New Delhi | Desk: The Indian men’s hockey team staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Spain 2-1, securing the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
This victory also marked a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played his final international match on Thursday.
Spain initially took the lead through captain Marc Miralles in the 18th minute. However, India responded swiftly, with skipper Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice (30’, 33’).
The triumph at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium earned India their record-extending 13th Olympic hockey medal, and their second consecutive bronze, following their success at Tokyo 2020. This also marked the first time India won successive Olympic hockey medals since the Munich 1972 Games.
Heading into Paris 2024, India was already the most successful hockey team in Olympic history, with eight golds, one silver, and three bronze medals. Their bronze in Tokyo had ended a 41-year Olympic medal drought.
Facing world No. 8 Spain, who had upset defending champions Belgium in the quarter-finals, the fifth-ranked Indian team started cautiously but gradually gained momentum as the match progressed.
By the midway point of the opening quarter, India began making meaningful inroads into the Spanish defense but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Spain, on the other hand, managed only a couple of circle penetrations compared to India’s nine.
Early in the second quarter, Spain took the lead via a penalty stroke, with Manpreet Singh’s infringement inside the circle leading to Marc Miralles blasting the ball into the top corner past PR Sreejesh.
Spain, seeking their first Olympic medal since winning silver at Beijing 2008, had opportunities to extend their lead with two penalty corners shortly after the opening goal. However, Amit Rohidas, returning to the Indian lineup after a suspension in the semi-finals against Germany, brilliantly thwarted the Spanish efforts.
Borja Lacalle came close to doubling Spain’s lead, but his shot struck the post, and Sreejesh ensured the resulting penalty corner was kept out.
With less than 15 seconds remaining in the first half, India equalized as Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner, notching his ninth goal of Paris 2024 and solidifying his position as the tournament’s top scorer.
Harmanpreet struck again minutes after the half-time break, giving India the lead for the first time. The Indian captain nearly completed a hat-trick from another penalty corner, but Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado made a crucial save.
Spain thought they had equalized with five minutes left in the third quarter when Joaquin Menini bundled in a loose ball following Sreejesh’s save from a Jose Basterra penalty corner. However, the goal was disallowed as replays showed the ball had come off a Spanish body.
In the final quarter, both teams engaged in a fierce battle, with Spain pushing hard for an equalizer. The Indian defense, however, stood firm under pressure, and Sreejesh made two crucial saves in the last two minutes to secure the victory and cap off his illustrious international career.
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