Paris Olympics Dispatch: Belief back in Indian team ahead of hockey quarters with stunning win against Australia

Belief is back in the Indian hockey team, which began their Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign on a shaky note, but have gradually struck form with two impressive outings against defending champions Belgium — which they lost by one goal — and now a stunning victory over Tokyo Olympic silver medallists Australia .

India’s 3-2 victory over Australia on Friday at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium is their first against the boys from Down Under in the Olympic arena in 52 years, having last beaten them in Munich 1972. During this half-century, India went from the bronze medal at Munich to win the gold at the boycott-hit Moscow Olympics in 1980 and then had to wait for 41 years until they got the bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

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On the other hand, Australia have shrugged off their tag of under-performers to claim a silver behind New Zealand on the Astroturf of Montreal in 1976, and thereafter six medals in consecutive Olympics Games from 1992 to 2012. Australia’s lone Olympic gold medal came at Athens in 2004, even though they were more successful in this context in the World Cups.

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Since the 1972 Munich encounter, India played Australia seven times in the Olympic competitions, losing five of these matches before turning the tables in the century-old venue at Paris.

For India, the milestone Olympic triumph over Australia came just as they are bracing for the knock-out quarter-finals of Paris 2024. The series of upsets in both groups has kept the teams on tenterhooks and India got to know very late after this encounter that they will take on Great Britain in the quarter-finals.

Breaking the 52-Year Wait!

Celebrating our first win against Australia in the Olympics since 1972!

This victory is for every Indian.

Let's keep the momentum, let's keep the adrenaline!

Onto the Quarter Finals 🔥

FT:
India 🇮🇳 3 - 2 🇳🇿 Australia
Abhishek 12'
Harmanpreet… pic.twitter.com/iHDKbHxuXz

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 2, 2024

Logging 10 points from five matches in Pool B they, took the second spot in the group behind defending champions Belgium, who needed a late equaliser to draw 3-3 with Argentina. This loss kept 2016 gold medallists Argentina in the fourth spot, while Australia took the third place.

“We did not know about this 52-year gap in beating Australia in an Olympic encounter. Now that this record is being mentioned, it makes us doubly pleased,” said Manpreet Singh, who is playing in his fourth Olympic Games since making his debut at London in 2012.

“I can now claim that we ticked off all the right boxes today,” said captain Harmanpreet, who scored two goals on Friday, taking his tournament tally to six goals from five games. Three of these goals have come from penalty corners conversions with as many coming through penalty strokes.

India maintained a close marking on the Australian strikers, but often switched from man-to-man marking to territorial structure. Despite their massive experience, Australia found it difficult to tackle India mixing up its strategy. There was also an element of assurance in Indian midfielders, who commanded territorial authority and shaped the shock victory.

Harmanpreet said India’s mood was upbeat from the beginning. “Our confidence stayed high and we were ahead in this game throughout. It’s a special victory as we head into the quarter-finals,” said the Indian captain.

Before Harmanpreet got into the goal-scoring act, young striker Abhishek scored a peach of the goal on a rebound from the goalkeeper’s pads. Abhishek shot to the left of the goalkeeper in the 12th minute. A minute later, Harmanpreet sounded the boards with a grounder drag-flick.

Stop everything! Watch Harmanpreet Singh's penalty corner magic!

India 2-0 against Australia, Watch 🇮🇳 🆚 🇦🇺 LIVE NOW on #Sports18 & stream FREE on #JioCinemahttps://t.co/gSEsPeomjp #OlympicsOnJioCinema #OlympicsOnSports18 #JioCinemaSports #Cheer4Bharat #Hockey pic.twitter.com/dRrpE0IjUb

— JioHotstar Reality (@HotstarReality) August 2, 2024

Australia pulled one goal back in the 25th minute through Thomas Craig’s field goal, only to see India increase the lead again with a penalty stroke conversion by Harmanpreet. The stroke was awarded as his penalty corner shot had struck the foot of a defender standing on the goal-line.

Australia fought back to make it 2-3 when Blake Govers made no mistake with a penalty stroke, but the Indian defence packed their circle not to let in another goal and complete a rousing win.

Sreejesh, playing in this fourth Olympics, said India were eager to take the second spot in the group placings and were prepared to play hard for it. “We also knew what Australia was capable of, but were able to match their game. Our medal hopes are on track,” said Sreejesh.

Manpreet said India’s plan for this game was to clear any confusion within the group about their structure. This was evident in the manner instructions were being shouted by senior players on the field.

“While shifting from man-to-man marking to zonal defence, we kept communicating loudly among ourselves, which the Australians might have found strange. But it ensured there was no confusion on the field at any given time,” said Manpreet.

“We were determined to win this one-on-one battle on the pitch. While going all out, we were determined not to yield any space to the rivals, even if we conceded extra penalty corners,” said former captain Manpreet. “Our penalty corner defence is quite good, so the prospects of conceding penalty corners were not playing on our minds.”

Australia, with nine points from three games, came into this contest after their worst-ever loss to Belgium just three days ago when the Belgians hammered them 6-2, but were also assured of place in the quarter-finals.