following this, the Spanish team continued to play aggressively, creating numerous scoring opportunities, but were unable to pierce India’s defense. In the fourth quarter, Sreejesh stood like a wall, deflecting Spain’s attempts twice. In the final minute, Spain was awarded a penalty corner but was unable to convert it into a goal, and India hoisted the tricolor.