Paris Olympics 2024: 'You are a true hero', Netizens hail PR Sreejesh as Indian hockey team reach semi-finals

The India men’s hockey team secured their berth in the semi-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics with a 4-2 win over Great Britain at the Yves-Du Manor Stadium on Sunday. India, led by Harmanpreet Singh, entered this game after clinching three wins, losing one and drawing one match in the group stage, as they finished the group stage with 10 points, behind group winners Belgium (13 points).

Captain Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring for India in the 22nd minute, but not before a setback for the Indian team. In the 17th minute of the contest, defender Amit Rohidas received a red card after he intentionally raised his hockey stick in a dangerous position, on the face of Great Britain player William Calnan.

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India’s lead came through a penalty corner from Harmanpreet Singh but their lead lasted for just five minutes as Lee Morton equalized for Britain in the 27th minute. And as a result of Rohidas’ red card, India were down to 10 men for more than 40 minutes of the contest.

The match went into a shoot-out at the end of full time with the scores level at 1-1. After James Albery gave Britain a 1-0 lead, Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring for India in the shoot-out levelling things at 1-1. Zachary Wallace then retained Britain’s lead to make it 2-1, but moments later Sukhjeet equalized for India yet again to make it 2-2. It was however advantage India after Great Britain’s Conor Williamson and Philip Roper failed to score in their shoot-out opportunities, with Sreejesh making a crucial save against the latter.

India will lock horns against Germany in the semi-final on 6 August. Germany got the better of Argentina 3-2 in their quarter-final clash later on Sunday.

Hockey fans and the rest of the Indian sporting fraternity were impressed by India’s win over Great Britain as they kept their hopes of a gold medal well and truly alive. Here are a few reactions: