PARIS: This was a match to determine the place India would end on the factors desk in Pool B of the hockey competitors – a match in opposition to a group India have suffered in opposition to through the years. The truth is, India had not crushed Australia because the 1972 Munich Video games within the Olympics.One wouldn’t have blamed the Indian supporters for being a bit apprehensive on the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium right here on Friday afternoon.
For the Indian group, there was nothing to look again at. It was a clear slate. Forward of them, on Pitch 2, was a rival they needed to beat. They have been prepared, they have been motivated, and so they gained it 3-2, combating until the final second.
It was a very long time coming. 52 years to be exact, and it felt good to have witnessed that.
What stood out in India’s victory was their excellent defence – when the Aussies counter-attacked or after they acquired the penalty corners. Their off-the-ball operating was spot on. They tried to shut the channels within the midfield, which was manned properly by veteran Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh. If the Aussies attacked by means of the flanks, the defenders, midfielders and even the strikers fought collectively to thwart them.
“We knew that they could possibly be very harmful in counter-attacks. We had determined that we might win the one-on-one battles, concede penalty corners however not give them a free run at our purpose. We’ve a superb penalty nook defence. We additionally stored altering our technique in keeping with the scenario. We stored calling one another out after we wanted man-to-man marking or zonal marking. It labored,” Manpreet stated later.
The defence was the platform which the strikers used very properly to hit the Aussies exhausting. The truth is, India’s first purpose got here by means of discipline play within the opening quarter. On an assault from the left within the twelfth minute, Lalit Upadhyay hit exhausting on the purpose and Abhishek slammed the rebound off the goalkeeper Andrew Constitution’s pads.
This got here after Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh had made two very good saves within the preliminary minutes. The 36-year-old- taking part in in his final Olympics- like at all times was a rock within the purpose.
Even because the Kookaburras have been seeking to hit again, got here the second purpose. Within the very subsequent minute (thirteenth minute), the Aussies tried to clear a protracted ball of their circle and conceded a penalty nook. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who already had 4 targets in his bag right here, acquired his fifth one, hitting flat and straight by means of the center to slam the board.
Within the second quarter, Australia pulled one again Craig Thomas’ penalty nook conversion. It was an oblique mixture. A string of 5 passes beat the Indian defenders. At 2-1, India knew they wanted to attain extra to make sure they acquired full factors.
It got here simply minutes into the third quarter. India gained a penalty nook, their third, which was saved on the goal-line by an Aussie participant. India requested for a video referral which revealed a foul and a penalty stroke was rewarded. Harmanpreet had no bother slotting it dwelling. At 3-1, India had a cushion.
Within the final quarter, India appeared to have gone up 4-1 as Abhishek scored in a goal-line melee. The Aussies referred to as for a video referral which confirmed a foul by Mandeep Singh earlier than the ultimate end.
Relieved, the Aussies pressed and acquired their second when a penalty stroke was given for a foul contained in the Indian circle. Blake Govers scored to make it 2-3. It stayed that means as Sreejesh made a valiant save within the dying seconds.
The goalkeeper later stated that the technique labored. “We performed properly in opposition to Belgium too on Thursday however did not take our probabilities. At present, our forwards seized the chance. That labored for us. Sure, we defended very properly.”
When requested concerning the ‘Win it for Sreejesh’ marketing campaign, he stated: “It feels good. I’m making an attempt my greatest to not disappoint followers again dwelling. I acquired a few knocks ultimately; my ribs are swollen however I’m completely satisfied.”
