Paris, Aug 2 (UNI) In a historic showdown at the Paris 2024 Olympics, India's men's hockey team secured a monumental 3-2 victory over Australia in their Pool B encounter. This win marks India's first Olympic triumph against the Kookaburras since the 1972 Munich Games.
The match started with a bang at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Friday, as India dominated early. Abhishek opened the scoring in the 12th minute, quickly followed by a swift conversion from captain Harmanpreet Singh just a minute later. The double strike within two minutes set the tone for an intense battle.
Australia, known for their tenacity, fought back hard. Thomas Craig found the back of the net with a penalty corner in the 25th minute, cutting the lead and rekindling hopes for the Kookaburras. However, Harmanpreet Singh continued his stellar form, netting his second goal in the third quarter, which gave India a crucial cushion.
The final quarter brought high drama as Blake Govers converted a penalty for Australia in the 55th minute, tightening the scoreline to 3-2. Despite relentless pressure from the Australian side, including 37 circle penetrations compared to India's 20, the Indian defense held firm. The team's resilience and timely goals proved decisive in this nail-biting encounter.
With this victory, India leapfrogged Australia to claim second place in Pool B, with a record of three wins, two draws, and one loss. The Kookaburras now sit in third, trailing the reigning Olympic champions Belgium, who top the group. Argentina completes the top four.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the quarterfinals, set to begin on August 4. India's impressive form raises hopes of a continued winning streak, promising more thrilling hockey action in the days to come.
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