Tokyo Olympics 2020: Indian women’s hockey team does unthinkable

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 The Indian women’s hockey proved everybody wrong as they stunned 3-time Olympics champion Australia in the quarterfinals played at Oi Hockey Stadium on Monday.

Coming into the match, Australia dominated the Pool stage winning all their matches conceding only 1 goal and smashing 13 goals. Australia began off brilliantly, but Savita Punia made a superb save. India could have scored the goal as Vandana Katria hit the goal post and going out. The Indian defense remained solid not allowing Australia to earn a penalty corner. Sharmila Devi got injured trying to score a goal. Both teams went into the first quarter with a scoreline reading 0-0.

The second quarter also began off well as Australia earned their first penalty corner. India lost the review. Savita Punia made a superb save to deny Australia. Gurjit Kaur who looked out of form during the league stages put India ahead in the 22nd minute with a forceful drag-flick. Due to poor tackling, Monika Malik was awarded a green card resulting in India to 10 women. The Indian defense remained up to the mark and kept Australian women on the backfoot. India ended the first half with 1-0.

Australia began the third quarter in an aggressive manner earning penalty corner but did not yield anything. Sharmila Devi returned to the field after being injured in the first quarter. Savita Punia produced another piece of great save as the Australian team put enough pressure on the Indian defense. Navneet Kaur entered for the first time into Australia’s circle in the third quarter, but the shot was wide off target. Peris was awarded a green card in dying minutes. The Indian women’s team tried to take advantage but could not do anything and ended the third quarter with a 1-0 scoreline.

World number 2 did not expect anything like that from the Indian women’s team. Australian team created enough chances but the Indian defense remained like a rock. Savita Punia made another great save to deny Australia an equalizer. Nikki Pradhan was awarded a green card resulting in the Indian team to 10 players. In the last 3 minutes, Australia earned 2 back-to-back penalty corners, but Savita Punia saved the Indian team. Indian team regained possession helping them register a historic 1-0 win.

It was a great moment for the Indian women’s team as they looked down and out. They made it history by reaching the semi-finals of the Olympics for the first time. Savita Punia was simply sensational today by making 9 saves and Indian defense remained solid not allowing the Australian team any chances.



 





Indian women's team stun Australia to reach semi-finals of Tokyo Olympics 2020 

 

 

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