Xtra Time Web Desk: It was an incredible display by Manpreet Singh led Indian team as they came from behind to thump Germany 5-4 to win bronze in men’s hockey at Tokyo Olympics in Oi Hockey Stadium on Thursday. Simranjeet Singh scored twice (17”, 34”) while Hardik Singh (27”), Harmanpreet Singh (29”) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31”) also got their names on the score sheet. Germany’s goals were scored by Timur Oruz (2”), Niklas Wellen (24”), Benedikt Furk (25”) and Lukas Windfeder (48”). Indian team won a medal in Olympics hockey after 41 years. The last time they won was gold in 1980 Moscow Olympics.
The first quarter saw Germany take an early lead in the second minute. A reverse hit inside the D saw PR Sreejesh make a save but a deflection from Timur Oruz saw the ball enter the goal. The German midfielders have dominated the quarter as they had as many as 4 penalty corners. But Sreejesh was outstanding under the goal as he thwarted all the attacks from the Germans.
The second quarter was the most eventful one in the match with as many as five goals being scored. Simranjeet Singh scored the much-needed equalizer. India took advantage of a moment of lapse in concentration from the German defence. A superb delivery down the center for Simranjeet who turned and took a powerful reverse hit to level the score. Germany restored the lead through Niklas Wellen in the 24th minute while Benedikt Furk extended the lead to 3-1 in the 25th minute. Just when it looked India might be in trouble, two penalty corners for India yielded results as Hardik Singh scored on the rebound from the first one, while Harmanpreet Singh scored another with a superb drag flick on to the back of the nets. The half time score saw India leading 3-3.
The third quarter began on a brilliant note for India as they earned a penalty stroke in the first minute. Rupinder Pal Singh scored from the penalty score to extend the lead for India to 4-2. It was also his fourth goal at Tokyo Olympics. Three minutes later Simranjeet Singh scored his second goal of the match to stretch the lead to 5-3 for India. It was a quick, brilliant counter-attacking goal.
The fourth quarter saw Germany score another goal through Lukas Windfeder (48”) but that was not enough as India won the match 5-4 to win bronze.