06 August,2021 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin Ferro
Indian hockey team members after the medal ceremony at Tokyo. Pic/Hockey India
Well begun is half done is an adage that doesn't hold true for the Indian men's hockey team. That's because despite a poor start to their bronze medal match against Germany on Thursday, the Indians finished with a brilliant and historic victory at the Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo.
Skipper Manpreet Singh & Co beat Germany 5-4 to win Indian hockey's first Olympic medal in 41 years. The start however, was a stutter as Germany's Timur Oruz breached the Indian defence as early as the second minute. India chief coach Graham Reid admitted that his boys were caught napping. "I guess we were in sleep mode and a bit casual at the start there and paid the price for it. The Germans were very pumped right from the start and scored. But after that, I'm glad we switched on for the next three quarters," Reid said during a virtual media interaction from Tokyo on Thursday.
India got the equaliser through a stylish reverse-hit field goal by Simranjit Singh in the 17th minute before Germany struck twice, first through Niklas Wellen (24th) and then through Benedikt Furk (25th). Here is where India's resurgence began, something coach Reid is very proud of. "The best performance of the day was after being 1-3 down and after you have lost the semi-final a day earlier, most teams would struggle with that mentally, but the way we fought back, it showed where this group stands. We had discussed before the match that if we get into trouble, we need to find that next level. That's what you saw, we dug deep, played some fast, aggressive, attacking hockey and it paid off. You have to dare to lose to be able to win and that's what we did," added Reid.
A Hardik Singh (27th) tap in off a penalty corner rebound made it 2-3 after which Harmanpreet Singh (29th) drag-flicked home for 3-3. Rupinderpal Singh (31st) then converted a penalty stroke, and another fine field goal by Simrajeet (34th) completed the tally. The Germans could manage just one more goal, through ace drag-flicker Lukas Windfeder (48th) before the Indians held on for a famous win. Indian hockey last won an Olympic medal in 1980, a gold at the truncated Moscow Games.
Skipper Manpreet dedicated this medal to India's COVID-19 warriors. "This is fantastic. Given the effort we put in after being 1-3 down, we deserve this medal. We have worked so hard. Across the last 15 months, it has been very difficult. We were in Bangalore [at the national camp] and did not get any international match practice. Some of us also got COVID. This medal is for our doctors and frontline health workers, who have saved so many lives in India," said Manpreet.
The thrilling sea-saw encounter fittingly ended with a save from mercurial goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who parried away a Winfeder drag-flick six seconds from the final hooter. "We last won a medal in 1980. Through this medal we have given our youngsters a reason to pick up a hockey stick and dream of playing for the country," the 'keeper aptly summed up the massive achievement.
. 1928, Amsterdam: GOLD
. 1932, Los Angeles: GOLD
. 1936, Berlin: GOLD
. 1948, London: GOLD
. 1952, Helsinki: GOLD
. 1956, Melbourne: GOLD
. 1960, Rome: SILVER
. 1964, Tokyo: BRONZE
. 1968, Mexico City: BRONZE
. 1972, Munich: BRONZE
. 1980, Moscow: GOLD
. 2021, Tokyo: BRONZE
Ajit Pal Singh, World Cup-winning captain: I am extremely happy for Indian hockey as a whole because at one time people said that hockey is in ICU, hockey is dead. But now we have witnessed Indian hockey's resurgence.
Zafar Iqbal, 1980 Moscow Games gold medallist: History has been made. We have broken the jinx. It's a miracle. It is going to have a big impact on the game. It will revive the sport in the country. It's a new beginning, a new dawn.
Harendra Singh, former India coach: The journey has just started. It is just an appetiser, the main course is yet to come. It's just the beginning, many more
to come.
Dhanraj Pillay, former captain: I always had the regret that I could not win an Olympic medal. I used to wonder whether I would be able to see India at the Olympic podium again in hockey. Now with this historic win, I have no regrets.
Dilip Tirkey, former captain: The expectation of every Indian has been fulfilled today. The Indian team have proved that they can beat the powerhouses of world hockey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with skipper Manpreet Singh and coach Graham Reid after Indian team's bronze medal win. "Manpreet ji many many congratulations. You and the entire team did a great job. The entire nation is dancing in joy for your achievements. Your hard work paid dividends," said Modi. He then congratulated Reid.
