India beat World No. 4 Australia, the silver medallists of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 3-2 in its final Paris 2024 Olympics hockey Pool B match on Friday.
This is Indian men’s first win in Olympic against the Kangaroos since 1972 in Munich. India got off to a flying start by running up a 2-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
Abhishek scored his second goal in as many outings through open play in the 12th minute. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner (PC) in the 13th minute. The Aussies did get a few cracks at the Indian post in the first quarter, but goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh made some spectacular saves. Australia narrowed the lead to 1-2 at halftime with a goal from Thomas Craig in the 25th minute.
In the third quarter, Harmanpreet extended India’s lead to 3-1 after converting a penalty stroke. The drag-flick from Harmanpreet had hit Flynn Ogilvie’s foot on the line, but the referee had failed to spot it prompting the review.
Before this match, the Indian men’s hockey team had already confirmed its quarterfinal berth. It won against New Zealand and Ireland and drew against 2016 champion Argentina though they lost to Belgium.
