About the Game
Hockey is considered as the national game of our country. Though the most popular game of the nation is considered as cricket.
In Sunday, during the Paris Olympics game the Indian Hockey team made a massive win in the quarterfinal by defeating the mighty Great Britain in the Penalty Shoot Out. In the regulation time the match was ended as 1-1. Then it was continued to the shootout. India won the match by 4-2 in the shootout. PR Sreejesh made two important saves which helps India to qualify to the Semifinal.
India were down to 10 men and this was a challenging issue for India whether they concede a goal in the regulation time or not. But there was a “Great Wall of India”- PR Sreejesh. Especially in the 4th quarter Sreejesh makes some valuable save which took the match to the Shootout and makes the India win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHiJ4qvN7NI
Semifinal Opponent
India will face Germany, who defeat Argentina in another Semifinal by 3-2 on 6th August. In the last Olympic, Tokyo 2020 India won the Bronze medal which was also after 41 years. Another record for the Indian team is that in the group league they defeat Australia by 3-2 in Olympic Games after 52 years.
Though in the group league India lost a match against Belgium 2-1, but the journey cannot stop them. Apart from Sreejesh, the contribution of Manpreet, Hardik, and Lalit are also mentionable. Indian defense have been brilliant throuout the match.
Other Sports
But the question arises in the Olympic Games that what is the contribution of athletes in other sports. India grab only 3 medals and rank 57 in the medal tally. Sports like badminton, Table Tennis, Boxing, Rowing and even Tennis does not achieve any success. Medals only came shooting and air rifle. Out of 3 medals the 2 medals came from shooting (Manu Baker won bronze in women’s single event and won another bronze with Sabarjeet Singh in mixed event). Another medal won by Saurav Khushale which was also a bronze in the air rifle.
But what the other sporting events are not getting success? Though the eminent athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Mirabhai Chanu are not getting into action. Starting from PV Sindhu to Sattwik- Chirag partnership all are failed to bring the medal. Even the TT team cannot grab the medal this time. Laxya Sen have a chance to grab bronze but not fight for gold or silver.
Inspite of these bad news, we have a positive intent that the Hockey team is still alive and can fight for the Gold. We, the Indians have a believe that this team can sure bring a medal as they defy odds to make semis.